Rikimaru (4)
Maybe the way goods were bought and sold is different between the Empire and the Royal Kingdom. Perhaps they don't even use the word "shopping."
I pondered this while watching Naruhito arranging puzzles, but then I wonder, how do they live without it?
I headed straight to Sai’s room.
When in doubt, it's best to ask.
Naruhito came along, carried in my arms. He was told not to go down the stairs alone, so he obediently let me carry them.
I set him down before knocking on the door.
Naruhito walked in cheerfully. Sai was sitting on the sofa, while Hirosue placed a pudding on the table.
"Sorry for barging in without notice."
When I apologized,
"No, it's fine. I'm glad you came while I was awake."
Sai responded. Was he always this soft-spoken?
"Perfect timing. I'll bring Naru-boy's snack too. You can eat together here."
"Me too."
I hurriedly raised my hand and ordered my share. Hirosue smirked.
"Did we have your share too, Lord Rikimaru? Did you mention you’d come today?"
"… I didn't say today, but I come almost every day. You should keep some for me. Actually, I want to live here, but the Demon King won't give permission!"
"Alright, alright. Just wait."
Sai listened to our conversation with a slight smile. His posture on the sofa was very good; he seemed to be recovering well. Dr. Ikumatsu, sitting beside him, watched attentively. He began eating the pudding with a spoon in his left hand, leaving the bowl on the table. Wasn't he right-handed?
He tried to use his right hand to steady the bowl but struggled, his hand shaking. It seemed his right hand wasn't working well. He did have brain surgery, so I guess there are various issues.
"Sai, do you like pudding?"
"Yes. It's my first time eating it, but it's sweet and delicious."
"I see. Is there not much sweet stuff in the Empire?"
"… The war made us lose many things. Sweet things were a luxury. The common people struggled just to find food to survive each day."
"I see… So, are there stores? Can you shop?"
"Well, toward the end, everything, including food, was confiscated by the military. Stores had nothing to sell, so it was all rationed."
"Rationed?"
"Yes. The state managed everything and distributed it. Everyone had to give up their possessions to the state, and the military would distribute the leftovers to the people. Food, clothes, everything. That was the official stance."
"So, Naruhito has never shopped? Because the stores weren't open?"
"No, relying solely on rations would lead to starvation, so there were black markets where people secretly traded goods. But as for Naruhito…"
"He doesn’t seem to understand the idea of 'buying' things.”
Sai closed his eyes in thought.
"Lord Rikimaru, what do you think of when you hear the word 'Combat Doll'?"
What do you think about this chapter?
