Chapter 53: The Villainous Aristocrat Holds a Meeting of Reincarnated People

After all, Freya became the winner of the martial arts tournament.

Well, it’s no wonder. She wears armor that easily deflects even the Pile Bunker, and her straightforward attack power is high.

If there were someone capable of defeating her, I could only think that person has undoubtedly transcended humanity.

And now, Freya has decided to use her “Anything Request Right” on the shadow queen…

Closing ceremony.

Facing the shadow queen, Freya expressed her wish.

The contents were…

“Complete financial support for Viscount Reldo Von Andain.”

At that moment, I understood.

In other words, Freya’s goal from the beginning was to win.

According to Reldo, there were many influential figures opposing the financial support for the construction of the railway network he aimed for. 

Freya couldn’t casually dismiss the opinions of these influential figures, so she went to the extent of organizing a martial arts tournament.

In essence, it’s a large-scale pump-and-dump scheme.

Despite being the queen of our country, her level of initiative and agility is incredible. Even organizing a martial arts tournament itself wouldn’t be a small expense.

Well, she also apparently gathered up criminals and sent them off to prison, so she might get some change back.

But with this, Reldo’s railway will likely circulate throughout the entire country in a few years.

Undoubtedly, a revolution is on the horizon.

“By the way, why did her majesty prioritize the construction of a railway to your hometown, Kunou-san?”

“Who knows? Maybe her majesty wanted to soak in the hot springs at Kunou’s place?”

This is a private room in a certain café.

It’s a place commonly used by merchants for significant business discussions, and surprisingly, it’s equipped with soundproofing in this world.

Ayano ordered a substantial meal, while Maria and I opted for grape juice.

“So, Kunou-san, is that girl also a reincarnated individual?”

“Helloooo, it’s the super cute protagonist of this world, Iori-chan~♪”

“Huh, I sense the presence of the sun!!”

“Yes. So, for our first session, the Reincarnated Beings Conference! Drumroll, please!”

Yes, this is a meeting of reincarnated individuals.

“Ah, I want to ask right away.”

“Hmm?”

“What is it? If it’s about money, I’ll pass.”

“No, no. So, what are you two to Kunou-chi?”

Growling sounds that seem to be an intimidating noise emanate as Iori asks Ayano and Maria with an expression that implies she’s about to pounce.

Ayano and Maria exchange glances and utter a single word.

“Well, employer, I suppose.”

“We’re pals.”

“Hmm? Oh, I see, I see!! Well then, carry on♪”

I wonder what the intention behind that question was.

“But seriously, what’s up with you two being so close?”

“Huh? Well, we’re planning to pledge our future to each other at some point, right, Kunou?”

“Oh, we haven’t sworn that yet…”

What’s going on?

The so-called Reincarnated Beings Conference has turned into what seems like a girls’ talk gathering.

For some reason, it feels incredibly uncomfortable.

“Haha! Look at you, surrounded by all these lovely ladies, Kunou-han.”

“Is that so? …Yeah, maybe.”

Come to think of it, there are quite a few girls around me.

Excluding Felsy and Wendy since they’re like family, there are Eleanor, Viola, Kotri, and others. I seem to have many female acquaintances.

As for male friends…

Reldo is my uncle, Leon-senpai is a senpai, Maxwell the slave trader is a business partner. Hagane is a slave.

Huh? Do I not have any male friends?

Well, not yet. Sid in the same class could barely be considered a friend, maybe?

… It might be tough. I don’t know much about him.

“Uh-oh. I don’t have any male friends.”

In my past life, I had way more male friends than female friends.

But hold on.

“How do you make friends?”

“What’s all this about suddenly?”

“Well, you see, there are only girls around me, so I suddenly felt uncomfortable…”

“Oh, so Kunou-san worries about things like that too?”

“What do you mean, Ayano?”

It’s a rather rude remark.

“I don’t really care about that.”

“Well, it’s not okay. Don’t let it slide.”

“More importantly, how are you going to respond to Iori’s confession? Putting it on hold after being confessed to is pretty weak, you know?”

“Hmm…”

“I’m always ready, you know. I’m the type to confess until I get a yes.”

Hesitant, huh?

Well, it’s not like I’m hesitating.

“That’s something you should do after getting to know each other properly.”

“Hmm?”

“Even if someone you know nothing about suddenly confesses, it’s just confusing.”

“Your perspective on romance is pretty normal, isn’t it, Kunou-san?”

Ayano mentioned something about my perspective on romance. I’m the most normal among you reincarnated folks, you know.

“Kunou-chi is so ridiculously cute that it’s impossible to resist!! So, so, if you get to know me, will you go out with me?”

“I can’t say for sure right now.”

“Okay♪ Well, then, what should we talk about?”

As Iori hesitated, the content she began to share was heavier than we had imagined.

“I had some serious illnesses in my past life.”

“Huh, serious illnesses?”

“Yeah. I don’t know the exact details because my mom didn’t tell me, but gradually my body stopped moving, and without machines, I couldn’t even breathe. It was like being in a state where I couldn’t tell if I was alive or dead, but I was conscious.”

…

“When I was little, I could still play games and stuff, but after it got like that, I just stayed still in bed. It was fun when Mom and Dad, who came to visit me every day, told me various stories. Other than that, it was seriously hell though♪ Oh? Kunou-chi’s face seems to be doing something funny.”

“The face is just a bad habit. No, but more importantly, it’s not a story to tell with a smile.”

“It’s from a long time ago. That’s why this second life is so enjoyable for me.”

“W-Well, you’ve been through a lot, huh?”

“Yeah, well, especially as the hero, there’s no way I’m not happy. I’ve met someone I like, and made friends too. Well, it feels like a gift from the gods for all the hardships in my past life!”

Iori said with a smile as bright as flowers.

Uncertain about how to react to her calm expression, we struggled.

“Uh, sorry. I made you say something difficult.”

“Huh? I don’t mind at all. Like I said before, it’s in the past.”

“Sorry, sorry. I apologize for existing as someone at the bottom.”

“Huh, Ayano is so deflated, it’s hilarious!! Actually, Ayano is kind of like the final boss without us realizing!! Hilarious!!”

They realized it late. And her tone was light.

Iori continued talking with enthusiasm.

“Since I came here, I’ve done a lot. I made alcohol with knowledge from my past life’s dad, and I made miso and soy sauce from soybeans. Just heard about it vaguely, so it took me almost three years to reproduce it.”

“What kind of guy is your old man? Is he connected to a food company or something? …Huh?”

Wait a moment. What did Iori just say she made?

“M-Miso and soy sauce!?”

“Yeah? We have them. We make them in our village. The quantity is small, but the taste is almost perfect. Well, I’ve never tasted miso or soy sauce from the other world, so I don’t know, ahahaha!”

“The joke is too dark to laugh at… Miso and soy sauce!! Sell them to me!!”

Miso and soy sauce. The seasonings I had been searching for.

Since I couldn’t find them anywhere, I had resigned myself to someday finding soybeans and making them myself.

That’s something I never expected, a fellow reincarnator reproducing them!!

Absolutely wanted them. Wanted them at any cost.

“Uh, what should I do? It would be nice if Kunou-chi would grant my request♪”

“What is it?”

Iori said with a grin.

“Can you tell me Kunou-chi’s past life name?”

“…Is that all?”

“My past life mom used to say that boys like girls who don’t ask for much. Come on, tell me.”

“…Well, don’t laugh, okay?”

My past life name was a flashy one.

It wasn’t a name I particularly wanted to tell others, but well, it’s okay.

I whispered my past life name to Iori.

“Hmm, hmm, ohh, it’s a nice name♪”

“I-Is it?”

“Yeah, yeah!! I like that name too♪”

“Hey, you two are creating a good atmosphere. Poor Eleanor.”

“Eleanor is the princess, right? Huh, could it be you, Kunou-san?”

Hey, Ayano. Who said anything about “could it be”? No one said that.

“Someday, tell me about Kunou-chi’s past life.”

“…If I feel like it.”

And so, our meeting of reincarnators continued until the afternoon.

Eventually, we decided to visit Iori’s village and directly procure the miso and soy sauce.

Now, there was one remaining issue.

“How should I make male friends?”

This problem of mine could only be solved through my own efforts.

And so, the great operation to make friends at school began!!

I thought that, but…

“It seems the neighboring country, the Atralta Empire, has begun an invasion into the kingdom.”

Reldo, who had gathered information at the royal castle, said in a troubled manner.

Some of the young boys and girls attending the academy claimed to be on leave and secluded themselves in their territories. As a result, the number of male students attending the academy inevitably decreased.

In other words, I lost the chance to even make friends.

This happened around the cooler autumn, as the oppressive summer heat had faded away.

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