After leaving Viscount Rixos's Private Manor, Kompani could not help tugging at Joshua.
"You had the Kingdom Parliament's written approval, didn't you? Why did you insist on bringing me along to see the Town Chief?" There was a hint of complaint in Kompani's expression. "I was so nervous back there I could barely hold it in."
"Hold it in?" Joshua paused, glanced at Kompani's crotch, and smiled with his lips pressed together. "You'll have plenty more chances to deal with Viscount Rixos, brother-in-law. You'd better get used to speaking with him as an equal, like you did today."
"Huh? Why?" Kompani was stunned.
"Hmm... come on, brother-in-law. Let's talk somewhere else."
Joshua invited Kompani into the Mana Sedan they had arrived in and drove to a riverside spot far from Viscount Rixos's Private Manor.
After getting out, Joshua took a paper box from inside his jacket, opened it, and pulled out a slender white object about as long and thin as a finger, also wrapped in thin paper. He handed it to Kompani.
"What's this?" Kompani took it curiously and caught a fresh fragrance wafting from it, instantly feeling much more clearheaded and refreshed.
"This is a new Hanru Grass Cigarette from the Elf Race. Smells good, doesn't it? Here, this is how you use it..."
Joshua motioned for Kompani to put the thinner end of the Hanru Grass Cigarette in his mouth, then took a small Metal Box from inside his jacket. He rubbed one end of the Metal Box, and a tiny flame sprang up.
Then he brought the flame to the other end of the Hanru Grass Cigarette, lightly charring its tip.
As tiny sparks glowed at the tip, the fresh fragrance he had smelled earlier instantly grew much stronger. Just one sniff left Kompani feeling invigorated.