kscans

Chapter 38 - Soy Sauce, Mustard, and Kobito-san

"Can I hear about the Sakura Empire?"

"The Empire?"

Inside the rattling carriage, Kobito-san’s eyes sparkled as she scooted closer to Sakura. Gazing at the cute little girl nodding enthusiastically, Sakura glanced at the two men sitting opposite them.

The Red-haired Man shrugged as if to say it couldn't be helped, while the other man turned his sullen face toward the window.

So it’s not welcome. What should I do?

It seemed they disliked the empire. And for good reason. The empire had launched wars against Frontier many times in the past. The most recent one was about a hundred years ago. The Kilfan Empire was located in the center of a small cluster of islands faintly visible to the south of Frontier. Although separated by sea, the countries were close, if you could call it that. Naturally, their fishing territories sometimes overlapped, and after a series of hostile actions, the Kilfan side ignited the flames of war.

However, the result was a crushing defeat. They lost battle after battle. They were beaten to a pulp.

Kilfan had received aid from neighboring countries with which it had diplomatic ties, but they were no match for the soldiers of Frontier, who controlled fire, commanded water, and rode the wind. Without even a chance to cross swords, Kilfan’s ships were reduced to seaweed at the bottom of the ocean. Such battles were repeated several times over several hundred years, and it was only a few decades ago that Kilfan finally bent the knee. The memory was still fresh. The Frontier side agreed to peace without any post-war conditions or negotiations. The Kilfan Empire had expected to be demanded a large sum in reparations, but they were left speechless when they heard the truth. Frontier had apparently suffered no losses at all. In fact, they were even told with a gentle smile that it had been good combat training.

The long war that the Kilfan Empire had waged with all its might had been nothing more than a complete farce.

It was only a fierce, multi-century battle from Kilfan's perspective. For Frontier, it was merely like a routine rotation, where they simply sank ships while testing out various tactics.

So that’s why they never pursued us.

The Kilfan Empire had wondered why Frontier, which was winning every battle, never attempted a landing on their shores, but when the truth came out, it was simple. They just weren't being taken seriously at all.

From this point on, a deep, irreparable crack formed between Kilfan and Frontier. It was one-sided, with Kilfan coming to despise Frontier, but Frontier, which did establish diplomatic relations, also could not feel any goodwill toward Kilfan’s culture and customs.

Hearing this, Kobito-san tilted her head.

"Culture and customs are just part of a country’s character, right? Why would that be? Why would you care about something like that?"

In place of Sakura, who furrowed her brow with an indescribable expression, Dolphen answered in a low, resentful voice. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, wondering whether to speak, but the person before him was not the child she appeared to be. If he didn't tell her, she would likely figure out the truth on her own. It wasn't a topic for a child, but it couldn't be helped.

"Those people brought slaves. Not the debt slaves or criminal slaves we have here. They put chains on women of high birth, in a state of near nakedness... and calling them tribute, they made them crawl on all fours through the palace."

At his contemptuous murmur, Kobito-san was also stunned. From Sakura's and the others' clothing, she had thought it must be a free-spirited culture, but she never imagined it went that far.

To enslave those of high status. That, apparently, was the symbol of power in the empire. For the empire, it must have been the greatest possible gift, but in Frontier, a country governed by law that valued its women, it was met with nothing but scorn. Furthermore, Kilfan, exhausted by the long war, was unable to procure money or goods, and to save face, they even brought an imperial princess as tribute. It must have been an effective use for one of their many princesses. The princess, dressed in a single layer of thin silk so sheer you could see through it, knelt before the King of Frontier. But that act touched a raw nerve among the nobles of Frontier. They were outraged at the thought of treating the bloodline of a sovereign, who should be protected and served, with such disrespect.

From Kilfan's perspective, having their greatest tribute belittled sent them into a rage.

Here, a decisive rift was born, and the two countries ended up signing a non-aggression pact instead of a peace treaty.

Kobito-san nodded as if she understood.

"So that’s why you said at the beginning that it was a country with strong male-chauvinistic tendencies."

"It’s a story I heard from my grandfather, but even as a child it made me sick to my stomach."

Watching Dolphen chew on a bitter pill, Chihiro pondered with a strange expression.

Well, I’ll be. It's a country that truly sees women as nothing more than objects. It's so extreme, in a way, I'm almost impressed.

It would never be compatible with Frontier, where the prevailing sentiment is that women are to be cherished, served, and adored.

Thinking that far, Kobito-san suddenly had a realization.

Could it be that Frontier accepted the Manmaden in order to create a refuge for such women? Sakura had said there was no death penalty in the empire. Did that mean that not being able to die was equivalent to a living hell being prepared for them?

Something far worse than mere prostitution... It was possible. Otherwise, there was no way Frontier would permit a brothel that so thoroughly disrupted public morals.

This might be a deep rabbit hole. I'll ask Romel when I get back.

"Well, there are all kinds of countries, I guess."

Faced with the nodding little girl, the three adults didn't know what kind of expression to make.

"...That young master won’t be here again, will he?"

"Probably...?"

On the way, the Frontier group stopped at the Kininaru Ki rest area. They looked around nervously, and upon confirming there were no noble-like carriages, they breathed a sigh of relief.

"Young master?"

"There’s a kid who just pops up whenever we’re eating."

Kobito-san answered Sakura, who was looking quizzically at the wary knights, with a wry smile.

"Oh? He must be quite fated to meet you."

No, thank you.

At Sakura's innocent smile, Kobito-san’s teeth were set on edge.

Adoris, hastily preparing lunch, made diced bonito steak. He sautéed some rapeseed blossoms, served them alongside grilled turnips, and made an onion sauce with sake and soy sauce, which he poured over the steak. The fragrant smell of scorched soy sauce filled the air.

It was a scent that violently stimulated the appetite, and not only the Frontier party but also the people nearby held their breath. Ignoring them, the group began to eat.

"Yum! Adoris, this is seriously delicious!"

"It is delicious. The outside is crisp, yet the inside is plump and tender. Above all, this sauce pairs with it phenomenally."

"This is the bonito we gave you, right? The first bonito of the season doesn't have much fat, but this isn't dry at all. It's delicious."

Everyone from Kobito-san to Dolphen to Sakura praised it. Adoris narrowed his eyes bashfully.

"At the end, I cover it, steam it quickly, then take it off the heat and let it cook through with the residual heat. It’s the same with meat or eggs, if you overcook them, they get tough."

I see. Mogyu mogyu, Kobito-san chewed her food, completely satisfied. The slight bitterness of the turnips and rapeseed blossoms was also nostalgic. This was a dish that could use just a little bit of mustard. Kobito-san, who was not a child on the inside, was fine with both wasabi and mustard. She made a slightly disappointed face at the lack of it. Just then, something small, like a tea scoop, passed through her field of vision.

"This is it, right?"

Beside her was Sakura with a beaming smile. She had scooped some powdered mustard from a small container and put it on Kobito-san’s plate.

You’re the best!

Their tastes were nearly identical, after all. She must have known what was missing. Adoris watched Kobito-san eat with delight and asked Sakura.

"What is that?"

"Powdered mustard. In Frontier, you could say it’s the powder version of unadjusted mustard."

"Mustard? That?"

The container in Sakura’s hand held an ocher-colored powder. It bore no resemblance to the bright yellow, creamy mustard they were familiar with.

"If you mix this with lukewarm water, it’ll become the mustard you know. It doesn’t have sake or vinegar in it, though, and it’s very spicy."

Adoris took a little on his palm and licked it. Then, his face scrunched up.

"Spicy! Chihiro, isn’t this too spicy?"

"Well, of course it’s spicy if you lick it straight. You just sprinkle a tiny bit."

Doing as he was told, Adoris sprinkled a little on his rapeseed blossoms. He then cautiously brought it to his mouth.

"Ah... delicious."

"See?"

The sharp spiciness that shot through his nose was a perfect match for the faint bitterness of the rapeseed blossoms, creating a delicious aftertaste that lingered.

Truly, being with Chihiro, there was never a shortage of new discoveries.

Adoris watched the happily eating Kobito-san with a smile and prayed from the bottom of his heart that this bliss would last forever.

After finishing their cheerful lunch and relaxing for a while, Kobito-san and her group set off for the royal capital. And just as they left, a luxurious black carriage pulled in.

"You’re kidding..."

"That was a close call."

"It’s like he’s targeting us..."

"Don’t say that."

The escort knights muttered something under their breath.

The members inside the carriage, unaware of the carriage they had just passed, tilted their heads at the murmurs from outside.

Ignorance is bliss, as the saying from Earth goes.

The carriage of a certain count entered the rest area just as the Frontier party was leaving. The young master who emerged from it reacted to the lingering smell of cooking around the hearth and searched frantically for its source.

After asking around extensively, it was discovered that the people who had cooked the meal had already left, and the young master supposedly threw a massive tantrum.

Both parties were lucky not to have met.

Kobito-san was satisfied with the nostalgic food.

She gracefully avoided even the coincidence that would have disturbed her, and without realizing it, had luck on her side. And so, Kobito-san is full of energy today too.♪