Chapter 17 (1/2)
The celebration party has the smell of drunkard
The four of us went to the venue.
Halfway through, the elf guy brought by Jephthah-s.h.i.+ suddenly said he has some business to attend and parted from us, leaving only the three of us; Jephthah-s.h.i.+, Sh.e.l.lo-san and I.
Rebecca-san is temporarily away as she has another task to take care of.
I had initially thought that the elf guy served as Jephthah-s.h.i.+’s escort but it appears that he was only brought here for the sake of the spirit’s contract.
“Jephthah-san. It might be strange to hear this from me but will it be fine not to bring along your escort?” [Ayase]
“No, in truth it would be better to bring him along, but he’s not really good at dealing with complicated match like this.” [Jephthah]
For such a reason….
However even though Jephthah-s.h.i.+ is one of the man from the three great merchants, he’s always having his own way (self-a.s.sertion). Since he didn’t know if the elf works as an escort or a spy, it might be unpleasant for him to bring him around.
Or could it be like what I have thought previously? This world’s safety and security might be really good.
“That aside Jirou-san, what will you be giving as a gift?” [Jephthah]
…..As I thought, I couldn’t really answer that.
My plan gradually grew, becoming a larger scale plan than I have initially expected. I was able to prepare it due to the cooperation given by Rebecca-san but it will be similar to the feeling of an adventure since I wasn’t sure how the other world people might feel about it.
“The gift is…….a secret. Well just look forward to it.” [Ayase]
“Hou, you seem to be quite confident in it……..Otherwise you wouldn’t have accepted this match but you’ve investigated the mayor, haven’t you? Didn’t you feel that it will not likely be that easy?” [Jephthah]
“Of course I had thought so but somehow I didn’t feel that I am going to lose for some reason. Of course I have confidence in the goods that I will be gifting.” [Ayase]
“……You didn’t feel that you will lose? Then I am antic.i.p.ating it even more now in what the gift will be. Whether that obstinate mayor will be interested in it or not….I’m looking forward to it.” [Jephthah]
Was it a little provocative for saying that I didn’t feel that I was going to lose? That was what I thought but Jephthah-s.h.i.+ was smiling as if he was content with it.
However…..somehow I felt that this guy is showing no sign of losing this match either. Or are bonbons usually like this?
(TL: Bonbon is a slang usually used on a rich or well-bred bishounen. You can google it if you want to read the real definition x3)
Well, it’s too late to even do anything now. The die was cast!
(TL: The decision has been made and is irrevocable.)
The party’s venue is at the open s.p.a.ce on the lawn in front of the mayor’s office. The tables placed here are somewhat even more luxurious than the ones at the food stalls but the party cuisines seemed to have already stir up little excitement causing a long line of people queuing up there. There are not only cuisines available but also drinks ranging from sake, juice, wine to a wide variety. Sh.e.l.lo-san’s eyes brightened with interest instantly.
The orchestra band was playing an ethnic sounding music and the existing guest were already enjoying there in their own way.
“Jirou-san, that person is Erishe’s mayor, Milkpearl-san” [Jephthah]
I looked towards the direction that Jephthah-s.h.i.+ was pointing at.
The figure of a high-strung lady in clean white suit could be seen exchanging greetings with the guests. I see. She’s certainly a conscientious person. I suddenly recalled the Secretary of State from a certain large country…………
“I see. So what should I do about the gift, Jephthah-s.h.i.+? Is there a timing to hand the gift to her?” [Ayase]
“Let’s see…. The party has just started so I’ll go greet her after a while. You can do it after that.” [Jephthah]
“I understand. Then I will need to make my own preparations here too.” [Ayase]
Well, there isn’t much to prepare already actually. As soon as Rebecca-san returns, I can begin anytime.
In the meantime, let’s indulge myself in the food with Sh.e.l.lo-san!
“*Hic*. Iya~a it was a surprisingly strong sake isn’t it, Sh.e.l.lo-s.h.i.+” [Ayase]
“Hahahaha. Those inland sakes are actually way better than this, Jirou-s.h.i.+.” [Sh.e.l.lo]
Just when I was thinking of having just a single cup, I had not expected that even the light taste of it has caused me to be drunk noww~ Sh.e.l.lo-san seemed to be pleasantly getting drunk there himself. We might have overdone it slightly.
Come to think of it, Rebecca-san did tell Sh.e.l.lo-san not to drink any sake earlier……whatever. It’s a festival!
Even though there will be an upcoming match, this meeting party doesn’t seem like the type of party whereby they will serve sake so there shouldn’t be any problem in particular even if I got drunk.
And apparently Rebecca-san has returned. She gave a signal from the other side.
Alright! This is finally it.
We found Jephthah-s.h.i.+ who was talking to the invited guest so I called out to him.
“Jephthah-san. How about it? Will it be anytime soon?” [Ayase]
“Aa, Jirou-san. True. It appeared that the mayor has been freed from the crowds too so let’s go.” [Jephthah]
“Yes, I’ll be counting on you.” [Ayase]
The both of us headed towards the mayor. Since I am slightly clear-headed now I became fairly tensed when I think about my next course of action. Sake has made me even more daring now. I can do it!
Jephthah-s.h.i.+ exchanged greetings with the mayor.
I waited beside him until I was introduced. In the meantime, I checked on my equipment.
“………, and here is the person whom I was talking about earlier, Jirou-san. Jirou-san, this is the mayor of Erishe, Milkpearl-san.” [Jephthah]
“Nice to meet you. I am Jirou Ayase, a jeweller. It’s an honour to meet you.” [Ayase]
The introduction was received and we shook hands as a form of greeting.
This is the other motive for the reason I accepted this match.
If I am introduced to this city’s top people, there will come a time where I will be able to obtain something of high value for my business one day. ……Well, it will also depend on my hard selling from here on.
“Nice to meet you Jirou-san. Ara, what a cute jeweller we have here. I think I did mention about it earlier but, you shouldn’t get yourself involved with the type of people like Solo at such a young age. They are all residents from the h.e.l.l.” [Milkpearl]
“Cute?………. No well, there are quite a lot of gachimuchi men here I guess. It couldn’t be helped if I am evaluated as so I guess………Although I normally only have a childlike face.
(TL: gachimuchi -> literally means “muscular chubby,” which refers to big, bulky body types that are very muscular)
However Jephthah-s.h.i.+, won’t people usually think that you’re being disliked here? She has even likened you to the residents from h.e.l.l…….
“So….I was told that you will be presenting a gift to me? I will say this beforehand but I refuse to accept such a thing. For argument’s sake, rather than an emperor, I’m being entrusted with sovereignty. If I received such a present, I might end up losing sight of the road pointed out by the spirits.” [Milkpearl]
“I fully comprehend it…….But would it be find if you just take a look at the goods? If you really dislike it, I don’t mind it even if you refuse to accept it.” [Ayase]
As I said so, I retrieve a necklace case from an olive green bag. This case is something brought over from the other side (j.a.pan). This item in hand is probably cheaper on the other side and it’s of good quality too.
I have somehow entered myself into a business mode.
“The gift that I would like to present to you this time is, the Peridot necklace here. Although the size of the stone is roughly only 4 carats, the spirit stone (Peridot) that was moulded into oval-cut with the deep olive green colour that enhances it even more, in foundation, has a good compatibility with gold. This has even been beautifully engraved by a craftsman.” [Ayase]
To catch hold of someone’s attention, we need to first describe the item. I don’t know how well these words will work in the other word but that part is not particularly important. It would be sufficient as long as the other party thinks, “That is quite impressive”.
“It’s lovely. I have seen many green gems before, but it’s my first time seeing one with such deep shade. It is certainly a wonderful item indeed…….but, I couldn’t afford to accept this all the more. Especially from merchants like you and Jephthah-kun.” [Milkpearl]
Well, it’s true. Then I will proceed on.
“No, the item was indeed prepared by me but the real gifter is another person…….There might be possibility that you have someone in mind as well.” [Ayase]
“No? There is not a single person in this country who doesn’t know that I don’t accept gifts. The only person who was still insisting on it is only Jephthah-kun alone.” [Milkpearl]
It really appears that she doesn’t remember it.
Well, that was the only reason this method will be effective.
“Since the ancient times, peridot was said to have good compatibility with gold. And, that compatibility’s merit was also combined with 『the light shone on one another』. In other words, it was also the symbol of love between a married couple. The jewel Peridot’s name also originated from the word 『Marital Love』 (『夫婦愛』)……. There was an engraving done on the necklace. Do you recognize it?” [Ayase]
Milkpearl-san was suspiciously confirming the base of the engraving on the necklace. Even though this might be a gamble since I wasn’t sure if she might be able to remember it but that was a motif that she used to wear often when she was young so she should recognize it.
“………..! ……..Eh, this…….. But…..” [Milkpearl]
She’s fl.u.s.tering. She’s fl.u.s.tering.
At the moment when she was getting slightly confused, I should go through with the story. After I sent a signal to Rebecca-san, a battery-powered microphone and small amplifier that I have brought from home yesterday were carried over to this place.