He's a mayor of a tourist trap town. He's got no business acting either as a diplomat or a spy in order to glean information regarding the motives of a vaguely hostile neighbor.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING! I was like he is just the mayor bro, are you as the nobles supposed to look into this and bring subordinates trained under you like a soldier or something, I mean I get Ian, but the mayor? What is he gonna do? Sell them soff seaweed or take them to a hot spring? He is not trained nor is it in his job description
I think it just fits, hes character is usually cautious. Even I would be suspicious if the other is a powerful person but humbles himself to an inferior job. But I think this is done to proceed with the plot. Remember, in the story theres so many things lacking such as entertainment, technology and nutrition. The story is mainly focusing on food but he does picks up other things along the way. Since he is a nutritionist, his overall goal is to improve peoples health. This arc is for sure used to obtain spices from dessert people.











also why he mad at the protagonist first thing they meet. shortie looking for a fight in places where there's none.