A mid-level (middle-aged) office worker's laid-back industrial revolution in another world - Chapter 153

Translator: Jasper Kadowaki | Editor: NovelMultiverse

After everyone finished eating, Takeo took the dishes to the kitchen. 

Frederick was serving tea to everyone. 

“That was blissful,” said Grandpa Elvis, stating his opinion, happily. 

Everyone else nodded.

“That was the first time I ever tried either of those dishes… Interesting. To think that I could still be trying new food, at this age!” said King Azupal, smiling gleefully and nodding.

“Alice, is Takeo a chef?”

“Hmm… Well, you could say that, and you wouldn’t be wrong, but you wouldn’t exactly be right… Grandfather, how many dishes has Takeo made for us now?” asked Alice.

“Hmm, yes. There’s the French Toast, and mayonnaise, and Carbonara, and butter sandwiches, and pudding… I think by now, he’s put out six different kinds of food, hasn’t he??” said Grandpa Elvis.

“They were all new foods, weren’t they? I expect that there is much more to come,” said Smith.

“That’s amazing… I would already like to have Takeo-san in our house,” said Layla.

“You’re right, Layla. I want him to serve us this kind of food, every day.”

“Ah, if only Count Elvis hadn’t declared it earlier, we might have tried to steal him away.”

The three guests smiled and chatted while everyone in the Elvis household was sweating nervously.

The three guests from the royal house wanted to take Takeo… As the conversation progressed, what might they say?…

Takeo-sama… Let’s get through this, somehow… Alice prayed to herself.

————————

Takeo returned to the parlor and sat down in his seat.

Frederick served him tea and gave refills to everyone else, and then backed away.

“First of all, Takeo-san. It was delicious.”

“Were you satisfied?” asked Takeo. 

“Yes, very much so! There’s no food quite like this at the royal capital,” said Layla, as the three guests all smiled and nodded.

“I’m glad to hear that,” said Takeo.

“Now, as for the reason we have come to visit… This is the real topic of conversation. It’s about the rings… But, before that – Takeo-san.”

“Yes.”

As soon as the rings were mentioned, Takeo thought, Ah…

He could only imagine a terrible outcome, and he was disheartened.

“What have you heard about me?” asked Layla.

“Lady Alice has only told me that she has a married older sister at the royal capital,” said Takeo, “I’m sorry for my ignorance, Alan-san, and William-san, but I haven’t been informed on your positions. Not only that, I’m not very well informed on the various rankings within the Azupal Kingdom, and so I may be acting presumptuously without even realizing it. If there’s anything I could do to right any wrongs I’ve made, please let me know.”[Read this novel and other amazing translated novels from the original source at the “Novel Multiverse dot com” website @ novelmultiverse.com]

“I see… Our position in the hierarchy is… It would be annoying to make it sound complicated, so I will just say it simply. We are very close to the King of Azupal. Grandfather… We are higher in rank than Count Elvis. And on this particular trip, since I’m in charge, I’d say you shouldn’t mind my father-in-law or William. To me, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with how you’re speaking, and you can even speak more freely, if you’d like, you know?” said Layla.

“Layla-san, thank you. I’m not very good at formal speech, and so I am grateful that you’ve said that,” said Takeo.

“My father-in-law and William think so, too, don’t you?” asked Layla.

“Hmm, yes. I don’t mind at all, either,” said Alan.

“I’m fine with it, too,” said William.

“Thank you very much,” said Takeo, bowing slightly.

“Now – about the rings. Alice. Takeo-san,” said Layla.

“Yes,” said Takeo and Alice together. They were both listening with serious expressions.

“News of the rings that we are dealing with today has reached the ears of His Majesty. To tell you the truth, we were the first to hear about it,” said Layla.

“All right,” said Takeo, nodding.

“As far as one of the rings go, the crest of the royal house is one thing, but… Since it’s just a ring, we have decided that Alice’s accomplishments from two years ago will suffice to merit the rings as a proper prize,” said Layla.

“Yes. Thank you very much,” said Takeo, bowing slightly.

Alice didn’t say anything and fidgeted in her seat.

“As for the one remaining ring – Smith.”

“Y-yes!”

“We will reward it to you as a commemorative gift for entering the boarding school, next year.”

“What?!” the four members of the Elvis household said, in surprise.

“…That is… Amazing. We are extremely grateful,” said Grandpa Elvis.

“Um… I will have the royal crest?” asked Smith.

“Yes. It is a gift of thanks from the His Majesty for discovering the ring without the royal house even knowing about it. And so, the heir to the Elvis household should be in possession of it, don’t you think? That is what the King said. However, you will be gravely disciplined and raised up at the boarding school. That is what the King said, as well, with a smile on his face.”

“Yes… Thank you very much. I will work hard to become someone worthy of this ring,” said Smith, bowing to Layla and the other two guests.

“Hm, yes. We are looking forward to that, as well,” said Alan, “As a person and a politician, we want you to become a great human being.”

“Yes. Smith, do your best,” said Layla.

“Yes, I will,” said Smith.

With that, Layla handed the ring over to Smith.

“Which finger should I wear it on?” asked Smith, flustered.

“Any one you like. Ah, but, perhaps you should avoid wearing it on your ring finger, like Alice and Takeo-san,” said Layla. Everyone besides Alice and Takeo laughed softly. 

“Uh… Sister Layla…” said Alice.

“Layla-san…” said Takeo. 

They were both red in the face, and could only smile in embarrassment.

After thinking for a bit, Smith put the ring on his left index finger. 

“Hmm, yes. Congratulations, Smith,” said King Azupal, and everyone nodded.

“Thank you very much,” said Smith, in gratitude.[Read this novel and other amazing translated novels from the original source at the “Novel Multiverse dot com” website @ novelmultiverse.com]