Chapter 71: A Taste That Silenced Doubt

“Ahem!”

At that moment, one person appeared.

“…Does that mean you’re questioning our evaluation?”

“…Association President! That’s….”

Only upon seeing the association president did Ropal snap back to his senses and barely calm his excitement.

The association president clicked his tongue.

“To think such words would come from a previous winner. Tsk tsk. You’re essentially denying the honor of the award yourself.”

“…But I can’t accept it. How could an unheard-of inn from the frontier possibly win?”

“So, what do you want to say?”

“Release the evaluation report. I need to know the reason.”

“Hmm… If you insist, I’ll show it.”

The association president gestured to a staff member.

“Bring that over.”

A moment later, the staff returned with a stack of documents.

“This is the fundamental reason why the Rose Inn had to be on our award list.”

It was the evaluation report for the Rose Inn.

“Read it aloud so everyone can hear.”

Ropal began reading the evaluation report clearly and loudly.

“The Rose Inn is small in scale compared to those in the royal capital and lacks splendor. The decorations are outdated, and there are no high-end artworks to satisfy nobles!”

Sensing victory, Ropal emphasized his words with force.

At the same time, the atmosphere stirred.

The evaluation started with nothing but negative comments from the beginning.

But that was only temporary.

Soon, Ropal’s voice gradually diminished.

“However, the cleanliness is top-notch, with not a single tiny bug to be found… The staff always greet guests with smiles full of warmth. The most standout point is….”

“What are you doing? Keep reading!”

Flinch.

At the association president’s scolding, Ropal’s body trembled.

“Th-the most standout point is the amenities provided here. The scents and soaps offered by the inn are top-quality items rarely seen even in the royal capital. Additionally, the accompanying chamomile tea provides relaxation to weary minds and bodies. Moreover, the bedding is as cozy and comfortable as clouds, making one want to lie in it all day….”

Ropal’s face contorted in spasms.

“…This is sufficiently captivating to charm the tastes of royal capital guests and creates a unique charm exclusive to this place. For those with weary minds and bodies, come to the Rose Inn.”

As Ropal finished reading, silence fell over the banquet hall.

It was filled with praise, closer to a ‘recommendation letter’ than an ‘evaluation report.’

“Th-this can’t be….”

Ropal slumped like a man who had lost his mind.

Based on the evaluation report alone, the Rose Inn was more than deserving of the award.

But Ropal refused to acknowledge it.

“…Perhaps!”

He gritted his teeth and spat out.

“The dispatched evaluator could have been bribed, couldn’t they?”

Gasp!

Someone let out a short, shocked breath, but Ropal continued undeterred.

“Think about it! It’s an inn in the frontier—who can immediately go and verify if everything in the evaluation report is true?”

“You….”

The association president’s expression cooled instantly.

“…You’ll have to take responsibility for those words.”

Flinch.

Startled by the association president’s aura, Ropal broke out in a cold sweat and quickly shifted targets.

“Robert! As the party involved, come out and explain yourself!”

As Ropal pointed accusingly at Robert, all eyes turned to him.

“Hmm….”

With a somewhat somber expression, Robert walked forward heavily and spoke.

“I’m truly saddened and sorry that such a misunderstanding has arisen. This must all be due to my insufficient reputation.”

Ropal, delighted, shouted triumphantly to the crowd.

“Hahaha, did everyone hear that? He admitted his own inadequacy! An award for someone like him? Preposterous!”

Despite the interruption, Robert continued calmly.

“Even if you ask me to prove there’s no foul play, I’m not sure what words could convince you all. And I can’t invite everyone to Alburton right now.”

“Of course not!”

At that, Ropal’s grin stretched from ear to ear.

Murmur murmur.

“Did he really bribe the evaluator?”

“No way, that can’t be.”

“Still, it’s a bit unsettling.”

Amid the confusion.

Heh.

Robert raised one corner of his mouth.

“Instead, I’ve prepared a refreshment table boasting the pride of our Rose Inn. Experience our top-quality offerings firsthand and judge for yourselves.”

Clip clop.

At Robert’s gesture, the staff waiting outside entered the banquet hall with smiles full of warmth. With skilled hands, they quickly set up the refreshment table.

Robert, with a very gentlemanly smile, introduced the refreshments placed before him.

“We’ve prepared gotgam and chamomile tea from our Rose Inn. I hope it suits the tastes of those from the royal capital.”

The flustered Ropal hurriedly snorted and shouted.

“What do you think you can do with just tea?”

Murmur murmur.

“But what’s gotgam?”

“I don’t know. First time hearing it.”

No one stepped forward readily. The unfamiliar gotgam elicited resistance.

As if anticipating this, Robert spoke calmly without panic.

“Come, don’t hesitate—please come and try it. It’ll be much better than you think.”

“The aroma seems quite nice, doesn’t it?”

“The gotgam looks tasty too. Shall I try one?”

At Robert’s smile and refined gestures, people gradually opened their hearts and picked up teacups.

Slurp.

“Mm!”

Soon, exclamations erupted from all sides.

“The aroma is subtle and fragrant!”

“I’ve never had such luxurious tea before!”

“Just drinking it relaxes my body and eases my mind!”

The chamomile tea received unanimous praise.

The admiration didn’t stop there.

“Oh my! What is this? It’s incredibly sweet and delicious!”

“Just eating it makes me feel happy!”

“I’ve never had a dessert like this in my life!”

They were not just admiring the gotgam—they were enthralled.

The royal capital was the epicenter of all trends.

Accordingly, its residents were sensitive to new things and had high tastes. For them to be this enthralled was astonishing.

“Th-that can’t be!”

Ropal couldn’t believe it.

It was just a snack from the frontier. How delicious could it be?

Ropal hastily bit into the gotgam.

“…Gasp!”

Soon, his prejudice shattered with just one bite of gotgam.

“Th-this can’t be….”

Ropal bit into the gotgam again. The sweetness spreading in his mouth and the lingering rich flavor made him feel intoxicated.

“What do you think? Does it suit your taste?”

Robert asked with a meaningful smile.

“Surely you’re not surprised by mere frontier refreshments?”

“…Urk!”

Tremble tremble.

Ropal’s body shook.

“I can’t accept this! This is just refreshments you can get anywhere, isn’t it?”

He gritted his teeth and spat out. Clinging desperately to the end.

“Enough with the nonsense!”

The tourism association president stepped in to block him.

“There’s not a single person here who agrees with your absurd claims.”

Ropal looked around with terrified eyes. Everyone was glaring at him with displeasure.

“Damn it!”

With his face flushed red, Ropal bolted out of the banquet hall like he was fleeing.

Toward his retreating back, the association president clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“Tsk tsk. Now that the unwelcome guest is gone, let’s forget the unpleasantness and resume the banquet.”

At the association president’s order, the music played again, and the banquet hall quickly regained its liveliness.

Robert was surrounded by people.

“Mr. Robert, where on earth did you get the gotgam?”

“This is the first time I’ve had such top-grade chamomile.”

“What other amenities do you provide?”

Questions and praises poured in endlessly. Ropal’s actions had ironically made Robert much more famous.

Soon, reporters also threw questions.

“May we ask for your thoughts on winning the award?”

“If it’s alright, I’ll say a few words.”

Robert cleared his throat. The reporters perked up their ears and paid attention.

“This is not my achievement alone. I have a very special business partner. Without him, I couldn’t have come this far. I dedicate this honor to Mr. Fabir.”

***

“I dedicate this honor to him. Kyaha!”

I stopped by the herb shop for a delivery, and Bernard was reading the newspaper with admiration.

“Is there an interesting article?”

“Mr. Fabir, listen to this.”

Bernard read the article aloud.

“Recently, the hottest snack in the royal capital is none other than gotgam. Stories about gotgam are endless throughout the royal capital.”

I raised an eyebrow.

Why gotgam in the royal capital?

“It was none other than Alburton’s Rose Inn that first introduced gotgam. The Rose Inn, appearing like a comet at the event hosted by the tourism association, elevated the inn’s prestige by providing special amenities, earning high praise and the honor of being named an excellent inn.”

Bernard exclaimed after reading the article.

“Wow, the Rose Inn winning excellent inn status. Isn’t that amazing?”

“Mr. Robert deserves it. He’s worked tirelessly for the Rose Inn up to now.”

“Strictly speaking, it’s thanks to you, Mr. Fabir?”

“Huh? What did I do?”

“Look here. It says they got high marks for amenities. Most of the amenities provided by the Rose Inn passed through your hands, didn’t they? And Mr. Robert dedicated the honor to you.”

“To me? That’s quite an honor for me.”

I smiled. I was grateful just for being mentioned in the award speech.

“Anyway, what’s gotgam? If it’s causing a stir in the royal capital, it must be really delicious, right?”

“I happen to have some—would you like to try?”

“Huh…?”

I took a gotgam from my pocket and handed it to Mr. Bernard.

“It’s made from persimmons I grew myself, so it’s very sweet and delicious.”

Bernard looked back and forth between me and the gotgam with a dazed expression, then stammered.

“…W-wait. So, this is gotgam?”

“Yes.”

“Then, are you the one who provided gotgam to Mr. Robert?”

“That’s right.”

“Sigh….”

Bernard’s jaw dropped.

“I thought it was only served as dessert at the Rose Inn—I didn’t know it had gone all the way to the royal capital.”

Bernard neatly closed his slack jaw.

“I-is that so… To be so nonchalant after reading an article about gotgam being a huge trend in the royal capital—now I feel like the fool for being surprised.”

“I’m plenty surprised. Anyway, with the Rose Inn winning, Alburton will see more tourists.”

“The merchants’ association seems to expect a lot too. Speaking of which, shouldn’t we stock up more? Guests using the Rose Inn will surely visit the herb shop.”

“We should. I’ll check the inventory when I get back.”

Things are going to get busier.

With royal capital guests coming, Alburton will face big changes.

The Rose Inn’s award felt like a celebratory cannon signaling the start of those changes.