I’m an Appraiser, But What the Heck is a [Divine Eye]? ~I Want to Live Freely as the World’s Best Beginner Class~ - Episode 207: Hot Springs, Hospitality, and Trouble 8

Episode 207: Hot Springs, Hospitality, and Trouble 8

Some time after the tasting event. A Mail Bird from His Majesty arrived.  

—

“What does it say? …Hmm, I see. He says there’s no problem three days from now. In that case, I’ll go to pick them up in three days.”

“Is it really okay to be so sudden, Maki-san?”

“If His Majesty says it’s fine, then it should be. Besides, when it comes to things like this, sooner is better than later.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s how it is.”

I seem to recall that when important people say “whenever is fine,” they generally mean “as soon as possible”. ……At least, that’s how it was in the light novels I’ve read. 

In the end, the idea might be that many royals and nobles, even when speaking in roundabout ways, expect you to prioritize them above all else.

“If that’s the case, we should inform Taiku-sama as well—”

“I’m totally fine with it!”  

Just as Alicia was about to check, Moriya entered the room.  

“Oh, excellent timing.”

“It’s just a coincidence. By the way, Ren-kun has made another batch of test dishes. So I came to call you both.”

“Oh my! That sounds wonderful. Shall we go, Maki-san?”

Hearing Moriya’s words, Alicia left the room in high spirits.  

I followed Moriya out of the room. But I took a moment to reconfirm the earlier conversation.  

“Are you sure about three days from now?”

“Yeah. These days, others are helping with the farm work, so I can free up my schedule pretty easily. Besides, I’m curious about what the royal capital looks like right now.”

“Wait, so you just want to visit the capital?”

“Do I need another reason to go all the way to the royal capital?”

…….Well, fair enough. Considering he’s living quite comfortably here and by how much he’s been told by me about preferring the life here, Moriya might just be trying to come up with an excuse to visit the capital.  

“By the way, can I share one concern of mine?”

“You have concerns?”

I was a little surprised by the sudden remark. But Moriya’s next words made me realize I had to take his worry seriously.  

“What if His Majesty tastes Ren-kun’s cooking and decides he wants to bring them to the royal castle? What would you do then?”

“…..What?”

“Food can sometimes be the cause of wars, don’t you think? If His Majesty desires their skills, what will you do?”

That… would be a huge problem.  

At first, I wasn’t too thrilled about Mamiyu and Yaka-san coming here. But after tasting their cooking and desserts, I’d been completely won over.  

If I had to, I could endure it. But if possible, I absolutely wouldn’t want to. No, I refuse to!  

“…..…I’d need His Majesty to bring his own chefs here instead.”

“Oh! Are you going to share the recipes?”

“If I don’t, they might actually be taken away!”

“What about teaching the recipes to the chefs here?”

“Absolutely not! Are you seriously telling me to sit back and let those two, who are in the middle of creating new recipes, be taken away?!”

“Haha. Looks like your stomach’s been completely won over, huh?”

Of course! Anyone would be after eating meals that make you feel like your cheeks are falling off every morning, noon, and night!  

“You’ve really changed since the early days, haven’t you, Maki-kun?”

“Y-yeah, I guess. The power of good food is truly terrifying.”

“I understood that perfectly well when you tasted the coffee I served.”

“Guh! …Ugh. Fine, I’ll bring it up when I go to pick them up. Otherwise, there’s a serious chance they’ll actually be taken.”

It’s not just me who doesn’t want them to be taken.  

After seeing how excited Alicia was earlier, she’d probably be just as disappointed. And everyone else would feel the same.  

More than that, though, it’s important to consider how Mamiyu and Yaka-san feel about it.  

If a king of an entire country made such a demand, they wouldn’t be able to refuse. But even so, I want to prioritize their feelings as much as possible.  

“…I’ll do everything I can to make sure it doesn’t happen.”

“That’s the best way to handle it. Now, let’s put on a cheerful face and enjoy the delicious test dishes waiting for us.”

Moriya gave me a light pat on the back and walked into the dining room.  

“……….Seriously, you’re just a kid.”

Well, an old man who looks like a little kid to be precise.