Screams And Steak - Part Two

I sometimes wonder.

From what I hear, they were the ones who first picked him up when he was wandering about.

It was Gungrave and his group who reached out to Shuri first and saved him.

If, if only at that time…

If it had been I who met Shuri first…

I cannot help but wonder if that might have changed this destiny.

It was purely by chance that I, Tebis Niewbist, witnessed it.

One day, I was walking down the hallway of Sunity Castle, accompanied by Utin.

It was because I was heading directly to Shuri’s place to have dinner. Honestly, making royalty walk all the way there… Shuri is truly a sinful cook.

At that time, just as we reached the corner of the hallway, Utin suddenly became vigilant.

“What is it, Utin?”

When I asked, Utin dropped her defensive posture and bowed to me.

“Over, there, Ecres, and, Gings, are…”

What? Ecres and Gings were there?

Those two had once fought over the succession to the position of feudal lord. To be precise, rather than fighting each other, it would be more accurate to say they were made to fight.

Those around them lifted both up, causing a fuss over which one was worthy to be the successor to the feudal lord, and as a result, many things were lost. It should have been… just a typical civil war of a feudal lord.

However, behind the scenes, a certain person took action, plotting to make away with the lord and install her own child as the heir to the lordship.

That scheme was thwarted thanks to the actions of Shuri, Gungrave, and the others, resulting in the surrender of the nation to Gungrave.

The name of the mastermind was Lenha Sunity. The Empress of the Sunity territory. Namely, Gings’s mother.

After her plot failed, she abandoned Gings and fled. We happened to capture her there.

Now, returning to the story, it seems that Ecres and Gings were walking together…

Indeed, the two of them have been on good terms recently. Including Garn, the three siblings seemed to have reconciled.

Before, their distant attitude was noticeable, but recently, I have even seen them talking together.

If you ask what triggered it… I heard that Shuri did something, and that was likely the catalyst.

That man is one of the few individuals who fusses over others and turns things in a good direction.

Well, I do not feel that I myself have changed quite a bit thanks to Shuri’s cooking, though.

Those two, Ecres and Gings…

“Utin. Since you became vigilant, do you think their demeanor was out of the ordinary?”

In response to my question, Utin nodded once. As I thought. Even Utin has seen the two of them getting along well.

If she still became vigilant, it must mean they were shrouded in an extraordinary atmosphere.

…This is a very interesting case.

“What are those two doing? Utin, we are going to investigate.”

“My, Lord. Here, only, me…”

“No, I want to confirm it with my own eyes—what those two are doing.”

It would be faster to confirm it with my own eyes. Above all, I myself wanted to know.

“So, Utin, which way did they go?”

“From, direction, guessing, dungeons, perhaps.”

…Hmm, the dungeons. If those two have business in the dungeons…

“We are indeed going to check. Follow me.”

“…Understood.”

Realizing that I had no intention of hiding, Utin consented. If her face had been rich with expressions, she would probably have looked exasperated.

However, I am curious. How do those two intend to talk with Lenha?

Currently, Lenha is captured in the dungeons. So that she has no contact with others, she is kept specially alone. That is why I was curious about what Ecres and Gings were going to talk about with Lenha face-to-face.

Accompanied by Utin, I took the path to the dungeons. As night had grown deep, the darkness of the dungeons had also deepened even further. Without the lit candles, even our footing would have been uncertain.

And so, the moment we approached the deepest part… the cell where Lenha was captured,

“Don’t be ridiculous! Don’t preach to me, you ignorant brat!!”

A woman’s high-pitched voice echoed throughout the entire dungeon. At its utter loudness, I grimaced. An ear-splitting sound resonated through the dungeon.

How noisy! The ringing in my ears is terrible!

Amidst the volume that made me want to complain involuntarily, I heard that voice.

“Please stop, Mother. My… my mind is already made up. I will entrust the future of this territory to Gungrave. By supporting him, we… have decided to preserve the lineage of Sunity.”

“Don’t talk in your sleep, Gings! You are my son, aren’t you?! A human who inherited the noble lineage of the Empress! Succeed the lord and stand at the top of this territory!”

“It’s impossible, Madam. Neither I nor Gings have the power to protect the territory in this era of war. Rather, by supporting Gungrave, this territory…”

“Shut up! What could a girl like you possibly understand?! A wench who can do nothing but read and calculate! Did you seduce Gungrave and Gings with that appearance?! You whore!”

My, what a barrage of unbearable insults. It makes me want to sigh.

Still, I understood what Ecres and Gings were trying to do. They were trying to persuade Lenha, the last remaining root of trouble in this territory.

Guessing from the words I heard, did they intend to gain Lenha’s agreement before entrusting this land to Gungrave, or did they want to crush the possibility of her becoming the leader of a rebellion in the future?

That response was not wrong. I would have taken the same method. As for me… in Niewbist’s case, my father is still alive and well, and in order to remain faithful to his love for my deceased mother, he took neither concubines nor a second wife, treating me as the next queen. By showing ability and achievements, I was able to convince those around me. Therefore, I am far removed from things like succession battles or heir disputes. That is why I probably only understand its essence… or rather, its gruesome internal situation through rumors.

However, Ecres and Gings are different. The two were set against each other and knew firsthand the tragedy of battles between blood relatives. Therefore, they probably want to avoid a situation where their mother becomes an enemy.

Hence their attempt to persuade Lenha… but I also cannot help thinking that a simpler measure could be taken. That is a method that can be stated precisely because I am neither a concerned party nor a family member.

Namely, killing Lenha.

If there is a possibility that Lenha will become an enemy in the future and harm this territory, it would be better to nip it in the bud early. That way, blood would not be spilled needlessly.

That is a method I can easily state precisely because I am not a family member, and because I am not the one who will actually carry it out.

Therefore, I have no intention of saying this directly myself. Everything is for Ecres and Gings to decide.

Well, there is no use in listening any further. I signaled Utin with my eyes and decided to leave this place.

Still… no matter where or by whom a succession issue is raised, it never yields any good results.

---

For the next few days, I gave instructions to Utin to investigate how frequently Ecres and Gings were visiting Lenha’s place. It turned out they were heading there with considerable frequency.

Whether that means the problem with Lenha is deeply rooted, or whether they are simply too soft…

After reading through the report, I was organizing documents for the meeting before tonight’s meal.

Naturally, the contents included checking rewards for capturing Lenha and related precedents, as well as the current state of Niewbist while I was away from the Sunity territory.

There is a mountain of work to do. However, working here is not all that painful for me.

Why, you ask? Because I can eat Shuri’s cooking!

If I get a commitment from Shuri, I should be able to eat Mapo Tofu in a few days. Hehe, my desires are welling up to casually drag out the meetings until then.

However, even so, I am royalty. I must not slack off in my work.

If royalty turns their back on their duties, hundreds of common people will die from that alone. That must never be done. Royalty must care for those below, even as they reign at the top. Without the bottom, there is no top; without the earth, there is no heaven. Let us execute our duties solemnly.

“Hmm, let us call it a day here.”

Illuminated by the light of the Magi-Engineering Lamp in the room, I finished a round of work.

This Magi-Engineering Lamp. I hear it is an invention by Master Rir.

A white light spreads across the entire room, making it as bright as if it were daytime.

This, too, was made after obtaining the concept from Shuri. Dear me, I am continually amazed by the breadth of Shuri’s imagination. Honestly, why did that guy not come to our country? It is truly regrettable.

Even putting aside his cooking skills, his power of imagination is a good thing.

“Ah, thinking about it is useless! Rather than that, let us look forward to dinner.”

Well, it is too late now. For now, I shall smack my lips over his cooking. That will be enough.

And I wonder what tonight’s dish will be. How exciting.

“Hey, Utin. You think so too, do you not?”

I addressed the corner of the room, a place where a faint darkness lingered.

A presence drifting there that could only be noticed if one looked closely.

An existence I finally came to recognize precisely because we have been together for years.

It was Utin’s specialty—an espionage technique of entering the place with the faintest presence in a room, erasing both presence and existence entirely.

This can also be used in combat, where just when one thinks she will strike with a dagger, she kills with a second weapon she had hidden.

A technique that turns the opponent’s line of sight and focus against them. I believe even Kuuga would have trouble with this.

Well, setting that aside.

“I, not particularly.”

“Do not lie. Even with an expressionless face, you eat with delight. Do not tell me I am unaware that you received a dish called fried rice from Shuri as a reward for your work.”

Yes, this espionage technique. For some reason, there are times when it does not work on Shuri.

During dinner, he sometimes finds Utin waiting in the corner of the room to guard me and hands her fried rice.

Utin, who was usually expressionless, was so surprised at those times that she nearly jumped.

And I could tell that, despite her expressionless face, she was entranced by the deliciousness of the fried rice.

“Th-That is…”

“If it is a lie, shall I tell him not to bait my guard from now on?”

“P-Please, spare, me.”

“By the way, what ingredients do you like?”

“Egg, and, scallions. Simple, ones.”

It is too late. Her stomach has been completely captured, has it not?

Well, I am hardly one to talk about others, though.

And it is about time, is it not?

“Utin. Is it not about time for dinner?”

“Yes, Princess. The time, and the, sunset, indicate that hour.”

“Alright, alright, then let us go…”

It was at that moment. It was an indescribably faint aroma that I had never smelled before.

And an aroma that I had smelled only a few times shortly before coming here.

Is this… meat?

“Utin. There is a smell.”

“Yes, Princess. Somehow, a, good, smell.”

“Hmm, a good smell, is it?”

Yes, ordinary people would take it as a delicious, good smell.

However, this smell was something I could not ignore. Though it was not the scent of Mapo Tofu.

This is a certain cooking technique recently developed in our country, which is being researched and refined.

Its name is wine-searing.

Literally, it is the technique of grilling meat or fish with sake, but this has a special effect.

It is a technique where liquor with high alcohol content is poured onto a hot iron plate, burning off the alcohol to impart aroma.

It is no exaggeration to say that this technique raises the rank of simple grilled dishes like steaks or meunière by one level.

However, this scent goes above that. While being the same wine-searing, it is an aroma of a different dimension.

Yes, it is the completed form at the end of researching and refining the wine-searing technique.

“Kuhahaha.”

Oops, laughter accidentally leaked out.

Among those I know, only one person can do such a thing. That very person used this technique to cook a dish.

A dish made by that person using this technique. My interest is being piqued.

Shuri. What on earth have you made again?

“Utin! Follow me, we shall ascertain the source of this smell!”

I stood up from the chair and left the room.

Oh, as I had imagined from the fact that it scented even my room, delicious smells were wafting from everywhere!

Even along the way, I could tell that those working in the castle were entranced by the smell.

Kuku, Shuri.

You truly are a guy who never lets one get bored!

The closer I got to the kitchen, the thicker and sweeter the scent became.

Come, paradise is right there!

“I smelled something delicious, so I came!”

When I opened the kitchen door, Gungrave and Shuri were there, wrestling over a plate.

I became certain.

The source of the smell was on that very plate!

“Oh! Shuri, could that be a steak made with wine-searing?! As expected of Shuri, to even know the latest technique of our country!”

“Ah, Princess Tebis.”

Shuri also seemed to notice me, wearing a blank expression.

“Come, let us go to the dining hall at once! I shall savor that steak of yours with utmost effort!”

“No, this is for Madam Lenha…”

“Smells delicious! It reached all the way to the training ground!”

“It smells great. Tonight’s dinner is lavish.”

What!? Kuuga and Teg?!

I see, they finished their training and gave instructions to the night guards before coming! They are appearing one after another from behind!

“A wonderful scent… It makes me hungry.”

“…”

“Shuri-kun, there was a terribly good smell and sound, but what happened?”

“My stomach after work is about to rumble… What an irresistible smell.”

Gah! After work, the rest of the unit captains, as well as Ecres and Gings!

This is bad, as far as I can see, the steak on the plate alone is not enough for everyone here…!

In other words, that is the first bite and the last piece!

I cannot yield it.

I cannot hand it over.

“Oh, is that tonight’s meal! Shuri, what is that?”

“Well, Gings-san. This is…”

“Wait, Gings. I will sample it first. Since it’s a new steak.”

“Ah, that’s unfair, Gungrave!”

“That’s right! We’re tired from training!”

“Please wait. The Mage Unit is also exhausted. Ours comes first.”

“…Inspiration for new inventions.”

“Rir-chan, hamburg steak is fine for you, right? Me first.”

“Hold on. If you say that, fried chicken is fine for Ecres too! First, from me, who has a reliable palate…”

“Ah, wa-wa-wa…”

The debate shows no sign of ending. Everyone seems to understand.

That if they miss this opportunity, it will be a long time before they can get a taste.

That being the case, we cannot back down here!

“Everyone, quiet down!”

When I shouted, everyone who had been making a fuss until a moment ago stopped moving.

“Listen up. There is one steak, and there are multiple of us.”

At my words, everyone present looked at each other.

Yes, it was not just the unit captains who were targeting it. The cook’s subordinates were also looking on with envy.

They looked with eyes that seemed ready to voice grievances, as if saying: even though we were involved in the cooking, are you going to snatch it away just because you are important?

Finally, those present realized it.

Once that happens, it is simple.

Mutual suspicion. Everyone is an enemy.

“Now, how will Lord Gungrave handle this situation?”

Lord Gungrave choked on his breath and pondered.

“I’m exhausted from drills with my subordinates and guard placement! I demand an immediate food distribution!”

“If you say that, the same goes for me! Swordsmanship training, inspecting weapons for subordinates, managing distribution, and guard placement—there’s so much to do! Teg leaves some parts to his deputy, but my place is full of muscleheads, so I do most of it myself!”

Kuuga and Teg’s arguments flew about, but if you ask me, their reasons are weak.

“Then, you should just have him make a dish with a large quantity.”

Rir’s muttered voice resonated quietly yet clearly.

Just as she says. If one is tired, a delicious dish in large quantities that blows away exhaustion is best.

“Rir mainly does desk work, research, and development. Quantity isn’t needed. But I want something delicious.”

Rir’s counterargument and claim. This hit the mark better than Teg and Kuuga’s opinions earlier.

Whether they realized that or not, Teg and Kuuga looked frustrated.

Kukuku, this is precisely the development I desired.

Making them suspect each other, having them negate one another while calmly discussing.

This way, the number of those qualified to eat will gradually decrease.

“Rir. Is hamburg steak not your favorite? Is it alright for you to cheat?”

“…!!”

In Rir’s eyes, astonishment. It was the eyes of someone who realized she had almost bent her own pride.

The color of Rir’s eyes changed from astonishment to sadness, and tears fell fluttering down.

What is this? What is happening?

“R-Rir… is Rir trying to betray what must not be betrayed?”

She fell to her knees on the spot, muttering something, but let us leave her be. There is no use getting involved.

Deep sorrow and despair surfaced on her face, looking as if she might collapse at any moment, but well, she will not die.

There, a voice called out to me from behind.

“Princess.”

From the voice, it was Utin.

“What is it, Utin? Right now, I am in the middle of an important…”

“Shuri, is not, here.”

What did you say?

When I quickly looked around, Shuri was indeed nowhere to be seen. He must have fled during the commotion just now!

To flee taking advantage of the confusion, does that mean it is a dish he does not want to hand over that much? I shall not let him escape!

“Utin. Where did Shuri go?”

“To, dungeons.”

“Hmm? Speaking of the dungeons…”

Shuri’s cooking, a feast with no sign of being distributed to everyone, and his flight… I see, he said it earlier as well. Madam Lenha.

I see, so that is how it is. That was made for Lenha.

That was made due to Lenha’s selfishness or something. Hmm, such a feast… it is infuriating that Lenha will be the first to taste it, but it cannot be helped.

Because Lenha is someone ‘difficult to handle.’

“Utin. We are going to the dungeons stealthily.”

“As you command.”

I stepped out of the kitchen quietly, very quietly. Those guys were still arguing among themselves.

Serves you right!

---

At any rate, I began walking toward the dungeons.

However, I do not like dungeons as they are damp. There are some in my castle as well, but it is not a place I visit by choice.

Well, other than rewarding the guards, there is no reason to visit a place where only criminals and guards reside.

“…Princess Tebis…”

“Hwaaaa?!”

Being suddenly spoken to from behind, I almost jumped out of my skin in surprise!

“Where are you going?”

Turning around, there was Ecres looking at me from behind a pillar. He had a very terrifying smile.

He must be blaming me for trying to outsmart him…!

“Even if I stay there, I cannot eat. To the dining hall.”

“What about the dungeons?”

Gah, he overheard!

“It cannot be helped… It seems Shuri headed to the dungeons, so I was merely trying to go there too.”

“Eh? To the dungeons?”

“That dish seems to have been made due to Lenha’s selfishness, and while I know it is base of me, I simply wanted to be the first to hear the impressions of the dish.”

“…To Madam Lenha?”

Ecres’s face turned dark. Well, naturally. Ecres must have been treated coldly by the Empress as well. He probably wants to avoid eye contact with her too.

Furthermore, there is the matter of the discussion I confirmed the other day. Looking at this state, Ecres must be considerably worn out. He must be exhausted both physically and mentally.

However, one cannot run away forever. The past is oneself connecting to the present moment. One has no choice but to accept or overcome it somewhere. That is probably why it has become a matter of persuading Lenha together with Gings.

Well, it is just as well.

I also have something I must say to Lenha.

That is a topic that also connects to Gings.

If handled poorly, it connects to Ecres, and even to Gungrave who practically rules this territory.

Lenha holds a secret of that magnitude.

The only one who has noticed it is probably me.

A secret that even her son Gings does not know. Rather than a secret, it is perhaps the reason why Lenha can remain so defiant.

Even if you think about it, is it not strange? A person on the verge of execution, making no pleas for her life, persistently maintaining defiance, and pushing her will that far…

The only conceivable reason is that she has a ‘backer’ that allows her to do so without issue…

“Just as well, Ecres, you should come too.”

“Eh?”

“There is no need to cower in the shadow of the Empress Lenha forever, is there?

I do not know what became of your mother, who was a concubine, but Lenha is formally your stepmother. You cannot keep running away.“

“…Yes.”

Ecres reluctantly agreed. Yes, yes, he must know that there is no time like now to face the past.

If possible, it would be better if Gings were together with us. It would be fine to solve their problems as well while we are at it. I can make them owe me one favor.

Hurrying our steps to the dungeons, hmm, I smell it.

“The smell comes from here!”

“Ah, Shuri-kun. You were here.”

As we went down the stairs, a good smell was indeed spreading. Irresistible.

When we hurriedly went down the stairs, Shuri looked at us with a surprised face. Rather than surprised, frightened would be more accurate.

Because he was trembling while looking over here. There is no need to be that frightened… I will not eat you up.

I will take the food and eat it, though.

“Just kidding. Shuri, that is the meal for Lenha that I heard about, is it not?”

“We also came because we have business with the Madam.”

It is not a lie.

“Eh? Business?”

“That is right. I wished to speak with her.”

“I’m just accompanying her.”

Calling it accompanying, are you, Ecres? You also have a reason to be here for this talk.

“Well, I don’t mind. As long as you don’t try to steal the steak.”

“I make no promises, but I shall do my best.”

“I won’t guarantee it either. But I understand, Shuri-kun.”

Though they were implicitly saying they were eyeing it like hawks, it cannot be helped.

Because it looks delicious.

While saying such things, Ecres and I decided to go down the stairs together with Shuri.

“By the way, Shuri. The technique you used earlier when grilling the meat. Was that wine-searing?”

“Wine-searing?”

Oh, did Shuri use it without even knowing the name?

“The technique where you added red wine to seal in the aroma.”

“Ah, flambé?”

Ho, Shuri calls it flambé.

Hmm, it is a better name than wine-searing. I shall issue a notification to spread it under that name from now on.

“Did you learn that from someone?”

“Well, it’s mostly self-taught.”

…I am truly continually amazed by Shuri.

While the cooks of my country repeat research and refinement, to use such a technique through self-teaching alone…

In other words, he thought of it and completed it himself.

“Splendid! Even in my country, it is a technique that has only recently been developed and begun to be researched.”

I can do nothing but praise him.

“Is wine-searing that amazing, Princess Tebis?”

Ecres had a puzzled look on his face, but it cannot be helped.

The technology of wine-searing has not yet spread.

“Indeed, that technique Shuri used drops high-alcohol liquor onto a frying pan to burn off the alcohol all at once. It is used in the final touch, and if performed by someone with master skill, it can impart a wonderful aroma. As I said earlier, even in my country Niewbist, it is a technique born only recently, with plenty of room for further refinement. I tasted the steak made by the first person to do it, and it released an indescribably wonderful smell. You could tell even from far away, could you not, Ecres?”

“Ah… No wonder a good smell reached us even from far away.”

Yes, the aroma imparted by wine-searing is truly wonderful. The rich smell, enough to convey the taste, makes saliva almost leak out even before the meal has begun.

“Now then, to think that high-and-mighty woman will be the first to put such a splendid dish into her mouth. Dear me, I cannot express it in words.”

My lamentation can no longer be expressed unless made exaggerated. Why must such a haughty woman, who knows nothing of cooking, be the first to put a dish at the absolute frontier of food culture into her mouth?

Ah, my lamentation does not stop.

My lamentation does not stop, no, truly.

Whether he felt my lamentation or not, a dark shade appeared on Shuri’s expression. Does he understand me?

“A wonderfully new technique, a new sauce, and a new steak. No matter which you take, it is most fitting for me to taste it first. Even I am captivated by the smell.”

“Um… being praised that much makes my back itch a little.”

Praising… I am merely stating facts.

“Hmph. Can lowborn individuals not even stay quiet when bringing meals to nobles?”

Hmm, it seems we have already arrived at our destination.

The dungeon at the end of the underground stairs. Though there were several cells, most of them were empty. Only one person was placed inside.

The Empress of the former lord, Lenha Sunity.

Not putting other criminals here is probably out of consideration for her influence. I would do the same.

For better or worse, Lenha has survived and maintained the power struggles and factions of the lord’s family as the Empress. If other criminals or faction members were thrown in together, there is no telling what might happen.

Lenha seemed to harbor intense hatred toward us, directing a glaring gaze at us.

“Calling us lowborn, are you, Lenha? Even though someone connected to the Niewbist Royal Family is present.”

I must apply some pressure for now.

“! …Princess Tebis is with you as well.”

“It has been a while, Lenha.”

At my greeting, the outer ends of Lenha’s eyebrows distorted.

“To me, it feels like just yesterday! Did you come to mock me?! Ecres as well!”

“Madam, I have no such intention.”

Lenha’s hatred is considerable. Ecres skillfully brushed it aside.

No, having lived until now, he must have gotten used to it. Even though only his heart keeps getting worn away.

On top of that, there is also the pain of the daily persuasion not getting through. Thinking of Ecres’s heart, my chest hurts a little.

“So? Did that cook there bring something to my liking?”

And this time, she is treating Shuri as the enemy. How ugly.

“Yes. It’s a special dish.”

“Hmph, a mere cook of a mercenary group. There is no way he could make something to my liking.”

…My, to think that ignorance could be this pitiful…

If Lenha refuses it, I shall take it.

“No, this is a steak worthy of you.”

I cast a look of pity at Lenha, but no one here seemed to notice.

Shuri offered the dish, knife, and fork he held in his hands in front of Lenha.

“Steak with red wine sauce, prepared with red wine wine-searing.”

…Hmm? For Shuri, does the dish’s name feel unusually original?

No one seemed to notice my thoughts, and Lenha opened her eyes in surprise.

Naturally so.

“What… is this aroma?! The rich scent of meat and sauce fills the dungeon…! What is that?! You, what did you do to that dish?!”

For just a moment, the harshness vanished from Lenha’s face, but she immediately bared her vigilance.

It cannot be helped. The technology of wine-searing has not yet spread to the public. Trapped in a prison, there is no way Lenha would know, nor does she seem like someone who would be interested in such things in the first place.

However, gourmets across the continent would understand the value of this dish.

A dish made with an unseen technique—an item any gourmet would want to taste at least once.

In my eyes, it looks like nothing less than a mountain of gold.

“Wh-What did I do… I just cooked the dish…”

At the sudden verbal abuse, Shuri seemed bewildered.

Does he think: even though I created this dish with all my heart, why must I be suspected? Or something like that?

No, knowing Shuri, he probably thinks nothing more than: they will understand once they eat it quickly.

“Do not lie! There is no way a steak could release such an excessively rich scent of deliciousness! What magi-engineering did you apply?!”

My, what can I say, well.

What foolish words.

As if such a thing could be done with magi-engineering… I cannot understand why such foolish words come out. When delicacy is right in front of her eyes, what is there to doubt? I truly cannot understand.

…Hmm? Wait? Is this not a good chance?

“Hmm, if it is a trap by magi-engineering, then I shall partake first.”

Yes, poison testing. A snack under the name of poison testing.

Ah, forgive me, my father, Your Majesty. I cannot hold back in front of fine food.

Holding the knife and fork in hand, I immediately tried to touch the dish.

Before Shuri could stop me, just as I tried to quickly carry it to my mouth, I felt a dangerous atmosphere from behind.

Utin, is it? Now that I think about it, that was right. Utin is my guard. If poison testing is to be done, Utin must do it first.

That is precisely why Utin is giving me a warning with just her presence.

This time, Utin is also seriously melting into the darkness, so Shuri has not noticed. However, if she releases a presence to that extent, it will interfere with her work as an intelligence operative.

“No need to worry, Utin. Stay in the darkness.”

Saying in a low voice, I carried the steak to my mouth.

Ah, what a wonderful taste.

“Ah, marvelous. The tenderness of the meat is far softer than what I know, so soft it feels as though it could be bitten through with one’s lips. Yet it retains the original texture of meat, and every time it is snapped cleanly by the teeth, a marvelous aroma spreads forth. The scent of meat, the scent of sauce, and the flavoring from wine-searing harmonize, an indescribable pleasure spreading throughout the mouth. This could not stand without wine-searing, and is an exquisite aroma that could not be made without master skill in wine-searing. Spreading through mouth and nose, ah, marvelous. The taste is, of course, excellent as well. A new technique of combining sauce made of garlic, onion, red wine, and fish sauce with the fat left after searing the meat. Along with that sauce, the meat, cooked appropriately, correctly, and perfectly, gives off a fine flavor. The salt is not overly sharp, yet not weak, an exquisite usage. The odor of the meat is erased by the pepper. Every single part consists of a new technique, a new sauce, and perfect cooking and calculation—truly the completed form of traditional steak cooking methods. So much so that for the next few hundred years, nothing superior to this will emerge.”

The impressions poured out all at once, but it comes down to this.

If I were allowed to state my impressions endlessly in this place, I would have lined up fine words all night long; it was that marvelous.

As I said, wonderful aroma and flavor are packed into this dish.

Yes, this dish allows one to fully savor the completion of the wine-searing technique.

Though I have sampled various things until now, it felt as though the destination to aim for was shown to me.

Ah, if I eat this, sampling other things will become dull.

It makes me want to eat this again.

As expected, Shuri’s skill, his cooking, never ceases to fascinate me.

This skill, this gentle personality, this pure spirit unattached to power.

I want Shuri no matter what.

Once I become aware of it, my face somehow grows hot. Am I not just like an innocent girl in love?

I want to say that is not the case, but… since meeting Shuri, my life has been so enjoyable. I find myself wanting to eat Shuri’s cooking again, and above all, wanting to meet Shuri is close to that, is it not?

However, for now, I shall simply savor the satisfaction of the food.

“Now then, forgive me for using the knife and fork first. However, even I could not hold back. How about it? Why not put it in your mouth once?”

Gaining a sense of fulfillment, I offered the knife and fork to Lenha.

That I wanted to savor it a bit more is a secret.

Lenha also seemed to have developed an interest from my demeanor, and this must be her limit.

Lenha gingerly held the knife and fork and carried the dish to her mouth.

“…”

She seems to have understood. Lenha, as well.

It is not for nothing that she has eaten reasonable things as a member of the lord’s family.

“I see. Indeed, this is a steak worthy of me—no, a steak far too good for me.”

Clack. Lenha put down the knife and fork.

And she stared at me.

In those eyes, hatred no longer resided.

“I see, Princess Tebis. Is this why you went out of your way to expose yourself just to obtain this person?”

Ho, she is quick to perceive. I did not expect her to go this far. It seems I underestimated her slightly.

“Shuri. Ecres and I have a little more to speak with this person. Could you return first?”

“Eh?”

At my request, Shuri showed hesitation. Because it was sudden, he probably could not read the flow right away.

“Understood.”

However, Shuri is not foolish by nature. Realizing quickly that it was not a conversation he should be involved in, he offered a brief word of departure and went up the stairs.

I confirmed through Utin that Shuri had completely left the place. Looking toward the darkness, Utin, who briefly revealed a hint of her presence, nodded.

Now then, with this, we can finally talk.

---

Sitting in front of Lenha, I looked at her anew.

There was no longer any hatred in those eyes. There was only one woman trying to judge me.

“Now then, Lenha. There is something I wish to confirm with you.”

“Before that, may I ask something, Princess Tebis?”

“…Hmm, very well. My talk will end quickly. Starting with your talk poses no problem at all.”

“Then.”

Lenha bowed slightly and spoke.

“That boy named Shuri. He is not a person of this continent, is he?”

At those words, I was impressed that Lenha had reached the same conclusion.

Behind us, Ecres was surprised, but… well, let us leave that aside.

“Why do you think so?”

“Princess, earlier you lined up fine words to praise the dish. At that time, one question occurred to me. Such cooking skill, technique, and vision that ahead of time… It is hard to believe that boy thought of it all alone.”

“As a reason, it is weak.”

Yes, up to this point, it could be dismissed as mere intuition.

“I cannot imagine you being obsessed with a single cook just for that. So I thought.

You are infatuated with that boy’s cooking skill, of course, but could it be that Princess Tebis wants to obtain ‘some culture’ behind the boy named Shuri?

Shuri possesses a ‘history’ fundamentally different from the ‘culture’ or ‘common sense’ originally held by people of this continent. One can tell by looking at his cooking.

Steak, soup, salad, bread… and the roasted whole pig he served to the Lord. Hints were everywhere. The reason I could not notice was entirely due to your overt actions and the boy’s aloof attitude.“

“Still weak as a reason.”

“And keeping that in mind, I looked at Shuri and realized. That boy does not inherit any of the physical appearances held by the people of this continent.”

…

“As you know, the Sabrayu Continent is blocked by the ocean currents of the Outer Ocean, and if there are continents outside the sea, interaction has been cut off. Naturally, the specific physical appearances of humans on this continent are set. However, the boy named Shuri does not have the features of any of those appearances. No, rather than that, it is as if Shuri, a new human, unnaturally appeared on this continent.”

…Kukuku, you noticed that much, did you?

“Is that why you want to obtain Shuri? Not only for his cooking skills, but to obtain ‘something’ from the ‘outside’ through him?”

“Half correct. Half wrong, perhaps.”

Lenha’s reasoning is not bad. Rather, I would like to say it is close to a full score. However, as for my target, I shall say it is half.

“I indeed fell in love with Shuri’s cooking skills. I wanted his pureness, unshaken by power struggles. If it is Shuri, he will stick to cooking for someone no matter the situation. I am drawn to that strength of core.”

“As a princess of a nation, that is a problematic statement.”

“It must be. I said it aware that it is problematic, so I have no regrets. And assuming Shuri is a person from the ‘outside,’ it was only very recently that I realized it. To be more precise, it was after coming to this territory and looking at the human named Shuri anew.”

At first, I thought he was someone who possessed the imagination to create new seasonings and the talent to create new dishes.

However, when I heard about the wine-searing technique, I thought.

Calling wine-searing flambé, and acquiring it ‘mostly’ self-taught.

That means he either had base knowledge, or acquired knowledge that was completed and spread through self-teaching.

Going back further, I felt a sense of strangeness ever since he diluted the Nornels I brought with water. Making it smoother on the palate with water. With just a slight mistake in proportion, a failure so terrible that one would hesitate to even put it in one’s mouth could be made. That he could execute it without hesitation—was it not because he had seen a successful product?

If it is not on this continent, from where did he bring it?

Only one possibility remains. From the outside.

“Once I finally realized it over a long time, I seriously came to want Shuri. A person holding the long-awaited culture of the ‘outside.’ From what I hear, Master Rir’s inventions also originate from Shuri’s ideas, do they not? I became convinced that in the ‘outside,’ there exist nations with advanced culture and technological capabilities unimaginable to the people of this continent.”

“Is that the reason you want to obtain Shuri?”

“As a ‘Princess,’ yes.”

Royalty must sometimes kill their hearts, hide their hearts, feign their hearts, and deceive their hearts to act for the common people.

If it is a reason as a ‘Princess,’ that would be it. The sole living witness holding information of the ‘outside,’ possessing knowledge of technology, and knowing the culture—Shuri. How could one not want Shuri, who holds such a treasure trove of knowledge?

If I speak as ‘Tebis’… I want Shuri. His cooking is certainly unique and full of charm. As a gourmet, I would like to keep him close.

No, that too is a bit different. Shuri’s cooking is all homestyle, warm, and comforting to eat.

Different from any of the dishes royalty eats. It is cooking that warms the heart.

That is why I want him. If that person continues to cook by my side, I might be able to avoid losing warmth amidst the duties of royalty where one must keep feigning one’s heart.

No, no, that too might be a bit different.

In the end, I will simply reach the conclusion that I want Shuri.

This ‘true feeling’ will never be exposed in this place, though.

“Now then, let me overlap the reason I said half with what I wish to ask Lenha. The reason I wanted Shuri is, of course, because of the ‘outside,’ but also because, as Gungrave is already doing, one can go one or two steps ahead of other countries through food diplomacy.”

Food diplomacy cannot be easily dismissed.

Food serves as an indicator of culture depending on the number and combination of seasonings used in it. Wise people understand that indicator as the power of a nation.

What happens if Shuri is present in that food diplomacy?

The answer is that one can disrupt the balance of diplomacy.

Just as Gungrave is doing, it is precisely because they lead in food diplomacy that that mercenary group grew large, and because they utilized cooking that they were able to maintain the mercenary group.

If he holds power of such magnitude, how much of a strength would it be if a nation extends and protects that power?

“However, if it is my reason for wanting Shuri… if I speak as a ‘Princess’… Lenha. There is something I must ask you.”

I spoke.

“Lenha. You are of the bloodline of Grandend, are you not?”

At those words, this time Lenha opened her eyes wide in shock. Even Ecres, who was silently waiting behind, seemed unable to utter a sound in surprise.

Grandend.

On this continent, the nation closest to hegemony.

The major factor for that nation claiming hegemony is likely the existence of a superior king and superior generals.

In both domestic affairs and military matters, through a king and generals with overwhelming talent, it grew at an abnormal speed, to the point of enabling invasion of the entire continent in less than ten years.

The existence of three generals renowned under the name of the Three Bright Generals.

Swearing absolute loyalty to the king, they act precisely to pacify the continent.

“It took quite some effort to investigate. You were the fourth daughter of Gib Grandend, were you not? I understand why you were so defiant. If one makes a careless move against you, the great nation of Grandend may bare its fangs. That is why the Lord could not easily divorce you. Even until a moment ago, were you not relying on the power of your natal family?”

“…”

“I shall take silence as affirmation.”

As I thought. That great nation shows no mercy to those who oppose it.

The king, Gib, is a man who possesses both the fierceness of infernal flames and the coldness of ice.

If anything happens to his family, he is a man of contradictory thinking who can calmly weigh the anger of his bloodline being harmed against the interests born from it.

At the same time, if a family member is sent outside, they must demonstrate their value. That man does not give missions to those without value. Family members who fail their missions are immediately returned to his hands and subjected to education.

That education is said to be an ordeal resembling torture, far beyond the word severe, for the sake of the family and the nation.

Lenha came to this territory likely to make it a vassal state of Grandend from within.

That she resisted desperately was because she feared that education.

The more I think about it, the more pitiful she seems.

“Lenha. I believe that in a few years, this era of war will end.”

“…Does that mean… my father… His Majesty Gib will pacify this era of war?”

“No, I cannot think so.”

Indeed, the nation of Grandend is a formidable country possessing immense military strength.

Even the current Niewbist cannot compete even in food circumstances. Rather, if we carelessly reach out, our land will sink into scorched earth. Even I had once pondered, before opposing Yuyubi, under what good conditions I should marry into that country so that Niewbist might survive.

However, the rise of the Gungrave Mercenary Band began, and I felt the transformation of the flow of history.

Having obtained the nation of Sunity, Gungrave will likely gain great power from now on.

At that time, could he really accomplish things with Gungrave’s power alone?

No, surely not. It is because Shuri was there.

I had a conviction that Shuri would surely become the man to change the history of this continent.

That is why I want Shuri.

“This continent is within a great surge. While you were obsessed with dominating a small territory, the flow of history has already headed in an unpredictable direction.”

“…And that ordinary boy is involved at the center of it?”

“I think so.”

Now then, I make a pause.

“Ecres. Is there anything you wish to say?”

“Eh?”

“Since you came all the way here, you must want to say at least one thing to the Empress.”

At my prompting, Ecres showed bewilderment.

“…I have nothing.”

“Ecres.”

Not I, but from the other side of the cell. Lenha uttered words.

Her tone of voice was different from the beginning; though harboring a slight harshness, it could be said to be gentle.

“Speak. I am calm now. I shall answer what is asked.”

Though there was hesitation, at those words Ecres seemed to have steeled his resolve.

Looking straight at Lenha, he asked.

“Where is the mother of Garn-niisan and me right now?”

“…As expected, that question.”

Lenha closed her eyes and spoke.

“She is confined in a certain church. If I recklessly exiled her, subordinate members of her faction might contact her and make a comeback. Do not worry, I am not making her live an uncomfortable life. She is living decently well.”

“…Is that true?”

“I do not tell lies. Either way, I will probably be eliminated.”

Heh, Lenha laughed self-mockingly.

“I failed to fulfill my role, and to make matters worse, I am used as a bargaining chip. No matter how much it is my father… His Majesty Gib, I do not think he will forgive such a blunder.”

I see… it was exposed to me that she is of the Grandend Royal Family. One does not know where the eyes of spies might be. I cannot think that man will silently watch Lenha, who might become a disadvantage to the nation.

Rather, as part of the family education, there is a possibility it has been drilled into her: ‘When the time comes, die by your own hand.’

“Then, Lenha, I have a proposal.”

Leaning closer to Lenha, I spoke.

“I shall shelter you in an absolutely safe land. It is a place where my country is located, a place where no one can harm you.”

After all, it is an isolation facility deep inside the sacred forest. Though called an isolation facility, to be precise, it can be considered one of the royal family’s hideouts. It can be used for isolation from epidemics or as a sudden refuge for the royal family. In that place, even intelligence officers of Grandend cannot enter.

“In exchange, accept three conditions.”

Holding up three fingers, I spoke.

“…Are you telling me to sell out my motherland?”

“If you do not sell it, you will die, you know?”

“Even so…”

“I am telling you, if you die, the next target will be Gings. Is that fine with you?”

At my words, this time clearly, fear surfaced on Lenha’s face.

As expected, no matter what was said, she was a mother after all.

“…Understood.”

“Then, condition one. Never again involve yourself in Sunity’s politics. Condition two. Do not harm Sunity. Condition three. Do not involve yourself with Grandend.”

Simple, but as a promise that can be made here, this is the limit.

“…Understood.”

“Then, I shall lend you several of my guards.”

“Please.”

Lenha bowed her head and spoke.

“My son… please, please protect my son.”

“Madam…”

Seeing that figure, Ecres muttered in a relieved voice.

It must be so. The persuasion until now finally bore fruit through me.

With this, the possibility of a rebellion centered around Lenha has vanished. From now on, Sunity will make great strides.

At least the greatest threat conceivable on the inside has disappeared.

“Having spoken like this, I understand. Indeed, if a boy holding technology brought from the ‘outside’ is under Gungrave, Gings cannot overcome that surge. That child possesses talent specialized strictly for war, but to overcome a great transformation… the rough waves of history, his capacity is insufficient. Even so, that child is my son. Foolish or whatever… my son… to say there was no love would be a lie… Though I made my heart like stone…”

Lenha kept bowing her head. Without raising her head, she earnestly begged over here.

Earnestly, for her son’s safety. Anxious for her son’s future.

To fulfill Gib’s mission, this woman is gentle at her core. Though Shuri was the trigger, she would not suit schemes.

“I understand well. That wish, I shall grant.”

Seeing Lenha’s figure, I thought of my mother.

My mother, too, must be wishing for my safety.

Then, I cannot ignore the wish of Lenha, who is also a mother.

Thinking so, I gave my reply to Lenha.

After the conversation ended, we went up the stairs and walked down the hallway.

Both of us walked in silence, but… this atmosphere is unbearable.

“Tebis-sama.”

Just as I was thinking that, Ecres spoke to me.

“Should I have asked such a question at that time?”

“About your mother?”

I closed my eyes, thought, and spoke.

“My mother passed away before I became old enough to understand things.”

“Eh?”

When I was so young I could not even retain memories, my mother passed away from illness.

Her body was not strong to begin with, and giving birth to me and living for just a few months was a miracle in itself.

Even for me, who matured early, memories of my mother are practically non-existent.

“If I want to meet my mother, I can only look at portraits or hear stories from people to expand my imagination.”

Even with a weak body, she was lively, running circles around those around her, and ultimately making them smile.

She was apparently such a person.

Every time I hear that story, I think.

That I wished she had lived.

“Therefore, if she is alive, it is only natural to want to see her, is it not? Rather, Lenha did not dispose of her, and after exiling her, kept her alive in a form of confinement in a place unrelated to political strife. For better or worse, as a mother with a child, perhaps she hesitated to take a mother away from a child.”

Lenha showed emotion only toward Gings.

Lenha, who was trying to make Gings the lord and turn him into a puppet with contribution to Grandend and that mission in her heart.

Toward Gings, who should have been treated as a tool, she changed her expressions that much.

I hope this serves as proof that she was a human who could not discard her love as a mother.

“If you can meet her, you should go meet her. While you can meet her, settle what you can do and what you must do. Once lost, there is nothing to be done.”

Since I, who lost mine, say so, there is no mistake.

“…That’s right. While I can meet her, I have to meet her.”

“Indeed, indeed.”

“Princess, you say things rich in experience despite your age.”

“Mind your own business.”

It is merely that my experience as royalty is dense. I am not an old head in a young body.

---

The next day, I met secretly with Lord Gungrave.

On my side, only Utin. Lord Gungrave brought Lord Kuuga along.

“…And that is how it went.”

“Well, thank you very much for that.”

Lord Gungrave spoke bluntly, but inwardly he must be relieved.

Because Lenha, who would have been the spark of internal strife, was peacefully retired.

With this, he owes me one favor.

“However, I didn’t think Grandend would be involved.”

“I also doubted my eyes when I investigated.”

“I bet. Even I thought in the early days of demonstrating the mercenary band’s ability to Grandend, getting recognized as a knight order or unit, achieving military exploits, and receiving a nation.

…If we clash with that country now, we will only lose.“

“For example, even if you team up with Niewbist, it would be useless.”

“Right.”

Lord Gungrave agrees as well.

The power of that nation cannot be matched even by the members of the Gungrave Mercenary Band, where geniuses and prodigies gather.

Even if Niewbist provides rear support, it would probably be useless. It would only extend the time until defeat.

In short, a wasted effort.

“How about it? How many years does Lord Gungrave think it will take to be able to fight that country?”

“…It will take five years.”

Five years. Quite a long time…

“Is it not impossible?”

“…We have Shuri on our side.”

Hmm?

“Are you saying you will utilize Shuri?”

“…That guy will stick his nose into it anyway.”

“Hmm.”

If so.

“So that it is easier for him to stick his nose into it, I shall take him.”

“Hey.”

“Kufufu, it is not entirely a joke, though.”

“What?”

“If I welcome him as a concubine and grant him status and power, I think Shuri will find it easier to act.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. He’d just be taken in by Niewbist as he is.”

Fufu, as I thought, you think so, do you?

“Either way, I shall take Shuri.”

Lord Gungrave and Lord Kuuga’s gazes turned sharp.

Fighting spirit leaked out from Utin as well, but I maintained a completely cool face.

“What did you say?”

“Now listen. In my view, this nation will become heavily involved in the end of this era of war.”

“Is that taking Shuri’s presence as a major factor?”

“Indeed. And in that flow, for Niewbist to survive, we will not survive unless we have some kind of marital relationship with Shuri.”

“…”

“How about it, Lord Gungrave? Do you not think of brokering the relationship between me and Shuri to build a firm alliance with Niewbist? I think there is no loss for either side.”

Lord Gungrave should also understand how attractive this offer is.

Connecting ties with royalty, for someone at a disadvantage in origin, can be accomplished by handing over a subordinate.

It seems there is no better condition than this.

“…Even so, the one who ultimately decides on a marriage partner is Shuri. It’s not a problem for me to decide.”

“I see, I see. Then let us leave it to Shuri’s free will.”

Well, obtaining just this single statement can be considered good enough.

Shuri. Without realizing it, you have been thrown into the middle of a tremendous surge.

When will you realize it? I look forward to it.