The Princess And The Diluted Drink - Part One

It’s Shuri. I’m in a real bind.

Just when I thought I had returned to everyone, it seems the mastermind behind the uproar has been captured.

Lenha Sunity.

She is the culprit of this whole incident, a monster of a person who ran away leaving behind her husband and children.

That Lenha lady was apparently captured by Princess Tebis.

Right now, she seems to have been thrown into the basement dungeon—the very place where I was being held.

Well, not that I have any desire to go see her. To be honest, it takes a lot of courage to go see someone who caused this much trouble, and since she has caused so much grief for Garn-san and Ecres-san, I have no mercy in my heart for her.

Now, the problem is the person who captured her.

“Oh! Long time no see, Shuri!”

“Ah, yes. Long time no see, Princess Tebis.”

In the meeting room were all the unit captains, Gings-san, Ecres-san, and me.

On the opposing side sat Princess Tebis, a single maid, and a few bodyguards.

On our side, everyone except me had a scowl on their face.

The princess on the opposite side was all smiles. The other people were expressionless.

The temperature difference is insane.

The contrast between hot and cold on this side and that side is so stark that my mood can’t take it.

“Speaking of which, that recipe for what you called curry that you gave me before… It’s still far from complete, but we’ve gotten to the point where we can make it passably well. That too is delicious. Splendid indeed.”

“Ah, yes. Well, I thought adjusting the spice blend might be a bit tricky.”

“Calling it a bit is an understatement. The castle’s royal chefs have been wringing their hands, striving night and day to recreate the recipe.”

Princess Tebis shrugged her shoulders as if to say “Good grief.”

“Is that so? Should I give you pre-blended curry powder next time? If we solidify it, we can make it into what’s called a curry roux.”

“No, no, we must eventually become able to make it ourselves. The pride of Niewbist, the great realm of gastronomy, is at stake.”

“Is that so…?”

What is it? I can’t keep up with the princess’s energy… Was this person always someone who talked so rapidly?

No, I’ve only met her once before, so maybe she was always like this.

“Indeed! We are currently developing a dish that combines curry and Mapo Tofu, as well!”

“Eh?”

C-Could it be Mapo Curry!?

To think I would hear the name of that dish in this world…

“A dish of spice upon spice. At first glance, it might seem merely hot, but I wondered if we could somehow bring these supreme dishes together.”

“That’s amazing. Even I…”

“You aren’t going to say ‘can’t make it,’ are you, Shuri? You are the developer of this dish. In truth, isn’t that recipe already inside your head?”

No, no, you’re overestimating me. I’m not that great of a person…

I certainly knew of the existence of Mapo Curry. Long ago, a certain manufacturer sold it as a tie-in product.

But I’ve never made it. It’s the truth.

“I really can’t make it. Even I haven’t tried it before.”

“Hmm. But if told to make it, you would make it, wouldn’t you?”

“Well… it would take a bit of trial and error, though.”

“Then that is perfect. If you come with me—”

“Princess Tebis. Forgive me for interrupting your pleasant chat, but could you leave it at that?”

The one who spoke those sharp words was Gungrave-san.

Behind his seemingly smiling expression, clear irritation was visible.

He probably wants to say this:

Just state your business already!

“Forgive my lack of courtesy, Lord Gungrave. During the recent battle, we were greatly in your debt.”

“We were simply doing our job, after all.”

“At the very least, thanks to overcoming that battle, it is a fact that we were able to weather our dire situation. I have received words of gratitude from His Majesty as well.”

“That is a great honor.”

“Had it not been for such a turn of events, I likely would have taken you all into my service.”

“That is merely a hypothetical scenario, after all.”

“Indeed, a pointless matter. Saying it changes nothing.”

Nothing but small talk, not getting to the main point at all…

I began to feel a little anxious.

Then, perhaps noticing my state, Ecres-san, who was next to me, lightly poked my shoulder.

She probably wants to say that I shouldn’t make such a face here.

So, I decided to ask her.

“What is the meaning of this, Ecres-san? They aren’t getting to the main point at all.”

“You see, Shuri-kun. In negotiations like this, you must never state what you want first. If the other side realizes you want it, taking advantage of that is the job of diplomacy. If we say first that we want custody of Lenha, Princess Tebis will likely attach numerous conditions to us.”

“I see.”

I heard about this long ago.

To govern a nation, a good heart is enough. But if you wish to enrich a nation, you must also possess an evil heart.

Or something like that.

“Conversely, if Princess Tebis states what she wants, we can demand custody of Lenha… the Empress, and cut away everything else cleanly. That is how negotiation works.”

“Huh? In the end, if there’s something wanted, wouldn’t it be settled if both sides just presented it from the start?”

“That is an equal negotiation that only works because diplomatic relations are normalized and both sides can trust each other. We and Princess Tebis cannot be called equal. We must reduce the other side’s demands as much as possible and bring things to a conclusion where both sides can compromise. Especially since our position is weak. We must minimize the damage.”

“Then, wouldn’t it be fine if we just said we don’t need custody of Lenha?”

“That’s right. Taken to the extreme, that’s what it comes down to. But our ideal scenario has two paths. We capture the Empress and make her face punishment. Or the Empress dies on the side of the road. Either way, we must prevent the Empress from causing any further chaos in the territory. It would be bad if we said we didn’t need her and then she did something somewhere else. We’re finally trying to move toward stabilizing the territory, so it would be unbearable if she did something strange, right? However, that custody belongs to Princess Tebis. If Princess Tebis casts her aside somewhere because she has no utility value, there’s no telling what kind of disaster she might become later. That’s why, as far as we’re concerned, we want to punish the Empress without fail.”

I see.

“There were such behind-the-scenes circumstances…”

“That’s how it is. From now on, you must turn your eyes to external matters, too.”

“Understood… By the way, what is that outfit you’re wearing that looks somewhere between male and female clothing?”

Right now, Ecres-san’s clothing is something between male and female wear.

On top is a feminine shirt, and on the bottom are masculine trousers.

It’s somehow unbalanced, but it somehow fits Ecres-san’s atmosphere and suits her surprisingly well.

“This? I was raised as a male, after all. Living as a female is fine, but I just couldn’t get used to it somehow. I had it tailored in a hurry.”

“It suits you very well.”

“You make me blush.”

Hehe, laughing like that, Ecres-san is somehow cute.

“Over there, what are you two discussing?”

Looking over, Princess Tebis seems to be in a slightly bad mood.

Ah, this is bad. I forgot the time and place. We were in the middle of negotiations in the meeting room.

“S-Sorry.”

“Well, fine. Shuri is as carefree as ever. You haven’t changed since the first time we met.”

“Is that so?”

Having survived various tight spots, I thought I had become a bit more manly… Am I still just a weakling…?

So sad! Tears are about to come out!

“However, Shuri. You suffered quite the misfortune this time. Remaining unchanged even amidst misfortune could be called strong in a sense.”

Eh? Is that so?

“I-Is that so? Being in jail was a bit tough, though.”

“Oh, indeed, indeed! That is what we came to talk about—that time in jail!”

Huh? The flow of the conversation changed?

For some reason, everyone is looking at me with resentful eyes…?

Princess Tebis has a “Gotcha!” look on her face…

“You know… Shuri-kun… Even if she said misfortune, she didn’t say a single word about the jail…”

Pardon?

“So? What is the meaning of this? Lord Gungrave, Lord Gings. That a chef who is on intimate terms with our nation was treated unjustly and thrown into jail, and up until this very moment, there was not a single contact made to me?”

“That was due to the timing. Considering the time it would take to contact Niewbist from here and for Princess Tebis to actually visit, whether it was the Gungrave Mercenary Band or the Sunity side, it is only natural that whoever sent the message would be delayed. However, considering the time it takes for Princess Tebis to come here, it is rather mysterious that the princess was able to arrive so quickly.”

“Are you implying that I had something to do with this matter?”

“No, I have no intention of saying such a thing in particular. However, would it be fine for you to explain the circumstances surrounding that?”

“I was the one who asked the question first. Returning a question with a question is an ill-advised move, not just against royalty, but in diplomacy as well, is it not?”

Gnk, Gungrave-san was at a loss for words.

“…What does this mean?”

“In short, you see… it’s a preemptive strike in conversation. Through a natural flow of conversation, Princess Tebis wanted to pose the first question… If she had posed this question earlier in an unnatural conversational flow, suspicion would fall on Princess Tebis, who holds custody of the Empress: ‘Is there some hidden agenda behind capturing her first? Is that why you came to talk about this?’ If she greedily pushes her luck, she’ll face a counterattack. However, if Shuri says himself that he lived in a jail, this question can be brought out first as a natural flow. The reason Princess Tebis said ‘misfortune’ was because bringing up the jail life first would be too obvious and arouse suspicion. But Shuri went and said it himself. From here, no matter how much one refutes Princess Tebis, saying ‘Shuri said it himself’ will make it carry through.”

Ehhh? Does such hair-splitting logic really work?

“But, if that’s the case, even if we return a question—”

“Shuri-kun, when we ask a question, do you feel nothing if the opponent ignores it and asks a completely different question back?”

“Ah… I get a little annoyed.”

“In the art of conversation, returning a question with a question to obscure the answer amounts to disrespect. And the opponent is Princess Tebis. Asking a question without a clear answer to a royal’s question is unacceptable in diplomacy. It’s beyond mere disrespect.”

“Ehh?”

“That’s why earlier, Lord Gungrave was searching for an opening in the conversation while smoothing things over with small talk. But by shifting the target of dialogue to you, Shuri-kun, Princess Tebis found another opening and struck right there.”

“I-Is it my fault?”

“Well, it’s our fault, really…”

What a mess. I shouldn’t have been in a place like this carelessly!

Looking over, Gungrave-san is painfully continuing the conversation, while Princess Tebis relentlessly pursues him.

It’s a vicious cycle… It’ll be bad at this rate…!

“…So? Lord Gungrave. How do you intend to settle this matter?”

“A fundamental overhaul of the management system within the territory. And a reorganization of the army, I suppose.”

“Is that all? Utin, that item.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The maid standing by her side, the person called Utin-san, stepped forward.

My, what a remarkably beautiful person.

With black hair in a bob cut and dignified facial features. She’s a maid who is shorter than me.

What that maid produced was a rod-like object wrapped in cloth.

When that wrapping was removed, a familiar object appeared.

“Ah! My kitchen knife!”

Yes, what was there was my kitchen knife. The cooking tool whose whereabouts I hadn’t known since I was imprisoned in the jail.

Why is such a thing here?

“I see, so this was indeed the kitchen knife I bestowed upon Shuri, after all. Well now, that is a curious matter.”

Hm? Princess Tebis’s eyes turned sharp?

“Tell me, Gungrave? I bestowed this with the royal crest engraved upon it. Why did it come out from the deep recesses of a storeroom?”

“That is—”

“Ah, I understand. While he was imprisoned, it was confiscated, was it not? However, now that time has passed since the uproar, leaving this in a storeroom is somewhat unacceptable. Do you not think so?”

A-Ah, this is bad. Somehow the flow is going poorly.

I have to do something to change the flow. But what should I do?

Inside, I’m panicking, but looking at the table, I noticed something.

The drinks have turned completely lukewarm.

“May I have a moment!”

I blurted out in a loud voice. Everyone present looked at me in surprise.

Ugh, being the center of attention is tough. And doing it in front of this lineup makes my stomach hurt.

“Forgive me, Princess Tebis. Forgive me for interrupting your conversation. However, please just hear me out.”

“…Very well, speak.”

“The drinks on the table seem to have turned completely lukewarm. I will bring fresh drinks, so why don’t we take a break?”

“Hmm, drinks, is it? Indeed, they have turned lukewarm due to continuing the debate. However, a break is unnecessary.”

When Princess Tebis gave a glance to Utin-san behind her, Utin-san produced a single bottle.

It was filled with a deep green liquid.

“Anticipating such a thing, we have already prepared drinks on our end as well. Furthermore, it is the highest-grade fruit juice harvested in our country. Its name is Nornels. Since we have the opportunity, let us share it with everyone.”

Nornels?

As I wore a clueless face, everyone else was surprised.

“Teg-san, is that such an amazing thing?”

“Calling it an amazing thing is an understatement! It’s a legendary fruit juice that even among the royalty of this continent, only a select few can drink! It was on the verge of being lost in a past war, though. Because we won, it exists to this day! That is made by taking the fruit of a tree that grows only in tiny amounts in the sacred forest, crushing the peel and flesh whole to squeeze out the juice, and putting that juice in as a whole! It’s a top-tier product with a deep fruit aroma and a dense sweetness!”

Is it really so incredible that he speaks with such passion?

Utin-san poured it into new glasses she had brought and distributed them to everyone.

It came around to me as well.

The aroma is intense.

Whether to call it sweet or sour… But it’s not an unpleasant smell. Somehow, it also smells of herbs.

Looking at the glass, it’s green—the inside of the glass is purely green. It’s denser than green juice, yet it’s a clear liquid.

“Now, try drinking it. It is the finest thing even in our nation.”

Oh, is it such a fine thing?

Taking a sip to test it.

It’s intense!

Along with the fruit’s unique sweetness and sourness, there is a just-right bitterness that isn’t unpleasant. With a mint-like refreshingness passing through the aftertaste, it’s a delicious drink.

It’s delicious, it’s delicious, but…

“This is amazing…!”

“It’s my first time, but… this is incredible.”

“It’s my first time too. So this is Nornels…”

Everyone is saying how delicious it is one after another. Princess Tebis also wears a proud face.

But as for this…

“How is it, delicious, isn’t it? Come, a break is unnecessary.”

“Ah, please wait a moment.”

I stopped her on the spot.

“What is it, Shuri?”

“No, could you lend me that bottle for a moment?”

Utin-san, wearing a dubious face, looks at Princess Tebis.

“Very well. Lend it to him.”

Utin-san handed it to me.

“One thing. That, precious item. Breaking it, bad.”

Utin-san said in a somewhat faltering tone.

“No, I won’t break it.”

I try sniffing the scent from the bottle to test it.

Hmm. Just as I thought.

“I understand.”

“Is that so, is that so! You realized it is the finest item not just with your tongue, Shuri, but with your nose as well?”

“Yes, I understand it’s the finest. Ah, please give me fresh glasses for everyone in the neighboring room. And Arius-san, please lend me your cooperation.”

Saying that, I dashed out of the room and ran into the neighboring room.

Arius-san hurriedly followed behind me.

“What’s wrong, Shuri?”

“Arius-san, may I ask you one thing?”

I asked Arius-san a question to confirm one thing.

“Yes… magic can certainly do that as well.”

“Then, please lend me your cooperation.”

After repeating trial and error, I had them carry the finally completed glasses and returned to the room.

“I have returned!”

When I returned to my standing position, Princess Tebis wore a puzzled face.

“What were you doing?”

“I was doing a little trick. Now, please distribute them.”

At my signal, the waiting people entered carrying glasses.

When they finished distributing glasses for everyone, everyone wore a puzzled face.

“What is… this? Shuri.”

“I name it, Diluted Drink.”

Yes, what I made was a juice using Nornels as the base.

What sits in front of everyone is the glass filled with it.

I made it into a beautiful drink with ice floating in a translucent, faint green color.

“Diluted… what did you say?”

“Well, please try drinking it.”

I take the lead and try drinking it.

Yep, delicious.

The overly intense flavor and mint scent have become just right.

“I guarantee it as well. This is even more delicious than the Nornels from earlier.”

So said Arius-san after drinking it.

No, it’s probably delicious, but… compared to the one earlier, you see.

People who like it would probably prefer the one earlier.

“Ho, you say so. Our nation’s Nornels. Among them, the one considered the highest grade, which even I was satisfied with. If you say it is tastier than that, shall we not try it?”

Saying that, Princess Tebis also took a big gulp.

Everyone else also tried drinking it one after another.

And then, everyone was surprised once again.

“Indeed… it is far easier to drink than the one earlier.”

“That’s right. If I had to say, I prefer this one.”

“I preferred the one earlier, but… that’s right, if it’s a palate cleanser, it’s this.”

Oh, it’s receiving favorable reviews from everyone.

And the person in question, Princess Tebis herself, widened her eyes in surprise.

“Absurd…! This is indeed Nornels. Furthermore, it should be the highest grade. But this is something else that goes above and beyond that! The sweetness and sourness are just right, and there is no bitterness…! The scent of herbs passes through the nose and mouth, and the aftertaste is crisp! Why! Shuri, why do you possess such Nornels!”

“This is the Nornels I borrowed earlier.”

In front of everyone who was dumbfounded, I returned the bottle I had borrowed earlier.

Seeing the reduced contents, Princess Tebis still wore an unbelievable face.

“Absurd! Just what did you add to be able to bring out a Nornels of this caliber!? Did you add some secret seasoning?!”

“No, Shuri didn’t add anything like that.”

The one who refuted that was Arius-san.

“When I first saw it, I couldn’t believe it either. I never dreamed that such a thing could be used to make a drink of this caliber.”

“Such a thing? Do you mean the ice! There is a secret to this ice, then!”

“No, this ice merely seems to maintain the freshness of the drink. What was added to this…”

Taking a breath, Arius-san spoke.

“…is just plain water.”

At those words, everyone present was dumbfounded.

Yes, I thought about it when I drank this Nornels.

It’s too concentrated.

It’s certainly delicious. It was a small incongruity that wouldn’t bother you if you didn’t pay attention to it.

But once you pay attention, it somehow bothers you…

To use an analogy, like Calp*s when you mess up the amount of water to put in?

And when I heard the explanation, I noticed it.

A beverage made with whole fruit juice.

In short, what is called 100 percent fruit juice in the general society on Earth.

However, while this is delicious, there are people whose palates it doesn’t suit.

Why? That’s because it’s too concentrated.

An overly heavy sweetness remains in the mouth, causing an unpleasant feeling.

You can’t definitively say that 100 percent fruit juice is delicious as it is.

That’s where mineral water comes in.

Juice diluted to an appropriate amount becomes delicious and easy to drink just from that.

I merely applied that to Nornels.

What I asked Arius-san was, ‘Is water created by magic clean and drinkable?’

According to Arius-san, ‘It is clean and drinkable, but ordinary people don’t do it. It’s a waste of magic power.’

Well, it seems it can be done, so I had her do it as a set with ice.

When I gave that explanation, Princess Tebis looked at the glass with a frustrated face.

“To think… just plain water could bring out a flavor to this extent…”

“It wasn’t brought out, it was drawn back. Diluting things that are difficult to drink or eat before consuming them—that is a fundamental in cooking. Delicious and easy to consume. That right there is the very foundation of cooking, after all.”

When I explained it like that, Princess Tebis fell silent with an even harsher face.

Huh? Did I do something bad…?

“Ahahahahaha!”

And then, Gungrave-san abruptly burst out laughing. What happened?!

“Thank you, Shuri. That’s a good hint.”

Eh? What happened?

Afterward, the negotiations ended in a draw and were carried over to tomorrow and beyond.

Gungrave-san is thanking me, but I wonder what he means?