Dream Life Vol 3 Chapter 24.1: “The Grand Banquet: Part 2”

　The banquet with the dwarves was almost a festival with the addition of music and dancing.

　While I was enjoying the atmosphere, I occasionally glanced toward the road.

(It should be about time though…) (Zack)

　About an hour and a half after the banquet started, a cart and about ten soldiers came toward the venue from the street side. Some of them noticed besides me and asked, “Who’s there?”

　Mr. Degenhardt asked, “Okay, who is that?”

“It’s probably His Excellency Count Roswell. I told him we had some delicious ale, so I guess he came for a drink.” (Zack)

　When I said this in a playful way, Degenhardt said, “You’ve been after this from the very beginning,” and glared at me. But his expression immediately relaxed,

“Well, that’s all right. It’s a banquet hosted by Lockhart today. Whoever he invites, it’s not our place to say.” (Degenhardt)

　The Frontier Count was riding not in a luxurious carriage, but in a rugged wagon used by the Knight Order. In addition to him, my brother’s fiancée Rosalind, his grandson Francis, and Francis’ mother Cordelia were riding in the wagon.

　At first, the dwarves were all buzzing to see who had arrived, but suddenly they stopped speaking and started staring at a single point.

　The object at the end of their gazes is a rather small but very ordinary barrel. However, on the side of the barrel is clearly painted the emblem of a rising lion.

　The frontier count dismounted from the wagon and walked slowly over to my father.

　He was dressed in ordinary riding clothes, as if he were going for a long ride, and was dressed so roughly that it was hard to believe that he was one of the most prominent nobles in the empire.

“Sir Mathias. May we also join you?” (Hubert)

　My father broke into a smile and said, “You are more than welcome to jump in, Your Excellency,” and invited him to the table.

　The Frontier Count said, “Thank you,” and then noticed the blacksmiths staring at something,

“Let us join!” (Zack)

　I raised my voice, but the dwarves’ reaction was not so much thin as almost non-existent. The frontier count smiled and shouted again,

“I heard that this time we bring in our liquor and let everyone taste it! I want you to enjoy our liquor to the fullest!” (Hubert)

　At that moment, all the dwarves stood up at once. They raised their arms to the sky and gave a roar-like shout, “Oh!”

　It seemed that they understood what the Frontier Count had brought them and expressed their joy with their shouts. However, the shout frightens young Francis, who clings to his mother, Cordelia.

　Seeing this, her youngest sister Sophia spoke to her with a smile, “Do not be afraid, Master Francis,” and Francis, perhaps a little relieved, slowly came out from behind his mother’s back.

　Rosalind, who was standing next to the Frontier Count, was also surprised by the shouts, but soon greeted my father and the others with a smile.

　She was not dressed in her usual knightly attire, nor was she in an ornate dress.

　She was dressed in a large, brimmed hat, a slightly billowing skirt, and a pure white blouse decorated with lace. My brother Rodrik, blushing a little, escorted her to a chair.

(That was surprising given her nickname, Tomboy Princess. I thought she would wear a knight’s uniform and carry a sword like she always does…does that mean she understands the meaning of this banquet?) (Zack)

　The dwarves expressed their jubilation, but seemed to be unsure whether they should head for the barrels or not. However, their gazes never left the five barrels on the wagon.

　During this delicate moment, both my father and the Frontier Count were smiling bitterly. My troubled father ordered me in a whisper, “Zack, you’re in charge.”

　I give a small nod and stand in front of the wagon.

“His Excellency’s gift is, in addition to the ‘scotch’ made from barley that you drank the other day, distilled apple liquor and distilled wine. The apple brandy is a little sweeter. Enjoy the aroma of the marl. Anyway, please everyone, enjoy!” (Zack)

　My words were the spark that set off a procession of blacksmiths that quickly formed in front of the wagons. My father and the Frontier Count, seeing them for the first time, had their eyes widen at the sight of them lining up without any confusion at all, just as they had done before.

　Since three kinds of spirits were to be served this time, about 500 drinking glass had been prepared.

　The dwarves basically drink both ale and wine from a single mug, most of them wooden.

　However, this would not allow them to enjoy the subtle colors and flavors of the three types of spirits. That is why we prepared drinking glass. As expected, we couldn’t go so far as to have one for each type of liquor, but if we rinsed them with water, the taste and aroma should not be affected.

“Please drink from this glass mug this time!” (Zack)

　My words elicited a surprised and bewildered response from the dwarves.

　Glassware in this world is expensive. Aside from large cities such as Welburn, where the castle of the Frontier Count is located, glassware is rarely used in medium-sized or smaller cities. In small towns and villages, glassware is not even seen.

　They were surprised and puzzled by the use of expensive glassware at a banquet for commoners like themselves.

“All three types have different tastes and aromas! With the drinking glass, you can tell the subtle differences. I also want them to be enjoyable for the eyes as well. Of course, you can use a wooden mug for the second drink, but please be sure to use this for your first drink!” (Zack)

　The dwarves seemed to understand the reason for using the glass and were satisfied. However, the reaction was not quite as positive.

　Mr. Degenhardt, representing the dwarves, confirms this to me. He looked uneasy, which was unusual for him.

“I understand the purpose of using it, but I’m worried that I might break it.” (Zack)

　I kept smiling as much as I could to let him know it was no big deal,

“Ah, all of these drinking glass were made by me as a practice. So, I don’t mind if they break, and the raw materials aren’t expensive either.” (Zack)

　At these words, everyone except Liddy and the others had their eyes bulge.

　While I was explaining, the squires, Enos and the others, were carrying a tray with the drinking glass to the front of the wagon. They then transferred the liquor to a decanter-like ceramic vessel that had been prepared for this purpose, among others.

　The drinking glass prepared for this occasion were similar to those with stemmed legs used for wine tastings. The shape is irregular, but the transparency is far beyond the glassware of this world.

　The uneven shape is due to the fact that they were made by practice, and some of them have colored stems and bases.

　The Frontier Count picked up a glass, held it up to the sunlight, looked at it, and muttered to himself,

“The quality is better than the one from the Imperial Capital… This transparency and thinness… It wouldn’t only cost a single gold coin…” (Hubert)

　Degenhardt shakes his head slightly when he hears one gold coin–a hundred Krona, the equivalent of 100,000 yen.

“‘Don’t compromise on alcohol!’ I think those were words from the Blacksmith Guild. Then, dwarves are the ones who want to drink in the most delicious way, right?” (Zack)

　When I say that playfully, Mr. Degenhardt smiles bitterly.

“Indeed, it is, but… all right! If you say so, this must be the best way to drink… Everyone!　Listen up! If you break a glass, the guild will pay for everything! So, drink with peace of mind!” (Degenhardt)

“I don’t want you to compensate for anything…” (Zack)

　I was worried about what I should do. If they gingerly pick up a glass and drink it, they probably won’t be able to taste it. I thought about what I could do to make people drink with peace of mind and came up with a method.

“Everyone! Please take a look!” (Zack)

　I said, picking up a glass vessel and lifting it to eye level.

　When everyone’s eyes were on me, I slowly turned the palm of my hand with the glass vessel.