The seafood restaurant Elise and I visited was remarkably stylish. It had a tropical flair, with an interior focused on wood that felt both warm and inviting.
I could tell how much care had been put into the design of the tables and chairs. I thought I had become fairly well-acquainted with the local establishments, but it seemed there were still many hidden gems I hadn't discovered.
"This place has a nice atmosphere," I remarked.
"Indeed. Well, I’ll give you credit for a choice that isn't half bad."
It looked like a fairly high-end place. Looking at the menu, the prices weren't exactly astronomical, but each dish cost a significant amount. A light meal would easily run over ten thousand yen.
Then again, the Royal Capital was far from the sea, so fresh seafood was inherently expensive here.
"What will you have, Elise-san?"
"Let's see... I'll go with the Acquapazza."
"Are you sure? That isn't one of the more expensive items."
"Are you an idiot, Human-san? I only said those things earlier to maintain the flow of conversation. If I could eat an infinite amount, that would be one thing, but since I can't, it’s obviously better to eat what I actually want rather than worrying about the price."
Her logic was so sound I couldn't breathe a word of protest. Or rather, because the people I usually treated to meals often ate infinite amounts, I had braced myself for a massive expense... but come to think of it, I couldn't imagine someone with Elise's physique eating all that much.
I reminded myself yet again: the people who instantly convert food into magic power so they can eat forever are the ones who are weird.
"Elise-san, what kind of dish is this Scottato?"
"It’s seared tuna... I believe you call it tataki in your world, don't you?"
"I see, that sounds delicious. I'll have that, and a few small things we can share..."
After calling the waiter and placing our orders, I chatted with Elise until the food arrived.
"Is there anything else I should be careful about when running the stall?"
"In your case, Human-san, you should first send word to the Six Kings. There is a high probability they will visit, so you must firmly remind them to use Recognition Inhibition Magic. There are some among them, like the War King or the World King, who don't usually bother with it."
"I-I see. Certainly, it would cause quite an uproar if people like that showed up."
At the very least, Kuro would definitely come. There was no way she'd miss it when she heard there would be Baby Castella. She had mentioned that it was hard for her to participate in festivals because she was so easily recognized, but I figured it would be fine if she only came to my stall.
"Also, um, wait a moment."
"What's this? A magic tool catalog?"
"You should buy the tool on this page. It’s a magic tool that prevents sound from leaking outside a specific range, the kind used during the Harmonic Symphony. Since it ensures that conversations at the storefront can't be overheard by those around you, it will be much harder for the Six Kings to be found out."
"That is incredibly helpful. Elise-san, if there's anything else related to high-profile guests, please, I'd appreciate any advice you have."
Her advice was beyond helpful; it was exactly what I needed right now. Such measures were absolutely necessary, and since there were many things I likely wouldn't have noticed on my own, her guidance was a godsend.
"Let's see... as for the Death King, you should probably just have her give up on visiting the stall. A panic would be inevitable. If she wants to try your food, perhaps you could bring it to the ceremony venue yourself, Human-san."
"Hmm, that's true. It's a bit far from the stall location, but if I register the coordinates in a teleportation magic tool beforehand..."
"If you register a point, it should be somewhere slightly away from the venue, not the venue itself. Since there are many dignitaries at the ceremony, a Teleportation Interference barrier will be erected on that day."
Just as Elise said, there was unfortunately nothing that could be done about Isis-san's Magic Power of Death. It would be one thing if the crowds were sparse and she could maintain a distance like during the previous Six Kings Festival, but otherwise, a panic would be unavoidable. I decided I'd ask Isis-san what she wanted to do when I told her about the stall.
"Additionally, you should strictly decide on your break times. I imagine you and your companions won't be at the stall from morning till night, but will rotate breaks to visit other shops. However, it will be a problem if the Six Kings show up while you are away, Human-san. Since they are clearly coming to see you, you should inform them in advance of the times you'll be absent."
"Elise-san... you're amazing. I feel like the scales have fallen from my eyes."
"Honestly, you should have thought of at least this much yourself. You underestimate your own influence far too much, Human-san... Good grief, you really are a hopeless case."
"A-Ahaha... My apologies."
"There are still a few more points, so listen closely and take notes."
Though she spoke as if she were exasperated, Elise was kind after all. She spent the rest of the meal giving me advice on various other details.
Serious-senpai: "Now, she’s capable."
???: "Well, she is a Demon of Vigilance. She’s always preparing for every possible contingency. As a strategist, she’s top-tier. Of course, if it weren’t Kaito-san, she wouldn't be this helpful. She’d probably just flash a business smile and brush them off."