Chapter 163 (1/2)

The meeting of the two villages took place that same day.

I proposed that we hold it over dinner. After all, you can’t have a mixer without food. The location was decided to be the women’s village due to there being a larger building available. And I like the idea of eating with several women. I remember reading in a magazine that women love Italian food.

I flew to the nearest town which only took about an hour. I bought the necessary ingredients there and borrowed one of the kitchen’s available in the women’s village. I didn’t recognize many of the ingredients, but I managed to create a dish that had the taste I was aiming for. Of course, I made Italian.

I was really motivated to make this dinner a success.

I’ve always wanted to take part in a mixer.

Even in my previous life I never had the chance.

I prepared enough food so that everyone would have plenty to eat.

We were now in the drawing room of the Mayor’s house. A large table had been brought in and the food I had was set out on it. Everyone was already seated at the table. It was quite easy to gather everyone here using my flight magic.

Ester-chan paid for the table and everything I needed to make the food. Thanks to her, I was able to create a good atmosphere. The drawing room itself added to the atmosphere and overall I was satisfied with how everything turned out.

“Now then, the mixer has officially started.”

I gave the official start of the mixer after everyone was seated.

“Mixer?”

“It’s what people from my country call an event like this.”

“R-Really!? I-I’ll remember that! A mixer!”

Besides Ester-chan and I, the chosen representatives of each village were also present. The members of the women’s village sat on the same side as Ester-chan while the men were on my side. They were sat face-to-face with each other.

I noticed something interesting once everyone was gathered. The average age of the women seems to be quite high. I’d say they’re all in their thirties. The average age of the people in this world is fairly low. Those that are in their twenties and thirties make up the largest percentage of the population pyramid. This actually might be why they were chosen.

Now I feel like I tricked some popular girls into coming to a loser’s mixer.

“Well, t-thank you very much for preparing such an extravagant meal for us.”

The first person to speak other than Ester-chan or I was a member of the men’s village.

I think he’s nervous about Ester-chan being here.

He quickly thanked the host for the meal. It reminded me of a corporate slave that had been forced out to a company dinner by his boss.

“It wasn’t me that prepared the food. You should be thanking him.”

The lolibitch pointed at me.

I don’t really care who they thank for the meal, but the lolibitch is particular about the finer details.

“I-Is that so? But this tastes better than meals I’ve had at restaurants in Tricklis. Does your attendant have experience as a chef? If you don’t mind, I’d like to get the recipe….”

“I don’t mind at all.”

“Really?”

“But there are certain methods you have to know to be able to properly make it….”

“That’s fine by me. For something this wonderful, I don’t mind putting in the extra effort to learn to make it correctly. I’ll engrave your teachings into my soul. I would love for you to teach me.”

“All right then. I’ll give it to you once this meeting is over.”

“Okay. Thank you very much!”

The men are actually more polite than I expected.

I can see genuine interest in his eyes.

Personally, I’d like him to teach me how to break a girl’s hymen.

Well, that will have to wait for another time.

“We should toast! A toast to celebrate our first mixer!”

Everyone raised their cups following Ester-chan’s instructions.

After the toast, everyone fell silent. The sound of utensils scraping the plates and chewing filled the room. There was no sign that either side wanted to start the conversation. The fact that a noble like Ester-chan is here is also making everyone nervous.

Should I break the ice with some casual conversation?

No, that’s impossible for me.

Absolutely impossible.

This is the first time I’ve ever participated in an event like this.

Plus, it’s with people from this world. What can I even talk about?

Maybe the weather?

“….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….” “….”

The silence is deafening.

The silence must be making everyone feel uncomfortable.

What should I do?

My first ever mixer will be a failure at this rate.

Just as I was starting to fall into despair, the female mayor spoke.

“Noblewoman, I have something I wish to say.”

“Go ahead.”

“I truly appreciate everything you’ve done to arrange this event, but that doesn’t change the fact that the women of my village will have trouble trying to live with these men again. I told you before, what these men did has caused a pain to my village that I fear will never heal.”

“…I would first like to hear their side of the story.”

All of the women, including Ester-chan, looked towards the men.

“Is it true that you were violent towards the women?”

“….”

A shadow appeared on the faces of the men after hearing the lolibitch’s question.

They look regretful.

“…what did you do?”

The man that spoke was the same representative that we spoke to when we first arrived here.

“I apologize for speaking about personal matters in front of you, Noblewoman, but I must say this: to the best of my knowledge, there is not a single man in the village that ever laid a hand on a woman.”

The man remained calm as he spoke.

But the women all became furious after hearing his response.

“E-Even if I was sick or tired, I was forced to answer to every demand thrown at me!” “I would tell him I didn’t want to do something, but he’d just grab me by the arm so hard he’d leave marks that lasted for days!” “All my husband ever does is look at other women!”

And they were all so quiet a moment ago.

Once one person spoke up, the rest of them wanted to say their piece.

“Even here, you brought your weapons and just left them lying around!” “She’s right! There are children in the village! What would we do if one of them were to get hurt!?” “Yeah, they’re right!” “Would it kill you to be a little more considerate to those around you!?”

The men were starting to look impatient.

But they all remained silent and allowed the main representative to speak.

“I-I see. I’ve heard you all and we all promise to make a sincere effort to improve.”