Published: January 15, 2026
“Lord Van! The barbecue party preparations are complete!”
Til called out from afar, reporting the completion. Meanwhile, under Espada’s command, Arte, Kamushin who had just finished training, and members of the knight order were busy bringing in logs one after another, turning the trees into wooden blocks.
“Ah, Lady Arte! Let us carry those!”
“I-It's fine...”
Though I don’t think she’s really helping much, Arte was earnestly holding onto the ends of the logs, carrying them as best as she could. Actually, it seemed the knights were trying to be considerate.
“...Alright, for now, two buildings are complete. Let’s just have a blast at the barbecue party today!”
To switch the mood, I called out loudly and stopped the construction work. Frankly, some of the exhausted knights, Kamushin, and Arte responded with relief. Those who had stayed behind in Seato Village simply cheered, happy about the barbecue.
When we moved to the venue, large campfires had already been set up at regular intervals along the street. Calling them campfires because they were too big to be called mere bonfires, the people of Seato Village were definitely party people. Lighting such huge fires right in the middle of town was not normal.
Around the fires, chunks of meat were roughly piled on wooden plates, along with heaps of what looked like fruits and vegetables. However, everyone’s eyes were mostly on the barrels filled with alcohol. This time, we prepared plenty of fruit wines popular among young women, so all the adults were eagerly eyeing the drinks.
“Oh, the preparations are perfect already.”
Saying that as I entered the venue, cheers rang out from everyone in Seato Village.
“Lord Van!”
Oh, I can hear voices worshiping me. I never imagined that the super genius boy Van-kun would have such a large fanbase here. Alright, maybe I should start a new religion.
While thinking this and flashing a divine smile as fan service, even louder cheers erupted.
“Woo! Start already!”
“Meat, meat!”
“Lord Van, is it okay to drink alcohol from age ten!?”
The cheers turned into roaring shouts from all directions. Wait, weren’t they supposed to be praising Van-kun? You blasphemers! I’ll multiply your taxes by ten.
The pure-hearted Van-kun silently cursed in his heart as he moved toward the center of the square, wounded by those words.
Turning back at the residents who shouted without knowing their taxes would be multiplied tenfold in the future. Well, just kidding.
“Alright! Before we start the barbecue party, I must say: alcohol is only allowed in Seato Village from age twenty! That’s the village rule!”
I declared firmly, but a huge booing erupted.
“Eh!”
“Why?!”
“That’s unfair!”
The underage crowd started making a ruckus. Lately, the proportion of young people has increased, and the booing was intense. Alright, let’s raise the taxes twentyfold. Anyone who apologizes immediately gets a year’s tax exemption.
Trying not to show it, I twitched my cheek slightly and returned to the opening speech.
“Alrighty! Now, let’s start the barbecue party! First, please fill your cups with drinks! Oh, alcohol only after twenty! Anyone under nineteen caught drinking will have to join Dee’s special training as punishment!”
After announcing the rules and punishments, the booing stopped instantly and calm returned to the area.
Glancing lightly around the now quiet crowd, I took a drink from Til. Of course, I chose fruit water instead of alcohol.
“Now then, let’s toast to the development of Seato Village and the victory of the Kingdom of Scuderia! Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
Everyone shouted loudly and drank their beverages at once. The adults instantly brightened up after drinking, and the young people laughed as they ate meat. The barbecue venue suddenly had the atmosphere of a grand feast. Perhaps because of the liveliness, I could even hear someone singing somewhere.
Just watching it all made me feel very happy.
“...It's been a while, hasn't it?”