Do Not Let the People Starve

We made our way back to the plaza where relief meals were being distributed to disaster victims.

This time the schedule was sudden, so we hadn't been able to prepare any donations, but it didn't seem necessary.

The people in charge of the relief meals were frantically cooking, and since there still weren't enough hands, people who clearly weren't staff were helping out too.

The line stretched long, but thanks to good turnover, people didn't seem to wait that long before receiving their meals.

"The menu is completely different from before. It feels more lively too."

"Meals are the foundation of life. The people in line have better circulation as well. There shouldn't be anyone collapsing from malnutrition anymore."

"At least I've fulfilled my duty as royalty for now…"

Actually, people collapsing from malnutrition and being carried away had been a problem.

Emergency treatment was meaningless if daily life couldn't be maintained.

But with the relief distribution functioning like this, that worry would disappear.

When I found the lady I had spoken with before and talked to her, she led us inside.

Today's relief menu was a cream stew full of vegetables and meat, two slices of freshly baked bread, and a vinegar-pickled salad.

The portions were generous.

Just the smell was enough to stimulate my appetite.

"Goodness, a few days after you folks came, suddenly all this food started arriving. It was a surprise! Now everyone can eat their fill. It's all thanks to the king."

Her expression was completely different from when she had apologetically distributed meager portions.

Fulfilled, perhaps.

"You folks should eat too. No need to be shy, there's plenty, so it's fine. It's a blessing from the king. Let's enjoy it."

"No, we…"

I wanted them to distribute even a little more to other people.

I was about to say that, but plates for everyone were prepared in no time and we were seated in the back.

Since there really was plenty of food, I decided to take up their kind offer.

I took a bite of the cream stew.

It was well-salted, and the meat was fall-apart tender.

The vegetables had dissolved a bit, but that made them easy to eat with the flavor soaked in.

The bread was toasted on both sides and fragrant, delicious even on its own.

It went well dipped in the cream stew too.

The vinegar-pickled vegetables served as a palate cleanser in between.

Genuinely delicious. And filling.

Princess Tianis and Princess Yupe ate silently without a word.

After finishing, we returned the dishes.

"Sister. How was it? Good?"

"It was perfectly edible. Not bad at all."

"For Sister, who normally eats extravagant meals, 'perfectly edible' means it's proper food. You were the one taking this away from the disaster victims all along, Sister. Look at that line."

"Hey, I'm still eating… ow ow."

Princess Tianis forcibly turned Princess Yupe's face toward the people in line.

They smiled when receiving their food, but many were dressed in rags.

It was a sight that made you realize the rebuilding was still in progress.

"Both myself and Sister must never forget this scene. If we think we understand everything while secluded in the castle, we'll end up doing foolish things without hesitation."

"Are you calling me foolish?"

"What else would you call it?"

"You don't have to be so harsh… I am reflecting."

She grumbled while tearing off and eating her bread.

Princess Tianis sighed but didn't press further.

"It was delicious. Thank you for the meal."

"Don't mention it. Well, I'd better get back to distributing."

"Oh, wait a moment."

I stopped the lady.

We had come for the inspection, but also to recruit servants.

This time, I wanted to hire someone.

So I asked if there were any people looking for work.

"If that's what you're after… there probably are, but rather than recruiting individually, you'd do better to ask the go-to person."

"Go-to person?"

"Yeah. People who want jobs consult with them first. If there's work available, they'll send it your way. Since some places suddenly need hands too. It's matching, you see."

That was practical.

The go-to person served as an intermediary, efficiently matching jobs with workers.

That might help us find reliable people.

When I asked who this go-to person was, it turned out to be someone I knew.

"Long time no see!"

When we visited their home, we were greeted by Ann, the young girl who was working hard at her stall.

It seemed her uncle Mike was also this go-to person.

Or rather, including the work he was assigning to Ann, that made him a go-to person.

"Well, well. Welcome, welcome."

Perhaps because Elza had treated him, Mike welcomed us warmly too.

"What a cramped house."

"Hey."

"And who might that be…?"

"She's this girl's older sister. Her sense of things is a bit off, so please don't mind her."

"I see. A well-to-do young lady or something? So what brings you here? If you're looking for work, I can introduce all of you right away."

"You heard him, Sister. Why don't you get introduced? Working up a sweat is important too."

"What…"

I thought that would probably cause trouble.

"No, while that's kind of you, we've come hoping you might introduce us to some people. We want to hire workers."

"Oh? Given the current situation, there are many people who want work. What kind of person are you looking for?"

"Hmm, let me see… Someone serious who can keep secrets. Women only."

I could see Mike's face gradually scrunch up.

That might have sounded a bit suspicious.

Since I'd have to tell them when hiring anyway, it might be more honest to just say it here.

"The royal castle is currently short-staffed with servants. So we're looking to fill a few positions. But given recent events, we want to hire properly vetted people, so we came to you, Mike-san, since you seemed like someone we could rely on."

"Oh, what a relief. I thought it might be some shady business establishment. What about the pay?"

"About this much…"

I presented the amount we had discussed in advance.

"And age?"

"If they're too young, there might be problems."

"With these terms, I think we can gather people quickly. I'll reach out to the best candidates."

It looked like things would work out smoothly.