I had returned to the security company after my meeting with the guild masters only to find that Oresto, the slave trader, had come looking for me. Now, having stepped out of the carriage he brought, I stood before a certain restaurant.
Why was I here? The reason was simple: Oresto had invited me to lunch.
While there had been a tea party after the earlier meeting, I hadn't eaten a proper meal yet. I had allowed myself to be swept along by the suggestion, and now here I was.
"Now then, shall we? I’ve already secured a reservation."
"To think you booked a table before you even invited me... What would you have done if I’d turned you down?"
"Since you are here with me now, I would say it worked out perfectly."
No, that wasn't really the point I was making, but I realized arguing was likely a waste of breath.
Of all the places he could have chosen, however, why this one?
"Welcome, Lord Moulton. We have your reservation ready."
The doorboy standing at the entrance bowed and opened the door with fluid, practiced movements.
Oresto stepped inside with an air of practiced ease. Not wanting to fall behind, I gave a small nod and followed.
The interior was lavishly decorated with expensive carpets and furnishings, yet it lacked the gaudy, cluttered feel of the nouveau riche. It was cohesive—a refined, tasteful space. Moreover, because it was strictly a place for dining, the atmosphere was remarkably serene.
But that was only to be expected. This was the premier high-end restaurant in the town of Gimul, a world-famous establishment known even to me. Naturally, it had a strict dress code. I was truly glad I’d had a suit tailored for occasions like this.
"This way, please."
While I was lost in thought, Oresto exchanged a few words with the restaurant's owner. We were then personally escorted by the owner himself to a private room in the back.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable."
Once we were seated and the owner had finished a brief explanation of the menu and the call bell, he withdrew. Only then did I feel the tension leave my shoulders. Oresto didn't miss it.
"Are you uncomfortable in places like this?"
"It’s not so much that I’m uncomfortable as it is that I simply don't have many opportunities to visit such establishments. I’m not used to it."
"Oh? You seemed quite dignified to me."
"I just thought it would be unsightly to look restless, so I was doing my best to put on a brave face."
I took a sip of the water provided on the table. Once I’d moistened my throat, I decided to ask the question that had been weighing on me.
"By the way, Oresto-san, why did you invite me to lunch today?"
"To deepen our friendship. It has been quite a while since we last met at that shop in Gaunago, Lord Ryoma."
"Did you come all the way to Gimul just for that?"
"There is a meeting held regularly here in Gimul. I make it a point to attend unless there are extraordinary circumstances."
"A meeting... Come to think of it, I’ve heard of that. Serge-san, Guild Master Grisiela-san, and Pioro-san from the Saionji Company have mentioned something similar."
"So you were aware. Those three also attend if their schedules allow. the participants are active or former business owners who are successful in their respective fields. We exchange information and, on occasion, cooperate with one another."
So it was a gathering for people on the level of Oresto, Serge, Pioro, and Grisiela.
"That sounds like quite an impressive assembly."
"Indeed. Everyone there is a veteran powerhouse in the merchant world. I participate as my father's successor, but every meeting is a learning experience.
If you're interested, would you like to join us?"
"Join? Me? No, there’s no way someone like me could join such an illustrious group of business owners."
"There aren't any explicit criteria; you can join as long as you have a recommendation from a current member. Whether you are accepted by the others afterward is a different matter, of course."
Isn't that the most important part?
"Lord Ryoma, you already know many of the participants, and I believe you would get along well with the others. Even the owner here seemed to recognize you."
"That's because of a small business connection."
I had recently started a small trade relationship with this restaurant, so I was on relatively good terms with the owner.
When I mentioned this, Oresto replied, "Isn't that impressive enough? This owner is famous for never agreeing to do business with anyone he deems unworthy."
"Is that so?"
I hadn't realized that.
However, I later learned that the owner didn't just run this restaurant; he also managed the high-end inn where the Ducal House stayed when I first arrived in town. It seemed he remembered me as the "child brought along by the Duke."
Still, I hadn't approached them with the intent to cause a loss, so if there were no problems, I suppose he accepted my proposal.
"If it's not an intrusion, could I hear the details?"
"I have similar deals with other places, so I don't mind sharing. Though, I should warn you, it involves waste disposal."
I wondered if it was appropriate to discuss such "dirty" topics in a place like this.
"This is a private room, and I don't mind. I'm quite interested in your new venture, Lord Ryoma."
Well, if he was fine with it... I see, so he already knew about the waste processing plant. He was as sharp as ever.
"The trade involves the purchase of ingredients scheduled for disposal. Naturally, food has an expiration date. If it spoils or rots, it becomes inedible.
However, there are cases where the food is still perfectly fine—like discoloration from oxidation. Or perhaps a small section is bruised and can be trimmed away. Even so, serving such items in a high-end establishment like this would compromise its reputation."
"True enough."
"Therefore, I purchase ingredients that would normally be discarded at a price significantly lower than the market rate. As a sign of good faith to show I have no intention of infringing on the profits of other food shops or restaurants, the agreement states that these ingredients will not be resold, used in dishes for sale, or given away. That is the summary of my agreement with each establishment."
If ingredients they spent money on have to be thrown out, it becomes a pure loss. By buying them, I mitigate that loss—even if it's only a "better than nothing" amount.
On the other hand, the profit for the waste processing plant—and for me personally—was obtaining ingredients right at their expiration date for a bargain price.
"The gathered ingredients serve as meals for my slimes and goblins. I also use them as materials for my personal preserved food research. In that sense, it's less of a business for the waste processing plant and more of a personal hobby. I've even set up a dedicated warehouse for it right next to the plant."
While this didn't generate a profit, it drastically reduced food expenses, which was a huge help for someone with so many tamed monsters.
Of course, some things are absolutely inedible once they've rotted or turned moldy. But before it reaches that point, it’s a waste to throw away food that can be saved with proper care.
I think that was common sense in the old days back on Earth, but I remember a junior employee—a new graduate—once telling me with total sincerity, "We’re not in the middle of a war, you know." Maybe I’m just naturally frugal?
Thinking about it that way, why was I talking about this in such a luxury restaurant? I suddenly felt a bit embarrassed.
Just then...
"Thank you for waiting."
The servers brought in the food at such a perfect moment that I wondered if they had been timing their entry.
A cart arrived, and numerous plates were placed on the table with practiced, elegant movements. I had imagined high-end restaurants always served multi-course meals, but it seemed different today.
Even so, the presentation was exquisite: several types of appetizers arranged on tiny spoons, a salad using fresh raw vegetables that were normally unavailable this late in the year, a soup made from rare mushrooms with a rich aroma, and the finest quality meat for the main steak. The sense of luxury was undeniable.
Once they finished setting the table, the servers promptly withdrew.
"This shop is frequented by people of a certain status. The staff understand that private rooms are often used for business dinners or secret meetings, and they are considerate enough to give us our space."
"I see, that's why they laid out the food and left so quickly..."
Wait, did he just read my mind?
"It's just that your thoughts were written plainly on your face. More importantly, let us eat."
Indeed, I shouldn't let such a meal go to waste. Since it was served, I would gratefully partake.
I started with the appetizer.
"How is it?"
"Naturally, it’s delicious. And quite luxurious."
The ingredients used here—for example, the fresh greens—were specially grown with magic. Their price was what you'd call "market rate," but even at a low estimate, they cost more than ten times what you'd pay during their normal season.
It was staggering to think that some members of the wealthy elite ate like this for every meal... but man, it really was good.
"I'm glad it's to your taste. By the way, was I of any help regarding that matter the other day?"
"That’s right! I really must thank you for that."
I was referring to a time a while back when I had requested his cooperation.
"Thank you very much for listening to my request despite the sudden notice. Thanks to you, I was able to greatly improve the security of my home and the shops of my acquaintances, which in turn helped the town's public order."
"I'm pleased to hear it. However, I must admit I was surprised when I received a letter asking to purchase criminal slaves."
"I apologize for that. At the time, the town's security was deteriorating so rapidly that I was acting out of desperation. I feel ashamed of my own immaturity."
"Not at all. I thought it was a remarkably cool-headed and rational decision. To employ criminal slaves—men who had forfeited their freedom for their crimes—and have them explain their methods and mindsets for the sake of crime prevention... It was quite clever."
I had remembered hearing stories about former criminals acting as security advisors in my previous life, so I decided to give it a try.
Unfortunately, due to legal hurdles, I couldn't actually purchase them myself, but Oresto had interviewed them on my behalf based on the questions I provided.
The resulting reports had been invaluable for me and for the town. Without that intelligence, restoring order would have surely taken much longer.
"As for me, I want to keep you in my debt, Lord Ryoma. So if there is ever anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask."
I couldn't believe he’d actually say "keep you in my debt" to my face.
"So, now that the town is safer, how have you been? I heard you used to live in the forest; is life in the city enjoyable?"
"Why the sudden question? You sound like a father asking his kid if school is fun... Well, yes, it is. My personal life and the shop are doing well. And although it sounds a bit strange to say, the recent security issues actually helped me form connections with people I might never have met otherwise."
What immediately came to mind were the owner of this restaurant and the manager of the clothing store where I’d had this suit made.
I had started business with the owner as mentioned, and with the clothier regarding the uniforms for my staff at the security company and the processing plant.
There were also the townspeople I’d known for a while... and in a different sense, I suppose I’d even become friendly with that group of young delinquent adventurers.
As I shared these stories, mixing in specific anecdotes, the time flew by. Before I knew it, I'd finished more than half the meal.
"It feels like I've done all the talking. I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. I was the one who asked. Besides, as I mentioned when we first met, I simply enjoy listening to others."
Come to think of it, he had said that... though back then it came with so much extra baggage that I'd pushed the memory aside.
"Since we’re here, if you don't mind, perhaps you would listen to my story? As I said, my desire to deepen our friendship is sincere."
"Of course."
I hoped that by listening, I could understand even a little more about this man, whose true intentions remained so difficult to discern.