Chapter : 26
I nodded at Meno’s words.
Because that was exactly what I wanted to hear.
“I had already deduced some of it from Bellin’s report.”
The Quend Hotel pursued an image of elegance and refinement.
For nobles, it offered a noble experience; for commoners, a night that felt noble.
The Quend Hotel gained popularity by presenting this as its slogan.
“But such adjectives don’t really accommodate children.”
Because of that, guests with children likely found it difficult to stay comfortably at the Quend Hotel.
Bellin’s report included examples of this very issue.
“Parents leaving mid-meal because their child cried in the restaurant…”
Was that the only example in the report?
The restaurant in Quend Hotel had an especially aristocratic atmosphere.
If a child cried there, most parents would worry that their child was causing a nuisance.
Everyone came for a special evening, and they might even feel guilty for being greedy enough to come at all.
“So they end up eating half-heartedly, then just leave.”
After that, they’d either eat outside or order room service.
It was more convenient for both the child and themselves.
Though eating outside was hot and buggy without air conditioning, and room service was more expensive than regular meals—so neither was exactly an ideal choice.
This situation didn’t only apply to the restaurant.
“Similar situations would repeat throughout all the facilities of Quend Hotel.”
Even if no one judged them, the atmosphere and reputation of Quend Hotel likely intimidated them.
That family would return from their rare stay at a good hotel constantly worrying about what others thought.
“In fact, most lodging facilities, not just Quend Hotel, don’t consider children. The hospitality industry long catered exclusively to adults.”
“Yes, people haven’t even gotten used to traveling for more than twenty years.”
Everyone nodded at my words.
“That’s right! Thinking back, I never left the village as a child!”
“My family was too busy making a living to bother with travel—they scolded me for even thinking about it.”
“At that time, our inn mostly had mercenaries or merchants visiting for work.”
Everything they said was true.
Looking at historical data, most societies back then were agrarian, leaving little leisure time.
“But here, just like on Earth, the Industrial Revolution came and society changed rapidly.”
The economy improved, new wealthy families emerged, and they became new customers in the travel market.
The Empire’s lodging and tourism industries grew during this period.
“Especially Quend Hotel, which read the trends well and established itself as the number one.”
But markets never stay stagnant—they always move.
Recently, the industry was stirring with a new trend.
“Over the past few years, the number of family tourists has steadily increased.”
With the Crown Prince firmly established and political stability achieved, the livelihoods of commoners improved.
Whenever people gain some leisure, they turn to recreational activities.
And the most popular pastime for the public was always travel.
“Young couples who are getting married and having children these days aren’t overly burdened by travel.”
In fact, they are rather idealistic.
The development of magazines, newspapers, and other media constantly showed advertisements and glimpses into noble lives—including their travels.
Naturally, young couples wanted to break free from their villages or territories and see a broader world.
“And of course, they want their children to experience that too.”
I was certain.
A new wind had begun to blow in the market, and these families would become the new clientele—far more numerous than nobles or newly rich, expanding the market significantly.
“Then, capturing the public is the key point, isn’t it?”
But most established businesses would dismiss it as a passing trend.
Their operations had become too large to quickly adapt to a new flow.
“They wouldn’t even realize how important this signal is.”
This was the gap Quend Hotel had missed despite being the market leader.
I decided to exploit that gap and began construction of a resort.
Of course, Meno, who had no knowledge of this, was just cautiously fiddling with a child’s high chair.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before—a table and chair fully suited for a child…”
Naturally.
These were also nonexistent in this world and were specially made at my request.
“Will we place these high chairs in our restaurant too?”
“Of course~. Our resort will have a family-friendly atmosphere.”
Isn’t the dining environment the best way to showcase that?
Here, anyone could eat comfortably anywhere—either in the kitchen area or the restaurant.
“Our main clientele will be families, so there will be children at other tables too.”
Everyone could relax without feeling burdened or judged while spending time with their children.
That was the selling point of my resort.
Meno, who had been quietly rubbing his stomach, nodded.
“I would love to see the resort you dream of, Ea-ni!”
Muttering that, Meno looked at me with a determined expression.
“So, Ea-ni, there’s something I’d like to say to you.”
“Hmm? To me?”
“Yes! Actually, at Quend Hotel, there are a few colleagues who quit due to pregnancy and childcare.”
I immediately had a feeling where he was going with this.
“When I told them about my recent updates, everyone became interested! Especially when I said there would be a ‘playroom’ for children to play separately in this resort, everyone’s reaction was very enthusiastic!”
Meno’s eyes sparkled as he spoke.
“So, Ea-ni! If it’s possible, could you meet with my colleagues as well?!”
“Oh my.”
“They all had significant experience in their respective departments, so I’m sure they’d be very helpful to this resort!”
Wow! A stroke of luck rolled in all at once!
‘Seems like I’m rather lucky in this life~.’
I gladly accepted Meno’s suggestion and made a few adjustments to my plans.
“Mm~, this is so delicious~.”
The Redive ice cream, made with care by Meno and the restaurant staff!
I smiled brightly as I enjoyed it.
‘Hehe, I can hear it. I can hear it—the children who fall in love with this ice cream begging their parents to buy it!’
Truly, the easiest wallets to open are those of parents traveling with children!
I was confident that this ice cream, along with other Redive desserts, would become the restaurant’s top-selling items.
Hoping that day would come soon, I enjoyed some rest on the swing tied to the palm tree.
But I couldn’t rest forever.
‘Now that I’ve replenished my energy, it’s time to get to work.’
I got up from the swing and stretched, then headed toward the vast open space behind the shade of the palm trees.
I had drawn markers on the ground with magic to indicate where the construction would take place.
The construction workers and Bellin had apparently followed my instructions well.
‘With the foundation in place, this will be done in no time.’
I opened the bag I had brought.
Inside were glass bottles filled with my blood, carefully collected.
‘Finally using the acorns I’ve been saving like a squirrel~.’
I floated dozens of glass bottles in the air and began pouring my mana into them.
Then, a whirring sound.
The blood in the bottles reacted to the mana, swirling, pushing the caps off, and shooting out of the bottles.
The transparent liquid, a mix of blood and mana, sparkled under the sunlight in a mesmerizing way.
‘Beautiful.’
Even as a magician, I was captivated by the motion for a moment and smiled.
“Something this beautiful must be put to good use~.”
