Slime Reincarnation

Chapter 111: Let’s Organize the Situation Before the Castle Visit

Leaving John the butcher’s shop, I headed to the next stop. While at it, I bought plenty of bread on top of the meat. I figured the handmade bread shop Mamma Miya’s problem was more or less resolved. The diner Poporo should also avoid its immediate crisis as long as its supply situation improved. Longer term, I might need to advise them on their menu too, or the shop might not survive. There was still the matter of tracking down the mother who’d gone missing a month ago. As for Rina and Princess Cassina, I could probably consider their crises resolved for now, though I might have left Cassina with some painful feelings.

Sister Anri and Marin chan’s situations were also moving forward. I’d also managed to make a connection with Krelia, captain of the capital guard.

What I still hadn’t touched were the matter of Baron Harknar’s former wife, and the matter of a girl named Alie struggling at the capital’s cathedral, part of the Royal Cathedral. From what I’d heard, the saint at the cathedral was apparently a difficult person to deal with. I wasn’t sure yet how best to approach that. The matter of Baron Harknar’s former wife was tricky too. I had no connections there at all, so I couldn’t just show up at the baron’s estate out of nowhere.

The cathedral’s treatment of Sister Anri had been quite awful. Given that, the cathedral itself seemed like a place risky enough that I wasn’t sure it was safe to approach head on. Bringing Irina along in particular felt dangerous. If, by any chance, someone from the fortress city Felbane happened to be in the capital, that could be fatal. If that whole uproar flared up again here in the capital, it would almost certainly mean full blown conflict with the current saint.

Tomorrow I’d likely be spending the whole day at the royal castle, which meant a full day without being able to move around the capital. I’d need to strengthen the chicks’ surveillance so we could move to help if anything happened.

"A bit early, but let’s head back to the Coluna Frontier Count’s residence and talk things over with Fenberg."

I walked back slowly with Logan.

"I’m home!"

Butler Greed opened the front door for me, and as I stepped into the entrance hall, a group of people were waiting for me.

"Yabe, welcome back!" "Welcome home, Yabe san!" "Welcome back, Lord Yabe!" "Mashter! Welcome home!"

They lined up and greeted me one after another. Irina, Luciana, Fileontina, and Rina, in that order. All of them were wearing dresses in the same pale light blue color. Completely matching outfits.

"This is... you all matched?"

"That’s right! While we were all out shopping together, we decided we’d all wear the same outfit and welcome Lord Yabe home together!"

Fileontina explained, looking somehow rather proud of herself, clearly expecting the matching dresses to suit them wonderfully. ...Well, they did suit them, admittedly.

"Fuoo! Mashter!"

Rina came charging at me and clung on tight.

"Rina, did you get along well with everyone?"

I asked Rina, curious how she’d fared being apart from me.

"Mashter’s wives are all amashing people! Rina will do her besht not to loshe to them!"

She said, clenching both fists with determination. She was so adorable I couldn’t help but rub her head rapidly.

"Nyehehe~"

"Tomorrow I’ve been called to the royal castle. Want everyone to come along?"

"Fuoo! Rina can go to the castle too!?"

Rina looked up, still clinging tightly to my waist.

"Wonderful! We should show the royal family our presence!"

Fileontina was extremely enthusiastic about going to the castle too.

"It’s been quite a while since I’ve been to the royal castle. I hope it hasn’t changed much." "I don’t think it’s changed that much."

Irina and Luciana had apparently both been to the royal castle before. Come to think of it, Irina was the daughter of an earl’s household, and Luciana was the daughter of a frontier count’s household. However I looked at it, I didn’t think I really matched up to them. And I really should go pay my respects at Irina’s family home too, at some point. Though the castle visit probably came first.

After dinner, I exchanged information with Fenberg. I immediately submitted the details of the non lethal restraint weapon, the sasumata.

"Ho! This idea is wonderful!"

I’d recommended this weapon to the capital guard’s leaders, but they had no money, and depending on circumstances, the blacksmiths might even be pressured into refusing to make them. That was how strong the Pleasure ducal house’s influence was.

"I’ll put up the money too, why don’t we just have a large batch made? The capital guard is trying to make them too, but there’s a chance pressure from people connected to the Pleasure house could stop production. With your influence, Lord Fenberg, that kind of pressure shouldn’t be a problem."

"I appreciate you putting faith in my influence, but I’m not quite that powerful, you know?"

"No, no, I trust you completely."

I said this to Fenberg with a broad smile.

"Also, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you..."

I went on to talk over the concerns I had, the risks I anticipated, and possible countermeasures, together with Fenberg.

—-

The Royal Castle.

The place where the royal family lives. This absurdly large castle was surely home to the king and a whole extended family besides.

"So the king really lives here, huh."

"Of course he does, it’s the royal castle."

Irina picked up on my muttering and jabbed back at me.

"Come on, this is my first time here, let me be a little impressed."

"Right, this is your first time at the royal castle, Yabe. I suppose being impressed is only natural."

Irina said this with a somewhat superior air of understanding.

The Coluna Frontier Count stopped the carriage in front of the castle gate and explained our reason for visiting. Those who’d come to the royal castle were seven in total, Fenberg, myself, Irina, Luciana, Fileontina, Sarina, and Rina.