261 - - 259. Restaurant Rules

Hello. I am Homura, who has fled to the isle after cutting off the core-related announcements. It was terrible when I was thrown a patka in a trap dungeon - I blocked the patka, but now I'm free again. The events have made the situation unstable and I'd like to get to know the residents better if possible.

"You've been busy as usual."

Wagons come and go at the loading dock of old man Org, a skinny old man who keeps the rough crowd in line at the site. Various foodstuffs are brought in and out. Olives and oranges from the warm Fagat, and foodstuffs of demonic origin from the labyrinthine city of Baron. Many of them are still in jute bags or barrels, but the contents are visible around Mr. Org, perhaps because he inspects them. It's quite fun to see so many ingredients that you don't find in supermarkets, and it looks like a European market because they are not in packs. Well, it is a fantasy game world to begin with.

"Oh!　You came. War will break out in a few days, my trading company has been sacked by the Empire. They said they were going to seize it. --They're not even hiding it anymore.

A welcoming smile, followed by a brief explanation of the current situation here, and finally, a dismissive tone. Is this a large-scale war that includes battles between countries? I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable if it were a limited-time event, although I'm not sure what the countries' agendas are and how troublesome they are.

"Are you sure you can handle it?

"It's painful that the prime minister of Sadiras, which is on our side, is laid up, but the empire was not monolithic either. I don't think he'll make it to the capital.

Is that the country Galahad was talking about, the country where he was sleeping?

He looks bitter even though he predicts that he won't be able to reach it. Does that mean that the capital won't be reached, but other cities will be caught in the fire of war?

Was the name of the city near the empire Albar or Valnor?　There should be a clan house for the player. Our clan house in Fagat is also vulnerable to pirate attacks, as most of the lands that the government grants us permission to use are those facing the enemy. The country can save its own people from being killed in the event of an enemy attack, and it is treated as a quest for the players while it is a necessity for the inhabitants.

Immediately after the clan house was released, there were only a few clans that prioritized the store or did not have enough funds for it, but now there are quite a few. The most popular are FAST and BARON, which can be used together with a store due to their location. Fast is also popular among players who do not want to fight as much as possible, since it is said that quests related to residents tend to occur in Fast, but most of the time they do not involve fighting. The only inhabitant-related quest I've done is collecting lumber, but that's only because I've never been at the counter of the general store.

It seems that Fagat's clan house was destroyed by other clans before the pirates arrived. There is a clan of fishermen on the front line island, strong sea men!

"If you want to make a splash, stay away from them. You'd better move on, because in two days they'll put restrictions on transfers. We've been increasing our purchases from far away for a few days now.

After the negotiation period is over, the temple transfer will be disabled, which is a pain in the ass. I wondered if I could be a merchant in a big store if I didn't have the ability to gather a variety of information and be quick on the uptake. I looked at Org who was sitting on the edge of a barrel full of oranges that had apparently been sent from somewhere else.

"I have no intention of joining the war against the empire at the moment, but ......"

I'm sure I'll be there in connection with Nue and Kal and Galahad and others, and I'd like to see what kind of forces they have, but I've got a lot of cores to deal with right now.

It's good to spare your life. I don't like the fact that many of Homura's friends take their own lives and the lives of others lightly, perhaps because they can live so easily.

Ugh!　I have a history of jumping off cliffs and trying to return to death. ......!　I wanted to move on in the labyrinth, too.

"I can't argue with that. I'm putting my desire to go to the labyrinth and new lands ahead of my desire to come back to life."

"Well, when you put it that way, I also went around looking for food when I was young, so I can't say anything about the treatment of my own life.

He laughed and retracted half of his previous comment. Org must have been going around a lot in his younger days, or maybe that's why he's so hale and hearty at the office even though he's at an age where he should be looking after the documents. I am glad that he is strong.

"Let's leave some water and food for now. And this."

Again, I will give you a sign and an explanation of how to use it. He doesn't seem to have any production skills or combat skills - I have a feeling he might have some from his younger days, but at least you wouldn't be able to tell from his occupation and appearance, and he should be less likely to be attacked by a player, but beware. I was a little relieved when he told me that he would lock himself up in the cellar for storage if the need arose.

"Oh, take this. It'll weigh you down a little bit.

We have received one core.

I have accepted the accompanying one hundred and fifty-four cores.

No, wait.

It weighs more than a little ！！！！　How far out of touch they are in business!

"There are others who leave their things with me because I bring them back to life like Gentiles. Now get out of my way. They're gone!　Gone!"

Even as we speak, the shipment arrives, piled high with goods awaiting inspection by the orgs. I have something to say, but it looks like I'm really in the way, so I quietly leave.

I wish I could have met Hop who went with me to Fuso, but he seems to have gone to the countryside of Fagat to buy something, unfortunately.

And the restaurant , a place I am ashamed to come here on foot. But it would be embarrassing to pick up a horse-drawn carriage. The carriage in front of the building is still in front of you.　The expensive-looking carriage has just arrived. I sent an email to Rudolph, the head chef, to let him know that I would be there. ...... I am surprised that I have a reservation, even though I have a relationship with him.

Homura.

I was looking around, and then Christina came down. Is that Mr. Conrad, the escort, helping her out of the carriage?　He's quite a good-looking, clean-cut man. He seems to be a daughter of high status, so the appearance of his escort must be important to her.

Long time no see. What a coincidence.

"Hmm. No, I was told you were coming. I don't usually divulge the reservations of my customers in this restaurant, but we had dinner together once and Homura once asked you when I would be coming, didn't he?　Unless both parties are willing to meet."

He looks cold and expressionless, but he is attentive enough to explain the situation of the restaurant while revealing the details. The moment she gets off the carriage and our eyes meet, her expression relaxes and the corners of her eyes droop a little, making her look quite cute.

"I'm glad to hear that. May I join you?"

"Yes."

Well, you've got my permission, but how about an escort?　Crossing your arms would be too close, so you hold out your right hand. Palm facing down, palm facing up is the way to ask someone to dance. ...... If it looks wrong, quickly change it to face up. Christina puts her left hand on top of mine, as if I was right.

I'll buy a book on the etiquette of this country later. I have no idea what the creators of this game are so particular about. I don't want to be formal, but it is useful when you don't know the distance between people, especially with the opposite s*x.

Mr. Conrad seemed relieved that he was right.

We had an unexpected dinner together, aperitif was a berry brandy with soda. We drank aperitifs with berry brandy and soda.

I invited Mr. Conrad to join us, but he said that it was not a good idea for him to be under the protection of the guards ....... Usually they stand by the wall in the same room, but I was not comfortable with that, so we had dinner in the antechamber as before.

"Delicious. I've been coming here for a long time and they are getting better and better these days."

"Yeah. It tastes and looks first class."

Next up were bite-sized cucumber tartlets, yogurt with a less habitual cheese?　The tart crust is thin and savory to the touch. Accompanying the tart was deep-fried corn, which was lightly battered and yet crispy.

The macaroni au gratin, a simple dish of cream and cheese, has a large piece of macaroni with a charred and savory surface, and the cream and cheese involved are rich but gentle. The cream and cheese involved in the dish are rich but gentle. I can't wait for the next dish.

"Homura, I know it's late, but thank you for the necklace.

He thanks me by lightly touching my chest with his fingertips, which is probably where the necklace is.

"It's a talisman against something that may not happen. It may not mean anything."

I'm a little nervous when people are too happy.

"I like the design, too."

"I'm glad to hear you say that."

The bashful look on his face is quite a feast for the eyes. Because it is a game world, many of the residents are beautiful men and women, and even if they are not beautiful, they have a distinctive appearance. Except for special individuals, even if they are beautiful, their eyes lack light or they are somewhat mob-like, but when they become special individuals, such as the couple at the inn in Fast, they instantly become lively and their presence increases. Christina may also be a special character, but did she become a special character because I asked her to guide me, or was she a special character from the beginning?

Cold soup of green pepper, squid, cured ham, and golden lotus flower. The vegetables were cut into large pieces, and the squid was exquisitely half-cooked, crispy, sweet, and exquisite.

"The crystals we exchanged before have Lengard's name on them, too, don't they?　In fact, it caused a bit of a stir."

"A fuss?"

The spicy broth of well-cooled green pepper and golden lotus flowers rounds out the flavor. The cream and cheese that had just been served was so creamy that it felt good in the mouth.

"Yes, there is someone with the same name, Lengard."

I wonder if the mask is still in effect, since he hasn't told me his name and I haven't gotten him yet. No, I've never done anything strange on the Isle, I've just been getting food and eating at restaurants.

"Production is skillful, strength is guaranteed. He has contacts with the high priesthood and the royal family of Fagat, and there are many people in our country who would like to establish a friendship with him, but none of us have ever met him in person, since all of his men are eliminated. It seems that the Lord has left open the possibility of meeting with them when He feels like it.

...... was self-conscious. The only people I've ever had a real conversation with in Fagat are the perverts in the arena and the perverted dragon knight. The priesthood can't help but have a stale laugh or hear it in their expressionless, one-note laughter and benevolent faces, but they said they wouldn't make a big deal out of it either. I mean, are those two really of high rank? .......

"They're kind of overprotective. It's a bit depressing to have more nobles on top of the formalities of interacting with the royal family.

"I'm more on the formal side myself. --I'm glad Homura is the way it is.

"Excuse me, thank you for your generosity."

I bow in amusement at Christina's words. I just exchanged a patka for a duchess: ....... Well, I knew she was a nice lady from a nice place, but she's the first family in this country, except for the royal family!

Next is the dish I brought for you. The meaty prawn meat is served with richly flavored vegetables and a thick, slightly pungent spicy sauce. The texture of the prawns was also perfectly cooked, and the sauce, which was apparently made from prawn shells and miso paste, was superb.

"I hear it's very pretty, I'd like to see it at least. <

BUTT！！！！！！！！！！！！！

Wait a minute, where did you get the idea of a high priesthood or interacting with royalty!　

What, is High Priest Kyle so important after all?　I've never even spoken to royalty. ！！！！！

Who is that ！！！！！