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 228: Hot Springs, Hospitality, and Trouble 28

Episode 228: Hot Springs, Hospitality, and Trouble 28

After being thoroughly satisfied with the dragon steak, His Majesty and his companions were now thrilled for a different reason: sake.  

The sake, crafted painstakingly over the years by Moriya—though perhaps “years” didn’t feel quite as long for him—was finally perfected. The clear, slightly sweet beverage was said to be exceptionally delicious.  

The adults at the table were drinking it with evident enjoyment, praising its flavor. But the sight of Moriya, with the appearance of a three-year-old, casually joining in felt undeniably odd.  

Perhaps it was acceptable because he was in a homunculus body, or maybe it was just that no one dared to point it out. While I left it unaddressed before, I never expected to witness the same scene in front of His Majesty himself.  

“This is delicious!”  

“Delicious! Truly, it’s exquisite!” 

“Not only delicious, but so clear and visually beautiful as well.”  

“Right? I worked so hard to achieve this taste!”  

“Hoho! Moriya, could this also be produced in the royal capital?”  

“It’s possible if the right environment is established. But it’s quite challenging.”  

“Sell me the production method! I’d even agree to a fifty-fifty profit split for this level of quality!”

……..The sight of an adult negotiating over sake with a child was surreal. If someone saw this from the outside, they’d probably think it was some elaborate role-playing game—or be utterly baffled.  

“”What…what’s that?””  

“Ah, don’t worry about it. That’s Moriya, a Japanese summoned here hundreds of years before us.”  

“”But…..he’s a child?””  

“He got younger. That’s all!”  

Yeah, explaining further felt tedious. It wasn’t incorrect anyway, so it should suffice! Even though their bewildered expressions weren’t fading…  

“So, Maki!”  

“Huh? Y-Yes!”  

“What is this!”

His Majesty, slightly tipsy, called out to me with a cheerful grin.  

“These are snacks to pair with sake. Crispy fried cartilage, salty snack varieties, and even desserts made with alcohol—there’s quite a selection.”  

“Desserts made with alcohol, you say?”

Oh? Unexpectedly, Dietrich-sama showed interest.  

“Yes, this is called a chocolate bonbon. It uses not only sake but other alcohols too, making it a treat for adults.”  

“Hmm. Let me try one.”  

“I’ll stick with the fried snacks! Oh! This texture is…fascinating!”  

“Then I’ll have the…what was it, the snack? Hmm, this is delicious as well.”

The Knight Commander seemed to particularly enjoy the cartilage, quietly alternating bites with sips of sake. Meanwhile, His Majesty reached for the potato chips and fries more often than the sake.  

As for Dietrich-sama……..oh, he definitely loved the chocolate bonbons.  

“…Ahh. This is both rich and delicate, a devilish treat that becomes utterly addictive. The evolving flavors compel you to keep reaching for more.”

Not only was he eloquent, but he had started gazing upwards while speaking. I’d never seen Dietrich-sama like this before.  

“…..Now, to conclude the evening, I’d like to introduce the two chefs behind today’s splendid meal.”  

“””Yes, please!!”””

At my words, the three of them turned their attention to us. It made Mamiyu and Yaka-san flinch.  

I didn’t expect even Mamiyu to react nervously.  

“M-Mamiyu Ren.”  

“Y-Y-Ya-Yaka…S-Sumire.”  

“Oh! So it’s you two!”  

“The ones behind that dragon steak!”  

“And this delicate dessert!”  

“”Y-Yes!!””  

“””Please, come to the royal capital!””” 

“”W-We can’t!!””

“Okay, oka~y! They’ll provide recipes and magical cooking tools, so let’s leave it at that!”  

Well, I expected this outcome. It was a good thing I had prepared in advance.  

His Majesty and the others were startled. Perhaps recalling their earlier agreement, they quickly pulled back their eager postures.  

“Ah, yes. My apologies.”  

“It’s no problem. I anticipated this might happen.”  

“Please, train our royal chefs!”  

“”Y-Yes!!””

With the chefs’ peace preserved, the evening banquet came to a close.