Destiny And Potato Galette - Part One

Destiny.

That is a predetermined future. An unchangeable fate.

I am Shuri, currently in a mood where I feel like saying cool lines like that.

Having eaten the Potato Cake, I feel sleepy, so I am going to bed.

Today is over already!

“Shuri, are you awake?”

Just as I laid down while thinking that, I heard Garn-san’s voice.

“Fwaaa… What is it at an hour like this?

Well, I don’t actually know what time it is, though.“

Since there is no clock, nor any sunlight.

“There is someone I want you to meet.”

“Can it wait until tomorrow…?”

Since I was already sleepy, I rolled over to sleep.

Good night!

“No, I need you to meet them today.”

“Who might it be…?”

“It is Lord Ecres, the eldest son of the lord who rules this territory.”

“Yes. Please come in anytime!”

Oh no, an important person has arrived!

“Now then, Lord Ecres.”

“Mm, thank you, Garn.”

Led by Garn-san, a single male came before my prison cell.

…

Who?

No, I can tell he is the eldest son, but…

He is a strikingly handsome person. An incredible beauty.

However, something feels strange.

Is this person a man? A woman?

They are so androgynous that I cannot tell them apart…

“Hahaha. Did I surprise you? I am called Ecres Sunity. What is your name?”

“Yes, Your Highness! I am Shuri Azuma! Azuma is the family name, and Shuri is the given name!”

Oh no, if I stay lost in thought, it will come off as rude!

“Then, is it alright to call you Shuri Azuma?”

“Yes!”

“Well then, Shuri-kun. I would like to talk a bit. Do you have time now?”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

Because if I refuse here, my head might get chopped off.

However, Lord Ecres suddenly burst into a light chuckle.

What happened all of a sudden?

“You are a delightful person. It is rare to find someone who makes me laugh this much.”

“I am not quite sure… but could it be that I was being impolite…?”

If so, won’t my head get chopped off?!

“Ah, it is alright. Since this is informal today, you do not need to be so stiff.”

“If you had been impolite, I would have taken your head off myself.”

Eh?! Garn-san, that’s cold!

“So then, Shuri-kun. I have a consultation to make. Is that fine?”

“A consultation?”

“Yes, I heard you made many dishes for Garn.”

“Huh?”

“You do not need to hide it. I was permitted to read the report. Thank you for caring for Garn’s physical condition.”

Well… things like that do happen, but…

“I simply wanted to make delicious food…”

“Fufu, you are humble, aren’t you? Now then, here begins the consultation.”

Lord Ecres tightened his expression into a serious one.

It was a very dignified atmosphere, almost overwhelming.

Then, Garn-san, who was standing behind in attendance, brought out two ingredients.

Potatoes and bacon.

Handing them to me, he stepped back behind Lord Ecres once more.

A model retainer!

“Right now, a severe food shortage is occurring within our territory. Even for me, the son of the lord, just having these two ingredients on the table feels luxurious. Now then, if it were you, how would you cook these ingredients?”

Bacon and potatoes, is it?

Normally, sautéing them should be fine, but…

No, it seems this person is not desiring that.

“Is there salt or anything?”

“There are no seasonings this time.”

Hmm… Cooking these ingredients without seasonings, is it?

“Has this bacon already been seasoned?”

“No, it is simply processed meat.”

I see. Then let’s go with that safe choice.

In this world where refrigeration technology has not developed, many seasonings are probably used.

“Then let’s make a Potato Galette. The flavor should be sufficient.”

Bacon is amazing. Even without adding flavor, it tastes rich enough to serve as a snack for drinking.

Even so, I would still like salt and pepper, though.

First, I slice the potatoes thinly and cook them in a pan.

Once cooked through sufficiently, I toss in the bacon.

Gathering it in one place to cook it thoroughly, I flip it over when it seems done.

Finishing the other side the same way, it is complete. Transferring it to a plate, I handed it to Lord Ecres.

“It is done. Please enjoy the taste of the bacon.”

“Thank you. However, I have never seen this dish before. It looks as though the potatoes have been spread thin, with bacon embedded inside.”

Lord Ecres was impressed.

Receiving a fork and knife from Garn-san behind him, he began to cut into it.

Do you always keep those on hand?

“…Hooh.”

A voice of admiration leaked from Lord Ecres as he carried it to his mouth.

“Wonderful. Indeed, it has a solid flavor. How mysterious. Even though no other seasonings were added.”

“That is because the flavor of the bacon itself transfers to the potatoes, combining with the sweetness of the potatoes to create that taste.”

Bacon uses a large amount of seasonings during the processing stage. Everything from salt to spices, and sometimes even wine is used.

Because bacon is salt-cured smoked meat.

Therefore, its own flavor is deep and beautifully aged.

That is the splendor of bacon.

“Yes, yes, that is certainly true. As bacon is good as a preserved food, adding it to a meal elevates the quality of flavor even if just served alongside a breakfast. However, that is strictly limited to serving alongside or simply frying it. Embedding bacon into potatoes like this to form a single dish is rare. People in the castle town could easily copy this as well.”

Preserved food?

Ah, come to think of it, long ago, bacon was a preserved food, wasn’t it? That was because a large amount of salt was used back then. We don’t do that in modern Japan. Now that taste, appearance, and refrigeration environments are well established, salt content is kept low and moisture content high.

Therefore, storing bacon at room temperature is strictly not recommended.

Sometimes there is bacon that can be stored at room temperature, but that is fine. However, eating it quickly is recommended.

Finishing all of the galette, Lord Ecres smiled in satisfaction.

“Splendid. Indeed, with this level of culinary skill, I can understand why Lord Gungrave would be unwilling to let you go.”

“How is Lord Gungrave doing?”

That was something I had been worried about all along.

“They are currently confined in the castle town. Separated and crammed into various inns.”

“Then they are safe!”

Thank goodness. Truly, thank goodness.

That was my only worry…

“However, because the reason for your actions was unknown, punishment might be handed down under the charge of Lese-Majeste.”

“Eh?!”

No way. If I hadn’t done that, the lord would have collapsed and things would have become even more terrible!

“I understand what you want to say. I received the report from Garn. However, political strife is currently occurring within the territory. Unless we manage that somehow, I cannot even get you out of here.”

Then, Lord Ecres cast his gaze down and spoke.

“Furthermore, if time continues to pass needlessly like this, the Gungrave Mercenary Band might erupt. Should that happen, I will likely be killed.”

Th-Things have turned into a much bigger deal than I thought.

No way! I don’t want to get dragged into such muddy strife!

“Therefore, I have a consultation.”

“?”

“Would you take me and run away?”

“E-Lord Ecres?!”

Eh? What is this person suddenly blurting out?

Look, even Garn-san behind him is surprised, right?

I don’t understand this situation at all!

“I thought about it. Whether it is this issue or things up until now. The more I try to pull this territory together, the more somewhere becomes ‘warped.’ In that case, I thought it might be fine if I disappeared. However, to do that, there was anxiety. Whether I could escape from here, go into the populace, and live. That is where you come in. With your culinary skill, if Garn and I support you, we can fully manage to live among the populace. Of course, I will also deal with this problem with all my strength. Once it is over, I will relinquish my right of succession and retire. How about it? Could you take me away from here?”

It is sudden. Far too sudden.

However, there is no reason to refuse either. As long as everyone in the mercenary band is safe.

After leaving the rest to this person, I just need to watch the turn of events.

If he will take care of resolving the problem, there could be nothing better than this.

I nodded and spoke.

“I understand. After leaving here, it seems we will end up being cooks under Lord Gungrave, but is that fine with you?”

“I do not mind. As long as I can leave this place.”

Lord Ecres said so and smiled.

That smile was, somehow, a face that seemed relieved to be able to throw away everything he had been forcing himself to carry.

Afterward, Lord Ecres left, taking Garn-san with him.

“…Is it really okay?”

Is it really okay to let him throw it away…?

Throwing away everything he built up…

No, even if one stands firm, there are times when things are impossible.

Rather than that, if there is another path, it might be better to head down that one instead.

In the end, I ended up going to sleep holding an indescribable, hazy feeling inside.