Following the notice from the city council that arrived the previous evening, Izakaya Nobu prepared for the visit from early morning.
The letter of notification was quite elaborate, sealed with melted wax, and the parchment inside was of high quality.
At the end, the signatures of Backeshoff and Gernot were aligned, indicating that this was a document with official force.
“It didn’t say anything about the contents.”
Nobuyuki muttered as if spilling his thoughts.
Neither Eva nor Hermina had been called in today.
Shinobu and Nobuyuki stood side by side in front of the neatly cleaned shop.
The idea was that if something were to happen, the two of them alone could handle it somehow.
“That’s what’s strange, if anything.” “To prevent us from escaping?”
Shinobu also thought that line was quite possible.
Nobuyuki might be imagining a criminal who flees to a cliff and confesses his crime.
“I wonder if they’ll read the charges and arrest us right there.”
“I don’t like that.”
“I wish they’d only grill bacon.”
According to Nikolaus, the maximum penalty for smuggling lager was death.
By fire, no less.
However, only those who leaked the recipe for lager or attempted to smuggle it out of the country on a large scale were subject to such punishment.
If Shinobu and Nobuyuki were to be caught, Nikolaus predicted that it would be a fine and imprisonment.
“Hmm, they seem to have arrived.”
Nobuyuki narrowed his eyes. The sound of the hooves of the horses pulling the carriage gradually approached the shop.
It was unclear if it was the same carriage that had come on the stormy night, but it was a splendid carriage with a roof, engraved with the city council’s crest.
The carriage, drawn by two horses, slowly decelerated and came to a quiet stop in front of the shop.
“You waited without running away, how very commendable.”
Damian was the first to descend, cursing. He was followed by Gernot and Backeshoff. They didn’t seem to be accompanied by any guards.
Shinobu tried to look into Gernot’s eyes, but he skillfully averted her gaze. However, his expression was stern.
“Well, it wouldn’t do to stand in front of the shop.”
Nobuyuki opened the glass door, and everyone followed. The air inside the shop was more tense than ever, and it was a little hard to breathe.
Shinobu thought about preparing some tea, but Gernot stopped her with his eyes and a cough. Perhaps it would be considered a provision of benefits.
“Now, shall we begin?”
At Backeshoff’s words, everyone sat down at the table. At the four-seater table, Backeshoff and Gernot sat on the entrance side, and Shinobu and Nobuyuki sat on the far side. Damian took a position in front of the glass door, perhaps to prevent escape.
Gernot took out a thick bundle of parchment from the bag he was carrying under his arm.
This must be the investigation record on the contraband lager. From Shinobu’s perspective, all she could see was that it was lined with neat-looking characters.
“Now, Gernot, let’s start quickly. We have a city council meeting in the afternoon.”
“Let’s do that. There should be many things to decide at today’s meeting.”
“Ah, yes. That meeting is also near. For the honor of the Old Capital, we must ensure that the meeting proceeds smoothly.”
The meeting must be the one about the Three Northern Dominions.
Deacon Edwin had said that the meeting of dignitaries was being held in the Old Capital because it was considered a relatively neutral city.
“It would be a problem if it were known that contraband was being handled in the Old Capital before an important meeting. For the honor of Backeshoff’s name, we must clean ourselves up beforehand.”
“I, Gernot, also believe that the chairman is absolutely right.”
Looking at Gernot’s attitude, he must be completely on their side.
Shinobu felt a little sad, even though she knew this would happen given his job as a tax collector.
“Now, I will report the details and results of the investigation.”
A single sheet of parchment was slid onto the table, densely packed with fine characters. Shinobu, who had only learned a little of the Imperial language, had no idea what was written.
“This is a document obtained from the Imperial Brewery of the Capital. The reason the investigation took so long was because we were communicating with the Imperial Brewery, which has all authority over lager.”
“Miki no Kami” must be an official position related to brewing. From Gernot’s tone, it seemed to be a very powerful office.
Translator’s Note
“Miki no Kami” (造酒正) – “Imperial Brewery” is a literal translation. It’s an ancient Japanese government post that controlled alcohol brewing.
“The Imperial Brewery, I see. However, no matter how strict the surveillance, isn’t it possible to slip through?”
“That possibility also existed, so we requested a thorough investigation this time. As a result, we found that a considerable amount of lager was being smuggled.”
“So it was, after all.”
The situation looked grim.
Even if the smuggled lager was not actually sold at Izakaya Nobu, they would probably be framed. Nobuyuki also hung his head.
“The Imperial Brewery was very angry about this incident and conducted an investigation involving all the officials of the Brewing Bureau. These are the results.”
“That’s good work. But it’s helpful for us. If the Brewing Bureau’s investigation reveals the fraud, it will save us trouble.”
Backeshoff took the parchment that was handed to him, but his expression changed as he read the contents.
“…Gernot, what does this mean? You just said that a considerable amount was smuggled, didn’t you?”
“I certainly did.”
“Then, what does it mean that the total amount smuggled is thirty-seven barrels!”
“Thirty-seven barrels of lager, which should never have been distributed, leaked out. This is a considerable amount, to say the least.”
Thirty-seven barrels is certainly a considerable amount, but the absolute amount is small.
“And the whereabouts of thirty of those barrels are known?”
“Yes. It seems that the Regent of the Eastern Kingdom secretly purchased them for a banquet. It’s unforgivable.”
“…But the whereabouts of the remaining seven barrels are unknown, right? So they were sold at this izakaya?”
Gernot shook his head slightly at Backeshoff’s words.
“It’s been half a year since Izakaya Nobu opened in the Old Capital. If lager had been sold during that time, it wouldn’t be just seven barrels. Don’t you think?”
“It’s mixed! They mixed ale and lager. That must be it!”
“I see, that’s a possible tactic. However, that’s also impossible.”
Looking at the parchment that was then handed to him, Backeshoff’s face turned dark, going beyond the red of anger.
“The whereabouts of six of the remaining seven smuggled barrels are known to have been transported to the south of the Empire and crossed the border. They probably flowed to the Holy Kingdom. It’s unnatural to bring lager back to the Imperial Capital once it has crossed the border.”
“B-But, Gernot. There’s still one barrel left, one barrel!”
“Yes. But it’s just one barrel. If this one barrel was used as a mixture as you said… Would the taste of lager remain enough for you, Mr. Backeshoff, to recognize it when you drank it?”
“Ugh.”
Gernot was on Nobu’s side.
Shinobu was ashamed of herself for doubting him even for a moment.
Beyond her gaze, Backeshoff’s expression distorted. Not only had his plan to acquire this shop collapsed, but he had also embarrassed himself greatly by mobilizing the city council.
“…By the way, Mr. Backeshoff. There’s something I’d like to ask you.”
“What is it, Gernot? I have no intention of answering trivial questions.”
“It’s not a trivial question. It’s a very important question. …How did you know the taste of lager?”
In an instant, Backeshoff’s expression froze.
“Well, that’s because, when I was still in the Imperial Capital, I was invited to a banquet of a certain nobleman, and the taste of the lager served at that banquet…”
“What year and month was that, and whose banquet was it? If lager, which only a few people, including the Imperial Family, can drink, was served, there is a possibility that the nobleman was also committing a serious violation.”
“Ah, no, that’s not it. That’s, um, well.”
Gernot coughed once and took out another sheet of parchment.
“Actually, we know the whereabouts of the other barrel, roughly speaking. It’s in the Old Capital.”
“Ah, I see. Then everything is solved. That one barrel was also at this izakaya…”
“Well, I wonder about that.”
At that moment, Backeshoff suddenly stood up.
“Yes! Miss, please bring a jug. Give Gernot that, too. Toriaezu Nama. Then everything should become clear.”
“Ah, I’ll refrain from that.”
Backeshoff grabbed Gernot by the collar and demanded, in a voice close to a scream.
“Why? If you drink it, you’ll understand!”
“Why? I won’t understand even if I drink it. I’ve never drunk a single drop of contraband lager in my life. Besides…”
“Besides?”
“I’m on duty now.”
Gernot straightened his collar and answered, and Backeshoff slumped back in his chair.
“Mr. Backeshoff, please listen to the end. Roughly speaking, it was delivered to the Backeshoff Company. What we don’t know is who drank it.”
Backeshoff looked up at the ceiling with a pale face.
Shinobu couldn’t understand what was happening in front of her.
All she barely understood was that Backeshoff was apparently the one smuggling the lager.
At that moment, the glass door was suddenly pulled open.
“Damian!”
Shinobu also looked towards the glass door at Backeshoff’s shout, but Damian was nowhere to be seen. He seemed to have abandoned his master and fled.
But Gernot was calm.
“Let’s leave the small fry. Excuse me, Taisho, could you go to the guard station and arrange for someone to come? We need to take away the criminal who handled the contraband.”
Nobuyuki nodded, stood up, and ran outside.
“Well, today will be busy. There are many things to decide at the meeting. Including Mr. Backeshoff’s successor, you know.”