A Mountain of Onigiri

After being released by the two, Yohane decided to return home once.

We talked more afterward and I heard the detailed conditions.

Departure was in five days, including preparation time.

No escort. The reason being that we already had enough combat power that an escort was unnecessary… but they were probably just short on personnel.

I suspected this personnel decision included that consideration.

When I arrived home, Alexia was hanging laundry in the yard.

Both sleeves rolled up, her practiced movements hanging the pure white bedsheets showed how long she'd been with us.

"Master, welcome back. That was quick."

"I'm home. You were doing laundry?"

"I was bored watching the house. Finn's preparing lunch, by the way."

"I see."

Azu and the others went inside, but Yohane stayed where he was.

Alexia looked at me curiously after finishing with the laundry.

"What is it? Do you need something from me?"

"Well, it's… how should I put this."

Carlos was dead. I wondered whether to tell her.

Alexia would be coming along to the Empire, so she'd find out there even if I didn't say anything now.

In that case, it was probably better to tell her now.

Alexia tilted her head at my hesitation.

"If you have something to say, just say it. We're close enough for that."

"… Carlos died, apparently. He backed a young prince in the succession war and lost to Kelves."

"Really, you were hesitating over that?"

Contrary to my expectations, Alexia didn't seem shocked at all.

She looked at me as if to say "give me a break" for being so considerate.

"That's all over now, and it was an engagement my parents decided. It wasn't what I wanted. I don't know how he felt about it, though."

"If that's how you feel, then good."

"Besides, if I'd thought he was better, I would have gone with him back then."

That was true, I thought.

The fact that Alexia chose us then was certain.

Maybe I'd been feeling a bit insecure.

I then explained in detail what we'd discussed at the castle.

"I see. Well, that seems like a natural outcome… Crown Prince Kelves was known as a prodigal son, but at the same time I'd heard he was extremely capable. Carlos just wasn't a match for him."

"I only talked to him briefly, but I could tell. He's bold and seems intelligent."

"And good at using people."

"That applies to our princess too."

We both laughed at that.

People like royalty use others as part of their job.

For those being used, what matters is getting used on good terms.

Being treated as disposable would be unbearable.

When I went inside with Alexia, I found a mountain of onigiri, fried sausages, and a pot full of soup waiting.

There were pickles as a palate cleanser too.

Finn had said she made it… this roughness was, in a way, very much like her.

"Welcome back. Come on, you two wash your hands quickly. The soup's getting cold."

"I'll wash up right away."

Azu and the others seemed to be waiting for Yohane, so I quickly put down my things, washed my hands, and returned.

I bit into an onigiri right away. Inside was flaked fish.

Another had salted pickled fruit mixed in.

The saltiness was just right and I felt like I could eat endlessly.

Though having literally a mountain of them was perhaps a bit much.

The sausages were well-grilled.

Orleans was taking small bites with her little mouth.

She looked like a small animal. Cute.

Since the onigiri were salty, the soup was lightly seasoned.

Eating them together worked perfectly.

Ignoring my concerns, Azu and the others kept eating until the plates were empty.

"That was good, thanks."

"Whatever. I just did it because I had free time."

"Could you be embarrassed?"

"Azu! You've gotten cheeky."

Finn glared at Azu for teasing her.

I decided to handle the cleanup.

After that, I made some strong tea for us to enjoy a relaxed post-meal moment.

It felt luxurious after being so busy recently.

I wanted to nap like this, but there wasn't much time before departure.

Princess Tianis said the royal family would prepare the official gifts, but I should probably arrange something on my own too.

I decided to visit the Merchant Guild, also to show my face.

If I stayed away too long, they might forget me.

"Well, hello, Yohane-kun."

The person who called out to me right as I entered the Merchant Guild was Berkshire, the guild chairman.

He should be quite elderly by now, but he had a robust build and was full of vitality.

His motto was: buy good products at the right price and you'll definitely profit.

When I first heard it, I thought that was easier said than done, but now I felt like I understood.

"You've been doing well lately, it seems. Word has reached even my ears."

I wondered for a moment which story he meant, but let it pass with a polite smile.

"Having a promising young person like you in our guild is reassuring."

"Thank you."

Being praised directly made me embarrassed.

But this seasoned merchant wouldn't take time just to offer compliments.

Starting with small talk, the topic shifted to the Royal Capital.

He apparently already knew about the damage there and had learned that Yohane had been on site.

They say good merchants have extensive information networks. He certainly had sharp ears.

I only told him things Princess Tianis hadn't ordered me to keep quiet about, but I could see even that was valuable to the chairman.

If I left it at just providing information, I'd come away empty-handed, so when I asked what gifts might please the Empire, he recommended wine.

"Traveling merchants say the kingdom has no notable specialties, but that's not quite true anymore. Kassad wine in particular has a good reputation."

"The sales are certainly good. I hadn't paid much attention to it."

I think I recalled a report that all the liquor exported to Alsarm had sold quickly.

If it was popular in that trendsetting city, it would probably work anywhere.

"The Empire has abundant water and produces both wine and distilled spirits, but quietly, the kingdom's aromatic wines are becoming fashionable."

"Is that so?"

I couldn't say it was for Crown Prince Kelves, so I glossed over that detail while expressing my thanks.

The conversation seemed over… but then the chairman's expression became slightly more serious.

"If you're going to the Empire, you might want to be careful. It's just a rumor I heard, but apparently there have been disappearances."

"Disappearances? That doesn't sound peaceful."

"It's just a rumor. But it came with the warning to beware the red moon."

Red moon. The moon shouldn't be red, and yet… Was it some kind of code word?