After the meeting with the guild masters, I went back to the security company, where I found out that the slave merchant, Orest-san, was waiting for me.
And right now, I just got off our carriage and am standing before a restaurant.
How did we get here?ćWell, itās nothing special, really. Orest-san just invited me out.
I had tea and snacks with the guild masters after the meeting, but I havenāt had proper lunch yet, so before I knew it, our conversation led us to eating out together.
āLetās go. Iāve already reserved us some seats.ā [Orest]
āWait, you actually got a reservation before inviting me? What would you have done if I refused?ā [Ryouma]
āThe reservation didnāt go to waste, did it? So, all is right.ā [Orest]
No, thatās not the problem, but I guess thereās no point arguing about it.
And of all the places he could have picked, he just had to pick this one, didnāt he?
āWelcome, Moulton-sama. You have a reservation with us.ā [Door Boy]
The door boy at the front of the store bowed, and then opened the door behind him with polished movements.
At that, Orest-san entered with familiarity, while I returned the bow of the door boy before following him in.
The store was furnished with high-quality carpet and expensive furniture, painting a gaudy picture, but it was not so thoughtlessly designed to be mistaken for a mere collection of expensive articles. There was a sense of unity and refinement to the design that engendered a calming atmosphere palatable for a meal.
ā¦But that was only a given. Because this was Gimuruās most expensive restaurant - whatās more a super famous one that even I know of. As one might expect, it had a dress code, so Iām really glad that I had a suit tailored for me before.
āThis way please.ā [Owner]
While I was thinking that to myself, Orest-san spoke with the owner of the restaurant inside, and he even personally led us to our room.
āā¦Please, enjoy your stay.ā [Owner]
We took our seats, and after ordering our food and a brief explanation of the bell, the owner left. Finally, I could relax. Orest-san didnāt miss that.
āAre you bad with places like this?ā [Orest]
āIām just not used to them.ā [Ryouma]
āReally? And yet you appear so dignified, why is that?ā [Orest]
āIām just putting on a front. It would be too pathetic to be overly flustered.ā [Ryouma]
I took a sip from the glass of water on the table, and after moistening my throat, I asked.
āBy the way, why did you invite me to eat?ā [Ryouma]
āTo deepen our friendship, of course. Itās been awhile since we last met at my Gaunago store, after all.ā [Orest]
āYou went out of your way to Gimuru for that?ā [Ryouma]
āThereās an assembly thatās regularly held in Gimuru. I intend to participate unless some special circumstance prevents me.ā [Orest]
āAn assemblyā¦ Come to think of it, Iāve heard about that a couple of times. Serge-san, Grisiera-san, and Pioro-san mentioned it too.ā [Ryouma]
āYouāre informed, I see. Those three will also be participating if their schedule permits them. The participants of the assembly are former and current managers of various industries. The goal is to exchange information, and occasionally, cooperate.ā [Orest]
An assembly involving people on the level of Orest-san, Grisiera-san, Pioro-san, and Serge-san, huh.
āSounds like an amazing assembly.ā [Ryouma]
āAll the participants are veteran businessmen. Iām participating as a successor to my father. Itās an enlightening experience every time. If youād like, why donāt you participate?ā [Orest]
āParticipate? Me?ćThereās no way Iād be a good fit for a gathering of big shots like that.ā [Ryouma]
āThere arenāt any clear requirements to the participants. As long as thereās an invitation from one of the participants, you can attend. Of course, itās another question whether youāll be acknowledged by the other participants or not.ā [Orest]
Isnāt that the important part?
āYou know a lot of people there, so Iām sure youāll fit right in. You seem to be acquainted with the owner of this restaurant too.ā [Orest]
āWeāve had some dealings in the past.ā [Ryouma]
Because of that the owner is familiar with me to some extent.
When I told him thatā¦
āThatās great. Donāt you know, Ryouma-sama? The owner here is famous for not agreeing to anything unless he thinks the deal is 100% worth it.ā [Orest]
āReally?ā [Ryouma]
I had no idea.
But from what Iāve heard, the owner of this restaurant is also the manager of that luxury inn that the duke brought me to before, so he probably remembers me as āthat kid with the dukeās familyā.
Of course, I never planned on proposing anything that might disadvantage him, so heād probably acknowledge me unless thereās a problem.
āIf itās all the same to you, can I inquire on the details?ā [Orest]
āI made the same deal with other places too, so I donāt mind, but itās a deal pertaining to garbage.ā [Ryouma]
It wasnāt exactly a topic befitting a luxury restaurant like this.
āItās fine. Weāre in a private room, and I personally donāt mind. In fact, Iām all ears for any new project of yours.ā [Orest]
Alright, thenā¦ Wait, he already knows about my garbage processing plant project? He sure is fast, as usual.
āMy proposal was about the purchase of food ingredients that would just be thrown away. Food ingredients have an expiry date to them.ćOnce theyāve spoiled, they canāt be eaten anymore. However, there are cases where theyāve merely discolored due to oxidation, and sometimes, even if theyāve spoiled, you can just cut off the affected portion, and eat the rest. But of course, ingredients on that level canāt be used in the restaurant.ćEspecially, at a luxury restaurant like this.ā [Ryouma]
āRight.ā [Orest]
āSo I suggested to buy those ingredients instead of just throwing them away. To prevent hygienic problems and to prove that we have no intention of disadvantaging the food industry, we will neither be reselling the ingredients nor selling food made from them; furthermore, we wonāt be transferring them to anyone either. That about sums up the main poinst of our deal. ā [Ryouma]
Since they would just be throwing away those ingredients anyway, my proposal to purchase them was better than nothing.
As for me, I would be able to get ingredients that were almost expired at a low price.
āThese ingredients are either used as feed for my slimes and goblins, or for my research in preserved foods. In that regard, itās less for my Garbage Processing Plant project, and more for my personal hobby and convenience. These ingredients are being stored in a specialized storage room near my garbage processing plant.ā [Ryouma]
Although this deal canāt bring any profit, it is able to reduce the food expenses, so itās a huge boon to someone like me with a lot of familiars.
There are ingredients that just canāt be eaten, like the ones that are completely spoiled or the ones with mold, but as for those that have yet to reach that stage, they could still be eaten when properly processed, so throwing them away is a waste.
This was also how I saw things back in my previous life. At one point, I thought it was common sense, but my subordinates couldnāt believe it when I shared that perspective with them. I canāt remember anymore why we even ended up broaching that topic, but the fresh grads said, āweāre not at war anymore,ā and some even asked if I was just poor.
Now that I think about it, why am I even bringing this up in such a luxurious restaurant? Now Iām getting embarrassed.
āSorry to keep you waiting.ā [Waiter]
The waiters came with our order with such exceptional timing that I couldnāt help but wonder if they intentionally timed it.
They brought our food on a cart, and with polished movements, arranged all of the dishes on our table. Itās a luxury restaurant, so I thought the food would be served in courses, but apparently, thatās not the case.
There were many appetizers served in a lovely manner on small spoons, a salad with fresh vegetables - something thatās hard to come by in this winter - a mushroom soup that released a mellow aroma - do note mushrooms are rare here - and high-quality steak. Yes, this is luxury alright.
After the waiters finished arranging everything, they quickly excused themselves.
āThis restaurant is frequented by people with influence. Especially, these private rooms. The conversations that take place here are usually of the confidential sort, so the waiters excuse themselves out of consideration.ā [Orest]
āI see. Thatās why they left all the food, and then left just as quicklyā¦ā [Ryouma]
Wait, did he read my mind just like that!?
āIt was written on your face. But enough of that, shall we?ā [Orest]
Food like this certainly shouldnāt be put to waste. He went out of his way to bring me here, so I should help myself with gratitude.
And so, I started with the appetizers.
āIs it to your liking, Ryouma-sama?ā [Orest]
āOf course, itās delicious. And luxurious.ā [Ryouma]
The ingredients used in these dishes, such as the fresh vegetables specially made with magic, donāt have a set price, but because of the so-called āmarket priceā, even if theyāre estimated to be affordable, the actual price theyāre going for is 10 times higher.
Itās dishes that use ingredients like those that are the main purpose of the wealthy people that come here. Iām surprised that there are people who eat food like these matter-of-factly all the time, butā¦ It really is delicious.
āIām glad that you like it. By the way, was I of any help last time?ā [Orest]
ā!ćOh, right, Iāve yet to thank you for that.ā [Ryouma]
Actually, I needed his cooperation for something just some time ago, and he proved to be a huge help.
āThank you so much for advising me despite the abruptness of my request. Thanks to you, the crime-prevention systems in our houses, stores, and even the public order of the town itself as a whole has greatly improved.ā [Ryouma]
āThatās good to hear. Though I have to say I was really surprised when you suddenly sent a letter, saying that you wanted to purchase criminal slaves.ā [Orest]
āIām really sorry about that. At the time, the public order in town suddenly dropped, so I panicked and was at my witsā endā¦ Itās truly shameful how inexperienced I still amā¦ā [Ryouma]
āThereās nothing to apologize for at all. In my opinion, your decision was calm and rational. Employing criminal slaves - slaves made slaves because of a crime theyād committed - and making them talk about their modus operandi and how they think to come up with a method to prevent crimes was brilliant.ā [Orest]
I remembered hearing about a criminal in the States that was hired to serve as a security advisor, so I wanted to give it a try, but unfortunately, there were legal issues and conditions to the purchase of criminal slaves, so I couldnāt purchase any, but Orest-san asked them my questions instead, and then sent the information in the form of a document. His efforts were a huge help, not just personally, but to the town as a whole in improving the public order. Without that information it would have taken much longer to improve the public order.
āPersonally, nothing could be more agreeable than to make you indebted to me, so please feel free to seek my help if thereās anything at all.ā [Orest]
Is that something youād normally say to a personās face?
āSince the public order has improved, how have you been recently? I heard that you lived in the forest before. Do you enjoy living in town?ā [Orest]
āThat sure is abrupt, like a father asking his son if heās enjoying schoolā¦ But, yes, I am enjoying life in town. My personal life and the management of the store are both in good order, and as misleading as this might sound like, thanks to the issue with the public order, I was able to get to know people that I otherwise wouldnāt have.ā [Ryouma]
Like the owner of this restaurant, or the manager of the clothing store that tailored the suit that Iām wearing now.
The deal with this restaurantās owner I mentioned just now, while the manager of the clothes store, I contacted to prepare clothes for my employees working at the security company and the garbage processing plant.
There were also others, like the townspeople Iāve already been acquainted withā¦ I also connected with the young delinquents in a different sense, but you could say that weāve gotten close.
I talked about all of those one after another, even the specific details, and the time went by in a flash. Before I knew it, most of the food had already been eaten.
āAh, my apologies. Iāve been talking this whole time.ā [Ryouma]
āDonāt worry. Iām the one who asked, after all. Besides, just as Iāve told you when we met before, I enjoy hearing other peopleās stories.ā [Orest]
Come to think of it, he did say something like that, didnāt he? There was a lot of unnecessary information at the time, so Iād pushed it all into a corner of my mind.
āSince weāre here already, if itās no trouble, how about listening to my story? I was serious when I said I wished to deepen my friendship with you, Ryouma-sama.ā [Orest]
āOf course. Iām all ears.ā [Ryouma]
It would be great if I could understand this incomprehensible person even a little better.
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