Chapter 93

Chapter 93:  The Empress's Test (5)

「A hearty breakfast keeps you going all day.」

Promotional materials featuring a sandwich and a cup of coffee began to spread throughout the capital.

It was a phrase personally spoken by the Imperial physician, Mikhail.

After reading that phrase, younger doctors began advising their patients to never skip meals, out of respect for the renowned physician.

「No matter how busy you are, it’s important to eat balanced meals every time.」

Typically, medical services were a privilege reserved for the middle class and above.

Thanks to that, people began to gradually take part in the ‘Eat Your Lunch’ campaign.

Eventually, what drew the most attention was the unique food item mentioned in the promotional material.

「Take a sandwich, for instance.」

Of course, food that consisted of bread filled with something existed in other regions, too.

However, sandwiches from Haman—which included vegetables, meat, and cheese from various regions—were uncommon.

Thanks to that, sandwiches filled with ingredients of many colors came across as a health food to everyone.

Soon, they began to be called ‘Haman Sandwiches’ and started to attract the attention of gourmets from different regions.

Naturally, Lucun’s help played a major role in spreading the word this quickly.

「Friday Gourmet Society puts a spotlight on Haman’s Sandwiches!!」

Admittedly, Haman was a city of rugged warehouse workers and merchants.

However, that didn’t matter in the slightest to those obsessed with gourmet food.

They were the kind of people who would detoxify poison just to taste something good.

Those who visited the streets of Haman with no prejudice gave their honest review of the taste.

「The rich juiciness of the meat and the perfect harmony of fresh vegetables!」

「The coffee is excellent, too. The beans came straight from the East and retained their flavor beautifully.」

These honest evaluations from the gourmets were published under current affairs and culture in the Gold Morning newspaper.

‘No wonder.’

Until now, they had only waited for ingredients from Haman to be delivered to their palaces or mansions.

By the time they arrived, the ingredients’ freshness had already dropped significantly.

That’s why I always went directly to the food supply warehouses to provide the best hospitality.

I never imagined those memories would come in handy in a way like this.

「A new discovery in Haman, a paradise of culinary culture.」

Some of the gourmets, clearly impressed with their first encounter with the sandwich, even wrote personal journals about it.

Thanks to that, many citizens who read the papers began to visit Haman in person.

Riding the wave of this popularity, I secretly stuck posters certified by the Gourmet Society all over restaurants.

Restaurants that received five stars from the society—marked with the ‘Red Ribbon.’

I smiled with satisfaction as I looked at the report on the rising visitor rate to the city of Haman.

Then, I turned to look at the poster for the Descent Art Exhibition hanging from a streetlamp.

Unlike me, who had started with modest promotional materials—

Tobang, backed by Archduke Eric, had planned a far more aggressive campaign.

「The Haman Special Exhibition of Genius Painter Descent.」

Descent, a painter who had built tremendous recognition at a young age.

Several of his works, including his latest, were to be displayed in Haman’s city hall building.

The news attracted not only the Imperial Court but also various nobles and elites from nearby regions.

Spreading the rumor was not difficult.

Tobang’s family was also a prestigious one. A few hints from his parents at a party, and the word spread in no time.

Thanks to that, one month later—

Thousands of middle- and upper-class gentlemen and ladies gathered in front of Haman’s city hall.

“As expected of the greatest noble house in Nord. The scale of this promotion is impressive.”

“Isn’t it brilliant? Using an art exhibition to revive a city... It’s a unique idea—no doubt because he’s a secretary of the Luton family.”

The mayor of Haman and the Imperial Minister of Finance looked down at the crowd from the top floor of the city hall.

They sipped their coffee together, ready to report positively on the effectiveness of Tobang’s plan.

“Thank you for coming, Baron Todie. Have you been well?”

Standing on the first floor of the exhibition, Tobang Arman personally welcomed the upper class, shaking hands with each and every one of them.

“Haha, of course. I heard the news that you were officially appointed as a secretary, Tobang!!”

“To think that little boy grew up to be this remarkable and is now in charge of planning such an event... Baron Arman must be very proud.”

He greeted everyone with ease, clearly used to such social settings.

His handsome appearance and tireless energy left quite the impression on both the mayor and the Minister of Finance.

However—

That prosperity lasted only until the initial days of the exhibition.

Once the upper class had toured the exhibition, they left for their own estates right away, their business concluded.

“Now that we’ve had a look around, shall we head back?”

“Let’s. I’ve made a reservation at a restaurant in Leonfield.”

Next to Haman was a well-developed city called Leonfield.

There was no reason to stay here any longer.

“Right. With the festival season approaching, they seem to be preparing quite a lot over there.”

The carriages of the upper class—who had been invited with great difficulty—were the first to exit the grand exhibition.

I watched the scene leisurely, having come to see the exhibition myself.

Really, who would come all the way to Haman just to admire art?

They had all come to earn favor with the Grand Duke of the North, who had planned the exhibition.

Art had always been such a tool.

A place where those dreaming of success came to meet the upper class.

A place where those who had already succeeded flaunted their wealth.

Tobang, having grown up immersed in the life of the nobility, probably didn’t understand this core truth.

However—

He wasn’t someone who had become an official secretary solely thanks to his family, either.

“Please take one of these with you on your way out.”

Tobang handed out a ticket to each person who visited the art exhibition.

And the identity of that ticket—was a car wash voucher.

“I heard that Haman’s car wash industry has developed thanks to the many carriages arriving from rural areas. So, we’ve partnered with several local car wash businesses for our guests.”

To reach the car washes, they would inevitably have to pass through the center of Haman.

“So, on your way out, get your carriage cleaned and refreshed.”

This was exactly what Tobang had aimed for.

After distributing a great number of wash vouchers, he quietly looked over at me from a distance.

“This is how you use art for promotion.”

With a look in his eyes that declared this round his victory.

“Indeed. When cunning meets capital, the synergy is astonishing.”

Echina muttered with folded arms and a sullen expression.

But I continued to observe the situation with the calm gaze I had developed during my time as Chief Secretary.

“It’s fine. Take a look over there.”

I pointed toward the many people walking out through the front gate after the noble carriages had left.

Though they were all dressed in fine suits, it seemed they didn’t have carriages of their own.

Most of them would have to call for public transport carriages.

But due to the crowd that had come for the art exhibition and food tourism, they would have to wait a long time.

As a result, the atmosphere among the exhibition visitors naturally shifted toward having lunch in Haman.

Some of the gentlemen and ladies showed faint signs of hesitation along the way.

After all, Haman still carried the image of a city full of rough men.

‘But still, could they really skip the famous sandwich and coffee after coming all the way to Haman?’

Sure enough. They were soon persuaded by confident gentlemen and began heading toward the shopping district.

We followed the crowd, leisurely guiding our carriage.

Soon, the crowd arrived at the street vendors and casual restaurants favored by local merchants.

They began to take notice of the Gourmet Society’s certification posters hanging along the streets.

“My, there's a Red Ribbon restaurant in a place like this?”

“Really? These street restaurants...?”

Some middle- and upper-class patrons had already claimed spots under the parasols.

However, the ladies who had expected a luxurious meal wore disappointed expressions.

“Seems like the Red Ribbon’s reputation has faded. How could a place like this have earned it...?”

“I was hoping to dine somewhere a bit more refined.”

The gentlemen hesitated at their words for a moment.

But in the end, they would have no choice but to dine in the streets of Haman.

Because—

“Wait a minute. The people sitting under that parasol—don’t they look familiar?”

The sound of a master’s music flowed out from the restaurant.

The atmosphere was unbelievable for a street restaurant in the shopping district.

Two famous figures who drew attention no matter where they went were seated under a parasol.

A dignified gentleman in a black suit with a stylish jacket draped over his shoulders—

Bennet Tolkien.

And a ballerina with skin as pale as a swan and noble black hair—

The Black Swan—Gehenna—was there as well.

“Would you like some more coffee, sir?”

“Gladly, thank you, Miss Gehenna.”

Like a sweet daughter, she handed him the coffee, and the dignified gentleman took a sip, his eyes warm with affection.

The scene, like something from a play, quieted the surroundings.

Some journalists nearby were even sketching the two of them.

Seeing that, the gossip-loving ladies widened their eyes and pointed toward the journalists.

“It must be a photo shoot…!!”

The gentlemen, flustered by the ladies whispering closely together, blushed.

Then, trying to appear composed, they murmured softly.

“Shall we take a seat too, then?”

“Let’s. Maybe the restaurant was aiming for a friendly, casual concept.”

It was only after seeing celebrities enjoying the restaurant that the ladies finally accepted the place.

Afterward, they took their seats alongside the gentlemen.

“Judging the place just by our presence—noblewomen are really hard to understand,”

muttered Gehenna with a grumble to Bennet.

In response, the white-haired gentleman let out a small laugh and spoke kindly to the Black Swan, like a father to his daughter.

“Ladies are the guardians of the household. They’ve always had a habit of being cautious.”

“So, it can be interpreted that way too.”

Gehenna rested her delicate chin on the back of her hand and replied,

“If I still can’t understand it, I guess I’m not really a lady.”

“There are many progressive ladies like you, Miss Gehenna, so don’t worry.”

The ballerina of the century looked over at me and the Grand Duke’s daughter watching from afar.

Especially at Echina Luton—the Empire’s Black Lion.

“Well, a progressive life does look admirable… when I see Lady Echina.”

The Grand Duke’s daughter let out a deep sigh.

Normally, the streets were filled only with rough men, but now, people from all walks of life were gathered together.

The city could never be transformed overnight like Old Luton.

However, at the very least, the impression that Haman was as dangerous as the rumors said—had surely been disproved.

“Well then, shall we start with the club sandwich set everyone’s talking about lately?”

“Sounds good. But eating with bare hands is… a bit awkward, isn’t it?”

The ladies, worried about appearing unrefined, hesitated.

At that, looking displeased, Echina turned as some of the local shopkeepers began to approach.

“Well, aren’t you all fussy, missies.”

The sudden appearance of rough-looking men made the out-of-town guests visibly tense.

“Wh-what is it?”

“It’s just frustrating, that’s all—frustrating!”

As they strode forward with big steps, all the visitors to Haman gulped hard.

But the moment those men grabbed the menu boards—

“If you’re worried about getting your hands dirty, we’ve got seafood stew for you, ladies!!”

“My daughter likes it too!!”

They offered advice in their gruff voices—but it was kind nonetheless.

“Pardon…?”

“Didn’t you hear? The sandwiches are great, but if you don’t want to eat with your hands, this one’s good too!!”

The gentlemen and ladies blinked at each other like fish out of water.

Then, slowly grasping the situation, they began to nod.

“Ah, I see… Well then, we’ll have one sandwich and a pasta…”

The guests continued to place their orders with slightly awkward expressions.

Up to this point, the atmosphere had been rather heavy.

But the moment they saw the food brought out by a warm-looking lady—

“Enjoy your meal, everyone. Lots of out-of-town guests these days—”

—they couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

The sandwich and pasta placed before them…

Were of far higher quality than expected.

“Wow… This is really for two people?”

“The portion is impressive, but look at these vegetables. So fresh and green… They look fresher than what I’ve had at the estate.”

As the compliments continued, both the lady and the local shopkeepers smiled with pride.

“Well then, let’s see…”

One of the gentlemen set down his fork and knife.

Then, taking in the glorious street view, he lifted the sandwich with both hands and took a big bite—

“……!!”

A burst of rich meat juice and crisp, refreshing vegetables.

The savory taste of the bread hit him, and his eyes flew wide open.

“I-Is it really that good?”

The ladies, intrigued by the rare, honest expressions of the usually dignified men, watched closely.

And when they each took a spoonful of the stew for themselves—

The sweet flavors of the seafood and the richness of the tomato stew made them wear the same surprised expression.

“This really is Haman…”

“You’re right. It’s a familiar flavor, but simpler—and deeper, somehow.”

The Grand Duke’s daughter and I watched the scene leisurely from a table across the street.

It wasn’t just because the food suited their tastes that they looked so pleased.

Even beyond these visitors, the streets were packed with crowds who had come to try the foods promoted in the campaign.

“One more sandwich to go, please.”

This was the moment when a doodle drawn on a napkin accomplished what dozens of masterpieces couldn’t.

“Her Majesty the Empress will need to taste it herself soon, after all.”

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