The issues with the Goroun Company were finally settled. What a relief.
Father was on good terms with Uncle Michael, after all. Still, the contractual details had been a bit loose—or rather, a simple verbal agreement had been allowed to stand as-is, which had caused the friction. Furthermore, the Goroun Company—and by extension, the Demon Kingdom—placed a high value on hard cash, leaving their regulations regarding credit-based transactions somewhat lacking.
The fact that Father hadn’t pressed them on this meant he surely had something in mind. I was eager to see what it was.
With the formal discussion over, everyone had settled into casual conversation. Asa and Miyo were busy trading information. Since Miyo had taken a bit of a hit during the negotiations, I felt I needed to make it up to her somehow. I decided I’d send a letter to Father singing her praises.
Oh, look at Ridley. Representative Delinted was heading straight for Uncle Randan. I wondered if the Representative still didn’t realize the number of candidates for the succession had been reduced by two? If he wasn't stopped, things might get ugly.
If I were only thinking about Ridley’s path to the top, staying silent would have been the smartest move, but the Dalfon Company itself would likely suffer in the fallout. Since Ridley seemed to cherish her company as much as I cherished the village and my father, I decided to point out that he needed to be stopped.
Wait, someone already got to him. It was Big Sister Hou.
"Minister Leg," she said, addressing him.
"I’m speaking to you as Konegit, borrowing your daughter's persona to offer some advice. The Dalfon Company stands to lose nothing in this arrangement. There is no need for you to involve yourself any further."
"While we may not lose money, we have our pride to consider," the Representative countered. "Just because there is no financial loss doesn't mean we can simply allow ourselves to be steamrolled without a word. Besides, this talk of compensation might affect our interests."
"Oh? I was under the impression the Dalfon Company was quite fond of steamrolling and dictating terms to other firms."
"Everything we do is for the sake of the Demon Kingdom!"
"Then accept that this matter is also for the sake of the Demon Kingdom. That should be enough for you."
"Just who is this 'Village Head'?"
"He is the man who brought Dungeon Potatoes to the Demon Kingdom. If you remember him as a great benefactor, you'll avoid any trouble."
"Dungeon Potatoes... So that’s why even Lord Demon King is involved..."
As Big Sister Hou and the Representative talked, Ridley found herself unable to jump in. Then Uncle Randan and Uncle Michael approached them. Uncle Randan spoke first.
"Representative Delinted. Regarding our discussion earlier, Michael’s tone was unnecessarily harsh. He wishes to apologize for that."
Uncle Michael stepped forward. "I got a bit carried away in the heat of the moment and spoke out of turn. My apologies."
The Representative clearly had more he wanted to say, but with the apology being brokered by Uncle Randan, he had no choice but to accept it.
"Please, think nothing of it. As merchants, we should both strive to remain level-headed at all times," he replied.
He managed to slip in that much sarcasm, at least. Uncle Michael would probably just let it slide.
More importantly, Ridley needed to act. If she didn't tell the Representative about the two missing candidates soon, he was going to hear it directly from Uncle Randan.
Right, she was moving in. She lined up beside the Representative and—was that an elbow? Right to the solar plexus? Well, I suppose a bit of force was necessary to protect him.
Outside the house, Uncle Gratz and his group were still enjoying their barbecue. Uncle Demon King and the Academy Director headed over to join them. Immediately, the energy among Uncle Gratz’s subordinates spiked. Even the students in the back were getting excited.
His charisma was truly undeniable. I had to admit, that was one area where even Father couldn't compete. Father rarely took center stage, after all. But then again, he’d built a system where he didn't have to be the center of attention. There was no need for him to compete in the first place. And no, that wasn't just sour grapes.
At one corner of the barbecue venue, Earth and Mettora were busy frying up Pork Katsu. It was essentially a way to use up the leftover ingredients, but it was incredibly popular nonetheless. Since they had run out of rice, people were eating the cutlets as sandwiches. I thought they really should add some cabbage to the mix... and right on cue, Uncle Beezel arrived with a supply of it.
Wait, was he trying to place a takeout order? There weren't that many leftovers to go around.
What? He wanted to borrow Asa as a chef? Apparently, he needed to host some foreign dignitaries at the Royal Castle and remembered Asa’s culinary skills from the hot spring area. I didn't mind personally, but I couldn't give him an answer without checking with Big Brother Alfred and Big Sister Urza first. I’d need to ask Asa himself, too.
I told Uncle Beezel I’d go find out.
"No," Alfred said. "Absolutely not," Urza agreed.
That was their immediate response. I was a bit surprised. I didn't see the harm.
"It's not that we mind lending Asa out," Alfred explained. "But if we do, you won't be able to leave the academy, Tiselle."
"Huh?"
"Don't 'huh' me. The condition for you being allowed off academy grounds is that you remain under Asa's supervision. If Asa isn't here, you stay here. That’s the deal."
I looked toward Asa to see what he thought.
"If my services are required, I have no intention of refusing," he said politely. "However, I suspect there would be quite a dispute over who would be responsible for Lady Tiselle in my absence."
I see. Well, as much as I didn't strictly need to lend him out, Uncle Beezel had been very helpful during this whole affair, and I wanted to return the favor.
Hmm.
A few days later, Asa was dispatched to the Royal Castle to serve as a chef. I didn't know exactly who he was supposed to be entertaining, but I hoped he’d do his best.
As for me, I was currently in Uncle Demon King's office.
"Is it really okay for me to be looking at these documents?" I asked.
"I don't mind. In fact, it would be a huge help if you could summarize them into something more digestible..."
"Honestly, you're hopeless," I teased.
And so, I began helping Uncle Demon King with his paperwork. Naturally, I did so while tethered to him by a rope.