Chapter 121
The next day after school, my swordsmanship class ended, and Ronnie and I had just finished changing in the changing room.
"At any rate, I'm glad the stall seems to be doing well."
"Yeah. It's been open without any problems, and I think sales are pretty good, too!"
"That's good to hear. Tell me right away if anything happens."
"I know."
Ronnie reported on the stall's situation every day. So far, there didn't seem to have been any major problems, which was a relief.
"Almost everyone who bought something once comes back to buy it a second time."
"They must like the taste, then. Which one sells better?"
"The pork salad, as expected. But quite a few people buy the honey butter, too, since it's cheap for such luxurious ingredients."
Honey butter had a higher ingredient cost. We could afford to set its price that low because the pork salad generated such a large profit.
"I'm glad things seem to be going well."
"Oh, but sometimes people ask me to tell them the recipes. Most stores don't give out their recipes, though, so when I tell them I can't, they give up and leave."
"Doesn't that sound dangerous?"
"No. They all seem like they're just asking to see if I'll tell them."
"I see... Then that's fine, but if anyone gets pushy, make your own safety your top priority."
"Yeah! Besides, if someone tried anything forceful in a crowded plaza, they'd be arrested right away."
Still, someone might do something to him on the way there or back, and I couldn't say there weren't foolish people who didn't care what those around them thought.
If that happened, it would be all right to hand over the recipe. Ronnie's safety was the most important thing.
But even if he handed over the recipe, I didn't think they would believe him when they heard it used raw eggs... In that case, he could say that they were special eggs supplied by the ducal family and safe to eat raw. That wouldn't exactly be a lie.
Commoners generally went out of their way to avoid anything involving nobles, so I didn't think saying that would put Ronnie in much danger.
I hated to think about it, but people believed nobles would casually discard commoners. They would probably think there would be no point in kidnapping Ronnie, since he wouldn't make a useful hostage.
Still, if something like that happened, I would definitely go save him! The ducal family probably wouldn't get involved, though.
"They might attack you on the way there or back, so put your safety first. If you think you're in danger, you can give them the recipe."
"What!? Is that really okay?"
"Yeah. But when they hear that the recipe uses raw eggs, they probably won't believe you. If that happens, tell them they're special eggs supplied by the ducal family and safe to eat raw. No commoner would get involved any further after hearing that, right? Anyway, your safety is the most important thing!"
"If you put it that way, a commoner really wouldn't get involved. If it were me, I'd be too scared and get away from there as fast as I could. Leon, thank you!"
"Yeah! And I know you wouldn't tell anyone, but could you keep the sterilizing magic tool a secret?"
"I won't tell anyone, no matter what, so don't worry! Besides, I don't think I'll ever have a chance to mention the magic tool in the first place."
"That's true. Even if they ask, they'll only ask about the recipe, right?"
"Exactly. But I'll be careful!"
"Yeah. Thanks."
As we talked, we left the changing room and found Stefan, Martine, Lucien, and Artur-sama at the training grounds.
Um... What was going on? As I wondered that, Stefan approached me.
"Leon, you're here."
"Um... Were you waiting for me?"
"Yes. Artur asked me to mediate because he wanted to speak with you."
"Artur-sama did...? What does he want?"
"Who knows? We haven't heard anything, either. In any case, we'll stay nearby, so please hear him out."
"Understood."
What could it be...? Was he going to complain about something again? But if that were the case, it wouldn't be worth waiting for me just to say it...
I started to follow Stefan, then realized that Ronnie was getting caught up in this, too.
Could Ronnie leave first? It would be far too cruel to throw him into a group like this.
"Stefan-sama, would it be all right if my friend went home first?"
"Yes. Artur only said that he wanted to speak with you, so I think that would be fine."
"Thank you. Please wait just a moment."
Thank goodness... It would be far too difficult for Ronnie to stay here. I turned around to look at him standing a little behind me. His face had gone pale, and he was trembling slightly. Of course he still wasn't used to being around people like this.
"Ronnie, they said you can go home first, so I'll see you tomorrow."
"Y-yeah. Are you going to be all right?"
"Yeah. Lucien-sama is here, too, so I'll be fine."
"I see... Then I'll go home first. See you tomorrow."
"Yeah. Take care of the stall."
"Got it."
After speaking in slightly lowered voices, Ronnie hurried away.
"Stefan-sama, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"Don't worry about it. Let's go."
I followed Stefan toward Artur-sama.
"Artur, I've brought Leon."
"Thank you."
"Artur-sama, did you need something from me?"
When I asked, Artur-sama repeatedly opened his mouth as though to speak, then closed it again. He didn't say anything at all.
What was wrong? He was usually so talkative.
"Um... Is something the matter?"
Why wouldn't he say anything!? Was I supposed to start talking about something?
I looked at Lucien helplessly. He seemed ready to come to my rescue, so he walked up in front of Artur-sama.
"Artur, we're not free to stand around. If you don't have anything to say, may we leave?"
"W-wait. I do have something to say..."
"Then you should say it quickly."
"I-I understand."
What was wrong with him? His usual vigor was gone, and his confident demeanor had disappeared as well.
He seemed bewildered somehow.
After we waited for a while longer, Artur-sama finally began to speak.
"In dance class the other day, Martine-sama asked me how much I knew about commoners. After that, I thought about it. That's when I realized that I know nothing. All I had ever heard from Father was that commoners were lowly beings."
Huh? What was this suddenly about?
"So I asked the people in our household—the maids, the butlers, and Father—but they all gave me the same answer: that commoners are lowly beings, creatures different from us nobles."
Even the maids and butlers said that!? Was the Pleobert ducal family good at brainwashing? Or would they suffer some disadvantage if they didn't say it?
"So I thought that I must have been right after all. But just then, I heard that the royal family had declared its support for the teachings of Goddess-sama and Apostle-sama. Those teachings say that we should help commoners. I no longer know what is right... I asked Father which of them was right, but he wouldn't answer me. What am I supposed to do!?"
Artur-sama really was just an honest child... He wasn't a bad child at heart. If everyone around him had told him since he was little that commoners were lowly beings different from nobles, of course he would believe them.
It was difficult to say which side was right, but this was a world where Goddess-sama existed and had her teachings, and the royal family had supported those teachings. That meant those teachings were probably the correct ones.
Would Artur-sama be able to accept that everything he had been taught as common knowledge was wrong? He was still only ten years old.
"I was confused, but then I remembered what Martine-sama had said: that I should see things for myself and confirm them. So, will you teach me about commoners? Please!"
Artur-sama said that and stared at me intently. It was truly amazing that a ten-year-old child could think things through this far and arrive at this conclusion on his own... Artur-sama wasn't just a foolish noble after all.
He had said all sorts of things to me before, but Artur-sama was practically a victim, too. If I could help him even a little, I wanted to do so.
"Artur-sama."
"W-what!?"
"If you don't mind me doing so, I'd be happy to explain commoners to you."
"I-is that really all right?"
"Of course."
I said that and gave Artur-sama a broad smile.
"Th-thank you..."
This was bad... I felt like I had just tamed a mischievous little boy! It gave me quite a sense of accomplishment!
I almost let a grin spread across my face, but somehow managed to suppress it.
"Artur-sama, do you have any plans today?"
"No, nothing in particular..."
"In that case, would you like to see how commoners live? Lucien-sama, would that be all right?"
"Yes. Do whatever you like, Leon."
"Thank you."
"Artur-sama, what would you like to do?"
"I-I'd appreciate your help. However, I've been told not to befriend Lucien..."
That made sense, since he was the child of an opposing faction. Nobles were such a hassle... In that case, it would be difficult to put Artur-sama in the Townsend ducal family's carriage and take him around.
Hmm... Maybe it would be all right to use a Royal Academy carriage?
"Stefan-sama, would it be possible to borrow a Royal Academy carriage?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Then how about we borrow a Royal Academy carriage and go out in it? If we tell the carriage sent to pick up Artur-sama that he is attending a research club just for today, would that be all right?"
"That should be fine."
"Then please let his pickup carriage know, Artur-sama, and return to the training grounds. I'll have a carriage ready in front of the training grounds."
"Understood. I count on you."
Artur-sama said that and left the training grounds.
All right! I had to do my best to teach Artur-sama the facts. I was suddenly filled with motivation.