Having bought some bauxite and iridosmine as souvenirs, Jin and the others decided to go check out another shop.
"Kufu, we've seen raw materials, so how about finished goods next?"
"Sounds good. A weapons shop or a magi-device shop, maybe?"
"A general store is also an option."
Saki, Jin, and Elsa offered in turn.
"As for me, I recommend having a meal first," Reinhard suggested.
Indeed, the time was 11:50 AM—nearly noon.
"Fair enough. Let's find an eatery somewhere."
As Jin agreed, Reiko spoke up.
"Father, I detect the scent of oil and spices coming from over that way."
"I also pick up a complex mixture of food aromas, so there appears to be a dining district."
"Reiko-san truly is remarkable. Yes, there is indeed a cafeteria street over in that direction," Tsiq said with admiration.
It seemed the eateries were clustered together in a dedicated dining quarter. That had the distinct advantage of letting them pick whatever kind of food they fancied.
Furthermore, everyone figured that competing side by side would surely drive the establishments to hone their craft, serving delicious food at reasonable prices.
"Alright, let's head over then."
Guided by Tsiq, the group made their way to the cafeteria street.
Five establishments stood in a row.
"These are: Shouro Imperial-style popular cuisine, Shouro Imperial-style high-class cuisine, popular cuisine from various nations, Mitsuho-style cuisine, and Northern-style cuisine. Even the 'high-class' place is priced well within reach of ordinary commoners, though."
"Out of respect for Reinhard, his wife, Saki, and Elsa, how about we try the Shouro Imperial-style high-class restaurant?" Jin suggested.
However, he was met with immediate pushback.
"No, I'd rather have the popular cuisine from various nations."
"Me too."
"I would prefer that as well."
"Mm, me too."
All four of them chimed in.
"...Well, if that's what you all want, sure."
While it felt somewhat anticlimactic, Jin figured that if the four natives of the Empire preferred it, there was no reason to argue.
"Well then, let's go."
The group stepped into the restaurant serving popular dishes from various nations.
"Welcome!"
Since it was just before noon, the place was not yet crowded, allowing everyone to sit together at one large table.
"This is an interesting menu."
There were lunch sets styled after various nations—such as the "Shouro Imperial-Style Lunch Set"—and patrons could also order single dishes to add on.
"...Though why does the Shouro Imperial-style set consist of rice, miso soup, and candied sweet potato...?"
"I get that the Kingdom of Elias style centers around Devil's Potato, but still..."
Jin felt things were a bit off-target, though he reconsidered that culinary shifts were bound to happen over the course of four hundred years.
"Well, as long as it tastes good, that's what counts."
"Mm, agreed."
And so, everyone except Jin ordered the Shouro Imperial-style lunch set, each adding items like grilled fish, salad, simmered potatoes, or croquettes.
Jin was the only one who ordered the "Klein Kingdom Kaina Village-Style Lunch Set."
"...What on earth is this?"
It might technically be "Kaina Village-style," but...
"Rice, grilled river fish, and mushroom suimono... Ah, the tea is brewed from the 'tea tree'?"
It was a confusing name, but what Kaina Village called the "tea tree" was actually the leaves of a tree similar to Earth's Eucommia ulmoides. Its name on Planet Ars was gutta-percha.
Its sap yielded a natural rubber also known as gutta-percha.
Jin happened to be quite fond of tea brewed from these leaves.
"...It feels a little baffling that this actually tastes so good."
While the menus featured questionable choices that made one wonder, Is this really Shouro Imperial-style? or Is this really Kaina Village-style?, the flavor itself was first-class.
"If I had to rate it, I'd give it an eighty-five to ninety out of a hundred..."
"It is among the finest meals we have had dining out."
"Kufu, it's so good that I'd gladly come back to eat here again."
"Mm."
It seemed Reinhard and the others thoroughly enjoyed their Shouro Imperial-style lunch sets as well.
Incidentally, the prices were quite reasonable too.
"Now then, what should we do next? A weapons shop, a magi-device shop, or a general store?" Jin asked, bringing up their next destination once more.
"Ah, in that case, I know just the place."
According to Tsiq, there was a store that combined all of those under one roof.
Earlier, before he could mention it, Jin and the others had decided on having lunch, so he had missed his chance to speak up.
"It's this way."
The store was located just a five-minute walk from the cafeteria street.
"Oho."
Though situated on the outskirts of town, it took full advantage of the location with expansive grounds, featuring ample parking space for carriages and Golem automobiles.
There was also a cart rental service, which was likely very convenient for customers buying bulky goods (though restricted to use within the town).
(Is this a home improvement center?)
Jin didn't voice the thought aloud, but that was the unmistakable impression he got.
The first floor seemed to sell general goods and groceries, while the second floor carried magi-devices and weapons. The floor space was vast.
In sheer scale, the store was roughly ten times the size of an average shop in this town.
It stocked fresh groceries, dried goods, spices, and even building materials like bricks and paving stones, making it exceedingly convenient for shoppers.
Jin couldn't help but worry that other local shops might be losing their customers to it.
Knowing how the trend had unfolded in modern Japan—where local mom-and-pop shops were driven out of business by big-box stores, only for those big-box stores to then lose customers to online shopping—left him with mixed feelings.
"Heeey, Jin, what are you doing?"
"Jin-nii, let's go."
"A-Ah, coming."
Called by Reinhard and having his arm tugged by Elsa, Jin snapped back to reality and walked into the store.
"...It really is a home improvement center..."
"...Jin-nii, did you say something?"
"No, it's nothing."
Inside, while structural support pillars were prominent, the open floor plan was neatly divided into sections for tableware, cooking utensils, farm equipment, tools, and more, making it relatively easy to find whatever one needed.
"They've really thought this through!"
Reinhard and Saki eagerly walked around, surveying the interior.
"Yeah, it's very well thought out. The owner of this place must be quite capable."
Jin was deeply impressed as well. Just then, Tsiq chimed in.
"Indeed. This shop is part of the Raglann Company's chain."
"The Raglann Company?!"
Four hundred years ago, the very first merchant Jin had met after arriving in this world had been Roland from that exact company.
"I see... So the Raglann Company has grown this large even in the Empire."
Jin couldn't help feeling a profound sense of nostalgia.
"Jin-nii, let's check it out."
"Yeah, let's."
With Elsa gently pulling him along, Jin continued browsing the spacious store.