Chapter 31

This mansion, rather, gives a strong impression of being an Arabian Nights-style, Middle Eastern palace, built in the desert.

It seems to be primarily made of sun-dried bricks, but it appears to be coated with white paint, creating a seamless white wall as its base.

Surprisingly, it is located in the middle of the city, right next to the royal castle.

To the west of the royal castle is a noble district, or rather, an upscale area. If you go further west, you will reach the main street in front of the Whale Inn, which runs north to south.

There is a fountain in front of the entrance, surrounded by shrubs.

Well, if they manage the water properly, they can grow shrubs, can't they?

If they study agriculture, they might find food that suits this land.

However, from what the prime minister let slip when the Pig King visited, it seems they can't even grow potatoes properly...

The Pig King should work harder for the people. He's probably soaking in a potato butter bath right now. How disgusting.

"Wow, what a mansion."

"Baron Letel may only hold the title of baron, but he is a very wealthy man. He imports various items that cannot be obtained in this country. Apart from the royal castle, his mansion is the only one with a fountain."

Hmm. I've heard that in modern desert countries, the status symbol for the rich is a pool or a water tank. It seems that this kind of thinking is universal.

But, is a baron's position really that high?

Just getting off the carriage and seeing this, I'm scared to go inside.

But there's still something I can't understand.

"Why do I have to come here too..."

I muttered in a low voice so the surrounding servants (all in matching ethnic costumes, probably maids) wouldn't hear.

Cherina, who was wearing a red dress instead of her usual chainmail, replied.

"You are here as a consultant, of course. Don't make me repeat myself."

"But this isn't a business negotiation, is it? If it isn't, it's none of my business."

"Building human resources is also part of the job. If it's work, Mr. Akira can't refuse, can he?"

What a master of sophistry, no, a princess, no, a witch. Yeah.

"Just give up already..."

While having this conversation, we were led into the building and taken deeper inside. I feel so out of place. My suit is hot.

At the end of the corridor is a particularly large, tall door. The ceiling must be extremely high, which is why it's shaped like this. Two servants open it with all their might.

...I don't think they needed to make such an inconvenient door.

The room is basically made of stone, but intricate carvings and candles, along with... glowing iron pillars, create a skillfully calculated play of light and shadow, giving the room a sense of dignity and solemnity.

Perhaps the light from the iron pillars is actually from some kind of lighting device. It emits a bluish-white light, similar to fluorescent light.

Being brought here is annoying, but seeing something unique isn't bad.

It would be great if I could go home right now...

Of course, my small wish is not going to come true, and I am led into a luxurious, elongated room.

"Oh! I've been waiting! You're as beautiful as ever!"

Huh?

The person who stood up from the chair with his hands spread wide is a fat man with a very creepy face. If I describe it as a creepy otaku face exaggerated in adult manga, you might understand. It's creepy to the point of being physically repulsive.

(Hey! Isn't that creepy fat man's way of speaking weird! It's so creepy!)

(I can hear you, it's just a bit unique... but it is creepy.)

Yeah!

Even if it's not, that must be Baron Letel...

The creepy fat man doesn't seem that old, probably in his 20s. But he is fat overall. Compared to the Pig King, he is much better, but the level of physical disgust is off the charts!

His face is covered in acne, greasy, and his skin is rough. Fat clings to his cheeks and chin like mud. His skin color is patchy, making him look like a poorly made wooden craft.

Thinking about it, the Pig King's face wasn't that bad. I just ignored it because his body and personality were so pig-like.

"It's been a while, Baron Letel."

Cherina, shaking her red hair slightly, exchanged a smooth greeting.

It seems she was indeed the baron.

"Very good, very good. You came, so I'm satisfied. I have a feast prepared, so please take your time."

I feel dizzy. This guy is one of the creepiest I've ever met. By the way, he's not the creepiest. I had a boss who was even worse. I wish he would explode in a gas explosion!

The creepy baron tried to take Cherina's hand to lead her to the table and finally noticed me standing next to her.

"What, servant, you can go home now."

"Then I'll take my leave."

I turned to leave, but was immediately grabbed by the neck from behind and pulled.

My neck will break! This damn woman!

"Let me introduce you. This is Akira, my direct consultant. He is a very capable person."

"Hmm, a consultant...?"

His way of speaking is so strange that my business smile is starting to waver. Someone, help me.

"Akira, please remember me."

I can only manage to say the standard line. Let me go home.

"I'm going to have dinner with her, so I don't need a consultant."

That's right.

"Our contract is to be together all the time except when sleeping."

What? I've never heard of this before.

"Except when sleeping...?"

"Yes. He also serves as my bodyguard."

He doesn't! I almost got stripped by a robber the first time we met!

"Hmm, I see."

I can understand the look of doubt in his eyes. You must think I look like an indoor person in this world where most people are muscular!

Even in my job, I often had to walk because I was too cheap to take a taxi... I don't even want to remember.

I can't deny it outright, so I just keep up the business smile to cover it up.

"Fine, you stand there. Che... Che... Cheche... Miss Veriello, sit here."

He's stuttering so much.

But this confirms it.

Both the Pig King and the creepy baron are smitten with Cherina.

"..."

Cherina glared at me.

Hey, I didn't say it out loud, did I?

"Baron, a meal for two is not as enjoyable. Please let Akira join us."

"With this servant...?"

"Oh, how rude of me. It must be difficult to suddenly add another person's meal, even for a baron."

This amateur is really...

"It's fine! Even if ten more people join, the food will be ready immediately! Someone! Add one more meal to the banquet!"

I would have preferred if it couldn't be prepared...

And so the banquet began.

---

The food was quite luxurious.

The taste was quite spicy, which is a matter of personal preference. Spices are apparently rare in this country and not part of the local cuisine. It seems to be based on cuisine from further south.

Most of the conversation centered around the baron's self-promotion and boasting to Cherina, but she ignored it, and I found it more enjoyable to listen.

Despite his creepy way of speaking, he turned out to be quite an interesting person, and I found myself nodding along with his stories, which made him gradually become more friendly.

"So, far to the south, beyond the river, there is a quite unique culture."

"Yes, beyond the difficult Midar Mountains."

"What are the Midar Mountains?"

"The mountain range that divides this continent in half. There are only a few places where you can cross."

"Listening to your stories makes the food taste twice as good."

"Yes, yes."

The baron smiled contentedly.

Cherina, however, remained unusually expressionless.

"By the way, today the king bestowed a very special potato on us. It's very delicious."

I know. I really know.

But if the greedy Pig King bestowed a potato, it might actually be quite valuable?

I thought barons were lower in the hierarchy...

The dish served was a stir-fry of potatoes and bacon with spices and oil, and it was the best dish of the day.

"This is delicious! All the dishes are good, but this one stands out. I might drink too much wine."

There's wine even though grapes aren't grown here. It must be imported. Alcoholic beverages don't spoil easily.

"You're quite interesting. I'll allow you to visit occasionally."

"Thank you."

At first, I found him extremely repulsive due to his appearance and way of speaking, but he turned out to be a decent guy. I apologize for comparing him to my boss.

His attitude towards Cherina makes sense if you think of it as a love-struck girl.

Before I knew it, the dinner party had turned into a conversation between me and the baron.

Cherina remained expressionless. Maybe she wanted to join the conversation.

After enjoying the last dessert (a sticky fruit), it was already quite late.

"Baron, enjoyable times pass quickly. I was glad to have built a friendly relationship with you, but it's been quite a while since the sun set. I think it's time to take my leave."

"Yes, it's that time... I'll have a carriage prepared for you to go home."

"Thank you for your consideration. Then, I'll take my leave."

I stood up and pulled out Cherina's chair.

"Huh? Why are you making Miss Veriello stand?"

What? What is he saying?

"To take my leave, of course?"

"Miss Veriello is staying the night."

What? Is that so? Is that the kind of relationship they have?

If so, you should have said so earlier. I'm not good at reading the atmosphere.

I tried to put the chair back, but Cherina stood up with great force.

"Baron, I'm also taking my leave. I have no plans to stay here. Akira, let's go."

What do you mean?

"Y... You're not staying the night again..."

Don't make that puppy-like whining sound.

"Our guild is at a crossroads. We don't have time to relax. Problems keep arising one after another."

Her expression suggested that this dinner was one of those problems. The creepy baron didn't seem to notice.

"Let's meet again when the guild is more stable. Goodbye."

She walked towards the carriage without hesitation, so I bowed to the baron and followed her.

The carriage ride was silent, and we didn't speak at all until we reached the guild.

When we got out of the carriage, she muttered.

"You can get along with the baron, Mr. Akira..."

I didn't ask about her true intentions and just returned to the inn.

Then...

Hag was furious!

---

Hag apparently can't end the day without a cutlet sandwich.

I gave him the cutlet sandwich immediately, but it didn't calm him down, and I ended up treating him to dinner at a bar.

I'm not satisfied.

Remaining funds: 10,643,009 yen.

Hey, God, I'm a bit resentful.