Destiny And Potato Galette - Part Two

I am always thinking.

The meaning of being born. What I should do.

What I want to do.

If I had been born in a different form.

Would I have been able to get by without agonizing like this?

I am Ecres Sunity.

Though I have another real name, since the time I have spent as Ecres is already longer, I can respond more smoothly to Ecres.

Born as the eldest daughter of the lord of the Sunity territory, I was raised as a girl in my early childhood. I think that time back then was probably the happiest time up until now.

I was a child who was good at reading, writing, and calculating.

Because I was especially strong with numbers, I could point out mistakes through mental arithmetic while looking at administrative documents within the territory.

Therefore, during my tutor’s lessons, while etiquette was a given, I was especially good at arithmetic lessons. By the age of seven, I could perform the four basic arithmetic operations perfectly.

Taking notice of that, Father tried making me do various things as a test. Administrative processing, calculating tax within the territory, grasping the market economy, and so on.

As a result, it was revealed that I possessed a talent for domestic governance.

Looking back on it even now, I think I did a foolish thing.

If I had tried to hide it even a little bit back then, I think things wouldn’t have turned out like this.

Out of a single-minded desire to be praised, I tackled everything with dead seriousness.

And so, Father decided to raise me as the successor.

At that moment, my life as a female ended.

What began was education and correction as a male. Striped of all girliness, standing there was the figure of First Prince Ecres Sunity.

I had become a machine that merely performed calculations within the territory.

While doing my work, I learned of Brother’s existence.

Garn Lover, who was my retainer.

I learned that he was Father’s illegitimate child, and my half-brother.

The trigger was trivial. One day when I was wondering why Garn and I shared a somewhat resembling features in our facial structures,

I happened to overhear a conversation between Father and Garn.

Saying that he should not force any further burden on his younger sister.

Saying that even starting now, she should be raised as a girl.

When I heard that, all my doubts thawed away into clarity.

Ah, so I had an older brother, I thought.

That’s why we looked alike, I realized.

When I told Garn about that, he apologized to me.

However, I had no intention whatsoever of blaming him.

Rather, I told him that I was grateful to have met a rare understanding member of the family.

From that day on, I came to cooperate with Garn.

Once the issues within the territory settled down, we could surely break free from our current situation.

I believed so.

One day, a problem occurred within the territory.

It was said that the hero of the recent battle, the cook of the Gungrave Mercenary Band, committed Lese-Majesty against Father. Of course, if it were an ordinary problem, it would end with his head being chopped off.

However, this time it was strange, so I advised him to wait for execution.

The word “Dangerous” that the cook said.

I wondered if that was something he did upon sensing that the wine had been poisoned.

However, when I had it investigated later, there was no trace of poison having been put in the wine. Nor was it painted on the wine glass.

In short, my personal view is that it was not poison.

Something other than poison. Such as sensing someone attempting to shoot an arrow at Father from inside the castle, and instantly distracting him.

However, my younger brother Gings is persistently wishing for an early verdict, causing us to clash over the matter. I don’t know why he is in such a hurry, but conversely, by me opposing it, time has been bought.

There is plenty of time to investigate. Yet neither evidence nor traces can be found.

That Gings did something can be guessed somehow just by looking at his state.

It was when days like that continued. That Garn brought information.

The cook, Shuri Azuma, held information.

The contents were surprising.

To think that Shuri Azuma frantically knocked down that wine glass upon seeing the one Gings had presented to Father earlier, which was also given to me.

However, when I had the wine glass investigated, there shouldn’t have been anything particularly strange about it.

It wasn’t coated with poison, and was a very ordinary glass. Father used it with delight, but I didn’t use it much. It wasn’t that I particularly disliked it. I used it occasionally, and since I liked the design, I used it.

However, that wine glass had been tampered with.

A simple iron plating. Just that alone wouldn’t raise suspicion.

Father possessed a peculiar constitution.

After practicing with an iron sword, there were times when his hands turned red and itchy. Everyone around us thought that fatigue was simply showing up in his hands. Naturally, so did I.

However, what Shuri Azuma knew was far more severe.

A strange illness. Put in one word, that is what it would be.

That strange illness is a terrifying disease where poison or something accumulates inside the body by drinking water soaked in iron or touching iron, and suddenly manifests one day.

There is no means to cure it, and if one lets their guard down thinking it is no big deal at first, it suddenly appears one day as terrifying symptoms.

There is nothing more terrifying than this. Since there isn’t even a means of treatment.

I was using the wine glass as well, but the frequency was low, and unlike Father, since my constitution isn’t one where touching iron causes issues to begin with, it has not become severe.

If this is the truth, Gings is guilty of a grave crime.

We must confront him with this issue and properly strive to settle the situation.

Along with that resolve, I decided to take Garn with me to meet Shuri Azuma.

“Hey, Garn. There is one thing I want to ask.”

“What is it, Lord Ecres?”

“What should I do to properly observe the human named Shuri?”

Unable to grasp the intent of my question, Garn was at a loss for words.

Right now, we were heading toward Shuri Azuma’s prison cell so as not to be found by anyone.

The current time is night. There is no sign of people in the hallway, and only the faint light of candles can be relied upon.

We don’t know where or who we might run into. Aside from me, it would be bad if people saw me and Garn together.

Garn’s current standing is supposed to be that of Gings’s subordinate spying on me.

Therefore, we must pay the utmost attention.

“Even if I am permitted to read your report, I don’t understand the human named Shuri Azuma. When he knocked down the lord’s wine glass, he wasn’t very panicked, yet now he shows a bit of panic. He makes dishes inside the prison cell, and doesn’t even have the intention to break out. At this rate, even though he might be killed. As far as the report goes, he becomes quite a strange person.”

“If that is the case, I believe it would be best to try making him prepare a meal.”

“A meal?”

“Yes. Doing so, I think you will understand well what kind of person he is.”

I don’t quite understand, but Garn seems to speak with conviction.

If I make him prepare a meal, I’ll understand what kind of person he is, huh.

Shall I try it?

“Then, what kind of dish do you think would be optimal?”

“I believe a dish using potatoes would be best.”

“Potatoes?”

I had imagined more high-class ingredients, but is something like that alright?

Potatoes are ingredients that can be obtained easily. The unit cost is cheap, too. If cultivated, they can be obtained in large quantities.

In short, it is just a random, ordinary ingredient lying around everywhere.

“Yes. If you eat his potato dish, you’ll understand what kind of guy he is. Precisely as I wrote in the report, you will also understand that there is a possibility it could change the history of cooking.”

Hmm, to be sure, such a thing was written.

Even just with potato dishes, he has a repertoire.

Every single one of them is delicious and easy to copy.

And it was the dish that best represented the danger of the person himself, it said.

“Understood. Then potatoes and… let’s see, shall we have him make it with bacon?”

“Lord Ecres.”

“I know. In the current territory, even bacon is a high-class ingredient. Unless we end this political strife, the people will only suffer. Therefore, it is necessary to judge him and stop this feud.”

If the human named Shuri Azuma is a man beyond even my reckoning, I must do something about his safety.

And that, too, in a direction that prioritizes safety above all else.

At worst, I will likely have to let him break out of prison secretly, return him to the Gungrave Mercenary Band, and draw out a compromise plan.

Unless we do at least that, by now that devil is likely devising plans, waiting for a chance to sink his fangs into our throats.

The political strife with Gings, Gungrave in the castle town.

Ah, my head is starting to hurt.

If we steer wrong, this territory might perish.

Though I say that, I’m not that attached to the position of the lord’s heir anyway.

It doesn’t matter to me if I can’t become the heir.

As long as the worst-case scenario—like Sunity disappearing—doesn’t happen, that is enough.

“Well then, Garn. Shall we immediately bring the potatoes and bacon you’re hiding in your bosom?”

“W-What are you talking about?”

“You don’t need to hide it, because it’s blatantly obvious that you tried to hide and buy food, planning to have Shuri-kun cook it for you. It was a bluff, but to think it actually hit the mark.”

My intuition isn’t something to be thrown away after all, is it?

He’s looking at the ingredients with a face like he’s about to cry, but Garn, who tried to eat it in secret, is the one in the wrong.

Preparing the ingredients, Garn and I descended into the underground toward the prison cell.

As usual, how should I put it, I didn’t want to come here.

It’s like grudges are swirling around, or rather, it has a dark atmosphere.

“Garn, is that Shuri-kun guy eating delicious food in a place like this?”

“Well… yes.”

“In a damp place like this?”

“Yes.”

“In a dark place like this?”

“…Yes.”

“Hmm.”

I understood one thing.

He is an oddball.

Reaching the bottom and standing in front of the prison cell, he was there.

With black hair, and a physique that hardly looks like someone who fights.

And his face is also somehow different from ours. It’s like looking at a person from a different country.

Such a person was lying down, about to go to sleep.

Well, but his sleeping face is cute, isn’t it?

How should I put it, he looks like a peaceful civilian who doesn’t know battle.

“Shuri, are you awake?”

Garn called out to him.

Shuri-kun was trying to sit up sluggishly.

He is a big shot, isn’t he? Because he’s trying to get a healthy sleep in a place like this.

Normally, one would lament their own bad luck and cower in fear.

“Fwaaa… What is it at an hour like this? Well, I don’t actually know what time it is, though.”

Shuri-kun says so while looking truly sleepy.

“There is someone I want you to meet.”

“Can it wait until tomorrow…?”

He is undoubtedly a big shot, isn’t he?

Showing such audacity in front of me. It wouldn’t be surprising even if he became a king in the future.

“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!”

Seeing Shuri-kun suddenly leap up and sit in seiza, I realized my judgment was wrong.

He is a coward. And just like a commoner, he’s the type to be humbled before a person of high official rank.

Th-That should be the case, but… What is this? I have a feeling he would probably play the fool even in front of important people. I wonder why?

“Now then, Lord Ecres.”

“Mm, thank you, Garn.”

Prompted by Garn, I stood in front of the prison cell.

Looking at him again, there is indeed something different about him.

If asked where it is different, I’d be at a loss, but different things are different.

What is this feeling, I wonder?

My curiosity won’t stop welling up.

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

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

What an unusual name.

The family name comes first, and the given name comes after.

I have never heard of such a naming custom.

As expected, he is unusual.

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

“Yes!”

I see, I said it with our style, but I’m glad it was right.

However, looking at him like this, is he a coward, I wonder?

A nonchalant vibe flashes in and out between his words.

He has a serious look on his face, so I think he isn’t, but…

Is it just my imagination, I wonder?

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

“Of course, Your Highness.”

It’s not my imagination. Most likely, this is his true self.

Even when trying to be serious, fooling around inevitably leaks out.

However, a person who plays the fool this much to make people laugh is rare, isn’t it?

I ended up chuckling a little.

“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…?”

It is impolite.

Impolite without a single opening to spare.

However, he made me laugh, so shall I leave it unquestioned?

“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.”

Hey, Garn!

Unable to stand by and watch, he’s nailing him down with quite a grim face!

Look, Shuri-kun is cowering!

No, maybe him being a bit frightened and humbled is good because he stays quiet.

“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.”

For Garn’s sake, he made dishes that curb drinking.

In this situation where there was hardly anything to eat except potatoes, he cooked with ingenuity.

He is also a kind person who can care for the other party.

Even in front of a member of the family that put him in prison, he talks calmly without getting aggressive, which is good proof of that.

If he weren’t like that, he might have tried to attack me somewhere.

“I simply wanted to make delicious food…”

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

Yes, from here begins the main topic.

Through our conversation so far, I understand forty percent of his personality.

However, sixty percent cannot be grasped no matter what.

Is he a coward?

Is he bold?

Is he irresponsible?

Is he a calculating person?

I must discern it here.

When I exchanged glances, Garn pulled out the potatoes and bacon he held in his bosom, which he intended to eat in secret.

He looks like he’s about to cry a little, but like I care. It’s punishment for trying to eat delicious things all by himself.

“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.

What comes to mind is sautéing. Sautéing the potatoes and bacon together.

Next is steaming the potatoes and serving bacon alongside them. I think this is orthodox.

Maybe there’s a trick technique of wrapping the potatoes in bacon too.

Now then, what would you do?

“Is there salt or anything?”

“There are no seasonings this time.”

Come to think of it, I hadn’t prepared any.

When I exchanged glances with Garn, he shook his head horizontally.

You, weren’t you carrying around fish sauce and dried clams enough to bring them everywhere?

Oh well.

“Has this bacon already been seasoned?”

“No, it is simply processed meat.”

This bacon has a lot of salt rubbed into it with preservation in mind.

After all, it is something Father eats. We can’t let it rot.

Also, many seasonings have been marinated to adjust the flavor.

It is an item that has flavor on its own if eaten normally.

Because unless it is seasoned to the point of being salty, it rots in no time.

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

Galette?

It’s a name I’m hearing for the first time.

Receiving the potatoes, he peels the skin with practiced hands.

I really thought he was accustomed to it.

After all, while keeping the skin connected as a single strip, he peels it while matching both width and thickness.

Then he cuts the potatoes into thin, thin strips.

Thinly?

And then he mixes the thinly cut potatoes with bacon cut even smaller.

Throwing them into a pot floating above a mysterious paper spouting fire, he raises the heat to fry them.

I could tell he was being careful so that the shape wouldn’t break apart at that time.

In a circle, he shapes it neatly.

Finishing frying both sides, this time he lowers the heat to cook it through thoroughly.

Ah, the scent is irresistible.

How mysterious. No seasonings or anything should have been added.

Yet the potatoes and bacon fry. I was made to feel anew whether just that could smell this good.

After finishing frying, taking a nearby plate in hand, he presented that roundly fried item to me.

“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.”

Yes, it looks as though separate potatoes were gathered into one with bacon embedded inside.

Yet it mysteriously looks delicious.

Thinking about it simply, this is a sauté of potatoes and bacon.

It should be. It should be.

Yet, what is this?

When such a mysterious ingenuity is applied, it is visually interesting as well.

As I see it, isn’t this something that becomes a snack for drinking?

Prompting Garn behind me, he prepared a fork and knife for me.

Most likely, he was the one who wanted to eat this.

This thoroughness of preparation.

Now then, shall I partake?

Easily cutting off a bite-sized piece, I carry it to my mouth.

“…Hooh.”

What I understood first is that, while simple and easy, it is a well-thought-out dish.

A flavor that doesn’t arise when mashing or boiling potatoes; the rendered fat of the bacon flows into the gaps of the potatoes, blending the flavors together.

When biting into the potato, the savory flavor of the potato and bacon fat emerges from those gaps.

That fat and the sweetness of the potato mix inside the mouth, turning into a wonderful taste.

The texture of the potato is also good.

Crispy and crunchy.

A lightness as if eating a light afternoon snack.

If this came out as an appetizer, it would be a faultless dish.

Of course, this itself doesn’t have the power to fill the stomach.

Even if one more dish came out, it feels like it could be eaten.

However, I feel like I’m going to get mysteriously hooked on this taste.

Above all, the ratio of bacon is splendid.

Because it isn’t too much, it doesn’t kill the taste of the potato.

Because it isn’t too little, there is no lack of savory fat flavor.

If this dish had too little bacon, most likely it wouldn’t have any taste.

Precisely because the flavor of seasonings originally present in the bacon exists, the taste of the potato comes alive.

I see, so that’s why he was perfectly fine without seasonings.

To be sure, this bacon has a salty taste from the beginning.

The potato mildly softens the saltiness meant for preservation.

That’s why it isn’t heavy.

And it is delicious.

“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.”

I see, it is just as I thought.

By transferring the overly strong taste of bacon to the potatoes, it makes it just right.

It is a dish of subtracting bacon with potatoes, in other words.

Rather than a dish, it is closer to a snack.

No, a snack for drinking, perhaps.

“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.”

Yes, the point that can be evaluated the most is that it is “easy to copy.”

Every single one of the dishes I saw in the report was a “simple” thing.

And every single one was made with ingredients that are “easy to obtain.”

Potatoes, clams, fish sauce, butter.

Bacon is a bit different, but before the food shortage from the current political strife, they are all things commoners could buy.

In short, in organizational management where managing funds is difficult like the mercenary band, he is making meals without complaints using things that can be bought.

Surely in Lord Gungrave’s mercenary band, minor problems or bickerings aside, fatal problems hadn’t occurred.

If meals of this level come out every single time as a provision separate from wages, complaints won’t come out easily.

“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?”

Shuri-kun asked worriedly.

I see, to be sure, that is a point of concern.

Lord Gungrave is currently crammed into an inn in the castle town.

And that, too, together with the captain-class people.

Subordinates are held in units of a few people in separate inns, or in units of dozens in security guard stations.

However, it wouldn’t be strange even if they exploded at any moment.

In the first place, even though we crammed them in by telling them it’s house arrest, they went out to war and won, and at that point the contract ended.

Yet, our side is committing the outrage of taking hostages and giving orders.

To be sure, Shuri-kun committed Lese-Majeste.

That fact, too, can be backed up if we conduct future investigations and questioning of related parties.

Tampering was done to the glass, and because that was harmful to the lord, he judged on the spot.

If you put it that way, Shuri-kun is a benefactor.

If that becomes known, Lord Gungrave won’t stay silent either.

Right now we are dangling hostages and land grants, but if they feel like it, a simultaneous uprising together with subordinates is entirely possible.

Ah, my head hurts.

Hiding this fact, drawing out a good compromise point, and ending it peacefully.

I’m starting to hate this.

Thinking that, I can see what an attractive position Shuri-kun in front of me is in.

Even within the mercenary band, he is the cook of a mercenary band with a low casualty rate, with an even lower casualty rate.

Making dishes he likes, making it his daily sustenance for living.

Ah, if I could do what I like like this and live as I please, how fulfilling a daily life could I lead?

Rather, shall I join the Gungrave Mercenary Band too?

A proposal that suddenly floated into my mind seemed to me like a truly good idea.

Now, once this political strife issue and the response to the Gungrave Mercenary Band are over, it might be fine to hide my identity and join the mercenary band.

At that time, returning from male to female, since I’m good at calculations and such, handling accounting or administrative work.

Bringing Garn along too, making him work under Shuri-kun while gathering information.

While eating this food every day, working hard at my job.

Somehow, it started to feel like an ideal life was right there.

Once decided, shall I try negotiating subtly?

As much as possible, while guiding so he can’t refuse, if I try drawing sympathy, it might work.

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

“Then they are safe!”

Shuri-kun showed blatant relief.

As expected, it seems he hasn’t been told anything by Garn.

I didn’t stop it, but Gings was stubbornly stopping it.

Since we don’t know what kind of action he might take, it is certainly effective, but…

Just like this, making the other party anxious creates the possibility of making them run wild in the worst case.

It would be fine if we gave moderate reassurance even while mixing in falsehoods.

However, this time I use anxiety rather than reassurance for negotiation.

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

“Eh?!”

This is not a lie.

Even now, no one knows except the three of us who know the truth: me, Gings, and Garn.

Because the reason is unknown, plans have even come up to interrogate Shuri-kun to make sure.

Anyway, they will surely force their own ideas and falsify information conveniently.

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

This is also the truth.

If Lord Gungrave notices this truth, what kind of action will he take, I wonder.

If I were him, let’s see.

First, I would question the lord’s side on the grounds of unfairly capturing comrades.

And applying threats under the name of negotiation, I would demand a larger land grant and the return of his comrades.

Furthermore, I would make monetary demands. Inn expenses and compensation, overdue fees for the employment period, and allowance for subordinates would be included too, perhaps.

The employment period thing might be a false accusation. At the stage of land grant talks, permanent employment is beyond doubt, and since making them subordinates at that point is beyond doubt, it shouldn’t be violating the mercenary band’s employment agreement.

Accepting house arrest, that treatment shouldn’t be wrong either.

However, Lord Gungrave won’t show mercy.

Having comrades taken, having mud thrown on his face, there’s no way he’d stay silent.

If rejected—no, negotiating under the assumption of being rejected and breaking down—he might start by taking control of the castle town and overthrowing the lord’s faction under a righteous cause.

After all, several days have passed since locking Shuri-kun up. In the meantime, the castle town has hit a food shortage from political strife. Because there are many citizens harboring discontent, just instigating them might be enough.

And he’s probably making a map of the castle town, too. Since he’s capturing the enemy in his bosom, he can investigate as much as he wants.

Of course, we are having other spies monitor them, but it is clear to see that they are acting without us noticing. Regarding the inns of captain-class people monitored by rabble spies, I am so anxious I can’t help it. If it were Garn, I could be at ease, though.

Once preparations are complete, action begins. While instigating citizens, controlling the castle, blaming the lord’s faction for all the food shortage, confusion in the castle town, and all past anxieties and discontent, condemning them.

Since there is no one to rule the territory, volunteering saying I’ll do it then.

Yes, the birth of Lord Gungrave.

At that time, I will surely be killed as well.

“Therefore, I have a consultation.”

“?”

“Would you take me and run away?”

“E-Lord Ecres?!”

Naturally, Garn behind me is surprised too. Well, it’s natural, isn’t it? I didn’t consult him, and if the eldest son (daughter) of the lord suddenly talks about absconding from home, as a subordinate and as a brother he’s bound to be surprised.

However, it is a necessary thing for me to survive, and moreover live a meaningful life.

“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’s a somewhat cowardly negotiation, but Shuri-kun probably won’t realize it.

Drawing sympathy like this, lavishing praise on the other party, showing compromise saying I’ll cooperate too, and stating demands.

In fact, Shuri-kun is extremely troubled.

Most likely, he’s confused by a situation he couldn’t even imagine, and feels like a hand was reached out to him there.

After worrying a little, Shuri-kun looked at me 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.”

With this, “the final insurance for me and Garn” was arranged.

Afterward, leaving the dungeon behind, I returned to my private room, being careful as before.

Fortunately, I wasn’t found by anyone, and I think sixty percent of the problematic matters have been cleared up.

Even so.

“Lord Ecres. What was the meaning of that!”

Garn questioned me as if pressing close.

“For a person who is supposed to be the lord’s eldest son to plan an absconding, what do you intend to do!

And moreover, the other party is a prisoner in a dungeon!“

“…Garn. Are there people around?”

“…There are none. My senses detect no presence.”

“Then I can be at ease. Drop your tone and talk to me.”

Loosening his collar and taking a deep breath, Garn spoke to me.

“To be sure, Shuri is reassuring and trustworthy. I learned that over these past few days. However, Ekrennis. There’s no way you can suddenly go outside, abscond, and survive. The mercenary band is a chaotic social organization. The reason he was able to survive is because his rare culinary skills were acknowledged. You join that, and what can you do?”

That is a reasonable opinion, isn’t it?

“Listen closely. At that time, Brother Garn. You are coming too.”

“Haah!?”

Garn popping his eyes out in surprise.

That’s natural, isn’t it?

“Why me!?”

“That’s because if you stay here, you’ll just be worked to the bone by Father and Gings forever. Rather than that, don’t you want to step out on your own feet and see various things? I want to see. The world seen through him will surely be wide. Wider than a private room like this.”

Ah, dreams are expanding.

“You… are you an idiot…?”

“Living like an idiot seems fun, I thought.”

And then, I spoke with a serious look on my face.

“Listen closely. Lord Gungrave isn’t an idiot either. He will surely grasp this fact somewhere. If that happens, surely neither I nor Garn will be safe. We were worrying about it, weren’t we? It’s insurance for that time. Fortunately, I am known as a male externally. When push comes to shove, if I put on tattered clothes together with Shuri-kun and enter the dungeon, it’ll work out somehow, right?”

“Haah… You really are an idiot.”

While saying so, Garn is laughing a little too.

“But I also made a promise with that guy to teach me cooking. When push comes to shove, I’ll tag along with you.”

Hahaha. As expected, didn’t Garn want to leave too?

“At that time, I’m counting on you.”

“Yeah, of course!?”

At that moment, Garn looked at the window and rushed over on the spot.

Opening the window, he looks down.

“What’s wrong?”

“An intruder!”

“Eh!?”

“I let my guard down. There was no presence at all! That is… Lord Teg?!”

Teg!?

I also hurriedly look outside from the window, but I can only see a mysterious shadow sprinting in the darkness of the night.

It’s inhuman. Is that the scouting art of Bow Master Teg?!

I didn’t notice at all.

This room on the fourth floor shouldn’t even have a balcony, so how was he here?!

“This is bad, our conversation just now might have been heard!”

“From where to where, I wonder!?”

“Most likely, from start to finish. Judging from the marks left on the window, he was clinging on for a considerably long time. From the stage when I brought the report here.”

That much?!

“This is bad… Lord Gungrave learned the truth.”

“That turned into a troublesome matter…

The worst-case scenario might start moving…“

“Ekrennis. We might have no choice but to use your insurance.”

“Right…”

I let out a sigh and spoke.

It’s the worst-case scenario…

This was the encounter between me—Ekrennis—and Shuri.