Chapter 119: Meeting with the Innocenti Family

In the afternoon of the day after arriving in the capital city of Steinbern, Selfars, Isamu, and Annemarie headed straight to the estate of Marquis Innocenti, without even a moment to catch their breath.

Isamu, who never expected to have a meeting with another noble so soon after arriving in the capital, still couldn’t believe it was happening.

“Is socializing among nobles always like this?” 

Isamu asked Selfars as they rode in the carriage through the capital.

“Not really. It’s not uncommon to have several meetings in a day, but except for the top-tier individuals or those busy with factional disputes, it’s rare to receive a meeting request on the day of arrival.”

 Selfars replied with a laugh.

“…Since when did we get involved in factional disputes?” 

Isamu asked with a serious expression.

“Well, I don’t remember getting involved in anything like that…” 

Selfars scratched his head at Isamu’s words, then muttered with a serious expression.

“Well, technically not being in a faction is a kind of faction in itself.”

Due to the sign of the Silver Dragon Scale, where they were staying, being located at the entrance of the noble district, they arrived at the Marquis’s estate in less than ten minutes. Despite being called an estate, it was an impressive mansion, considering it belonged to a marquis.

As expected, they were greeted with the same enthusiasm by the host family as they would be at their main residence, from the gatekeeper to the arrival at the carriage stop.

“Welcome, Selfars, Isamu and Annemarie, too. Sorry to trouble you so soon after your arrival in the capital.”

 Marquis Nazario Innocenti, the head of the family, called out as they got off the carriage.

“No, thank you for speaking with us, Marquis Innocenti. It’s been a while.”

“Thank you for the other day Nazario-san. We’re grateful for the invite” 

Isamu replied with gratitude.

“I’m delighted to see you again, Nazario-sama.” 

They exchanged greetings with each other, and Nazario laughed heartily.

“Hahaha, you two are as stiff as ever. Well, let me introduce this guy first. It’s cold out here, so we’ll talk more inside. Selfars and Annemarie, you probably already know, but this is my eldest son, Zeil, he’s here as the acting head of family.” 

“Klaufeldt-sama, Annemarie, it’s been a while. Thank you for agreeing to see my father in your busy schedule today. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Matsumoto-san. I’m Zeil Innocenti, eldest son of Nazario Innocenti, acting as the head of the family. Please, just call me Zeil.”

The person introduced had short, shrimp-colored hair reminiscent of Nazario and a well-trained body, although not as impressive as Nazario’s.

“Hey, Zeil-dono. You’re looking well.”

“Nice to see you again, Zeil-sama.”

“Zeil-san, nice to meet you. I’m Isamu Matsumoto, the chairman of the Orihime Trading Company. Please, call me Isamu.”

As the three exchanged greetings, Isamu shook hands with Zeil.

“All right, that’s enough with the greetings. Come on in.” 

Nazario said, inviting them in after observing the scene.

They were guided not to a reception room but to a room that seemed to be for conversation. This was not to belittle them but rather to show that they were trusted and treated like family. Selfars had looked a little surprised when they were led into this room.

“I must apologize again for imposing on you, Selfars. There are many things I want to discuss with you, but I wanted to invite you as my first guest upon your arrival in the capital.” 

“I understand. Thank you for your consideration.” 

“No problem at all. It’s a token of appreciation for showing us the magic tools the other day.”

“??”

Isamu couldn’t keep up with the situation where the two lords seemed to agree on something. Looking around, everyone else besides Isamu seemed to have no doubts about the conversation.

“Ah, Isamu might not be used to this kind of talk… When a noble goes outside their main residence, inviting them as the first guest holds some significance. It implicitly signals to those around that the guest is someone they are most concerned about or interested in during their stay. This time, His Excellency chose us as his first guests. So, if we have anything to say during this stay, it’s like we’re telling Marquis Innocenti himself.” 

Selfars explained.

“I see… Nazario-sama, thank you for your consideration.” 

Isamu said, finally understanding.

“Don’t worry about it. You know the length of my arms.” 

Nazario laughed it off, as if to say not to think too much about it.

It was true that Nazario was genuinely concerned about the Klaufeldt family, and by extension, Isamu, but that wasn’t the only reason he invited them first.

He had heard about Isamu and Annemarie’s engagement through his daughter and sincerely blessed the engagement of his daughter’s best friend. However, he was a little concerned about the timing of the engagement, just before the Grand Council, and thought it might be better to show his friendliness. 

“Let me start by thanking you for the magic stove. Production has begun at the workshops of Inotia, established by Zambrotta Company and Nashara Company some time ago. Sales have been steady, and we’ve already decided to ramp up production early next year. This will significantly reduce the amount of firewood used by the affluent class for cooking, allowing it to be redirected elsewhere. Every winter, managing firewood is quite a challenge. It’s been a big help.” 

“We brought it to the estate to coincide with your visit to the capital. It’s really convenient, isn’t it? It doesn’t produce smoke, and you can use it immediately when you want to. The chefs were also delighted.” 

Zeil said, showing admiration as if he had brought a set from his own territory.

“Ahaha, thank you. If it’s helpful, then I’m satisfied. Besides, it’s also good for our business to sell well.” 

Although it was convenient, the fact that it sold well meant that Isamu and the viscount’s territory benefited. It was not a volunteer effort.

“That may be so, but thanks to the construction of the workshop in Inotia, we managed to make it in time for this winter. I’m grateful for that.” 

“Indeed, it was a bit of a close call in terms of timing. We’re grateful to Silvio from Zambrotta Company and the Nashara Company for that.” 

In fact, Silvio and the other Zambrotta Company members worked quickly, and the movements of the Nashara Company members who teamed up with them were admirable, as reported by Silvio himself.

It was indeed the right decision to leave it to the influential trading companies on-site.

“Oh, right. We’re planning to release a new model soon. I brought it with me today. Anne, could you bring the new stove?” 

“Yes, Isamu-san.” 

Annemarie replied, taking the stove out of her bag. It was the latest model of the Bastet series, equipped with a power adjustment function.

“…Anne?” 

Of everyone present, only Julia, reacted slightly to Isamu’s change in addressing Annemarie.

Since she didn’t interrupt the conversation by pointing it out, the discussion continued about the stove.

“What? Can this stove adjust the heat with just one unit?” 

Nazario asked.

“Yes. I talked to our head chef, and we’ve made it so that it can adjust to five levels of heat.” 

“Five levels… The current model has three levels of heat, so this one has more flexibility in adjustment.” 

“That’s right. However, the price will also jump up accordingly, so we’re initially targeting the wealthy nobles, large merchants, or for use as gifts or presents.” 

As Isamu said, the new model with the adjustment function was priced at 80,000 ruins, eight times the price of the current model. Roughly equivalent to 8 million yen, it was quite a price. Although the current model was relatively low-priced, this one became the market price. Still, Nicolette was confident that it would sell well.

By the way, the manufacturing cost has hardly changed, as only a few additional non-attribute magic stones were needed, so the price increase is almost entirely profit.

“I’ll give you two of these as souvenirs. You can use them not only at the main residence but also at this villa.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, I can’t just accept something worth 80,000 ruins so easily. And two of them… Selfars, is your future son-in-law okay?”

It’s a souvenir worth 16 million yen. Even though he’s a border Marquis, it seems that such a lavish gift isn’t easily accepted.

“Yes, it’s fine. I’m aware of it too.”

“Really…”

Nazario was speechless when Selfars responded with a smile to his question.

“Of course, we have our own motives. Especially here at this villa, we would like you to use them actively and spread the word to other noble families and major merchants’ associations. We’re thinking of setting up a store in the capital, but it seems difficult right now…”

Until now, they had been cautious about promoting it due to concerns about Isamu’s skill reveal, but now there was no need for that.

In fact, for high-priced products like this one, targeted mainly at high-ranking nobles, the quickest way to sell them is through word-of-mouth among nobles and sales proposals from merchants.

When a specific noble uses a good product, not only does the visiting noble know about it directly, but rumors also spread among the merchants.

Attacking from both sides is the fastest way to sell to high-ranking nobles who don’t usually shop in city stores.

“That’s not a problem, but clearly, it’s too much just for that. Is there something else?”

Nobles, especially high-ranking ones, know well that nothing is more expensive than free. Considering that Nazario is responsible for the border, this sentiment is even stronger.

“By the way, you’re aware that Isamu and Annemarie recently got engaged, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I heard from my daughter. When they visited the other day, the atmosphere was good, but… Did you time it like this?”

“It was Isamu himself who timed it, not me…”

“What?”

To Nazario, who naturally thought it was at the instruction of Selfars or Nicolette, it was an unexpected fact.

“Yes. It was my intention to propose at this timing. The reason is, I plan to disclose all my abilities soon, but I really wanted to get engaged to Annemarie, the person I care about, before that.”

Boldly declaring in front of everyone that his crush was Annemarie, Isamu continued.

“Isamu-san…”

Blushing, Annemarie listened to this.

“Heh. Quite like a knight in a story. But saying that, does it sound like you’re being pressured into marriage, unwillingly, by disclosing your abilities?”

With a light laugh, Nazario asked Isamu.

“Yes. You can think of it that way. Also, in disclosing my abilities, I intend to win the upcoming royal tournament.”

“Oh…”

Narrowing his eyes at Isamu’s declaration of victory, Nazario had pride in being at the forefront of the country.

Even in the royal tournament, the three border count families in this country are considered strong contenders for victory every year.

Having made a declaration of victory in front of the lord who leads those knight orders, it’s natural for Nazario to be skeptical.

“In that case, even if I disclose my abilities, I would like to continue our current relationship, or rather, I would like an even closer relationship.”

Saying that, Isamu bowed deeply.

“If you anticipate some trouble in disclosing your abilities…?”

“…You can think of it that way.”

“…………”

“……”

“Very well. I won’t ask what kind of ability it is for now, but you’re the fiance of my daughter’s best friend. I’m convinced that you mean no harm to us. Like with that magic tool, the Exploding Sphere. Including that, I promise to cooperate.”

Nazario, who had been folding his arms and closing his eyes for a while, declared firmly.

“I find your words more reassuring than having ten thousand soldiers as allies. Thank you very much.”

Isamu bowed deeply again.

“Don’t mention it. We have our own motives too. It’s not just a gesture of thanks.”

Saying that, Nazario laughed heartily.

“Oh, by the way, Isamu. Could you tell us a bit more about that proposal? My daughter is quite concerned about that, you know?”

With a smirk, Nazario smiled.

“Yeah!! Just earlier, you casually called her ‘Anne,’ right?! She’s become even cuter!! Please, tell us all about it in detail!!! Maybe even make me a concubine if you want!!”

“Hey, Julia!”

Perhaps reaching her limit, Julia, who had been facing her father, suddenly leaned forward and blurted out something outrageous. Moreover, she did it amidst the commotion, causing Annemarie to panic.

“Haha. It’s not really an interesting story, you know?”

Although Isamu said with a wry smile, Julia’s excitement didn’t wane.

“There’s no way that could happen! Annemarie, who has never had any floating rumors, suddenly getting engaged to such a great guy! There aren’t many stories as frustrating, I mean, as interesting as this one!!”

In the end, they spent an hour digging into the details, during which Annemarie, blushing, continued to wear a happy expression.

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