The next morning, I’m heading to the balcony while nursing a throbbing headache. The after-party ended without any issues, with everyone getting drunk into oblivion… but Princess Tevis, Eutine, and everyone except me ended up being difficult drunks, and it was quite a struggle to carry them all to their rooms. Gungrave suggested “Just let them sleep here,” but that wasn’t really an option. They’d definitely catch colds if they slept in that venue. So after convincing a complaining Gungrave, we at least managed to cover everyone with blankets. I honestly just hoped they wouldn’t catch colds. And so, I ended up being the last one there, cleaning up after the after-party. Others tried to help, but I refused – it wouldn’t be right to make the guests of honor do cleanup work at their own ceremony. Now, I’m suffering from a headache due to the exhaustion from cleaning, a hangover, and lack of sleep. This really hurts.
“Seriously, everyone got way too excited… though I understand why…”
I tried to start working after waking up, but since everyone was still sleeping, including those passed out at the venue, I decided not to make breakfast. It was crystal clear that no one would be up for breakfast time anyway. So after drinking some water, I’m heading to the balcony to get some fresh air. However, walking through the castle… through this silence, it makes yesterday feel like it was all just a dream. That fever-dream sensation hasn’t quite worn off yet.
“Well, can’t be helped!”
I slap both my cheeks to snap myself out of it. I need to get some morning sun and feel the wind to wake up properly! Work starts today after all! With that thought, I open the door to the balcony on the castle’s top floor.
Standing there is Gungrave, shirtless. Why is he only wearing pants…? Deciding not to dig too deep into that question, I stand next to him. Mmm, this sensation never fails to feel good. As the sun begins to show its face, light comes from beyond the horizon. Then, gradually, the townscape begins to shine. The sky’s color starts to change, and the contrast at this intermediate point is truly beautiful. The wind, though normally cold, feels just right against my sleep-warmed body. The breeze against my cheeks, cutting across my shoulders, and slipping past my legs – it all feels wonderful. This is why I can’t give up getting up early – these are the rewards.
“You’re up early. You could have slept in today, you know?” “What are you saying? I need to make water and soup for everyone suffering from hangovers. Besides…”
I smile and point at what Gungrave is holding.
“When drinking sake, doing it alone quietly is fine, but isn’t it more meaningful and fun to drink with someone else and talk about things you usually can’t say?”
Gungrave is holding the mead from yesterday in his right hand and a cup in his left. The bottle looks a bit emptier, so he must have been drinking while watching the sunrise.
“That’s true. But sorry, I only have one cup.”
Saying this, Gungrave pours mead generously into the cup and downs it in one go.
“Ahh. Delicious.” “I’m glad. After all, it’s made with honey that Princess Tevis went through trouble to bring.”
I’m really happy he’s enjoying it so much. Then, Gungrave refills the cup and offers it to me.
“You drink too.” “Huh?” “We only have one cup, so we’ll share it between us. Didn’t you just say it yourself? Drinking alone quietly is fine, but drinking with someone while having conversations you usually can’t have is more meaningful and fun.” “That’s true. Then, if you insist.”
I take the cup from Gungrave and drink it all in one go.
“Whew!” “Oh, you’re quite good at drinking!”
Gungrave says with a wry smile.
“I didn’t expect you to be such a heavy drinker.” “I can just hold my liquor like anyone else. I just don’t usually drink.”
I say this as I return the cup to Gungrave. I mean, I was a working adult in my previous life. I had plenty of occasions where I had to drink for social reasons. Plus, with my cooking hobby, I often prepare sake to go with meals… like having an evening drink. The classic pairing is red wine with meat dishes.
“Besides, a cook drinking while working and dulling their taste buds would be beyond stupid.” “That’s true!”
Gungrave laughs cheerfully. After laughing for a while, he suddenly puts on a serious face and gazes at the scenery visible from the balcony.
“Hey, Shuri” “What is it?” “If it were you, how would you run this country we’ve received?”
Huh? What kind of question is that? I almost laugh it off, but I stop myself. Because Gungrave’s face is dead serious. He thought seriously, worried seriously, and asked me seriously. Feeling that, I stop myself from laughing and think about it. …No, impossible. I’m employed as a cook, and I don’t have the wisdom or anything else to have a say in running a country. I could bring up various bits of knowledge from modern Japan, but would that really help Gungrave…? It’s questionable. Besides, a lot of knowledge from modern Japan only works because it’s modern Japan. Carelessly trying to apply that in this world wouldn’t necessarily work. First of all, Gungrave isn’t asking for that kind of knowledge. He’s asking what I would do. There’s no point in sharing secondhand knowledge from classroom lectures. Instead of saying it’s impossible… maybe I should share what I can say.
“First, I would increase food self-sufficiency.” “Mm, that’s important. A country that can’t secure enough food to eat has weak foundations.” “Then I would open cooking classes.” “Huh?”
Gungrave makes a dumbfounded sound, but I ignore it and continue.
“These wouldn’t just be classes for making delicious food. They would be classes to make inedible things edible.” “Oh?” “Increase food self-sufficiency to eliminate hunger, and prepare for poor harvests through cooking classes. First and foremost, I would aim for a country where everyone can eat their fill.” “I see, that’s so like you, Shuri!”
Gungrave claps his hands together as he speaks.
“Securing food and increasing what can be eaten. That’s a perspective just like you.” “After that’s done, I would improve the roads.” “What?”
Hm? I thought I was saying something obvious… But Gungrave makes a bitter face.
“If we improve the roads, enemies will be able to move more easily too. Then we’d have to devote national power to defense.” “But if we want to increase national power, don’t we need to improve the roads?”
We both ask with puzzled expressions, but this isn’t getting us anywhere. It seems Gungrave feels the same way – he appears to be thinking but doesn’t seem to understand my intention.
“…Alright, may I speak first?” “Thank you.”
So, I decide to let Gungrave share his thoughts first. Well, if we leave this misunderstanding as is, we can’t have a proper discussion.
“Improving roads… you mean making it easier for people to travel, right?” “That’s correct.” “Good. However, enemies will use those same roads. When the time comes, I can’t accept them moving faster. And on roads we built ourselves, no less?” “I see. From a defense perspective, it’s not worth spending our resources to build roads that enemies might use. Is that right?” “Exactly.”
I see, I see. So what Gungrave wants to say is that “if we improve transportation, enemies might take advantage of it.” But that’s not good enough.
“Then, let me respond.” “Go ahead.” “We increase food self-sufficiency and open cooking classes… but after doing all that, how do you plan to spread these benefits to all the citizens?”
Gungrave’s eyes widen in surprise.
“For the citizens, nothing is more important than being able to eat and survive. You know that better than anyone, right? Earning money to ward off hunger. This repeats day after day. However, if that improves, your reputation would change from ‘an outlaw who usurped the lord’s position’ to ‘a savior who saved the citizens from hunger.’ For that, we need to smoothly transport food and spread knowledge. This is a race against time. The sooner the better. There will always be opposition to reforms. Before that opposition can gather and obstruct our actions! We need to push through reforms and improvements all at once! Isn’t that the best approach?”
In essence, what I want to say is that we should make transportation and travel easier. Moreover, as I mentioned earlier, our current reputation is just that of usurpers. Even now, none of the people who went on strike have returned, and we get glared at when walking through town. To overturn that reputation and govern effectively, we need to prove that we can bring prosperity to the territory under our rule. The quickest way to do that is by addressing hunger. Promoting agriculture, increasing food transportation speed. At the very least, people need to believe that under Gungrave’s rule, they won’t die of hunger. Hunger is troublesome. When people are hungry, their lives are at risk. The hungrier they get, the more they lose their dignity, their reason, and their lives. If we don’t address that, reforms won’t matter at all. If people can eat, wouldn’t public safety improve too? At least food-related crimes should decrease – that’s my amateur opinion. Gungrave puts his hand on his chin, appearing to think for a moment.
“Improving reputation, speed of reforms… I see.”
After a while, Gungrave looks at me and smiles.
“Thank you, that was helpful.” “Is my amateur opinion really good enough?” “Because you’re an amateur, you can think without constraints. However…”
However?
“I don’t think Aeclys didn’t do these things. Looking at the records, she was gradually improving roads and promoting agriculture.”
Ugh, so my amateur thoughts were too naive after all…
“But there is something she didn’t do.” “Which is?” “The cooking classes.” “Ah.”
I see. Making inedible things edible isn’t something just anyone can do. That’s certainly true. But even though I suggested it casually… it wouldn’t be easy for me either, you know? For things like wild plants and such, the people living in the area probably know more than I do. However, Gungrave suddenly seems motivated and starts stretching his shoulders.
“Alright, then I’ll discuss with Aeclys and Gyngus about making arrangements. We need to do what we can.” “Do your best.” “You’re helping too!” “Huh? What help could I possibly provide?”
What are you expecting from just a cook?
“The cooking classes. When the time comes, I’m counting on you.” “Ah, are we really doing it?” “When I say we’ll do something, we do it. We need to act quickly and overturn our reputation, right?” “Y-Yes.” “That’s that. Oh, you can have the rest of the mead.”
Saying this, Gungrave hands me the mead and the cup. By the time I hurriedly accept them, Gungrave is already heading back into the castle from the balcony. He’s quick!
“Oh, right”
But there, Gungrave turns back and speaks. With a huge grin.
“I drank that with Arius… and well, it worked quite well. Thanks.”
After saying just that, Gungrave returns to the castle. Left behind, I try to understand the meaning… and when I do, I can’t help but smile wryly.
“Well, mead did have that kind of meaning too…”
I can’t believe he just said that outright. Mead was known in ancient Earth as, well, an aphrodisiac. Even the term “honeymoon” in Japan originates from mead, and among ancient Germanic peoples, there was a custom where newlyweds would drink mead as an aphrodisiac and spend a month secluded… you know… trying to produce an heir and such. I pour mead into the cup and drink it all at once.
“Mm, delicious.”
It has a rich sweetness while remaining light and refreshing. The mouthfeel is similar to Japanese sake, but with a gentle sweetness.
“Well, time to get to work.”
I start walking toward the castle. The sun has already risen. It’s about time for people to wake up. My work is also announcing its beginning.
Now, I wonder what Gungrave will do from here? I feel excitement, anxiety. And joy in being able to walk alongside him.
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Chapter 55
“My head hurts…”
The next morning, I’m heading to the balcony while nursing a throbbing headache.
The after-party ended without any issues, with everyone getting drunk into oblivion… but Princess Tevis, Eutine, and everyone except me ended up being difficult drunks, and it was quite a struggle to carry them all to their rooms.
Gungrave suggested “Just let them sleep here,” but that wasn’t really an option. They’d definitely catch colds if they slept in that venue.
So after convincing a complaining Gungrave, we at least managed to cover everyone with blankets. I honestly just hoped they wouldn’t catch colds.
And so, I ended up being the last one there, cleaning up after the after-party. Others tried to help, but I refused – it wouldn’t be right to make the guests of honor do cleanup work at their own ceremony.
Now, I’m suffering from a headache due to the exhaustion from cleaning, a hangover, and lack of sleep. This really hurts.
“Seriously, everyone got way too excited… though I understand why…”
I tried to start working after waking up, but since everyone was still sleeping, including those passed out at the venue, I decided not to make breakfast. It was crystal clear that no one would be up for breakfast time anyway.
So after drinking some water, I’m heading to the balcony to get some fresh air.
However, walking through the castle… through this silence, it makes yesterday feel like it was all just a dream.
That fever-dream sensation hasn’t quite worn off yet.
“Well, can’t be helped!”
I slap both my cheeks to snap myself out of it. I need to get some morning sun and feel the wind to wake up properly! Work starts today after all!
With that thought, I open the door to the balcony on the castle’s top floor.
“Well, well”
I can’t help but smile wryly as I step outside.
“Looks like I’m not the first one here”
I walk across the balcony toward the railing.
“Good morning, Gungrave”
“Hm? Oh, it’s you, Shuri”
Standing there is Gungrave, shirtless. Why is he only wearing pants…?
Deciding not to dig too deep into that question, I stand next to him.
Mmm, this sensation never fails to feel good. As the sun begins to show its face, light comes from beyond the horizon. Then, gradually, the townscape begins to shine.
The sky’s color starts to change, and the contrast at this intermediate point is truly beautiful.
The wind, though normally cold, feels just right against my sleep-warmed body. The breeze against my cheeks, cutting across my shoulders, and slipping past my legs – it all feels wonderful.
This is why I can’t give up getting up early – these are the rewards.
“You’re up early. You could have slept in today, you know?”
“What are you saying? I need to make water and soup for everyone suffering from hangovers. Besides…”
I smile and point at what Gungrave is holding.
“When drinking sake, doing it alone quietly is fine, but isn’t it more meaningful and fun to drink with someone else and talk about things you usually can’t say?”
Gungrave is holding the mead from yesterday in his right hand and a cup in his left.
The bottle looks a bit emptier, so he must have been drinking while watching the sunrise.
“That’s true. But sorry, I only have one cup.”
Saying this, Gungrave pours mead generously into the cup and downs it in one go.
“Ahh. Delicious.”
“I’m glad. After all, it’s made with honey that Princess Tevis went through trouble to bring.”
I’m really happy he’s enjoying it so much.
Then, Gungrave refills the cup and offers it to me.
“You drink too.”
“Huh?”
“We only have one cup, so we’ll share it between us. Didn’t you just say it yourself? Drinking alone quietly is fine, but drinking with someone while having conversations you usually can’t have is more meaningful and fun.”
“That’s true. Then, if you insist.”
I take the cup from Gungrave and drink it all in one go.
“Whew!”
“Oh, you’re quite good at drinking!”
Gungrave says with a wry smile.
“I didn’t expect you to be such a heavy drinker.”
“I can just hold my liquor like anyone else. I just don’t usually drink.”
I say this as I return the cup to Gungrave.
I mean, I was a working adult in my previous life. I had plenty of occasions where I had to drink for social reasons.
Plus, with my cooking hobby, I often prepare sake to go with meals… like having an evening drink.
The classic pairing is red wine with meat dishes.
“Besides, a cook drinking while working and dulling their taste buds would be beyond stupid.”
“That’s true!”
Gungrave laughs cheerfully.
After laughing for a while, he suddenly puts on a serious face and gazes at the scenery visible from the balcony.
“Hey, Shuri”
“What is it?”
“If it were you, how would you run this country we’ve received?”
Huh? What kind of question is that?
I almost laugh it off, but I stop myself.
Because Gungrave’s face is dead serious.
He thought seriously, worried seriously, and asked me seriously.
Feeling that, I stop myself from laughing and think about it.
…No, impossible. I’m employed as a cook, and I don’t have the wisdom or anything else to have a say in running a country.
I could bring up various bits of knowledge from modern Japan, but would that really help Gungrave…? It’s questionable.
Besides, a lot of knowledge from modern Japan only works because it’s modern Japan.
Carelessly trying to apply that in this world wouldn’t necessarily work.
First of all, Gungrave isn’t asking for that kind of knowledge.
He’s asking what I would do.
There’s no point in sharing secondhand knowledge from classroom lectures.
Instead of saying it’s impossible… maybe I should share what I can say.
“First, I would increase food self-sufficiency.”
“Mm, that’s important. A country that can’t secure enough food to eat has weak foundations.”
“Then I would open cooking classes.”
“Huh?”
Gungrave makes a dumbfounded sound, but I ignore it and continue.
“These wouldn’t just be classes for making delicious food. They would be classes to make inedible things edible.”
“Oh?”
“Increase food self-sufficiency to eliminate hunger, and prepare for poor harvests through cooking classes. First and foremost, I would aim for a country where everyone can eat their fill.”
“I see, that’s so like you, Shuri!”
Gungrave claps his hands together as he speaks.
“Securing food and increasing what can be eaten. That’s a perspective just like you.”
“After that’s done, I would improve the roads.”
“What?”
Hm? I thought I was saying something obvious…
But Gungrave makes a bitter face.
“If we improve the roads, enemies will be able to move more easily too. Then we’d have to devote national power to defense.”
“But if we want to increase national power, don’t we need to improve the roads?”
We both ask with puzzled expressions, but this isn’t getting us anywhere.
It seems Gungrave feels the same way – he appears to be thinking but doesn’t seem to understand my intention.
“…Alright, may I speak first?”
“Thank you.”
So, I decide to let Gungrave share his thoughts first.
Well, if we leave this misunderstanding as is, we can’t have a proper discussion.
“Improving roads… you mean making it easier for people to travel, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Good. However, enemies will use those same roads. When the time comes, I can’t accept them moving faster. And on roads we built ourselves, no less?”
“I see. From a defense perspective, it’s not worth spending our resources to build roads that enemies might use. Is that right?”
“Exactly.”
I see, I see.
So what Gungrave wants to say is that “if we improve transportation, enemies might take advantage of it.”
But that’s not good enough.
“Then, let me respond.”
“Go ahead.”
“We increase food self-sufficiency and open cooking classes… but after doing all that, how do you plan to spread these benefits to all the citizens?”
Gungrave’s eyes widen in surprise.
“For the citizens, nothing is more important than being able to eat and survive. You know that better than anyone, right? Earning money to ward off hunger. This repeats day after day. However, if that improves, your reputation would change from ‘an outlaw who usurped the lord’s position’ to ‘a savior who saved the citizens from hunger.’ For that, we need to smoothly transport food and spread knowledge.
This is a race against time. The sooner the better. There will always be opposition to reforms.
Before that opposition can gather and obstruct our actions! We need to push through reforms and improvements all at once! Isn’t that the best approach?”
In essence, what I want to say is that we should make transportation and travel easier.
Moreover, as I mentioned earlier, our current reputation is just that of usurpers. Even now, none of the people who went on strike have returned, and we get glared at when walking through town.
To overturn that reputation and govern effectively, we need to prove that we can bring prosperity to the territory under our rule.
The quickest way to do that is by addressing hunger.
Promoting agriculture, increasing food transportation speed. At the very least, people need to believe that under Gungrave’s rule, they won’t die of hunger.
Hunger is troublesome. When people are hungry, their lives are at risk.
The hungrier they get, the more they lose their dignity, their reason, and their lives.
If we don’t address that, reforms won’t matter at all.
If people can eat, wouldn’t public safety improve too? At least food-related crimes should decrease – that’s my amateur opinion.
Gungrave puts his hand on his chin, appearing to think for a moment.
“Improving reputation, speed of reforms… I see.”
After a while, Gungrave looks at me and smiles.
“Thank you, that was helpful.”
“Is my amateur opinion really good enough?”
“Because you’re an amateur, you can think without constraints. However…”
However?
“I don’t think Aeclys didn’t do these things. Looking at the records, she was gradually improving roads and promoting agriculture.”
Ugh, so my amateur thoughts were too naive after all…
“But there is something she didn’t do.”
“Which is?”
“The cooking classes.”
“Ah.”
I see. Making inedible things edible isn’t something just anyone can do. That’s certainly true.
But even though I suggested it casually… it wouldn’t be easy for me either, you know?
For things like wild plants and such, the people living in the area probably know more than I do.
However, Gungrave suddenly seems motivated and starts stretching his shoulders.
“Alright, then I’ll discuss with Aeclys and Gyngus about making arrangements. We need to do what we can.”
“Do your best.”
“You’re helping too!”
“Huh? What help could I possibly provide?”
What are you expecting from just a cook?
“The cooking classes. When the time comes, I’m counting on you.”
“Ah, are we really doing it?”
“When I say we’ll do something, we do it. We need to act quickly and overturn our reputation, right?”
“Y-Yes.”
“That’s that. Oh, you can have the rest of the mead.”
Saying this, Gungrave hands me the mead and the cup.
By the time I hurriedly accept them, Gungrave is already heading back into the castle from the balcony. He’s quick!
“Oh, right”
But there, Gungrave turns back and speaks.
With a huge grin.
“I drank that with Arius… and well, it worked quite well. Thanks.”
After saying just that, Gungrave returns to the castle.
Left behind, I try to understand the meaning… and when I do, I can’t help but smile wryly.
“Well, mead did have that kind of meaning too…”
I can’t believe he just said that outright.
Mead was known in ancient Earth as, well, an aphrodisiac.
Even the term “honeymoon” in Japan originates from mead, and among ancient Germanic peoples, there was a custom where newlyweds would drink mead as an aphrodisiac and spend a month secluded… you know… trying to produce an heir and such.
I pour mead into the cup and drink it all at once.
“Mm, delicious.”
It has a rich sweetness while remaining light and refreshing. The mouthfeel is similar to Japanese sake, but with a gentle sweetness.
“Well, time to get to work.”
I start walking toward the castle.
The sun has already risen. It’s about time for people to wake up.
My work is also announcing its beginning.
Now, I wonder what Gungrave will do from here?
I feel excitement, anxiety.
And joy in being able to walk alongside him.
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