Before stretched a breathtaking sight: a field of Blue Crystal Flowers blooming in full glory, with snowy plains and mountains in the distance. The white and blue contrast blended together in a way that was simply magnificent.
[It's amazing. A Blue Crystal Flower field this large is overwhelming, and having this terrace where you can see it all at once is really wonderful too.]
[……Unn…… Everyone…… worked hard for it.]
I had co to visit Isis-san to share so ripples, and since the terrace she had once ntioned, built to overlook the Blue Crystal Flower fields, was now complete, I was invited to enjoy tea there together with her and the Death King's subordinates.
It seed she hoped to soday hold tea parties here, so this gathering was also sothing of a trial run.
[By the way, have you decided on a group na, like those of the other Six Kings’ factions?]
[Yes! With Iris as our Head, we decided on the na "Six Stars". Since the other Six Kings’ Executives also have numbers in their titles, it matched nicely. Well, I’m not really strong enough to call myself an Executive yet, but I joined as one of the initial mbers.]
[I see. But I’m sure you’ll soon be strong enough that no one could beat you, Eul.]
[Ehehe, thank you so much!]
I gave Eul’s head a light pat in response to her lively answer, and she narrowed her eyes happily while wagging her tail. Just then, Iris-san and Polaris-san brought over tea, fruit-based sweets, and so Ripple I had brought along as a gift, neatly cut and arranged on the large table.
[……Iris…… Polaris…… Thank you…… Since everything is ready…… let’s begin.]
At Isis-san’s words, the tea party started. They began by trying the ripples I’d brought, cut into bite-sized pieces with toothpicks stuck in them for easy eating.
[……Delicious…… A really wonderful ripple.]
[Indeed. The flavor seems well-suited for use in sweets and desserts.]
Isis-san clearly enjoyed it, smiling softly, while Iris-san also looked impressed. Since Iris-san had a hobby in cooking, perhaps she was already thinking about desserts she could make using ripples.
[Ohh, so this is a ripple. It’s my first ti trying it. The texture feels kinda nice.]
[Spica, you’ve never had Ripple before? Well, it’s my first ti too…… though for so reason, I feel like I might’ve eaten it before? Hmmm, maybe in those hazy mories I had before mutating into Mystic Silver?]
It seed both Spica-san and Eul were tasting ripples for the first ti, their curious expressions showing genuine interest.
[Good gracious, how fascinating. Even among ripples, the flavors can vary so much depending on the type……]
[Yes, quite so. Its taste is very different from the Black-Blood Fake Ripple I once had.]
[No, that one's a poisonous fruit resembling ripples, growing by feeding on corpses…… it’s not a ripple at all……]
Polaris-san and Rasal-san also gave it favorable reviews…… though I couldn’t help but overhear sothing about a rather questionable "fruit" that definitely didn’t sound edible. I decided to pretend I hadn’t heard it. Most likely, I’d never eat it anyway.
Overall, everyone seed pleased with it, but among them, the one radiating the strongest joy was Sirius-san.
[……Magnificent!]
[Did it suit your taste, Sirius-san?]
[Yes, this ripple is truly wonderful. Insectoid Demons generally have a fondness for fruits, and I’m no exception…… I especially enjoy sweet fruits. This ripple perfectly matches my tastes.]
Perhaps it was rude to compare, but it reminded of how rhinoceros beetles loved sweet fruits. Either way, it was clear that this ripple hit right at the center of Sirius-san’s preferences, both as a mber of her species and on a personal level.
[……If Sirius likes it that much…… and since Iris also wants to try using them in cooking…… perhaps we should buy so in bulk?]
[That would be great. Marie-san did ntion they had difficulty selling their ripples……]
Seeing Sirius-san so visibly delighted by the taste, Isis-san chuckled and suggested buying ripples directly from the Ritch Barony.
Considering sales had been struggling, having another buyer would surely be a welco thing for Marie-san as well.
[……Then, Rasal…… sorry…… but could I ask you again?]
[In that case, I will soon visit the Ritch Barony and secure a contract.]
[……Unn…… please do…… since she’s Kaito’s friend…… give them slightly better terms.]
[Understood. I will propose a contract with terms sowhat favorable to the Barony.]
At Isis-san’s words, Rasal, the one among the Death King’s subordinates who handled trade, gave her consent. Still, if she just suddenly showed up, Marie-san would surely be startled, so I figured I’d better send a hummingbird or a letter ahead of ti to let her know.
[Oi, Alice. Why did you suddenly appear and start pouring wine into a glass?]
[Well, I was simply marveling at how you can so precisely provide both profit and stomachaches at the sa ti, fascination and delight, you see.]
[……What on earth are you talking about?]
Apparently, Alice had appeared beside Iris-san, pouring wine into a glass while exchanging words with her, but since their voices were low and I was seated a fair distance away, I couldn’t quite make out the full details.
Stomachache Devil : [And heeeeere's the fourth one!]
Serious-senpai : [Please stop already! Just from the charge so far, the Ritch Barony’s stomach-life is already at zero!!! And hey, why are you drinking wine over there!?]
? ? ? : [Well, it’s just amusing…… Besides, aside from the whole stomachache thing from the sudden developnts, everything happening is actually in Ritch Barony’s and Marie-san’s favor, so there’s no real reason to stop it…… and, well…… it’s just so entertaining to watch……]
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