Chapter 25
Chapter 25. The Undertaker (3)
Penelope, who had been receiving mirror therapy from Serena's behavior that resembled her past self.
However, she came to her senses and began directing traffic.
They would meet frequently from now on, so they couldn't let things be like this every time, could they?
"Jurgen is my business partner. Show appropriate respect."
"B-but Mr. Jurgen is a c-commoner... This is directly related to Miss Penelope's honor..."
However, should he say she was strangely timid yet had convictions?
Serena wasn't easily convinced.
"Why are you looking after my honor? When you get down to it, you might be demoted to commoner soon too."
"Miss Penelope! How could you say such harsh words...!"
"Did I say anything wrong?"
"Still, the Renoir family is in its second generation of Viscountcy... It's on a different trajectory from ordinary commoners..."
"They look the same to me."
Penelope pressed her forehead as if tired and stabbed at Serena.
Serena doesn't hold back.
Serena clenched her molars tightly, then immediately launched a counterattack while avoiding her gaze.
"I see... Even though you have no friends..."
She delivered a jab in a voice that crawled in softly.
"What! What did you just say!"
"H-hic...! I-I didn't say anything wrong either."
"I told you before, I have friends!"
"Who...?"
"V-Vic!"
From the side, it was an amusing comedy routine, but today's purpose was a meeting for outsourcing machine production.
Jurgen restrained Serena, who was holding her head and crouching, and Penelope, who had completely fallen for the provocation and was enraged.
"Now, now, calm down. Miss Serena, before we get to the main point, I'd like to confirm your abilities."
"Hmph, for a commoner to doubt my abilities... how absurd..."
"Aren't we discussing business right now? I heard Miss Serena came to make a contract because of performance issues within her family. That means we're in an equal contractual relationship."
Penelope, who had been fanning herself as if feverish, added an explanation.
"Her abilities are solid. Despite how she is, she's evaluated as an outstanding prodigy even within the Renoir family."
"Not an outstanding prodigy... a genius..."
"Practical experience?"
"Improving naval artillery, custom design of ceremonial limousines, defensive wall facilities in the Demon Realm... and I was in charge of producing various brewing facilities and factory equipment..."
"Oh, impressive."
"...Even so, you're a commoner... I shouldn't be doing this..."
Serena grumbled but took the file.
She pulled out glasses from her bag and put them on, then began focusing quite seriously.
Is this really someone he could trust with the work...
No matter how much they needed a technician, shouldn't they find someone more suitable...
While Jurgen was pondering that, an interesting glint appeared in his eyes.
'Oh?'
Looking closely, her fingernails with her silk gloves off were very short.
The back of her hands were full of faint scar marks.
Other young ladies might mock those scars as lowly, but as a client, it was most reassuring.
"......"
10 minutes, 20 minutes passed in silence.
"I'll step away for a bit since Manager Ritz called me. I have some backed-up work."
"Alright."
Penelope, tired of waiting, went to handle her business.
Another 1 hour, 2 hours passed after that.
Serena, who had read the last page of the functional specifications, removed her glasses with trembling hands.
Then she placed both hands neatly together.
Serena had led one of the workshops under the Renoir family since before reaching adulthood.
Though somewhat lacking in social skills, her capabilities as an engineer were outstanding.
"I-I showed an embarrassing side to a renowned notable..."
If the emotion Penelope felt upon seeing Jurgen's request was 'Hmm, something's suspicious?'
Serena saw beyond that, to a horizon so distant she felt reverence.
These proposals and functional specifications had ideas and details ahead of their time.
She didn't know how many times she received shocks like lightning striking her head while turning a single page.
Someone with this skill level was a commoner?
That couldn't be possible.
This was the result of combining expert knowledge that had reached the ultimate level with practical experience.
Definitely a senior in the same industry.
Otherwise, it couldn't be explained.
"If it's not too rude, may I ask where you're affiliated..."
"I'm not particularly affiliated anywhere."
Though Jurgen had plainly stated the truth, it sounded like this after passing through Serena's noble speech translator:
'What would you do knowing that? You were going on about commoners earlier.'
'Miss Penelope! You should have told me such important facts in advance...!!!!'
Serena screamed internally toward Penelope, who wasn't here.
"Ah."
Wait a moment.
Come to think of it...
Penelope had tolerated his informal speech.
She even introduced him as her business partner and told her to show respect.
She had given advance notice to handle things well on her own, though she couldn't reveal his identity due to circumstances.
Serena hadn't noticed that and had babbled thoughtlessly about 'commoner' and 'for a commoner.'
She had made such a fuss in front of someone who might be a great senior in the industry.
'I'm... ruined...'
This world was small.
Unlike the Renoir family as first-generation nobles, there were plenty of brilliant technical noble families.
For a fledgling who fell out of their favor, having one's future path blocked was as common as graduate students whose life plans got twisted after being marked by a professor.
"...Sh-should I just die now?"
"Why suddenly say that? Let's talk business."
"Yes!"
Serena, whose white face had turned pale blue, regained a bit of color at the generous reaction.
"F-first, may I ask if it's okay to inquire about the parts I want to ask the notable about...?"
"What part?"
"Is it necessary to have two raw material supply lines?"
"It's designed so that if one has a problem, the other can immediately substitute."
"Doing it this way seems like it would create additional cost issues..."
"The initial investment will be a bit high, but in the long run, we can reduce maintenance costs significantly."
"The method of minimizing carbonation loss during the bottling process... will this technique really be meaningful?"
"Are you talking about the Cold Filling technique? Or the vacuum chamber?"
"The Cold Filling side."
"The warmer the liquid, the easier the carbonation escapes, doesn't it? That's why we lower the beverage temperature to a minimum of 2°C just before bottling. If we catch the vacuum too, the efficiency doubles."
"You said you'd recycle empty bottles, but why did you consider low-temperature washing instead of high-temperature sterilization..."
"High-temperature washing puts a load on glass bottles, doesn't it? Micro-cracks could form. Disinfection and mechanical washing are also useful."
Serena was convinced once again.
He answered all questions smoothly as if he had an entire factory in his head.
Not a single moment of hesitation or wavering.
Certain.
This person isn't a commoner but a senior in the industry!
Then she couldn't end things like this.
She had to make up for her mistake before the conversation ended.
What was the fastest way to mend a twisted relationship?
A sincere apology?
No.
Actually, no one likes sincere apologies.
The answer was 'bribery.'
"Mr. Jurgen, in the proposal you said you'd acquire a closed brewery with its existing facilities..."
"It's mainly for cost reduction."
"The facility you looked into has been closed for a long time and is a factory that's been neglected without management..."
"Hmm, it's troublesome but unavoidable. I also put in quite a bit of legwork and chose one that was in relatively good condition."
"E-excuse me!!!"
Right now!
Serena, who caught the opportunity, suddenly raised her voice.
"A-actually, I have a brewery that I was planning to renovate later and use as a workshop...! I'll give it to you. At the price I bought it for... no! I'll give it to you for half price..."
"What? Is that true?"
"Y-yes... yes! It's also well maintained... and more than anything, it's closer to the water source than the place in the proposal, and distribution will be convenient too."
"I appreciate the sentiment, but it's quite sudden."
Jurgen was flustered by the unexpected proposal.
Since Serena, who had been showing commoner contempt as a passive, was suddenly being favorable.
"Seeing Mr. Jurgen's work gave me great enlightenment...! As an engineer walking the path of mechanical engineering, I want to express my respect...! It's an honor to be able to directly design such dreamlike facilities!"
"You're overflowing with passion."
"Yes! That's right! Please look favorably upon me!"
Jurgen, who had been bewildered, felt a thrilling emotion pierce his heart.
Ah, I see.
Was that it?
Before outstanding technology and progress, unity regardless of class or status.
Jurgen's heart warmed at the heartwarming feeling after a long time.
"Thank you for the consideration. However, I can't buy a building I haven't seen, so I'd like to confirm it with my own eyes."
"Yes! I brought my car...! If we drive, it's quick, so I'll take you!"
Guided by Serena, who had straightened up to an unusual degree, Jurgen came down to the parking lot on one side of the hotel garden.
"Th-this is my beloved Caliburn Model J."
"Oh... it's refined."
Since vehicles weren't mass-produced but handmade, in Britannia each vehicle was extremely expensive.
You could think of a decent vehicle's price as comparable to a luxury foreign car on modern Earth.
"I custom-ordered it from Caliburn and personally modified it. Ehehe... its name is Bunny."
The two-seater private car Serena was bragging about also exuded such luxury.
Should he call it a transitional design from carriages to automobiles?
An elegant ivory body.
Walnut interior that complemented the cold feeling of metal and brass decorations flowing along the vehicle's outline were the points.
There was no roof, but there was a folding canopy so it could be ridden even on rainy days.
Even the spare wheel hanging on the side of the vehicle fit well as if it were part of the design.
"I-I'll drive and take you."
"Oh, please do."
As soon as Jurgen got in the car...
"Wait! Haa... haa..."
Penelope appeared, gasping as if she had run urgently.
She discovered the two people heading out for an outing toward the garden while working.
She ran up the stairs without even taking the elevator.
She had run so urgently that her hat was slightly askew.
"Where are you going now? You said you had to stay at the hotel for a while."
"Hasn't it already been several days? The bluffing worked well too. We can't stay cooped up here forever."
"Even so, you should have told me. What if you get into danger alone? Leaving with just the two of you without a plan?"
"Hmm..."
Penelope's claim wasn't entirely groundless.
If, on the very slim chance, Blyton attacked and Serena got swept up too, there would be no greater inconvenience than that.
"So where were you trying to go?"
"Miss Serena said she'd sell a factory."
After explaining the situation, Penelope looked at the two alternately with a slightly absurd expression.
The last scene she had checked was Serena scolding Jurgen.
"...Did you beat her up when you two were alone?"
"That can't be, Miss Penelope."
"Anyway, I can't let you two go alone. If you go, I have to go with you."
"Um, excuse me..."
Serena, who couldn't know exactly what the situation was, also felt an ominous sign at Penelope's last words.
Because Serena's beloved 'Bunny' was a two-seater.
"Hmm... Miss Serena, could you tell me the factory's location? As you can see, Miss Penelope seems curious too."
"What...?"
Serena felt déjà vu.
Huh?
This familiar flow from somewhere...
"If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to borrow the car too. I'll definitely return it."
"Y-yes... of course..."
It ended up like this after all.
Serena made a tearful face.
She barely suppressed the inner words 'You'll really... return it, right?'
It was a meaningless question to ask anyway.
After making one mistake, they took the factory at half price and now were even taking the car.
Serena could only shed tears of blood at the viciousness and shamelessness of nobles.
"Pl-please use it carefully... it's a delicate child."
"Of course. Thank you."
"Serena, I'll use it well."
Serena handed over the car key with trembling hands and said goodbye to her beloved car in her heart.
—Vrooom!
The Caliburn Model J, carrying Jurgen and Penelope, circled the garden and slid out.
The reason those brass decorations sparkled so particularly brightly was probably because of the tears welling up at the corners of Serena's eyes.
***
And there was another person watching that scene from behind.
A leather coat loosely worn over a suit, a mask, a wrinkled beret.
A figure like the personification of the word 'black.'
"Finally came out. Taking too long just to kill one commoner. President Blyton."
The man who stood up, his body melted like tar and seeped into the shadows.