Aiming for Both

Azu and the others were focused on practice alongside Anatia-sama.

Originally, Anatia-sama had planned to handle all the logistics for the charity concert herself, but I figured she'd want as much practice time as possible, so I took over.

I'd secured a fair amount of discretion, and my standing as a political officer gave me the freedom to make decisions on my own.

Before getting started, I asked her what she had in mind, to use as a reference.

"Everyone's been more enthusiastic and improving faster than I expected. So I'd like as many people as possible to hear the performance. Keeping it small is the safe option even if things go wrong, but it'd be a waste."

"Understood. Following Queen Tianis's coronation, this should serve as a good showcase for the recovery efforts. Let's make it as big an event as possible."

Azu and the others, who'd been listening from behind, looked like their jaws were about to hit the floor.

They'd probably been imagining a public square or a small theater.

But as Anatia-sama said, I wanted as many people as possible to hear Azu and the others perform. It would surely give people the energy to face tomorrow.

They'd been working so hard. It was going to be a success.

I left most of the regular work to the staff on-site and focused on concert preparations.

There were several venue candidates, but even the largest theater in the kingdom had limited audience capacity.

Paying to watch plays or listen to music was a significant expense for ordinary citizens who weren't wealthy, so that was understandable.

On top of that, part of it was still being restored from the meteorite damage.

The rental fee was steep, and it didn't suit our purpose, so I ruled it out.

If the goal was reaching as many people as possible, an outdoor venue was the way to go.

Using wind magic, the sound of the performance could be carried even to people at a distance.

I wanted to secure the kingdom's widest avenue and its main plaza for a single day.

The plaza fell under the Treasury Bureau's jurisdiction.

I went over right away, but the response wasn't encouraging.

At first I thought it was pushback against Anatia or me, but that didn't seem to be the case.

The reason was lack of precedent.

Even though Chancellor Anatia-sama was spearheading this, the concern was whether it was appropriate to monopolize for a day a location that served as a commercial hub where food stalls and street vendors were concentrated.

For those merchants, even a single day without business was a matter of livelihood.

As a merchant myself, I understood that, so I couldn't press too hard.

I left a message saying I'd like to speak with the Finance Minister as well, but was brushed off with a single "busy." I couldn't even get a meeting.

It seemed a deputy was attending meetings in their place, and no one had seen them in quite some time.

In terms of location, that plaza was the only option.

If push came to shove, I could ask Queen Tianis and it wouldn't be hard to force through. But commandeering the space at the expense of merchants' livelihoods would mean it was no longer the event for everyone that Anatia-sama was aiming for.

That would be the very act of nobles who ignore citizens' opinions and force things through, the very thing people despised.

I couldn't drag her name through the mud. What to do?

For now, I went ahead and placed orders for everything else the event would need.

In times like these, visiting the site often sparked better ideas.

I headed for the main avenue.

I'd passed through it plenty of times, but this might have been the first time I'd taken a really good look since the meteorite damage.

Visually, it had already returned to its former state.

It was right around noon, and crowds of people living in the Royal Capital were coming and going.

The food stalls were in full swing, catering to all of them.

Some hawked their wares with shouts, others let the smell of their cooking do the advertising. All sorts of approaches.

One stall was selling pancakes drizzled with syrup; another specialized in skewered grilled meat.

I was getting thirsty, so I wandered over to a stall that squeezed fresh fruit into drinks.

There was a line, but the turnover was quick and my turn came soon.

I ordered the recommendation, and in no time they peeled a small citrus fruit, crushed it together with ice, and turned it into juice.

I accepted it, impressed by the deft handiwork.

The taste was refreshing, and it lifted my spirits too.

Once my thirst was quenched, I realized I was a bit hungry.

Looking around, I spotted a familiar girl selling boiled eggs and nuts.

Her name was… Ann, if I remembered right.

Despite her youth, she worked harder than most, so I remembered her well.

Her uncle, Mike, was the man who organized the food stalls, and I wanted to have a chat.

"Boiled eggs, anyone? Nutritious and delicious! Comes with salt, perfect for anyone tired from work! We have nuts too!"

Ann was calling out above the surrounding clamor, walking around selling. Her basket was nearly empty. She'd be sold out soon.

Impressive. That girl could find an opening no matter the circumstances. People who can sell things are tough.

"I'll take what's left. How much?"

"Thank you! Oh, Yohane-san. You're buying from me again? That makes me happy. Could it be that you like me?"

"Ann-chan, that's quite a grown-up thing to say."

"Older gentlemen tend to light up when I say things like that. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

"Don't worry about it."

So she saw me as an older gentleman, huh…

What a terrifying kid. She was going to make a fortune someday.

I paid and received the boiled eggs and nuts.

Since Ann was free now, I asked for a bit of her time.

"Is this for work? I'll take it as long as it's nothing shady."

"Hmm, not quite. I'd like to get some opinions, so could you take me to your Uncle Mike again?"

"Sure thing. My next job isn't until evening, so that's fine."

I shared some of the boiled eggs and nuts with Ann, and we ate as we walked toward Mike's place.