Book 4: Volume 7 Chapter 1, What Happened Next and the Unexpected Creator

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

The birth of Razequa Amamiya’s first Noble had a major impact across many aspects. In some cases, it was bigger news than Towa’s ascension to becoming the King.

 

While rumors of Towa’s ascension were most discussed among ordinary residents who had little direct connection to the country’s governance, the birth of a Noble had a greater impact on those close to Towa and within the administrative circles. This was no surprise, as rumors spread with a mixture of speculation and ambition, with people hoping to be next in line for such honors.

 

Of course, not everyone with potential aspirations was inspired by such ambition. Even though Dorotheo was granted a Noble title and land, the role of Nobility in Razequa Amamiya remained unclear. Additionally, the fact that his land was within the Tower was a significant factor. Although monster spawning was reduced compared to land on the Central Continent, it was still within the Tower. Monsters did not stop spawning, and they appeared more frequently than on other continents. Whether the income generated would be worth defending against monster attacks remained uncertain.

 

Among those who understood this reality, some mocked the appointment, suggesting that this wasn’t a reward but a demotion. Of course, most of this talk stemmed from jealousy toward Dorotheo. However, such skepticism was not entirely surprising, considering the country had functioned without Nobles until now.

 

Towa, who had given him the position and land, had no such negative intentions. Normally, he would have been able to handle the development himself in his name as King, but he saw this as a rare opportunity to entrust it to Dorotheo. The city on the fifth Floor was still spreading and felt like it remained in the early stages of development. Rather than developing two areas simultaneously, they decided to leave it to someone they could trust.

 

Floria spoke of this situation to Kousuke one evening. She held a glass of alcohol in one hand. Previously, her role as Queen meant she often drank at formal dinners and parties, so she rarely drank casually with those from management. Recently, however, she had been drinking with Kousuke more often.

 

According to Floria, ‘Drinking alcohol while worrying about my appearances and all those political calculations never tasted good. It is unlike the joy of drinking with you, Kousuke.’

 

Sometimes Peach joined these drinking sessions, but generally they drank just the two of them. It wasn’t that Floria was avoiding others, but she somehow valued that kind of intimate atmosphere. Perhaps it was a reaction to drinking surrounded by so many people for so long.

 

“So, are things going well, politically?” Kousuke asked Floria, expecting the birth of their first Noble to cause quite a bit of chaos.

 

However, Floria tilted her head at Kousuke’s question. “Well, the fact that they haven’t come to me for help means things are going well, right?”

 

Kousuke could only smile wryly at this rather dismissive answer. However, he didn’t even think to point it out to Floria. If she had to give advice every time something happened, there would be no point in handing over the throne. She also trusted that if Towa were ever truly in trouble, he would come to her for guidance.

 

The two were enjoying their drink and reminiscing about recent events when Sylvia came over. She had recently retired from her official duties as shrine maiden following Floria’s own retirement from the throne. Of course, that did not mean she was done with her duties as Kousuke’s shrine maiden.

 

“Huh? Sylvia. Is something wrong?” Kousuke asked. Like Floria, Sylvia had children, so she hadn’t completely moved to the management area. Unlike Floria, who intentionally stayed in the management quarters, Sylvia still slept at the castle most of the time. That was why it was somewhat unusual for her to appear like this.

 

Sylvia shook her head. “No. Nothing happened.” After saying this, she turned to Floria. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

 

“Don’t worry about it. I have more time to spend with everyone now.” Floria replied, shaking her head and taking a sip from her glass.

 

“By the way, this wine is delicious. Where is it from?”

 

Hearing Floria ask this while sipping what should have been fine wine from the Royal stock, Kousuke tilted his head. “Huh? Floria, you haven’t tried it yet?”

 

Floria closed her eyes as if trying to recall the taste. However, searching her memory, she couldn’t remember ever drinking the wine in front of her. “Hmm. I don’t remember drinking it.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Kousuke seemed to accept this, but Floria gave him a dissatisfied look. “Hey, don’t just accept it on your own. Tell me where it’s from.”

 

“Hahaha. I understand. But it’s not as much fun to just tell you. Why don’t you try to guess where it’s from?”

 

Floria’s face brightened with amusement at the challenge. Notably, while alcohol bottles usually bore labels stating the origin and brand name, the bottle in front of them had none. This suggested it must have been obtained through a special route.

 

As she tasted the wine, Floria recalled various origins, but the flavor felt subtly different from anything she had tried before. Of course, Floria didn’t have the trained palate of a sommelier, so there was no way she could guess the exact origin. Knowing this, the exercise was purely for entertainment.

 

Seeing Floria struggle, Kousuke realized it was becoming too difficult without any hints. “Maybe Sylvia would know.”

 

“What? Me?” Sylvia looked surprised when Kousuke directed the question to her. She rarely drank alcohol, so naturally, she couldn’t possibly know more about it than Floria.

 

However, after Kousuke’s suggestion, Sylvia seemed to think for a moment before an idea occurred to her and she covered her mouth in surprise. “What? It couldn’t be from there!”

 

“Yeah. I think you’re probably right.”

 

Seeing the two of them agreeing on something while she remained in the dark, Floria finally gave up. “I’m stumped. I have no idea.”

 

Kousuke answered, “This wine was made in the Northern Tower.”

 

“Northern… Wait, what?!” Hearing the unexpected location, Floria turned her gaze back to the wine in her glass.

 

“So Egrid and his people have the technology to make things like this?”

 

Floria offered what seemed like an obvious answer, but Kousuke shook his head and said something even more surprising. “No, you see, this was apparently made by the Vampires.”

 

“What!?” Floria was so surprised by the completely unexpected answer that she cried out in shock.

 

Sylvia had known this because she had been asked by Shrein to offer prayers for the growth of crops. She had only heard it mentioned as a Vampire hobby, so she was surprised by the intensity of Floria’s reaction.

 

“That’s quite a reaction. Even Floria is surprised.”

 

At that moment, another voice joined the conversation. It was Shrein, the one directly involved in the wine production.

 

“No. It is surprising, isn’t it?” Floria replied.

 

“Well, I won’t deny it. Wine is close to our taste, after all,” Shrein acknowledged.

 

“I see. But it’s a shame. Not only could this be sold, it would surely become a local specialty.”

 

Floria said this with a look of regret, but Shrein shook his head. “There just aren’t enough to sell. We’ll need a few more people to increase production.”

 

Shrein said this while snatching the glass from Kousuke’s hand and downing the wine inside, then nodding in satisfaction.