Chapter 322

The Port of Simmons [Part 1]

-The Kingdom’s biggest port, the Port of Simmons-

A trading ship from Imperial Japan docked at the port, and its passengers were unloading the cargos with the help of the Rothschild Company personnel.

“Imperial Prince Tasuku, it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”

Joshua ran up to Imperial Prince Tasuku after he got off the ship.

“Long time no see, Joshua. I just looked at the list of aid you provided for Imperial Japan earlier. My sincerest gratitude for the new rations. You even gave us silk.”

Even though Over had been defeated, it didn’t mean the whole thing was settled. Producing crops on dilapidated fields right away was also difficult. The Stuart family, who owned a territory in the borderland, understood that matter well. So, they provided food aid to Imperial Japan periodically through the Rothschild Company.

The Kingdom and Imperial Japan sent out ships for each other, and exchanges between countries were underway.

“No need to be courteous. Because I am also asking you to spare us valuable things that cannot be bought with gold coins.”

Most of the cargo from the Imperial Japan side were magic stones.

Magic stones were valuable stones that could store or amplify a magician’s magic. Imperial Japan still hadn’t run out of this resource and could still mine magic stones in large quantities. Without these stones, barriers couldn’t be maintained.

The fact that the number of magic stones distributed to the Rothschild Company was far greater than the quantity the Kingdom received from individuals or other countries as a present was a secret. Joshua’s company’s safekeeping management of products was stricter than the country’s, so they could also avoid the exploitation of magic stones by nobles.

Then, there was another item among the cargo.

“Also, I am very grateful for the great quantity of canned cat food. House Stuart’s cats will surely be delighted.”

Joshua thanked Imperial Japan with a smile as if he was thanking them for his personal business.

Because making the cats delighted = making Emma delighted.

“Pardon, could you give this… to Emma-sama…”

The boy waiting on stand-by behind Imperial Prince Tasuku handed Joshua an insect cage as he mentioned Emma’s name. He was Emma’s insect buddy, Tarou Chijiwa, one of the Tarous who learned Japanized Western cuisine recipes from Melsa in House Stuart. Because his name was difficult to remember in the Kingdom, he was commonly called Miguel here.

As Miguel also learned the Kingdom language, albeit clumsily, during his stay in House Stuart with the other three boys, he was chosen as Imperial Prince Tasuku’s assistant.

“…Miguel-sama too, long time no see.”

*psshhh* Joshua’s face turned gloomy the moment he saw the boy holding the insect cage.

You would normally not give an insect cage (the inside was definitely an insect) to a young lady.

Joshua felt vexed, but he knew this present would definitely make Emma happy…

Although only for a short time, Miguel lived together (boarding) with Emma and got close to her in no time because they had a common topic of interest [insects]. Because of this, Joshua felt a slight sense of crisis.

“This, bell cricket. Wings, make beautiful fluttering sound. Imperial Japanese insect.”

“At first I thought, ‘an insect? to a young lady?’ when I saw this, but this is the insect Miguel has raised with great care. I would like to give this to Lady Emma. Directly.”

“…directly?”

.

Imperial Prince Tasuku’s face turned somewhat red.

“Yes, directly…”

“(ugh!) Unfortunately, Emma-sama is not in the Royal Capital. She is participating in the academy’s extracurricular lesson and currently staying in a territory that takes a day for a round trip.”

Joshua replied quickly, almost rapping, thinking he must never let Imperial Prince Tasuku and Miguel meet Emma.

‘When…?

When did Emma-sama get familiar with and bind Imperial Prince Tasuku?

Even Imperial Prince Tasuku’s behavior is strange, not just Miguel’s,’ muttered Joshua in his heart.

“Extracurricular lesson? Is that… so?”

Imperial Prince Tasuku stared intensely at the empty space behind Joshua. Joshua answered so quickly that they couldn’t meet her. No, if Joshua could, he actually even wanted to say he wouldn’t let them meet.