Chapter 100: Preparation Progresses

“Then, here are the twenty bottles of ‘High-Grade Skin Lotion’ you ordered. I’ve attached instruction manuals just in case.” “Yes, thank you. Glad it made it in time~”

Mother opens the heavy box Leon brought and checks the contents. ‘High-Grade Skin Lotion’ is a special skin lotion made using super philadelphicum created by the Traumerei Viscount House’s heirloom artifact ‘Pot of Acceleration’. It moisturizes and firms the skin, having an effect of rejuvenating appearance by decades. Strictly ‘appearance’, so skin doesn’t actually rejuvenate (returns over time), but still, there are countless nobles who would want it.

“Is that for gifts?” “Yes. Intend to give them to houses I especially want to get along with.”

Mother answered smilingly, but is it okay…? Hope it doesn’t rain blood… While I harbored anxiety, Leon spoke to me.

“Umm, Lady Sakuraile, I would like you to sell me ‘Umeboshi’ again…” “Eh, already!? You bought a lot just the other day.” “A-Ahaha… Ended up making too many various magic potions…”

Apparently, Earth-made Umeboshi becomes a base material necessary when making magic potions. Not as much as Spirit Tree leaves, but apparently quite high-grade ones can be made. Making plum vinegar or something…? Is the resulting magic potion not sour? Leon bought Umeboshi in bulk before, but seemingly used them all up. Surely this magic potion otaku spared no time for sleep and made various potions like crazy. I reckon Viscount Traumerei, the parent who should stop him, is also running wild similarly. Like father, like son.

“Various, what kind did you make?” “Higher than normal effect healing potions, dispel potions, antidotes, deodorizers, fire resistance and paralysis resistance magic potions, etc. Even managed to make Imbued Magic Potions.” “Imbued Magic Potions?”

What’s that, first time hearing.

“Imbued Magic Potions are potions that can accumulate effects of magic or ‘Gifts’. If healing or support effect magic on the body, drinking it activates the effect; if offensive magic, breaking the bottle by throwing activates the effect. With this, magic can be stocked for emergencies. Although, besides Umeboshi, it uses quite precious materials, so I can’t gather numbers at all.”

Hee. For example, throwing a potion imbued with fire magic at an enemy produces the same effect. Being able to seal magic or ‘Gift’ in a bottle is quite amazing, isn’t it? However, according to Leon, there seem to be things that can be imbued and things that cannot. Leon‘s ‘Gift’, [Drug Creation], apparently couldn’t be imbued. By the way, my [Store Summoning] probably can’t be imbued either. Uumu, if imbued, thought maybe I could use it like throwing at the ground to make a shop pop out.

“Ah, brought one set of these magic potions, so please accept it.” “…Thanks…”

With a beaming smile, Leon handed over a box packed with various small bottles. Assortment of magic potion set, huh. No, grateful though? Receiving such a thing, I can’t refuse either. When I summoned the onigiri specialty shop ‘Musubimaru’ with [Store Summoning], immediately Leon gleefully bought up Umeboshi onigiri and Umeboshi in plastic containers. Must be making a lot again… No, good for the development of the magic potion world, but worried about this child’s future… Feels like he’s running wild with hobbies more than game Leon. Otaku degree seems to thicken. Well, crushed his ruin route, so becoming one is no problem though. …Right? Buying up Umeboshi and incidentally Takuan (pickled radish) too (apparently Takuan also becomes material), ‘Hyahhoi!’ Leon leaves the Ducal residence. Is he okay, really…

“Must deliver High-Grade Skin Lotion to Empress Dowager-sama immediately.” “To Grandmother? Eh, could it be…”

At my words, Mother wore a wicked smile—ufufu. Hahaa, intending to show Grandmother rejuvenated with High-Grade Skin Lotion and blow the minds of invited ladies…? People who know Grandmother… especially the elderly, would absolutely want to know the secret of that rejuvenation. Once that happens, it’s just as the Empress and Grandmother planned. Just being rolled on their palms. Scary… Being a noble, maybe being able to think black-heartedly like this is necessary… Instructive. Going out to the garden with Bianca and Ritsu, the western confectionery shop ‘La Vie en Rose’ and convenience store ‘Seventh Heaven’ were standing there. My magic power increased steadily, now able to summon about three shops simultaneously. Cakes from ‘La Vie en Rose’, sweets and cosmetics from ‘Seventh Heaven’, things women would be pleased with are bought, and castle chamberlains and maids put them one after another into bags and trunks with preservation magic. Stockpiling for the Autumn Cooling Party day after tomorrow. Buying casually in bulk, but ripoff prices so isn’t it quite an amount…? Potato chips cost 1500 yen per bag, you know? No, but if 100 bags (not even 100 in store) is 150,000 yen, maybe not an amount the Imperial Family can’t pay…? Or rather, totally affordable maybe. This commoner sense never leaves…

“Lady Sakuraile!”

Watching the work vacantly, the elf sisters Mutilia-san and Eltiria-chan came out from ‘La Vie en Rose’. Together with guard elf women and maid Arisa-san… wait, even Kohaku-san… Wondered where he was, shrewdly partaking in the feast…? What about my bodyguard duty? Gonna tell on you to Nine Goddesses. The elves have been staying at our house, but being conspicuous, they cannot go outside. Thinking it would be a change of pace, Arisa-san was guiding them around the mansion, but stopped by the shop, huh. ‘La Vie en Rose’ has separate cafe space and sales space, so probably didn’t hinder work.

“So many beautiful sweets, all were delicious!” “Yes, very delicious… inadvertently ate a lot…”

Contrasting innocently happy Eltiria-chan, Mutilia-san had a slightly troubled expression. Yeah, elves get fat too apparently… Elves being slim is probably because they eat basically healthy things in forest life. In the first place, elves eat little apparently. Living long, interest in food fades apparently. Didn’t seem that particular about cuisine either. So once that restraint comes off like this, maybe they run wild. Taking in calories more than usual with a bang, think even elves get fat.

“I-I will run a little! Borrowing the garden!” “Ah, Sister!? Me too!”

Pyuu, Mutilia-san runs off like wind, Eltiria-chan chases after, and even guard elves ran off together. Probably guard elves also ate cakes baku baku.

“…Kohaku-san got fat too?” “Nua!? Wh-What stupid things…! I am a Divine Beast, f-fat or such…!”

Kohaku-san is blatantly shaken by my voice. Is that so…? Compared to when we first met, feel like a bit chubby. Try lifting Kohaku-san. Yup, feel slightly heavier after all.

“Shall we restrict diet a little?” “Na, nu!?”

Face saying ‘Gaan!’, Kohaku-san hangs his head. Now now, with a little exercise and diet restriction, will return to normal soon. Probably.

◇ ◇ ◇

“Ora!” “Uwa!?”

Kan! With a dry sound, the wooden sword held by Leon dances in the air—kurukuru. Simultaneously with the wooden sword falling—karan, the tip of Jean‘s wooden sword was placed at Leon‘s throat.

“My win!” “Yes yes… Nmoo… Enough already, right? I have various things to do too!” “Just holing up in room making potions anyway, right? Will get fat if you don’t exercise a little.”

Leon, who delivered potion assortment not only to Sakuraile but just in case to Elliott too, was caught by Jean there and made into a sword practice partner.

“Even though Lady Sakuraile sold me lots of Salted Heavenly God Tree Fruits…” “Amazed you can eat such sour fruits. Is otherworldly people’s tongue weird?” “With that logic, cakes and ramen become weird too. Jean doesn’t need to eat this snack, right?”

Training ground in the castle courtyard. Elliott says such things while eating cake prepared in the gazebo there first.

“Oi! That’s unfair! I’ll eat too!”

Jean runs into the gazebo hurriedly. Leon, finally released, also walked over—tekuteku—enduring body pain. The prepared cakes are ones bought from Sakuraile‘s shop and preserved with storage magic tools. For the past few months, these have become snacks for the Imperial Family including His Majesty. Today Mont Blanc was prepared.

“Nmee! Cake is the best after all!” “To think such chestnuts can be eaten… amazing, isn’t it.”

While eating Mont Blanc, Jean noisily and Leon deeply say such things. Then the three chatted about trivial things while eating cake, but eventually the conversation shifted to the Autumn Cooling Party held day after tomorrow.

“My sister and mom prepared many dresses, making noise daily saying not this not that. Even though it doesn’t change much whichever they wear.” “Jean… You definitely shouldn’t say that in front of the persons themselves, okay?”

To his guard & attendant’s usual delicacy-lacking remark, Elliott felt he should seriously drill etiquette into him. Being the Crown Prince’s guard knight, a certain level of etiquette becomes necessary. Remarks forgiven now because he is a child will carry responsibility once he becomes an adult. Correction is better sooner. Elliott decided in his heart to discuss with his father, the Knight Commander General, soon.

“But hey, kinda curious what Autumn Cooling Party is like. Want to go see secretly?” “Eh? No good, right? It’s a gathering for women, you know?” “Not completely men prohibited, right? There are male guard knights around the venue. Hiding in the garden shadows won’t be found.”

Jean answered Leon‘s objection. Certainly, Autumn Cooling Party isn’t specifically ruled as men prohibited, just invitations don’t reach men. No legal penalty even if a man wanders into the venue. However, undoubtedly would be looked at with accusing eyes by women in the venue, and needless to say, would surely offend the hosts, Her Majesty the Empress and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. No man would show face at Autumn Cooling Party bearing such risk. Except reckless children.

“Not trying to sneak into the venue. Just looking from nearby. Look, there’s the peeping glasses Elliott got from Sakuraile, right? Using that.” “Peep… Wasn’t that called Opera Glasses?”

Certainly using Opera Glasses might allow peeking from atop a tree near the venue, but Leon didn’t want to see that much. Rather want to go back quickly and continue compounding.

“…Sounds interesting.” “Eh…?”

Leon opened his eyes wide involuntarily. That cautious Elliott riding such a stupid story. Did he eat something bad? Glanced—chirari—at the Mont Blanc on the table.

“Wait Highness Elliott, do you understand what you are saying? What kind of scolding you’d get from Her Majesty Empress and Empress Dowager if you do such a thing.” “Naani, just don’t get caught. Not entering the venue. Just watching from atop a nearby tree.” “Just…”

Certainly, just children peeking from a tree wouldn’t result in punishment. However, if found, undoubtedly scolded severely by parents. That would be tremendous.

“Understood. I will pretend I didn’t hear, so please do as you like, just the two of you…”

Realizing whatever he says is useless, Leon covers his ears and tries to leave the gazebo. However, Elliott and Jean‘s hands firmly grabbed both his shoulders.

“Oi oi, we’re friends, right?” “Sharing both fun and painful things is friendship, you know?” “Kuh, only at times like this…!”

Leon deeply regretted having unreasonable friends.