A New Challenge

“An invitation to Erin’s father’s gathering, huh…”

“Yes. It seems he regularly holds parties to bring merchants together, and it looks like they want to invite you as well, Arthur-sama.”

The day after their visit to the orphanage, Kei brought a letter entrusted to her by Erin. As expected of a merchant’s daughter, Erin had already arranged things swiftly. Using a paper knife to open it, Arthur found a greeting message, along with the venue, time, and the list of attendees.

Lately, he had been trying to memorize the people around him, but most of the names were unfamiliar.

No family names… which means they aren’t nobles but mostly merchants… If most of the participants are commoners, why on earth was I invited?

Of course, in his previous life he had never once been invited to such gatherings. Arthur pondered the intention behind this. Indeed, because Morgan had persistently told him to consider the intentions of others, he was no longer the Arthur who acted on impulse, but the Arthur who tried to think.

Well, judging from Erin’s reaction yesterday, it must be related to the food shortage issue… She had praised him excessively when he asked about it, assuming merchants would be knowledgeable about such matters. Of course, Arthur had no idea why.

In truth, the only reason he had been thinking about the food problem at all was due to what had been written in the “Good Deed Notebook” he carried at his chest.

“I heard from Erin-san that at these gatherings, many rare dishes are served. Of course, even Gokuuma Bird will be there…”

Arthur, who was usually shy around people, made a slightly sour face at the thought of a party… but Kei’s one line changed his mind. Ever since he began enjoying local cuisines, he had become greedy when it came to food.

“Seriously!? Then I have no choice but to go!! Fufufu, that Erin, she must have thought of me since I’ve been trying food from all over the place!!”

“Surely that’s it. She even once asked me how she could become closer to you, Arthur-sama… And of course, I’ll accompany you too!!”

“Yeah, let’s enjoy it together!!”

Encouraged by Kei’s words about food, Arthur nodded with a beaming smile. Arthur now understood—meals always tasted better when shared with someone close.

Incidentally, in Britannia, where the gap between nobles and commoners was immense, it was extraordinary that someone of high status—much less royalty like Arthur—would be invited to a party hosted by commoners. But of course, Arthur didn’t realize that.

Yes, even though he had begun to think more, a fool’s thinking was still as good as idling. Still, this was a big step forward for him! Probably…

Having accepted Erin’s invitation, Arthur and Kei headed toward her estate. Curiously, it wasn’t the mansion near the castle but a separate residence on the outskirts of town. Arthur wondered at this but reasoned that gatherings were noisy and could disturb people in a crowded area, so he accepted it.

There would be not only food but also plenty of juice. He was excited.

And… while stroking the “Good Deed Notebook” in his hand, Arthur recalled that there was something he wanted to ask. Once again, new words had appeared written inside.

The message read—

“Resolve the trigger of the food crisis that will strike Britannia.”

Indeed, he remembered that during the revolution, food shortages had been caused by monsters and poor weather. But he had no memory of any specific fatal event, so he decided to ask Erin.

Yes, Arthur’s reason for attending this party was not just his appetite.