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“Ah, Your Highness! It looks like we arrived at almost the same time, doesn’t it?”
“So it’d appear… Wendelin, I guess you’re usually quite busy?”
“Yes. It was decided that I wouldn’t need to travel by airship if I could use Teleport on a beck-and-call basis. My House Manager Roderich’s handling of personnel is quite rough.”
“I see…the development of a territory sounds rather challenging.”
“Indeed. Especially since it originally used to be an empty backward region. Roderich has been steadily flooding me with work.”
“I understand…I suppose that makes sense. The Baumeister Margraviate is going to become a crucial base for the future southern expansion of the Kingdom. Thus, we cannot slack on developing the region…(personally, I think that Roderich is working you way too hard!).”
“Huh? Did you say something?”
“No, nothing. …Now then, let’s try heading over to the reception hall.”
After arriving at the imperial capital with Teleport, I quickly headed over to the port. And just as I got there, His Highness Wald was getting off the magic airship. I apologized to him for only joining the delegation at the destination, but it’s good that he didn’t seem overly angry about it.
Frankly stating the truth by saying, 『In reality I wanted to leisurely travel by airship as well, but I was late because I’ve been developing my territory up until right before the Teleport』 and 『All of it is Roderich’s fault』, would be honest, but for people standing above others, like high-ranking nobles, this would be rather questionable. It’d be the plain reality, but putting the blame on your subordinate is what small-minded people do.
Having said that, I cannot help it since I have this character by birth. Besides, it’d be better for the Margrave Baumeister House for Roderich to incur His Highness’s enmity than me…then again, that’d be impossible, wouldn’t it…? I guess Roderich will have to have an opportunity next time when His Highness visits our territory.
After I joined the Friendship Deepening Delegation, we began moving toward the reception hall while being guarded by imperial knights. First, we’re going to have an audience with Peter, the emperor, and then there will be a welcome party with a buffet that will also serve as breakfast…or something like that, right?
Given that I had joined them over here and had only a vague recollection of the schedule, I wasn’t very confident about this.
“How wonderful for you to have come all the way here. I would be more than happy if you could enjoy the welcome banquet we prepared.”
It was only natural, but Peter truly felt like an emperor at times like these. Standing next to him, Emela also seemed like a master magician, and not like Peter’s de facto wife. They’re probably making sure not to show any opening towards the high-ranking nobles who are trying to trip them up wherever they can.
“It is a great pleasure for me to meet you for the first time, Your Majesty.”
“Your Highness Wald, we are close in age and have the duty to shoulder a country. It would be on good terms with you.”
“My thinking. I would like nothing more than either. It would also be of great benefit for the peace and development of both our countries.”
The other day, they met at the beach of my territory in absolute secrecy, but His Highness wouldn’t make the blunder of divulging something like that.
Their interaction really felt appropriate for the official conduct between two young leaders of a nation. I wouldn’t be able to imitate that.
While I was pondering all this, we were led into the reception hall, and the banquet started. The young nobles of the Friendship Deepening Delegation were amiably talking with young imperial nobles while enjoying wine, food, and desserts.
Because His Highness and Peter were the leading actors, they went around together, greeting influential nobles.
Therefore, I’m currently enjoying the food and sweets by myself.
Eh? You’re asking why I’m not going around to greet people myself?
No, I mean…this place is full of people I don’t really know…
I’ve been properly doing it up until now, you say?
Well, at that time, Elise and my other wives were with me.
Anyway, I can’t remember the names of nobles, and Elise isn’t with me, so I don’t really know most of the nobles. Talking with a noble and acting like I know them, while in reality not having a clue, would be extremely rude if it were revealed.
Hence, I reached the conclusion that it’d be safer not to talk to anyone to begin with, so now I’m a wallflower at this banquet.
Given that I was probably chosen for the reason that it might be better if there’s at least one high-ranking noble in our delegation besides His Highness, they probably don’t expect that much interaction from me anyway. Since it’s not about any practical business, it should be fine as long as I’m just present. Just like with the Olympics, participation in itself bears significance.
“Hmm, I see. I’d say this is a marinade made out of the trout that swims upstream in the rivers of the Philip Dukedom. Together with the small floured potatoes as garnish, this meal has a great balance.”
Nothing less of a party sponsored by the Empire’s government. They gathered the best ingredients from land and sea in the Empire and had their first-class chefs prepare them into wonderful dishes. It’s truly bliss for my tongue.
I assumed that someone would talk me up, but unexpected people stayed clear of me. Considering it very closely, I’m better known here for being a magician. The people participating in this welcome party are mostly nobles. There’s almost no magicians present. Of course, it’s not like there are none here at all, but most of them are at the elementary level, so they might feel bad about talking to me.
If Burkhart-san were here…well, he hasn’t been invited since he’s neither young nor nobility.
It’s not like I excel in communicating with others to such an extent either, so developing a deeper friendship with fellow magicians…that doesn’t seem to be likely. Talking up a stranger is quite a challenge, you know?
“Mmh, yeah…this roasted meat is great.”
With me being a wallflower for the rest of this party being set in stone, I went around the tables and enjoyed the various dishes. Occasionally, some of the young imperial nobles looked at me, but I can totally understand them; they want to talk to me because they’re curious, but I suppose they can’t really make up their minds to go for it.
But, guys…you should expect me to make the first step here. After all, I’m as hesitant about this as you are.
“The northern seafood is outstanding. They have turned white-fleshed sashimi into carpaccio, but it’s fresh, doesn’t stink, and is truly exquisite. Ooohhh! They also have a sushi corner!”
This is probably a sign that the Duke Mizuho House’s power has grown.
I mustn’t underestimate these dishes as mere party food. Their deliberate treatment of the nobles of the Kingdom to Mizuho cooking means they want to show off the close relationship between the Empire and the ducal house of Mizuho.
“(Nah, I think I’m reading too much into this) Oh! There’s even soba here!”
Given that I ate plenty of meat and fish dishes, I really appreciate soba as a finisher.
Since it was served in a small bowl, I gulped it down quickly.
“(I’m tempted to get another serving, but I mustn’t forget to get a dessert at the end)”
However, in contrast to the Baumeister Margraviate, the variation of fruits was somewhat small. They weren’t using chocolate either.
However, then I noticed the Mizuho sweets. Since most of them are identical to Japanese confectionery, they’re easy to eat.
“This steamed bun with its moderately sweet red bean jam filling is delicious. They also have sweet red-bean soup!”
At first, I worried about how to spend my time at a party with almost no one close to me, but once it started, I was able to focus on the food and desserts, and the time unexpectedly flew by.
“Starting with tomorrow, we’re going to sightsee the city, huh? For the first time in a while, I’ll be able to enjoy a vacation by myself───”
It’s not as though the Empire and Kingdom will suddenly become close friends, even if I work hard by myself. The other young nobles, who want to make a career, should work hard instead. I’ll have fun in the Empire.
“Yo, Wendelin. What are you doing here all by yourself?”
“I’m enjoying the delicious food.”
Alfos had been greeting the influential nobles of the Kingdom, just like Peter, but now he chatted me up. The work as Prince-Elector Duke Philip, who assists the emperor, seems to be quite a burden. Well, it was a burden on Therese as well.
“Umm…did you talk with any other imperial noble besides me?”
“No, not at all.”
I mean…wouldn’t anyone be nervous about suddenly talking to a stranger?
“…Well, you see…when the news about your participation in the Friendship Deepening Delegation became known, it caused a bit of an uproar among the imperial nobles…”
“Ah, I see where you’re coming from.”
We participated in the civil war and achieved quite a bit. That is an unmistakable truth, and nobles will acknowledge other nobles with big military achievements. I think it’s only logical for the imperial nobles to cause a ruckus when they hear about my joining the delegation.
But…
“Leaving aside Duke Nürnberg, I killed many magicians and soldiers. There might be some among those nobles who lost their friends or relatives because of me. Don’t you think it’d be quite challenging for the other side to call out to me? And calling out to them from my side as the perpetrator seems questionable at best.”
That is why I’ve become a wallflower. It’s not weird at all for me to silently enjoy the imperial dishes by myself. Rather, I think it’s overflowing with the typical Japanese consideration of others.
“I’d like you to rather thank me! I’ve been quietly enjoying dishes and desserts so that the Friendship Deepening Delegation doesn’t fail!”
Right! I’m currently acting in the most optimal way!
“Well, it feels like an excuse, no matter how you look at it……but, it’s true that some of the nobles here lost their relatives because of you…”
After finishing speaking with Alfons, I turned my attention back to the Mizuho sweets.
But man, I must say…it was a truly delicious party.
“Wendelin, it seems you have enjoyed the party, and that’s what counts most, but couldn’t you have been…a bit more…flexible?”
“Even if you say that, what should I have done…? The dishes and desserts served at the party were great.”
“Oh well, whatever…”
I had fun for a while, but after the banquet ended, I was lightly chided by His Highness.
Come to think of it, even he, who’s known for usually lacking presence, took his close aides with him and greeted many imperial nobles, starting with Peter.
But, as someone who doesn’t have any official position, there would be no point for me to greet the nobles of the Empire for no particular reason…and since some among them might have lost their relatives to me, it’s unlikely that they’ll become my friends either way.
“That’s how I am if my wives aren’t with me.”
“Everyone appeared to be awed by you, given that you could calmly enjoy the served food by yourself while being the center of attention.”
“I don’t get what you mean.”
I simply enjoyed the dishes and desserts to my heart’s content…
“Wendelin, usually the Royal Head Wizards and the candidates for that post would go around to make themselves known at the party held during the Friendship Visits. Especially the candidates. The Royal Head Wizard is well-known among the imperial nobles, so all of them would see this as a great opportunity to build a connection with him.”
I see. So it’d be better to be well-known even in the Empire to become the Royal Head Wizard?
“Did Doushi also make himself known to the imperial nobles during a previous Friendship Visit before becoming the Royal Head Wizard?”
“According to my father, he hasn’t done so in advance. Instead, he participated in a Friendship Visit Delegation after becoming the Royal Head wizard. And just like you, he was totally engrossed with the dishes, wine, and dessert during the parties. That’s probably why the imperial nobles were awed by you doing the same, Wendelin. They thought that Wendelin, the 『Strongest Candidate for becoming the next Royal Head Wizard』, was appraising them while pretending to enjoy the food and deliberately avoiding calling out to any of them.”
“…No, I think there are several misunderstandings at work here…”
They’re probably overthinking this. I became a loner during the party. So, why was I arbitrarily labeled as an amazing person for simply enjoying the dishes and desserts?
“In the end, I guess that means everything worked out just fine. Although we’re here with the intention of building a friendship, the dignity of our nations must also be kept in mind. As I thought, it was a good idea to have you participate, Wendelin.”
“Haaah…”
Look, I really just enjoyed the food during the party… What’s more, starting tomorrow, I’ll be able to have plenty of fun by spending a few days freely exploring the imperial capital, but…
“(Oh well, whatever!)”
If other people selfishly believe I’m doing my job properly, it’s lucky for me. I have to relax as much as possible from tomorrow onwards, so I’m going to quickly return to the lodging house today and go to sleep early.
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Translation Notes:
