Chapter 191
I recalled the pink-haired girl I last saw, who had remarked, "Noble relationships sure are tough, huh?" As I mentally crossed myself over her fate, I wished she'd never get involved with me again.
"Even if they deny it, the fact remains they were connected to assassins, so we're demanding appropriate compensation."
"Money or privileges, I assume?"
Honestly, anything beyond this point held little value for me beyond informational purposes. While I'd secured harbor rights through this duel, I was now demanding additional reparations since they'd tried to take my life with a surprise assassin attack.
"No, this time we'll be granting these reparations rights to Liberta."
"......????"
I'd assumed they'd obtained some typical noble privilege again, but they hadn't even used those rights yet. Instead, they were offering to transfer them to me.
As I pondered why this was happening...
"Could this be payment for protection services?"
The reward for saving the Duke and his daughter from the mad jester's deadly blade was something I hadn't actually received yet. Compensating me monetarily for saving the Duke and his eldest daughter would require an astronomical sum, and as for treasures, I could already obtain higher-value materials myself.
I briefly considered requesting freedom to travel across the central and other continents as a form of reward, but only the king could grant such rights, requiring graduation from the academy - a condition even His Grace the Duke couldn't bend.
Thus, with nothing I particularly wanted at present, I'd left the matter on hold until now.
"That would be correct. We thought Liberta might desire something not available in this country. Of course, we can prepare other items too - this is merely one option we're proposing. However, since this involves negotiations, we don't have much time for deliberation."
"Whether I accept or decline, you'd prefer an answer now if possible?"
"Yes, that's correct."
So this was how the reward would come. During game times, quest rewards were typically fixed. Though rarely, there were catalog gift systems where you could select items. This seemed like an upgraded version of that.
"Items from the eastern continent, right?"
"That's correct."
While some items could be obtained across all continents, each region had unique items too. For the eastern continent, these would be items fitting their Japanese-style world. Requesting one such exclusive item might be good.
"Hihiirokane, perhaps?"
"Father, can we obtain that?"
"...Legendary-grade items would be difficult."
"I figured."
This rare ore from the eastern continent was lighter than mithril, tougher than adamantite, and granted indestructibility to weapons. Only obtainable through certain ultra-high difficulty quests with low drop rates. I'd have loved to get it, but apparently impossible.
"Hmm, other desired items would be..."
I listed every item I could think of, but...
"Stop demanding only legendary or national treasure-level items."
"Aww..."
All rejected. While I felt justified making such requests given it was reparations for noble-related troubles, realistically, such demands would be seen as picking a fight.
"With those off the table, there's nothing I particularly need."
This incident made me realize I'd underestimated leveling speed and equipment needs. Reflecting on how reckless we'd been given how cheap life was in this world, I'd hoped to strengthen our gear through these demands.
But things rarely go that smoothly.
"Ah."
Fundamentally, research on item locations in this world seemed underdeveloped, making it hard to conveniently obtain desired items. Midway through this thought, I remembered something completely different I wanted.
"Did you think of something?"
"Yes, I want rice."
If I couldn't get stronger, focusing on hobbies might be fine. After much deliberation, I decided to request rice, which exists in this world too.
"Rice?"
"Yes, specifically the highest grade - first-class Ryumeki Ibuki rice."
"Hmm, demanding the royal family's exclusive rice reserved for few."
In FBO, avatars lacked taste sensors, so eating in-game was literally tasteless mastication. Players ate for stat boosts despite the lack of flavor.
But players universally wondered about the flavor texts - whether descriptions like "supreme delicacy" or "unparalleled taste" were true. Having not eaten rice in this world, I figured I might as well satisfy that curiosity while I could.
"Ah, not just once - I want regular deliveries. Say, for at least five years minimum."
"With the harbor secured now, that should be feasible. But are you certain this is enough?"
"Don't underestimate Ryumeki Ibuki. When cooked by someone with culinary skills into simple salted rice balls, it temporarily boosts stats. Essentially, through these reparations, I'm securing continuous buff items. If I recall correctly, even the eastern continent didn't have large harvests."
Moreover, Ryumeki Ibuki had excellent properties among food items. A request combining hobby and practicality.
The Duke's eyes gleamed - likely calculating how to get his share too. Not that I minded leaving all negotiations to him.
Though demanding only rice as apology for an assassination attempt seemed insufficient.
"Then let's squeeze everything we can."
"Too much would go to waste."
"Don't worry. We'll procure other eastern continent ingredients at lowest prices for military provisions. Good meals keeping soldiers satisfied for five years sounds like a decent bargain."
Ah, so other ingredients too.
"Then I'd like other delicious eastern foods too. There are many tasty ingredients."
"Oh? What exactly?"
So I began listing desired foods - first, fish to accompany rice, like the famous Koho salmon. There were cattle raised for rituals too. Some famous pickles. Miso and soy sauce existed too - might as well request those.
Southern continent cuisine was basically Western-style to my former Japanese self. Not that it was bad - Ingrid's cooking was delicious and healthy. But as someone accustomed to Japanese food, I wanted white rice with side dishes, so I kept listing requests.
As Lotus took notes, the list grew. How much food would balance against the Duke's life? With military provisions involved, the quantities would likely be massive.
"Hmm, with this much food, we could reduce taxes somewhat this year."
"While obtaining everything may be difficult, the fact they're negotiating with food makes refusal unlikely."
Five years of Japanese food and delicious rice sounded perfect to me. Though not immediately available, having something to look forward to was nice.
As I waited for the Duke and Lotus to finish discussing, thinking this concluded matters:
"What will Liberta do now?"
"Do? That's abstract. Well, definitely resuming the stalled leveling."
With their discussion continuing, Esmeralda broke the silence.
"That's right."
"...?"
After nodding, she hesitated as if steeling herself.
"Does Liberta plan to recruit a mage for your party?"
"A mage?"
Here it comes. Was this what I thought?
Her furtive glances mixed anxiety with something else.
"Our party has many frontliners, so a backline support mage would be helpful."
I understood the anxiety - wanting to join but hesitating to ask after causing trouble. The other emotion eluded me. But considering past events, I'd welcome Esmeralda if she didn't dwell on them.
"Really!?"
Her brightening expression confirmed her desire to join. Given current circumstances, severing ties with the Duke would be more detrimental than beneficial now.
"Yes."
Considering our party composition, having a trustworthy backline attacker was crucial moving forward. Additionally, having a Duke's daughter with us might reduce or better handle certain troubles. The benefits outweighed the drawbacks.
"Then please, take me!!"
"Ah, so that's it. But are you sure? What about the academy and noble obligations?"
"After this broken engagement scandal, I can't attend the academy normally. I can decline social invitations for a while too."
Noble duties seemed already discussed with the Duke, with preparations complete.
"More than anything... I want to be with you."
"......!?"
"Are you blushing?"
"I'm not used to such direct words."
At this point, refusal seemed harder than acceptance. Her straightforward confession froze my thoughts momentarily, my face reddening upon processing it.
In my previous life, my age didn't equate to romantic inexperience, but beautiful girls never confessed like this to me.
Averting my flushed face, I could only scratch my cheek in a cliché reaction.
"Please go easy on me."
"I'll consider it."