Chapter 208
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 208
Kiriel was listlessly tending to customers.
“Huh?!”
The moment she saw my face, she jumped like a startled cat and began to stammer.
“Wh-what! What are you doing here?”
“What do you mean? I’m here to inspect my investment as the festival’s biggest backer. Now, stop dawdling and go take care of the guests.”
I walked past the awkwardly frozen Kiriel, strode confidently into the cafe, and took a look around.
Befitting the nature-friendly Voltimir Academy, the cafe was decorated with a warm, wood-toned interior. It felt as comfortable as stepping into a lush, green garden.
There are a lot of people.
The cafe was already bustling with customers.
Female students in maid uniforms were stationed at every table, taking pictures with guests or chanting spells to make the food taste better. It looked remarkably similar to the maid cafes I’d seen in the media back in my world.
The only slight difference was that the "maids" were serving actual beastkin with real ears and tails, as well as elves.
It was quite a magnificent sight.
After a brief look around, I headed up the stairs to the second floor with practiced ease.
I made my way toward a seat on the terrace—a quiet, secluded space with a beautiful view of the garden outside. It was also the spot where Kiriel and her friends often gathered to chat or study.
“This spot looks good. Menu, please.”
“Here you are.”
Ciel must have noticed me the moment I entered, as she had already followed me up to the second floor.
I took the menu she handed me and scanned it. My eyes landed on a set with a particularly long name at the very bottom.
[Maid Cafe Special Set * Naming Rights Included]
The menu included everything from full meals—like homemade omelets, carbonara pasta, and veal steak—to snacks like chocolate cake and ice cream, along with various drinks.
The price was a staggering one million krone.
Of course, that price didn't just cover the food, the drinks, and the seat.
“Ciel, if I order this, can I request a specific maid?”
“That is correct, Lord Roen.”
The true value of this expensive menu was the Maid Naming Right—the right to designate a specific server.
I pointed my finger at the special set and said, “Alright, I’ll take this. I’d like to request you and Kiriel.”
Just then, Kiriel, who had belatedly chased me up to the second floor, frantically waved her hands.
“Hah, hah… Th-that’s not available right now! It’s all sold out!”
“Is that so?”
“O-of course! Ask Ciel!”
Kiriel blurted out the first thing that came to mind to prevent me from requesting her. She nudged Ciel’s side, giving her an imploring look, silently begging her to play along.
“It is not sold out. I believe you are mistaken, Lady Kiriel.”
But Ciel, true to her nature, stated only the facts.
I immediately followed up. “She says it’s not sold out.”
“Tch.”
Kiriel stomped her foot, her mind racing to find another excuse.
“O-one person! You can only request one person per set menu. If you request Ciel, you can’t request me!”
“Really? Then I’ll just order two sets.”
“Y-you! Just because you have a lot of money! You can’t just waste it on things like this!”
“This is exactly the kind of thing I should be spending it on. What are you talking about?”
What’s the point of earning money, anyway? Spending it like this is the most fun and worthwhile way to use it.
I closed the menu and handed it back to Ciel.
“Ciel, please place the order.”
“Yes. One order for two Maid Cafe Special Sets. I will have them prepared and brought to you shortly.”
Ciel gave a practiced curtsy, lifting the hem of her skirt slightly, just as she always did. A true model of a maid. Her form was flawless, beyond reproach.
“Aren't you going to do it?”
At my question, Kiriel stiffly mimicked Ciel’s bow like a wooden doll.
“Hngh… Y-your order has been received.”
The sight of her forcing herself to do it, biting her lip in sheer reluctance, was truly a spectacle.
“There, well done. Such dedication to customer service.”
“Shut up!”
Kiriel shrieked, as if telling me not to tease her.
The reason she—who was so deeply embarrassed by her maid duties—was working at a maid cafe was simple.
It was a plan hatched by her aides, Silphy and Rina. It was the only task given to Kiriel, who had done practically nothing to help organize the festival.
It was a bold decision made in the spirit of boosting the festival’s success and serving the students who had suffered under their incompetent student council president.
I applaud their plan.
After Ciel took the order and went downstairs, Kiriel tried to follow, but I stopped her.
“Where are you going, leaving a customer all alone? Sit here.”
“Tsk.”
Kiriel clicked her tongue, crossed her legs, and sat down across from me. I complimented her attire.
“That outfit is pretty.”
“H-huh?”
The skirt was shorter than a typical maid uniform, and the abundance of frills was eye-catching.
I don’t know who designed it, but they’re a person of true culture.
I’d heard the comics club had collaborated on the maid cafe project. This must be their work.
“The outfit suits you. Your hairstyle is nice, too.”
Unlike her usual style, Kiriel’s hair was tied in twin-tails. It was nice to watch them swish every time she turned her head.
Her turquoise twin-tails reminded me of a certain iconic songstress mascot.
As I stared intently, Kiriel turned her head away, avoiding my gaze.
“D-don’t look at me.”
“I came here to see you, and you’re telling me not to look? How’s the maid work treating you?”
At that, Kiriel began to vent as if she had a lot pent up.
“Treating me? It’s incredibly hard! It’s tough acting cute—which I’ve never done in my life—and it’s exhausting trying to please the customers.”
Kiriel slumped in her seat across from me as she grumbled.
She’d only worked at the maid cafe for a day, but it seemed to be taking a heavy toll on her.
Well, I suppose so.
With her prickly personality, it must be hard to cater to others and act cute in front of them. But still.
“Think of it as karma for lazing around all the time. You should at least act like a student council president during the festival.”
“…What does working at a maid cafe have to do with being the student council president?”
“Everyone has their own role to play in the world.”
The only role Kiriel was suited for as president was being a pretty face. Working at a maid cafe might just be her true calling.
As Kiriel and I chatted for a bit, the food arrived.
Displaying her excellent sense of balance, Ciel carried a large tray in each hand and placed them on the table. Kiriel quickly got up from her seat to help.
All sorts of cute dishes were laid out.
The omelet had a cat drawn on it with a ketchup-like sauce, and the steak was topped with asparagus arranged in a heart shape.
Ciel, who had somehow procured a camera, spoke up.
“Before your meal, we will take a commemorative photo, which is included in the basic course.”
The camera was the same model used by the journalism club.
Let’s get a commemorative photo.
“Let’s take one with the three of us.”
“For your reference, you may also specify a pose.”
“Then make a fist and raise only your index and middle fingers.”
“L-like this?”
“Yes. You too, Ciel.”
The two of them followed my lead, making V-signs with their fingers.
“What is the meaning of this?” Ciel asked.
“It’s a victory pose.”
“What country’s custom is that?” Kiriel asked.
“You don’t need to know.”
Click—.
With that, Kiriel’s embarrassing moment was immortalized in a photograph.
I should make several copies.
After the photo was taken, Ciel continued.
“Next, before you eat, we will chant a spell to make the food taste better. This spell was provided in cooperation with the comics club.”
Garfield’s work, I presume.
Garfield’s otaku power was certainly respectable.
I looked at the spell written on the napkin and shook my head. It was a chant I simply lacked the mental fortitude to utter out loud.
“…I’m good. You two go ahead.”
“I-I don’t want to, either!”
“Lady Kiriel.”
Ciel shot Kiriel a sharp glare. It was a silent pressure, urging her to fulfill her duties as a maid.
“Fine, I get it!”
In the end, the two of them chanted the spell for me.
For the sake of Kiriel’s fleeting honor, I will not mention the full text of the spell to make food taste better.
“That was quite a show.”
It would have been nice if I could have recorded it. It’s a shame that magical technology hasn’t quite reached that level yet.
I took a bite of the cheese omelet, now "influenced" by the spell.
The rich taste of the cheese, the soft egg, and the well-made fried rice—for food served at a temporary festival cafe, the quality was excellent.
“This is delicious. You two sit down and eat as well. There’s a lot of food since I ordered two sets. You probably haven’t eaten while working, have you?”
“Y-yeah.”
Kiriel, who must have been hungry, sat down and picked up a fork. Ciel also brought a chair from somewhere and joined us.
Just as the three of us were about to enjoy a peaceful meal together…
Thwack—.
“My, my. Look at you.”
Someone appeared and smacked Kiriel on the head.
“Ow! Who was that?!”
Clutching her head, Kiriel shot up with a yelp and glared at the assailant who had launched the surprise attack.
When she recognized the person, her eyes widened.
“E-elder sister?”
“Yes. What in the world are you doing here? And in such a strange outfit.”
Long, turquoise hair cascaded down to her waist. She was tall and slender, with pointed ears. She was a woman who resembled Kiriel but carried a more mature and cold impression.
It was Ariel Silverwalker, a high elf by blood and the spiritual leader of the elf tribes.
She scolded Kiriel before extending a hand to me for a handshake.
“Roen, thank you for saving Kiriel. I heard you also lent her money for this festival?”
“That’s right.”
I took her hand and shook it.
Ariel scratched her head and added, “About that borrowed money… we don’t have much cash on hand at the moment. We’ll pay you back gradually.”
“Take your time.”
It wasn’t an urgent matter, anyway. And I was collecting a little bit of interest.
“So, have you eaten? If you have time, let’s have a meal together.”
Ariel offered, though I couldn’t tell if it was a polite suggestion or a genuine invitation.
“Yes, we were just in the middle of eating.”
I gestured to the food on the table, and Ariel let out a small sigh.
“Ah. I see.”
They really were sisters. Despite her cold appearance, Ariel also had a clumsy side.
“Please, join us if you’d like.”
“Is that alright? I feel a little bad.”
“Your sister has already cast a spell to make the food taste better.”
“Hey!”
And so, we all sat around one table and enjoyed a delicious meal.
*
The second day, a very meaningful day, passed.
The festival was proceeding smoothly.
Thanks to the visitors who came for the festival, not only Union but also all the port cities throughout the Meteor Archipelago were experiencing a major boom.
The sales at the Alchemy Club’s booth, as expected, surpassed 100 million krone in a single day.
At less than a tenth of the price of existing carbonated drinks, the unique and novel flavors of cola and PaX Ade were something they had never tasted before. Even modern people, accustomed to all sorts of delicacies, would have enjoyed them. For the people of this world, the taste was eye-opening.
Furthermore, I had packed the cola with caffeine, making it something of an awakening potion. It didn't have the effect of charming the opposite sex, so it was a bit of a shame I couldn't call it a ‘love potion,’ but it sold well enough.
Word of mouth spread, and the waiting lines grew longer by the day, forcing us to hastily install the carbonated water maker prototype.
And as a result…
“Thank you all for coming.”
Several merchant guilds had tried to make contact, and I gathered their representatives in one place.
We were in a high-end restaurant with a great atmosphere near the stadium where the corporate briefing was being held.
I sat at a round table in a secure room, holding a meeting with the guild representatives.
I had specially invited Trish to this meeting. After all, she was the official head of the Alchemy Club.
The room was filled with influential figures from the world of commerce.
Familiar faces like Garfield and Sheika from the Lombard Merchant Guild were also present.
Before ordering our meals, I decided to hear their terms. Only the guild that signed a contract with me would be allowed to join me for dinner.
“Let’s hear your conditions. Who would like to go first?”
A man with a confident expression raised his hand first. He was a representative from the Silver Eagle Merchant Guild, one of the three largest on the continent.
He bowed respectfully and began to speak.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Roen. My name is Pring, from the Silver Eagle Merchant Guild.”
He took a document detailing their offer from his briefcase and placed it on the table.
“I will be direct. Our Silver Eagle Merchant Guild wants exclusive supply rights for two years. We will distribute the product throughout the entire continent via our distribution network. We will cover all costs for distribution, bottle manufacturing, supply, and advertising.”
It sounded like a decent proposal up to that point.
“However, this is on the condition of a technology transfer for the carbonated water maker and the sharing of information on the ingredient formula. The profit ratio will be 3 to 7. Oh, and of course, we will be the 7.”
“I see.”
After listening carefully to Pring’s conditions, I nodded and gestured toward the door.
“Thank you for your proposal. You may leave now.”
“Excuse me?”
The man asked again, clearly not expecting to be rejected so swiftly.
Trish, sitting beside me, chimed in to explain.
“Your terms are too unfavorable.”
“Ah, then there is room for negotiation. If you would tell us what you desire…”
“No, let’s hear from the other guilds first.”
The first offer reveals a person's true intentions. Even if we were to negotiate, I wouldn’t get a good deal from someone starting there. And even if they had intentionally lowballed their first offer as a negotiation tactic, I had plenty of other options, so I moved on.
I turned my gaze to Sheika, who was sitting next to me, and gave her the floor.
“Next, please.”
Of course, she and I had already coordinated our plan. Sheika smiled and began to speak.
“Yes, then, on behalf of the Lombard Merchant Guild…”
The setup had begun.