I sometimes think to myself. From what I hear, they were the first ones to pick him up when he was wandering around. It was Gungrave and his group who first reached out and helped Shuri. If only, if only at that time… If I had been the first one Shuri met… I wonder if I could have changed this fate.
It was purely by chance that I, Tevis Nouviche, saw it. One day, I was walking down the corridor of Sounité Castle with Eutine. I was heading directly to Shuri’s place to have dinner. Really, making royalty come to him. Shuri is such a troublesome cook. At that moment, as we approached a corner of the corridor, Eutine suddenly became alert.
“What’s the matter, Eutine?”
Eutine relaxed her guard and bowed to me.
“Over, there, Aeclys, and, Gyngus, are”
What? Aeclys and Gyngus were there? These two had once been rivals for the position of heir to the lord. To be more precise, it would be more accurate to say they were forced to compete rather than competing of their own will. Those around them praised both, causing a commotion about who was more suitable to be the lord’s successor, resulting in the loss of many things. It should have been a typical internal conflict for the lordship… However, behind the scenes, someone was taking action, trying to eliminate the lord and plotting to place their own child as the lord’s successor. That plot was thwarted, partly due to the actions of Shuri and Gungrave’s group, resulting in Gungrave taking over the country. The mastermind’s name was Lenha Sounité. The legal wife of the lord of Sounité. In other words, Gyngus’s mother. After the plot failed, she abandoned Gyngus and fled. That’s where we caught her.
Now, back to the story, Aeclys and Gyngus were walking together… Indeed, the two of them have been getting along well recently. Including Garn, the three siblings seem to have reconciled. Before, there was a noticeable aloofness in their attitude, but recently I’ve been seeing them talking to each other. If you ask what triggered this… I’ve heard that Shuri did something, and that was probably the catalyst. That person has a rare ability to meddle in others’ affairs and turn things in a positive direction. Well, I can’t deny that I’ve changed quite a bit due to Shuri’s cooking too. Those Aeclys and Gyngus…
“Eutine. When you say you were on guard, does that mean you thought there was something unusual about the two of them?”
In response to my question, Eutine nodded once. I see. Even Eutine has seen the two of them getting along. Yet she was still on guard, which means there must have been an unusual atmosphere surrounding them. …This is an interesting case.
“Let’s go investigate what the two of them are up to, Eutine.” “My, lady. I, should, go, alone” “No, I want to see with my own eyes. What those two are up to.”
It would be faster to confirm with my own eyes. Moreover, I myself wanted to know.
“So, Eutine. Where do you think they were headed?” “Judging, from, the, direction, perhaps, the, dungeon”
…Hmm, the dungeon, is it? If those two have business in the dungeon, then…
“We’ll go check it out anyway. Follow me.” “…As, you, wish”
Realizing that I wasn’t going to hide, Eutine agreed. If Eutine’s face were capable of expressing more, she’d probably be wearing an exasperated look right now. But you see, I’m curious. How those two are going to talk to Lenha. Currently, Lenha is being held in the dungeon. She’s kept in isolation, specially separated from other prisoners. So, I’m curious about what Aeclys and Gyngus are going to discuss face-to-face with Lenha. I head towards the dungeon with Eutine. As the night has grown deep, the darkness in the dungeon has also deepened. Without the lit candles, we probably wouldn’t even be able to see our feet. And then, just as we approached the deepest part… the cell where Lenha is being held,
“Don’t be ridiculous, you ignorant children! Don’t you dare lecture me!!”
A woman’s shrill voice echoed throughout the dungeon. The sheer volume made me grimace. A piercing sound reverberated through the dungeon. How noisy! My ears are ringing terribly! Just as I was about to voice a complaint, I heard that voice.
“Please stop, Mother. I… my mind is made up. I’ve decided to entrust the future of this territory to Gungrave. I… we will support him and continue the Sounité lineage.” “Don’t talk nonsense, Gyngus! You’re my son, aren’t you? The legitimate heir who inherited the blood of the lord’s legal wife! Succeed the lord and take the top position in this territory!” “It’s impossible, my lady. Neither I nor Gyngus have the power to protect this territory in this era of war. Instead, by supporting Gungrave, this territory…” “Silence! What would you know! Just a little girl who can only do calculations! Did you seduce Gungrave and Gyngus with that appearance? You whore!”
My, what terrible language. It makes me want to sigh. Still, I understand what Aeclys and Gyngus were trying to do. They were attempting to persuade Lenha, the last remaining source of trouble in this territory. Judging from what I can hear, they either wanted to get Lenha’s approval before entrusting this place to Gungrave, or perhaps they wanted to eliminate the possibility of her becoming the ringleader of a future rebellion. Their approach isn’t wrong. I would take the same approach. In my case… in the case of Nouviche, my father is still alive and, out of love for my late mother, he hasn’t taken a concubine or remarried, treating me as the next queen. I was able to convince those around me by demonstrating my ability and achievements. So, I’m far removed from things like succession disputes and heir conflicts. Therefore, I can only understand the essence… or rather, the terrible details of such matters through hearsay. However, Aeclys and Gyngus are different. They were forced to compete and know firsthand the tragedy of fighting against those with blood ties. That’s why they probably want to avoid a situation where their mother becomes an enemy. That’s why they’re trying to persuade Lenha, but… I think I could take a simpler approach. It’s a method I can suggest because I’m neither involved nor a family member.
Namely, it involves killing Lenha.
If there’s a possibility that Lenha could become an enemy and harm this territory in the future, it would be better to nip it in the bud. That way, unnecessary bloodshed could be avoided. This is something I can easily say because I’m not a family member, and because I’m not actually going to do it. So, I don’t intend to say this directly. It’s all up to Aeclys and Gyngus to decide. Well, there’s no point in listening any further. I signaled to Eutine with my eyes, deciding to leave this place. However… succession issues, no matter where they occur or who causes them, never end well.
A few days later, I instructed Eutine to investigate how often Aeclys and Gyngus were visiting Lenha. It turned out they were going quite frequently. Is the Lenha problem that deep-rooted, or are they being too soft… After reviewing the report, I started organizing documents for a meeting before tonight’s dinner. Of course, the content includes checking the rewards and similar precedents for capturing Lenha, the current situation in Sounité territory, and the status of Nouviche while I’ve been away. There’s a mountain of work to do. However, I don’t mind working here that much.
Why, you ask? Because I can eat Shuri’s cooking!
If I get a promise from Shuri, I should be able to eat mapo tofu in the next few days. Fufu, I’m bubbling with desire to postpone the meeting until then. However, as royalty, I must not neglect my work. If royalty turns their back on their responsibilities, hundreds of people could die. That must not happen. Royalty, while reigning at the top, must be mindful of those below. Without those below, there is no above; without earth, there is no heaven. Let’s carry on steadily.
“Well, I think I’ll stop here for today.”
In the room lit by the magic lamp, I finish up a round of work. This magic lamp. I hear it’s one of Lill’s inventions. The white light spreads throughout the room, making it as bright as daytime. This too, I hear, was created based on an idea from Shuri. My, my, I’m constantly amazed by the breadth of Shuri’s ideas. Really, why didn’t he come to our country? I truly regret it. Even excluding his cooking skills, his creativity is excellent.
“Ah, there’s no use thinking about it! I should look forward to dinner instead.”
Well, it’s too late now. For now, I’ll savor his cooking. That should be enough. And what will tonight’s dish be? I’m excited.
“Well, Eutine. You think so too, don’t you?”
I address the corner of the room, where there’s a slight darkness. A presence that’s barely noticeable even if you strain your eyes. A presence that I can only just perceive after years of being together. One of Eutine’s special skills, infiltration techniques that allow her to blend into the least noticeable part of the room, erasing all presence and existence. This can also be used in combat, feinting with a short sword and then killing with another hidden weapon. A technique that takes advantage of the opponent’s line of sight and concentration. Even Kuuga would have trouble with this, I think. Well, putting that aside.
“I, don’t, particularly” “Don’t lie. Despite your expressionless face, you enjoy eating it. I won’t let you say you don’t know about getting fried rice from Shuri as a reward for your work.”
Yes, this infiltration technique. For some reason, it doesn’t always work on Shuri. Even during dinner, when Eutine is on guard duty in the corner of the room, Shuri sometimes finds her and brings her fried rice. Eutine, who is usually expressionless, was so surprised she almost jumped out of her skin. And I could tell that, despite her expressionless face, she was intoxicated by the deliciousness of the fried rice.
“T-That’s…” “If it’s a lie, shall I tell him to stop feeding my guard from now on?” “Please, spare, me” “By the way, what ingredients do you prefer?” “Egg, and, green onion. Simple, ones”
It’s too late. You’ve completely had your stomach won over. Well, I’m not one to talk either. And, it’s about that time, isn’t it?
“Eutine. Isn’t it about time for dinner?” “Yes, Princess. Both, the, time, and, the, setting, of, the, sun, suggest, so” “Alright then, let’s go…”
It was at that moment. A faint, indescribable scent that I had never smelled before. And a scent that I had smelled a few times just before coming here. Is this… meat?
“Eutine. I smell something.” “Yes, Princess. Some, kind, of, good, smell” “Hmm, a good smell, you say?”
Yes, normally one would consider it a delicious, good smell. However, for me, this smell was impossible to ignore. It’s not the scent of mapo tofu, though. This is a cooking technique that has been recently developed in our country and is being researched and refined. It’s called alcohol burning. As the name suggests, it’s a technique of cooking meat or fish with alcohol, but it has a special effect. It involves pouring strong alcohol onto a hot iron plate, burning off the alcohol and imparting the aroma. With this technique, the rank of ordinary grilled dishes like steak or meunière has been raised to a whole new level. But this scent goes beyond that. While it’s still alcohol burning, it’s on a different dimension altogether. Yes, it’s the perfected result at the end of research and refinement, the ultimate form of the alcohol burning technique.
“Kufufufufu”
Oops, a laugh escaped me. As far as I know, only one person can do this. It means that one person used this technique to cook. That person cooked using this technique. It’s piquing my interest. Shuri. What have you made this time?
“Eutine! Follow me, we’re going to check out the source of this smell!”
I stand up from my chair and leave the room. Oh, I had imagined it would reach the room, but there’s a delicious smell coming from everywhere! Even as we walk, I can see the castle staff intoxicated by the smell. Hehe, Shuri.
You really never fail to surprise me!
The closer we get to the kitchen, the stronger and more delightful the smell becomes. Now, paradise is right there!
“I came because I smelled something delicious!”
When I open the kitchen door, I find Gungrave and Shuri fighting over a plate. I’m certain. That plate must be the source of the smell!
“Oh! Shuri, could that be a steak made with alcohol burning? As expected of Shuri, to even know the latest technique of our country!” “Ah, Princess Tevis.”
Shuri seems to have noticed me too, with a dumbfounded look on his face.
“Come, let’s go to the dining hall right away! Let me taste that masterpiece steak!” “No, this is for Lenha.” “What a delicious smell! It even reached the training grounds!” “That’s a fine smell. Is today’s dinner going to be luxurious?”
What!? Kuuga and Tegue?! I see, they’ve already finished training and giving instructions to the night shift guards! They’re appearing one after another from behind!
“What a nice aroma… It’s making me hungry.” “…” “Shuri, there was an unusually good smell and sound, what happened?” “The smell is making my stomach growl after work… What an irresistible aroma.”
Ugh! The remaining captains, along with Aeclys and Gyngus, are here too after finishing work! This is bad, from what I can see, there’s only one steak on the plate, not enough for everyone here…! In other words, that’s the first and last dish! I can’t give it up. I can’t let it go.
“Oh, is that tonight’s dinner? Shuri, what is that?” “Well, Gyngus. This is…” “Wait, Gyngus. I get to taste it first. It’s a new steak dish.” “Hey, that’s not fair, Gungrave!” “That’s right! We’re tired from training here!” “Wait a moment. The magic unit is tired too. We should go first.” “…Inspiration for a new invention.” “Lill can have hamburger steak, right? I should go first.” “Hold on. If we’re talking about that, Aeclys can have karaage! The one with the most refined palate, me, should go first!” “Oh no, oh no, oh no…”
The argument shows no sign of ending. Everyone seems to understand. If we miss this opportunity, it’ll be a long time before we get another chance. That being the case, I can’t back down here!
“Everyone, calm down!”
At my shout, everyone who had been making a fuss just moments ago stops moving.
“Listen. There’s one steak, and there are multiple of us.”
At my words, everyone in the room looks at each other. That’s right, it wasn’t just the captains who were after it. Even the cook’s subordinates were watching with their fingers in their mouths. With eyes that seemed ready to voice their complaints, like “We helped with the cooking too, are you going to take it just because you’re important?” Finally, everyone here has realized. If that’s the case, it’s simple. Everyone is suspicious of each other. Everyone is an enemy.
“Now, Lord Gungrave, how will you handle this situation?”
Lord Gungrave holds his breath and ponders.
“I’m tired from training with my subordinates and arranging the guard duties! I demand an immediate food distribution!” “If you’re saying that, then so am I! I’ve got sword training, weapon inspection and distribution for my subordinates, guard duty arrangements – I’ve got a lot to do! Tegue might be able to leave some things to his deputy, but my unit is full of muscle-heads, so I have to do a lot of it myself!”
Kuuga and Tegue’s arguments fly, but in my opinion, their reasons are weak.
“In that case, having Shuri make a larger quantity of food would suffice.”
Lill’s quiet voice resonates, though soft. She’s right. If they’re tired, the best thing would be delicious, hearty food that will make their fatigue fly away.
“Lill’s work is mainly desk work, research, and development. Lill don’t need a large quantity. But Lill want something delicious.”
Lill’s rebuttal and assertion. This hits the mark more than Tegue and Kuuga’s earlier opinions. Realizing this, Tegue and Kuuga look frustrated. Hehehe, this is the development I was hoping for. Make them suspicious of each other, have them calmly discuss while still denying each other. This way, gradually, the number of people qualified to eat will decrease.
“Lill. Isn’t hamburger steak your favorite? Is it okay for you to cheat on it?” “…!!”
Lill’s eyes show shock. It’s the look of someone who’s realized they were about to betray their own principles. Lill’s eyes change from shock to sadness, and tears start to flow. What’s this all about?
“L-Lill, was Lill about to betray something she shouldn’t?”
She’s kneeling on the spot, muttering something, but let’s leave her be. There’s no point in getting involved. Her face shows deep sorrow and despair, and she looks like she might collapse at any moment, but well, she probably won’t die. Then, a voice calls out from behind.
“Your Highness.”
From the voice, it’s Eutine.
“What is it, Eutine? I’m in the middle of an important-” “Shuri, is, gone”
What did you say? I quickly look around, and indeed, Shuri is nowhere to be seen. So he escaped during the commotion! To think he’d run away in the confusion, does that mean he doesn’t want to give away the dish that badly? I won’t let him get away!
“Eutine. Where did Shuri go?” “To the dungeon” “Hm? Speaking of the dungeon…”
Shuri’s cooking, a feast he doesn’t seem inclined to share with everyone, and his escape… I see, he mentioned it earlier too. For Lenha, he said. I see, so that’s what it was. It was made for Lenha at her selfish request. That feast, it’s frustrating that Lenha gets to taste it first, but it can’t be helped, I suppose.
After all, Lenha is a 『troublesome』 person.
“Eutine. We’re going to the dungeon quietly.” “As you wish”
I left the kitchen quietly, really quietly. They’re still arguing.
Serves them right!
Anyway, I start walking towards the dungeon. However, dungeons are damp and unpleasant. We have one in my castle too, but it’s not a place I like to go. Well, there’s no reason to visit a place where there are only criminals and guards, except for consolation.
“…Princess Tevis~…” “Whoa!?”
I was suddenly addressed from behind, startling me so much I nearly jumped!
“Where might you be going?”
When I turn around, there’s Aeclys watching me from behind a pillar. She’s wearing a very scary smile. I see, she’s blaming me for trying to outsmart her…!
“Even if I stay there, I won’t be able to eat. I’m heading to the dining hall.” “What’s this about the dungeon?”
Ugh, she heard!
“I can’t help it… It seems Shuri headed to the dungeon, so I was just going to go there too.” “Eh? To the dungeon?” “Apparently, that dish was made at Lenha’s selfish request. I know it’s base of me, but I wanted to hear the first impression of the dish.” “…For the lady?”
Aeclys’s face darkens. Well, that’s understandable. Aeclys was also treated coldly by the legal wife. She probably wants to avoid even making eye contact. Moreover, there’s also the matter of the conversation I confirmed the other day. Judging from this reaction, Aeclys must be quite exhausted. Both mentally and physically. However, she can’t keep running away forever. The past is one’s own self, connected to the present. At some point, she’ll have to either accept it or overcome it. That’s probably why she and Gyngus are trying to persuade Lenha. Well, this is a good opportunity.
I have something I need to say to Lenha as well. It’s a matter that’s connected to Gyngus too.
If I’m not careful, it could even be connected to Aeclys, and to Gungrave, who’s effectively ruling this territory. Lenha is holding such a significant secret. Probably only I have noticed this. A secret that even her son Gyngus doesn’t know. Or rather, the reason why Lenha can be so bold. Think about it, isn’t it strange? A person who could be executed at any moment, not begging for her life but stubbornly maintaining her arrogance, insisting on her own way to such an extent. The only explanation is that she has some kind of “backing” that allows her to do so without concern…
“This is perfect timing, Aeclys should come too.” “Eh?” “There’s no need to keep fearing the shadow of Lenha, the legal wife, forever, is there? I don’t know what happened to your mother, who was a concubine, but Lenha is still your stepmother, after all. You can’t keep running away forever.” “…Yes.”
Aeclys reluctantly agrees. Hmm, hmm, she understands that there’s no better time than now to face the past. It would be better if Gyngus were here too. We could solve their problems while we’re at it. It would be good to earn a favor.
As we hurry to the dungeon, hmm, I can smell it.
“The smell is coming from here!” “Ah, Shuri. So you were here.”
As we descend the stairs, indeed, a good smell is spreading. It’s irresistible. Hurrying down the stairs, we see Shuri looking at us with a surprised face. Or rather than surprised, it might be more accurate to say he looks frightened. After all, he’s trembling as he looks at us. There’s no need to be so afraid… I won’t take it and eat it.
I’ll receive it and eat it.
“Just kidding. Shuri, that’s the meal for Lenha we’ve heard about, right?” “We have business with the lady too.”
That’s not a lie.
“Huh? Business?” “That’s right. I wanted to talk to her.” “I’m just accompanying her.”
You say you’re just accompanying, Aeclys? This conversation has meaning for you too, you know.
“Well, I don’t mind. As long as you don’t try to steal the steak.” “I won’t promise, but I’ll do my best.” “I won’t guarantee it, but I understand, Shuri.”
She’s implying that she’ll be eyeing it hungrily, but it can’t be helped. Because it smells so delicious. While saying this, Tevis and Aeclys decide to go down the stairs with Shuri.
“By the way, Shuri. The technique you used when grilling the meat earlier. Was that alcohol burning?” “Alcohol burning?”
Oh, did Shuri use it without knowing the name?
“The technique where you added red wine and sealed in the aroma.” “Ah, you mean flambé.”
Oh, so Shuri calls it flambé. Hmm, that’s a better name than alcohol cooking. I’ll issue a directive to spread that name from now on.
“Did you learn that from someone?” “Well, mostly self-taught.”
…Shuri never ceases to amaze me. While my country’s cooks are repeating research and refinement, to think he could use such a technique with just self-study… In other words, he thought of it and perfected it on his own.
“That’s amazing! In my country, it’s a technique that has only recently been developed and is just starting to be researched.”
I can only praise him now.
“Is alcohol burning that amazing, Princess Tevis?”
Aeclys looks puzzled, but well, it can’t be helped. The alcohol burning technique hasn’t spread widely yet.
“Indeed, the technique Shuri used involves dropping high-proof alcohol into the pan and instantly evaporating the alcohol. It’s used as a final touch, and if done by someone with skilled craftsmanship, it can add a wonderful aroma. As I said earlier, it’s a technique that has only recently emerged in my country, Nouviche, and there’s still room for refinement. I tasted a steak made by the first person to do it, and it had an indescribably wonderful aroma. You could tell even from far away, couldn’t you, Aeclys?” “Ah… So that’s why we could smell such a good aroma from far away.”
Yes, the aroma imparted by alcohol burning is truly wonderful. The rich smell that conveys the taste is so intense that even before the meal begins, it makes your mouth water.
“Well, to think that such wonderful cuisine will first be tasted by that woman. It’s really something.”
My lament is now so great that I have to exaggerate to express it. Why does such an arrogant woman who knows nothing about cuisine get to taste this dish first, a dish that represents the pinnacle of culinary culture? Ah, my lament knows no bounds. My lament knows no bounds, truly. Perhaps sensing my lamentation, a dark color appears in Shuri’s expression. Do you understand?
“A wonderful new technique, a new sauce, and a new steak. Any of these would be most fitting for me to taste first. Even I was captivated by the smell.” “Um… being praised that much makes me a bit uncomfortable.”
Praise, you say… I’m just stating facts.
“Hmph, can’t those of lowly birth even bring food to nobility quietly?”
Hmm, it seems we’ve already reached our destination. At the bottom of the dungeon stairs, there are several cells, but most of them are empty. Only one person is imprisoned here. The former lord’s legal wife, Lenha Sounité. The reason no other criminals are put here is probably out of consideration for her influence. I would do the same. After all, Lenha has survived and maintained power struggles and factions within the lord’s family as the legal wife until now. If we were to throw in other criminals or faction members together, who knows what might happen. Lenha seems to hate us intensely, glaring at us with a fierce gaze.
“Lowly, you say, Lenha. Even though someone connected to the Nouviche royal family is here.”
I should at least check her, shouldn’t I?
“! …So Princess Tevis is here too.” “It’s been a while, Lenha.”
At my greeting, Lenha’s eyebrows twisted.
“For me, it feels like just yesterday! Have you come to mock me?! You too, Aeclys!” “My lady, I have no such intention.”
Lenha’s hatred is considerable. Aeclys deflects it beautifully. No, she’s probably gotten used to it after living this way for so long. Only her heart keeps wearing down. On top of that, there’s the pain of their daily persuasion attempts not getting through. Thinking about Aeclys’s heart makes mine ache a little.
“So? Has that cook brought something suitable for my palate?”
And now she’s targeting Shuri. How ugly.
“Yes, it’s a special dish.” “Hmph, a mere cook from some mercenary group. There’s no way you could make something suitable for my palate.”
…My, how pitiful ignorance can be… If Lenha refuses, I’ll take it myself.
“No, this steak is worthy of you.”
I was looking at Lenha with a pitying gaze, but no one here seems to have noticed. Shuri presents the dish along with a knife and fork to Lenha.
“Red wine sauce steak, prepared with a red wine flambé.”
…Hm? For Shuri, the name of the dish feels unusually original? No one seems to notice my thoughts, and Lenha’s eyes widen in surprise. Of course.
“What… is this aroma? The rich scent of meat and sauce fills the entire dungeon…! What… what did you do to this dish?!”
Lenha’s face briefly lost its harshness, but quickly returned to showing wariness. It can’t be helped. The alcohol burning technique hasn’t spread to the public yet. Lenha, imprisoned in jail, has no way of knowing about it, and she probably isn’t interested in such things anyway. However, gourmets across the continent would understand the value of this dish. A dish made with a yet unseen technique, something every gourmet would want to taste at least once. To my eyes, it looks like nothing less than a mountain of gold.
“What do you mean, ‘what’? I just cooked it…”
Shuri seems bewildered by the sudden abuse. From his perspective, he put his all into creating this dish, so why is he being suspected? No, knowing Shuri, he’s probably just thinking that she’ll understand once she tastes it.
“Don’t lie! There’s no way a steak could emit such an excessively rich aroma of flavor! What magic did you use?!”
Well, well, what can I say…
What foolish words.
As if magic engineering could create something like this… I can’t understand why such foolish words would come out. Even though there’s deliciousness right in front of her, what is there to doubt? I really can’t understand. …Hm? Wait a minute? Isn’t this a good opportunity?
“Hmm, if it’s a trap by magic, I’ll taste it first.”
Yes, a taste test. A taste test in the name of sampling. Oh, forgive me, my father, Your Majesty. I cannot resist in the face of fine cuisine. I take the knife and fork in hand and immediately try to start on the dish. Just as I’m about to put it in my mouth before Shuri can stop me, I feel a dangerous atmosphere from behind. It must be Eutine. That’s right, I had forgotten. Eutine is my guard. If there’s to be a taste test, Eutine should be the first to do it. That’s why Eutine is warning me with just her presence. This time, Eutine has blended into the darkness so well that even Shuri hasn’t noticed. But if she gives off this much presence, it might interfere with her work as an intelligence agent.
“Don’t worry, Eutine. Stay in the shadows.”
Saying this in a low voice, I bring the steak to my mouth. Ah, what a wonderful taste.
“Ah, wonderful. The tenderness of the meat is far beyond what I know, almost soft enough to cut with my lips. Yet it retains the original texture of the meat, and with each bite, a wonderful aroma spreads. The scent of the meat, the aroma of the sauce, and the flavor added by the alcohol burning harmonize, creating an indescribable pleasure that fills my mouth. This subtle aroma couldn’t be achieved without the alcohol burning, and without the skilled craftsmanship of the alcohol burning technique. It spreads through the mouth and nose, ah, it’s wonderful. The taste is excellent too, of course. The new technique of combining garlic, onion, red wine, and fish sauce with the fat left after grilling the meat. The meat, perfectly and correctly cooked, brings out a good flavor with this sauce. The use of salt is neither too sharp nor too weak, but just right. The smell-removing effect of the pepper has eliminated the gaminess of the meat. Each and every aspect – the new technique, the new sauce, and the perfect cooking and calculation – represents the completed form of the conventional steak cooking method. It may be hundreds of years before something surpassing this appears.”
I’ve blurted out my impressions all at once, but this sums it up. If I were allowed to express my thoughts on this dish here indefinitely, I would have spent all night stringing together beautiful phrases – that’s how wonderful it was. As I said, this dish is packed with wonderful aromas and flavors. Yes, this dish allows one to fully savor the perfection of the alcohol burning technique. It feels like being shown the destination that all the dishes I’ve tasted so far have been aiming for. Ah, after eating this, won’t taste testing become boring? Won’t I end up wanting to eat this again? As expected, Shuri’s skill, his cooking, never ceases to captivate me. This skill, this gentle personality, this pure spirit that doesn’t fixate on power.
I want Shuri, no matter what.
Once I become aware of it, my face feels hot for some reason. It’s like I’m a maiden in love. I want to say it’s not like that, but… since meeting Shuri, my life has become endlessly enjoyable. The fact that I keep wanting to eat Shuri’s cooking again, and more than anything, that I keep wanting to see Shuri, is probably close to that feeling. However, for now, let’s just savor the satisfaction from the food.
“Well, I apologize for using the knife and fork first. However, even I couldn’t resist. What do you think? Why don’t you try it?”
I offer the knife and fork to Lenha while feeling contentment. It’s a secret that I wanted to savor it a bit more. Lenha seemed interested from my reaction, and this is probably her limit. Lenha hesitantly takes the knife and fork and brings the food to her mouth.
“…”
She seems to understand. Lenha, that is. After all, as a member of the lord’s family, she’s eaten her fair share of fine food.
“I see, indeed this is a steak worthy of me, no, perhaps even beyond me.”
Lenha puts down the knife and fork with a soft clink. Then, she stares at me. Her eyes no longer harbor hatred.
“I see, Princess Tevis. Is this why you went to such lengths, even risking yourself, to obtain this person?”
Oh, she’s quite perceptive. I didn’t expect her to understand this much. I seem to have underestimated her a bit.
“Shuri. I and Aeclys have a bit more to discuss with this person. Could you go back ahead of us?” “Huh?”
Shuri hesitates at my request. It’s sudden, so he probably couldn’t immediately grasp the flow of the situation.
“I understand.”
However, Shuri isn’t unintelligent. He probably quickly realized that this wasn’t a conversation he should be involved in, so with just a word of acknowledgment, he went up the stairs. I confirm through Eutine that Shuri has completely left this place. When I look towards the darkness, Eutine, who has slightly revealed her presence, nods. Now, finally, we can talk. I sit down in front of Lenha and look at her again. Her eyes no longer show any trace of hatred. There’s just a woman trying to size me up.
“Now, Lenha. There’s something I want to confirm with you.” “Before that, may I say something, Princess Tevis?” “…Hmm, very well. My talk will end quickly. It doesn’t matter if we start with your words.” “Then,”
Lenha bows slightly and says,
“That boy called Shuri. He’s not from this continent, is he?”
At those words, I’m impressed that Lenha had reached the same conclusion. Behind me, Aeclys seems surprised, but… well, let’s leave her be for now.
“Why do you think so?” “Earlier, Princess, you strung together beautiful phrases praising the dish. At that time, I had one doubt. Such cooking skill, such advanced techniques and insight… I couldn’t believe that boy had thought of it all by himself.” “That’s a weak reason.”
Yes, up to this point, it could be dismissed as just a hunch.
“I couldn’t imagine why you would be so fixated on a single cook. So I thought. Perhaps Princess Tevis wants to acquire not just Shuri’s cooking skills, but the ‘culture’ behind Shuri? Shuri possesses a decisively different ‘history’ from the ‘culture’ or ‘common sense’ that people on this continent originally have. I could tell by looking at the food. Steak, soup, salad, bread… and the whole roasted pig served to the lord. There were hints everywhere. The reason I didn’t notice was solely due to your overt actions and the boy’s carefree attitude.” “It’s still a weak reason.” “And based on that, when I looked at Shuri, I realized. That boy doesn’t inherit any of the appearances that people on this continent have.”
…
“As you know, the Çabrille continent is cut off from interaction with the outside world, if there are any continents beyond, due to the currents of the Outer Sea. Naturally, a continent-specific human appearance is determined. However, Shuri doesn’t have any of these appearance characteristics. No, rather than that, it’s as if Shuri is an unnaturally new human who has appeared on this continent.”
…Kukukuku, so you noticed that much.
“That’s why you want to acquire Shuri, don’t you? Not just for his cooking skills, but to gain ‘something’ from the ‘outside’ through him?” “Half correct. Half wrong.”
Lenha’s deduction isn’t bad. Rather, I’d like to say it’s close to perfect. But as for my aim, I’ll say it’s half.
“Indeed, I was captivated by Shuri’s cooking skills. I wanted the purity that doesn’t waver in power struggles. Shuri would continue to cook for someone no matter the situation. I’m attracted to that strong core.” “That’s a problematic statement for a princess of a country.” “Indeed it is. I said it knowing it’s problematic, I have no regrets. And assuming Shuri is a person from the ‘outside’, I only sensed that very recently. To be more precise, it’s something I thought after coming to this territory and seeing Shuri as a person again.”
At first, I thought he was someone with the imagination to create new seasonings and the talent to create new dishes. However, when I heard about the alcohol burning technique, I thought. He calls alcohol cooking flambé, and his mastery is “mostly” self-taught. That means either he had some basic knowledge, or he gained knowledge that was already complete and widespread through self-study. Going back further, I felt something was off when he diluted the Nornelles I brought with water. Making it easier to drink by diluting with water. If you make a slight mistake, you could end up with a failure that’s hardly drinkable. The fact that he could do this without hesitation, isn’t it because he’s seen a successful version before?
If it doesn’t exist on this continent, where did he get it from? The only explanation I can think of is from the outside.
“Since I finally realized this after a long time, I really want Shuri now. Someone who possesses the long-awaited ‘outside’ culture. I hear that even Lill’s inventions, if you trace them back, originate from Shuri’s ideas. I became convinced that in the ‘outside’, there are countries with high culture and technological power that people on this continent can’t even imagine.” “Is that why you want to acquire Shuri?” “As a ‘princess’, that is.”
Sometimes, royalty must act for the people by killing their heart, hiding their heart, deceiving their heart, and tricking their heart. If it’s for the reason as a ‘princess’, that’s how it is. Shuri, the only living witness who holds information from the ‘outside’, possesses knowledge of technology and knows the culture. How could I not want such a treasure trove of knowledge? If I speak as ‘Tevis’. I want Shuri. Indeed, his cooking is outlandish and full of charm. As a gourmet, I want to keep him close. No, that’s a bit different too. Shuri’s cooking is all homey and warm, comforting to eat. It’s different from any of the dishes that royalty eat. It warms the heart. That’s why I want him. If he continues to cook by my side, I might be able to maintain warmth in the midst of royal duties where I have to keep deceiving my heart. No, no, that might be a bit different too. In the end, I suppose I come to the conclusion that I just want Shuri. I absolutely won’t reveal this ‘true feeling’ here.
“Now, let me combine the reason I said was half and what I wanted to ask Lenha. The reason I desire Shuri is, of course, for the ‘outside’ things, but also because, just as Gungrave is already doing, we could be one or two steps ahead of other countries in culinary diplomacy.”
Culinary diplomacy is not to be underestimated. Cuisine, with the number and combination of seasonings used, becomes an indicator that represents culture. That indicator, to a wise person, shows the strength of a country. What would happen if Shuri were involved in this culinary diplomacy? The answer is that it could disrupt the balance of diplomacy. Just as Gungrave is doing, by being ahead in culinary diplomacy, that mercenary group has grown large, and because they utilized food, they were able to maintain the mercenary group. If it has such power, if a country nurtures and protects that power, how much of an advantage would it become?
“However, if I were to give a reason for desiring Shuri, if I were to speak as a ‘princess’. Lenha. There’s something I need to ask you.”
I said,
“Lenha. Are you of the bloodline of Grand-Ende?”
At those words, this time Lenha’s eyes widened in shock. Even Aeclys, who had been quietly standing behind, seems too surprised to speak.
Grand-Ende.
The country closest to hegemony on this continent. The major factor that allows that country to claim hegemony is probably the presence of an excellent king and excellent generals. With a king and generals who possess overwhelming talent in both internal affairs and military matters, they’ve rapidly gained power, and in less than ten years, they’ve achieved abnormal growth to the point where they can invade the entire continent. The existence of three generals known as the Three Radiant Generals. They swear absolute loyalty to the king and are actively working to conquer the continent.
“It took a lot of effort to investigate. You were the fourth daughter of Guive Grand-Ende, weren’t you? I understand why you were so bold. If they made a wrong move against you, there was a possibility that the great nation of Grand-Ende would bare its fangs. That’s why even the lord couldn’t easily divorce you. You were counting on the power of your home country until just now, weren’t you?” “…” “I’ll take your silence as affirmation.”
So it was true after all. That great country shows no mercy to those who oppose them. The king, Guive, is a man who combines the fierceness of hellfire with the coolness of ice. He’s a man of contradictory thinking who, if anything happens to his family, can coldly weigh the anger of having his blood relatives harmed against the political advantages that arise from it. At the same time, if family members are sent out into the world, they must demonstrate their worth. That man doesn’t give missions to those without value. Family members who can’t fulfill their missions are quickly brought back and subjected to ‘education’. It’s said that this education involves training that’s so severe it’s more like torture, for the sake of the family and the country. Lenha probably came to this territory to make it a vassal state of Grand-Ende from the inside. She desperately resisted because she feared the education. The more I think about it, the more pitiful it becomes.
“Lenha. I believe that in a few years, this era of war will end.” “…You mean, Father… His Majesty Guive will pacify this warring world?” “No, I don’t think so.”
Indeed, the country of Grand-Ende is a powerful nation with strong military might. Even the current Nouviche can’t match them, even in terms of food supply. Rather, if we carelessly provoke them, we might be reduced to scorched earth. Even I, before we became enemies with Yuyuvi, sometimes considered how I could marry into that country on good terms for Nouviche to survive. However, with the rise of the Gungrave Mercenary Group, I felt a change in the flow of history. Having acquired the country of Sounité, Gungrave will gain great power from now on. At that time, could Gungrave have achieved this with their power alone? No, it must be different. It’s because Shuri was there. I had a certainty that Shuri would be the man to change the history of this continent. That’s why I desire Shuri.
“This continent is in the midst of a great surge. While you’ve been fixated on controlling a small territory, the flow of history is already heading in an unpredictable direction.” “…And that unremarkable boy is involved at the center of it?” “That’s what I think.”
Well, I pause for a moment.
“Aeclys. Do you have anything you want to say?” “Huh?” “Now that we’ve come this far, you must have something you want to say to the legal wife.”
Encouraged by me, Aeclys shows hesitation.
“…I have nothing…” “Aeclys.”
It’s not me, but from the other side of the cell. Lenha had spoken. Her tone of voice is different from earlier, harboring slight wariness, but it can be said to be calm.
“Say it. I’m calm now. I’ll answer what I’m asked.”
Although there’s hesitation, Aeclys seems to have made up her mind at those words. Looking straight at Lenha, she asked.
“Where are my mother and Garn’s mother now?” “…So that’s your question.”
Lenha closes her eyes and says,
“They’re confined in a certain church. We couldn’t simply banish them because their faction’s subordinates might contact them and stage a comeback. Don’t worry, they’re not living in discomfort. They’re living fairly well.” “…Really?” “I’m not lying. In any case, I’ll probably be eliminated.”
Lenha scoffs at herself.
“I failed to fulfill my role, and to make matters worse, I’m being used as a bargaining chip. No matter how much Father… His Majesty Guive might be, I don’t think he’ll forgive such a blunder.”
I see… so she’s been exposed to Grand-Ende as a member of their family. Who knows where the eyes of spies might be. It’s hard to believe that man would silently watch Lenha, who could potentially become a disadvantage to the country. Rather, there’s a possibility that she’s been taught as family education to 『die by your own hand when the time comes.』
“Then Lenha. I have a proposal for you.”
I lean close to Lenha’s face and say,
“I’ll hide you in an absolutely safe place. It’s in my country, but it’s a place where no one can harm you.”
After all, it’s an isolation facility deep in the Sacred Forest. While it’s called an isolation facility, it’s more accurately one of the royal family’s hideouts. It can be used for everything from isolating epidemics to being an emergency evacuation site for the royal family. Even Grand-Ende’s intelligence officers couldn’t infiltrate there.
“In exchange, accept three conditions.”
I hold up three fingers and say.
“…You want me to betray my home country?” “You’ll die if you don’t, you know?” “Even so…” “Let me tell you, if you die, the next target will be Gyngus. Are you okay with that?”
At my words, this time clear fear appears on Lenha’s face. After all, she was a mother to the very end.
“…I understand.” “Then condition one. Never involve yourself in Sounité politics again. Condition two. Do not harm Sounité. Condition three. Do not associate with Grand-Ende.”
It’s simple, but this is probably the limit of promises we can make here.
“…I understand.” “Then, I’ll lend you some of my guards.” “Please.”
Lenha bows her head and says.
“My son, please, please protect my son.” “My lady…”
Seeing this, Aeclys murmurs in a relieved voice. Of course. The persuasion attempts up until now have finally borne fruit through me. With this, the possibility of a rebellion centered around Lenha is gone. From now on, Sounité will advance. At least the biggest threat that could be imagined from the inside has disappeared.
“Talking like this, I understand. Indeed, if a boy with techniques brought from the ‘outside’ is under Gungrave, Gyngus won’t be able to ride this surge. That child has talent specialized for war, but his capacity is insufficient to overcome a great transformation… the waves of history. Even so, that child is my son. Foolish as he may be, he’s still… my son… It would be a lie to say there was no affection… I’ve been steeling my heart, but…”
Lenha keeps her head bowed. She continues to plead with us without raising her head. Continuously, she worries about her son’s safety. About her son’s future. To fulfill Guive’s mission, this woman’s core is too kind. While Shuri might have been the trigger, she’s not suited for scheming.
“I understand well. I will grant that wish.”
Looking at Lenha’s figure, I think of my mother. My mother must be wishing for my safety too. If so, I cannot ignore the wish of Lenha, who is also a mother. Thinking this, I gave my response to Lenha.
After the conversation ended, we were walking up the stairs and through the corridor. We were both walking in silence, but… this atmosphere is unbearable.
“Princess Tevis”
Just as I was thinking that, Aeclys spoke to me.
“Was it right for me to ask that question back then?” “About your mother?”
I close my eyes to think for a moment, then say,
“My mother passed away before I was old enough to remember her.” “Huh?”
My mother died of illness when I was too young to even form memories. She wasn’t particularly strong to begin with, and it was a miracle that she lived for a few months after giving birth to me. Even for me, who became self-aware early, I have almost no memories of my mother.
“If I want to meet my mother, all I can do is look at her portrait or listen to stories about her and use my imagination.”
Even though she was physically weak, she was lively, stirring up those around her, and in the end, making everyone smile. That’s the kind of person she was, apparently. Every time I hear these stories, I think to myself. I wish she had lived.
“So, if she’s alive, it’s only natural to want to meet her. Rather, Lenha didn’t dispose of them, and even after exiling them, she kept them alive in confinement, albeit in a place uninvolved with political strife. In a way, as a mother who has children, she might have hesitated to take mothers away from their children.”
Lenha showed emotion only towards Gyngus. Lenha, who was trying to make Gyngus the lord and puppet him for the contribution to Grand-Ende, carrying that mission in her heart. She showed such a change in expression towards Gyngus, who should have been treated as a tool. I hope this is evidence that she was a person who couldn’t completely abandon her love as a mother.
“If you can meet them, you should go. While you can still meet them, go and settle what needs to be done, what must be done. Once they’re gone, there’s nothing you can do.”
I’m saying this because I’ve lost that chance, so it must be right.
“…You’re right. I should meet them while I still can.” “That’s right, that’s right.” “Princess, you speak with experience beyond your years.” “That’s none of your business.”
It’s just that my experience as royalty is dense. I’m not an old person in a young body.
The next day, I was meeting secretly with Lord Gungrave. On my side, only Eutine was present. Lord Gungrave had brought Kuuga with him.
“…That’s how it is.” “Well, well, thank you very much.”
Lord Gungrave is speaking bluntly, but inwardly he must be relieved. After all, we’ve peacefully retired Lenha, who could have been the spark of internal strife. That’s one favor I’ve done.
“However, I didn’t expect Grand-Ende to be involved.” “I could hardly believe my eyes when I investigated.” “I bet. Even I, in the early days, thought about demonstrating the mercenary group’s abilities to Grand-Ende, getting recognized as a knight order or unit, achieving merits, and receiving a country. …Now, if we clashed with that country, we’d only lose.” “For example, even if you teamed up with Nouviche, it would be futile.” “Indeed.”
Lord Gungrave agrees. The power of that country is beyond even the Gungrave Mercenary Group, which is full of geniuses and prodigies. Even if Nouviche provided rear support, it would be useless. It would only prolong the time until defeat. In other words, it would be a waste of effort.
“What do you think? How many years do you think it would take before you could fight that country, Lord Gungrave?” “…It would take five years.”
Five years, huh. That’s quite…
“Isn’t that impossible?” “…We have Shuri on our side.”
Hm?
“Are you saying you’ll use Shuri?” “…That guy will stick his nose in anyway.” “Hmm.”
If that’s the case.
“I’ll take him off your hands to make it easier for him to stick his nose in.” “Hey.” “Kufufu, it’s not entirely a joke.” “What?” “If I welcome him as a consort and give him status and power, don’t you think Shuri would be able to act more freely?” “Don’t be ridiculous. He’d be completely absorbed into Nouviche that way.”
Fufu, so that’s what you think.
“Either way, I’m going to have Shuri.”
The gazes of Lord Gungrave and Kuuga turn sharp. I can feel fighting spirit leaking from Eutine too, but I maintain a cool expression throughout.
“What did you say?” “Well, listen. In my opinion, this country will play a big role in ending this era of war.” “You’re saying that’s because of Shuri’s existence?” “That’s right. And for Nouviche to survive in that flow, we’ll need some kind of marital relationship with Shuri.” “…” “What do you think, Lord Gungrave? Don’t you think it would be good to facilitate a relationship between me and Shuri, and build a strong alliance with Nouviche? I don’t think either of us would lose out.”
Lord Gungrave should understand how attractive this proposal is. For someone disadvantaged from birth to form a connection with royalty by offering a subordinate. There can’t be better conditions than this.
“…Even so, the final decision on who to marry is up to Shuri. It’s not for me to decide.” “I see, I see. Then shall we leave it to Shuri’s free will?”
Well, just extracting this one statement is good enough.
Shuri. You’ve been thrown into the middle of an incredible surge without even realizing it. When will you notice? I’m looking forward to it.
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Chapter 46
I sometimes think to myself.
From what I hear, they were the first ones to pick him up when he was wandering around.
It was Gungrave and his group who first reached out and helped Shuri.
If only, if only at that time…
If I had been the first one Shuri met…
I wonder if I could have changed this fate.
It was purely by chance that I, Tevis Nouviche, saw it.
One day, I was walking down the corridor of Sounité Castle with Eutine.
I was heading directly to Shuri’s place to have dinner. Really, making royalty come to him. Shuri is such a troublesome cook.
At that moment, as we approached a corner of the corridor, Eutine suddenly became alert.
“What’s the matter, Eutine?”
Eutine relaxed her guard and bowed to me.
“Over, there, Aeclys, and, Gyngus, are”
What? Aeclys and Gyngus were there?
These two had once been rivals for the position of heir to the lord. To be more precise, it would be more accurate to say they were forced to compete rather than competing of their own will.
Those around them praised both, causing a commotion about who was more suitable to be the lord’s successor, resulting in the loss of many things. It should have been a typical internal conflict for the lordship…
However, behind the scenes, someone was taking action, trying to eliminate the lord and plotting to place their own child as the lord’s successor.
That plot was thwarted, partly due to the actions of Shuri and Gungrave’s group, resulting in Gungrave taking over the country.
The mastermind’s name was Lenha Sounité. The legal wife of the lord of Sounité. In other words, Gyngus’s mother.
After the plot failed, she abandoned Gyngus and fled. That’s where we caught her.
Now, back to the story, Aeclys and Gyngus were walking together…
Indeed, the two of them have been getting along well recently. Including Garn, the three siblings seem to have reconciled.
Before, there was a noticeable aloofness in their attitude, but recently I’ve been seeing them talking to each other.
If you ask what triggered this… I’ve heard that Shuri did something, and that was probably the catalyst.
That person has a rare ability to meddle in others’ affairs and turn things in a positive direction.
Well, I can’t deny that I’ve changed quite a bit due to Shuri’s cooking too.
Those Aeclys and Gyngus…
“Eutine. When you say you were on guard, does that mean you thought there was something unusual about the two of them?”
In response to my question, Eutine nodded once. I see. Even Eutine has seen the two of them getting along.
Yet she was still on guard, which means there must have been an unusual atmosphere surrounding them.
…This is an interesting case.
“Let’s go investigate what the two of them are up to, Eutine.”
“My, lady. I, should, go, alone”
“No, I want to see with my own eyes. What those two are up to.”
It would be faster to confirm with my own eyes. Moreover, I myself wanted to know.
“So, Eutine. Where do you think they were headed?”
“Judging, from, the, direction, perhaps, the, dungeon”
…Hmm, the dungeon, is it? If those two have business in the dungeon, then…
“We’ll go check it out anyway. Follow me.”
“…As, you, wish”
Realizing that I wasn’t going to hide, Eutine agreed. If Eutine’s face were capable of expressing more, she’d probably be wearing an exasperated look right now.
But you see, I’m curious. How those two are going to talk to Lenha.
Currently, Lenha is being held in the dungeon. She’s kept in isolation, specially separated from other prisoners. So, I’m curious about what Aeclys and Gyngus are going to discuss face-to-face with Lenha.
I head towards the dungeon with Eutine. As the night has grown deep, the darkness in the dungeon has also deepened. Without the lit candles, we probably wouldn’t even be able to see our feet.
And then, just as we approached the deepest part… the cell where Lenha is being held,
“Don’t be ridiculous, you ignorant children! Don’t you dare lecture me!!”
A woman’s shrill voice echoed throughout the dungeon. The sheer volume made me grimace. A piercing sound reverberated through the dungeon.
How noisy! My ears are ringing terribly!
Just as I was about to voice a complaint, I heard that voice.
“Please stop, Mother. I… my mind is made up. I’ve decided to entrust the future of this territory to Gungrave. I… we will support him and continue the Sounité lineage.”
“Don’t talk nonsense, Gyngus! You’re my son, aren’t you? The legitimate heir who inherited the blood of the lord’s legal wife! Succeed the lord and take the top position in this territory!”
“It’s impossible, my lady. Neither I nor Gyngus have the power to protect this territory in this era of war. Instead, by supporting Gungrave, this territory…”
“Silence! What would you know! Just a little girl who can only do calculations! Did you seduce Gungrave and Gyngus with that appearance? You whore!”
My, what terrible language. It makes me want to sigh.
Still, I understand what Aeclys and Gyngus were trying to do. They were attempting to persuade Lenha, the last remaining source of trouble in this territory.
Judging from what I can hear, they either wanted to get Lenha’s approval before entrusting this place to Gungrave, or perhaps they wanted to eliminate the possibility of her becoming the ringleader of a future rebellion.
Their approach isn’t wrong. I would take the same approach. In my case… in the case of Nouviche, my father is still alive and, out of love for my late mother, he hasn’t taken a concubine or remarried, treating me as the next queen. I was able to convince those around me by demonstrating my ability and achievements. So, I’m far removed from things like succession disputes and heir conflicts. Therefore, I can only understand the essence… or rather, the terrible details of such matters through hearsay.
However, Aeclys and Gyngus are different. They were forced to compete and know firsthand the tragedy of fighting against those with blood ties. That’s why they probably want to avoid a situation where their mother becomes an enemy.
That’s why they’re trying to persuade Lenha, but… I think I could take a simpler approach. It’s a method I can suggest because I’m neither involved nor a family member.
Namely, it involves killing Lenha.
If there’s a possibility that Lenha could become an enemy and harm this territory in the future, it would be better to nip it in the bud. That way, unnecessary bloodshed could be avoided.
This is something I can easily say because I’m not a family member, and because I’m not actually going to do it.
So, I don’t intend to say this directly. It’s all up to Aeclys and Gyngus to decide.
Well, there’s no point in listening any further. I signaled to Eutine with my eyes, deciding to leave this place.
However… succession issues, no matter where they occur or who causes them, never end well.
A few days later, I instructed Eutine to investigate how often Aeclys and Gyngus were visiting Lenha. It turned out they were going quite frequently.
Is the Lenha problem that deep-rooted, or are they being too soft…
After reviewing the report, I started organizing documents for a meeting before tonight’s dinner.
Of course, the content includes checking the rewards and similar precedents for capturing Lenha, the current situation in Sounité territory, and the status of Nouviche while I’ve been away.
There’s a mountain of work to do. However, I don’t mind working here that much.
Why, you ask? Because I can eat Shuri’s cooking!
If I get a promise from Shuri, I should be able to eat mapo tofu in the next few days. Fufu, I’m bubbling with desire to postpone the meeting until then.
However, as royalty, I must not neglect my work.
If royalty turns their back on their responsibilities, hundreds of people could die. That must not happen. Royalty, while reigning at the top, must be mindful of those below. Without those below, there is no above; without earth, there is no heaven. Let’s carry on steadily.
“Well, I think I’ll stop here for today.”
In the room lit by the magic lamp, I finish up a round of work.
This magic lamp. I hear it’s one of Lill’s inventions.
The white light spreads throughout the room, making it as bright as daytime.
This too, I hear, was created based on an idea from Shuri. My, my, I’m constantly amazed by the breadth of Shuri’s ideas. Really, why didn’t he come to our country? I truly regret it.
Even excluding his cooking skills, his creativity is excellent.
“Ah, there’s no use thinking about it! I should look forward to dinner instead.”
Well, it’s too late now. For now, I’ll savor his cooking. That should be enough.
And what will tonight’s dish be? I’m excited.
“Well, Eutine. You think so too, don’t you?”
I address the corner of the room, where there’s a slight darkness.
A presence that’s barely noticeable even if you strain your eyes.
A presence that I can only just perceive after years of being together.
One of Eutine’s special skills, infiltration techniques that allow her to blend into the least noticeable part of the room, erasing all presence and existence.
This can also be used in combat, feinting with a short sword and then killing with another hidden weapon.
A technique that takes advantage of the opponent’s line of sight and concentration. Even Kuuga would have trouble with this, I think.
Well, putting that aside.
“I, don’t, particularly”
“Don’t lie. Despite your expressionless face, you enjoy eating it. I won’t let you say you don’t know about getting fried rice from Shuri as a reward for your work.”
Yes, this infiltration technique. For some reason, it doesn’t always work on Shuri.
Even during dinner, when Eutine is on guard duty in the corner of the room, Shuri sometimes finds her and brings her fried rice.
Eutine, who is usually expressionless, was so surprised she almost jumped out of her skin.
And I could tell that, despite her expressionless face, she was intoxicated by the deliciousness of the fried rice.
“T-That’s…”
“If it’s a lie, shall I tell him to stop feeding my guard from now on?”
“Please, spare, me”
“By the way, what ingredients do you prefer?”
“Egg, and, green onion. Simple, ones”
It’s too late. You’ve completely had your stomach won over.
Well, I’m not one to talk either.
And, it’s about that time, isn’t it?
“Eutine. Isn’t it about time for dinner?”
“Yes, Princess. Both, the, time, and, the, setting, of, the, sun, suggest, so”
“Alright then, let’s go…”
It was at that moment. A faint, indescribable scent that I had never smelled before.
And a scent that I had smelled a few times just before coming here.
Is this… meat?
“Eutine. I smell something.”
“Yes, Princess. Some, kind, of, good, smell”
“Hmm, a good smell, you say?”
Yes, normally one would consider it a delicious, good smell.
However, for me, this smell was impossible to ignore. It’s not the scent of mapo tofu, though.
This is a cooking technique that has been recently developed in our country and is being researched and refined.
It’s called alcohol burning.
As the name suggests, it’s a technique of cooking meat or fish with alcohol, but it has a special effect.
It involves pouring strong alcohol onto a hot iron plate, burning off the alcohol and imparting the aroma.
With this technique, the rank of ordinary grilled dishes like steak or meunière has been raised to a whole new level.
But this scent goes beyond that. While it’s still alcohol burning, it’s on a different dimension altogether.
Yes, it’s the perfected result at the end of research and refinement, the ultimate form of the alcohol burning technique.
“Kufufufufu”
Oops, a laugh escaped me.
As far as I know, only one person can do this. It means that one person used this technique to cook.
That person cooked using this technique. It’s piquing my interest.
Shuri. What have you made this time?
“Eutine! Follow me, we’re going to check out the source of this smell!”
I stand up from my chair and leave the room.
Oh, I had imagined it would reach the room, but there’s a delicious smell coming from everywhere!
Even as we walk, I can see the castle staff intoxicated by the smell.
Hehe, Shuri.
You really never fail to surprise me!
The closer we get to the kitchen, the stronger and more delightful the smell becomes.
Now, paradise is right there!
“I came because I smelled something delicious!”
When I open the kitchen door, I find Gungrave and Shuri fighting over a plate.
I’m certain.
That plate must be the source of the smell!
“Oh! Shuri, could that be a steak made with alcohol burning? As expected of Shuri, to even know the latest technique of our country!”
“Ah, Princess Tevis.”
Shuri seems to have noticed me too, with a dumbfounded look on his face.
“Come, let’s go to the dining hall right away! Let me taste that masterpiece steak!”
“No, this is for Lenha.”
“What a delicious smell! It even reached the training grounds!”
“That’s a fine smell. Is today’s dinner going to be luxurious?”
What!? Kuuga and Tegue?!
I see, they’ve already finished training and giving instructions to the night shift guards! They’re appearing one after another from behind!
“What a nice aroma… It’s making me hungry.”
“…”
“Shuri, there was an unusually good smell and sound, what happened?”
“The smell is making my stomach growl after work… What an irresistible aroma.”
Ugh! The remaining captains, along with Aeclys and Gyngus, are here too after finishing work!
This is bad, from what I can see, there’s only one steak on the plate, not enough for everyone here…!
In other words, that’s the first and last dish!
I can’t give it up.
I can’t let it go.
“Oh, is that tonight’s dinner? Shuri, what is that?”
“Well, Gyngus. This is…”
“Wait, Gyngus. I get to taste it first. It’s a new steak dish.”
“Hey, that’s not fair, Gungrave!”
“That’s right! We’re tired from training here!”
“Wait a moment. The magic unit is tired too. We should go first.”
“…Inspiration for a new invention.”
“Lill can have hamburger steak, right? I should go first.”
“Hold on. If we’re talking about that, Aeclys can have karaage! The one with the most refined palate, me, should go first!”
“Oh no, oh no, oh no…”
The argument shows no sign of ending. Everyone seems to understand.
If we miss this opportunity, it’ll be a long time before we get another chance.
That being the case, I can’t back down here!
“Everyone, calm down!”
At my shout, everyone who had been making a fuss just moments ago stops moving.
“Listen. There’s one steak, and there are multiple of us.”
At my words, everyone in the room looks at each other.
That’s right, it wasn’t just the captains who were after it. Even the cook’s subordinates were watching with their fingers in their mouths.
With eyes that seemed ready to voice their complaints, like
“We helped with the cooking too, are you going to take it just because you’re important?”
Finally, everyone here has realized.
If that’s the case, it’s simple.
Everyone is suspicious of each other. Everyone is an enemy.
“Now, Lord Gungrave, how will you handle this situation?”
Lord Gungrave holds his breath and ponders.
“I’m tired from training with my subordinates and arranging the guard duties! I demand an immediate food distribution!”
“If you’re saying that, then so am I! I’ve got sword training, weapon inspection and distribution for my subordinates, guard duty arrangements – I’ve got a lot to do! Tegue might be able to leave some things to his deputy, but my unit is full of muscle-heads, so I have to do a lot of it myself!”
Kuuga and Tegue’s arguments fly, but in my opinion, their reasons are weak.
“In that case, having Shuri make a larger quantity of food would suffice.”
Lill’s quiet voice resonates, though soft.
She’s right. If they’re tired, the best thing would be delicious, hearty food that will make their fatigue fly away.
“Lill’s work is mainly desk work, research, and development. Lill don’t need a large quantity. But Lill want something delicious.”
Lill’s rebuttal and assertion. This hits the mark more than Tegue and Kuuga’s earlier opinions.
Realizing this, Tegue and Kuuga look frustrated.
Hehehe, this is the development I was hoping for.
Make them suspicious of each other, have them calmly discuss while still denying each other.
This way, gradually, the number of people qualified to eat will decrease.
“Lill. Isn’t hamburger steak your favorite? Is it okay for you to cheat on it?”
“…!!”
Lill’s eyes show shock. It’s the look of someone who’s realized they were about to betray their own principles.
Lill’s eyes change from shock to sadness, and tears start to flow.
What’s this all about?
“L-Lill, was Lill about to betray something she shouldn’t?”
She’s kneeling on the spot, muttering something, but let’s leave her be. There’s no point in getting involved.
Her face shows deep sorrow and despair, and she looks like she might collapse at any moment, but well, she probably won’t die.
Then, a voice calls out from behind.
“Your Highness.”
From the voice, it’s Eutine.
“What is it, Eutine? I’m in the middle of an important-”
“Shuri, is, gone”
What did you say?
I quickly look around, and indeed, Shuri is nowhere to be seen. So he escaped during the commotion!
To think he’d run away in the confusion, does that mean he doesn’t want to give away the dish that badly? I won’t let him get away!
“Eutine. Where did Shuri go?”
“To the dungeon”
“Hm? Speaking of the dungeon…”
Shuri’s cooking, a feast he doesn’t seem inclined to share with everyone, and his escape… I see, he mentioned it earlier too. For Lenha, he said.
I see, so that’s what it was. It was made for Lenha at her selfish request.
That feast, it’s frustrating that Lenha gets to taste it first, but it can’t be helped, I suppose.
After all, Lenha is a 『troublesome』 person.
“Eutine. We’re going to the dungeon quietly.”
“As you wish”
I left the kitchen quietly, really quietly. They’re still arguing.
Serves them right!
Anyway, I start walking towards the dungeon.
However, dungeons are damp and unpleasant. We have one in my castle too, but it’s not a place I like to go.
Well, there’s no reason to visit a place where there are only criminals and guards, except for consolation.
“…Princess Tevis~…”
“Whoa!?”
I was suddenly addressed from behind, startling me so much I nearly jumped!
“Where might you be going?”
When I turn around, there’s Aeclys watching me from behind a pillar. She’s wearing a very scary smile.
I see, she’s blaming me for trying to outsmart her…!
“Even if I stay there, I won’t be able to eat. I’m heading to the dining hall.”
“What’s this about the dungeon?”
Ugh, she heard!
“I can’t help it… It seems Shuri headed to the dungeon, so I was just going to go there too.”
“Eh? To the dungeon?”
“Apparently, that dish was made at Lenha’s selfish request. I know it’s base of me, but I wanted to hear the first impression of the dish.”
“…For the lady?”
Aeclys’s face darkens. Well, that’s understandable. Aeclys was also treated coldly by the legal wife. She probably wants to avoid even making eye contact.
Moreover, there’s also the matter of the conversation I confirmed the other day. Judging from this reaction, Aeclys must be quite exhausted. Both mentally and physically.
However, she can’t keep running away forever. The past is one’s own self, connected to the present. At some point, she’ll have to either accept it or overcome it. That’s probably why she and Gyngus are trying to persuade Lenha.
Well, this is a good opportunity.
I have something I need to say to Lenha as well.
It’s a matter that’s connected to Gyngus too.
If I’m not careful, it could even be connected to Aeclys, and to Gungrave, who’s effectively ruling this territory.
Lenha is holding such a significant secret.
Probably only I have noticed this.
A secret that even her son Gyngus doesn’t know. Or rather, the reason why Lenha can be so bold.
Think about it, isn’t it strange? A person who could be executed at any moment, not begging for her life but stubbornly maintaining her arrogance, insisting on her own way to such an extent.
The only explanation is that she has some kind of “backing” that allows her to do so without concern…
“This is perfect timing, Aeclys should come too.”
“Eh?”
“There’s no need to keep fearing the shadow of Lenha, the legal wife, forever, is there?
I don’t know what happened to your mother, who was a concubine, but Lenha is still your stepmother, after all. You can’t keep running away forever.”
“…Yes.”
Aeclys reluctantly agrees. Hmm, hmm, she understands that there’s no better time than now to face the past.
It would be better if Gyngus were here too. We could solve their problems while we’re at it. It would be good to earn a favor.
As we hurry to the dungeon, hmm, I can smell it.
“The smell is coming from here!”
“Ah, Shuri. So you were here.”
As we descend the stairs, indeed, a good smell is spreading. It’s irresistible.
Hurrying down the stairs, we see Shuri looking at us with a surprised face. Or rather than surprised, it might be more accurate to say he looks frightened.
After all, he’s trembling as he looks at us. There’s no need to be so afraid… I won’t take it and eat it.
I’ll receive it and eat it.
“Just kidding. Shuri, that’s the meal for Lenha we’ve heard about, right?”
“We have business with the lady too.”
That’s not a lie.
“Huh? Business?”
“That’s right. I wanted to talk to her.”
“I’m just accompanying her.”
You say you’re just accompanying, Aeclys? This conversation has meaning for you too, you know.
“Well, I don’t mind. As long as you don’t try to steal the steak.”
“I won’t promise, but I’ll do my best.”
“I won’t guarantee it, but I understand, Shuri.”
She’s implying that she’ll be eyeing it hungrily, but it can’t be helped.
Because it smells so delicious.
While saying this, Tevis and Aeclys decide to go down the stairs with Shuri.
“By the way, Shuri. The technique you used when grilling the meat earlier. Was that alcohol burning?”
“Alcohol burning?”
Oh, did Shuri use it without knowing the name?
“The technique where you added red wine and sealed in the aroma.”
“Ah, you mean flambé.”
Oh, so Shuri calls it flambé.
Hmm, that’s a better name than alcohol cooking. I’ll issue a directive to spread that name from now on.
“Did you learn that from someone?”
“Well, mostly self-taught.”
…Shuri never ceases to amaze me.
While my country’s cooks are repeating research and refinement, to think he could use such a technique with just self-study…
In other words, he thought of it and perfected it on his own.
“That’s amazing! In my country, it’s a technique that has only recently been developed and is just starting to be researched.”
I can only praise him now.
“Is alcohol burning that amazing, Princess Tevis?”
Aeclys looks puzzled, but well, it can’t be helped.
The alcohol burning technique hasn’t spread widely yet.
“Indeed, the technique Shuri used involves dropping high-proof alcohol into the pan and instantly evaporating the alcohol.
It’s used as a final touch, and if done by someone with skilled craftsmanship, it can add a wonderful aroma.
As I said earlier, it’s a technique that has only recently emerged in my country, Nouviche, and there’s still room for refinement. I tasted a steak made by the first person to do it, and it had an indescribably wonderful aroma.
You could tell even from far away, couldn’t you, Aeclys?”
“Ah… So that’s why we could smell such a good aroma from far away.”
Yes, the aroma imparted by alcohol burning is truly wonderful. The rich smell that conveys the taste is so intense that even before the meal begins, it makes your mouth water.
“Well, to think that such wonderful cuisine will first be tasted by that woman. It’s really something.”
My lament is now so great that I have to exaggerate to express it. Why does such an arrogant woman who knows nothing about cuisine get to taste this dish first, a dish that represents the pinnacle of culinary culture?
Ah, my lament knows no bounds.
My lament knows no bounds, truly.
Perhaps sensing my lamentation, a dark color appears in Shuri’s expression. Do you understand?
“A wonderful new technique, a new sauce, and a new steak. Any of these would be most fitting for me to taste first. Even I was captivated by the smell.”
“Um… being praised that much makes me a bit uncomfortable.”
Praise, you say… I’m just stating facts.
“Hmph, can’t those of lowly birth even bring food to nobility quietly?”
Hmm, it seems we’ve already reached our destination.
At the bottom of the dungeon stairs, there are several cells, but most of them are empty. Only one person is imprisoned here.
The former lord’s legal wife, Lenha Sounité.
The reason no other criminals are put here is probably out of consideration for her influence. I would do the same.
After all, Lenha has survived and maintained power struggles and factions within the lord’s family as the legal wife until now. If we were to throw in other criminals or faction members together, who knows what might happen.
Lenha seems to hate us intensely, glaring at us with a fierce gaze.
“Lowly, you say, Lenha. Even though someone connected to the Nouviche royal family is here.”
I should at least check her, shouldn’t I?
“! …So Princess Tevis is here too.”
“It’s been a while, Lenha.”
At my greeting, Lenha’s eyebrows twisted.
“For me, it feels like just yesterday! Have you come to mock me?! You too, Aeclys!”
“My lady, I have no such intention.”
Lenha’s hatred is considerable. Aeclys deflects it beautifully.
No, she’s probably gotten used to it after living this way for so long. Only her heart keeps wearing down.
On top of that, there’s the pain of their daily persuasion attempts not getting through. Thinking about Aeclys’s heart makes mine ache a little.
“So? Has that cook brought something suitable for my palate?”
And now she’s targeting Shuri. How ugly.
“Yes, it’s a special dish.”
“Hmph, a mere cook from some mercenary group. There’s no way you could make something suitable for my palate.”
…My, how pitiful ignorance can be…
If Lenha refuses, I’ll take it myself.
“No, this steak is worthy of you.”
I was looking at Lenha with a pitying gaze, but no one here seems to have noticed.
Shuri presents the dish along with a knife and fork to Lenha.
“Red wine sauce steak, prepared with a red wine flambé.”
…Hm? For Shuri, the name of the dish feels unusually original?
No one seems to notice my thoughts, and Lenha’s eyes widen in surprise.
Of course.
“What… is this aroma? The rich scent of meat and sauce fills the entire dungeon…! What… what did you do to this dish?!”
Lenha’s face briefly lost its harshness, but quickly returned to showing wariness.
It can’t be helped. The alcohol burning technique hasn’t spread to the public yet. Lenha, imprisoned in jail, has no way of knowing about it, and she probably isn’t interested in such things anyway.
However, gourmets across the continent would understand the value of this dish.
A dish made with a yet unseen technique, something every gourmet would want to taste at least once.
To my eyes, it looks like nothing less than a mountain of gold.
“What do you mean, ‘what’? I just cooked it…”
Shuri seems bewildered by the sudden abuse.
From his perspective, he put his all into creating this dish, so why is he being suspected?
No, knowing Shuri, he’s probably just thinking that she’ll understand once she tastes it.
“Don’t lie! There’s no way a steak could emit such an excessively rich aroma of flavor! What magic did you use?!”
Well, well, what can I say…
What foolish words.
As if magic engineering could create something like this… I can’t understand why such foolish words would come out. Even though there’s deliciousness right in front of her, what is there to doubt? I really can’t understand.
…Hm? Wait a minute? Isn’t this a good opportunity?
“Hmm, if it’s a trap by magic, I’ll taste it first.”
Yes, a taste test. A taste test in the name of sampling.
Oh, forgive me, my father, Your Majesty. I cannot resist in the face of fine cuisine.
I take the knife and fork in hand and immediately try to start on the dish.
Just as I’m about to put it in my mouth before Shuri can stop me, I feel a dangerous atmosphere from behind.
It must be Eutine. That’s right, I had forgotten. Eutine is my guard. If there’s to be a taste test, Eutine should be the first to do it.
That’s why Eutine is warning me with just her presence.
This time, Eutine has blended into the darkness so well that even Shuri hasn’t noticed. But if she gives off this much presence, it might interfere with her work as an intelligence agent.
“Don’t worry, Eutine. Stay in the shadows.”
Saying this in a low voice, I bring the steak to my mouth.
Ah, what a wonderful taste.
“Ah, wonderful. The tenderness of the meat is far beyond what I know, almost soft enough to cut with my lips. Yet it retains the original texture of the meat, and with each bite, a wonderful aroma spreads.
The scent of the meat, the aroma of the sauce, and the flavor added by the alcohol burning harmonize, creating an indescribable pleasure that fills my mouth. This subtle aroma couldn’t be achieved without the alcohol burning, and without the skilled craftsmanship of the alcohol burning technique. It spreads through the mouth and nose, ah, it’s wonderful.
The taste is excellent too, of course. The new technique of combining garlic, onion, red wine, and fish sauce with the fat left after grilling the meat. The meat, perfectly and correctly cooked, brings out a good flavor with this sauce. The use of salt is neither too sharp nor too weak, but just right. The smell-removing effect of the pepper has eliminated the gaminess of the meat.
Each and every aspect – the new technique, the new sauce, and the perfect cooking and calculation – represents the completed form of the conventional steak cooking method. It may be hundreds of years before something surpassing this appears.”
I’ve blurted out my impressions all at once, but this sums it up.
If I were allowed to express my thoughts on this dish here indefinitely, I would have spent all night stringing together beautiful phrases – that’s how wonderful it was.
As I said, this dish is packed with wonderful aromas and flavors.
Yes, this dish allows one to fully savor the perfection of the alcohol burning technique.
It feels like being shown the destination that all the dishes I’ve tasted so far have been aiming for.
Ah, after eating this, won’t taste testing become boring?
Won’t I end up wanting to eat this again?
As expected, Shuri’s skill, his cooking, never ceases to captivate me.
This skill, this gentle personality, this pure spirit that doesn’t fixate on power.
I want Shuri, no matter what.
Once I become aware of it, my face feels hot for some reason. It’s like I’m a maiden in love.
I want to say it’s not like that, but… since meeting Shuri, my life has become endlessly enjoyable. The fact that I keep wanting to eat Shuri’s cooking again, and more than anything, that I keep wanting to see Shuri, is probably close to that feeling.
However, for now, let’s just savor the satisfaction from the food.
“Well, I apologize for using the knife and fork first.
However, even I couldn’t resist. What do you think? Why don’t you try it?”
I offer the knife and fork to Lenha while feeling contentment.
It’s a secret that I wanted to savor it a bit more.
Lenha seemed interested from my reaction, and this is probably her limit.
Lenha hesitantly takes the knife and fork and brings the food to her mouth.
“…”
She seems to understand. Lenha, that is.
After all, as a member of the lord’s family, she’s eaten her fair share of fine food.
“I see, indeed this is a steak worthy of me, no, perhaps even beyond me.”
Lenha puts down the knife and fork with a soft clink.
Then, she stares at me.
Her eyes no longer harbor hatred.
“I see, Princess Tevis. Is this why you went to such lengths, even risking yourself, to obtain this person?”
Oh, she’s quite perceptive. I didn’t expect her to understand this much. I seem to have underestimated her a bit.
“Shuri. I and Aeclys have a bit more to discuss with this person. Could you go back ahead of us?”
“Huh?”
Shuri hesitates at my request. It’s sudden, so he probably couldn’t immediately grasp the flow of the situation.
“I understand.”
However, Shuri isn’t unintelligent. He probably quickly realized that this wasn’t a conversation he should be involved in, so with just a word of acknowledgment, he went up the stairs.
I confirm through Eutine that Shuri has completely left this place. When I look towards the darkness, Eutine, who has slightly revealed her presence, nods.
Now, finally, we can talk.
I sit down in front of Lenha and look at her again.
Her eyes no longer show any trace of hatred. There’s just a woman trying to size me up.
“Now, Lenha. There’s something I want to confirm with you.”
“Before that, may I say something, Princess Tevis?”
“…Hmm, very well. My talk will end quickly. It doesn’t matter if we start with your words.”
“Then,”
Lenha bows slightly and says,
“That boy called Shuri. He’s not from this continent, is he?”
At those words, I’m impressed that Lenha had reached the same conclusion.
Behind me, Aeclys seems surprised, but… well, let’s leave her be for now.
“Why do you think so?”
“Earlier, Princess, you strung together beautiful phrases praising the dish. At that time, I had one doubt. Such cooking skill, such advanced techniques and insight… I couldn’t believe that boy had thought of it all by himself.”
“That’s a weak reason.”
Yes, up to this point, it could be dismissed as just a hunch.
“I couldn’t imagine why you would be so fixated on a single cook. So I thought.
Perhaps Princess Tevis wants to acquire not just Shuri’s cooking skills, but the ‘culture’ behind Shuri?
Shuri possesses a decisively different ‘history’ from the ‘culture’ or ‘common sense’ that people on this continent originally have. I could tell by looking at the food.
Steak, soup, salad, bread… and the whole roasted pig served to the lord. There were hints everywhere. The reason I didn’t notice was solely due to your overt actions and the boy’s carefree attitude.”
“It’s still a weak reason.”
“And based on that, when I looked at Shuri, I realized.
That boy doesn’t inherit any of the appearances that people on this continent have.”
…
“As you know, the Çabrille continent is cut off from interaction with the outside world, if there are any continents beyond, due to the currents of the Outer Sea. Naturally, a continent-specific human appearance is determined. However, Shuri doesn’t have any of these appearance characteristics.
No, rather than that, it’s as if Shuri is an unnaturally new human who has appeared on this continent.”
…Kukukuku, so you noticed that much.
“That’s why you want to acquire Shuri, don’t you? Not just for his cooking skills, but to gain ‘something’ from the ‘outside’ through him?”
“Half correct. Half wrong.”
Lenha’s deduction isn’t bad. Rather, I’d like to say it’s close to perfect. But as for my aim, I’ll say it’s half.
“Indeed, I was captivated by Shuri’s cooking skills. I wanted the purity that doesn’t waver in power struggles. Shuri would continue to cook for someone no matter the situation. I’m attracted to that strong core.”
“That’s a problematic statement for a princess of a country.”
“Indeed it is. I said it knowing it’s problematic, I have no regrets.
And assuming Shuri is a person from the ‘outside’, I only sensed that very recently. To be more precise, it’s something I thought after coming to this territory and seeing Shuri as a person again.”
At first, I thought he was someone with the imagination to create new seasonings and the talent to create new dishes.
However, when I heard about the alcohol burning technique, I thought.
He calls alcohol cooking flambé, and his mastery is “mostly” self-taught.
That means either he had some basic knowledge, or he gained knowledge that was already complete and widespread through self-study.
Going back further, I felt something was off when he diluted the Nornelles I brought with water. Making it easier to drink by diluting with water. If you make a slight mistake, you could end up with a failure that’s hardly drinkable. The fact that he could do this without hesitation, isn’t it because he’s seen a successful version before?
If it doesn’t exist on this continent, where did he get it from?
The only explanation I can think of is from the outside.
“Since I finally realized this after a long time, I really want Shuri now. Someone who possesses the long-awaited ‘outside’ culture. I hear that even Lill’s inventions, if you trace them back, originate from Shuri’s ideas.
I became convinced that in the ‘outside’, there are countries with high culture and technological power that people on this continent can’t even imagine.”
“Is that why you want to acquire Shuri?”
“As a ‘princess’, that is.”
Sometimes, royalty must act for the people by killing their heart, hiding their heart, deceiving their heart, and tricking their heart.
If it’s for the reason as a ‘princess’, that’s how it is. Shuri, the only living witness who holds information from the ‘outside’, possesses knowledge of technology and knows the culture. How could I not want such a treasure trove of knowledge?
If I speak as ‘Tevis’. I want Shuri. Indeed, his cooking is outlandish and full of charm. As a gourmet, I want to keep him close.
No, that’s a bit different too. Shuri’s cooking is all homey and warm, comforting to eat.
It’s different from any of the dishes that royalty eat. It warms the heart.
That’s why I want him. If he continues to cook by my side, I might be able to maintain warmth in the midst of royal duties where I have to keep deceiving my heart.
No, no, that might be a bit different too.
In the end, I suppose I come to the conclusion that I just want Shuri.
I absolutely won’t reveal this ‘true feeling’ here.
“Now, let me combine the reason I said was half and what I wanted to ask Lenha.
The reason I desire Shuri is, of course, for the ‘outside’ things, but also because, just as Gungrave is already doing, we could be one or two steps ahead of other countries in culinary diplomacy.”
Culinary diplomacy is not to be underestimated.
Cuisine, with the number and combination of seasonings used, becomes an indicator that represents culture. That indicator, to a wise person, shows the strength of a country.
What would happen if Shuri were involved in this culinary diplomacy?
The answer is that it could disrupt the balance of diplomacy.
Just as Gungrave is doing, by being ahead in culinary diplomacy, that mercenary group has grown large, and because they utilized food, they were able to maintain the mercenary group.
If it has such power, if a country nurtures and protects that power, how much of an advantage would it become?
“However, if I were to give a reason for desiring Shuri, if I were to speak as a ‘princess’. Lenha.
There’s something I need to ask you.”
I said,
“Lenha. Are you of the bloodline of Grand-Ende?”
At those words, this time Lenha’s eyes widened in shock. Even Aeclys, who had been quietly standing behind, seems too surprised to speak.
Grand-Ende.
The country closest to hegemony on this continent.
The major factor that allows that country to claim hegemony is probably the presence of an excellent king and excellent generals.
With a king and generals who possess overwhelming talent in both internal affairs and military matters, they’ve rapidly gained power, and in less than ten years, they’ve achieved abnormal growth to the point where they can invade the entire continent.
The existence of three generals known as the Three Radiant Generals.
They swear absolute loyalty to the king and are actively working to conquer the continent.
“It took a lot of effort to investigate. You were the fourth daughter of Guive Grand-Ende, weren’t you? I understand why you were so bold.
If they made a wrong move against you, there was a possibility that the great nation of Grand-Ende would bare its fangs. That’s why even the lord couldn’t easily divorce you.
You were counting on the power of your home country until just now, weren’t you?”
“…”
“I’ll take your silence as affirmation.”
So it was true after all. That great country shows no mercy to those who oppose them.
The king, Guive, is a man who combines the fierceness of hellfire with the coolness of ice.
He’s a man of contradictory thinking who, if anything happens to his family, can coldly weigh the anger of having his blood relatives harmed against the political advantages that arise from it.
At the same time, if family members are sent out into the world, they must demonstrate their worth. That man doesn’t give missions to those without value. Family members who can’t fulfill their missions are quickly brought back and subjected to ‘education’.
It’s said that this education involves training that’s so severe it’s more like torture, for the sake of the family and the country.
Lenha probably came to this territory to make it a vassal state of Grand-Ende from the inside.
She desperately resisted because she feared the education.
The more I think about it, the more pitiful it becomes.
“Lenha. I believe that in a few years, this era of war will end.”
“…You mean, Father… His Majesty Guive will pacify this warring world?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
Indeed, the country of Grand-Ende is a powerful nation with strong military might.
Even the current Nouviche can’t match them, even in terms of food supply. Rather, if we carelessly provoke them, we might be reduced to scorched earth. Even I, before we became enemies with Yuyuvi, sometimes considered how I could marry into that country on good terms for Nouviche to survive.
However, with the rise of the Gungrave Mercenary Group, I felt a change in the flow of history.
Having acquired the country of Sounité, Gungrave will gain great power from now on.
At that time, could Gungrave have achieved this with their power alone?
No, it must be different. It’s because Shuri was there.
I had a certainty that Shuri would be the man to change the history of this continent.
That’s why I desire Shuri.
“This continent is in the midst of a great surge. While you’ve been fixated on controlling a small territory, the flow of history is already heading in an unpredictable direction.”
“…And that unremarkable boy is involved at the center of it?”
“That’s what I think.”
Well, I pause for a moment.
“Aeclys. Do you have anything you want to say?”
“Huh?”
“Now that we’ve come this far, you must have something you want to say to the legal wife.”
Encouraged by me, Aeclys shows hesitation.
“…I have nothing…”
“Aeclys.”
It’s not me, but from the other side of the cell. Lenha had spoken.
Her tone of voice is different from earlier, harboring slight wariness, but it can be said to be calm.
“Say it. I’m calm now. I’ll answer what I’m asked.”
Although there’s hesitation, Aeclys seems to have made up her mind at those words.
Looking straight at Lenha, she asked.
“Where are my mother and Garn’s mother now?”
“…So that’s your question.”
Lenha closes her eyes and says,
“They’re confined in a certain church. We couldn’t simply banish them because their faction’s subordinates might contact them and stage a comeback. Don’t worry, they’re not living in discomfort. They’re living fairly well.”
“…Really?”
“I’m not lying. In any case, I’ll probably be eliminated.”
Lenha scoffs at herself.
“I failed to fulfill my role, and to make matters worse, I’m being used as a bargaining chip. No matter how much Father… His Majesty Guive might be, I don’t think he’ll forgive such a blunder.”
I see… so she’s been exposed to Grand-Ende as a member of their family. Who knows where the eyes of spies might be. It’s hard to believe that man would silently watch Lenha, who could potentially become a disadvantage to the country.
Rather, there’s a possibility that she’s been taught as family education to 『die by your own hand when the time comes.』
“Then Lenha. I have a proposal for you.”
I lean close to Lenha’s face and say,
“I’ll hide you in an absolutely safe place. It’s in my country, but it’s a place where no one can harm you.”
After all, it’s an isolation facility deep in the Sacred Forest. While it’s called an isolation facility, it’s more accurately one of the royal family’s hideouts. It can be used for everything from isolating epidemics to being an emergency evacuation site for the royal family. Even Grand-Ende’s intelligence officers couldn’t infiltrate there.
“In exchange, accept three conditions.”
I hold up three fingers and say.
“…You want me to betray my home country?”
“You’ll die if you don’t, you know?”
“Even so…”
“Let me tell you, if you die, the next target will be Gyngus. Are you okay with that?”
At my words, this time clear fear appears on Lenha’s face.
After all, she was a mother to the very end.
“…I understand.”
“Then condition one. Never involve yourself in Sounité politics again.
Condition two. Do not harm Sounité.
Condition three. Do not associate with Grand-Ende.”
It’s simple, but this is probably the limit of promises we can make here.
“…I understand.”
“Then, I’ll lend you some of my guards.”
“Please.”
Lenha bows her head and says.
“My son, please, please protect my son.”
“My lady…”
Seeing this, Aeclys murmurs in a relieved voice.
Of course. The persuasion attempts up until now have finally borne fruit through me.
With this, the possibility of a rebellion centered around Lenha is gone. From now on, Sounité will advance.
At least the biggest threat that could be imagined from the inside has disappeared.
“Talking like this, I understand. Indeed, if a boy with techniques brought from the ‘outside’ is under Gungrave, Gyngus won’t be able to ride this surge. That child has talent specialized for war, but his capacity is insufficient to overcome a great transformation… the waves of history.
Even so, that child is my son. Foolish as he may be, he’s still… my son… It would be a lie to say there was no affection…
I’ve been steeling my heart, but…”
Lenha keeps her head bowed. She continues to plead with us without raising her head.
Continuously, she worries about her son’s safety. About her son’s future.
To fulfill Guive’s mission, this woman’s core is too kind. While Shuri might have been the trigger, she’s not suited for scheming.
“I understand well. I will grant that wish.”
Looking at Lenha’s figure, I think of my mother.
My mother must be wishing for my safety too.
If so, I cannot ignore the wish of Lenha, who is also a mother.
Thinking this, I gave my response to Lenha.
After the conversation ended, we were walking up the stairs and through the corridor.
We were both walking in silence, but… this atmosphere is unbearable.
“Princess Tevis”
Just as I was thinking that, Aeclys spoke to me.
“Was it right for me to ask that question back then?”
“About your mother?”
I close my eyes to think for a moment, then say,
“My mother passed away before I was old enough to remember her.”
“Huh?”
My mother died of illness when I was too young to even form memories.
She wasn’t particularly strong to begin with, and it was a miracle that she lived for a few months after giving birth to me.
Even for me, who became self-aware early, I have almost no memories of my mother.
“If I want to meet my mother, all I can do is look at her portrait or listen to stories about her and use my imagination.”
Even though she was physically weak, she was lively, stirring up those around her, and in the end, making everyone smile.
That’s the kind of person she was, apparently.
Every time I hear these stories, I think to myself.
I wish she had lived.
“So, if she’s alive, it’s only natural to want to meet her. Rather, Lenha didn’t dispose of them, and even after exiling them, she kept them alive in confinement, albeit in a place uninvolved with political strife.
In a way, as a mother who has children, she might have hesitated to take mothers away from their children.”
Lenha showed emotion only towards Gyngus.
Lenha, who was trying to make Gyngus the lord and puppet him for the contribution to Grand-Ende, carrying that mission in her heart.
She showed such a change in expression towards Gyngus, who should have been treated as a tool.
I hope this is evidence that she was a person who couldn’t completely abandon her love as a mother.
“If you can meet them, you should go. While you can still meet them, go and settle what needs to be done, what must be done. Once they’re gone, there’s nothing you can do.”
I’m saying this because I’ve lost that chance, so it must be right.
“…You’re right. I should meet them while I still can.”
“That’s right, that’s right.”
“Princess, you speak with experience beyond your years.”
“That’s none of your business.”
It’s just that my experience as royalty is dense. I’m not an old person in a young body.
The next day, I was meeting secretly with Lord Gungrave.
On my side, only Eutine was present. Lord Gungrave had brought Kuuga with him.
“…That’s how it is.”
“Well, well, thank you very much.”
Lord Gungrave is speaking bluntly, but inwardly he must be relieved.
After all, we’ve peacefully retired Lenha, who could have been the spark of internal strife.
That’s one favor I’ve done.
“However, I didn’t expect Grand-Ende to be involved.”
“I could hardly believe my eyes when I investigated.”
“I bet. Even I, in the early days, thought about demonstrating the mercenary group’s abilities to Grand-Ende, getting recognized as a knight order or unit, achieving merits, and receiving a country.
…Now, if we clashed with that country, we’d only lose.”
“For example, even if you teamed up with Nouviche, it would be futile.”
“Indeed.”
Lord Gungrave agrees.
The power of that country is beyond even the Gungrave Mercenary Group, which is full of geniuses and prodigies.
Even if Nouviche provided rear support, it would be useless. It would only prolong the time until defeat.
In other words, it would be a waste of effort.
“What do you think? How many years do you think it would take before you could fight that country, Lord Gungrave?”
“…It would take five years.”
Five years, huh. That’s quite…
“Isn’t that impossible?”
“…We have Shuri on our side.”
Hm?
“Are you saying you’ll use Shuri?”
“…That guy will stick his nose in anyway.”
“Hmm.”
If that’s the case.
“I’ll take him off your hands to make it easier for him to stick his nose in.”
“Hey.”
“Kufufu, it’s not entirely a joke.”
“What?”
“If I welcome him as a consort and give him status and power, don’t you think Shuri would be able to act more freely?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. He’d be completely absorbed into Nouviche that way.”
Fufu, so that’s what you think.
“Either way, I’m going to have Shuri.”
The gazes of Lord Gungrave and Kuuga turn sharp.
I can feel fighting spirit leaking from Eutine too, but I maintain a cool expression throughout.
“What did you say?”
“Well, listen. In my opinion, this country will play a big role in ending this era of war.”
“You’re saying that’s because of Shuri’s existence?”
“That’s right. And for Nouviche to survive in that flow, we’ll need some kind of marital relationship with Shuri.”
“…”
“What do you think, Lord Gungrave? Don’t you think it would be good to facilitate a relationship between me and Shuri, and build a strong alliance with Nouviche? I don’t think either of us would lose out.”
Lord Gungrave should understand how attractive this proposal is.
For someone disadvantaged from birth to form a connection with royalty by offering a subordinate.
There can’t be better conditions than this.
“…Even so, the final decision on who to marry is up to Shuri. It’s not for me to decide.”
“I see, I see. Then shall we leave it to Shuri’s free will?”
Well, just extracting this one statement is good enough.
Shuri. You’ve been thrown into the middle of an incredible surge without even realizing it.
When will you notice? I’m looking forward to it.
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