Akatsuki Translations

“The quality is excellent. I’m truly impressed. However, no matter how refined and beautiful it looks, selling something this unfamiliar is risky. We only have three days, you know,” said Dalgan, his muscular frame belying his keen business sense.

Plura, likely the most knowledgeable about their target demographic, was quick to add, “The unfamiliar aroma might even work against us. Especially if we’re targeting noble young ladies. Customers are timid, after all.”

They were the first to return to reality, and their opinions were valid. I didn’t have an answer to their concerns. So, I decided to test directly whether this cuisine would be accepted by our intended customers.

“You make fair points,” I said. “That’s why I’ve invited some people to taste test today.”

At my signal, Mia opened the laboratory door. Four female students entered. Wait, four? That’s one more than planned.

“I heard about this from Lutzia-sama and simply had to bring her along,” said Kenwell’s twin sister, unabashed.

“Maria-senpai,” I acknowledged.

Though a commoner, she was from the upper echelons. She likely knew a lot about noble clientele as well. It was impressive how she didn’t look out of place among this group in terms of grace and beauty. In some aspects, she was even raising the average.

“Claudia-sama,” “The Viscount’s daughter…” “Y-Your Highness, the Princess,” “…”

Caught off guard, everyone except Riruka froze. This was certainly the best group for marketing to noble young ladies.

After a round of admiration for the culinary collage on the plates, the beautiful girls began to use their knives and forks. It was amazing how little noise they made despite metal touching porcelain. As someone who grew up in Japan slurping soba noodles, I could never imitate that.

Now that they had finished eating, everyone looked satisfied. It seemed to have gone well.

“Is this an appetizer?” the princess asked. “It’s beautifully colorful. Despite being just vegetables, the variety in texture and taste made it delicious.”

“I-It’s an honor, Y-Your Highness,” Belmini stammered, his tongue barely cooperating. He’d even doubled up on the honorifics.

“This wouldn’t bring shame to the princess,” Claudia remarked.

“Thank you, Claudia-sama,” Dalgan said, bowing his large frame.

“The texture is exquisite. You must be using very fine milk,” Lutzia observed.

“It’s an honor, Lutzia-sama,” Riruka said, maintaining her composed expression while clearly pleased.

“This aroma is so fresh,” Maria commented. “Combined with the mousse that melts on the tongue, it’s wonderful.”

“…Yes,” even Plura quietly accepted the praise. Her focus on the individual components showed her expertise.

“This might just work,” Dalgan said. “Of course, there are still concerns about the location and such.”

“The rest depends on the food court’s interior design,” Plura added.

“…Praise from Her Highness the Princess…” Belmini muttered.

“…” Roston remained silent.

The team was now fully motivated. Roston truly didn’t speak unless necessary. Well, it was helpful that the baguette couldn’t make any strange assertions. But I noticed him perk up at the evaluation of the yuzu aroma. The five of them began discussing improvements to their respective dishes, leaving me behind. Plura even suggested using sauce to add patterns to the plates. Come to think of it, the original version in my world had that. I’d overlooked it. As expected of a professional.

Alfina and the others were answering questions from the team members. This wasn’t my cue to step in. That was a good thing.

“Vinder-kun,” a voice called out.

“How was it, Maria-senpai?” I responded with a smile to the uninvited guest.

“I was already surprised by the food court concept, but the idea behind this dish is also wonderful. I’m glad I insisted on coming along. And…”

Maria glanced at the VIP seats she had left earlier.

“What incredible connections. This is something I’ll have to report not just to Jan, but to Father as well.”

“No, no, I didn’t make a single dish,” I hurriedly denied, waving both hands. My self-preservation alert was ringing.

“That’s a factor that adds to your evaluation, you know. Hmm, this isn’t the work of a small trading company. Your subordinates seem quite capable too. I had only heard about that girl from Riruka. She asked me to meet her once.”

Maria looked at Mia as she spoke. Wait, does that mean they were trying to headhunt our secretary? Well, anyone with discerning eyes could see that Mia wasn’t the type of talent a copper-ranked company would typically employ. Riruka probably had Mia’s best interests in mind. Come to think of it, she used to be quite harsh towards me before.

But I won’t let that happen.

“Say, I have a younger sister. Would you take her?”

The conversation suddenly turned to giving me someone!? Why? Aren’t upper-class people supposed to act more leisurely? Both the Archduchess and Maria. I wish they’d act more like their status.

“No, no, I have no intention of coming under Kenwell’s umbrella,” I replied.

“Oh? Even though she’s a beautiful girl who looks like me,” Maria said, crossing her arms. Despite not wearing a push-up bra, her beautiful curves became more pronounced.

“W-Well, I’m grateful just for the invitation to join your organization, Maria-senpai,” I stammered.

“That’s a shame,” she pouted.

The rumor that Kenwell wants us under their umbrella might be useful. Especially after the festival is over and that matter is settled.

“By the way, could you tell me a bit about how the rankings for the Consort’s Festival are determined and about the special currency used during the festival?” I forcefully changed the subject. Maria narrowed her eyes. While this partly meant ‘please spare me from that conversation,’ it was also a serious inquiry.

“You’re in such a busy situation just preparing your shop. Yet you’re expanding your view to the overall system and even considering potential problems that might arise.”

It seemed she understood my intention. That’s what countermeasures are all about.

However, as I told the team members, I’m not interested in rankings. As long as the courtyard is reasonably lively and Vinder doesn’t go into the red, I don’t mind even if we’re in last place. In fact, if a copper-ranked company ends up in an awkward ranking, it could be dangerous for self-preservation. No matter how important it is, taking such a risk for a school festival event isn’t worth it.

The problem is that unresolved question. The reason why Carst, or perhaps even the Second Prince’s faction, took such forceful actions. That remains an unsolved mystery.

◇◇

“Hmm, this is quite tasty,” Fuglsig muttered.

After the team members and taste testers had left, I was paying Fuglsig for the second use of his services. Not for the one-plate lunch that the sage was nibbling on as a snack with his drink, but for improvements to the magic vein measurement antenna. Speaking of which, he shouldn’t be working while drinking. Come to think of it, I wonder if it’s true that Europeans drink wine from lunchtime.

“Please focus. I’m making time for you between several other jobs,” I chided.

His nimbleness was impressive, as always. In Fuglsig’s hands was a prototype using ready-made pottery. Apparently, he’d try various types and once he decided on a good size and shape, he’d order a custom-made one. Custom pottery must be quite expensive. I wondered how much his pension from the state was.

“The Consort’s Festival, huh? It’s troublesome and noisy for me. But with this, I might actually go to eat,” Fuglsig mused.

If I remember correctly, he’s forced to give public lectures as a sage. I can sympathize with that. Poor guy, and poor students who have to listen to talks he doesn’t even want to give.

“By the way, what’s the mechanism behind this special currency for the Consort’s Festival?” I asked, taking out a silver coin. Its edge was covered in gold, like a Euro coin. To prevent fraud in the sales of each festival stall, customers use these coins exchanged at the entrance. There’s supposedly a special mechanism to prevent counterfeiting. According to Maria, it involves magical elements.

“I don’t know the details, but it’s basically the same as those rings the female students here wear. It originated from knight order codes, I believe,” Fuglsig explained.

“Ah, you mean those crime-prevention buzzers?”

“Crime-prevention buzzers? Well, it means you can distinguish genuine from fake by embedding specific magical wavelengths. Of course, the magic applied to these coins is extremely minute.”

“I see… So, could you make something like this? A filter for the antenna to pick up specific magical wavelengths…”

I voiced an idea that had just occurred to me.

“Oh? Using the festival for an experiment? That’s interesting,” Fuglsig chuckled, stroking his beard, whether aware of my intentions or not. This might provide me with some insurance, though I hope I won’t need to use it in such a situation.

Next would be gathering information about the Empire. Since my old man probably won’t be able to come to the festival, I’ll have Jacob use the invitation. He knows a lot about the Empire, the home of adventurers. He even worked there for a while.

As I watched the sage start tinkering with the antenna in high spirits, I thought about the day of the festival. It’ll be quite a task to put that tough-looking guy in formal wear. Maybe I’ll have him and Remi pose as a married couple. They’ll both probably hate it, but it’s payback for all their teasing.