Chapter 28

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Regarding the parts that have been published in book form, I have intentionally left the typos, omissions, and additions as they are, hoping they might serve as reference material later on.

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"What does that mean?"

As I asked with a sense of urgency, I learned that my father, after entrusting Regulus to the mansion, had stayed at the magistrate's residence for a while.

It seems that after investigating the accounts in the capital, he found a suspicious flow of money and caught the tail, leading to the dismissal of the previous magistrate.

"So, he said, 'For now, lower the taxes and somehow get the adventurers to spend money in this Kikunoi domain.'"

"Roughly!?"

What is this, a complete handoff!?

As I stood there with my mouth agape, unsure of what to do, Laurent scratched his chin and laughed.

"I thought the same thing. So I tried to use [Intimidation]."

"Yeah, and... If it only made you pale from my [Intimidation], there might be some potential, don't you think?"

"Well, yeah... But my son blew it."

"This child is special, so it can't be helped."

Mr. Romanov's fingers grabbed my cheek. It didn't hurt, but I wondered if he was a skin texture fetishist.

If he kept poking it, my cheek might stretch.

Wanting to stop Mr. Romanov, I looked up at Laurent with hope, and he cleared his throat.

"'I'll find an excellent next magistrate and then put my full effort into developing the domain, so please help me.' That's what he said. The local shopkeepers were saying that he used to come to the domain once a year, if that, but now it's a big change."

"Ah... Because we have to pay compensation..."

"That's the reason. Well, Phoenix-dono, you sure are something."

"Yes, Phoenix-kun can do a lot of things."

He's a pseudo-cheat.

I can't say that, so I thanked him for the compliment. I really feel bad.

Feeling uncomfortable, I fidgeted with the hem of my blouse and was gently patted on the head.

"You're not used to being praised, are you?"

"...Sorry."

Because it feels like I'm cheating, and if I feel good about it, it's over.

Laurent, who had been watching my exchange with Mr. Romanov with interest, took a sip of the carbonated water I had given him. Then he exhaled and blinked.

"Carbonated water with frozen raspberries and honey... The nobles drink carbonated water differently from the commoners, don't they?"

"Ah, did it not suit your taste...?"

"No, no, this is good. I don't need it to be that sweet, though."

"I like it this sweet."

Mr. Romanov also drank it and gave his opinion.

Next time, I'll make it with water for Regulus instead of carbonated water.

"If you prefer it less sweet, you can use lemons instead of raspberries and use less honey. It will still be delicious."

"Hmm, so changing the fruit can vary the flavor."

"Yes. When you put the fruit in the carbonated water, it acts as ice and keeps the drink cold for a longer time."

Laurent, who had been nodding and listening, crossed his arms and thought for a moment. After a while, he smiled.

"So, what do you think is needed to get the adventurers to spend money?"

"Weapons or armor...?"

"That's one thing, but they're expensive, so they don't replace them often. So they don't spend money frequently."

Not weapons or armor. If not, then maybe medicine or bandages?

He shook his head.

Recovery magic is essential for adventurers, and every party has a healer. Herbs do sell well, but they are generally inexpensive.

If that's the case, then it's something that not only adventurers but also humans need in their daily lives.

"Food and lodging...?"

"Right, that's it."

In other words, first, we need to improve inns and restaurants.

However, there were already inns and restaurants in this shopping district.

"Instead of building new inns and restaurants, if we can make the existing ones prosperous, money will circulate."

"Indeed, if the existing ones aren't filled, new ones won't necessarily be filled either."

"Right. But as it is now, it's impossible. There's no selling point."

"Ah... Just lowering the taxes isn't enough, is it?"

"That's right. But if that's the case, we need to create a selling point."

A selling point.

Something that Kikunoi inns and restaurants have that others don't. Well, even if it's imitated in the future, as long as it originated in Kikunoi, the brand will be Kikunoi, so it's fine even if it's imitated.

If it's something to be placed in inns and restaurants, it should be food, something that people want to eat repeatedly, and something that can be made with inexpensive materials and sold at a low price. Or perhaps...

"Food... something using Kikunoi's specialty products..."

"Right, the better it tastes, the better. Good food gives people the will to live and return home."

"Ah, I see."

Food is the energy for tomorrow, as they say.

If we can come up with something delicious.

Thinking about it, I suddenly felt hungry.

I took out a bento from my waist pouch and arranged it.

Since time doesn't pass inside the pouch, the food is as fresh as when it was made.

I handed a sandwich with ham, cucumber, tomato, and omelet to Laurent, who examined it closely before taking a bite.

"Ah, it's delicious."

"Yes, the head chef made it."

The cucumbers and tomatoes from the garden were flavorful and gave a refreshing summer feel.

The crispy texture and the right amount of saltiness from the ham were well wrapped in the fluffy omelet. The head chef did a great job.

Mr. Romanov, who was also enjoying the sandwich, said casually.

"Can't we apply Kikunoi's recipes to creating a specialty?"

"Kikunoi's recipes?"

"Yes, there are some unique ones. For example, 'Souffle Omelet' or 'Dashi Steamed Egg'."

"What are those?"

Laurent, who seemed interested, leaned in as Mr. Romanov explained the dishes the head chef and I had made with gestures.

After a moment of thought, Laurent spoke.

"Can't we try making these at a nearby restaurant?"

"Ah... If the head chef gives permission."

"Ah, right. Yes, we need to get permission from the chef who made them. Is there anything else?"

"Anything... What kind of thing would be good?"

"Well, adventurers need stamina. Is there something that emphasizes meat?"

"Meat..."

Hmm, meat.

The seasonings in this world are similar to those from my previous life, with miso, soy sauce, sake, and mirin available. The only ones I haven't seen are curry powder, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup.

There are also pork, chicken, and beef, and more exotic meats like orc meat, rock bird meat, and minotaur meat.

The head chef told me that orc meat, rock bird meat, and minotaur meat are delicious, even though they are monster meats.

Incidentally, dragon and wyvern meat are also said to be extremely delicious.

I digress.

Meat for adventurers... If I think about it, it's like...

"How about tonkatsu?"

"Tonkatsu...?"

When I mentioned the name, the two adults gave me a puzzled look.

Oh no, maybe there's no tonkatsu here.

I realize how limited my knowledge of this world is. Knowing only the inside of the mansion is really a problem.

Well, I don't know if it exists or not. Maybe these two just don't know about it.

"Tonkatsu is a dish where you cut pork into thick slices, coat it with flour, dip it in egg, and then bread it and fry it."

"Is it delicious?"

"I think it is."

At my words, Mr. Romanov's eyes sparkled.

Then, nodding with Laurent, he smiled brightly.

"Shall we try making it?"

"Ah... Who, where?"

"Well, you, of course. The place is... Thank you for reading.

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