kscans

Chapter 158 - The Arts Theater and the Little One

"What is the meaning of this... This is a grave state of affairs, Your Majesty!"

It was Duke Andriew who trembled in anguish before the King of Castrato. He was from a prestigious noble family hailed as one of the two great pillars of the kingdom, a counterpart to Hyrulia’s own family, the Halbay dukedom. Seated beside him was Count Oddards. His domain bordered the western wilderness of Frontier, and he was a lord with the foresight to actively adopt Frontier's culture. Duke Andriew was the head of the conservative faction in Castrato. As a man who valued the traditions of the royal family and did not wish for change, he had been brought along on this inspection tour. Hyrulia's family had always held a political leaning favorable to Frontier, so it was decided there was no need to persuade them, and they were not asked to attend. He had been brought along to enlighten the ignorant, but the Duke was now in a state of confusion over a number of unexpected things. The Count Oddards gave him a quiet glance, then began to speak, choosing his words carefully.

"This is the kind of country Frontier is. For some time now, they have been transmitting various forms of culture and sharing their benefits without secrecy."

Indeed. The street paper-story shows that Little One had witnessed in a border town during her previous visit to Castrato. It was Count Oddards who had imported them, enlivening his town with unpaid volunteers and governing with a gentle hand. Many other experiments were being carried out in Count Oddards's domain. He shared cooking recipes and sold low-priced sweets. While not on the scale of a Gakushuin academy, he had established open-air classrooms to teach children reading and writing for free. Every single one of these things came by way of Frontier. There was also compost from animal husbandry, soil improvement using that compost, and Frontier's unique embroidery and lace knitting, which even women and children could do. This, in turn, became a massive trend among the noble ladies, making them so busy they would have borrowed a cat's paws if they could. He was implementing every practical idea he could get his hands on.

As a result, productivity in Count Oddards's territory had increased, tax revenues had risen, and the faces of the people had brightened. It is common knowledge in the modern era that adding diversions and engrossing pleasures to life becomes a source of daily vitality. A life with a good rhythm brings order to the human body's internal environment. It fosters motivation. It was as simple as that. Even if Count Oddards did not know the logic behind it, the effects were clear for all to see. The remarkably improved productivity was the proof. Furthermore, teaching reading and writing reduced minor hassles. Matters that would normally require someone to read aloud to the peasants to make them understand could be handled by circulating a single sheet of paper. Tax collection, which had to be done one by one with the person present, was now prepared in advance because people could do the calculations. The officials' job was just to confirm it. All of these results were obtained by imitating Frontier.

The words of an experienced man carried weight. Hearing that these many attempts had borne fruit, Duke Andriew wore an indescribably sullen expression.

"Such a thing... Is it not strange? A paper-story show is entertainment, is it not? How does giving entertainment to the commoners increase tax revenue? What changes by providing an education? Embroidery? Cooking recipes? They are certainly different from Castrato's... I admit they are elegant and delicious, but..."

Duke Andriew, too, adopted things that were profitable. However, he only took what brought him personal gain, such as fine meals and visually appealing embroidery. Being sensitive to trends was a pastime of the upper class. But he only enriched himself and did not give back to his domain. In fact, he kept these things secret, enjoying them only among his own circle.

But that was not the way.

Sighing softly, Count Oddards looked at Duke Andriew with a sincere gaze.

"At the very least, my domain has changed. To use even a single tool from Frontier, one must be able to read the instructions. It is meaningless if only certain people can read. The people who use it must all be able to read. I believe that is what is important."

Even after receiving a courteous and detailed explanation from Count Oddards, Duke Andriew still wore a sour look, as if chewing on a bitter bug.

"That is impossible. It is a waste of taxes."

"Then you need not do it. We are here to inspect Frontier, and I will bring back to Castrato what I think is good. It is up to the lords whether they use it or not."

The King of Castrato stated this with a calm smile. Though taken aback, Duke Andriew showed a faint look of relief.

'It's impossible to get everyone to understand, nyo. It's okay. People are super sensitive to losing out, nyo. Especially nobles. When others do well, they feel like they've lost out big time, nyo. Then they'll start doing the same thing on their own, nyon♪'

Little One was well aware that there would be objections and refusals. That was why she had instructed the royalty of each country not to force the issue.

Experience is the best teacher... or so they say.

Frontier itself was not a monolith. There were those who stubbornly rejected Little One’s opinions. As long as it did not involve national politics, Little One respected them and did not interfere at all in the management of their domains.

The result was as you might expect. Within a few years, even the dissenting nobles came to accept Little One’s policies. Left behind by other territories whose productivity changed before their very eyes, one can only imagine the terror of the nobles who had rejected her.

The same thing would probably happen in Castrato.

Knowledge is an advantage. The King of Castrato knew what was done and what happened as a result. He should have been able to avoid making the same mistake. After all, he knew.

And yet, here was the futility of having to tread the same path after all.

Castrato lacked the means to persuade a stubborn old man. Forcing him would be simple. But that would not do. Even if the country became prosperous that way, a deep-seated grudge for being forced to obey would remain. The resentment of having their pride as nobles wounded would never fade for all eternity. That was the nature of the privileged class.

As proof, upon hearing that he did not have to do it, Duke Andriew's atmosphere softened slightly.

"Well, since we have come all this way, we must obtain information regarding magic and magical power that we can properly report."

Obtaining magic had been Castrato's heartfelt wish for centuries. It seemed Duke Andriew had no objection to this.

"If I may be permitted, I would like to learn more about the academy and the orphanage. I also find it interesting that there are no slaves to be seen in Frontier."

At Count Oddards's words, Duke Andriew's brow furrowed once more. The King of Castrato calmly ignored it and nodded magnanimously.

"That is true. Most places have labor slaves, but it seems Frontier has none."

He was very observant.

The King of Castrato looked at Count Oddards with amusement. He was young, but perhaps that was the source of his flexibility. Count Oddards, who had come for the inspection, was curious about everything and anything. He had even gone so far as to purchase a sketching set.
The King of Castrato observed the two polar opposites with an amused eye.

"Tonight, there is to be a banquet at the royal palace. Let us go and enjoy Frontier's world-renowned cuisine."

They nodded at the king's words and each began to prepare.

Similar debates were occurring in the rooms of the other state guests, but unlike in Castrato, Flowers and Donautil, whose princes had studied abroad in Frontier and had been saved by Little One, showed a degree of understanding even among the dissenters. Above all, it was beneficial that both countries knew of magic. Had they not known the magic wielded by the princes, they would surely have reacted much like Castrato. Flowers, in particular, had had a Lord of the Forest revived in its royal capital. Crown Prince Marcello, flying through the sky on a giant swallow, had become an object of envy for the people, much like Little One of Frontier.

That is why no one could have imagined that such a thing would happen.

At the banquet that evening, the state guests smacked their lips and groaned in satisfaction at each dish that was brought out.

"My goodness... It looks like raw meat, but it is not. It is properly cooked through. And yet it is red. What is the meaning of this?"

It was roast beef.

"This meat has a complex flavor. It's meltingly soft, yet it holds its shape firmly... This slime-like thing also has an interesting texture. The sweet and savory brown sauce complements it well."

It was beef tendon stew with konjac.

"You're right. It seems to be a stewed meat dish... but it's not dry at all. It's rich and delicious, almost like a meat jelly."

The guests ate the dishes served in small portions with great curiosity. Everyone was smiling and praising them, offering their own food reviews one after another. Everyone is the same in the presence of delicious food. Little One recalled the knights who had caused such a stir at Pandæmonium in the past, and her eyes narrowed with a touch of nostalgia.

"What is this? Is it porridge?"

In a small bowl was half a portion of rice and a mysterious broth. Marrow scooped up a little of the generously poured broth with a spoon, tasted it, and his eyes flew wide open.

"It's spicy, but delicious!"

It was even more delicious when eaten together with the rice.

The guests ate in silence, then looked at each other. The sparkle in their eyes spoke eloquently of how much they enjoyed the dish.

"It is called Hiyajiru. It is made by grinding a spicy plant called water pepper and seasoning it with miso and dashi soup stock."

Little One sipped her Hiyajiru as she explained.

Ah, this is it. How nostalgic.

It was a local dish from Little One's hometown, where she grew up in the countryside. The simple, brothy rice dish was easy to eat and a staple during summer or when one had no appetite. The water pepper used in it was the origin of the proverb, "There are even bugs that eat water pepper," meaning there's no accounting for taste. It was a plant so spicy that most bugs would not eat it, but some did.
After enjoying the feast to their hearts' content, coffee jelly was brought to the table as an after-dinner dessert.

A jet-black mass decorated with pure white cream. The guests were apprehensive, but those from Donautil seemed to recognize it by its aroma. The moment they timidly put the jiggly black substance into their mouths, their gazes snapped to Little One.

"Did you enjoy it?"

As Little One's cheeks lifted in a small smile, King Masahad raised both hands as if in surrender.

"My, my. Our country's reputation is in tatters."

His words were alarming, but his face was filled with utter delight as he grinned from ear to ear. No, it was undeniably a beaming smile.

"We will be receiving this recipe, of course?"

"What shall I do? It is one of my favorite desserts, you see♪"

The two of them exchanged sharp verbal sparks with light laughter. The other guests turned pale, wondering what on earth was happening, but only the royals who knew Little One well remained as usual. What seemed like a sharp exchange was actually a sign of their familiarity. It was just banter, and those around them were used to it.

"This is delicious. What is it made of? The bitterness and sweetness are exquisite."

"This thick cream, too. It's smooth and rich. It makes the jet-black appearance look festive, doesn't it."

"The aroma is also good. I want to know the ingredients."

Drago, in a chef's coat, approached the tables of the munching guests. The nobles were startled by the appearance of a large man with a shaggy beard. But those who knew him broke into happy smiles.

"That was delicious. As expected of you, head chef."

It was Wilfe who broke the ice. Following his lead, the familiar faces one by one offered their praise to Drago.

"It has been a while, Count Jorjye. The meal was delicious. Wasn't it, brother?"

"Yes, it was delicious. Can I stay at my bride's place tonight?"

"Hey, Charles!"

The Castrato brothers chided their younger brother for his flippant remark.

"When I come to Frontier, I can't miss this cuisine. It's the greatest pleasure at the royal palace."

"Thank you very much, Marcello-sama."

Crown Prince Marcello sat next to Fatima, gently enveloping her hand in his. Those around them watched with warm, affectionate smiles.

Getting along is a beautiful thing.

"That's right. Since we've come all the way to Frontier, I want to gather at the Jorjye house and play like before. Was it Sugoroku? That was really fun."

"You have work to do! Go play Fukuwarai to relax, that will be over in a few minutes."

"I want to play with everyone!"

Marrow playing Fukuwarai by himself. How surreal.

Little One could not help but smile wryly.

As everyone got excited over their own conversations, Drago swallowed a wry smile and bowed deeply.

"You are too kind. I am honored beyond measure that you were satisfied."

The King and Queen of Frontier nodded magnanimously.

Then, an unexpected person spoke to Drago.

"Are you a royal palace cook?"

"I am the head chef in charge of the kitchen."

It was Duke Andriew who spoke. He looked up at Drago intently and smiled insolently.

"As a token of our friendship, how about you grant this man to Castrato?"

A stir rustled through the grand hall.

"You! Do not be a fool!"

Before the King of Castrato could jump to his feet and stop him, Duke Andriew continued.

"Is it not merely one cook? It is difficult to reproduce the dishes with just the recipes. If we were to have the cook, Frontier's culture would spread in our country as well. We would even be willing to buy him. How about one hundred gold coins?"

While Duke Andriew found Frontier vexing, he had taken a liking to its cuisine. He was merely dressing up his desire to obtain the dishes from tonight's banquet, along with their creator, as a token of friendship.

"Silence! Do not say another word!"

The King of Castrato, his face frozen, cried out in anguish.

As if to speak over him, the King of Frontier also opened his mouth. His fixed gaze was filled with sharp, undisguised contempt.

"You ask me to sell my castle's head chef. My, what a remarkable man you are."

"In Frontier, you can train as many as you like. We would be very grateful if you would contribute to the development of Castrato."

An arrogance that even sarcasm could not penetrate.

For better or worse, Duke Andriew was a nobleman. The leading noble, second only to the royal family. Not even a marquis could voice an opinion to him.

...if this were an ordinary country in Arcadia.

His misfortune was that he did not know Frontier. And for that very reason, bringing him along had completely backfired on Castrato. The King of Castrato, showing his agitation, sprang up as if kicking his chair and forcefully held Duke Andriew down by the shoulders.

"Have mercy! This man does not know Frontier! I deeply apologize for his deluded words!"

"Your Majesty?! What are you saying? Surely you could sell us one cook? We will pay the price properly, you know?"

"Please, just be quiet!!"

The King of Castrato desperately tried to silence Duke Andriew with a voice close to a scream, but it was too late. Black crystals began to grow from the duke's lower body with a cracking sound. Witnessing this unbelievable phenomenon, the nobles from each country screamed, their eyes frozen in terror. As people instinctively shot up from their seats, the dishes on the tables clattered with a harsh, grating noise.

"Stop it! Charles!!"

The younger brother who appeared in the king's vision when he turned around with a deathly pale face was cloaked in a black-purple haze, his eyes shining cruelly.

"Huh? What nonsense are you talking about? How dare you say such foolish things to my father-in-law..."

Just like Charles, who posed with a look of utter disgust, waves of fury emanated from many others in the room.

"We'll discuss the 'father-in-law' part later, but I mostly agree. Trying to buy Count Jorjye, you've got some nerve."

Around Duke Andriew, who was immobilized with the lower half of his body crystallized, several flaming snakes writhed. Terrified by the snakes coiling stickily around him, the duke let out a scream. His teeth chattered as his eyes bulged to their limit, and he trembled uncontrollably. A faint smell of burning drifted through the air, and the dreadful sensation of something sizzling above his head made the duke's throat vibrate as if it would burst. Marrow's snake, now more precise than before, skillfully wrapped itself around the duke and deftly licked away his hair with the tip of its tongue. His hair gradually thinned. Unaware of what was being done to him, Duke Andriew could do nothing but scream from the sheer unpleasantness.

'Tch, I was too slow. You guys go too.'

Cesare, having taken Chihaya's place, incited the spirits lurking nearby, and the grand hall was engulfed in a storm of agonizing screams. Frogs, snakes, and scorpions scurried about. The nobles fled for their lives from mantises that flew around menacingly, brandishing their twin scythes.

"...How did it come to this?"

In a bad way, Arcadia closely resembled Earth's Middle Ages. Status was absolute, and those of lower rank had no choice but to obey. Slave trading was also a daily affair, and it was common for high-ranking nobles to take on lower-ranking nobles if they took a liking to them. They were effectively slaves negotiated with money. Therefore, under normal circumstances, Duke Andriew's offer should have been accepted. If this were not Frontier, that is. Furthermore, if it were not the Jorjye family, who were on intimate terms with the royalty of each country, there might have been a chance. For example, if the duke had requested Adonis, the King of Frontier might have considered it. Well, in that case, the Jorjye family, including Little One, would have likely gone on a grand rampage.

Little One glanced at the hellscape that the grand hall had become and found her gaze turning distant.

Really, how did it come to this?

To the royals of each country who had journeyed alongside Little One, Drago was like a father. Together with Little One, he was a warm-hearted bear of a man who would scold them if they messed up, yell at them out of worry, and hug them tightly. All the princes loved him. Duke Andriew, who had so spectacularly stepped on a landmine in front of the princes who adored their straightforward father figure who would laugh with delicious food in both hands, had a dark future ahead of him.

Gently averting her eyes from the clamorous hall, Little One went out onto the terrace to escape reality, thinking it would be nice if it were sunny tomorrow. The fact that she did not stop them probably meant that her feelings were the same as the princes'.

In the grand hall where no one would help him, Duke Andriew was left alone, teary-eyed and roaring. Even the King of Castrato could no longer protect him.

My condolences♪

Pleased with the princes' reaction, Little One smirked, but only in her heart.