Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 182

When I come into the reception room, I sit on the usual sofa.

Opposite me, Carlisle sits, and the butler, Beldan, arranges tea and baked sweets for us.

“Oh, these are dried Fu leaves. Please help yourself if you’d like.”

“Oh, thank you. I’d like to say you don’t need to go to so much trouble, but the souvenirs you bring, Shuu-kun, are always so delightful.”

“Yes, all the ingredients, including the nectar from Cressenka, are of high quality. They’re much better than what you could get from a mediocre merchant guild.”

“So, I’d appreciate it if you could bring more, as long as it’s not too much trouble.”

Dispensing with noble formalities, Beldan and Carlisle speak candidly.

When they put it like that, it makes me happy to bring them gifts.

“Thank you. I’ll bring something again if I find anything good.”

This time, it was a gift from Klaus, but if I find some more pleasing ingredients, I’ll bring them.

“Now, let’s discuss the reason I called you here so suddenly today. Actually, you’ve received an invitation from a certain noble.”

“An invitation?”

As I tilt my head in curiosity, Carlisle pulls out a letter from his pocket.

When I take it, I see an unfamiliar crest on the back.

“Artorius Reilert?”

“Does that name sound familiar?”

“Kind of, but not really…?”

What is this nagging feeling?

It seems like I’ve heard it somewhere before, but also not.

Noble names are heard in so many places that, honestly, I can’t tell if it has any relation to me or not.

At the very least, I shouldn’t have met the sender.

“Wouldn’t you know a girl named Franryule?”

When Carlisle said that, I finally remembered.

The noble students who were collecting materials from the Ladeo Volcano as an assignment for the Magic Academy.

The twin-tailed girl who was their leader.

“Oh! Franryule’s family name!”

“That’s right.”

“But why would the Reilert family send me an invitation?”

We cooperated in the Ladeo Volcano for our respective purposes, but I don’t understand why they’d go out of their way to send an invitation. Did they want to invite me because I helped them back then?

“Actually, the other day you brought me that Volcanos egg, and the person I gave it to was Franryule’s father, Artorius. Through that connection, he heard about the Eldo incident.”

The delivery destination of the Volcanos egg was Artorius.

“What!? Then I had that man’s daughter help with the request!? Even though I didn’t know, I’m really sorry!”

“No, Artorius-sama wasn’t concerned about it. It was mutual cooperation with both parties having their own interests, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”

I thought I was getting a complaint and being asked to apologize for putting his daughter in danger, but it seems that wasn’t the case, and he isn’t particularly angry.

Hearing this from Carlisle gently reassured me.

So far, all the nobles I’ve met have been very mild-mannered, but in this world, people in the privileged class hold significant power. I definitely want to avoid any conflicts with nobles.

“However, when I told Lord Artorius about you, he showed a lot of interest.”

“So that’s why I received the invitation.”

Carlisle nodded in agreement with my muttering.

I’m curious about what Franryule and Carlisle told him that piqued his interest, but I decided not to ask. I’m afraid to hear how they talked about me.

“May I ask about Lord Artorius? I’m not very familiar with information about the nobility…”

“Ah, sure.”

When I asked, Carlisle began explaining about Artorius.

“First, the Reilert family is a noble family that governs territory just like mine. By the way, I am from a viscount family, so the Reilert family, being an earl family, has a higher rank and holds significant influence within the country.”

As expected, since Carlisle is being considerate towards him, he seems to be an important person.

Come to think of it, I think I just realized for the first time that Carlisle is a viscount.

“And as for Artorius-sama, the current head of the Reilert family, to put it simply, he’s a gourmet.”

“You mentioned that before. Something about how he has an eye for delicious food and rare ingredients…”

“He’s not just fond of tasty dishes; he collects ingredients from all over the world, cultivates and researches them in his territory, and even keeps rare animals and magical creatures for food. That area is called the ‘Gourmet Reserve,’ and it’s teeming with various food materials.”

“The ‘Gourmet Reserve’…!”

He collects plants and animals for food from all over the world because he wants to eat them.

That’s some serious dedication. He’s not just a dilettante who likes ingredients.

He must have a high regard for food.

“There must be amazing ingredients there!”

“Yes, I’m sure there are many materials we’ve never seen before. However, I’ve heard that the reserve has been expanding every year, making it increasingly difficult to manage.”

“It’s that vast?”

Even though he’s a noble with so much power, he can’t manage it all…

I’ve heard he keeps not just special plants but also animals and magical creatures. It’s probably on a completely different scale from an ordinary farm.

“I think Artorius-sama might want to ask you to collect ingredients from the reserve. Of course, you can refuse if you want, but—”

“I won’t refuse! A reserve where rare materials are managed! That sounds amazing! I definitely want to go in!”

Various edible materials collected from around the world by a gourmet noble.

I’m really looking forward to it.

If I get the chance to collect in the Gourmet Reserve, I’d love to do it.

I don’t know what kind of scenery will unfold there, but just imagining it makes me excited.

“Well, I thought you’d say something like that, Shuu-dono. I don’t know if you’ll actually be asked, but it’s good to be prepared for that possibility.”

“Yes, thank you!”

In fact, even if I’m not asked, I’ll volunteer.

I don’t know if I’ll get permission, but I definitely want to set foot in that Gourmet Reserve.

♦ ♦ ♦

After receiving the invitation from the Reilert family via Carlisle, I departed Grantel the next day in a luxury carriage. After traveling northwest for about six days, I arrived at a mansion-like place in the Reilert territory.

A large wall surrounds the premises.

The mansion itself isn’t visible, probably because it’s further back, but the garden’s size is extraordinary.

Presumably, people move within the grounds by carriage rather than on foot.

That’s how vast the area looked at a glance.

For now, I’ll stop staring around so much.

The guards at the gate are giving me suspicious looks.

“My name is Shuu, an adventurer. I have received an invitation from Artorius-sama.”

I presented my adventurer’s plate and the invitation to prove my identity.

“We have been informed of your visit. If you have arrived, we are to guide you immediately. Please, come in.”

Upon confirming my credentials, the guard signaled to someone behind him, and the gate opened.

“What? Right now?”

“Yes, please get into the carriage inside.”

I had expected to stay in a nearby town and be called upon when everything was ready, but it seems they want me right away.

It’s nice not to waste any time, but I felt a bit uneasy since I wasn’t mentally prepared.

Passing through the gate, I saw a vast garden with a lone carriage waiting, so I boarded it.

The sofa inside was luxuriously plush, clearly expensive.

“Now, we’ll head to the mansion.”

“Thank you very much.”

Nodding at the driver’s words, the reins snapped, and the carriage slowly began to move.

It’s a strange feeling to be traveling by carriage within the estate.