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Chapter 824: Corrected Appropriately

Since I was the reason they went here, I wanted to take the responsibility of sending them back but I have to encourage the merchant team of the auction so I can only send them my regards in the royal capital.

I at least see them off.

Well, it’s just a short distance away if you use the teleportation gates.

I left them to Donovan and the others in case a problem would arise.

-0-

Late afternoon.

We headed to a big warehouse owned by the Dalfon Company to encourage the merchant team promoting the auction.

Accompanying me were Malbit, Ruincia, and five other angels.

Malbit and the others had their wings hidden and were walking normally.

The moment they left the school grounds with their wings out, a fight would probably break out with the residents of the royal capital trying to save me who was being held captive by the angels.

If we were in Village Five or Shashaato City, there’s no way that would happen.

In any case, they had to hide their wings while escorting me to prevent attracting trouble.

-0-

On the way, we met up with people from the Goroun Company.

I was surprised that even Michael-san was there.

He said it was impossible for him not to be here after inviting me to go give a speech.

I see.

Ah, by the way, I heard that you made various arrangements for yesterday’s festival, thank you.

Alfred and the others said you were very helpful.

「I hope you were pleased. By the way, about the alcohol……」

Alcohol?

By any chance, did you already know what we talked about last night?

「Yes. Randan-sama contacted me this morning……」

He is quick to act.

As expected of the four heavenly king who’s in charge of internal affairs.

「First of all, the alcohol we brought has caused that incident. I apologize for that.」

Eh?

「I instructed the royal capital branch to select the finest goods but apparently, they chose on the basis of price.」

It seems like Michael-san is apologizing for having offered expensive yet tasteless alcohol.

No no, I don’t really mind.

I’m not going to complain about the food that was offered to me for free.

The only reason it was brought up was because Donovan was lamenting the fact that there was a bad bottle of sake circulating in the royal capital.

「Donovan-dono is aware that some alcohol in circulation is not very good. I thought the reason it had become an issue was the fact that such bad tasting sake was offered to you. I apologize for that.」

No no no no.

Was there something like that going behind the scenes?

I thought he was just lamenting the quality of alcohol in general.

「There’s that too but……」

Michael-san was looking at me as if he wanted to say something.

What is it?

「Regarding the ranking……I’d appreciate it if you could, you know…..」

According to Michael-san, it is difficult to hold election for nobles and commoners together even if the number of votes is to be differentiated.

Furthermore, it is hard to make people be aware of the ranking because only those who are concerned with the taste of alcohol would join it. He said majority of the commoners would rebel and things will be rough.

I see.

「So, if you allow it, can we just make the ranking only for nobles……No, I understand that this is a punishment but the barrier to realize it is too great.」

No, it’s not. It’s not a punishment.

I’m not a noble so I can’t punish anyone.

The ranking is just a concept, if you can’t do it, then just ignore it.

The main goal to begin with is to improve the taste of alcohol…..hnn?

Michael-san, weren’t we talking about water alternative alcohol? Why are we suddenly talking about alcohol?

「Yes. There are water alternative alcohol but they’re not really widely available in the royal capital. If you need water, you can just produce some using magic.」

Right.

「Water alternative alcohol is basically distributed to the military. They have to save their magic power for battle.」

I see.

So, water alternative alcohol is treated as water that can be stored.

Water spoils quickly if left unattended.

Hmmm.

Since the purpose is different, is there no point in trying to improve the taste of water alternative alcohol?

I hear good alcohol is made by nobles.

However, it doesn’t seem to be distributed much……

I thought, according to our discussion, that they have a market but not being marketed.

The problem is that the price is too expensive, but the taste is so bad.

………

Is there a reason why it tastes so bad even if it’s expensive?

「This is just between you and me……it’s a way for nobles to pay their debts.」

?

The nobles openly borrowing from the commoners won’t make them look bad so they’ll hide it and say that they made money from alcohol.

Is the amount borrowed added to the selling price of alcohol?

「Yes. And in order to leave the form of having bought alcohol at a higher price, we too must keep the face value of the alcohol high……」

Does this mean that the alcohol is not worth the price?

「That’s how it is. Well, most of it goes to sleep in the warehouse then, gets re-labeled and sold at a fair price.」

Heh.

Incidentally, it is said that nobles who can’t make alcohol to do that will use other materials such as timber or ore.

Since it is easy to misrepresent the origin of timber and ore, it is said that the price of such items rarely remains high.

I’m curious to know where the alcohol comes from.

Ah, it’s the other way around?

Nobles who don’t have lumber or ore have no choice but to use alcohol.

-0-

In any case.

That is something I don’t want to get involved with.

I’m sorry, Donovan. I’m going to have to ask you to give it up.

As a show of support, let’s give funds to Michael-san and ask him to support nobles who have the potential to make good tasting alcohol.

「Then, about the rankings……」

If it’s just limited to nobles, everything will be fine, right?

「Yes. I’m sure either Beezel-sama or Hou-sama will take the lead.」

It would be great if nobles would compete with each other to produce the best alcohol.

Would you be able to ask them to do that?

「Of course. Thank you very much! I’ll inform Randan-sama about this matter.」

Please.

Michael-san was about to run but seemed to have remembered the purpose of this meeting.

Yes, the purpose was to encourage the merchant team to promote the auction.

Is the venue that big warehouse in front?

That seems to be it.

They have rented an entire warehouse and are currently displaying the items to be auctioned there.

It still looks a bit far away……

From the warehouse, Kierbit, disguised as a demon, came to us.

It seems like she has been waiting for us.

No?

Ah, she was waiting for me.

Is something wrong?

「You’re not in a hurry, right? Ridley of the Dalfon Company is looking for village chief to apologize for the alcohol she served you.」

Ridley?

Ah, I’ve read about her in Tiselle’s letters.

She was Tiselle’s friend who works for the Dalfon Company, right?

And by apology do you mean the same as Michael-san?

「She has been racking her brains trying to figure out the ranking with both nobles and commoners. She said even if it’s a punishment, it’s too harsh.」

The same alright.

It seems like these days, Kierbit is working on strengthening relations with the Dalfon Company on behalf of Tiselle, who is busy building her country.

So, she’s asking me to go easy on her.

Well, no, the ranking was not intended as a punishment.

However, I’ve already decided to make the ranking for nobles only.

「Really? Ridley will be pleased. She’s on her way to beg to Tiselle right now so I think she’ll come here with Tiselle a little later.」

She’s going to Tiselle?

「Ridley haven’t met you yet, right?」

I’ve sent her a few letters asking her to take care of Tiselle but I don’t personally know her.

I heard that in order to meet someone in person, they must be introduced by a common acquaintance to each other.

It’s a hassle but it can’t be helped because I rely on introductions to guarantee my identity.

In this case, Tiselle must have been chosen as the introducer.

As for me, I wouldn’t suspect them of being imposters even if they haven’t been introduced to me.

However, considering the possibility of being caught in a scam, we need to be cautious.

…….

Areh?

Can’t Kierbit become the introducer?

「I think she’s still wary of a newcomer like me. Also, I’m even dressed like this and I was introduced as Tiselle’s collaborator.」

I see.

So, Tiselle, my daughter, would be much better compared to your present identity.

「Yes yes」

Understood.

I’ll say hello when she arrives.

「Please.」

Yeah.

By the way, I was just wondering……

Is that how you speak when you’re in disguise?

I thought you would be more ladylike.

「I’m trying to adjust but there might be a problem if I acted out too much.」

Well, considering Kierbit’s purpose, I don’t want to give Torain distorted information based on your disguise personality.

「That’s exactly the reason why I’m still in the process of being taught by Hou-san.」

Heh.

Why Hou?

I can understand if you’re asking her for love advice but, does Hou have any disguise skills?

Eh?

You can’t say so I better ask her myself?

O-okay.

I’ll ask her the next time we meet.