Chapter 287: The Banquet

We moved to a different location, and the banquet began with tables lined up in the new dining room of Fortress City Cayenne.

I had worked so hard, from remodeling the castle to renovating the barracks, that my brain had practically shut down. Where on earth had they cooked this food? No, I feel like they mentioned that preparations had been made, so maybe they just had to grill it?

Thinking such things, I lightly looked around the dining room. I might have obsessed a little too much over the details of the brand-new tables I had just made, but they suited the atmosphere of the dining room surprisingly well. Panamera, Zetros, and the others, as well as myself, Arte, Dee, Bell, and Rosalie, sat at the large, wide table.

Panamera had been smiling from start to finish since the renovation of the fortress city began, but seeing her sitting at the brand-new table looking so excited, she was in full birthday party mode. I really wanted to prepare a cake with as many candles as her age stuck in it.

The good-humored Panamera looked around at everyone happily and opened her mouth.

“No, truly, good work everyone today. Viscount Van, in particular, performed a great service. I am counting on you from now on as well.”

“It’s just for a month, okay? I will do my best for one month. Once it’s over, I plan to go home and hold a barbecue party.”

“Of course. Since you will likely come again in half a year, let us send you off with smiles.”

“I’m still a little unsure about when that will be…”

As we were having that exchange, Zetros cleared his throat and spoke.

“Lord Panamera. I believe your relationship with Lord Van is extremely important and valuable. You must not make unreasonable demands and worsen the relationship. There are also many construction-related workers doing business in this city, so I humbly suggest we should distribute the tasks so that they do not lose their livelihoods.”

When Zetros said this, Panamera replied, looking a bit amused.

“I see. That is a good idea. If we use those people, at what speed will the city’s renovation progress?”

When Panamera asked that, Thomas, who manages the facilities, nodded and answered.

“To build a single residence, it takes approximately one month. If we are making it three stories, perhaps about a month and a half.”

At those words, I was the one most surprised.

“Heh, one month! that’s fast!”

It was an honest impression, but Thomas and the others smiled wryly.

“No, I fear it does not even come close to Lord Van’s construction speed…”

Being told that in such a humble manner, I was tormented by guilt in an unexpected way.

“You process the timber, make the foundation, erect the pillars, and build the walls and ceilings, right? One month is amazing. How do you handle the roof?”

“We make the roof using stone cut to the thickness of a palm, or we use tiles made by hardening and baking special clay.”

“Oh, tiles… In that case, can the tile maker prepare the roofing materials in time while the building is being constructed? Do you not build stone buildings?”

“Stone construction is generally for when we build large structures like castles or churches. Residences sometimes need to be demolished, so wooden structures, which can be built quickly and are easy to repair, are common. Recently, brick buildings have been increasing, but those are mostly used for structures built by organizations like the Adventurer’s Guild or trading companies. This is because they take somewhat more time and cost.”

When I asked about things I was curious about one after another, Thomas answered everything. I’m happy.

“Have you tried strongly reinforcing the wall materials and building houses without pillars? I think it would reduce the process and make construction faster…”

“Eh? Remove the pillars? That would affect the strength…”

We were getting excited, completely in our own world, but Panamera cleared her throat loudly, and I closed my mouth.

“All the dishes are lined up now, so is it about time?”

“Eh?”

When prompted by Panamera, I looked at the table, and there were meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits lined up so densely there were no gaps on the table. Even a cup of fruit juice had been placed in front of me before I knew it.

“Since when!?”

“Several servants have been coming and going for a while now.”

“I didn’t notice at all.”

When I answered honestly, everyone’s laughter echoed through the room. After we laughed for a bit, Panamera gave a simple toast, and the banquet began.

The first thing I reached for was the well-grilled meat. When I turned my face toward the dish, one of the maids came next to me and carved the meat for me. The savory scent stimulated my appetite. Immediately piercing it with a fork and carrying it to my mouth, I felt the texture of the crispy skin and the soft meat. Then, the overflowing juices mixed with the sweet and spicy seasoning paste smeared on it, creating an indescribable, exquisite umami in my mouth. It was a flavor that made me want to eat rice.

“Lord Van, please have some vegetables as well.”

“Ah, yeah.”

Turning toward the voice, I saw Till mixing in with the servants and carrying my food. She had also cut the fish and bread I planned to eat next into bite-sized pieces.

“As expected of you. It’s only the things I intended to eat.”

When I stated my impression, Till puffed out her chest and smiled with a triumphant look.

“Of course! I am Lord Van’s exclusive maid, after all!”

At that sight, the servants working at the castle also smiled with a heartwarming look. Every dish was delicious, but more than anything, being able to eat while laughing with everyone made me happy.

Panamera and Dee were drinking alcohol and talking about the battlefield, looking very desperate to have fun. Arte looked nervous at first, but now she was asking Till about the food and enjoying the meal with satisfaction.

Feeling that atmosphere from everyone directly, I felt that Zetros and the others had also gradually relaxed their tension.