Chapter 64
The largest or second largest commercial company in the Guardia country・Fiji Company .
It’s a company that deals in food and monster materials, managing many shops and of course, they also deal with the goods found in dungeons .
The main store of the Fiji Company is in the royal capital, but they have many branch stores, and one of those is also located in Bailey .
「My my, Risner-sama . To think Risner-sama himself would visit our store directly! What may I help you with today?」
After leaving from the morning market’s plaza, we have visited the Fiji Company together with Cedric-san and others . Thereupon, we had no appointment, but the branch manager immediately appeared at the storefront .
It seems like there was an employee who has recognized Cedric-san and immediately went to inform the branch manager .
「I’m sorry for the sudden visit . Actually, I’m looking for an article called soy sauce, I wonder if you are dealing with soy sauce here?」
「Oya? Risner-sama desires the soy sauce too? Of course, we are dealing with them in this store」
It appears that the Fiji Company is dealing with soy sauce .
Moreover, from the branch manager’s words, there were other customers in search of soy sauce .
「That’s relief . As expected, the demand has increased, hasn’t it?」
「Yes . It has suddenly increased in the last two-three days . It apparently has something to do with the harbor’s street stall」
「Oya, you know of it? As expected of this store’s manager, you are well-informed」
「Information is the life force of bussiness」
「I’m ashamed to say, but I have not known of this flavoring until just recently」
「No, no, soy sauce is a commodity that finally came to light just recently, it can be said that it’s only natural that Risner-sama didn’t know of it . Me too, in spite of managing a store, I didn’t give it much heed」
Cedric-san and the branch manager are smiling on the surface, but it has some tingling feeling . Furthermore, the「Fufufu」and「Hahaha~」I hear at the end of their sentences…… it must be just my imagination .
「So, Risner-sama . Have you visited our store to purchase the soy sauce today then?」
「That too, but there’s something else . Do you have time?」
「Of course . Ah, I’m sorry for making you talk while standing at such place . I will immediately guide you to the reception office」
「Yes, thank you very much . ――Then, Takumi-san」
Because I was completely absorbed in thoughts, I got startled when Cedric-san called to me .
「I will talk with the branch manager for a while, so, I’m sorry but――」
「Yes, we will look around at the products they have here, please don’t mind us!」
Because I wanted to be excused from going to the reception office, I told Cedric-san that we will wait here before he could say anything .
「Is that so, I understand . Ah, I’m sorry but can I leave my sons with you?」
「Yes, don’t worry」
「Then, thank you」
Saying such, Cedric-san followed after the branch manager to the reception office inside the store .
Thus, while the two are talking, we have decided to have other employees guide us around the store .
The place we were guided to was not shelves of goods for ordinary customers, but a warehouse with all kinds of goods .
Because there are many goods that are not displayed at the storefront, normal customers won’t be guided here unless they are special customers . Because feudal lord’s companions are special, I have gratefully let them guide me to the ingredient section .
I mean, if they have goods that they are not displaying at the storefront, they might have ingredients that I have not laid my hands on yet, right?
It turned into the feudal lord’s sons accompanying me while I do as I please, but because the two were interested, I decided to do what I wanted to .
That being the case, it’s the three of us, me, Allen, Elen, plus Theodore-kun, Latis-kun, and Joshua-san, the six of us in total . The other two guards went together with Cedric-san .
「「Ah! Anko~」」
Immediately after being shown to the warehouse, Allen and Elena found something they recognized, but――
「Allen, Elena . Those are red beans」
「「Red beans~?」」
「That’s right . Anko is sweetened boiled red beans」
Allen and Elena seem to think that the red beans I used to make the bean paste are called「Anko」 .
「「Red beans~ Swe~et one is anko~」」
「Un, that’s right」
It’s not like all red beans made sweet are anko, but…… they are not wrong, oh well .
「Takumi-san, what is「Anko」?」
Theodore-kun who heard the exchange of the children and me became curious about what anko is .
「Umm…… have you heard from Otousan about Anpan?」
「Ah! I heard about that . It’s one of the new bread that recently became popular, isn’t it! I heard that Cream bread and Anpan can be eaten only in the town of Shirin where Ojiisama is!」
「Ah~…… yes, that’s it . It’s the filling of that Anpan . It’s made from these red beans」
「Eh, is that so!?」
「This will become Anpan?」
Theodore-kun and Latis-kun are listening while surprised .
Thus, Joshua-san and the employee who guided us looked at us with surprised expressions .
「Takumi-san, do you mind talking over here?」
「N?」
N? Is there a…… problem?
While doubting, Joshua-san glanced at the employee .
「Ah~……」
I finally noticed . Did I expose the method of making anko in front of the employee?
I don’t mind if the way to make anko spreads, but I don’t know how the Lauren House and Risner House would feel about that……
「Umm, from now on, I’m supposed to teach how to make Anpan to a shop recommended by Cedric-san . And, if the store starts selling Anpan, they will have to purchase red beans on a regular basis……」
「Let’s sign the contract of purchase!」
Joshua-san begins to speak with the employee at his side .
Perhaps, will the content of the contract include the incorporation of secrecy?
Joshua-san, I’m sorry for increasing your work, but I will leave it to you .
「Theodore-kun, I’m sorry . If I say carelessly, even more, I will make troubles for your Otousan, so I will answer what you want to know once we return, okay?」
「Yes, thank you very much . But, I will be able to eat Anpan, won’t I! I’m looking forward to it!」
「I’m looking forward to it as well!」
「Is that so~ Then, I will make them with my best effort, so look forward to it」
「「Yes!」」
While Joshua-san and others were talking, I looked at the things around .
This place is apparently a place where all beans are stored . In addition to the red beans, black beans and almost the same as soybean「Round beans」, there was something called 「Flower Beans」 that I have never seen .
「Ah, this is……」
There, I found familiar beans in a bottle .
It’s a black oval of the size of the thumbnail with a cracky dent . It’s slightly larger than those I know of, but the delicate smell is familiar .
「Oya, does Takumi-san know of Kahee Beans?」
「Kahe~ beans?」
The employee who seems to have finished talking with Joshua-san taught me the name of the beans I was looking at .
Kahe~…… Ahh, Kahee, is it? In Syl’s knowledge, the beans themselves are not suitable for edible use, but the extracted liquids are drinkable . That means, no need to guess, this are coffee beans, aren’t they!
「It’s my first time seeing the real thing . These are already roasted, aren’t they? Are these used with water or hot water to make a black colored beverage?」
「Yeah, that’s right」
It’s coffee! Coffee!
I found coffee!
「These Kahee Beans are Risner’s domestic production luxury item, so our country is not that familiar with them yet, but they are popular among nobles . I’m surprised Takumi-san was aware」
「Well, I have a moderate knowledge about foodstuff……」
It’s all knowledge imprinted by Syl, though .
「Is it possible to sell me these Kahee Beans?」
「We surely can, but the price is a little expensive?」
「That’s fine . By the way, do you have a tool that handles these beans here?」
「Yes, we have . Shall I prepare that as well?」
「Yes please」
Yosh! If they have a grinder, it looks like I will be able to make a coffee soon♪
Coffee after so long . Let’s make it immediately after we return!
While cheerful that I obtained coffee beans, Cedric-san and the branch manager who seemed to finish discussing returned .
「Thank you for waiting」
「No, it wasn’t that――…… N?」
「Takumi-san, what’s wrong?」
I caught the sight of the mark on the documents Cedric-san held . That’s probably the crest of this store .
Looking carefully, isn’t it drawn everywhere including the shelves and bags?
Then, I remembered . That I have seen a branch of this store before, or not…… a different place . Where did I……?
N~…… ah! That thing! I remember .
The sunken ship in the Mermaid Village! The marks drawn on the body and flags of the ship should be the same as this mark!