I've Inherited the Summoning Skill, So I'm Going to Try to Master It! - Episode 101: In Other Words, Be Careful Not to Overeat

Episode 101: In Other Words, Be Careful Not to Overeat 

It was lunchtime. After this, we would just tour the city of Liberia and then prepare for the journey back starting tomorrow. 

But for some reason, I had a feeling things wouldn’t end that smoothly. 

Lunch was a buffet-style party with the other children. They served dishes made from ingredients sourced from the surrounding area. It was likely prepared specifically for this occasion. There were many meat dishes, probably because livestock farming is thriving around here. 

Chunks of meat, marbled like Japanese wagyu, were piled high. Not that I’ve ever eaten real wagyu before. 

Everyone was eating heartily. With how much they were consuming, you’d expect them to gain weight. But the kids looked more solid and sturdy than overweight. 

“Is something the matter?” 

“No, I was just thinking about how well-built everyone is.” 

“Of course. In remote regions like this, you never know what might happen. Everyone trains diligently every day.” 

Now that she mentioned it, Flare-chan also practiced swordsmanship. I thought it was unusual for a noblewoman. But I see now that there was a reason behind it. 

Which means… if I don’t get serious about my own swordsmanship training, I might end up getting chubby…!? 

I stopped mid-bite. The meat was so delicious. But if it were all to literally become part of my body, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it carefree! 

Unaware of my inner panic, Flare-chan piled even more meat onto my plate. 

“Prince Rufus, this meat is also very delicious. I heard they add something special to the feed, making it different from the others.” 

“I-I see…” 

I wanted to decline, but I couldn’t. After all, I was the guest of honor. I was here to help promote the slightly declining Flute Duke’s territory around Liberia. If I refused, it might cause unintended trouble. 

So, I had no choice but to enjoy the delicious meat. I’d just have to exercise later. 

After lunch, we were supposed to tour the city. But I couldn’t see Brother Leonard anywhere. If I remember correctly, he was supposed to join us. 

“Balt, where did Brother Leonard go?” 

“It seems he’s continuing his discussion with Duke Flute this afternoon. I’m not sure what they’ve decided yet.” 

As I was talking to Balt, Brother Leonard appeared. From his shiny face, it seemed he had thoroughly enjoyed the delicious meat. He’d better get some exercise to burn off those calories. 

“Rufus, I’m sorry, but can I leave the city tour to you? I need to discuss something with Duke Flute.” 

“Of course. But did something happen?” 

Could it be about the bandits on the highway or the recent Goblin attack? Or did His Majesty the King say something? 

“Oh, no need to look so worried. It’s not bad news. If anything, we’re discussing ways to benefit Duke Flute’s territory.” 

“I see. That’s a relief.” 

Is it, though? Even though I said I felt relieved, I couldn’t shake this faint feeling of unease. 

Was it because I captured the bandits? Or maybe because we discovered a new mineral vein in the supposedly exhausted mine? 

In other words, it’s all connected to me somehow. 

And so, I ended up touring the city with just Flare-chan. Will it be alright? Apparently, a high-ranking city official would be accompanying us. But still… we’re just two kids. 

“Shall we go then, Prince Rufus?” 

“By the way, Miss Flare, do you visit here often?” 

“You can call me Flare-chan… I mean, um, actually, this is my first time here.” 

Flare-chan blushed slightly and fidgeted. I’d been calling her “Flare-chan” in my head. And it seemed she remembered the one time I had slipped out. 

Darn it. I need to cover this up somehow. Calling her “Flare-chan” is a bit too familiar and might send the wrong message. 

“I see. Then let’s learn about the city of Liberia together.” 

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it.” 

She gracefully ignored my slip-up as if nothing had happened. Good thing Brother Leonard and Duke Flute weren’t here. They definitely would’ve teased me about it. 

Guided by the city official, we walked through the streets. Our first stop seemed to be a facility where the mined iron ore was smelted into ingots. 

“Here, we also have workshops that process the ingots into weapons. That’s why there are so many blacksmiths in the city of Liberia.” 

“I see. Would it be alright to see that part as well?” 

“Of course.” 

The interior was extremely hot. Naturally, we couldn’t get too close to the blast furnace. So we observed from a distance. From the back, we could hear the loud, rhythmic clanging of metal being hammered. 

In a fantasy world of swords and magic, you’d typically expect blacksmiths to be dwarves. Unfortunately, in this world, there were no dwarves. And while we’re at it, there were no elves either. 

And if the Demon race was extinct, then humans were the only intelligent lifeforms here. 

Oh, well, I suppose there are other intelligent beings. Of course, I’m talking about the magical creatures summoned using Summoning Skills.