Chapter 96: Recommended Character
“Hmm. What to do…”
I was in my office at the Baumgarten Mansion in the Royal Capital, troubled.
In my hand was a piece of parchment. It was an inventory listing the gifts and congratulatory money I’d received for my recent appointment as Count.
The inventory listed a large sum of money and a plethora of celebratory gifts in fine print. It was essentially payment for treatment from the nobles I’d healed, disguised as congratulations. Just like when I became a Viscount.
Thanks to that, I’d amassed an amount of money I could never spend through ordinary living. Combined with the monthly profits from the Mayonnaise, it was truly an astronomical sum.
I plan to use this money to develop my domain, but… should I return to my territory?
To develop the domain, it would be better for me to go back. The academy has been closed down too.
However, there’s something I’m worried about. It’s Reinhardt.
“Is it okay to leave him on his own?”
Now that the academy assault event is over, it’s the phase for gathering allies and strengthening ourselves. His childhood friend and main heroine, Bianca, and the veteran adventurer, Reiner, seem likely to join Reinhardt, but… what’s the status on recruiting other characters?
Do I need to talk to Reinhardt at least once?
“However, interfering too much is also something to consider…”
Well, if Bianca and Reiner are with him, things will probably work out even in the worst-case scenario, right?
But well, I should check just in case. I don’t want to regret it later.
◇
“Yo, Dee! Long time no see.”
“Reinhardt, sorry for calling you out.”
I had called Reinhardt to a coffee shop. Behind Reinhardt, who arrived late, was a small figure. That must be…
“Did you know her, Dee? This is Bianca.”
“Oh, it’s a pleasure to meet you! My name is Bianca. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Yeah.”
So it was Bianca after all. She resembles her game counterpart. She’s more of a cute-type girl than a beautiful-type.
“I’m Dietfried Baumgarten. You don’t need to be so formal. You can speak normally.”
“Thank you very much!”
“Don’t tease Bianca too much, okay?”
“I’m not teasing her. Why don’t you sit down instead of standing?”
“Ah, right.”
“Excuse me…”
“What will you order?”
“I don’t need anything. I don’t have any money.”
“Me neither…”
Come to think of it, Reinhardt was also a poor noble, wasn’t he?
“In that case, I’ll pay. Order whatever you like.”
“Seriously? This place is high-class, isn’t it? Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I had a bit of a windfall.”
“Then, I’ll have tea and cake and… Oh! They have parfaits too?”
“Hey, Hart-kun, ordering that much is…”
“It’s fine. Bianca, you should order whatever you like too. This chocolate is sweet and I recommend it.”
Chocolate in this world is usually liquid, perhaps because a method for solidifying it hasn’t been invented yet. The taste is similar to hot chocolate.
“Thank you very much! Th-then, I’ll have that…”
“Just a drink would be lonely. You should order some cake or cookies too.”
Bianca seems quite intimidated. Is it because I’m a noble? Or is it because my appearance is different from the norm?
“Delicious! I haven’t had cake since my birthday!”
“It’s delicious…!”
It’s strange, but watching Reinhardt and Bianca gobble down their food after it arrived made me feel satisfied. I feel like an uncle treating his nephew and niece.
“So, Dee, what did you need? It was good timing for me since I got to introduce Bianca.”
Reinhardt asked after he’d finished eating.
“Reinhardt, you said you were going to be an adventurer while the academy is closed, right? I was wondering if things were going smoothly after that.”
“Hmm. Well, there have been various problems. First off, we have no money.”
“To that, I can only say you’ll have to earn it yourselves. Have you gathered any allies?”
“Yeah! There’s me, Bianca, and also Roderich, Sabine, and Dorothea. Five of us.”
“Hmm…”
What do you know. I was worried, but it seems Reinhardt has properly gathered allies. The party composition is pretty good too. But, it wouldn’t hurt to meddle a little, would it?
“Actually, I heard a rumor about an interesting guy. I was planning to tell you about him today.”
“Oh? And? Who’s this interesting guy?”
“There’s an inn called the Rabbit Tail Inn in the commercial district, and apparently, an apprentice cook there wants to become an adventurer.”
“A cook? What are we going to do with someone like that in our party?”
“Just listen. His Gift is Chef.”
“Huh?”
“The Chef Gift allows one to know a monster’s weaknesses, how to eat it, and whether it’s poisonous. Moreover, it’s also a combat role that gets an attack bonus against monsters that can be used as ingredients. Plus, eating food made by a Chef recovers health and Holy Power. You understand how valuable that is for adventurers who often go on long expeditions, right?”
“That certainly is…”
“There’s no harm in making him an ally, you know? He’s a good, easygoing guy himself.”
“The Rabbit Tail Inn in the commercial district, right? What’s his name?”
“Abel.”
“Thanks.”
Upon hearing just that, Reinhardt stood up. He’s probably going to meet Abel.
“Let’s go, Bianca.”
“Ah! Hey, Hart-kun! Um! I’m sorry. He’s the type to act immediately once he gets an idea…”
“It’s fine. More importantly, shouldn’t you hurry and follow him?”
“Yes! Thank you very much! Thank you for the meal!”
Bianca hurried off, pattering after Reinhardt.
I wonder why such a cute girl likes Reinhardt…