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TL: ALT
Chapter 11 – The Reason General Etgar Desired It
Led by the butler, Wataru and the others walked through the mansion.
The thick carpet muffled their footsteps.
Since it was his second visit, he made a casual observation of the interior.
Why did he always lose his composure when visiting nobles?
It was strange to Wataru that he had found the leisure to observe on the second visit.
Butlers, maids, and even military-looking personnel bustled about.
Despite everyone moving about so busily, there was no sense of chaos, likely because sound didn’t echo.
Whether this was due to magical elements or the building materials, Wataru couldn’t tell.
The armor and taxidermy on display might also serve as a statement of their military prowess.
Wataru noticed that Aire and Cloche were fascinated by the splendid armor.
Did they want to try it on?
He was startled when he realized a monster with a face as big as his waist was glaring at him with wide, resentful eyes and nearly lost his footing.
“Pfft, you’re such a scaredy-cat, Master.”
“Shut up!”
He said in a low voice.
Meanwhile, the butler continued to guide them to the reception room, though he must have noticed.
Upon entering the reception room, they found Etgar seated and waiting for them.
Compared to the entrance hall, the reception room’s interior was calmer, offering a sense of relief.
“Good of you to come. Sit down.”
“Yes, Mariel will sit beside me.”
“Understood.”
Wataru nodded sparingly in an attempt to be as polite as possible and sat down in a chair.
Immediately, Aire and Cloche took up guard positions behind him.
The butler stood motionless behind Etgar.
Upon closer inspection, the fabric he wore seemed woven from Alraune thread.
Would he become a shield for his master in an emergency?
Aire and Cloche took one absinthe and one mare’s milk wine from the bag and set them out.
They had been careful carrying them, so they were undamaged.
Seeing the goods, Etgar relaxed, a look of relief crossing his face.
Wataru was slightly surprised by that reaction.
It was far more favorable than he had expected.
“Oh, you brought them? That’s a huge help.”
“Did you drink some after that? Did you like it?”
“No, not at all. I still don’t like those drinks.”
“Is that so?”
Etgar shook his head in denial.
What did that mean?
He said he didn’t like them, yet he asked for replacements.
“But you see…”
“Yes?”
Etgar rubbed his brow vigorously.
To Wataru, it seemed he was hesitating, unsure whether he should say something troubling.
But he must have decided to explain the situation.
After clearing his throat, he spoke slowly, one word at a time.
“My wife took a fancy to it. She’s been pestering me, insisting that she must have it.”
“Ah, so the madam approved?”
“Yes, it’s unusual for her to get so fixated. I initially refused, saying it wasn’t a drink befitting a noble. But she threatened to sleep elsewhere if I didn’t get it. That’s why I asked you to come.”
“She seems to have taken quite a liking to it. It was worth selecting.”
“Honestly, I wonder if it has some kind of drug mixed in.”
“Not at all. I knew many people enjoyed it, though, so I thought it would be a blessing if she liked it.”
Absinthe had been banned in the past.
This was due to its high concentration of thujone. This toxic substance causes hallucinogenic effects similar to those of cannabis. Allegedly, this led to increased crime and suicides.
Modern absinthe has had that harmful substance removed.
Wataru denied it with absolute confidence.
Even so, his palms were clammy with sweat, and he had to fight to keep his voice steady.
The other party was nobility.
Even if it were a misunderstanding, being suspected of peddling something suspicious could spell ruin.
Somehow, he must have gained their trust because there were no further questions.
Fortunately for him, Etgar also wanted it, assuming there were no issues.
“In battle, I might defeat warriors of other nations or even demonic hordes, but I cannot win over my wife or a weeping child.”
“You value your family, don’t you?”
“Well, I suppose you could say that.”
Admitting or denying it would only make this awkward topic more troublesome.
Wataru offered Etgar a flattering smile. Etgar spoke with a sigh tinged with complaint.
“So this can be supplied regularly?”
“Yes. I’m not always in the capital myself, but if you use the Welcome Trading Company, I’ll make sure the goods are constantly available.”
“Understood. Then, including Daiginjo, I wish to conclude a continuous contract with my household. At any rate, this saves face. You’ve done well.”
“I’m honored by your praise. May I assume that I have met your requirements?”
“For now, I shall be satisfied with just the drinking vessels. I’ll hold the promised alchemist in reserve. Well done.”
“Please convey my regards to the madam.”
Wataru bowed deeply.
This concluded his meeting with General Etgar.
His subordinates carried the wine bottles away.
Wataru began moving with Mariel and the others to another room.
Well, well.
He had been worried about how things would go without Lord Moye, but it seemed to have ended without incident.
When he turned back, Mariel, Aire, and Cloche all beamed at him and congratulated him warmly.
〇〇〇
At that time, Lord Moye was buried under a mountain of documents in his office at the Ministry of National Government in the royal capital.
He skimmed the papers as they arrived from the right, verbally requesting supplementary information from his aides on any unclear points. Then, he either sent them back for revision or stamped them with his approval seal before moving them to the left.
Unapproved documents piled high on the right, while approved papers on the left were promptly taken by an aide to the relevant departments.
With a somber expression, Moye glanced over the documents handed to him.
His gaze moved mechanically from left to right, scanning the contents with high speed and precision.
“Next…”
“This is a request for increased funding for the Northern Redevelopment Project. They plan to use it for partial deforestation to disperse the influence of the Chaos Forest and to dispatch explorers.”
“There are ancient ruins deep within that area, aren’t there? Leaving them be is unwise. Still, I can’t allocate such a large budget. Reduce the proposed budget and send it back for a revised plan.”
“Yes, next document. It concerns the redevelopment of the Hanover territory in the east. A budget request has been submitted for rebuilding the devastated lands and strengthening defenses.”
“Approve this.”
“Then, next—”
Documents were handed over one after another, yet the pile showed no sign of diminishing.
Worse still, the moment the pile seemed to decrease, an aide entered the room and promptly replenished it.
Moye paused and glared at the chief aide standing beside him.
“Hey, there’s more?!”
“Yes, sir. There is still much more. We understand that you are busy managing the territory, but approvals are backlogged.”
“At this rate, I won’t make it in time for the negotiations with the general! Dammit!”
“Negotiations? Ah, you mean that favored merchant?”
The handsome, stone-faced aide placed a hand on his chin, his gaze shifting diagonally upward. Then, as if something had occurred to him, he nodded slightly.
Those close to Moye were vaguely aware of Wataru’s existence.
“That rare liquor, that highly fragrant, fruity Nihon-shu called daiginjo… If this continues, Etgar will snatch it all away!”
“Isn’t it already too late?”
“Noooooo! I refuse! My pride won’t allow that general, who seems to have plenty of free time but whose house is otherwise unlucky, to take the best parts!”
“I don’t know. Just make a decision already.”
He clutched his head and slumped forward onto the desk.
Not getting to drink the precious, delicious liquor was painful enough, but the thought of Etgar getting it was unbearable for Moye. Etgar was his hobby partner and rival.
His emotions screamed for him to abandon the decision-making process immediately and intervene in Wataru and Etgar’s negotiations.
Moye wanted Wataru to be indebted to him for his discreet cover-up, ensuring that at least the Daiginjo would remain his.
However, his pride as a key figure in the nation’s leadership wouldn’t allow for such recklessness.
“Hey, could you handle the rest of the approvals for me?”
“No.”
“Make an exception. The Daiginjo is calling me!”
“I don’t have that authority. I’d rather not have my head cut off for acting on my own.”
“Guhhhhhhhhh! Dammit! Next! Bring it quickly!”
“Understood. There’s still a mountain of urgent approvals waiting.”
Moye wanted to punch the chief aide in the face for saying such unpleasant things without a hint of a smile, but he couldn’t even spare the time and kept his hands moving.
He wanted to punish him, but he was so competent that it would be a shame to lose him.
The sun rose, he ate a light meal, and he resumed work.
As the sun set and he faced the documents still awaiting approval, Moye wept tears of blood and lamented.
“If I had known it would be this busy, I never would have become Minister of the National Government. All this advancement, and I can’t even enjoy my hobbies properly!”
“Yet the day before, you spent time with your acquaintances showing off your collections, didn’t you?”
“That was official business! It’s important for building connections with lords from other territories. Good grief!”
“Sigh… Please read these quickly. If the minister from the national government doesn’t finish, I, his aide, won’t get any sleep either.”
“I know that! Tonight’s drink will be daiginjo! I’ll have it!”
“…I’ll instruct the chef to prepare it.”
By the time he had reviewed all the documents, the night had passed.
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Moye is addicted to daiginjo🍶. 😄
Thanks.
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