Chapter 94

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Mimosa began to explain the sequence of events.

It all started over a decade ago.

When Count Saldos visited Solcoast for an inspection, Mimosa's sister, who was serving as a guide, caught the Count's eye, and as a result, an illegitimate child was conceived.

The Count did pay a certain amount of money for child support, but since he already had a noble-born wife and a common-law second wife, he did not bring Mimosa's sister into the Count's mansion.

However, this did not mean that Mimosa's sister and her illegitimate child, Daniel, were unhappy.

The family business, Nagefuu Trading, was relatively wealthy, and the previous head, who only had daughters, was delighted with the birth of a grandson.

Daniel, who was doted on by his mother, the previous head, and the male employees of Nagefuu Trading, grew up with the shipyard as his playground, dreaming of becoming a sailor and growing up mischievously but steadily.

Moreover, Aunt Mimosa had always told him from a young age that in the future, one could not become a great sailor without studying, so he grew into a serious and hardworking boy, not just a troublemaker.

But the gears of fate went awry.

Daniel was too excellent.

He achieved outstanding grades at the local elementary school and showed a high aptitude for magic.

He even had the potential to reach the level required for admission to the prestigious Royal Academy.

When this became apparent, the Count, who had never shown his face since Daniel's birth, turned his back on him.

After all, even without this, the Count's legitimate children, who were being raised with great care at the Count's mansion, were disappointingly average and showed no signs of achieving what the Saldos family had not accomplished in generations: admission to the Royal Academy.

Thus, the Count, against Daniel's objections, forcibly moved him to the Count's mansion under the guise of a lord's command, and his mother, Mimosa's sister, was taken in as a common-law third wife. Daniel was also officially recognized as a legitimate child.

The Saldos family then gathered the best tutors they could find and rigorously trained Daniel for three years starting at age ten, and he successfully passed the Royal Academy entrance exam.

This birthday party is also a celebration of his achievement, but it is an important event where influential noble families from the region are invited, and a commoner like an aunt cannot attend.

The Count seems to want to erase the fact that Daniel was raised as an illegitimate child and even forbids meeting him.

But at least, I want to send him direct praise for his unimaginable efforts and the glory he has achieved.

So, I am considering infiltrating the venue as a staff member by winning the competition for the main dish of the party, which the Count is currently organizing.

The Count apparently wants to showcase the famous seafood of the Saldos territory during this event with many guests.

However, the clearance for participating in the competition is strict, so I need to get Ichou to wield the knife as an employee of the same trading company.

Originally, I had always wanted to bring Ichou under my wing someday.

I intended to gradually gain his recognition and bring him under my control, but if I miss this opportunity, there might not be another.

At the very least, I want to let the previous head, Gondo, who retired and handed over the family business to me after his beloved grandson was taken away, see his grandson one last time before he dies.

This is the general sequence of events that Mimosa explained.

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"... That idiot, I thought he wouldn't show his face at our shop...

But to be so depressed over such a trivial reason..."

The boss shook his head in exasperation.

"Please, don't say that.

Even though it might seem like a luxurious worry compared to losing a child suddenly like you and your wife did...

Not being able to see someone who is right there is also a sad thing.

The previous head doesn't want to take the child back now.

Rather, he is grateful to the Count.

We were not capable enough to raise the child to such a level.

We never imagined he would have the potential to attend the Royal Academy.

But... I just want to see him one more time.

I want to tell him how well he has done and how proud I am of him."

"Will you please help me?" Mimosa said, bowing to the boss.

Incidentally, she has been properly breaking down the alcohol, so it seems to have worn off a bit.

"Haah...

Why didn't you come and ask me so honestly from the beginning?"

The boss scratched his head.

"Daniel being the Count's illegitimate child and the fact that he was raised as an illegitimate child in this town is a secret.

I didn't want to reveal the situation before making him a family member.

I thought you would help if I told you, but I don't like showing my weakness and bowing."

"Hmph.

Alright then.

I've been helped by Gondo many times since my youth.

But if you show any weakness, I'll kick you out of my organization. Got it?"

It's good that we've come to an agreement.

Now the boss will be able to fully show his skills in the shop from tomorrow.

But...

"I'm glad you're not worried about the boss's procurement.

So, why did you tell me such a secret? What do you want me to do?

And what's in it for me?

Let me make it clear, I have no interest in that noble party."

When I asked, Mimosa's expression darkened.

"Ah.

I want to hire you as an explorer.

I've heard you use a nasty bow.

You're a super rookie who's getting attention in the capital...

I have no idea what the going rate is, but I imagine it won't be cheap to hire you?

Ideally, I'd like you to take the job at a discount because you like me.

Of course, the premise is that you like me enough to let me do what I want with you.

Your benefit is that you can eat the 'Sea Ruby,' the Duarize, prepared by Ichou.

Daniel has always loved this magical fish, which is given to the family once a year by the Count's navy...

Once you taste it, you won't be able to eat any other fish."

... 'Sea Ruby'?

Money is no object.

I definitely want to taste it.

I was about to accept immediately, but the boss interjected.

"Hey, hey.

Are you planning to go fishing for Duarize in the Corrida Strait, where Sea Falcons are swarming, on a civilian sailboat?

That's too dangerous!"

"I know it's dangerous.

That's why I want to hire Ren no matter how much I have to pay.

Now that he's going to the Royal Academy, we probably won't see him again.

This is the last gesture from Nagefuu Trading to our important nephew.

I'm not going to be stingy.

So, what's the going rate?

500,000 reals?

Or 1 million reals?"

The boss was speechless at the outrageous amount.

1 million reals...?

I shook my head, recalling the description in the Canardia Bestiary.

If I take this job, I'll definitely experience hyperinflation in my sense of money.

"I assume you want me to guard the ship from Sea Falcons.

To be honest, it's not a big deal for me...

But I'm on vacation now.

No matter how much you pay, I won't take the job."

Sea Falcons are the bane of sailors, nesting on coastal cliffs.

Especially for sailboats, Sea Falcons often destroy the sails with their attacks, rendering the ships unable to navigate.

Mimosa and Cazzo looked like they wanted to say something but clenched their teeth and held back.

"But I can't refuse the option to eat the 'Duarize' prepared by the boss.

I will eat that 'Sea Ruby' no matter what.

Make sure to load enough arrows on the ship."

Mimosa was momentarily stunned, then started to laugh and cry at the same time.

"Ha ha ha!

Are you really that 'Mad Dog'?!

You're really... too sweet.

Then at least, as promised, you can do whatever you want with my body."

Saying this, Mimosa stopped breaking down the alcohol and took a drink, unbuttoning the top two buttons of her shirt.

"Who needs that kind of thing?!"