Chapter 369: Completion Celebration and Departure
Even though it was a prototype, it was still the completion of a large ship. It is a universal truth in this world that one must party on the day a ship is completed. Therefore, I begged the Marquis to rent out a delicious restaurant in town, and we decided to hold a completion celebration with all the key members. Yeah, Let’s Party!
I received my favorite fruit water with a citrus scent and felt excited facing the fish dishes. Checking that drinks had been placed in front of everyone, Rosso began to speak.
“……Now then, let us begin the banquet. This time, we have encountered new nations and new technologies that even our country cannot underestimate. And we conducted investigations and research to make them our own…… These events likely caused everyone much anxiety and hardship. However, with the completion of this prototype ship, I believe we have produced certain results. The numerous actions we have taken will surely strengthen our country and become the driving force to advance toward a better future. With that in our hearts, I would like to share this joy with everyone today.”
Rosso was saying something complicated, but I kept staring at the delicious-looking food that was still steaming. If I don’t eat it soon, won’t it get cold? Now is the perfect time. The surface looks crispy, but I feel like that texture will be halved if it cools down.
As I watched the food with bated breath, Rosso suddenly turned his face toward me.
“Especially Viscount Van Nei Fertio, who made significant contributions to overcoming the various hardships this time. The investigation and research of the Kingdom of Fiesta’s ship. And the construction of the large ship…… Honestly, these could not have been accomplished without you, Lord Van. It might have been completed someday, but it surely would have taken years…… no, decades. Your achievements are immense, Lord Van.”
“Eh? No, no, not at all. It is thanks to everyone working hard.”
While reflexively displaying Japanese-style modesty, I tried to predict the taste of the other dishes from their appearance. That one over there is fried, so it might be crispy. The inside is surely juicy.
As I looked at the food with a serious expression, Rosso smiled and picked up his glass.
“Now, shall we toast before the food gets cold? We shall decide on a reward for Lord Van later, in consultation with His Majesty…… Well then, cheers!”
At Rosso’s signal, everyone raised their cups and glasses and cheered. I immediately had Till serve me some food and took a bite.
“Delicious! This is great! I’ve had this one before, but this dish is a first for me.”
I ate a fried fish dish and cried out in surprise at the unexpected taste. The batter was crispy and slightly sweet as expected, but the texture and taste of the fish were different from what I imagined. Surprisingly, the texture was close to ham. Perhaps it was marinated, as a sweet and savory flavor spread in my mouth along with the refined taste of white fish.
As I stuffed my cheeks with food in admiration, laughter suddenly filled the restaurant. Before I knew it, everyone was looking at me. When did I become the center of attention? How embarrassing.
Thinking that, Rosso walked over, laughing happily.
“This is the first time in my life I have experienced a banquet like this. It is quite an interesting style, but I like it.”
“Is that so? I feel embarrassed because everyone seemed to laugh at me for some reason.”
“Hahaha! Everyone adores you, Lord Van. It is almost enviable.”
While I continued eating while sulking slightly, Rosso drank his fruit wine, laughing happily. Glancing around, I saw that perhaps because they rarely had the chance to converse, many knights had gathered around Havel, Ortho, and their groups. Since Rosso, Panamera, Arte, and I were surrounding one table, the knights naturally didn’t gather around us.
Instead, the cute maid and the young knight—who was vigilant of the surroundings to protect me even in a place like this—were eating at the next table with Dee and the others.
“Khamsin. Let’s take some meat to Mr. Ladavista later. Maybe we should take Mr. Havel along then, too.”
“Ah, yes. I will go tell the restaurant staff.”
Khamsin stood up immediately and went to the back of the store to place the order. Seeing him off, I gazed at the lively scene inside the restaurant. Hearing the happy laughter, I felt like just watching them made me happy.
“……You look like you are having fun, Lord Van.”
Being told that by Arte, I nodded while feeling shy.
“Yeah. I am happy when everyone looks like they are having fun.”
When I answered, Arte smiled very happily and gave a small nod.
The next day, the time came to execute the commemorative maiden voyage of the prototype ship. Of course, at first, we would only go a short distance where land was still visible, but I was still looking forward to it.
Since it was a momentous day, even more people had gathered at the coast than yesterday. Boarding the ship while being watched by everyone, I popped my head out from the stern and waved to the people gathered on the shore.
“I pray for a safe voyage!”
When Rosso, who remained on the coast, shouted that in a loud voice, everyone else cheered loudly as well. Since this voyage also doubled as a safety check, only Dee, his group, and I were supposed to board.
Or so I thought, but for some reason, I heard women’s voices.
“Lady Panamera. Have you ever seen a magic beast of the sea?”
“Mu, no I have not. But if one appears, I will burn it, so it will be fine.”
Panamera and Arte were laughing as they had that conversation. It was flowery and nice, but I wanted both of them to stay on the coast. The same went for Till, who was smiling next to me. However, for some reason, the three of them wanted to board the ship. It couldn’t be helped, so I decided to keep the distance really short at first.
Thinking that, I turned to Dee.
“Are you ready?”
“Sir! We can depart at any time!”
Hearing Dee’s powerful reply, I turned my face toward the coast.
“Alright then, we’re off!”
When I raised my hand and announced that, a huge cheer returned. The excitement was like a live concert starting. Hi there, thanks for coming to my show today. The one-man live show featuring Van and his pleasant companions is about to begin.
“Alright, Dee. Set sail!”
“Sir! Set sail!”
Hearing my instruction, Dee shouted the command. Everyone began moving at once, and the mage with wind magic aptitude began chanting.
