The cooking contest had finally come to an end, and lately, I'd been thinking it was about time to move on from the Royal Capital. That was when I realized something terrible.
Upon reflection, I realized I hadn't actually done any real sightseeing!
When I looked back on my time here, it felt like I'd spent almost the entire stay running around making hamburgers. I didn't regret focusing on information gathering and collecting ingredients for Spira’s medicine, as those were my primary goals, but it still felt like a waste.
Since I was in the Royal Capital, I wanted to at least take a look around the city.
"And so, today is for touring the city!"
"Yay!"
『O-Oh?』
At my declaration, Halfa clapped her hands with high spirits. Shiroru, on the other hand, didn't seem to quite grasp the concept.
Incidentally, our group for today's excursion consisted of the three of us. It seemed Lowell and Spira had various errands to run before we left the city. Well, Spira aside, Lowell probably didn't have anywhere left to see at this point anyway, so it worked out for the best.
『So, what exactly is this city tour?』
"Well... I suppose it's about wandering around to find the city's highlights and charms."
I tried to explain the idea to Shiroru as she tilted her head. Since I didn't fully understand it myself, the explanation ended up being a bit vague, but Shiroru nodded deeply as if she’d reached a profound realization.
『In other words, we’re on a quest for tasty treats!』
Hmm. It was hard to say she was wrong. In the end, I was more drawn to local specialties and famous dishes than historical landmarks anyway. Halfa also mentioned she preferred lively areas, so we ended up deciding to browse the shops in the commercial district.
『This meat has an interesting flavor!』
"It makes your tongue tingle, doesn't it?"
"Yeah. It must be the sansho. Personally, I think I'd prefer a bit less of it."
We walked through the bustling streets while biting into meat skewers that left our tongues exceptionally tingly. It wasn't the height of etiquette, but in a district crowded with commoners, no one was going to scold us, so it wasn't a problem.
Even so, wasn't this a bit too tingly? I suppose you could call it a luxury, but there was a limit. Still, maybe this was just the local palate. One could say this was the true charm of sightseeing.
We all shared some fruit juice to cleanse our palates and took a breather. We had sampled a little bit of everything, so our stomachs were quite full.
『I’m eating that next!』
"Shiroru, you’re eating too much."
『That’s not true at all!』
Yes, it was. She needed to stop before she ate so much she made herself sick.
"I’m already full, too."
『Muu.』
Thanks to Halfa joining the side of restraint, Shiroru seemed inclined to hold back for the time being.
"Next, let’s try going into that shop."
Halfa pointed toward a store that was a bit... assertive. The sign hanging at the entrance was flashing brilliantly. It looked like it was powered by a Magic Tool... so they could be used like that, too.
"A Magic Tool Shop?"
"Looks like it! Maybe we’ll find some of the cooking tools you've been looking for, Tort!"
『Oh! That is important!』
With Halfa’s encouragement, Shiroru’s interest was piqued. I was a bit curious myself, so we decided to take a look inside.
Contrary to the flashiness of the sign, the interior was quite sophisticated. The space was laid out generously, allowing customers to browse the products at their leisure. There were even sofas placed here and there for resting. Given the nature of the merchandise, it was likely a shop catering to the wealthy.
There were a few other groups of customers besides us, and everyone appeared to be wearing high-quality clothing. We might have looked a bit out of place.
I felt a little intimidated, but Halfa didn't hesitate.
"Ah, Tort! It’s a Magic Tool that blows air. Let’s look!"
She pulled on my arm, leading me further inside. Fortunately, we weren't given any particularly cold stares. Some of the products seemed geared toward Adventurers, so they probably saw customers like us from time to time.
"Excuse me, are you looking for something in particular?"
As I was browsing, someone spoke to us from behind. Thinking it was a shop clerk, I turned around to find an older man in much finer clothing than I expected. He had a smiling, approachable face that, for some reason, looked familiar.
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"
"Ah, sorry. I just felt like I’d met you somewhere before..."
I worried it was rude to stare, but the frustration of not being able to place him made me keep looking. I was certain it wasn't here in the Royal Capital, but back in Cygnil—
"Ah!"
The realization struck me at the same moment the man remembered as well. Our voices overlapped perfectly. Halfa and Shiroru, not knowing the history, looked on with puzzled expressions.
"What is it, Tort? An acquaintance?"
"Yeah. Actually—"
"Ahem, ahem... cough."
The man, who had been about to explain, hurriedly cleared his throat and started coughing. Indeed, this wasn't the kind of topic to discuss in such a crowded place.
"I-If you would like, shall we speak in the back?"
"Y-Yes, let’s do that!"
And so, we were led to the rear of the shop by my former master. That was right—this man was Calvin, the master who had freed me from slavery.
"Once again, I must apologize. I did a terrible thing to you back then. I am truly sorry."
"Ah, no, please!"
As soon as we sat down in the reception room, Calvin bowed his head deeply. I hadn't intended to bring that up, so I was the one who ended up flustered.
"Wait, isn't this the benefactor you were talking about, Tort?"
"That’s right, Halfa! The reason I can be here like this now is all thanks to Calvin! So, Calvin, please raise your head."
"A benefactor... I wouldn't go that far..."
Calvin seemed to be suffering from a heavy conscience. It was perhaps natural, considering that even if it was for his daughter’s sake, he had forced an Illegal Slave to open a Pandora Gift.
However, from my perspective, Calvin was a benefactor. Because of him, I had obtained the Destiny God's Smile, and I had met Halfa and Shiroru. Most of all, he had freed me from slavery. Therefore, there was no need for him to be so consumed by guilt.
To prove it, I told him about my journey so far. He looked stunned when he heard I was opening Pandora Gifts left and right, but in the end, I think I successfully conveyed how truly grateful I was. Calvin finally looked relieved.
"I see... What I did was by no means praiseworthy, but even so, if you say that, I feel redeemed."
He was such a serious person. I decided to change the subject.
"Is your daughter doing well?"
"Yes! Thanks to you, she has fully recovered and is now running around energetically!"
He suddenly became quite animated the moment the topic turned to his daughter. His face went soft with affection... she clearly meant the world to him.
Apparently, she was currently away at school. Since schools were typically for children of nobles and the upper class, it confirmed that Calvin really was a prominent Merchant.
Calvin mentioned he definitely wanted to introduce us, but I politely declined. I didn't want to force a sense of obligation... and I got the feeling that Halfa had become a bit grumpy. It might have just been my imagination, though.
More importantly, there was something I had to do. I took the Appraisal Loupe out of my Storage Ring and placed it gently on the table.
"Um, regarding this..."
"Hmm? Oh, this!"
Though Calvin looked puzzled at first, he soon recognized it as his own Appraisal Loupe.
Thank you for everything, Appraisal Loupe. But it was only a loan, so I had to return it properly.
Just as I was hardening my resolve for the farewell, Calvin spoke nonchalantly.
"So you had found it. Please, keep it. It is hardly enough considering you saved my daughter’s life, but..."
"No, no, I couldn't possibly!"
Calvin and I both kept bowing to each other until Halfa started giggling at us. That made it seem silly to us too, and we both burst out laughing. That was that. There was no point in going back and forth forever.
"Then, I will gratefully accept it."
"Yes, please do so."
Since we had stayed longer than expected, Shiroru was starting to look bored. It was about time to take our leave.
It was a completely unexpected reunion, but I was glad I could see him. I’d been worried about the loupe, too. Yes, truly.