Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! Chapter 348

In response, Brother told everyone.

"Regarding the restaurant run by Wire, fraud was detected during its acquisition, so it will be returned to its former owners. Concerning the cooks who he had brought with him, we promise to listen to their wishes and fulfil them as much as we can. If anyone else suffered damage by Wire's hand, we'll listen to that as well."

The atmosphere relaxed at Brother's words.

"Lidi, come here."
"Yup."

Freed beckoned me. When I went to him, he put me next to him and told everyone.

"It's deplorable for the long-awaited event to end like this. Therefore, I announce the next event. For the next week, all the restaurants in the southern town will participate in a lottery event. Each time you eat at a restaurant, you will receive a coin different from the current one. Once you gather coins, you can participate in a lottery on this plaza. You can participate once for every three coins. Prizes are comprised of such things as meal coupons. The details are written here."

At Freed's words, soldiers spread a large sheet of paper prepared in advance. Prizes were written there.
Discount or exchange coupons. There are also original presents from various stores. It was mostly me who thought it up, but of course I listened to the ideas of other storekeepers.
Since I asked for something unreasonable, my own money will pay for these prizes. Freed invested in the Japanese café, so I didn't want to be the only one to not do anything.
At the beginning Freed didn't look agreeable, but he eventually consented when I said I want to use my money to make everyone happy.
My money came from the curry and hamburg steak stores. I want to return it to town if I can.
At first, all townspeople looked confused by Freed's words, but hearing the details about the lottery event, their confusion gradually turned to smiles.

"Sounds interesting…"
"Can you participate a lot if you save up coins? It seems more enjoyable like that."
"It sounds fun that you can go to any store."

I was relieved to hear multiple positive voices.

―― I'm glad, everyone seems happy.

I was pondering all the time.
I didn't know about Wire's verbal abuse and so on, but it's him. I was sure he wouldn't obediently leave after his loss. In which case, we would have to fight in front of townspeople.
I was worried it would turn the long-awaited event into something unpleasant.
To make up for it, I thought up another event afterwards.
A big event that would involve all the stores in the southern town.
First I talked with Freed, then I asked Ms. Tithi, who's actually an important person in town, for cooperation. When I talked with her when she came to my store, she found it amusing and had me proceed with the plan.
Her power was so big that within a few days all the restaurants in the southern town agreed to participate.
It's also thanks to Freed.
When I was working in the Japanese café, he did his best in the castle. Despite being busy, he obtained all permissions, and the plan advanced.
By the way, Brother was running around doing routine tasks for the showdown event, so he didn't know about this new plan until yesterday.
Just before he finished work yesterday, he heard about it from Freed. It seems it left him with mouth gaping open in a daze for a moment.

"Just when I thought it's over, there's another event…! And the whole town is involved. Didn't the scale get even bigger!? You're kidding meeee! Just how much will you lead me by the nose until you are satisfied!"

And so on. When I met Brother in the castle this morning, he said such lines.
But, Brother was also worried everybody would get a bad impression from the event, so he agreed with the plan itself.

"That's why… I hate her. She only brings me things that I can't oppose… Shit!"

And despite sighing, he took over from Freed.
I was wondering if I should feel sorry for Brother, but I couldn't come up with anything else, so I want him to forgive me.
Besides, Brother has a new right hand, Sion.
Sion is excellent, so the burden on Brother should be considerably reduced… I want to believe it should.
With me on his side, Freed told everyone.

"The lottery starts from now. This time there's no competition. Eat all you want at your favorite place and collect coins."

When Freed finished with that, the gathered townspeople cheered and applauded. I also clapped. It seems we managed to smoothly proceed to the next event.
Everybody scattered to the places they wanted to go.

"It seems it worked."

Freed whispered to me. I gave him a big nod.

"Yup. They seem to have completely forgotten about Wire. I'm glad the bad impression completely disappeared…!"
"Yeah. But, good job coming up with lottery, Lidi."
"Hmm, I simply thought it would be fun if there was something enjoyable…"

Actually, I remember enjoying lottery at a shopping district in my previous life. When I remembered buying things I didn't need just to participate, I thought the effect would be certain, but for now, it seems everybody found it intriguing.
By the way, the prize for failure, or rather the last place, is a 'Japanese confection coupon'. You can exchange it for any single Japanese confection below the set price. I made them prizes thinking it would be nice to further spread Japanese confection to those who haven't eaten them.

"I can't agree with Lidi's confections being the prize for the last place. You could make them the special prize."

I found what Freed said in dissatisfaction a little amusing. I told him while laughing.

"A piece of Japanese sweets isn't expensive. I think it's just right."
"Them being Lidi's confections raises their value considerably. For me at least."

His eyes were full of love.
It made me very happy to hear that from my beloved.

"Thanks, But, a lot of people will eat them if they're the prize for the last place, so I'm fine with it."
"It's just like you, Lidi."
"I want to spread Japanese confections more."

That's why I want to work more on the Japanese café. I have lots of recipes I haven't yet unveiled, and steadily increasing variety of goods secures repeat customers.

"The event is limited to the southern town this time, but one day I want to hold an event involving all towns."
"That… will become a big, country-wide event. The Prime Minister and Alex will be clutching their stomachs and heads."

Freed wryly smiled after hearing my wish. But, I think such things are interesting.

"For now, let's go on dates to other towns. I want to survey them and think of what event can be done."
"Lidi, you really are motivated. Well, it will be a good stimulus for the citizens, so I won't oppose it. There's a lot to investigate beforehand, isn't there?"
"That's why let's go on dates."

When I asked that, Freed narrowed his eyes and smiled as he said, "You're right."

"Then, let's go out a lot."
"Yup."

When I nodded, Freed said playfully.

"Really, there's never a dull moment with you, Lidi."
"I also have fun with you, Freed."
"I'm happy to hear that. Say? Lidi. Do you remember the promise? Is tonight okay?"
"Of course."

When I implied that I want to be embraced by him soon, Freed responded with a smile.

"I've made you endure all this time… It's okay."

I'll do my best for my beloved Freed.
Tomorrow… I'll probably only go to the Japanese café in the afternoon, but it can't be helped.
The showdown event is over, and the store can function without me.
That's right. Just like with the curry or hamburg steak stores, I have to decide on the store manager and have them run it instead. I have to choose one quickly.
Freed drew my waist to him. I obediently accepted and smiled.
Seeing Brother being already fed up as he understood that the next week will be unmistakable busier than before from the sight of people unsure of what store to go, I thought that it's all over for now.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!"

I ran away from the Royal Capital followed by soldiers. It's vexing, but I couldn't even take a piece of luggage with me.

"Again, because of that lass…!"

That lass who became the Crown Princess of Wilhelm. Nothing decent ever happens when I get involved with her.
Even though I amassed fortune with great trouble and returned to this country, I was driven out in the blink of an eye.
Moreover, I can never again set foot in the Royal Capital.

"How dare you…"

Anything and everything is irritating. I must take my revenge on that lass somehow.

"What Crown Princess… I'll have my revenge one day for sure."
"Hey? Did you just say Crown Princess?"
"Ah?"

I heard a voice.
When I turned my head, there was nobody there. There were trees and shrubs around, but not a single person.

"Who are you?"
"Grandpa, did you just say you would take revenge on the Crown Princess?"

The voice ignored my words and asked another question. A chill ran down my spine from being questioned by somebody I couldn't see, but I endured and shouted.

"T-That's right! Is there anything wrong with that!?"
"I see… Then you're my enemy."
"Ah!? Gyaaaaaaaaaaaa!!"

I had no idea what happened. Suddenly, a huge beast jumped from the shrubs.
I knew I was bitten from the heat in my shoulder, even before the pain came.

"It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts!!"

"―― If you do something to her, I will kill you… Do you understand?"
"Understood! I understand, so stop! Spare me! I'll die at this rate!"

Pain that I'd never experienced before stole my sanity. There have been many times I was attacked by people. I've been tortured countless of times.
However, it's the first time I've been attacked so incomprehensibly.

―― Scary.

I mustn't get involved with it.
The intuition I'd cultivated over the years told me that. If I get involved with it any more, I'm certain that I will lose my life.
Understanding that, I shouted.

"I'll never again get involved with that lass! I promise to never approach Wilhelm! So spare me!!"
"Don't forget those words, okay?"

The feeling of a thorough oppression disappeared. What attacked me was a black beast. It looked like a dog or a wolf. Without paying attention to me, it disappeared into the shrubs.

"… Hah… Hah…"

My body began to tremble, perhaps from the relief of surviving.
The area where I'd been bitten was in an awful pain. It was sure to be bleeding. I also felt a chill.

"W-what… was that monster…?"

It didn't allow hostility towards that lass. Does that lass keep such a terrifying creature? I haven't heard anything about that. There's no way I can win against it.

"You don't have to tell me… As if I'd come again…"

Of course, I feel irritated, but my life is more important.
Besides, I'll have to once again start going to the casino to regain my fortune.
No thanks for getting involved with something so frightening and losing my life.

―― Awoooo!!

"Eek!"

I heard howling of the beast. Realizing that it was a warning, I instantly forgot everything and decided to go to a country unrelated to that lass.
I sensed it was the only way to save my life, and I chose to follow that instinct.

―― Life is precious.

It's simply that.

Chapter end