“Still, I’m surprised Josette would date a commoner, even going so far as to dress like this.”
The conversation suddenly began in the break space, involving Kent, Josette, and Josette’s older brother, Evarist, who spoke first.
“Status doesn’t matter. It’s just that the person I decided to be with happens to be a commoner,” Josette declared.
“Houhou, didn’t you previously say you wanted to marry into a good family and flaunt your position?”
“Th-That…”
Josette was the youngest child of the Duke’s family, with twelve older siblings. Consequently, she had little presence within the Duke’s family, which boasted many members in important positions within the kingdom. To overcome this and improve her own standing, she had made an effort to target the children of influential figures at school. However, upon meeting Kent, she had changed her ways. Since entering school, her opportunities to speak with the busy Evarist had decreased, and his impression of her was shaped by that earlier period.
“Well, everyone has their own way of living, so I don’t intend to say anything about Josette’s choice. Rest assured,” Evarist said.
Seeing Josette’s face, her eyebrows forming an inverted ‘V’ shape as she struggled to respond, Evarist seemed to decide against further questioning.
“Now, Kent.”
“Yes, yes.”
Evarist then turned his attention to Kent.
“I heard Father likes you, so I imagined what kind of person you might be. You appear to be just an ordinary young man, like any other. I can’t feel any particular charm from you at this stage. And yet, I hear you’ve even tamed Elnet, who lived so freely until now, and keep her by your side.”
“Haa.”
While Josette had overcome various trials to reach this point, her relationship with Elnet had settled into its current state without any particular trouble. Kent, not having “tamed” anyone, was unsure how to answer.
“Well, some encounters begin by chance. They connect and build the relationships we have now. It’s thanks to that connection that I have this opportunity to speak with you like this.”
“Indeed, the bonds between people are important.”
Evarist commented, showing his consideration. Kent had started from nothing when he came to this world, but now his living environment had improved, and he lived surrounded by charming women. Evarist’s words made him recall this fact.
“It’s fate that we’ve met like this. If you are to be with Josette and Elnet, you will be my brother-in-law in the future, so let’s get along.”
“Yes. I look forward to working with you.”
“Ah, likewise.”
Kent and Evarist clasped hands firmly.
“I actually wanted to hear more about Josette and Elnet, but I have a packed schedule. I’m sorry, but I must be going. Please enjoy yourselves.”
“O-Older Brother!”
“Eh? Ah!”
It seemed he had other plans, and as Evarist announced this, he quickly departed.
(So, that’s Kent. He looked like a scruffy student, but I couldn’t believe he was the important figure Father mentioned, the one we must prioritize and secure for the kingdom. Does he usually hide his competence, or has Father’s judgment been clouded, and he’s truly just as he appears? I need to assess him accurately. Fufufu, this might be a good way to pass the time… although I’m a busy man and have no free time. Hahaha.)
Evarist turned his back on Kent and his companions, a treacherous smile on his face, and returned to his office.
“He’s gone,” Josette said.
“He seemed busy,” Kent replied.
In the end, their conversation ended with little more than brief introductions. Josette and Kent were left stunned by how quickly Evarist had left.
“My older brother is as busy as ever,” Josette remarked.
“Is he always like that?” Kent asked.
“Yes, he’s involved in various businesses besides this facility, so he’s busy every day. I haven’t seen him in about a year,” Josette replied.
Josette’s brother, it seemed, was very busy.
“Speaking of which, I heard recently that there will be a training exercise in February, and the Duke said Evarist will be commanding a detachment then,” Kent said.
“Is that so? I’m hearing about this for the first time. The February exercise is a nationwide event. All forces, except for the minimum necessary to maintain defense, will gather at a large training ground a short distance from Tiol. Since my brother is to inherit the ducal title, I believe his participation is also a form of rehearsal,” Josette explained.
“You mean he’ll inherit the ducal title?”
“Evarist is the eldest brother.”
Comparing Evarist with Josette, he appeared to be about two times her age. No one would doubt they were parent and child. Hearing he was the eldest brother, Kent understood his appearance.
“Well, shall we get going?” Josette suggested.
“Yes. We still haven’t been to the research room. Actually, I’m curious about how mining was conducted here,” Kent said.
“Is that so? Then let’s go see right away.”
Josette stood up, pulled Kent’s hand, and they moved to the research room on the second floor.
“Wow. First, the classic display of the mine’s history. Mining has been going on for quite some time, hasn’t it?”
“Yes, thanks to that, our Duke’s family’s financial situation is very sound. We’ve invested the money earned here into other businesses, securing our current abundant funds,” Kent said, looking at the timeline displayed.
“I see, so these are the businesses Josette mentioned.”
The timeline detailed the businesses started with the funds generated from the mine.
“It’s a well-made model,” Josette said.
“It is. It’s very detailed…”
Next, they came to a display of models from the early days of mining. Small figures were placed in various locations, recreating the work of that era.
“These are mining tools…”
Kent moved to the area where mining tools were displayed. There were various tools made of wood, some with metal parts, from small to large.
“They just look like stones. But there are shiny things mixed in places.”
“I think these are minerals. They’re probably crushed to extract the contents, which are then processed into accessories or raw materials for manufacturing.”
“I see.”
Moving further, they arrived at a location where various stones were displayed. Here, it was shown in detail how minerals were embedded within raw stones before processing.
“Accessories that I wear without a second thought are made through such various processes. It was quite an excellent exhibition,” Josette commented after seeing all the exhibits.
“The display was very easy to understand. It’s sad that no one comes to see such a good exhibition,” Kent said.
“Indeed. It feels a bit of a waste,” Josette agreed.
There were no staff members to manage the exhibition room, and all the exhibits were kept in glass cases. With no other customers viewing the exhibits, Kent and Josette felt a touch of loneliness.
“Well, next is the souvenir shop.”
“Oh, there are other customers here,” Josette remarked.
After leaving the research room, Kent and Josette came down the stairs to the souvenir shop. It was a moderately sized place, with items ranging from large to small, including food items that could be taken home. Two couples, who had arrived in the same carriage, were still there, examining the items for sale.
“Hey, hey, does this look good on me?”
“It suits you very well.”
“Then buy it for me. Ah, but this one is also hard to resist.”
The couple looking at accessories seemed undecided about what to buy, and the boyfriend had a slightly exasperated look on his face.
“This wooden sword is nice.”
“What are you going to do with a wooden sword?”
The other couple’s boyfriend was pulling out wooden swords randomly stuck in a barrel and examining each one.
“Huh, they sell wooden swords. They were a standard souvenir in my previous world, but they have them in this world too?”
“Oh, Kent? Are you interested in the wooden sword?”
Josette spoke to Kent when she noticed his gaze. It seemed that wooden swords, as standard souvenir items sold in tourist spots, had become established nationwide for souvenirs as a result of promotional activities by a certain company in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, in his previous world. However, no such company existed in this world, and Kent found it strange that wooden swords were being sold here.
“No, it’s not that. I was just a little curious.”
“Is that so? So, what will you buy as a souvenir, Kent?”
“Let’s see… something classic like manjū?”
“Manjū…? What is that?”
Josette seemed unfamiliar with manjū.
“It’s a food item shaped like this…”
“I’ve never heard of it. Let me check if they have it for sale.”
“Yeah, let’s do that.”
Kent explained the food item called manjū to Josette. They checked to see if manjū was being sold, but as even the food-obsessed Josette didn’t know about it, it wasn’t available as expected.
(They sell wooden swords, but the absolute classic, manjū, isn’t sold…)
In the end, Kent and Josette decided to buy a set of preserved food, said to have been eaten by miners in the tunnels, as their souvenir.
“Um, excuse me.”
“Yes? What is it?”
After paying, Kent spoke to the staff at the register. Knowing that he was with someone from the Duke’s family, the staff member replied nervously, considering the possibility of a complaint.
“Are there any places to eat nearby?”
“Y-Yes. If so, there is a restaurant just outside this facility.”
“I see. Thank you.”
It was approaching noon, and it was time for lunch. Kent asked if there was a place to eat.
“What do you want to do, Josette?”
“Let’s see. Since there’s a restaurant, we need to investigate what kind of food they serve. Let’s go, Kent!”
Pulled by Josette’s hand, Kent stepped outside the building.
