Chapter 26

Cecilio was looking at the neatly lined up jars on the reception table in his office.

"Bertine, there are so many fruits I haven't eaten in a long time. It reminds me of my hometown."

"I brought them for you to taste before selling them. Also, there are a few I don't know the names of. Sir, if you have time, would you like to taste them with Ignacio?"

Cecilio hesitantly asked.

"Can I invite other subordinates as well? These are all fruits that can't be found in Ibito, so I think everyone will be nostalgic and happy. Is that okay?"

"Yes, of course. Please, please do. I've also prepared bread, soda crackers, and cheese, so could you just prepare the tea?"

Thirty minutes later, the office was crowded with burly men standing and enjoying the sweet preserves. As they ate, they told Bertine the names of the fruits she didn't know.

"Oh, how nostalgic!"

"I didn't know they would have such a smooth texture when cooked in syrup."

"They go well with bread, but sweet fruits with cheese are also..."

"Great! This is great! The jam adds a nice aroma when mixed into tea!"

"Sir, where can I buy these?"

Everyone was tasting a spoonful each, but soon they were lamenting, "Oh, I've already finished."

"Sorry, but these are intended for sale in the Empire."

"Whaaat! Miss, please sell them in Ibito as well."

"Then, can we have more made and sell them in Ibito too?"

"Please!"

They were so well-received that Bertine was surprised. It didn't seem to be just polite talk, as several of them were lingering over the bottom of the jars with their spoons. Cecilio, too, was eating the syrup-cooked fruits on bread with thinly sliced cheese, as if they were precious.

"Still, it's a great idea to can the fruits from the south."

"I heard that they are so delicious and abundant that the excess is used as livestock feed. It's a waste that they can't be exported to the Empire. Since these fruits can't be grown in the Empire, they should sell well, don't you think?"

"...You really are a capable person."

The men, who had been licking their spoons regretfully, nodded vigorously at Cecilio's words.

"By the way, about the distribution channels, I thought you might know some good ones, Sir."

"Yes... There's a monthly cargo carriage from Ibito to the northern part of the Empire that carries raw gemstones."

"Can we load the preserves onto that carriage?"

"It's possible, but wouldn't it be better to sell them in the capital instead of transporting them all the way to the northern part of the Empire?"

After finishing all the sample jars, the men said, "Thank you for the meal!" and left the office. Bertine, who had been collecting the empty jars on a tray, hesitated a bit.

"Is it inconvenient to sell them in the capital?"

"No, it's not that. If I meet someone who knows my situation, I'm not sure how to explain why I'm selling preserves in the capital."

"I see. Then how about this: you can be the special envoy for selling the country's specialties."

"Can I use that as an official title?"

"Of course. You can introduce yourself as the special envoy for selling the specialties of the United Nations, directly appointed by the representative. If a simple document is enough, I'll write it out and give it to you now."

"That would be very helpful. Thank you, Sir!"

Bertine, who received the document from Cecilio, stood up straight and said, "Sir, I will do my best to sell the crimson cloth and the southern fruits' preserves! I'll take my leave now," and left the office with a slightly less graceful gait.

Watching her go, Ignacio spoke to Cecilio with a smile.

"Sir, she has changed. When she was waiting for you at the mansion, she seemed like a very ordinary noble lady."

"I was thinking the same thing. Doesn't she seem to be getting stronger every time I see her?"

"Yes, I believe it. If someone said she was the daughter of a famous clan leader, I would believe it now."

The expression fit her perfectly, and Cecilio laughed out loud.

"By the way, Sir, the dyer confessed. He wanted to know the ingredients of the dye. The attacker was also caught after being reported by a doctor."

"I see. It seems we should protect that dye more carefully."

"I'll increase the frequency of night patrols at Miss Bertine's house."

"Thank you."

Bertine returned home and attached homemade labels to the jars of preserves whose names she had learned. After finishing, she packed them into boxes, using chopped straw as cushioning, by type.

"Miss, have you decided on a distribution channel?"

"I've decided to sell them in the capital. Dorothea, do you remember the restaurant in the capital where we used to go for meals with my parents and brother twice a year?"

"Yes, I remember. It's the large white building on the main street of the capital, right?"

"Yes, that's the one. I'll start by asking if they can buy a few. Maybe twenty or thirty jars."

"It's a big place, so I think it should be fine."

The next day, Bertine and Dorothea, accompanied by Diego, set off for the capital with many wooden boxes filled with jars.

The carriage carrying Bertine and her companions arrived safely in the capital after staying at inns along the way.

"The capital is still so vibrant. This place is bustling, regardless of the war."

"Yes, it really is. Oh, Miss, isn't that the restaurant building?"

"Yes, that's the one. Diego, it's the large white building."

"Understood."

They got off at the carriage stand of the restaurant and looked up at the building. Although she hadn't been there since her mother's death, she clearly remembered coming many times as a child. It was her mother's favorite restaurant.

Opening the door and entering, a female attendant immediately approached.

"It's just the two of us. We don't have a reservation, but is there a table available?"

"Yes, we have one. Please, this way."

They were led to a table and seated. "Miss, this is my first time eating here. I'm a bit nervous."

"You are my family now. Just be confident."

As they were talking, the manager, Sefirino, approached with a smooth gait.

"Welcome, Miss Bertine. It's been a long time. I'm the manager, Sefirino."

"Sefirino, you remember me. I believe you were...?"

"The assistant manager before. The previous manager has retired. Miss, you've become so beautiful. Do you have any preferences for the dishes today? If you'd like, we can prepare a special course for you."

"No, a special course isn't necessary. My father isn't here today."

"Don't worry. How about leaving it to us?"

"Um, okay, then."

The special course was decided a bit forcefully, and she wondered why they were being so kind. It had been over a decade since her last visit, and even when she came with her family, it was only twice a year, not a particularly frequent customer.

The dishes served one after another were all luxurious and delicious, making her wonder how much they would cost. Dorothea was overwhelmed and even said, "I have no regrets even if I die tomorrow."

After enjoying the meal to her heart's content and drinking tea, the manager came back to ask, "How was everything?" Bertine thanked him, saying, "It was delicious," and took the opportunity to bring up the preserves.

"I see. Preserves and jams made from fruits grown in the Southern United Nations, right?"

"Yes. I'm currently serving as a 'Special Envoy for Selling Specialties' under Sir Cecilio, the representative of the United Nations. It would be a great help if you could sell them here, even if it's just five or ten jars."

She made the request with a hesitant smile, thinking it might be too presumptuous.

"Miss, please leave it to me. We'll buy all of them."

"All of them? There are twenty boxes of tightly packed jars. I can't ask for all of them."

"Don't worry. We can use them as desserts here, or distribute them to other friendly stores. Please tell me the price."

The deal went so smoothly that Bertine hesitated. Her father used to say, "If a deal seems a bit off, step back and observe. Trust your instincts."

"Miss? Are the jars in the carriage?"

"Hey, Sefirino, why are you being so kind? We used to come here, but it's been over ten years. We can't be considered regular customers."

The manager looked a bit troubled for a moment but said, "Miss, you are a very important customer. I'll pay for the jars now."

He insisted and really bought all four hundred jars from the twenty boxes. Moreover, when she tried to thank him and pay for the meal, the price was surprisingly low.

"That can't be right. It's too cheap."

"No, the manager said this is the price."

After some back and forth, she paid a price similar to what she would pay at a regular restaurant in the United Nations and left the restaurant.

The wooden boxes in the carriage were all unloaded, and Diego, who was waiting as the driver, was given a lavish lunch, which he hadn't asked for.

"This is too strange."

She was suspicious, but the payment had been made. Puzzled, Bertine headed to a familiar hotel where her family used to stay.