WE WENT TO AN IMPROVED APPLE EXHIBITION
When you receive an invitation from a demon, it doesn’t mean Come if you like. It’s a demand.
Just such an invite had arrived from Beelzebub.
This was an unusual notice. For once, it sounded like the kind of thing you would expect from a minister of agriculture. We didn’t have any conflicts for the date given, so we decided to all go together.
Flatorte might get bored at a serious event, but these were demons we were talking about—this was bound to be another elaborate affair. At the very least, we would probably get to eat some apples.
With that in mind, we made our way to Vanzeld Castle, then headed to the event in a VIP carriage Beelzebub had procured for us.
“We’re traveling so fast…,” I said. “It took us three days and two nights to reach the town on those artifacts…”
Once again, our carriage was pulled not by a horse but by a behemoth.
“Indeed. Artifacts like those serve little practical purpose.”
Beelzebub had been a victim of that incident, too, and she seemed to remember it well. I bet it wasn’t cheap, either…
“Those artifacts are currently being tested out for use around the castle gardens,” Beelzebub explained.
“Oh, so they are being used.”
They looked like big creatures, so it would have been a little sad if they were left sleeping in storage. When it came to things like that, I couldn’t help being influenced by appearances.
But Beelzebub brought a finger to her lips, indicating this was a secret. I guess that gesture meant the same thing no matter what world you were in.
“It cost quite a bit of taxpayer money, so we need to show that they are being used, or it would look very bad for us. We are doing everything we can to put them to use around the castle. ’Tis important that they appear to have some sort of meaning…”
“I’d rather not know what goes on behind the scenes with this stuff, actually…”
“Demons are all hale and hearty, which means they aren’t useful for traveling short distances… I wonder if we could sell them to the human kingdom… Perhaps they might find use as a means of transport in smaller towns, such as for the elderly whose legs have grown weak. What do you think?”
“It’s a nice thought, but I get the feeling it won’t go over so smoothly… Either way, you should probably consult the government directly…”
I didn’t really want to be standing at the front of a demon initiative that might throw human culture into disarray.
While we chatted, we made it the rest of the way to the event venue at Ehock.
I thought it was going to be another festival, but from what I could see at the entrance, the atmosphere inside was more formal.
“The signage isn’t very colorful… In fact, it’s just the event name in black on a white sign.”
The writing was in demon script, so I couldn’t read it, but I bet it said, “Improved Apple Exhibition.” There was a rough sketch of an apple in the corner of the sign, like an afterthought.
“’Tis an event attended only by those in the industry, so that is only natural. The usual guests include farmers, greengrocers, university researchers specializing in modified produce, and others related to the farming industry.”
Beelzebub shot me a confused look, as though wondering how I hadn’t realized this already.
“Wait. So then why did you ask me to bring the entire family?”
I had very little reason to come to such a specialized event, even by myself. I had no plans to plant any apple trees.
“The answer is obvious,” Beelzebub declared, puffing out her chest.
It was? Had Sandra said she wanted an apple tree or something?
“To show the girls how hard I work! I knew you would not come if I told you to bring only the children, so I had you bring the entire family!”
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