092: The rice is gone!

December 27, 2020 - 7 minutes read - 1442 words

New arc?

“I’m almost out of rice!” Al

I was sitting at the table in my second house when I realized the issue facing me. I started to groan like I was sick. I don’t have rice anymore, it’s gone. It’s been about a year since I got the rice that Triela bought somewhere. If I was the only one eating it, I’d have another year to go, but since my whole family was eating it…

“Far dew rokay bwoy?” Rumba

“Swallow, speak after swallowing.” Al

One of the big eaters, Rumba was talking while eating a mouthful of omelette rice. Now, rice grains are scattered around the table. Rumba chews the food in his mouth and swallows, then opens his mouth again.

“Is there no more rice?!” Rumba

“That’s right, we’re basically out.” Al

“That’s a huge problem! I’ve just gotten a taste for yellowtail sushi! I love having large servings of rice…” Rumba

“Yes, it’s so tasty. Why are you using so much?” Al

How much is this guy eating? Am I his mother, giving him plenty to grow up strong?

“It’s the same in the mansion though, both the maids and Eleanora. By the way, why was Eleanora insistent on you preparing a towel for her?” Rumba

“Well, it feels good after exercising to use a towel chilled with Ice Magic.” Al

I bitterly put another large service of rice and raw eggs on the table. I noticed that Rumba’s cup was empty, so I refilled it with Water Magic and threw in some ice with Ice Magic.

“Alfred is so convenient, I want one for my house.” Rumba

“Don’t refer to people like tools” Al

I feel like I’ve heard Eleanora make similar remarks. I’ve had to figure out how to get the other person into a good mood, avoid dangerous topics, perceive what the other person desires, and to always be on my best behavior. All so Eleanora gets to spend her time comfortably and forget about things like lessons. I guess I could seek employment as a butler in the future if I needed to. I even learned how to make delicious black tea, by the way, it’s all about the technique.

Well, I’m not worrying about that now, it’s all about the rice.

“At the current rate, the rice will be fully consumed within the month.” Al

I’ve stored a few kilograms in my subspace using Spatial Magic for emergencies, but that’s not counted. That is reserved for true emergencies.

“So, rice isn’t grown in the village, right?” Rumba asks while breaking an egg onto the rice, then mixing them up.

“That’s right, Triela bought it from somewhere.” Al

“Then, let’s just get Triela to buy more. It seems like both of you should have enough money, so is there a problem?” Rumba

Certainly, Triela’s company has grown rapidly over the last year. He’s made inroads with aristocrats and royalty, so he should be able to purchase more rice than a year go. But if I can go to the place where rice is grown, I can buy it directly. In addition, I can return using Spatial Magic. So I’d like to ride along this time.

“I sent him a letter, but will he arrive.” Al

I wrote a letter saying I would sell the rights to Shogi to the Lazarus company if he couldn’t make it here soon. My heart has been under increasing stress as the rice supply has declined. Have I ever been so invested in another person’s reply?

“Hmm, I saw his company’s carriage earlier today, so maybe he’s made it to the mansion by now?” Rumba

“Say that sooner, silly!” Al

Since Rumba finally let me know about an important event, I rushed from this house back to the mansion.

I met Triela at the entrance of the mansion.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Alfred! Eleanora went to get you a little while ago, did you somehow miss each other on the way?” Triela

He’s looking around like Eleanora would suddenly appear. I had run out of my forest house and Transferred once I was out of sight. So it can’t be helped that I missed Eleanora.

“Uhh, did I tell anyone where I was going today?” Al

I had gone off to check on the ingredients I had stored using Spatial Magic, so I hadn’t told anyone where I was going. Rumba had randomly stopped by around noon.

“Well, I wanted to see you, but you weren’t around. Eleanora said that she thought she knew that you would be in that house in the forest.” Triela answers with a bitter smile.

As usual, Eleanora’s senses are strange. Whether I’m playing with Thor and Asmo, taking a nap on a flat lawn, Celia’s restaurant, Logan’s house, the river, or other places, she is able to locate me. How were you able to know I was going to that place?

“Well, Eleanora will be back soon. Let’s talk in the guest room.” Al

After that, I guided Triela to the guest room.

“Oh, Triela. Did you read my letter?” Al

I pick up tea and sweets that were served by Sarah while waiting on an answer.

“Well, I was surprised Mr. Alfred. I was under the impression that the rice should have lasted another year.” Triela

What’s with that way of saying it? It’s as if the whole problem is my fault. It feels like the aristocrats I met at the royal capital.

“The whole family started eating rice, so it ran out much quicker than expected. We’ve basically run out.” Al

“Oh, is there a new dish like spaghetti?” Triela asks as his eyes narrow.

“Hey, you’re acting like the annoying aristocrats I met at the royal capital.” Al

“Ah, Mr. Alfred has his own style, even if he goes to a party in the royal capital.” Triela

I laughed at Triela’s attempted joke, he relaxes a bit.

“Recently, I’ve had to work with aristocrats often. Sorry about that.” Triela

Is this guy really talking to aristocrats with his mannerisms? You didn’t speak to the royal family like you do to me, right?

“Mr. Alfred, have you heard the rumors?” Triela

“What?” Al

Triela leans forward with an evil smile. I have a bad feeling, he looks like Thor does when he’s about to do something naughty.

“The rumors about a certain person who had a sword dance with the second son of the Sylford knight family using tongs. Or that person is engaged to the third daughter of the Misfeed family, the four-year-old Lana. Alfred was busy when he went to the royal capital!” Triela

“That’s not it! That’s not the full story! It was just a bit of fun over who got the last piece of meat. That sort of relationship with Ra-chan is a misunderstanding.” Al

This guy has a bad reputation for betraying me, I have to make it clear that was not what happened.

“Seems it was just a children’s quarrel, it seems Alfred doesn’t change even when he’s in the royal capital.” Triela

If you’re going to be rude, don’t expect consideration from me.

“So, how are the engagement talks?” Triela

“Of course it’s a misunderstanding. The second son of a Baron and a Duke’s daughter? Every aristocrat should realize there’s something off with that rumor.” Al

I feel like there’s something I’m missing. Was he asking about Silvio or Eleanora when he mentioned engagement talks? Or am I just paranoid?

“Well, it’s about rice! The rice!” Al

I bang the table as Triela laughs. Get off the royal capital already, this isn’t going anywhere useful.

“Oh, right. Alfred just is such an interesting person, sorry about that.” Triela

“As I wrote in the letter. The rice is gone, so I want to buy more.” Al

“So, you want to visit the source to buy more instead of buying from me?” Triela

Triela guessed my intentions. I want to go to the country where it’s grown. I’d be grateful if I can ride along on the trip if possible.

“That’s right, I want to visit where the rice is.” Al

“Are Nord and Elna ok with that?” Triela

Triela make a questioning expression to my last statement. Eh? I know it isn’t around here, but how far are we talking about? I think Nord would be fine with a small journey.

“Is it really far? I haven’t heard, but where is it grown?” Al

How far are we talking? Farther than the royal capital?

“Rice is grown in a country called Kagura that lies on the eastern continent that is across the sea.” Triela