Atelier Tanaka Volume 4 Chapter 5 part8

FitzClarence Family

I wonder how much time has passed since I started eating alone in the corner of the ballroom?

When I couldn't eat anymore, I grabbed a glass off a tray that a nearby maid was carrying. It was a glass of liquor with a smokey flavour that reminded me of the type of drink a middle-aged businessman would drink after a hard day's work. In this case, it was used to soothe the aching heart of a middle-aged man.

It was quite the experience drinking this unknown liquor while eating cube after cube of mysterious fruit from a nearby platter. The sweetness of the fruit mellowed out the burning caused by the alcohol. My mood was even starting to improve.

Drinking has always helped.

It wouldn't hurt to have a little more.

"…aa~, this is delicious."

I said this to no one in particular before taking another big gulp.

Considering I'm in someone else's home, I wasn't planning on getting overly drunk, but that didn't stop me from grabbing a second glass or even a third. With such good liquor and delicious food, I shortly had my fourth and fifth glass. Once I got started, I no longer cared about where I was.

The negative thoughts I had about the party slowly faded from my mind.

No, that couldn't be further from the truth.

I'm not only a commoner but also a foreigner that managed to rise from nothing to the rank of baron. The people of this country should be singing my praises.

"…."

I should just head back out to the country and continue building my town.

Yeah, that sounds good.

Create a larger and more spectacular slum.

A more classic style of slum.

A place where a bukkake nuke can be dropped on all the female residents.

Yes, a nukkake.

"…should I leave?"

I drained the remaining liquid from my glass and slammed it on the table.

Then, as if waiting for me to first finish my drink, a voice called out to me.

"Oh, if it isn't Tanaksan."

Who is that?

Who would sound so happy to see this soy sauce face?

Are the women finally here to throw themselves at me?

I quickly turned to face the person and braced myself for the onslaught of beautiful women.

But it was someone I recognized.

"Oh my, Hegel-san! What a coincidence meeting you in a place like this."

I met him once before in Dragon City. He works for one of the largest and most successful trading companies in the Empire. I think it was called the Manson Group.

Gonzalez said that they also belonged to the FitzClarence faction so I'm sure Hegel is here as a representative for them. For him to appear at a party for the nobility must mean that he is a high-ranking member of the company.

Which would mean he far outranks a new baron like me.

This guy is a loaded merchant.

"Are you enjoying yourself?"

Hegel's behaviour was more suited for the fancy venue than my own. He was dressed for the part and seemed familiar with the ballroom.

Compared to him, I looked like a poor man trying his hardest (and failing) to fit in.

I'm just going to say what's on my mind.

"Yes, this alcohol is especially good. I wouldn't mind having a glass every day."

"Oh, you like it that much? Most people find that particular liquor to be an acquired taste."

"I can see why. It smells a bit like medicine, but I love the smokey flavour. I'm not all that familiar with alcohol, but I'd buy this every day if it's something I could afford."

"What a coincidence. I'm also quite a fan of that liquor. I regularly purchase half the stock they produce every year just to be sure that I never run out. The price, however, can be steep as the company that produces it only does so on a limited basis."

Ah, I figured that would be the case."

I expected this, but it doesn't make it any less painful.

It was so good too.

"I was growing disheartened thinking I'd never find someone who likes it as much as I do. If you don't mind, I could have some sent to your land. Ah, don't worry about the price. Our business together has proven to be more profitable than originally expected."

"Are you sure?"

"Don't worry about it. I'll have some sent to your land as soon as I can."

"Thank you. I can expect many fun days ahead."

"No need to thank me. It's always a pleasure meeting someone with a similar interest to you."

Is Hegel an alcoholic?

He is a merchant, after all, he must be familiar with the best alcohol in this country. I hope we can get along well so I can get some recommendations from him. No matter what happens or how hard my life gets, I feel like I'll be able to get through it with some good alcohol.

"I'd like to learn more about the alcohol in this country if you wouldn't mind teaching me."

"We can go out for a drink whenever we both have time available. I'll show you all of the good shops."

"Is that a promise? I'm looking forward to it."

All right, my social calendar is already starting to fill up.

Finding more delicious alcohol is my first step to improving my life.

Being dragged here by Ester-chan wasn't a complete waste of time after all.

"But you really have become a true baron, Baron Tanaka."

"Only due to the political savvy of Viscount FitzClarence."

"You think so?"

"Absolutely."

"It certainly may be a major factor, but there are plenty of other reasons for your success. Involving the Twilight Company, enlisting Lord Fahren's help, and bringing in a former enemy like the Viscount of Ahan from the Pussy Republic; all of these factors contributed to the success of your city."

"So my success is not just due to the Viscount but also everyone else you named."

"That's one way of looking at it, but what would they have been capable of doing with nothing but an empty field to work with? Nobody else is capable of doing what you did. In only a matter of weeks, you created an entire city and there is nothing that anyone can say that can take that away from you."

Is this what I needed to come to my senses?

If someone wishes to rise in position, they must constantly be aware of their surroundings.

I'm not only representing myself here but also Ester-chan. There are people everywhere here and they're all watching me carefully in the hopes that they can find something to use against me or the lolibitch. 

I need to refocus and go back to my original strategy.

I have to do my best to support the lolibitch.

"Even if that may be the case, it was Viscount FitzClarence that lit the way. I merely followed the path she laid out for me. Everything I have is thanks to Viscount FitzClarence."

"Is that so? I heard you met with Earl Bitch the other day."

Oi, oi, how does someone already know about that?

Who could've told him?

Is that scary Earl so reckless that he already exposed his scheme?

"You must have ears everywhere."

"Only where I think they're needed."

"I guess it doesn't matter. I managed to meet with him despite not arranging a meeting in advance. I introduced myself to him as a sign of respect and spoke with him and a mutual acquaintance before taking my leave."

"A mutual acquaintance?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Excuse me, who might that be?"

That's funny, I thought Hegel knew all about the meeting.

His captivating smile and friendly demeanour combined with the influence of the delicious alcohol made me want to tell him everything he wanted to know. If he was as masculine as Gon-chan, I may have even felt bashful.

"He's a member of the knights. A good man named Allen-san."

"Allen? I feel like I've heard that name before…. Ah, there was a man with that name that took part in the dragon extermination, correct?"

"Yep, that's Allen-san. He's a wonderful man that I have a lot of respect for."

"I see."

"Yeah, he's also close with the Viscount."

Ah, was it okay to say that?

No, it's fine. This is Hegel after all.

He wouldn't use that information against Ester-chan.

They belong to the same faction after all.

"…really."

"Yeah, they seem very close."

Actually, this is a great opportunity. Rather than attacking the fort head-on, I'll fill the moat from the outside. By the time Ester-chan even realizes what's happening, her parents will have already fallen in love with Allen. People will happily judge someone based only off what they've heard others say about them.

If Ester-chan's parents hear good things about Allen before ever meeting him, when they finally do meet him, his good looks will be enough to seal the deal.

Even now he could be presented to them as Dragon Slayer Allen. Is there anything cooler than that?

Any ordinary woman would need a mop to clean up the floor from how wet it made them.

If everything goes well, Earl Bitch can go back to using Allen as his pawn. Ester-chan has been claiming to love me and when she does leave me it will hurt, but I know that's going to happen anyway and the longer it takes the more it will hurt. 

"I was there when the dragon was defeated. Allen-san risked his life to protect Viscount FitzClarence. When I saw his heroic act, it made me realize what kind of man I wanted to be."

"I see."

I have to take this chance.

I'm going to use the power of alcohol to finally break free from the lolibitch.

If I can't do it now, I don't know if I'll ever be able to.

"I've heard he's become Vice-Captain of the Knights. He has a bright future and is someone far more deserving than me for this position. He's the type of man that could carry the entire Penny Empire on his back."

Did I overdo it?

Maybe I've drunk too much.

But that is okay every once in a while.

This liquor is delicious.

"So that's how it is…."

"That's how what is?"

"No, it's nothing. This was a very enlightening conversation."

Hegel's eyes were now thinner than ever.

They're like two straight lines.

This is what he's like when he gets serious.

This should be enough. If I come on too strong, it may lead to Hegel disliking Allen. I think it's more important to spread the good word of Allen to as many people as possible rather than focusing on a single person.

But what's more important than all of that right now is….

I want some squid somen.

This high-quality fruit is good on its own, but it doesn't quite hit the spot like squid somen would.

"By the way, Hegel-san, I wanted to discuss ordering more materials with you…."

Then, just as I was beginning to change the subject, an all-too-familiar voice interrupted us.

"I-I'm back!"

A cheerful voice called out from behind me.

It was none other than Ester-chan.

It would be an understatement to say that she looked exhausted. Even the lolibitch can't handle such a large onslaught of horny men throwing themselves at her. She has a rather annoying personality, but she's smart enough to realize that all of those men were only after her family's wealth and power.

'Oh, Viscount FitzClarence, your hair is a little messy…."

I tried to speak in a more business-like manner in front of Hegel.

But these words never reached her.

"…eh?"

Instead, a sound of disdain left her lips.

Ester-chan's eyes were locked on Hegel.

"Is something wrong?"

Don't tell me this man is that bitch's type.

If that's the case, I should take this opportunity and introduce them. Considering their positions, it's inevitable that they'll have to work together. It would be good for the faction as well if they got to know each other.

I'm sorry to whoever his wife is, but I can't miss this chance.

"I'm sorry, I should've introduced you two. Viscount FitzClarence, this is Hegel-san of the Manson Group. Hegel-san has been a great help in providing us with the supplies we needed to build and operate our city."

"Hei…geru?"

"Yes, I'm Hegel-san."

Ester-chan strangely repeated his name.

And Hegel did the same with an indifferent tone.

"How have you been, Liz? We were all worried about you when you suddenly disappeared."

"…."

What?

The lolibitch's reaction was strange.

And what is Hegel talking about?

I was completely at a loss for a moment —

"Papa, why are you…. I thought you weren't supposed to return until tomorrow."

"I was worried about you, Liz, and decided to return a day early."

Eh?

What is happening?

Who is this 'papa?'

Wait a minute.

***

Chapter end