Chapter 140: The Offense and Defense at the Buffet Party

“”Nice to meet you, Lord William. And everyone from the Kingdom.”” The girls of the Imperial mission greeted us in unison. Letty and Oliver, who were on either side of me, returned the greeting with smiles, but it felt as if they were bracing themselves for battle.

One of the mission members broke the ice. “In the Empire, domestic affairs are prioritized, so Production Skills are considered important. We heard that only swords and magic are valued in the Kingdom.”

“The situation in the Kingdom has changed recently. Will has been evaluated for his contributions through his Production Skill and has received awards from the Royal Family. He is also promised a title in the future.” When answering the Imperial girl, Letty called me by my nickname and leaned in close, as if to flaunt our intimacy.

“I am a merchant’s daughter, but since the Empire values commerce, I am participating in this mission. I wonder, are all of you from the Kingdom nobles?” Another girl spoke up in a challenging tone.

“I am also a merchant’s child. I work as a staff member at Lord William‘s workshop and have also gained the acquaintance of Her Highness the Princess.” Oliver answered with a smile, but his tone was sharp, as if invisible sparks were scattering in the air.

The Imperial girls buzzed with murmurs. “Wasn’t it said that merchants are looked down upon in the Kingdom? To think she is an acquaintance of the Princess…” “Lord William has a merchant’s daughter as a close aide?” The Imperial girls seemed to misunderstand Oliver as a girl, but it’s probably better not to point that out.

“I am also a daughter of a Kingdom merchant. I am participating in this ceremony at the invitation of Her Highness the Princess.” Nearby, the daughter of a major merchant in the Royal Capital revealed her position, as if following up on Oliver‘s attack.

The Imperial girls looked vexed, but then a girl who identified herself as a Viscount’s daughter brought up the topic of Production Skills. “Imperial nobles value Production Skills. I take pride in my own Production Skill.”

The Imperial Viscount’s daughter wore an expression that seemed to say, ‘How about that?’ “If William-san were to come to the Empire, I believe I could support you in many ways. I heard that Kingdom nobles only value swords and magic.”

From the Kingdom side, this time Mabel responded. “I am Mabel of the Albion Kingdom‘s Woodpole Baron family. I use my Production Skill to create things at William-san’s workshop.”

A sort of spirit or pressure could be felt from Mabel. “I have been entrusted with the production of transparent soap containing flowers and herbs. Perhaps some of you have seen it?”

“Eh? You mean the Jewel Soap imported from the Kingdom?” The Imperial girls were astonished. “Are you the one who makes the transparent soap with roses in it?”

“Yes, my team makes the soap with roses as well. I see you use them; thank you very much.” As Mabel spoke, the morale of the Kingdom girls rose, while the Imperial girls wore expressions mixed with surprise and frustration.

The girls of the Empire and the Kingdom were conversing with beaming smiles, but it felt as though invisible sword strikes were dancing through the air. Although it was a glamorous buffet party venue, I felt the illusion that I was in a coliseum.

From the Imperial mission, which was being pushed back overall, a girl who appeared to be the leader stepped forward and spoke to Letty. “Nice to meet you. I am Charlotte of the Empire’s Trier Count family. The Cardiff Earl’s daughter is indeed as beautiful as the rumors say.”

“I thank you for your praise. You are beautiful as well, Charlotte-san.” “Thank you. However, in the Empire, there are many women active in domestic affairs, and I am polishing my Merchant Skill. What is your skill, Scarlett-san?”

“I was gifted with the Swordsmanship Skill.” Charlotte made a pitying face. “Even in the Empire, there are times when noble daughters are gifted with the Swordsmanship Skill. But since fighting is a man’s role, it is called a ‘miss’ (useless) skill.”

It could be called a rude remark, but Letty responded with a smile without getting angry. “It is wonderful that you are polishing your Merchant Skill, Charlotte-san. As for me, in order to polish my Swordsmanship Skill, I fight monsters in the Sea of Trees alongside the knights.”

“Eh, you fight monsters, Scarlett-san?” Charlotte seemed genuinely surprised. “Yes. In our country, regardless of whether one is a man or a woman, those with power fight monsters.”

“In the Empire, only men are soldiers.” “Do noble young ladies fight monsters in the Kingdom as well?” The Imperial girls were confused by Letty‘s words.

“Will is my childhood friend, but he possesses amazing talent for Production Skills. Compared to that, I can only wield a sword, so I wish to be an existence that can stand beside Will by training every day.” Eh, Letty. You were thinking that?

“I hear that even adult knights are no match for Scarlett-san.” As the girls of the mission fell silent at Letty‘s words, Her Highness Flora appeared.

“The Royal Family also highly evaluates William-san’s Production Skill. As my father’s representative, I visited the Fairchild Margrave family this year.” Her Highness swapped places with Oliver, who gracefully stepped back, stood next to me, and directed a familiar and affectionate gaze at me.

“Is the Princess this close with Lord William?” “The story that Production Skills are treated coldly in the Kingdom was a lie, wasn’t it?” “This is too different from what we heard beforehand. To think women are active in the military in the Kingdom… Who said the Kingdom was backward and women weren’t active?” The Imperial girls looked despondent.

Before I knew it, the crowd around us had thinned out. It seemed Her Highness had come because the party was nearing its end. “Well then, everyone, have a good day. Come, William-san, let us go.” After greeting the Imperial girls, Her Highness took my hand.

“Everyone, thank you for letting us hear about the Empire today.” When I bowed, for some reason, a sense of defeat radiated from the Imperial girls. And Letty, Oliver, Mabel, and the Kingdom girls, exuding a sense of accomplishment, also greeted the Imperial mission girls and withdrew.

Once the Imperial mission was out of sight, Her Highness Flora expressed her gratitude to the girls. “Thanks to you, we were able to demonstrate the merits of the Kingdom and completely protect William-san. I thank you all for your cooperation!” The girls of the Kingdom responded with cheers.