So you're the emissary of Shiga Kigndom. Since you're an emissary, is it correct to assume that you're an earl or a duke?"
"Neither. I am an ordinary citizen."
Wonder if that shouldn't have been the case for an emissary?
While thinking that, I'm with a member of the weasel senate in a uselessly gaudy room.
Since it's only Kuro who's allowed to meet him, Liza and Zena-san are standing by in the waiting room.
"--Ordinary citizen? Yet you wish to meet His Majesty the emperor?"
"I am a follower of Hero Nanashi-sama. Shiga King and the crown prince have given me their recognitions, have you not heard it?"
"His Highness Crown Prince...."
This man calls the crown prince with [Highness] instead of [Majesty].
He's probably in the emperor's faction.
I tried to probe various things out of the senate member, but he shrewdly dodged all of it.
During this chance, I also tried to ask about the emperor and the tactician Touya.
"--His Majesty is a great person. He has turned this once small country that had no choice but getting oppressed left and right by major powers into an empire in a single generation. An impossible task for ordinary men."
I wanted to ask about his personality, not achievements, but I couldn't get anything useful from him who adored the emperor.
On the other hand, as for the tactician Touya--.
"I do not fancy that bald tactician, but he is a capable man. His involvement in realizing the emperor's 『Rich Country Strong Army』 plan is big. I thought he was planning a rebellion when he established 『Brains』 and started to meddle with science, but that bald tactician's loyalty is genuine."
Wonder what he did to make this man think it's genuine?
An unexpected answer came out when I asked about it.
"He was the one who held back the rebellion of the foolish reincarnated person, Kazura's rebellion who was accompanied by the demon lord. He sacrificed his own body to protect His Majesty. After that, that guy has only an arm and an eye."
The name sounds familiar. The weasel demon lord's name should be Kazura.
I didn't call him by name even once so I might be mistaken, I should check it.
It'd be annoying if there were still other demon lord out there.
"Are you talking about the rat demon lord and the weasel demon lord at Dejima Island?"
"--Weasel demon lord? The only demon lord that appeared should only be the rat demon lord from the north. The reincarnated weaselkin certainly did many barbaric experiments and research befitting to be called demon lord however...."
It seems the weasel demon lord had been evil ever since he was an ordinary person.
"Then, Hero Hayato has already dealt with them both at Dejima Island."
"Is that so.... Reincarnated person Kazura's death is deserved, but his ability will be missed. The science products from Jipan were highly prized among the empire's high class society, and he was also the driving force behind the empire's scientific progress...."
Despite all that, his behaviors were so bad they forced him into Dejima Island's labyrinth.
Recalling my conversations with the weasel demon lord, I understood what happened somehow.
"Father, please excuse my rudeness while you're in the middle of a talk--"
I wanted to talk a bit more, but since the banquet was about to start we went to the hall.
"Amazing--"
Zena-san was surprised when she saw the large hall for the banquet.
Very long tables are lined up in the banquet hall, and great variety of dishes, so many they look like they'll spill out, are placed on top of the tables.
At first I thought they were trying to show off the Weasel Empire's prosperity, but judging from the guests' reaction, such festivities seem to be an everyday happening.
Many of the dishes make use of oil and butter, reflecting the chandelier's light off them.
They truly look heavy on the stomach.
There are grapes and fruits placed on tall bowls between the dishes, they're probably the palate cleanser.
Lots of flower decoration too, but no one even bats an eyelid at them.
We're guided to the seats near the host while exposing ourselves to the inquisitive gazes of the guests.
"Somehow, everyone is looking at us."
"Gazes from weasel worth less than garbage."
Liza replied the anxious Zena-san by looking down at other people which was unusual for her.
Both of them are talking in Shiga Languange, so no one around us should be able to catch it.
And the party began after the host's greeting.
"It's delicious isn't it."
"Yes, dishes have no guilt. Let us get tasting."
Oily meat dishes seem to be nothing for the young Zena-sana and Liza.
I only took a mouthful of each for future references and enjoyed the rare liquor offered by a rabbitkin waiter.