After enjoying the seafood, we stayed at an inn in the town. Rosso had sent a messenger, inviting us to rest at the lord’s mansion, but due to the limited number of rooms, only Panamera, one of her subordinates, myself, Targa, and Espada could stay there.
I politely declined the offer, and Panamera blinked in surprise.
“You really do terrifying things, don’t you?”
She was probably referring to turning down the invitation from the high-ranking noble. I gave a wry smile as I responded.
“If I propose building a ship for transporting goods via sea routes, they’ll probably forgive me.”
“That’s... well, that’s true. However, training people to operate the ship will be necessary.”
“Oh, right... For that, expert cooperation is absolutely crucial.”
I replied, and began to think about how to handle operating the ship. However, as expected, I had no knowledge of ship navigation. It wasn’t just a matter of setting up sails and going; I didn’t even know how to use an anchor properly. There was no way I could just say, “Let’s head out to sea now.”
With all these challenges in mind, I decided to take a good rest at the inn that night.
The next day, first thing in the morning, a messenger from Rosso came to the inn. I’d been told that it was fine whenever I woke up, so after a leisurely breakfast, I headed outside, and there the messenger, an elderly bearded guard, was waiting.
“Good morning, Van-sama.”
As soon as I stepped out of the inn, I was greeted by him, and I politely responded.
“Good morning. Have you been waiting long?”
“Oh, not at all! Only for about two hours!”
“Two hours!? I’m so sorry!”
I apologized in surprise, and the guard looked at me curiously.
“...Excuse me, Van-sama, but you are a rather strange person. No, not in a bad way, but you’re a very kind noble, I think.”
“No, no, that’s not true...”
I was directly complimented, and I blushed. I wanted him to keep saying more. However, the guard, who couldn’t hear my inner thoughts, straightened up with a serious face.
“Ah, I apologize. Rosso-sama has sent for you. Please, this way.”
He said, signaling the end of the time for complimenting the genius Van-kun. It was unfortunate.
Following the guard’s lead, we went to the lord’s mansion and met with Rosso. Panamera was already waiting there.
“You finally woke up.”
Panamera said with an exasperated look, and I cheerfully responded.
“Good morning!”
“Hmm, I’m glad you made it.”
Perhaps my energetic response managed to defuse the situation, as Rosso nodded with a wry smile. Then, he pointed toward the window.
“It seems that Tran Bronco, the head of Fleetwood, will be visiting in the afternoon. I thought you’d like to speak with him.”
“Thank you. I’d love to meet him.”
I expressed my gratitude. I hadn’t expected to meet him so soon. In fact, it was already just before noon, so we’d likely meet him soon.
Excited, I thought, but Rosso spoke up with a smile.
“Well then. Let’s have lunch here at the mansion today. We have a private chef. I hope you’re looking forward to it.”
“Thank you!”
“Wow, I’m looking forward to it! Do you have Shira as well?”
“Oh, Van-sama is quite the connoisseur, knowing the local specialty.”
Rosso, perhaps out of consideration, presented us with a variety of dishes featuring Shira. The dishes were more refined than at a regular restaurant, as expected from the personal chef of a prestigious family. Truly, the Rosso family was formidable.
As I dug into a reasonably-sized shrimp-like crustacean’s tail with a fork, eagerly devouring it, the door to the dining room was knocked. It opened to reveal a maid.
“Lord Rosso, Tran-sama has arrived.”
“Oh, that was quick. Have him wait in the guest hall.”
“Yes, of course.”
After the exchange with the maid, Rosso turned to look at us.
“Take your time eating. The scheduled time is still a bit later.”
“Ah, thank you.”
For some reason, Rosso seemed strangely kind. I felt a little odd about it, but I continued eating the shrimp-like seafood.
After finishing the meal, we all went to the guest hall, where a red-haired man with tanned skin was standing. Since he was facing the window, I could only see his back, but it was obvious that he was a well-built man. Even through his clothes, his muscles were clearly visible. His tanned skin gave him the appearance of a bodybuilder. Dee and Targa would probably want to hold a contest alongside him.
Before I could greet him, the man turned around and, upon seeing Rosso, gave a bow.
“Lord Rosso, it’s good to see you well.”
“Oh, Tran, I’m glad you came.”
Tran, who turned around, was a charismatic and ruggedly handsome man. He had the wild appeal of a bodybuilder. Dee and Targa would surely want to challenge him in a contest.
“Tran, this is Panamera Carrera Cayyenne, Count Cayyenne, and Van Nei Fertio, Viscount of Fertio. They’ve come to visit to see your ship, Fleetwood. Do you have time to speak with us?”
When Rosso asked, Tran raised an eyebrow and looked at Panamera, Targa, and then me.
“…Hmm. I suppose you are equivalent to the councilors of our country. In that case, I’d be happy to talk with you.”
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