The store finally opened.
However, that didn’t mean crowds would immediately rush in.
Food for the standing party outside the store was being carried out one after another and cut into bite-sized pieces for convenience.
Rye bread and high-quality white bread were baked and prepared, with butter served alongside.
There were salads, meat dishes, and dishes made with rock bird eggs.
Fried fish and chicken emitted a delicious aroma.
Steaks were grilled directly on an iron plate and portioned out.
A large chef was grilling them heartily.
Plates were quickly taken, and customers freely served themselves.
Soup was placed in a large pot with fire magic stones at the bottom to keep it constantly hot.
Two types of soup were offered: one made with various vegetables and high-quality smoked meat, and a red soup made with plenty of tomatoes.
It was getting slightly cooler this season, so the soup would be comforting for those waiting outside.
For dessert, there were cakes made with cheese and assortments of fruits soaked in a light sugar syrup.
Seeing Mastema eyeing the food longingly, I shoved a buttered piece of white bread into her mouth. I got it from Noel when I went to the kitchen.
Talking with Noel revealed that although the chefs here were skilled, they were not used to working with large crowds. When Arnella and Noel stepped in, they quickly resolved the issues, and the kitchen started operating under their directions.
I was hungry too, so I ate some.
Soft. Good bread. I could eat this every day.
Mastema was nibbling like a small animal.
Outside, there were no particular issues; we just needed to replenish the food as it ran out.
The plates and utensils were cheap.
There might be some people who would take them home, and it would be hard to reprimand them for it.
So, it was prepared with the assumption that some might be taken home.
Guests would likely brag about it, and if new guests complained, we could say it was a special allowance for the first day.
For some reason, I ended up being the head of security, so I gave a brief rundown of the instructions.
I placed more guards outside since a small amount of alcohol was being served.
Inside, with Mastema and me, we only needed a few more people.
Guests started entering the store.
Two young women were handling the reception.
It seemed to be going smoothly.
Watching from a bit behind, I saw Nia’s turn come up.
She tried to present her invitation immediately, but no matter how much she searched, she couldn’t find it.
The receptionist maintained a smile but looked slightly troubled, and the guests behind began to stare at Nia.
Nia grew increasingly flustered but couldn’t find it.
Marg, the sub-leader, sighed and walked away.
I had no choice but to take Nia aside.
This was bothering other guests.
“Hey, Sky Knight… You’re really working as a guard. This place must have the best security.”
“Yeah, I’m here to guard. Did you lose your invitation?”
“Well, I thought I put it here…” Nia searched her pocket, but her hand went right through.
“There’s a hole in your pocket, Nia.”
“There is indeed, Sky Knight.”
We laughed, and Mastema looked at us like we were strange creatures.
“So, this is Mastema-chan?”
Nia cautiously reached out to touch Mastema’s hair.
“Beautiful hair. Can I touch it?”
“Permission granted.”
“Permission granted!”
Nia gently touched Mastema’s hair.
“Like silk threads. It’s so smooth. And such deep black, it’s mesmerizing. She’ll be a beauty.”
“Feeling good. You may praise me more.”
“Ahaha. She’s quite amusing.”
I wondered if demons grew. Well, Mastema seemed quite human now.
“Is this outfit your taste, Sky Knight? Do you like this kind of thing?”
“I don’t dislike it.”
“I’ll wear it for you next time.”
Nia had a light personality, but she looked good and would probably suit it well.
“So, can I get in?”
“I know who you are, so I’ll let you in.”
I spoke with the receptionist and checked off Nia’s name.
“It’s not a noble’s party. There are some nobles, but they’re in a separate area.”
“Thanks! I was looking forward to the food, so it would have been tough to miss out.”
Marg must have anticipated this and left quickly.
I guided Nia, and when I returned to the reception, most of the guests had already gone in.
But the last two were a problem.
Both receptionists froze and looked at me pleadingly.
Well, it couldn’t be helped.
The last two weren’t on the guest list.
Kasugal probably thought he had been slighted and intentionally didn’t invite them, but it was unthinkable for them not to show up at such an event.
Our country’s princesses.
With long blue hair that was striking enough on its own, her refined figure was clad in a light purple dress, and her subtle makeup enhanced her beauty.
Beside her was the kingdom’s princess.
With long red hair contrasting with the imperial princess, she was an absolute beauty with slightly sharp features. Although her figure was modest, she looked great in her light blue dress.
They were not the kind of people to show up at the opening ceremony of a slightly upscale store.
“Can we join the event?”
“Um, Princess Sanarie Arieze…”
Even though they weren’t invited, there was no way to refuse them.
The receptionist maintained her smile, which was commendable.
I brought Mastema forward.
The princesses noticed me. Or rather, they already had.
The imperial princess tried to stifle her laughter, quite visibly.
The kingdom’s princess noticed me and gracefully held her dress and bowed.
I bowed deeper than her, accepting her courtesy.
“You must be Lord Ahavain. Both the country and I personally are grateful to you.”
“I just did what any adventurer would do.”
“Even so, you’re probably the only one on the continent who could do it.”
Then the kingdom’s princess looked at Mastema.
It was hard to guess the emotions behind her gaze.
“She seems quite calm.”
“Yes, she won’t cause any trouble anymore.”
“Please visit the restored kingdom.”
“…You. I remember your blood.”
With that, Mastema hid behind me.
She didn’t seem to have any guilty feelings… Was it blood?
There was no way to send these two back, so I decided to escort them personally.
Fortunately, there were good seats on the second floor, conveniently separated from other nobles.
Escorting two royal beauties from two different nations didn’t feel bad at all.
