From birth, I was destined to live in the “shadows.” I could never stand out. My days were filled with dirty work behind the scenes. Investigating the secrets of corrupt high-ranking officials. Building information and spy networks in various regions. Learning assassination techniques and espionage skills. My daily life exists only in darkness.
My name is Garn Labor. I’m a spy in charge of the so-called “shadow” work here in the territory of Sounité. My name doesn’t actually appear on the castle’s roster. It’s not written in any administrative or soldier records. Even the name Garn Labor is just an alias I use out of necessity; I don’t have a real name. My future was decided when I was born, buried in the mud called darkness. Tainted and defiled… I’ve fought endlessly for what I must protect. But recently, I’ve found something enjoyable.
My current job is an order from the Second Prince. It’s to monitor a man captured in prison. Normally, a lord’s disrespect would be dealt with by beheading. However, Prince Gyngus Sounité is being cautious. Prince Gyngus fears that Shuri, who may have learned something, might let something slip. I don’t know what that something is.
“Prince Gyngus. What information does he supposedly possess? Without knowing, I can’t properly handle the situation.” “Shut up!”
I was being scolded in Prince Gyngus’s private room. Prince Gyngus is fifteen this year. With a few more achievements, he’ll be in an unashamed position as a candidate to succeed as lord. However, Prince Gyngus lacks the skills to manage the territory. He certainly has talent in military affairs, but that talent isn’t distributed to domestic affairs or diplomacy. It’s precisely because he knows this that he’s anxious, leading to the current situation.
“If that damn cook has information that only I know, kill him. I’ll do my best to urge Father and Elder Brother to sentence him to death for disrespect. Even those two can’t ignore my suggestion, given my authority in military affairs.” “Wouldn’t it be better to kill him in secret?” “We can’t do that. If he dies suspiciously in prison, it’s clear as day that the Gungrave Mercenary Group will come flying in and turn this territory into a pile of rubble.”
Prince Gyngus was biting his nails, trying to suppress his irritation.
“My plan is to succeed Father, inherit the territory, and incorporate the Gungrave Mercenary Group into the army as our pet. That’s my plan. But that cook had to go and do something stupid! Everyone just keeps getting in my way!” “Prince Gyngus, please calm down. From now on, I’ll be staying by that cook’s side as a guard. If anything happens, I’ll contact you immediately.” “I’m counting on you, Garn Labor. Damn it, I need to rework my plans…”
Watching Prince Gyngus continue to bite his nails on the bed while cursing, I thought.
This person is pitiful.
He has a gift for war, but in this territory—which is unremarkable, with well-equipped but no exceptional subordinates or strong soldiers—his talents can’t be fully utilized. Of course, Prince Gyngus is desperately trying to change this situation. He trains troops, focuses on developing subordinates, and spends time mastering military strategy. For an ordinary general, that would be enough to brilliantly command an army. However, this person is inheriting the bloodline of the lord. That talent alone isn’t enough. Managing the territory, diplomacy with neighboring countries, managing and supervising tax collection, confirming it. Arranging administrative duties. Manipulating tax rates from tax collection, adjusting the market economy. There’s a mountain of things that need to be done, but all this person can do is military-related matters. He excels in managing supply lines and constructing war tactics among the lord’s lineage living in this territory. If he had been born differently, he would undoubtedly have flourished as a splendid general. He lacks some necessary talents. That’s all, but it’s fatal for this person.
I left the room and sighed, heading towards the basement. The target’s name is Shuri Azuma. The person who served the lord a wonderful roast pork dish. Cook of the Gungrave Mercenary Group.
Currently, the Gungrave Mercenary Group is waiting in town. The captain-class members are in one inn, while the other soldiers are scattered in various inns throughout the town. Here, in the territory of Sounité, there’s a castle town outside the castle gates. It functions as a fairly large town, but now it has become a large prison for the Gungrave Mercenary Group. Gungrave shouldn’t be able to move now. They were supposed to receive territory, but due to Shuri Azuma’s actions, their position suddenly dropped. Under Prince Gyngus’s orders, we’re restraining them until our investigation is complete, assuming there’s no intention of rebellion. If they resist, they won’t get the territory. Moreover, we have the advantage of knowing the town’s geography better. They shouldn’t be able to move carelessly. However, it’s not certain. Their bonds are many times stronger than we imagine. They started from the same orphan background and have built up to this point. It’s probably not an overreaction to be extra cautious.
Gungrave’s tactics surpass those of Prince Gyngus. That cunning, political maneuvering, and genius swordsmanship are a threat. Arius’s magic can melt even walls. Barriers mean nothing before her. Lill’s inventions can turn the tide of battle. It’s a nightmare that doesn’t even allow for predictions. Kuuga’s existence and sword skills alone make the soldiers cower, not allowing them to exert their full strength. He truly can be called a demon of the sword. Tegue’s scouting and archery skills can’t be underestimated either. It’s terrifying just thinking about when he might shoot an arrow into our throats from afar. And the existence that further solidifies their bonds. Shuri Azuma. If we mishandle him, this town will indeed become a pile of rubble, as Prince Gyngus said.
However, I don’t understand the person called Shuri Azuma. Even after investigating, I can’t find any records or information about him before he joined the mercenary group. I prided myself on having no information that couldn’t be caught in my investigation and intelligence networks. The result is a crushing defeat. No matter how I investigate, I can’t find anything. It’s full of mysteries. Where did Shuri Azuma come from? Where did he learn those cooking skills? I’ve decided to investigate all of this as well. Ignoring Shuri Azuma’s existence will surely bring great turmoil not only to this territory but to the entire Çabrille continent. My instincts tell me so.
Now, I decided to act as a guard, but when I see the target, I end up in trouble. No matter how I look at him, he doesn’t seem like someone who could be such a threat. Can I really find the information that Prince Gyngus doesn’t want to leak by monitoring this guy? I took out the sake and salted clams I brought, deciding to take a short break. I decided to relax by placing a chair in front of the prison cell.
“Ah, uh, what should I do, if I make an excuse, no, but I might get killed if I’m not careful, but, aah” “Shut up, criminal. Keep quiet in your cell.” “Yes, I’m sorry!”
Shuri Azuma fell silent with just one warning from me. He’s even sitting formally. Damn, did I overdo it? I wanted to get the upper hand and make him spill everything he knows. But if I rush, things will go wrong.
“Damn, can’t even drink in peace…”
If I drink, it might take my mind off things a bit. My mind will work better too. But as soon as the alcohol wears off, I’ll get irritated right away. So, whenever I get the chance, I drink to clear my head.
“Um, is it okay for the guard to be drinking?” “Huh!?”
This bastard’s hitting where it hurts. Of course, it’s not okay.
“Nothing, never mind, sorry!”
Seeing Shuri Azuma speak timidly, I felt like sighing. Why do we need to put a guy like this in prison? We could have just thrown him in a holding room, and he wouldn’t be able to escape. He doesn’t seem to have any strength or quick wit. That’s probably why he’s asking. If I can prevent an escape while drunk. He’s underestimating me.
“…A scrawny guy like you couldn’t take me down no matter what you did. And you can’t break those iron bars no matter what. That’s why a guard’s enough.”
Those iron bars are inscribed with magic-repelling Magi-Spell, and the iron itself is a special order made by the best blacksmith in this territory. No one can break through and escape. If there is someone who can, they must be a monster we could never match.
That’s why I can focus on observing this guy without worrying about an escape. I’ll gradually extract information while taking it easy.
That’s what I was thinking.
“What’s that you’re taking out of the bag?”
Shuri Azuma suddenly asked me. Apparently, he’s curious about what I’m eating. As expected of a cook, he’s sharp-eyed.
“Huh? Clams. Dried and salted clams. They’re a snack for drinking. I’m dipping them in this fish sauce to eat ’em. There ain’t any for you.”
I have no intention of giving him any. I can’t drink without these. If I can’t drink, my head won’t work. If that happens, I’m finished.
“Is that wine you’re drinking?” “Rice wine. Now shut up.”
It’s a type of alcohol that’s been coming in from Nouviche recently. It’s a dry, crisp alcohol with a very smooth flow. It’s excellent on the throat, and it’s become my favorite recently. It shows a different face when warmed or chilled. I believe it’s the best among alcoholic drinks.
But this guy’s words seem to be running wildly off course from my expectations.
“I have a request…” “Denied.” “Could you share some of that with me? I could make a delicious sake appetizer with the wine and clams.”
What did this guy just say? He wants to cook here? No, more than that…
“With these?”
Cooking with alcohol and clams? I’ve heard rumors about techniques that use wine to add flavor to dishes. But this is rice wine, you know? Cooking with this clear alcohol and clams?
“Yes. And if we had a pot and some fish sauce, it’d be perfect.”
Is he seriously planning to cook here?! Shuri Azuma took out a piece of paper from his pocket, spread it out inside the prison cell, and started preparing. I didn’t confiscate that paper? If I remember correctly, the information says that Shuri Azuma uses a strange paper to start fires and cook. In this prison made of stacked stones, there’s nothing flammable, and as long as I’m watching, there’s no chance for escape. So, what’s this guy’s objective? Is he planning to mix in some poison? Well, this might be good. If he’s planning to mix in poison, we can judge that he had intentions of rebelling against the lord. Then we can openly execute this man, imprison Gungrave with just cause, and maybe even incorporate the mercenary group. If we can drive a wedge into the mercenary group and chain them down at the cost of my sacrifice, it’s a cheap trade.
“…Go ahead and try. It’ll be a good way to kill time.” “Got it.”
I handed over a set of cooking utensils, and Shuri Azuma started cooking with excitement. Is this guy just wanting to cook? I even gave him a knife, but he’s not doing anything suspicious. I was planning to provoke him into showing rebellious intentions and then torture him, but I feel like I’ve been left hanging. By the time he finished cooking, the alcohol, clams, and fish sauce had been transformed into a single dish. Even watching the cooking process was puzzling, but there was no sign of him adding any poison. He really just cooked. Maybe I haven’t been perceiving this guy correctly? Such a thought suddenly occurred to me. This guy is supposed to be one of the important figures in the mercenary group and undoubtedly a person of caution. Supposed to be… but…
What’s this? The smell and appearance of the dish in front of me are so amazing that my head isn’t working properly?
The scent of alcohol and fish sauce harmonize perfectly, tickling my nostrils. The clam meat, which looked bland before, is slightly brown now, revealing that the flavors have permeated it. It’s a dish that appeals to both sight and smell, screaming “Eat me!!!” If I didn’t restrain myself with reason, I would have been digging in by now.
“Here you go.” “Oh, smells good.”
I see, so this is this guy’s cooking skill. Everything looks more delicious than any dish I’ve eaten before, yet it’s something that ordinary townspeople could eat without seeming out of place. A simple yet ingenious dish that concentrates technique and creativity. That’s the impression I got from this dish. I mean, I’m someone who can’t function without drinking, but now I’m fixated on the dish in front of me, forgetting about the alcohol. I pick up a bite and put it in my mouth.
It’s amazing.
There are no other words to describe it. The taste of the fish sauce is alive and well. And the alcohol adds flavor to the dish. The rice wine has a dry, crisp taste. It expresses all of that with just the aroma. It’s frustrating, frustrating feelings arise. After all, while it expresses everything, it’s just a phantom sensation recreated by the aroma. The sense of taste desperately tries to eat the mist. However, that’s resolved by combining the taste of the clams with the fish sauce. There’s no bad hangover like with alcohol. But there’s a satisfaction as if I’ve eaten alcohol. And yet, it’s a perfect gem of a clam dish. The fact that it was salted and dried is also a plus. The saltiness that was so strong gets nicely reduced when heated with the alcohol, and the concentrated flavor that comes from being dried overflows. Combining all of these elements, calculating, drawing out, and cooking them to perfection.
“There’s alcohol, but it’s not too strong. The fish sauce is nice too.”
That’s a lie. This dish can’t be described with such simple words. If I were to truly praise this dish, it would require stacks of paper as thick as a mountain, like a bard composing songs about heroes.
So this is the skill of Shuri Azuma, the cook of the Gungrave Mercenary Group.
If there was poison, it certainly existed. The poison of addiction. Probably, Gungrave was also affected by this poison, and then spread it to their members, using that poison to win numerous battles. This man who creates this and acts like it’s nothing.
“You’re an interesting one.” “You think so?”
He’s definitely an interesting guy. It doesn’t seem like this guy, who’s looking embarrassed while picking at the clams, would have any decisive information that could bring down Prince Gyngus.
“Yeah. Usually, criminals don’t cook.” “And usually, guards don’t give ingredients to criminals and let them cook.”
I was stunned by his casual retort. Somehow, I felt laughter welling up.
“You’re not wrong.”
I feel like it’s been a long time since I laughed. Eating a meal, talking and laughing with someone. I never thought I’d experience such an ordinary, everyday human moment. It makes me strangely happy. It’s oddly amusing.
“Looks like I won’t be bored.”
To me, who had given up on life and was about to lead a lazy life. It seems God has given me a wonderful gift. According to the records, I’m currently a guard. For a gift given to such a lazy guard. It feels way too big and valuable.
From then on, two factions started to clash within the domain: one led by First Prince Aeclys and the other by Second Prince Gyngus. The content of their dispute is about how to handle Shuri Azuma. First Prince Aeclys argues that he should be kept alive. The reason is that the lord was quite impressed with that roast pork dish. Aeclys has been stuck on the “Stop!” that Shuri Azuma shouted when the wine glass was knocked over. Maybe there was some reason for it. Aeclys’s assertion is that we should investigate and find out the cause. On the other hand, Second Prince Gyngus’s argument is that he should be killed. This didn’t surprise me as I had already been informed about it. However, I still didn’t understand the nature of the information that Shuri supposedly possesses.
“You still haven’t extracted any information from that guy?!”
That night, Prince Gyngus summoned me to his private room and scolded me.
“I apologize. He’s turning out to be more tight-lipped than expected. He doesn’t easily let anything slip.” “Damn it! If we don’t hurry, Elder Brother or Father might interfere again!”
When Prince Gyngus gets irritated, he starts biting his nails. No matter how many times I caution him, that habit doesn’t improve. That’s why his fingertips are all messed up. I saluted and was about to leave the room.
“Wait.”
Prince Gyngus called out to my back. When I turned around, Prince Gyngus had a puzzled look on his face.
“What is it?” “Have you gotten healthier recently?”
? I don’t understand Prince Gyngus’s intention with this question.
“I’m not sure what you mean. I always pay attention to my health condition and do my best to fulfill my duties.” “No, you’ve clearly become healthier. My eyes don’t deceive me. Your complexion is better, and your body is full of vitality. Did you quit drinking?”
!?
“…What do you mean?” “Don’t lie. I manage the health of my subordinates in military affairs. One look is enough to tell whether someone is healthy or not. I knew you were relying on alcohol in secret. And yet, you’re in perfect condition now. It’s incomparable to before.”
…I have an idea why. But if I say it, I might be judged right here.
“Indeed, I’ve stopped drinking. Due to poor health, I couldn’t afford to drink and had to abstain. Before I knew it, I ended up like this.” “I see. But to think you’d become this healthy. As expected, alcohol should be consumed in moderation. Be careful, Garn Labor.” “As you command.”
I saluted and left the room. As I walked down the corridor, I recalled recent events. It’s true that I’ve stopped drinking excessively. As a result, my poor health improved, and I can think clearly without relying on alcohol like before.
It’s probably thanks to Shuri’s cooking.
His steam dish. Even though most of my attempts to imitate it fail, I don’t need to drink alcohol. After all, it’s food that tastes like alcohol. It goes well with alcohol, but you don’t end up drinking too much.
It was at that time. When that guy spoke to me.
A few days later, when I went to his place, he was making an exquisite dish with potatoes. A simple dish with just potatoes and butter. However, I was amazed by its deliciousness. The fluffiness of the potatoes and the richness of the butter. And the subtle sweetness of the butter makes for an irresistible dish. This goes well with alcohol. But that guy looked at me and said,
“If we had some oil, I could make even more interesting and tasty dishes. Something that goes well with alcohol, but also keeps you from drinking too much.”
I was so surprised my heart skipped a beat. I’ve been controlling my drinking, and he’s certainly seen me drink, but this guy is thinking way ahead of my expectations.
“Excessive drinking. I can smell the alcohol from here. Constantly yellow complexion, lethargic body. Getting out of breath from climbing stairs. These are all symptoms of excessive drinking. Soon, you might experience vomiting blood and numbness in your limbs. Quitting cold turkey is impossible. But if you can distract your cravings with substitutes and avoid drinking, you should be able to manage. What I mentioned are all early symptoms. If you control it now, I can promise you’ll live longer.”
That guy, Shuri, just by looking at my face, accurately diagnosed me and even predicted future symptoms. Indeed, the symptoms he mentioned were starting to appear. Before Prince Gyngus mentioned that my complexion had improved, it was that kind of complexion. I was also unnaturally tired at times. For some reason, I would get out of breath on stairs. I thought I just lacked stamina, but to think it was all due to excessive drinking. Was I on the verge of breaking down? They say alcohol ruins your body, but I never thought it would happen to me. It’s honestly surprising to be seen through so thoroughly after just a week of face-to-face interactions. But if it’s for the sake of living, I have no choice but to do as he says. From that day on, I reduced my alcohol intake even further.
After a few more days passed, that guy made another exquisite snack with potatoes. This time, he thinly sliced potatoes, seasoned them with salt, and just fried them in oil. Yet, I can’t stop eating them. It’s a simple dish. Even I could imitate it just by looking at it once. I could, but… Precisely because it’s such a simple snack, I’m amazed by its addictiveness, its irresistibility. Moreover, that guy even has variations of these fried potato slices. And they’re delicious even when cold. The way to sell them at food stalls and the variety of flavors. If he started selling these right now, he’d undoubtedly become a millionaire. That’s how delicious these snacks are.
“To think you know a business method that could make you a millionaire with just potatoes…” “You’re exaggerating!”
There’s no way I’m exaggerating. Potatoes are cheap. They’re so readily available that commoners use them as a staple food. And potatoes can be cultivated even in barren land, yielding multiple harvests. That’s why in farming villages, they grow potatoes as food for the winter. And when it comes to ways of eating potatoes, isn’t it usually just steaming them or putting them in soup? Of course, they don’t serve them raw, and they certainly don’t fry them with a twist of imagination like this guy does. Shuri is laughing, saying I’m exaggerating, but I’ve reassessed my evaluation of him.
If he wanted to, this guy could survive on his own. Moreover, he could completely destroy the food culture of a country or territory, and then build a new food culture on top of it. He’s like a god of destruction and creation living together.
If we let this guy loose, he would undoubtedly change the entire appearance of that country from its foundations. Food culture is a testament to the human activities that have been passed down from ancient times in that land and culture. If we throw this guy into such a place, everything would undoubtedly break down. That’s how delicious his cooking is. And it’s easy for commoners to make. And the country created after destroying everything would probably look like nothing I’ve ever seen before. This guy is dangerous. However, if we kill him, we’d be crushing the beginning of a new history of food culture on this continent.
“Well, let’s eat for now, shall we?” “Yeah. But I really can’t stop eating these.” “I know, right?”
But man, these potato chips or whatever are really irresistible. They’re delicious. It feels like all my worries might fly away while eating them. Though they shouldn’t fly away.
And from the next day, I started writing reports about Shuri. With Prince Gyngus’s permission, I continuously compiled documents with considerations and assumptions about Shuri as a person.
“…He’s a strange guy.”
Throughout this process, the impression that keeps coming to mind is that of a strange man. The kindness and honesty to worry about the health of me, a person from the castle side, who threw him in jail, despite being in a mercenary group environment. He smiles kindly, or rather, good-naturedly. His cooking skills are first-class. Moreover, he makes exquisite dishes with commoner ingredients.
And he has no ambition.
With skills like his, he could succeed with a restaurant. He could even run a successful store, developing products by applying his cooking methods. Or he could even join the royal family by developing new dishes.
Yet he’s content being the cook of the Gungrave Mercenary Group.
It’s strange, considering he has the talent to succeed. Unlike me, he could grasp glory in the public world.
“There’s no point in thinking about it, I guess.”
I’ve compiled the reports for now. I should meet Shuri once more before meeting Prince Gyngus.
Somehow, I’m looking forward to meeting Shuri. Every time I go to meet him, I get to eat the best food. However, lately, that’s not possible. I need to organize the reports, and I have work to do. Above all, due to the power struggle between Prince Aeclys and Prince Gyngus, there’s been a food hoarding situation, leading to food shortages in the castle town. That’s probably why. The ingredients available in the castle and the food that can be bought in the castle town are quite limited. Potatoes are easy to buy, but other things rarely appear in stores, and so on. It’s troublesome. If this faction dispute or power struggle continues any longer, there might even be an uprising from the people. I want to do something about this before that happens. As I went down to the basement, I smelled something good.
“That guy, he’s making something again…”
While exasperated, I can’t help but smile in anticipation. Now, I wonder what he’s made today?
“Oh, you’re eating.”
As usual, I went down with snacks and fish sauce, and Shuri was eating something yellow. By the way, I didn’t bring any alcohol this time. I’ve had enough of alcohol. What Shuri is eating looks like a chewy lump.
“…You’re making something tasty again.”
A prisoner who processes his own food whenever he can. I’ve never seen such a guard-troubling prisoner. But since I’m the guard in charge, I’m happy and benefiting from it.
“I have one extra. Would you like to try it?” “Oh, I’ll take it.” “It’s even more delicious if you dip it in fish sauce. So, please share some with me too, pretty please?” “You’re going to bow down just for that?”
Is this guy in a good mood or just in high spirits? He often takes actions like this that invite laughter. This time’s bow was also somehow funny with its flowing movement. Ah, I can’t help but smile. It’s rare for me to be in such a good mood. I took out the pot with the fish sauce.
“Is this good enough? Um, what kind of food is that?” “It’s called potato mochi. It’s a snack made by making potatoes chewy and eating them.” “Potatoes again? Are you trying to become a royal purveyor for a country or something?” “Huh? Can you really achieve that with just potato dishes?”
This guy really has no self-awareness.
“Well, if there are potato dishes this delicious, you probably could.” “Then why don’t you spread the word, Garn?”
I couldn’t believe my ears. With the potato mochi in my mouth, for a moment, I couldn’t understand what this guy was saying. Me? This dish? This guy’s cooking? Me, spread it? This cooking that could make money flow like water? Before I knew it, I had taken the potato mochi out of my mouth and was grabbing the iron bars.
“Are you serious?!” “Yeah. When I’m free, I’ll teach you. Potato dishes, wild plant dishes. It’s not often you find someone who can cook together, so wouldn’t that be fun?”
Not just potatoes, but wild plant dishes too?! Wild plants are necessary ingredients to survive the winter. Whether you have them or not makes a huge difference in the harshness of winter. But wild plants are usually just boiled and eaten at most. And they smell grassy. If this guy can make even wild plants delicious… It means he has the self-sufficiency skills to easily move from village to village, even travel. Not just that, he could become an indispensable person in a village. If he knows how to cook wild plants, he might even know how to cook wild plants and mushrooms that weren’t eaten before. And this guy casually said all of that!
“Do you have any idea how valuable this is?!” “How valuable… Isn’t it enough if it’s delicious, sparks conversation, and fills your stomach? Isn’t that what cooking is all about?”
It felt like I’d been hit on the head. No, it’s not just that. I felt like I’d been struck by a battering ram. Shuri’s words are the truth. The truth about meals, about ingredients, about cooking, about living. He expressed all of these truths in just one sentence. The person who said it has a nonchalant face. But those words are something that people like us, who manage territories, should know. Protect the people’s livelihoods and safety. Take pride in your work as you eat meals and spend time with your family. Is there anything more important than these words? No, there isn’t. And for this guy, these words are ordinary, mundane, and just a part of everyday life. Something that should always be close at hand. Something that should always exist in the world. In other words, no different from a roadside pebble. As natural as the wind blowing. Something that ordinary people around here should feel. Something that exists repeatedly as a part of daily life.
“…So you’re that kind of person.”
He can say that ordinary happiness is happiness. He has no ambition simply because he’s straightforward enough to be happy with small joys. It has nothing to do with social status or age. He can be grateful for the happiness that’s right there. Just a human being human.
“I’m not sure what you’re thinking about… But I am who I am.”
And it’s frustrating that he himself isn’t aware of it. I only realized this after meeting this guy. This guy has been practicing it since long ago. That’s why he can live so carefree and innocently.
“I see. That’s enough.”
I felt silly for thinking about it. This guy probably has no intentions of assassinating the lord, being disrespectful, or plotting any schemes. I let go of the iron bars. Then, I dipped the potato mochi I had been holding into the fish sauce and stuffed it into my mouth.
Ah, it’s delicious.
It’s just endlessly delicious. The texture is also fresh. It’s chewy and fun to eat.
“Damn it. Why do I have to watch over such an easygoing guy? And why did I give him a kitchen knife like it’s nothing? It’s almost like helping him escape. Yet he doesn’t try to escape. What an easygoing, stupid guy. But his food is delicious… This has a unique potato warmth with a strange chewy texture. There’s no dryness typical of potatoes, and it melts in your mouth. It’s even more delicious when dipped in fish sauce. The saltiness and flavor are just right.” “I’m sorry, but that’s the only one I have. There wasn’t much.” “I’ll bring you more! Make as much as you want! Geez, I’ve really lost it. Why did you get caught knocking over the lord’s wine glass anyway?” “It’s simple.”
I’ll never forget the words he said after that. Because that guy said it so casually.
“If he drank from that as it was, the lord would probably collapse and nearly die.”
The moment I heard that, I was shocked. The lord? Nearly die? I questioned Shuri about it, and although he was frightened, he told me.
That the lord is afflicted with a strange illness. That this illness gets worse the more it’s repeated. That if this continues, the lord’s body will surely break down.
I was confused even as I listened, the facts were so overwhelming. Indeed, the lord’s health had deteriorated since he started using that wine glass. After using the wine glass, he would scratch his hand as if itchy, and sometimes cough. Come to think of it, those were probably the signs of the allergic reaction this guy mentioned. And those symptoms were actually symptoms that the lord had been troubled with since long ago. In the past, when he used an iron sword, he often seemed unbearably itchy when he got tired. However, once he rested, the symptoms would subside, and he would return to normal. That’s why both he and those around him thought it was just a physiological reaction that occurred when tired.
I strictly ordered Shuri not to tell anyone else about this, and hurried back to my office to rewrite the report. I dipped my quill pen in ink and started summarizing the information I had obtained on a new sheet of paper. This is probably the information Prince Gyngus was worried about. Prince Gyngus, I imagine, doesn’t intend to harm Father, the lord. Prince Gyngus was just terribly impatient. He doesn’t have enough time to accumulate achievements and inherit this territory. He wants to make the lord ill, and in the meantime, establish his position as the successor by brilliantly managing the territory and army. It’s because he fears that his inheritance will be taken away by his elder brother, Prince Aeclys, who exists as the successor to this territory. Having the full authority over the officers he has trained and raised taken away would be nothing short of a nightmare. That’s why he ordered me to spy on Prince Aeclys as well. And now, with this information. Prince Gyngus might not even be able to avoid being stripped of his title. He almost killed his own father, the lord who governs this territory. I headed to Prince Gyngus’s private room with the completed report. Fortunately, due to the late hour, I didn’t run into anyone. This information must not be leaked to others.
“Excuse me, Prince Gyngus.”
I stood in front of the private room and knocked. Hearing a voice from inside immediately, I entered.
“What is it, Garn?”
Prince Gyngus was reading a book on military tactics in his private room. Even at this late hour, he’s truly a diligent person.
“I’ve written the report. I apologize for the late hour, but please check it.” “Is it urgent?” “That’s right.” “I understand. Hand it over.”
I handed over the report and took a step back. Prince Gyngus looked through the report and then looked at me.
“I see. No changes with my elder brother. However, his faction seems to be expanding. And the guy in prison still hasn’t spilled any information, huh?” “That’s right.”
I had handed over a fake report. It didn’t contain any of the information Shuri had spilled. I wrote information that was harmless but sufficient to satisfy Prince Gyngus’s pride. Everything is true, except for the crucial information that’s been omitted. But it doesn’t contain anything that shouldn’t be known.
“Faction expansion, huh. Those damn bureaucrats. Have they given up on me and sided with my elder brother?” “The officers remain unwaveringly loyal to you, Prince Gyngus. However, there are concerns that if we bare our fangs at the bureaucrats, the payment of wages might be delayed.” “Hmph, there’s no need to worry. That’s why we’re gathering food supplies from within the territory. Tell them that.” “Yes. Also, regarding the surveillance of Prince Aeclys, he still doesn’t seem to have noticed our movements.” “I understand. I’ll devise a strategy. You may go now.” “As you wish.”
I bowed and left the room, then headed towards another objective. The place I’m heading to now must not be noticed by anyone. I moved cautiously yet quickly. Standing in front of that room, I checked my surroundings and quickly entered.
“I apologize for the late hour.” “It’s fine, Garn. Time spent with you is precious to me.”
Sitting there in the office, stamping documents, was a young boy. A beautiful boy with glossy silver hair tied back in a ponytail, who could easily be mistaken for a beautiful girl if seen carelessly. Short in stature and slender in build, this boy is Aeclys Sounité. My real superior.
“So? Your visit means you must have some very important information or report, right?” “Yes. Please take a look at this.”
I took out the real report that I had hidden in my pocket and handed it over. Receiving it, Prince Aeclys pondered over its contents.
I’m ordered by Prince Gyngus to spy on Prince Aeclys, but I wrap up Prince Aeclys’s information and report it, While reporting Prince Gyngus’s information to Prince Aeclys without hiding anything. In other words, I’m a double agent.
And Prince Aeclys is making a difficult face.
“If this is true, it means Gyngus was trying to kill Father. This isn’t a matter that can be brushed off as a joke.” “Yes. However, I don’t think Prince Gyngus intended to kill him.” “Hmm. Indeed, Father’s condition, or should I say strange illness here? Well, it hasn’t been considered life-threatening until now. He’s just been known to have a bad reaction to iron since long ago. But reading this report, it seems I was in danger too. This person is amazing, brother.” “…Don’t call me brother, Aeclynnis. I’m just your subordinate.” “And you should call me Aeclys, brother. Aeclynnis is my childhood name, now I’m Aeclys Sounité. The eldest son of the lord who governs this territory.”
We both smiled wryly, enjoying a moment of peace.
I was born as the eldest son of the lord. However, my mother was a maid. A commoner. I was born from my father’s casual fling. The lord acknowledges me, but doesn’t call himself my father. I’ve never called that guy my father either. In the first place, I don’t acknowledge such a guy as my father. A guy who secretly banished my mother and only gave me skills that can only be used in the shadow. And while keeping my existence a secret, he’s relinquished all rights of succession. That’s why only my “sister” in front of me knows about my existence.
Aeclys is a pitiful existence too. She was born as the eldest daughter of the lord’s concubine. In her childhood, I supported her as a bodyguard. Unfortunately, my sister was talented. She displayed unparalleled talent in domestic affairs and economics, raising our father’s expectations. As a result, Father, the lord, decided to treat Aeclys as a male child and raise her as a successor. Aeclynnis as a woman died. Since then, she’s been living as Aeclys, the successor. The one who rebelled against this was the old hag, the legal wife. The legal wife had given birth to a male child. That’s our younger brother, Gyngus. Gyngus had talent for war. Using that as backing, the legal wife proposed to raise him as the successor. As a result, two factions formed and started fighting: the First Prince and the Second Prince.
For me, if I can make Aeclys happy, that’s enough. The only one I can call family is Aeclys. The only true family who knows everything and stays with me knowing everything. But Aeclys wants to save Gyngus too.
“Aeclys. Gyngus is…” “Yeah, I know. We’ll properly address this and punish him. And then, I’ll leave this territory. It’ll be my last job.”
Aeclys wants to pass the succession to Gyngus. And she wishes to throw away her shackles. I want to support that.
“We’ll probably end up fighting with Gungrave.” “I suppose so. Before that, I’ll persuade Gyngus and set things right. Pass on the succession, you know. Before that, I want to meet him.”
Aeclys smiled.
“That Shuri.” “…If we go now, no one will see us.” “Then let’s do that.”
Aeclys stands up from her chair.
Shuri, I was planning to introduce you to Prince Aeclys. But it’s happening earlier than planned. I pray that you’ll be our salvation.
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Chapter 28
From birth, I was destined to live in the “shadows.”
I could never stand out. My days were filled with dirty work behind the scenes.
Investigating the secrets of corrupt high-ranking officials.
Building information and spy networks in various regions.
Learning assassination techniques and espionage skills.
My daily life exists only in darkness.
My name is Garn Labor.
I’m a spy in charge of the so-called “shadow” work here in the territory of Sounité.
My name doesn’t actually appear on the castle’s roster.
It’s not written in any administrative or soldier records.
Even the name Garn Labor is just an alias I use out of necessity; I don’t have a real name.
My future was decided when I was born, buried in the mud called darkness.
Tainted and defiled… I’ve fought endlessly for what I must protect.
But recently, I’ve found something enjoyable.
My current job is an order from the Second Prince.
It’s to monitor a man captured in prison.
Normally, a lord’s disrespect would be dealt with by beheading.
However, Prince Gyngus Sounité is being cautious.
Prince Gyngus fears that Shuri, who may have learned something, might let something slip.
I don’t know what that something is.
“Prince Gyngus. What information does he supposedly possess?
Without knowing, I can’t properly handle the situation.”
“Shut up!”
I was being scolded in Prince Gyngus’s private room.
Prince Gyngus is fifteen this year. With a few more achievements, he’ll be in an unashamed position as a candidate to succeed as lord.
However, Prince Gyngus lacks the skills to manage the territory.
He certainly has talent in military affairs, but that talent isn’t distributed to domestic affairs or diplomacy.
It’s precisely because he knows this that he’s anxious, leading to the current situation.
“If that damn cook has information that only I know, kill him.
I’ll do my best to urge Father and Elder Brother to sentence him to death for disrespect. Even those two can’t ignore my suggestion, given my authority in military affairs.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to kill him in secret?”
“We can’t do that. If he dies suspiciously in prison, it’s clear as day that the Gungrave Mercenary Group will come flying in and turn this territory into a pile of rubble.”
Prince Gyngus was biting his nails, trying to suppress his irritation.
“My plan is to succeed Father, inherit the territory, and incorporate the Gungrave Mercenary Group into the army as our pet.
That’s my plan. But that cook had to go and do something stupid! Everyone just keeps getting in my way!”
“Prince Gyngus, please calm down.
From now on, I’ll be staying by that cook’s side as a guard.
If anything happens, I’ll contact you immediately.”
“I’m counting on you, Garn Labor. Damn it, I need to rework my plans…”
Watching Prince Gyngus continue to bite his nails on the bed while cursing, I thought.
This person is pitiful.
He has a gift for war, but in this territory—which is unremarkable, with well-equipped but no exceptional subordinates or strong soldiers—his talents can’t be fully utilized.
Of course, Prince Gyngus is desperately trying to change this situation. He trains troops, focuses on developing subordinates, and spends time mastering military strategy.
For an ordinary general, that would be enough to brilliantly command an army.
However, this person is inheriting the bloodline of the lord. That talent alone isn’t enough. Managing the territory, diplomacy with neighboring countries, managing and supervising tax collection, confirming it. Arranging administrative duties. Manipulating tax rates from tax collection, adjusting the market economy.
There’s a mountain of things that need to be done, but all this person can do is military-related matters. He excels in managing supply lines and constructing war tactics among the lord’s lineage living in this territory. If he had been born differently, he would undoubtedly have flourished as a splendid general.
He lacks some necessary talents. That’s all, but it’s fatal for this person.
I left the room and sighed, heading towards the basement.
The target’s name is Shuri Azuma.
The person who served the lord a wonderful roast pork dish.
Cook of the Gungrave Mercenary Group.
Currently, the Gungrave Mercenary Group is waiting in town.
The captain-class members are in one inn, while the other soldiers are scattered in various inns throughout the town.
Here, in the territory of Sounité, there’s a castle town outside the castle gates.
It functions as a fairly large town, but now it has become a large prison for the Gungrave Mercenary Group.
Gungrave shouldn’t be able to move now.
They were supposed to receive territory, but due to Shuri Azuma’s actions, their position suddenly dropped.
Under Prince Gyngus’s orders, we’re restraining them until our investigation is complete, assuming there’s no intention of rebellion.
If they resist, they won’t get the territory. Moreover, we have the advantage of knowing the town’s geography better.
They shouldn’t be able to move carelessly.
However, it’s not certain.
Their bonds are many times stronger than we imagine.
They started from the same orphan background and have built up to this point.
It’s probably not an overreaction to be extra cautious.
Gungrave’s tactics surpass those of Prince Gyngus. That cunning, political maneuvering, and genius swordsmanship are a threat.
Arius’s magic can melt even walls. Barriers mean nothing before her.
Lill’s inventions can turn the tide of battle. It’s a nightmare that doesn’t even allow for predictions.
Kuuga’s existence and sword skills alone make the soldiers cower, not allowing them to exert their full strength. He truly can be called a demon of the sword.
Tegue’s scouting and archery skills can’t be underestimated either. It’s terrifying just thinking about when he might shoot an arrow into our throats from afar.
And the existence that further solidifies their bonds.
Shuri Azuma.
If we mishandle him, this town will indeed become a pile of rubble, as Prince Gyngus said.
However, I don’t understand the person called Shuri Azuma.
Even after investigating, I can’t find any records or information about him before he joined the mercenary group.
I prided myself on having no information that couldn’t be caught in my investigation and intelligence networks.
The result is a crushing defeat. No matter how I investigate, I can’t find anything.
It’s full of mysteries.
Where did Shuri Azuma come from?
Where did he learn those cooking skills?
I’ve decided to investigate all of this as well.
Ignoring Shuri Azuma’s existence will surely bring great turmoil not only to this territory but to the entire Çabrille continent.
My instincts tell me so.
Now, I decided to act as a guard, but when I see the target, I end up in trouble.
No matter how I look at him, he doesn’t seem like someone who could be such a threat.
Can I really find the information that Prince Gyngus doesn’t want to leak by monitoring this guy?
I took out the sake and salted clams I brought, deciding to take a short break.
I decided to relax by placing a chair in front of the prison cell.
“Ah, uh, what should I do, if I make an excuse, no, but I might get killed if I’m not careful, but, aah”
“Shut up, criminal. Keep quiet in your cell.”
“Yes, I’m sorry!”
Shuri Azuma fell silent with just one warning from me. He’s even sitting formally.
Damn, did I overdo it?
I wanted to get the upper hand and make him spill everything he knows.
But if I rush, things will go wrong.
“Damn, can’t even drink in peace…”
If I drink, it might take my mind off things a bit.
My mind will work better too. But as soon as the alcohol wears off, I’ll get irritated right away.
So, whenever I get the chance, I drink to clear my head.
“Um, is it okay for the guard to be drinking?”
“Huh!?”
This bastard’s hitting where it hurts.
Of course, it’s not okay.
“Nothing, never mind, sorry!”
Seeing Shuri Azuma speak timidly, I felt like sighing.
Why do we need to put a guy like this in prison? We could have just thrown him in a holding room, and he wouldn’t be able to escape. He doesn’t seem to have any strength or quick wit.
That’s probably why he’s asking. If I can prevent an escape while drunk.
He’s underestimating me.
“…A scrawny guy like you couldn’t take me down no matter what you did.
And you can’t break those iron bars no matter what. That’s why a guard’s enough.”
Those iron bars are inscribed with magic-repelling Magi-Spell, and the iron itself is a special order made by the best blacksmith in this territory.
No one can break through and escape.
If there is someone who can, they must be a monster we could never match.
That’s why I can focus on observing this guy without worrying about an escape.
I’ll gradually extract information while taking it easy.
That’s what I was thinking.
“What’s that you’re taking out of the bag?”
Shuri Azuma suddenly asked me.
Apparently, he’s curious about what I’m eating.
As expected of a cook, he’s sharp-eyed.
“Huh? Clams. Dried and salted clams. They’re a snack for drinking.
I’m dipping them in this fish sauce to eat ’em.
There ain’t any for you.”
I have no intention of giving him any.
I can’t drink without these. If I can’t drink, my head won’t work.
If that happens, I’m finished.
“Is that wine you’re drinking?”
“Rice wine. Now shut up.”
It’s a type of alcohol that’s been coming in from Nouviche recently.
It’s a dry, crisp alcohol with a very smooth flow.
It’s excellent on the throat, and it’s become my favorite recently.
It shows a different face when warmed or chilled.
I believe it’s the best among alcoholic drinks.
But this guy’s words seem to be running wildly off course from my expectations.
“I have a request…”
“Denied.”
“Could you share some of that with me?
I could make a delicious sake appetizer with the wine and clams.”
What did this guy just say?
He wants to cook here?
No, more than that…
“With these?”
Cooking with alcohol and clams?
I’ve heard rumors about techniques that use wine to add flavor to dishes.
But this is rice wine, you know? Cooking with this clear alcohol and clams?
“Yes. And if we had a pot and some fish sauce, it’d be perfect.”
Is he seriously planning to cook here?!
Shuri Azuma took out a piece of paper from his pocket, spread it out inside the prison cell, and started preparing.
I didn’t confiscate that paper?
If I remember correctly, the information says that Shuri Azuma uses a strange paper to start fires and cook.
In this prison made of stacked stones, there’s nothing flammable, and as long as I’m watching, there’s no chance for escape.
So, what’s this guy’s objective?
Is he planning to mix in some poison?
Well, this might be good.
If he’s planning to mix in poison, we can judge that he had intentions of rebelling against the lord.
Then we can openly execute this man, imprison Gungrave with just cause, and maybe even incorporate the mercenary group.
If we can drive a wedge into the mercenary group and chain them down at the cost of my sacrifice, it’s a cheap trade.
“…Go ahead and try. It’ll be a good way to kill time.”
“Got it.”
I handed over a set of cooking utensils, and Shuri Azuma started cooking with excitement.
Is this guy just wanting to cook?
I even gave him a knife, but he’s not doing anything suspicious.
I was planning to provoke him into showing rebellious intentions and then torture him, but I feel like I’ve been left hanging.
By the time he finished cooking, the alcohol, clams, and fish sauce had been transformed into a single dish.
Even watching the cooking process was puzzling, but there was no sign of him adding any poison. He really just cooked.
Maybe I haven’t been perceiving this guy correctly?
Such a thought suddenly occurred to me. This guy is supposed to be one of the important figures in the mercenary group and undoubtedly a person of caution.
Supposed to be… but…
What’s this? The smell and appearance of the dish in front of me are so amazing that my head isn’t working properly?
The scent of alcohol and fish sauce harmonize perfectly, tickling my nostrils.
The clam meat, which looked bland before, is slightly brown now, revealing that the flavors have permeated it.
It’s a dish that appeals to both sight and smell, screaming “Eat me!!!”
If I didn’t restrain myself with reason, I would have been digging in by now.
“Here you go.”
“Oh, smells good.”
I see, so this is this guy’s cooking skill.
Everything looks more delicious than any dish I’ve eaten before, yet it’s something that ordinary townspeople could eat without seeming out of place.
A simple yet ingenious dish that concentrates technique and creativity.
That’s the impression I got from this dish.
I mean, I’m someone who can’t function without drinking, but now I’m fixated on the dish in front of me, forgetting about the alcohol.
I pick up a bite and put it in my mouth.
It’s amazing.
There are no other words to describe it.
The taste of the fish sauce is alive and well. And the alcohol adds flavor to the dish.
The rice wine has a dry, crisp taste.
It expresses all of that with just the aroma.
It’s frustrating, frustrating feelings arise.
After all, while it expresses everything, it’s just a phantom sensation recreated by the aroma. The sense of taste desperately tries to eat the mist.
However, that’s resolved by combining the taste of the clams with the fish sauce.
There’s no bad hangover like with alcohol. But there’s a satisfaction as if I’ve eaten alcohol.
And yet, it’s a perfect gem of a clam dish.
The fact that it was salted and dried is also a plus.
The saltiness that was so strong gets nicely reduced when heated with the alcohol, and the concentrated flavor that comes from being dried overflows.
Combining all of these elements, calculating, drawing out, and cooking them to perfection.
“There’s alcohol, but it’s not too strong. The fish sauce is nice too.”
That’s a lie. This dish can’t be described with such simple words.
If I were to truly praise this dish, it would require stacks of paper as thick as a mountain, like a bard composing songs about heroes.
So this is the skill of Shuri Azuma, the cook of the Gungrave Mercenary Group.
If there was poison, it certainly existed.
The poison of addiction.
Probably, Gungrave was also affected by this poison, and then spread it to their members, using that poison to win numerous battles.
This man who creates this and acts like it’s nothing.
“You’re an interesting one.”
“You think so?”
He’s definitely an interesting guy.
It doesn’t seem like this guy, who’s looking embarrassed while picking at the clams, would have any decisive information that could bring down Prince Gyngus.
“Yeah. Usually, criminals don’t cook.”
“And usually, guards don’t give ingredients to criminals and let them cook.”
I was stunned by his casual retort.
Somehow, I felt laughter welling up.
“You’re not wrong.”
I feel like it’s been a long time since I laughed.
Eating a meal, talking and laughing with someone.
I never thought I’d experience such an ordinary, everyday human moment.
It makes me strangely happy.
It’s oddly amusing.
“Looks like I won’t be bored.”
To me, who had given up on life and was about to lead a lazy life.
It seems God has given me a wonderful gift.
According to the records, I’m currently a guard.
For a gift given to such a lazy guard.
It feels way too big and valuable.
From then on, two factions started to clash within the domain: one led by First Prince Aeclys and the other by Second Prince Gyngus.
The content of their dispute is about how to handle Shuri Azuma.
First Prince Aeclys argues that he should be kept alive.
The reason is that the lord was quite impressed with that roast pork dish.
Aeclys has been stuck on the “Stop!” that Shuri Azuma shouted when the wine glass was knocked over.
Maybe there was some reason for it.
Aeclys’s assertion is that we should investigate and find out the cause.
On the other hand, Second Prince Gyngus’s argument is that he should be killed. This didn’t surprise me as I had already been informed about it.
However, I still didn’t understand the nature of the information that Shuri supposedly possesses.
“You still haven’t extracted any information from that guy?!”
That night, Prince Gyngus summoned me to his private room and scolded me.
“I apologize. He’s turning out to be more tight-lipped than expected.
He doesn’t easily let anything slip.”
“Damn it! If we don’t hurry, Elder Brother or Father might interfere again!”
When Prince Gyngus gets irritated, he starts biting his nails.
No matter how many times I caution him, that habit doesn’t improve. That’s why his fingertips are all messed up.
I saluted and was about to leave the room.
“Wait.”
Prince Gyngus called out to my back.
When I turned around, Prince Gyngus had a puzzled look on his face.
“What is it?”
“Have you gotten healthier recently?”
? I don’t understand Prince Gyngus’s intention with this question.
“I’m not sure what you mean.
I always pay attention to my health condition and do my best to fulfill my duties.”
“No, you’ve clearly become healthier.
My eyes don’t deceive me. Your complexion is better, and your body is full of vitality.
Did you quit drinking?”
!?
“…What do you mean?”
“Don’t lie. I manage the health of my subordinates in military affairs. One look is enough to tell whether someone is healthy or not.
I knew you were relying on alcohol in secret.
And yet, you’re in perfect condition now. It’s incomparable to before.”
…I have an idea why.
But if I say it, I might be judged right here.
“Indeed, I’ve stopped drinking.
Due to poor health, I couldn’t afford to drink and had to abstain. Before I knew it, I ended up like this.”
“I see. But to think you’d become this healthy.
As expected, alcohol should be consumed in moderation. Be careful, Garn Labor.”
“As you command.”
I saluted and left the room. As I walked down the corridor, I recalled recent events.
It’s true that I’ve stopped drinking excessively.
As a result, my poor health improved, and I can think clearly without relying on alcohol like before.
It’s probably thanks to Shuri’s cooking.
His steam dish. Even though most of my attempts to imitate it fail, I don’t need to drink alcohol.
After all, it’s food that tastes like alcohol. It goes well with alcohol, but you don’t end up drinking too much.
It was at that time. When that guy spoke to me.
A few days later, when I went to his place, he was making an exquisite dish with potatoes.
A simple dish with just potatoes and butter.
However, I was amazed by its deliciousness.
The fluffiness of the potatoes and the richness of the butter.
And the subtle sweetness of the butter makes for an irresistible dish.
This goes well with alcohol.
But that guy looked at me and said,
“If we had some oil, I could make even more interesting and tasty dishes.
Something that goes well with alcohol, but also keeps you from drinking too much.”
I was so surprised my heart skipped a beat.
I’ve been controlling my drinking, and he’s certainly seen me drink, but this guy is thinking way ahead of my expectations.
“Excessive drinking. I can smell the alcohol from here.
Constantly yellow complexion, lethargic body. Getting out of breath from climbing stairs.
These are all symptoms of excessive drinking. Soon, you might experience vomiting blood and numbness in your limbs.
Quitting cold turkey is impossible. But if you can distract your cravings with substitutes and avoid drinking, you should be able to manage. What I mentioned are all early symptoms.
If you control it now, I can promise you’ll live longer.”
That guy, Shuri, just by looking at my face, accurately diagnosed me and even predicted future symptoms.
Indeed, the symptoms he mentioned were starting to appear.
Before Prince Gyngus mentioned that my complexion had improved, it was that kind of complexion.
I was also unnaturally tired at times.
For some reason, I would get out of breath on stairs.
I thought I just lacked stamina, but to think it was all due to excessive drinking.
Was I on the verge of breaking down?
They say alcohol ruins your body, but I never thought it would happen to me.
It’s honestly surprising to be seen through so thoroughly after just a week of face-to-face interactions.
But if it’s for the sake of living, I have no choice but to do as he says.
From that day on, I reduced my alcohol intake even further.
After a few more days passed, that guy made another exquisite snack with potatoes.
This time, he thinly sliced potatoes, seasoned them with salt, and just fried them in oil.
Yet, I can’t stop eating them.
It’s a simple dish. Even I could imitate it just by looking at it once.
I could, but…
Precisely because it’s such a simple snack, I’m amazed by its addictiveness, its irresistibility.
Moreover, that guy even has variations of these fried potato slices.
And they’re delicious even when cold.
The way to sell them at food stalls and the variety of flavors.
If he started selling these right now, he’d undoubtedly become a millionaire.
That’s how delicious these snacks are.
“To think you know a business method that could make you a millionaire with just potatoes…”
“You’re exaggerating!”
There’s no way I’m exaggerating.
Potatoes are cheap. They’re so readily available that commoners use them as a staple food.
And potatoes can be cultivated even in barren land, yielding multiple harvests.
That’s why in farming villages, they grow potatoes as food for the winter.
And when it comes to ways of eating potatoes, isn’t it usually just steaming them or putting them in soup?
Of course, they don’t serve them raw, and they certainly don’t fry them with a twist of imagination like this guy does.
Shuri is laughing, saying I’m exaggerating, but I’ve reassessed my evaluation of him.
If he wanted to, this guy could survive on his own.
Moreover, he could completely destroy the food culture of a country or territory, and then build a new food culture on top of it.
He’s like a god of destruction and creation living together.
If we let this guy loose, he would undoubtedly change the entire appearance of that country from its foundations.
Food culture is a testament to the human activities that have been passed down from ancient times in that land and culture.
If we throw this guy into such a place, everything would undoubtedly break down. That’s how delicious his cooking is. And it’s easy for commoners to make.
And the country created after destroying everything would probably look like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
This guy is dangerous.
However, if we kill him, we’d be crushing the beginning of a new history of food culture on this continent.
“Well, let’s eat for now, shall we?”
“Yeah. But I really can’t stop eating these.”
“I know, right?”
But man, these potato chips or whatever are really irresistible.
They’re delicious.
It feels like all my worries might fly away while eating them.
Though they shouldn’t fly away.
And from the next day, I started writing reports about Shuri.
With Prince Gyngus’s permission, I continuously compiled documents with considerations and assumptions about Shuri as a person.
“…He’s a strange guy.”
Throughout this process, the impression that keeps coming to mind is that of a strange man.
The kindness and honesty to worry about the health of me, a person from the castle side, who threw him in jail, despite being in a mercenary group environment.
He smiles kindly, or rather, good-naturedly.
His cooking skills are first-class. Moreover, he makes exquisite dishes with commoner ingredients.
And he has no ambition.
With skills like his, he could succeed with a restaurant.
He could even run a successful store, developing products by applying his cooking methods.
Or he could even join the royal family by developing new dishes.
Yet he’s content being the cook of the Gungrave Mercenary Group.
It’s strange, considering he has the talent to succeed.
Unlike me, he could grasp glory in the public world.
“There’s no point in thinking about it, I guess.”
I’ve compiled the reports for now.
I should meet Shuri once more before meeting Prince Gyngus.
Somehow, I’m looking forward to meeting Shuri.
Every time I go to meet him, I get to eat the best food.
However, lately, that’s not possible.
I need to organize the reports, and I have work to do.
Above all, due to the power struggle between Prince Aeclys and Prince Gyngus, there’s been a food hoarding situation, leading to food shortages in the castle town.
That’s probably why. The ingredients available in the castle and the food that can be bought in the castle town are quite limited.
Potatoes are easy to buy, but other things rarely appear in stores, and so on.
It’s troublesome. If this faction dispute or power struggle continues any longer, there might even be an uprising from the people.
I want to do something about this before that happens.
As I went down to the basement, I smelled something good.
“That guy, he’s making something again…”
While exasperated, I can’t help but smile in anticipation.
Now, I wonder what he’s made today?
“Oh, you’re eating.”
As usual, I went down with snacks and fish sauce, and Shuri was eating something yellow.
By the way, I didn’t bring any alcohol this time. I’ve had enough of alcohol.
What Shuri is eating looks like a chewy lump.
“…You’re making something tasty again.”
A prisoner who processes his own food whenever he can.
I’ve never seen such a guard-troubling prisoner.
But since I’m the guard in charge, I’m happy and benefiting from it.
“I have one extra. Would you like to try it?”
“Oh, I’ll take it.”
“It’s even more delicious if you dip it in fish sauce.
So, please share some with me too, pretty please?”
“You’re going to bow down just for that?”
Is this guy in a good mood or just in high spirits?
He often takes actions like this that invite laughter.
This time’s bow was also somehow funny with its flowing movement.
Ah, I can’t help but smile.
It’s rare for me to be in such a good mood.
I took out the pot with the fish sauce.
“Is this good enough? Um, what kind of food is that?”
“It’s called potato mochi. It’s a snack made by making potatoes chewy and eating them.”
“Potatoes again? Are you trying to become a royal purveyor for a country or something?”
“Huh? Can you really achieve that with just potato dishes?”
This guy really has no self-awareness.
“Well, if there are potato dishes this delicious, you probably could.”
“Then why don’t you spread the word, Garn?”
I couldn’t believe my ears. With the potato mochi in my mouth, for a moment, I couldn’t understand what this guy was saying.
Me? This dish?
This guy’s cooking? Me, spread it?
This cooking that could make money flow like water?
Before I knew it, I had taken the potato mochi out of my mouth and was grabbing the iron bars.
“Are you serious?!”
“Yeah. When I’m free, I’ll teach you. Potato dishes, wild plant dishes.
It’s not often you find someone who can cook together, so wouldn’t that be fun?”
Not just potatoes, but wild plant dishes too?!
Wild plants are necessary ingredients to survive the winter. Whether you have them or not makes a huge difference in the harshness of winter.
But wild plants are usually just boiled and eaten at most. And they smell grassy.
If this guy can make even wild plants delicious…
It means he has the self-sufficiency skills to easily move from village to village, even travel.
Not just that, he could become an indispensable person in a village.
If he knows how to cook wild plants, he might even know how to cook wild plants and mushrooms that weren’t eaten before.
And this guy casually said all of that!
“Do you have any idea how valuable this is?!”
“How valuable… Isn’t it enough if it’s delicious, sparks conversation, and fills your stomach? Isn’t that what cooking is all about?”
It felt like I’d been hit on the head.
No, it’s not just that. I felt like I’d been struck by a battering ram.
Shuri’s words are the truth.
The truth about meals, about ingredients, about cooking, about living.
He expressed all of these truths in just one sentence.
The person who said it has a nonchalant face.
But those words are something that people like us, who manage territories, should know.
Protect the people’s livelihoods and safety.
Take pride in your work as you eat meals and spend time with your family.
Is there anything more important than these words?
No, there isn’t.
And for this guy, these words are ordinary, mundane, and just a part of everyday life.
Something that should always be close at hand.
Something that should always exist in the world.
In other words, no different from a roadside pebble.
As natural as the wind blowing.
Something that ordinary people around here should feel.
Something that exists repeatedly as a part of daily life.
“…So you’re that kind of person.”
He can say that ordinary happiness is happiness.
He has no ambition simply because he’s straightforward enough to be happy with small joys.
It has nothing to do with social status or age.
He can be grateful for the happiness that’s right there.
Just a human being human.
“I’m not sure what you’re thinking about…
But I am who I am.”
And it’s frustrating that he himself isn’t aware of it.
I only realized this after meeting this guy.
This guy has been practicing it since long ago.
That’s why he can live so carefree and innocently.
“I see. That’s enough.”
I felt silly for thinking about it.
This guy probably has no intentions of assassinating the lord, being disrespectful, or plotting any schemes.
I let go of the iron bars.
Then, I dipped the potato mochi I had been holding into the fish sauce and stuffed it into my mouth.
Ah, it’s delicious.
It’s just endlessly delicious.
The texture is also fresh. It’s chewy and fun to eat.
“Damn it. Why do I have to watch over such an easygoing guy?
And why did I give him a kitchen knife like it’s nothing? It’s almost like helping him escape.
Yet he doesn’t try to escape. What an easygoing, stupid guy.
But his food is delicious…
This has a unique potato warmth with a strange chewy texture.
There’s no dryness typical of potatoes, and it melts in your mouth.
It’s even more delicious when dipped in fish sauce.
The saltiness and flavor are just right.”
“I’m sorry, but that’s the only one I have.
There wasn’t much.”
“I’ll bring you more! Make as much as you want!
Geez, I’ve really lost it.
Why did you get caught knocking over the lord’s wine glass anyway?”
“It’s simple.”
I’ll never forget the words he said after that.
Because that guy said it so casually.
“If he drank from that as it was, the lord would probably collapse and nearly die.”
The moment I heard that, I was shocked.
The lord? Nearly die?
I questioned Shuri about it, and although he was frightened, he told me.
That the lord is afflicted with a strange illness.
That this illness gets worse the more it’s repeated.
That if this continues, the lord’s body will surely break down.
I was confused even as I listened, the facts were so overwhelming.
Indeed, the lord’s health had deteriorated since he started using that wine glass.
After using the wine glass, he would scratch his hand as if itchy, and sometimes cough.
Come to think of it, those were probably the signs of the allergic reaction this guy mentioned.
And those symptoms were actually symptoms that the lord had been troubled with since long ago.
In the past, when he used an iron sword, he often seemed unbearably itchy when he got tired.
However, once he rested, the symptoms would subside, and he would return to normal.
That’s why both he and those around him thought it was just a physiological reaction that occurred when tired.
I strictly ordered Shuri not to tell anyone else about this, and hurried back to my office to rewrite the report. I dipped my quill pen in ink and started summarizing the information I had obtained on a new sheet of paper.
This is probably the information Prince Gyngus was worried about.
Prince Gyngus, I imagine, doesn’t intend to harm Father, the lord.
Prince Gyngus was just terribly impatient.
He doesn’t have enough time to accumulate achievements and inherit this territory. He wants to make the lord ill, and in the meantime, establish his position as the successor by brilliantly managing the territory and army.
It’s because he fears that his inheritance will be taken away by his elder brother, Prince Aeclys, who exists as the successor to this territory.
Having the full authority over the officers he has trained and raised taken away would be nothing short of a nightmare.
That’s why he ordered me to spy on Prince Aeclys as well.
And now, with this information.
Prince Gyngus might not even be able to avoid being stripped of his title.
He almost killed his own father, the lord who governs this territory.
I headed to Prince Gyngus’s private room with the completed report.
Fortunately, due to the late hour, I didn’t run into anyone.
This information must not be leaked to others.
“Excuse me, Prince Gyngus.”
I stood in front of the private room and knocked.
Hearing a voice from inside immediately, I entered.
“What is it, Garn?”
Prince Gyngus was reading a book on military tactics in his private room.
Even at this late hour, he’s truly a diligent person.
“I’ve written the report. I apologize for the late hour, but please check it.”
“Is it urgent?”
“That’s right.”
“I understand. Hand it over.”
I handed over the report and took a step back.
Prince Gyngus looked through the report and then looked at me.
“I see.
No changes with my elder brother. However, his faction seems to be expanding.
And the guy in prison still hasn’t spilled any information, huh?”
“That’s right.”
I had handed over a fake report.
It didn’t contain any of the information Shuri had spilled.
I wrote information that was harmless but sufficient to satisfy Prince Gyngus’s pride.
Everything is true, except for the crucial information that’s been omitted.
But it doesn’t contain anything that shouldn’t be known.
“Faction expansion, huh.
Those damn bureaucrats. Have they given up on me and sided with my elder brother?”
“The officers remain unwaveringly loyal to you, Prince Gyngus.
However, there are concerns that if we bare our fangs at the bureaucrats, the payment of wages might be delayed.”
“Hmph, there’s no need to worry. That’s why we’re gathering food supplies from within the territory.
Tell them that.”
“Yes. Also, regarding the surveillance of Prince Aeclys, he still doesn’t seem to have noticed our movements.”
“I understand. I’ll devise a strategy. You may go now.”
“As you wish.”
I bowed and left the room, then headed towards another objective.
The place I’m heading to now must not be noticed by anyone. I moved cautiously yet quickly.
Standing in front of that room, I checked my surroundings and quickly entered.
“I apologize for the late hour.”
“It’s fine, Garn. Time spent with you is precious to me.”
Sitting there in the office, stamping documents, was a young boy.
A beautiful boy with glossy silver hair tied back in a ponytail, who could easily be mistaken for a beautiful girl if seen carelessly.
Short in stature and slender in build, this boy is Aeclys Sounité.
My real superior.
“So? Your visit means you must have some very important information or report, right?”
“Yes. Please take a look at this.”
I took out the real report that I had hidden in my pocket and handed it over.
Receiving it, Prince Aeclys pondered over its contents.
I’m ordered by Prince Gyngus to spy on Prince Aeclys, but I wrap up Prince Aeclys’s information and report it,
While reporting Prince Gyngus’s information to Prince Aeclys without hiding anything.
In other words, I’m a double agent.
And Prince Aeclys is making a difficult face.
“If this is true, it means Gyngus was trying to kill Father.
This isn’t a matter that can be brushed off as a joke.”
“Yes. However, I don’t think Prince Gyngus intended to kill him.”
“Hmm. Indeed, Father’s condition, or should I say strange illness here? Well, it hasn’t been considered life-threatening until now.
He’s just been known to have a bad reaction to iron since long ago. But reading this report, it seems I was in danger too.
This person is amazing, brother.”
“…Don’t call me brother, Aeclynnis. I’m just your subordinate.”
“And you should call me Aeclys, brother. Aeclynnis is my childhood name, now I’m Aeclys Sounité. The eldest son of the lord who governs this territory.”
We both smiled wryly, enjoying a moment of peace.
I was born as the eldest son of the lord.
However, my mother was a maid. A commoner. I was born from my father’s casual fling.
The lord acknowledges me, but doesn’t call himself my father. I’ve never called that guy my father either.
In the first place, I don’t acknowledge such a guy as my father.
A guy who secretly banished my mother and only gave me skills that can only be used in the shadow.
And while keeping my existence a secret, he’s relinquished all rights of succession.
That’s why only my “sister” in front of me knows about my existence.
Aeclys is a pitiful existence too.
She was born as the eldest daughter of the lord’s concubine.
In her childhood, I supported her as a bodyguard.
Unfortunately, my sister was talented.
She displayed unparalleled talent in domestic affairs and economics, raising our father’s expectations.
As a result, Father, the lord, decided to treat Aeclys as a male child and raise her as a successor.
Aeclynnis as a woman died. Since then, she’s been living as Aeclys, the successor.
The one who rebelled against this was the old hag, the legal wife.
The legal wife had given birth to a male child. That’s our younger brother, Gyngus.
Gyngus had talent for war.
Using that as backing, the legal wife proposed to raise him as the successor.
As a result, two factions formed and started fighting: the First Prince and the Second Prince.
For me, if I can make Aeclys happy, that’s enough.
The only one I can call family is Aeclys. The only true family who knows everything and stays with me knowing everything.
But Aeclys wants to save Gyngus too.
“Aeclys. Gyngus is…”
“Yeah, I know. We’ll properly address this and punish him.
And then, I’ll leave this territory. It’ll be my last job.”
Aeclys wants to pass the succession to Gyngus.
And she wishes to throw away her shackles.
I want to support that.
“We’ll probably end up fighting with Gungrave.”
“I suppose so. Before that, I’ll persuade Gyngus and set things right. Pass on the succession, you know.
Before that, I want to meet him.”
Aeclys smiled.
“That Shuri.”
“…If we go now, no one will see us.”
“Then let’s do that.”
Aeclys stands up from her chair.
Shuri, I was planning to introduce you to Prince Aeclys.
But it’s happening earlier than planned.
I pray that you’ll be our salvation.
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