Loop Mob – A Mob’s Interdimensional Travel Caught in a Loop

Chapter 79: Reunion with Bruno

“So, who’s the young man here?”

“Ah, let me introduce you. This is Luca-sama from the Earl Laquell’s family, the nephew of Professor Laquell.”

“Luca Laquell, huh.”

Luca-sama seems to be in a distant and cool mode. Well, that’s fine. After all, we’re officially here for the student council’s audit.

“Hmm. A noble’s protector, huh? I had a bad feeling when it came to Professor Laquell’s case, but I didn’t expect to draw the short straw.”

“Hey, Bruno, Luca-sama isn’t like that! …Sure, there are various types of people around, but…”

“Various, huh?”

He shrugged sarcastically. Luca-sama seems a bit annoyed. I hope we can get along.

I visited the restaurant with the student council documents. The network of Bruno’s family, the Baratie Trading Company, which includes the restaurant where my brother is taken care of and its affiliates, is of a terrifying scale. The eateries listed in the documents covered almost everything. The manager Bruno brought with him to the capital was murmuring while glancing through the student council documents.

“Probably half of the payments are missing from this company. At best, thirty percent. We’re studying the prices for future transactions as well.”

He removed his monocle and neatly returned the documents. As expected. When merchants engage in wrongdoing like this, they easily get caught. The reason they haven’t been caught for years is that the wrongdoers are powerful.

“What should we do? Are we going to do it?”

Bruno showed his face in the pleasure district.

“Nah, it’s okay. For now, let’s just record evidence like price lists here, and then leave the rest to the big shots.”

Even if Bruno and Luca-sama expose the irregularities, it’ll probably be covered up or they’ll face undue pressure. If we pass this matter to His Highness, he’ll surely handle it well. With this, our job is done for now.

And now, onto today’s other matter.

“Alexi, more importantly, thanks for the Charlois liquor.”

“Oh, yeah. No, thank you too.”

The Charlois liquor, which I used as an excuse for coming to the capital. Professor Kabaneru has successfully developed it, and the business expansion is currently proceeding rapidly. My brother quickly secured an initial investment loan from the Appel Trading Company, wrapped up negotiations, and is steadily increasing profits. Of course, Count Charlow, who smelled a business opportunity, also volunteered as a sponsor, but the pioneer bonus for getting into the Charlois brewing business ahead of everyone else was significant. The Baratie Trading Company, which sponsored it, did too.

The manager didn’t come to deal with the student council’s petty accounting matters. Bruno heard from me that I was the driving force behind the Charlois liquor and came to request a meeting.

“Thanks to you, the business is expanding smoothly. I must repay this gratitude.”

People in the dark attribute society are especially keen on adhering to honor and duty. Trust is important in any world, not just in business. Perhaps because the dark attribute, which possesses dangerous skills, is particularly wary, they place even greater importance on trust.

“Oh, it’s fine. It’s also a business that relies on distribution channels. Let’s support each other.”

More importantly, the issue I wanted to bring up today is this.

“This is…”

“It’s a recipe book using relief crops. Um… sorry, it’s a bit rough since I improvised.”

Phew, that was close. The excuse “the source is Hyamo-san” won’t work with them. I know them too well. Last time, I compiled the recipes I experimented with at Viscount Kabaneru’s mansion. I could have discreetly shared them with the Kabaneru family through my brother, but they were too busy with their brewing business and couldn’t take advantage of them. Then, with a grand promotion, Count Charlow swooped in and took all the best parts. So, it’s fine to teach Bruno’s place now.

“Wonderful. I’ll have the head chef try them out right away.”

“It seems like I’m adding more and more debts.”

Bruno scratched his head.

“If our regulars make a profit, we make a profit too. It’s mutually beneficial.”

It’s a win-win situation. It turned out to be a good deal.

“Hey, Alexi. What kind of recipes use relief crops?”

On the way home that day, Luca-sama asked, and I remembered. I had completely forgotten, even though I could get rice anytime I wanted while in the capital. We couldn’t grow rice in Charlois. We stopped by a trading company that deals in rare grains and relief crops, bought rice, potatoes, and other ingredients, and cooked them in the dorm.

“Wow, this onigiri called ‘Bar de Rí’ is delicious!”

Luca-sama held the rice ball in both hands and nibbled on it happily. It was very cute, like a squirrel nibbling on a nut. We could only procure salmon as filling, but I think it tastes similar. I’ve shared recipes using other relief crops, but not rice yet. Rice cultivation hasn’t been established domestically yet.

“This is still our secret, just between you and me.”

He widened his eyes, then chuckled softly. Luca-sama likes secrets.

A few days later, on Bruno’s day returning to Marole, I slipped away from the student council and went alone to see him off.

“That recipe is amazing. I’ve racked up more debts again.”

“Don’t worry about the debts. We’re also benefiting from it.”

“If you have any problems, let me know. I mean it.”

“Any problems… well…”

Currently, my main concern is not being able to find a clue to end the loop. For example, there are no children of the dark attribute in the noble academy, but perhaps Bruno might have some idea. And also, students with the light attribute. If the story were to unfold, it would likely involve such rare attributes.

“I haven’t heard anything for a while. Is that what you want to know?”

“Yeah, kind of.”

“I see. Then I’ll let you know if I find out anything.”

“Thank you.”

And so, he returned to Marol. I bought some sweets for Luca-sama, who was probably sulking in the student council, and returned to the academy.