Sadness fills the house of Shukaha village’s chief. I must have dropped so many things in my excessive joy over the changing environment. I learned this by listening to the villagers’ stories.
It’s me, Aeclys. I’m talking with everyone now. The truth behind Shukaha village’s rebellion – it was because I had forgotten to be considerate of them. It feels like I’m paying the price for only seeing my own newfound freedom, without considering their feelings at all.
“…I’m truly sorry. It’s my fault.” “No! It’s not your fault, Lady Aeclys!” “The real problem is those outsiders coming here and acting like they own our territory!”
Mansem shouts this and slams his fist on the table. I think everyone else feels the same way, even if they don’t say it out loud. The proof is that no one scolds Mansem for his behavior, their expressions remaining carefully neutral.
“As I’ve said many times before, neither I nor Gyngus can handle the coming conflicts.” “But still!” “This is for everyone’s sake too!”
It’s time to end this pointless argument. I raise my voice and look at everyone’s faces again. Everyone looks at me with expectant faces. They believe I can somehow fix this. That it’s not too late. This territory— But that’s why it’s impossible for me.
“In peaceful times, Gyngus and I might manage somehow. But now we live in an era where war is commonplace and people close to us die as if it’s normal. In such times, being just a good ruler isn’t enough to protect everyone. One must be ruthless, passionate, embrace good while swallowing evil – that kind of capacity is needed. That’s what Gungrave is! That’s why I entrusted it to him! For all of us to survive!”
Everyone falls silent at my words. I want them to understand. Being capable alone isn’t enough. It needs to be more than just capability. One needs cunning and ruthlessness, Passion and humanity, To recognize good while swallowing evil. That’s the kind of person needed. Then, a villager speaks up softly.
“…We just want Lady Aeclys, who took care of us, to be happy…”
With those words as a trigger, the villagers lift their faces to look at me and begin to speak.
“Our livelihood exists thanks to Lady Aeclys’s consideration.” “Even during wars, Sir Gyngus fought bravely for us.” “We can live in peace thanks to both of you, no doubt about it.” “If you can’t be our lord, we at least want you to be happy.” “We’re worried they might do something to you. That’s what concerns us.”
These are voices genuinely worried about me. They pour out from the villagers’ mouths one after another. I’m happy. Just purely happy. The people I tried to protect were this worried about me. It makes me happy that they still care for me even after I’ve lost my right to succession and become just Aeclys. …But you know.
“Don’t worry.”
I say with a smile.
“I’m very happy right now. To have all of you think of me this way. Plus, since taking this position, I’ve found someone precious to me.”
The villagers start murmuring.
“I’ve found someone I love. For the first time, I’ve found someone I love. Someone who’s trying to help me even now.” “That’s…”
Mansem hesitates before speaking.
“That handsome man?” “No, well…” “Everyone~”
Ah, of course you’d come like this. To somehow help with this situation. To save us. You always come bringing happiness with plates in both hands.
“You must be hungry, so please eat this first!”
Bringing happiness along with delicious food. Shuri. I really do love you.
“Everyone, please have some of this!”
What Shuri brings out is bread. Or is it bread? On top of the flattened bread, colorful ingredients are arranged. Just from what I can see, there’s tomato, bacon, bell peppers, basil, and cheese – a rainbow of colors. Shuri has made this red, yellow, and green colorful bread large enough to fit on a big plate. Two of them, in fact. To put it simply, it’s extravagant.
“What… is this?”
Mansem nervously asks Shuri. Shuri answers proudly, puffing out his chest. He’s always like this. He always stands proud when it comes to cooking. He serves with confidence.
“This is called pizza. Just a moment, please.”
Saying this, Shuri brings out an oddly shaped tool. At the end of the handle is a rotating saw-like blade. He presses it into what he calls pizza, cutting it with practiced movements. I see… that shape is perfect for dividing the pizza into halves and quarters. I wonder if Lill made that too.
“Here you go, Mansem.”
Saying this, Shuri offers a slice of the cut pizza to Mansem. Mansem speaks hesitantly.
“Well… even if you say ‘here’… what’s the point?” “You’ll understand when you eat it. Come on, I’ll pass them out~”
Shuri pushes the pizza onto Mansem and starts distributing it to everyone else. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough for everyone, but some people are scared to eat it anyway, so there’s no fighting. But… it looks delicious. It seems freshly made with steam rising, and the cheese is melting and stretching into strings. The heat brings the aroma with it. Ah, what a nice smell… The unique acidic scent of tomatoes and the fragrance of basil waft over here.
“So, this…” “Please, eat it.”
Shuri tells Mansem in a tone that brooks no argument.
“If you eat it, you might understand Lady Aeclys’s resolve and various other things?”
At those words, Mansem’s expression changes. Wait, understand things about me? What does that mean?
“Fine, I’ll eat it!” “Yes! Take a big bite with gusto!”
Mansem, having made up his mind, takes a huge bite of the pizza. He tears into it grandly and devours it in one go. Then he freezes. Ah, I understand. That’s always how it is when eating Shuri’s cooking. His cooking often has unexpected elements, but it gives everyone the same thing equally.
“…This is delicious.”
The feeling of happiness from delicious food.
“This is delicious! Is there more?” “There’s one more slice… please wait a moment.”
Indeed, there’s one slice left on the plate. Why? Kuuga and Lill are watching enviously from behind Shuri. It’s not for them?
“It really is delicious!”
While I’m thinking this, similar voices rise up.
“The cheese’s richness and basil’s fragrance go so well together!” “The tomato’s acidity matches perfectly!” “The bacon used here is good too. It’s not dried out and crispy, but has that substantial freshly-made deliciousness.”
While other villagers express their joy, Shuri offers the last remaining slice to me.
“Now then, Aeclys, please have some.” “Is that okay?” “Yes. This is for you.”
For me, huh? When you put it that way, I can’t refuse. I accept the pizza and eat it without hesitation. Ah, delicious. I can tell from the first bite. The cheese’s mellow richness and the tomato’s acidity complement each other perfectly. The foundation of the pizza’s umami lies in the deliciousness of the bread base itself, along with the cheese and tomatoes. And then, the fresh and unique bitterness of the bell peppers provides a sharp contrast to what might otherwise become overwhelming mellowness and richness. The crisp, almost crunchy texture of the fresh bell peppers also reinforces the bread’s fluffy texture. The bacon’s own deliciousness… the saltiness and umami of well-prepared bacon complete this dish. But it’s just one slice. It’s gone in an instant.
“Thank you, it was delicious.”
I thank Shuri while licking the cheese off my fingers. It was very delicious. Very much so. As always, Shuri’s cooking is delicious.
“You’re welcome, Aeclys. Now then, everyone has seen it.”
Shuri looks at the villagers and says.
“Lady Aeclys ate the same food as all of you.”
At those words, all the villagers’ faces show sudden realization. I too realize it belatedly. Indeed, I ate the same thing as everyone. Me, who was once the heir to the lordship.
“Normally, Lady Aeclys might not be of a status to eat the same food as everyone. Perhaps she ate with you during inspections, but that’s not the important part. She looked at everyone at eye level, ate the same food, and expressed the same opinions. Because Lady Aeclys has shortened the distance between herself and all of you.”
That’s right. I did eat meals in this village during inspections. But that was for work. I never shared food with everyone.
“But Lady Aeclys ate happily. She ate the same delicious food as everyone and said it was delicious just like everyone else.”
Shuri continues, holding both large plates.
“How is the distance between you and Lady Aeclys now? Is it still as far as before? Does she seem unhappy and distant? Or…”
Shuri grins and says.
“Does she seem close to all of you and happy?”
At those words, confusion appears on the villagers’ faces. —But only for a moment.
“She’s close. We can see Lady Aeclys’s smile clearly.”
It was a village child who said this. Looking at my face, they spoke happily.
“Before, we couldn’t talk this closely, but now we can thank her and see her smile up close.”
With that as a trigger, more words begin to flow.
“That’s true. Before, only the village chief and factory manager would mainly talk… we’d be lucky to say a word or two of thanks.” “Now we can speak our opinions without hesitation. Lady Aeclys worried along with us.” “She didn’t look unhappy.”
I see, this is what Shuri wanted to convey. I’m not here because I was driven out. I’m standing on the same ground, at the same eye level as everyone. Showing that I can live happily. With just pizza, Shuri eloquently expressed all of this. Before I realize it, the earlier hostility is gone from everyone. They look relieved. I’m glad… now I can be at ease too.
“Still, if she seems unhappy,”
Here, Shuri bows his head to everyone.
And then makes an astounding declaration.
“I will make Lady Aeclys happy, so please don’t worry!!”
The air freezes. I freeze too. Kuuga and Lill freeze, and everyone freezes. Eh? Eh? Could this be…
A proposal?
“You!”
Mansem puts his hands on Shuri’s shoulders and makes him look up.
“You better mean those words!” “Eh? Ah, yes.” “If you’re lying, I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth and punch you. So, so, please! Take care of Lady Aeclys.” “Eh, eh, eh? Ah, yes.”
At Mansem’s words, joy appears on the villagers’ faces.
Wait, this is… eh? All I could do was turn bright red.
After that, Shuri went to make more pizza for everyone who couldn’t eat earlier. He’s cooking for those who couldn’t try it. Everyone seems to be looking forward to it, and today they’re waiting in the plaza, taking a break from the factory. As for Shuri, me, Kuuga, and Lill…
“Is that the oven for baking pizza?” “Yes. Can’t start making pizza without this.”
Shuri says while continuing to cook. Just outside the village, Shuri had built an oven for baking pizza. Apparently, it was made by Lill. He skillfully works with the bread dough… seemingly prepared well in advance, flattening it and handling it deftly. He places cut ingredients on top of the bread and puts it into the glowing red interior of the kiln. It must be extremely hot in there. I can feel the heat even from here.
“Thank you for doing this for everyone, Shuri.” “Oh no, this is all for Aeclys’s sake.”
For Aeclys’s sake. Ah, no good. My face is going to turn red again. Suddenly receiving what seemed like a confession, and such a manly promise to make me happy. …Or so I’d like to say, but.
“Shuri, question.” “Ah, me too.”
Lill speaks to Shuri as he works.
“What do you mean by making her happy?” “Eh? Well, you know, letting her eat delicious food and living peacefully in the country Gungrave creates? What other meaning could there be? There are surely more fun things ahead than just squabbling over the position of lord!”
I knew it! I hang my head with a wry smile. Really, Shuri… there’s a limit to getting people’s hopes up!
“Ah, that’s a relief.” “What is, Kuuga?” “Well, I was going to ask the same question as Lill… but that answer is fine?” “Huh?”
Looks like Shuri doesn’t understand.
💬 1
But someday, I hope for the day when those words will have the real meaning… the meaning I’m hoping for. Then, I’d like to stand beside you wearing the wedding clothes they’ll prepare for us.
Check out my Patreon for early access to upcoming updates. Patreon Link
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Chapter 62
Sadness fills the house of Shukaha village’s chief.
I must have dropped so many things in my excessive joy over the changing environment.
I learned this by listening to the villagers’ stories.
It’s me, Aeclys. I’m talking with everyone now.
The truth behind Shukaha village’s rebellion – it was because I had forgotten to be considerate of them.
It feels like I’m paying the price for only seeing my own newfound freedom, without considering their feelings at all.
“…I’m truly sorry. It’s my fault.”
“No! It’s not your fault, Lady Aeclys!”
“The real problem is those outsiders coming here and acting like they own our territory!”
Mansem shouts this and slams his fist on the table.
I think everyone else feels the same way, even if they don’t say it out loud. The proof is that no one scolds Mansem for his behavior, their expressions remaining carefully neutral.
“As I’ve said many times before, neither I nor Gyngus can handle the coming conflicts.”
“But still!”
“This is for everyone’s sake too!”
It’s time to end this pointless argument.
I raise my voice and look at everyone’s faces again.
Everyone looks at me with expectant faces.
They believe I can somehow fix this. That it’s not too late. This territory—
But that’s why it’s impossible for me.
“In peaceful times, Gyngus and I might manage somehow. But now we live in an era where war is commonplace and people close to us die as if it’s normal. In such times, being just a good ruler isn’t enough to protect everyone.
One must be ruthless, passionate, embrace good while swallowing evil – that kind of capacity is needed. That’s what Gungrave is!
That’s why I entrusted it to him! For all of us to survive!”
Everyone falls silent at my words.
I want them to understand. Being capable alone isn’t enough. It needs to be more than just capability.
One needs cunning and ruthlessness,
Passion and humanity,
To recognize good while swallowing evil.
That’s the kind of person needed.
Then, a villager speaks up softly.
“…We just want Lady Aeclys, who took care of us, to be happy…”
With those words as a trigger, the villagers lift their faces to look at me and begin to speak.
“Our livelihood exists thanks to Lady Aeclys’s consideration.”
“Even during wars, Sir Gyngus fought bravely for us.”
“We can live in peace thanks to both of you, no doubt about it.”
“If you can’t be our lord, we at least want you to be happy.”
“We’re worried they might do something to you. That’s what concerns us.”
These are voices genuinely worried about me. They pour out from the villagers’ mouths one after another.
I’m happy. Just purely happy.
The people I tried to protect were this worried about me.
It makes me happy that they still care for me even after I’ve lost my right to succession and become just Aeclys.
…But you know.
“Don’t worry.”
I say with a smile.
“I’m very happy right now. To have all of you think of me this way. Plus, since taking this position, I’ve found someone precious to me.”
The villagers start murmuring.
“I’ve found someone I love. For the first time, I’ve found someone I love. Someone who’s trying to help me even now.”
“That’s…”
Mansem hesitates before speaking.
“That handsome man?”
“No, well…”
“Everyone~”
Ah, of course you’d come like this. To somehow help with this situation. To save us.
You always come bringing happiness with plates in both hands.
“You must be hungry, so please eat this first!”
Bringing happiness along with delicious food.
Shuri.
I really do love you.
“Everyone, please have some of this!”
What Shuri brings out is bread. Or is it bread?
On top of the flattened bread, colorful ingredients are arranged. Just from what I can see, there’s tomato, bacon, bell peppers, basil, and cheese – a rainbow of colors.
Shuri has made this red, yellow, and green colorful bread large enough to fit on a big plate. Two of them, in fact.
To put it simply, it’s extravagant.
“What… is this?”
Mansem nervously asks Shuri.
Shuri answers proudly, puffing out his chest. He’s always like this. He always stands proud when it comes to cooking. He serves with confidence.
“This is called pizza. Just a moment, please.”
Saying this, Shuri brings out an oddly shaped tool. At the end of the handle is a rotating saw-like blade.
He presses it into what he calls pizza, cutting it with practiced movements.
I see… that shape is perfect for dividing the pizza into halves and quarters. I wonder if Lill made that too.
“Here you go, Mansem.”
Saying this, Shuri offers a slice of the cut pizza to Mansem.
Mansem speaks hesitantly.
“Well… even if you say ‘here’… what’s the point?”
“You’ll understand when you eat it. Come on, I’ll pass them out~”
Shuri pushes the pizza onto Mansem and starts distributing it to everyone else.
Unfortunately, there isn’t enough for everyone, but some people are scared to eat it anyway, so there’s no fighting.
But… it looks delicious.
It seems freshly made with steam rising, and the cheese is melting and stretching into strings. The heat brings the aroma with it.
Ah, what a nice smell… The unique acidic scent of tomatoes and the fragrance of basil waft over here.
“So, this…”
“Please, eat it.”
Shuri tells Mansem in a tone that brooks no argument.
“If you eat it, you might understand Lady Aeclys’s resolve and various other things?”
At those words, Mansem’s expression changes.
Wait, understand things about me? What does that mean?
“Fine, I’ll eat it!”
“Yes! Take a big bite with gusto!”
Mansem, having made up his mind, takes a huge bite of the pizza.
He tears into it grandly and devours it in one go.
Then he freezes.
Ah, I understand. That’s always how it is when eating Shuri’s cooking.
His cooking often has unexpected elements, but it gives everyone the same thing equally.
“…This is delicious.”
The feeling of happiness from delicious food.
“This is delicious! Is there more?”
“There’s one more slice… please wait a moment.”
Indeed, there’s one slice left on the plate. Why?
Kuuga and Lill are watching enviously from behind Shuri. It’s not for them?
“It really is delicious!”
While I’m thinking this, similar voices rise up.
“The cheese’s richness and basil’s fragrance go so well together!”
“The tomato’s acidity matches perfectly!”
“The bacon used here is good too. It’s not dried out and crispy, but has that substantial freshly-made deliciousness.”
While other villagers express their joy, Shuri offers the last remaining slice to me.
“Now then, Aeclys, please have some.”
“Is that okay?”
“Yes. This is for you.”
For me, huh? When you put it that way, I can’t refuse.
I accept the pizza and eat it without hesitation.
Ah, delicious. I can tell from the first bite.
The cheese’s mellow richness and the tomato’s acidity complement each other perfectly. The foundation of the pizza’s umami lies in the deliciousness of the bread base itself, along with the cheese and tomatoes.
And then, the fresh and unique bitterness of the bell peppers provides a sharp contrast to what might otherwise become overwhelming mellowness and richness.
The crisp, almost crunchy texture of the fresh bell peppers also reinforces the bread’s fluffy texture.
The bacon’s own deliciousness… the saltiness and umami of well-prepared bacon complete this dish.
But it’s just one slice. It’s gone in an instant.
“Thank you, it was delicious.”
I thank Shuri while licking the cheese off my fingers.
It was very delicious. Very much so. As always, Shuri’s cooking is delicious.
“You’re welcome, Aeclys. Now then, everyone has seen it.”
Shuri looks at the villagers and says.
“Lady Aeclys ate the same food as all of you.”
At those words, all the villagers’ faces show sudden realization. I too realize it belatedly.
Indeed, I ate the same thing as everyone. Me, who was once the heir to the lordship.
“Normally, Lady Aeclys might not be of a status to eat the same food as everyone. Perhaps she ate with you during inspections, but that’s not the important part.
She looked at everyone at eye level, ate the same food, and expressed the same opinions. Because Lady Aeclys has shortened the distance between herself and all of you.”
That’s right. I did eat meals in this village during inspections.
But that was for work. I never shared food with everyone.
“But Lady Aeclys ate happily. She ate the same delicious food as everyone and said it was delicious just like everyone else.”
Shuri continues, holding both large plates.
“How is the distance between you and Lady Aeclys now? Is it still as far as before? Does she seem unhappy and distant? Or…”
Shuri grins and says.
“Does she seem close to all of you and happy?”
At those words, confusion appears on the villagers’ faces.
—But only for a moment.
“She’s close. We can see Lady Aeclys’s smile clearly.”
It was a village child who said this. Looking at my face, they spoke happily.
“Before, we couldn’t talk this closely, but now we can thank her and see her smile up close.”
With that as a trigger, more words begin to flow.
“That’s true. Before, only the village chief and factory manager would mainly talk… we’d be lucky to say a word or two of thanks.”
“Now we can speak our opinions without hesitation. Lady Aeclys worried along with us.”
“She didn’t look unhappy.”
I see, this is what Shuri wanted to convey.
I’m not here because I was driven out. I’m standing on the same ground, at the same eye level as everyone.
Showing that I can live happily.
With just pizza, Shuri eloquently expressed all of this.
Before I realize it, the earlier hostility is gone from everyone. They look relieved.
I’m glad… now I can be at ease too.
“Still, if she seems unhappy,”
Here, Shuri bows his head to everyone.
And then makes an astounding declaration.
“I will make Lady Aeclys happy, so please don’t worry!!”
The air freezes. I freeze too.
Kuuga and Lill freeze, and everyone freezes.
Eh? Eh? Could this be…
A proposal?
“You!”
Mansem puts his hands on Shuri’s shoulders and makes him look up.
“You better mean those words!”
“Eh? Ah, yes.”
“If you’re lying, I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth and punch you. So, so, please! Take care of Lady Aeclys.”
“Eh, eh, eh? Ah, yes.”
At Mansem’s words, joy appears on the villagers’ faces.
Wait, this is… eh? All I could do was turn bright red.
After that, Shuri went to make more pizza for everyone who couldn’t eat earlier. He’s cooking for those who couldn’t try it.
Everyone seems to be looking forward to it, and today they’re waiting in the plaza, taking a break from the factory.
As for Shuri, me, Kuuga, and Lill…
“Is that the oven for baking pizza?”
“Yes. Can’t start making pizza without this.”
Shuri says while continuing to cook.
Just outside the village, Shuri had built an oven for baking pizza. Apparently, it was made by Lill.
He skillfully works with the bread dough… seemingly prepared well in advance, flattening it and handling it deftly.
He places cut ingredients on top of the bread and puts it into the glowing red interior of the kiln. It must be extremely hot in there. I can feel the heat even from here.
“Thank you for doing this for everyone, Shuri.”
“Oh no, this is all for Aeclys’s sake.”
For Aeclys’s sake. Ah, no good. My face is going to turn red again.
Suddenly receiving what seemed like a confession, and such a manly promise to make me happy.
…Or so I’d like to say, but.
“Shuri, question.”
“Ah, me too.”
Lill speaks to Shuri as he works.
“What do you mean by making her happy?”
“Eh? Well, you know, letting her eat delicious food and living peacefully in the country Gungrave creates? What other meaning could there be? There are surely more fun things ahead than just squabbling over the position of lord!”
I knew it! I hang my head with a wry smile.
Really, Shuri… there’s a limit to getting people’s hopes up!
“Ah, that’s a relief.”
“What is, Kuuga?”
“Well, I was going to ask the same question as Lill… but that answer is fine?”
“Huh?”
Looks like Shuri doesn’t understand.
💬 1
But someday, I hope for the day when those words will have the real meaning… the meaning I’m hoping for.
Then, I’d like to stand beside you wearing the wedding clothes they’ll prepare for us.
Check out my Patreon for early access to upcoming updates. Patreon Link
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