After concluding the private meeting with Reinhardt and his family, I greeted Hughes and the others who had been waiting for me. Once I finished giving them a summary of the events in the Sea of Trees, I decided to hand out the souvenirs I had brought back.
"To Ryoma-kun’s safety and the successful completion of his goals—cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Since the bulk of the souvenirs consisted of food, it was perhaps inevitable that a feast, under the guise of a tasting party, would break out.
At Reinhardt’s lead, everyone raised their glasses and took a long draught of the Heat-Radiating Tree Barrel Ale I had purchased at the adventurer’s base. Immediately, the pace at which the mugs were emptied accelerated.
"Pwah! Ryoma, this is amazing!"
"The aroma that wafts through the nose is sharp yet refreshing. It's remarkably easy to drink."
"So this is the scent of the trees in the Great Forest."
"I had no idea such a drink existed there."
"It likely only circulates within the forest outposts and rarely makes it to the outside world."
"There are plenty of materials that sell for more than ale, so those would naturally take priority."
I was surrounded by Hughes and the other guards, as well as Eleanora, who would be supporting my work from now on. The Duke’s family members were a short distance away since we had just finished our long discussion, but every voice I overheard was filled with praise.
"Now then, everyone, let’s get grilling."
A specially prepared large iron plate sat before us. On a table nearby, the ingredients were laid out. The most prominent among them was a mountain of thinly sliced Immortal Snake meat. Surrounding it were various spices and fruits harvested from the Great Forest.
The Shulls Great Forest is notorious for being a difficult place to secure food, but that is solely due to the presence of dangerous monsters. Edible plants are actually quite abundant. In the area around Kormi Village in particular, traces of the previous villagers' efforts to survive were still visible.
However, if I had to name the most delicious thing in the forest, it was undoubtedly this meat. And nothing beat a barbecue. As I took the lead and placed the Immortal Snake meat on the iron plate, the sound of the fat rendering and popping, accompanied by a savory aroma, filled the air instantly.
"Whoa... what is this meat? The smell alone is incredible..."
"I’ve heard people describe a scent as 'aggressive' before, but is this what they meant?"
"To smell like this without a single seasoning or side ingredient added yet..."
"Everyone seems surprised. Indeed, this meat is more than delicious enough on its own. While the flavor is clean, it produces an umami so potent it rivals any seasoning."
"That much, huh? I’m truly looking forward to it. Even for a noble, ingredients from the Sea of Trees are a rarity."
Jill, who came from an Earl’s house, looked back and forth between the grilling meat and the mountain of ingredients. It was true that harvesting specific ingredients from that forest was a high-difficulty task. Requesting it from an adventurer would surely cost a small fortune.
"I suspect very few people have even seen the real thing when it comes to an Immortal Snake."
"Jill is right," Reinbach added. "I remember it became quite the topic when a unit dispatched during the national forest development efforts presented it to the late King... though I wonder how long the trend lasted?"
"The fad died out a few years after the presentation. It was in demand because the late King praised its flavor, the pioneer team was commended, and because of its rarity. Furthermore, rumors circulated that the Immortal Snake’s regenerative powers made it an 'Elixir of Immortality and Longevity,' which drove up demand. But it seems the supply was simply too low to sustain it."
"That was it. Toward the end, it seemed that people were obsessed with it for its rumored effects rather than its quality as an ingredient."
Reinbach, having explained the history of the demand, suddenly voiced a doubt.
"Actually, come to think of it, I feel like I often heard rumors back then that Immortal Snake meat tasted awful, or that while it was rare, it wasn't worth the trouble of sending adventurers in for."
"I find it hard to believe this meat could taste bad, even at this stage..." Hughes muttered.
"I agree with Hughes. I feel as though I'm being drawn in by the scent alone. I can't imagine why rumors of it being unpalatable ever circulated."
"...That was probably because they forced it to use its regeneration during the hunt."
The people who had praised it in the past likely ate parts of the body that were severed during the fight. On the other hand, those who rated it poorly probably ate the meat of a snake that had been killed after a grueling struggle. Or perhaps the meat had been mass-produced by repeatedly forcing a captured snake to regenerate.
"If that's the case, the variation in reviews makes perfect sense. There are always people who will do anything for money, no matter the era or place."
"Even if it was mass-produced, it was still technically Immortal Snake meat. It wasn't a fake. It's also possible the flavor degraded during transport, and in a situation where few knew the original taste, if someone claimed 'this is how it is,' people would have believed them—and, everyone, I think it’s ready."
I could only imagine what the market was like in the past, but the meat I had prepared today was caught just the other day. Moreover, using the slimes' abilities, I had taken meticulous care with everything from bleeding to cleaning and storage. This was a masterpiece.
I moved the grilled meat directly to a small plate and took a bite. The same umami as before rushed through my mouth.
"!!"
Following my lead, the moment everyone tasted the meat, they all widened their eyes in shock and chewed in silence. Smiles naturally spread across their faces as they swallowed.
"...To think meat this delicious exists in the wild."
Camille's soft comment drew agreement from everyone present. From the members of the Ducal House to their guards and servants—even those accustomed to eating high-quality meat—the Immortal Snake meat left them satisfied.
As the one who provided it, seeing them so happy was rewarding.
"Come, let's eat our fill. The meat is wonderful on its own, but I've also prepared pepper from Kormi Village and herbs gathered in the forest. I also have soy sauce, miso, and sesame sauce, so please help yourselves to whatever you like!"
While I was speaking, everyone was already starting to grill the next round. Since they had only just experienced the initial burst of flavor, they weren't about to get bored. They’d likely keep eating it plain for a while, so I decided to start portioning out the condiments.
"Takebayashi-sama."
"Eleanora-san. Is something the matter?"
"I saw you heading toward the ingredients. I will assist you."
Eleanora had been dispatched from the Ducal House to be my secretary. I wouldn't have minded if she kept eating with the others, but she likely felt awkward seeing her future employer working while she relaxed.
"In that case, please help me with the condiments. I’ll clear a space, so could you bring over enough of those wooden partitioned plates for everyone and line them up?"
"Understood."
While I shaped a stand using Earth Magic, Eleanora brought the plates. We divided the work and began filling them with various condiments. There were many types gathered from the forest, so having an extra pair of hands was a big help.
I handed her a bag of pepper, but... it was only our second time meeting. It was understandable, but her speech and demeanor were incredibly stiff. I was much the same way, and she was likely struggling to find topics of conversation. We were gauged each other's reactions while maintaining a professional distance through the work.
Still, she was going to be looking after me from now on. I decided to take this opportunity to greet her properly once more.
"Oh, that's right, Eleanora-san."
"Yes?"
"Since I've returned safely from the forest, I expect the Duke will be issuing your transfer orders soon. I look forward to working with you."
"Likewise... I am prepared to work myself to the bone in your service."
When I bowed, she seemed flustered for a moment, but she immediately returned the gesture with an intensity that seemed to radiate from her entire being. Her resolve didn't feel like mere exaggeration; it felt like she truly had nowhere else to turn. This was only going to get more awkward. I needed to change the subject.
"Thank you. Also, while this might not be the best setting for it, I was hoping we could talk a bit about how we'll be handling your work in the future."
"...I also had a few matters I wished to confirm regarding my duties, so by all means."
Good, she took the bait. As her future superior, she probably felt she couldn't refuse, but she seemed relieved to have a more straightforward topic. I could see the tension in her shoulders ease slightly.
We weren't close enough for me to ask about hobbies, and given how she ended up here, her private life was likely a mess of conversational landmines. To be honest, I didn't have any other safe topics besides work, so if this failed, I was out of options.
"The first thing I want to settle is your housing once you arrive at my base in Gimul. I already have a workspace and living quarters set up with the bare essentials, but is there anything else you might need? It doesn't have to be a necessity; anything that would be 'helpful' is fine. I want to proactively ensure we have proper rest and reduce any unnecessary burdens to keep efficiency high."
"Regarding daily life, a bed and a place to cook are more than enough. For laundry, being able to use Takebayashi-sama's shop will significantly reduce the labor. As for the workspace... that will depend on the nature of the duties. Since my primary tasks will be organizing information and handling communications, basic writing materials, files, and a place to store them should suffice for now."
"Understood. Please check for yourself once you've officially started, and if anything is lacking, don't hesitate to say so."
After a few more simple confirmations, she seemed to grow more comfortable speaking with me. For the first time, she asked a question of her own.
"Takebayashi-sama, while I was reviewing the history of your business and research, I found a few concerning points regarding certain contracts made at the waste processing plant. Specifically, the terms for purchasing discarded food from other shops appear unfavorable to us. It seems to be an arrangement that only generates losses without any profit."
She spoke with a stern expression, referring to the waste food purchasing service for food shops.
Those contracts included a clause prohibiting the 'resale,' 'sale,' or 'transfer' of the ingredients we collected, ensuring no profit could be made. Even though we bought them far below market price, the sheer volume meant the deficit was non-negligible.
Her point was valid, but it seemed she hadn't brought it up purely out of concern for the bottom line. She continued, touching upon an awkward part of my history.
"Furthermore, only this specific set of contracts differs significantly from your others in terms of format and the balance of profit. While it's not unusual to have different people in charge of various departments, I felt a distinct sense of malice from the wording of those documents."
I hadn't been hiding anything from the Duke's family, and I hadn't sworn Hughes and the others to secrecy. It seemed information sharing had been thorough.
"You're right. Half of the content in those contracts was pure harassment."
This went back to the stage when I had decided to start the waste food service and began approaching potential partners. Since the candidates included several owners I had previously clashed with, I decided to visit them first to get the unpleasantness out of the way.
And as expected... they were blatantly abrasive from the start, a never-ending parade of sarcasm. They found fault with every term, and the contract she noticed was what they told me they would be 'willing' to accept if I wanted their business.
"To be honest, I could have just walked away then, but I had an idea, so I accepted their terms on the spot. Of course, I made sure to include a clause for a contract review at the time of renewal."
They likely thought I would either get angry or scurry home in distress. When I accepted, they looked shocked for a moment before breaking into mocking grins.
However, those operations were designed to advance my research into Slime Farming Methods and retort food. Since the goal was simply to secure feed for Scavenger Slimes and materials for experiments, the terms didn't bother me at all. I called it 'harassment' earlier, but in truth, it didn't even qualify.
I had explained that the food was for research, but they probably couldn't wrap their heads around the idea that a child like me was researching ways to increase production with Wood Magic or developing new types of preserved food—let alone that I was actually seeing results. I could almost understand their skepticism.
"But even putting that aside, the fact remains that they proposed a contract that was deliberately unfavorable to me. If they did that just to vent personal spite, they clearly aren't a trustworthy business partner, right? When I presented those same conditions to the other candidates, it was quite easy to identify which owners were untrustworthy."
"So you used the contracts they proposed as a litmus test to gauge your business partners."
"I was doing large-scale hiring for the security company, the processing plant, and the hospital, so it was useful for scouting potential suppliers for the staff cafeterias. It’s food, so I want to buy from someone I can trust. I simply removed the untrustworthy owners from the list of future candidates. I say so myself, but they missed out on a massive contract."
Among the owners who had been hostile at that meeting, there were some who pointed out the contract terms were bizarre and tried to decline on my behalf. Even if they didn't like me personally, they responded with professional integrity. I even ended up signing long-term supply contracts with some of them.
"Besides, it's harder for them to refuse a contract review once they've actually started enjoying the benefit of reduced waste costs, compared to refusing before they've seen any advantage, don't you think?"
"Your leverage at the negotiating table would be much stronger then. Depending on how you handle the discussion, you could force even malicious owners to accept the revisions. And if they take a high-handed attitude without understanding their position, you can simply terminate the contract and cut them out entirely. That would be a fitting retaliation."
Eleanora spoke calmly, but for a split second, a dark smile flickered across her face. I don't know who or what she was imagining, but she clearly had a bit of a dark side.
"Oh, by the way, I was planning some retaliation of my own... but it turns out they all self-destructed before I could do anything."
"Self-destructed?"
"Well, the whole reason we were at odds was because they were the type of people who would fall for a fraudster’s trap, and they did exactly that."
That seemed to ring a bell for her.
"I read the reports. There were business owners who were tricked into buying 'crime prevention' tools that were actually rigged with explosives, weren't there? Don't tell me..."
"The shops of the people who were hostile to me were blown up almost across the board."
Some of the shops were also their homes, so I don't know if it was a miracle that there were no deaths, or if it would have been more merciful if there had been... They were in no position to worry about contracts when they couldn't even continue their business.
"Even without that, rumors about the contracts and my subsequent moves had already spread within the Commerce Guild. I think they would have lost the trust of their peers regardless. But as it stands, my adversaries vanished without me lifting a finger. As for the problematic contracts, the reviews and renewals have already been handled with the assistance of a Former Legal Officer dispatched by the Ducal House."
"A legal officer... Then there was no need for me to interfere. Thank you for the explanation. I apologize for taking up your time."
"Not at all. I haven't even given you a proper handover yet. The fact that you’ve already grasped so much makes me feel very reassured."
While we were talking, her gaze had drifted toward Hughes and the others several times, so I assumed she had heard about the contracts from them.
But, as I said, the waste food department was more of a personal research project and hobby, so I had been running it however I liked. The others had been busy, and the renewals were finalized after they had returned to the Duke's estate, so the full story hadn't reached them.
Even in my previous life with computers and email, communication errors were common. There was no way they wouldn't happen in this world. I was just glad we could align our understanding before any real issues cropped up.
"Please feel free to ask me anything at any time. I expect I'll be away from the city for long periods more often, and even when I'm here, I tend to get buried in my research. I'll feel much better knowing you're keeping an eye on things."
"Understood."
She was still stiff, but just having a conversation was a big win. If I kept pushing, it might backfire, so I thought about stepping away—
"Oh, this is a magnificent spread."
Reinbach and Sebas arrived just in time to save me.
"Are you two enjoying yourselves?"
"Of course. The food was so delicious I neglected today's guest of honor."
I wondered if that was a butler’s joke. Sebas was always polite, but he was visibly in high spirits.
"I’m just happy to show off the results of my adventure and see everyone enjoying themselves. Let’s consider these ingredients the guests of honor for today."
"In that case, I must partake in the food and drink to the fullest."
Now that I thought about it, did Sebas enjoy drinking? I recalled him being the only one without a hangover after the celebration for Elia’s contract with the birds. Perhaps he just loved food in general.
"Sebas has long been my companion and messenger, visiting many territories," Reinbach explained. "He made 'food-walking'—finding local delicacies—a modest hobby amidst his busy schedule. Once you reach a certain level of mastery with Space Magic, it's actually faster to take a rest and teleport again rather than bothering with horses."
"Opportunities to work are limited when traveling, and it's not rare for there to be restrictions on my schedule. I was simply exploring meaningful ways to use my free time."
As I handed a plate with the recommended spices to the reminiscing Sebas, he beamed.
"Would you like anything else?"
"The fruit is tempting... but if I'm to savor the meat with these spices, I believe I'll have another glass of ale."
"Don't go overboard with the bingeing. Neither you nor I are young anymore."
Reinbach, looking half-exasperated and half-worried, took his own plate of spices and returned to the iron plate. Everyone else was still focused on the plain grilled meat, but at this rate, the first mountain of slices was going to vanish.
"Eleanora-san, let's bring out more meat along with the spices."
"Understood. I shall prepare it at once."
Her response was mechanical, but she handled the work perfectly. Feeling confident that I would be able to make things work with her, I spent the rest of the time serving food and enjoying conversations with everyone.