In the guest room of the Imperial Castle of Archleshia Empire, Kaori and Akane were waiting when Chris, who had finished attending to the party, arrived.
[I apologize for keeping you waiting for a long time, you two.]
[Ah, no, it’s alright. Thank you for the hard work, Chris-san.]
[We were just taking it easy here anyway, even troubling the others to look after us…… Besides, we’ve actually already gone around the notable spots in the festival, so it’s alright.]
Hearing Chris apologize, Kaori immediately responded to her, and keeping in mind that the other party is an Emperor, Akane made sure to have proper honorifics to her words.Chris originally planned to dismiss Kaori and Akane at some point. However, she ended up busier than expected and didn’t have the time to visit Kaori and Akane, so the two had to wait until the party was over.
However, Chris had instructed the maids to provide the best possible hospitality for them, so the two of them enjoyed a relaxing time, savoring the palace’s cuisine and delicious snacks. In fact, it had been quite comfortable for them.
[……Even so, it’s been a while since we last met, Kaori-san. Due to my position, I haven’t had many chances to visit Friendship City, but how is your restaurant doing?]
[Ah, yes. Thanks to Chris-san’s various help, it’s going smoothly…… Y- Yes, very smoothly…… It’s going so well hereafter that it hurts my stomach.]
When Kaori stated it was going well, she definitely meant it. With Friendship City’s Founder Olivia having become a regular customer and War King Megiddo declaring to visit next time, she could see her shop’s popularity increasing. Though, from Kaori’s perspective, that’s a topic that gives her stomachache……
Chris, who somewhat knows what’s going on through their letters, gave her a smile of sympathy, seemingly coming from one experiencing the same hardships.
[I can honestly understand how Kaori-san feels.][……Today must have been a rough day, Chris-san.]
[Yes, but today’s gains have been enormous as well. Today’s events allowed us to leave an impression that our Archlesia Empire has deep connections with the God Realm, and economically, it’s a situation in which I couldn’t have wished for more. Well, just like Kaori-san though, what happened makes my stomach churn……]
In fact, looking at the results alone, this year’s Foundation Festival turned out greater than what Chris could have wished for. All the Supreme Gods attended the ceremony, and in the end, even Shallow Vernal visited the Imperial Capital… Though her intentions might be different, she had even raised celebratory fireworks.
Not only does she truly appreciated being recognized for establishing a friendly relationship with the God Realm, she also witnessed her country’s distinction with Symphonia Kingdom, which held the impression of being close to the Six Kings.
Considering how Archlesia also had places such as the land under Fate’s Providence, the economic effect of such recognition is immeasurable. As Chris had hoped, there is no doubt that Archlesia Empire is about to enter a period of prosperity.
Well, of course there had been a lot of accidents that occurred today, and even Shallow Vernal made her appearance at the end of the festival, so she felt like her stomach was being pierced by multitudes of needles…… but once she considered such pain as a necessary expense, she thought her country had acquired something too big of a profit.
Furthermore, with the ceramics bearing Kaito’s emblem as a spark, there’s an atmosphere among the nobles suggesting an incoming boom in ceramics and other earthenware products. With a significant population of Dwarves in Archlesia, known for their expertise in craftsmanship, this kind of artisanal product is likely to receive a strong tailwind for a thriving economy.
[Well, the sun will be setting soon, so if you two are alright with it, I suggest staying the night. I’ll have rooms prepared for you two.]
[Ah, yes. Ahh, no, I’m alright with it, but what about you, Akane-san?]
[I’m alright with it too.]
After hearing their response, Chris smiled and nodded. Then, as if a thought had crossed her mind, she called out to Akane.
[Speaking of which, Akane-san, right? Are you perhaps Mikumo Trading Company’s Akane-san?]
[Oya? Have you heard of us?]
[Yes, it’s a trading company that I personally find intriguing…… I heard they recently started dealing with some interesting accessories. If you don’t mind, I’d like if we have some talks and perhaps, engage in negotiations as well.]
[……As expected of the Wise Emperor, you have sharp ears. Yes, said products target reasonably affluent customers, so I do hold interest in such negotiations.]
Even though she looked impressed at Chris’ words, Akane, being the business-minded person she is, was already making her calculations in her mind.
With the target audience in mind for the accessories made from the Dragon King’s scales commissioned by Kaito, Archlesia Empire, with their heavily noble-oriented culture, appeared to be a suitable market. Feeling optimistic about this negotiation, Akane smiled…… and at the same time, observing Chris’ expression, changing from one suffering from stomachache to that of the Wise Emperor in an instant,a look of admiration appeared on Akane’s face.
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [The impact to the stomach might be significant, but the fact that it easily brings about profits on the same level as that, this truly is the focal point of the World’s Singularity.]
