They really are going all out, or maybe this is normal for for rich people?

They are taking me to a beast continent restaurant, and an upscale one too. Monster pelts decorate the whole place with lots of horns and skulls here and there.

I thought for sure they would bring me to a human continent restaurant or at least an elf one, since the elves have the complete record of the hero's recipe's.

"Right this way please."

Oh! A bunny butler. I guess this world leans towards beast ears and tails rather than furries. I saw a few others before him but they are all this type. I am very much okay with that. I have no qualms about it but I would still feel weird talking to a 'personified' dog. It would also hurt my brain to wrap my mind about how their voice could make the sounds, or would they have their own bark language? That would be a pain to decipher or make sense of.

They are wearing tuxedo and formal maid clothes. I don't know if they are following the hero's 'formal' attire setting for a high class restaurant but the style doesn't match their wild tribal looking restaurant.

They even have a dress code. The three no's of a classy restaurant. 'No clothes, no shoes, no service.' However, I think the sign is only a formality because I see a lot of shirtless and barefoot customers.

Shoes are a disadvantage for some races so it is very optional. The same with the shirt since, you can't expect someone who has a spiky backbone to wear a shirt just to wreck it the moment they move. They do have a backless and strapless bra here, probably another invention of the hero.

The menu is all meat. Hmm? Would it count as cannibalism if a cow-type humanoid eats beef? or are they a different type of creature? As long as they don't serve me the humanoid version, it doesn't concern me. I need to ask them before I order, even if this is 'normal' here, I don't want it to be my normal.

"Is this restaurant to your liking? Feel free to order as much as you like, we will take care for all the expenses."
"You brought me to a beast continent restaurant, and the menu is all meat! Are you sure what they are serving here are edible?"
"Ah, we figured you wouldn't want to eat at an elf continent restaurant. Even if the argument ended after the hero era started, some old families still pass on the grudge onto the descendants."

From what I saw, the elves are the one's who want to continue the grudge since their long lives carry the memory of the grudge. I still haven't seen a genuine old family in the dwarf continent so I can't say for sure but, at least from my acquaintance, no one seems to mind such an old grudge.

"The dishes offered in our human continent is seasoned lightly, which might not be compatible with your taste, so we didn't want to take the risk to bring you to one."

Really? This whole world is pretty much conquered by the hero so shouldn't the taste equalize with the hero's palate as the norm?

"The beast continent restaurants however, have the same meaty and heavy taste the dwarf continent residents typically like so we brought you here. Don't worry about the meat since these are all monster meat. No one eats humanoid monsters anymore since before the hero era."
"So you chose the safest bet among all! What a bunch of cowards! I'll take everything in the menu and a couple barrels of beer."

So they really did eat others before the hero came here. The rule of the jungle? I hated the hero for all the changes since it took away too much of the fantasy feel but I am very thankful he fixed this.

"Please enjoy the meal first, We will discuss our business after the meal."
"I'm surprised you arrogant bunch could be considerate! However, your concern is wasted on me. Don't sour my after meal bliss, straight up tell me what you need, or leave money for the bill and scram!"

Tsk, I keep slipping out sarcasm accidentally. I can't help it, I am naturally spiteful of them because of the past.

"If that is what you wish then I will go straight to the point. We want to sponsor you!"

My spiteful words isn't even flinching the prince anymore, the same with the healing saint but that may be because she isn't the one being talked to. The princess has that uncomfortable facial expression but she is still holding on, unlike the head maid whose face is starting to redden. She had the same face when yelling at me at the academy, yelling here and there about my 'sin' of hurting the princess. Ah, if you keep this out, I might accidentally punch your face. No one could resist hitting a big read button after all.

Rather than that, sponsor me? They want to go the passive approach?

"If you are going straight to the point then do it right. What sponsor? You think someone would just give someone something for no reason? What are you hiding? You think I would just say yes to anything you told me as long as it's free?"
"Very well, I will stop holding back. We want to do an exclusive trade with you. You might not know but most of the products here on the island are second rate at best. This is because the continents still distrust others. We want you to-"
"Thank you for waiting. I'm sorry but our table isn't big enough to lay out all of your order. Do you want it in a particular order?"
"Tap the beer and lay it at the corner. Bring the food as they are ready, if there isn't a room then don't bring it until I finish the current dishes."

The staff in this restaurant has great timing. The prince was about to give me the 'let us all get along' speech, about how each continent is still holding back, and about how he wants to stop that by selling the best I could make in the island. About how I will be the pioneer to truly bridge the different continent.

"As I was saying, we want first-rate products of the dwarven continent. We tried with other dwarvesmiths but since they already have a foundation of their own, they are reluctant to release their products outside of their own continent. That is why we want to help you build that foundation here on this island. We would supply you the money and materials to reach the heights, in return we want the rights to sell your products in our stores."
"I'm not some sword-for-hire. You can't just dump money in front of me and expect products in return. You think the only reason mastersmiths don't sell you their wares is because they have solid patrons back home? There should be a limit to your arrogance! Are you the only path to sell first-rate products here? The only reason you aren't sold such things is because you aren't worthy!"

You already know all this. Actually, I only knew the reason after overhearing you talk about it. Don't try to mislead me just because I am an 'apprentice'. Technically, I am a fresh graduate who hasn't started apprenticeship. I can skip such a thing if I can establish my own forge but I still don't have enough money.

"This would be a give and take relationship. How about we make it even simpler? I assume an apprentice like you wants to be independent and start your own smithy. We can help fund your independence and in return, we wish to have the ability to request custom made equipment someday in the future. Of course, we will properly compensate for every order."
"You sure have a lot of money. Investing on some random stranger for a deal that may or may not happen in the future."
"Of course we know the risk but considering the payoffs, it is very much worth it."

This is bad, I'm starting to get into the passive situation. I mean, I want them to needlessly dump money to me so I won't have to worry about it but I don't want them to think I am under their thumb.

The staff has been serving dishes after dishes as he and I were talking so I can drag out my silent treatment.

I think the staff called this one beef steak but it's elephant size! The worm meat we had at school was bigger but this still an amazing size, and instead of the normal barbecue we did with the worm, this is properly grilled and seasoned. I don't know the exact price but when I briefly glanced at the menu a while ago, most of the prices are on the higher end of the silver denomination.

The beer isn't to my taste though. It has a fruity taste and a low alcoholic content. This is a glorified fruit juice! It doesn't go well with the meat!

"Waiter! Do you have a different kind of beer? What is this fruity stuff?"
"I'm sorry sir, this is our best seller so we thought you would like it."
"It doesn't blend with the meat! You work here so you should know what goes well with what. What are you doing giving me this fruity drink in combination with a grilled steak? Change the barrels to the whichever beer that has the most kick."
"Yes, sir. However, since you have already started drinking the first casket, we will need to charge you with it. I'm sorry about that sir."
"I know, just give me my beer."

I'm not the one paying for all this, so charge all you want.

"Back to what I was saying, we will help build your foundation. Whether you make it big or not is up to you. We just want a promise that if you ever make it big, you can make a deal with us. An honest deal! You sell us crafted gear and if possible take custom request from us. In the end, it will be up to you, the same with this conversation of ours, to accept or not."
"Hmmmmmmm!"

They are making this deal way too sweet for me. Too many benefits without apparent risk. I know from the start that it's a trap for their grand scheme of conquering the whole world. I mean, my blacksmith skills wouldn't be needed after they conquer the dwarf continent. I would just be one of the many.

However, the way they keep giving me advantages after advantages gives me the strange feeling that they have a way to make me 'keep my word'. Is there some kind of contract magic here? I know they removed brainwash, slave or hypnotic types of magic but magic enforced contract is within the bounds of business.

"It looks like you have a lot to think about. To make sure we don't destroy your after meal mood, we will leave you be. Ah, of course we will pay for the bill before we leave. We will also give you some extra money in case you want to order more. Our companion lina accompany you until you make you left the island. She will show you the sights or help pay for some shopping you might need. Please take your time to decide, take until the very last day before you leave to make a decision. Don't worry, even if you refuse this opportunity, we won't make you pay for everything we spent on you. Please enjoy your stay."
"Hello, I am lina. I am working as the healer of our group. I will be sure to accommodate your needs during your stay in the island."
"That is the best thing I heard you say all that. GO, Go and leave me be. I am very thankful that you grew a brain during this whole farce."
"Well then, we hope a favourable response if possible."