Reincarnation of a Hunter Chapter 27.2 - Canada Bombing Operation (2)

“Gentlemen, please follow me.”

 

“Ah, yes, yes!”

 

Had the attendant not pulled them along, they might have spent the whole day gaping at their surroundings.

 

Soon, they were guided to the dining room.

 

With the help of the maids, they took their seats.

 

“Diego, we should build the Lord Marseille’s residence this magnificently too.”

 

“I’m the chief economic secretary, not an architect. And the lord wouldn’t like it. He’s so frugal he eats rye bread and oatmeal porridge to save money.”

 

“Pfft—ah! My apologies.”

 

It seemed a young maid had unintentionally laughed at Diego’s remark. He gestured to the flustered maid that it was alright.

 

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it. Our lord is so thrifty it’s almost funny.”

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

The young maid, who had been lightly smacked on the back by a senior maid, hurried out. They waited in silence for about five minutes.

 

—Swing

 

Just as the wait was becoming tedious, the door swung open, and an attendant entered.

 

“Chairman Vonmati is entering. Please rise.”

 

Diego and Raul stood from their chairs and straightened their attire.

 

Soon, Chairman Vonmati strode in briskly, accompanied by her handmaidens. For a middle-aged woman, her gait carried an unusual air of authority.

 

“Welcome. I am Itana.”

 

Chairman Vonmati extended her hand. But the way she held it out suggested she wanted a handshake. 

 

Normally, the etiquette for noblewomen was to lightly kiss the hand.

 

Diego hesitated, ‘Should I shake it? Ah, whatever.’

 

After a brief internal debate, he took her hand and shook it.

 

“I’m Diego. Chief Economic Secretary of the Marseille Territory.”

 

Raul was relieved to be second in the handshake—he could just follow Diego’s lead.

 

“Raul. Chief Security Secretary of the Marseille Territory.”

 

“Pleased to meet you both. Now, let’s take our seats.”

 

As Chairman Vonmati took his seat, the two men followed suit. At the same time, the maids began carrying in the dishes.

“I heard you haven’t eaten anything since lunch. It’s nothing fancy, but please have your fill.”

 

Nothing fancy?

 

The trays brought by the maids had already surpassed forty in number.

 

Raul had been happy until about twenty, but as the trays kept coming endlessly, he grew uneasy.

 

‘They won’t cut my head off if I leave food uneaten, will they?’

 

Just as he was considering loosening his belt, Chairman Vonmati spoke up.

 

“I just heard that Count Eric Marseille is quite frugal? Rye bread and oatmeal porridge, was it?”

 

“Pardon? Ah, that was just a private conversation among us.”

 

Though it seemed their talk had been overheard, a noble of Chairman Vonmati’s stature wouldn’t be bothered by such things.

“Luxury among nobles is encouraged for its trickle-down effect. Is Count Eric Marseille opposed to that?”

 

At the question about Eric, Diego suddenly turned serious and replied, “Not exactly. Our lord used the entire budget to care for the people of his territory as soon as he took office. Currently, the Marseille domain is facing a slight financial difficulty.”

“So, is this visit to Lisbon due to the territory’s finances?”

 

“Yes. You could say it’s the first step toward securing consistent sales for our territory’s products.”

 

At Chairman Vonmati’s gesture, a maid brought over the Canadian box they had received as a gift.

 

“I heard this syrup is one of those products. May I try it now?”

 

“Of course. It’s an honor that Chairman Vonmati would taste it personally.”

 

A maid took a bottle from the box, and with a silver spoon, sampled it to check for poison.
After tasting the syrup, the maid’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

“Well?”

 

“It’s sweet and delicious. It would pair well with pastries.”

 

At the maid’s words, other maids brought in trays laden with pastries.

 

He spread Canada syrup  on a cookie and handed it to Chairman Vonmati.

 

Diego confidently watched the scene unfold. After all, it was a product he had personally inspected, and he took pride in its quality and taste.

 

Sure enough, Chairman Vonmati took a bite and smiled in satisfaction.

 

“The flavor and aroma are unique. Impressive. I can’t believe something like this was created.”

 

“It’s a product designed by our lord himself.”

 

Chairman Vonmati’s expression turned surprised at Diego’s words.

 

“He made this himself?”

 

“Yes. He devised it to increase the farmers’ income and contribute to the territory’s finances.”

 

“Baron Eric Marseille is truly an amazing man. Not only the sailor’s disease medicine but also this syrup—he must be an incredible inventor.”

 

Diego had already heard about the sailor’s disease medicine, but he hadn’t expected such a reaction.

 

In truth, most nobles in Lisboa were shipowners.

 

Thanks to Eric, sailor’s disease had disappeared, so it was only natural for shipowners to praise him. Chairman Vonmati was no exception. 

 

On top of that, he was moved by Eric’s generosity in not monopolizing that knowledge but sharing it widely.

 

After a brief moment of hesitation—about a second—Diego responded, “He is that compassionate and deeply humanitarian. As if in reward, he has even received the blessing of the God of Abundance.”

 

“A blessing!”

 

Chairman Vonmati exclaimed without thinking and stood up from his seat.

 

“Is that true?”

 

“It seems the news hasn’t reached Lisboa yet. The Vice-Director of the Holy See’s Investigation Bureau has already confirmed it.”

 

“Hahaha! Viscount Eric Marseille is truly an extraordinary man! In all my life, I’ve never heard of such a lord.”

 

In his good mood, Chairman Vonmati gestured to a maid to bring wine.

 

“Today, I am very pleased. I propose a toast to Baron Eric Marseille—please don’t refuse.”

 

Though Diego and Raul were young and inexperienced, they weren’t the type to hesitate when a high noble proposed a toast.

 

“Of course. We’re proud as well.”

 

“Haha! If you need anything, just say the word. If it’s to help Baron Eric Marseille, I’ll gladly do it.”

 

Realizing this was a golden opportunity, Diego immediately spoke up, “In that case, could you help ensure our products are featured in the auction? Ideally, we’d like a favorable evaluation, but we’re concerned about territorial bias.”

 

“Of cours,e I’ll help. The spice auction house’s representative is a close friend of mine—I’ll speak to him personally. And I’ll write you a letter of introduction under my name. It’ll make things easier for you in Lisbon.”

 

Diego stood up, bowed in gratitude, and raised his glass.

 

“A toast to the friendship between Chairman Vonmati and Lord Marseille!”