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177. Childhood Friend – Cooking

[ Achievement: 273 Thugs – You become stronger against thugs. min(10) ]

Covered in blood, Reb sheathed his sword. Leaving the body of the thug who couldn’t escape on the leaf-strewn hillside, he went to find Leo.

“What about over there?”

“Sorry. I missed a few.”

Reb nodded. It was impossible for just the two of them to wipe out four hundred thugs, so he didn’t blame Leo.

However, it wasn’t that they couldn’t complete the task; it was just difficult to do it all at once. The two young men retraced their steps along the path littered with corpses, chasing after the thugs who fled on horseback.

Using {Tracking Skill}, they diligently hunted them down until not a single one was left alive.

“Phew.”

The battle lasted a whopping three days. Reb and Leo ambushed the Theobik Family’s weapon merchant group, and now the spoils were right in front of them.

Dozens of carts filled with weapons and armor. The two young men had indeed spent a grueling few days, suffered some injuries, but there was no time to rest. They began to gather the scattered carts.

The horses tied to the carts could no longer endure their thirst and were pulling the carts around.

It was impossible for the two of them to move all of these at once. —Thinking this, Reb and Leo fed the horses some hay and drove two carts at a time to a nearby village.

Showing the certificate of the Royal Knight to the village chief, they requested to leave the carts there for a few days.

They handed over a few swords as a fee, knowing that he would probably sneak away with a couple of weapons, but that was of little concern.

This world is just like that. It’s adequately corrupt and haphazard, so some leakage isn’t surprising.

Soon, Marquis Harvey Gaidan would arrive. Having secured weapons to arm the barbarians, Reb and Leo turned their horses toward Gaidan Territory, gathering the materials needed for immediate persuasion.

If needed, they planned to use the last bead on {Barbatos’s Bracelet}. Ideally, the Marquis would help them just by waking up his wife…

“Reb, are you okay?”

“Yeah. I got hit a few times, but it’s nothing to worry about.”

“Let me have a look.”

They paused briefly for a meal, and while Reb was cooking, Leo examined his body.

Reb had a terrible wound on his back. Despite tightly wrapping it with bandages to stop the bleeding, blood was oozing from a gash the width of a thumb.

Once they arrived at the territory, he planned to go to the church for treatment, but Leo crushed some herbs and applied them to the wound. Reb showed remarkable prowess in battle, but facing four hundred thugs was certainly a tough challenge.

If those thugs had fought valiantly until the end instead of fleeing, it would have been quite dire. If not for Reb’s improved swordsmanship from the scenario rewards, and not utilizing {Swordsmanship.5v: Fortis}, they surely would have faced trouble.

“Ouch. It hurts.”

“Just bear with it.”

Leo tried to comfort him maturely. But Reb turned back with a look of disbelief.

“No, I can endure it, but you’re currently jabbing herbs into the wound.”

That guy’s dexterity.

Leo apologized, “Sorry, I’ll be gentle.” and carefully applied the herbs. He tried to re-wrap the bandages but was rejected with, “Sorry, but I’ll do that.”

Leo awkwardly wet his lips and passed him the bowl.

I should eat something.

But when he looked up, he realized Reb wasn’t eating and was staring blankly south.

“What’s wrong?”

“…It’s nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me. Whatever you’re thinking, I’ll find out in the next round anyway.”

“…”

Reb was silent for a moment. After staring at the south for a long time, he finally spoke.

“Leah is nearby.”

“…”

What a silly question to ask. Recalling Leah with {Tracking Skill}, her direction was moving quite rapidly. That meant she was passing by a rather close distance, probably riding in a cart.

Leo wondered what he should say but decided to stop. No matter how much memory they shared, it was not his place to intervene, and this round’s protagonist was Reb, not him.

It was Reb’s choice to run to Leah, who would be heading to the monastery church. He was merely a supporter…

Leo waited for Reb to sort out his thoughts. After a long while, sitting in the cold weather by the campfire, Reb sighed and turned his head.

“…Let’s go.”

*

“Who are you?”

As soon as they returned to Gaidan Territory, Leo and Reb were stopped by the Marquis’ wife. At the sudden question, Leo quickly assessed the situation and replied.

“As I mentioned last time, I am Leo de Yeriel.”

“That’s not the question I asked. I’m asking if you are truly a prince. I would like an honest answer. Even if you say no, I won’t cast you out.”

“I have never lied to you, my lady. But… I don’t have many ways to dispel your doubts.”

Leo removed a necklace. A necklace with a white seal. It was the only possession of Prince Leo, with three droplets prominently embossed, and each had a character engraved in bas-relief.

The Marquis’ wife examined the necklace he handed over. However, she knew nothing about such symbols.

“I’m sorry, but this doesn’t help me determine anything. Do you have anything else?”

“That’s the only thing that can prove my identity.”

The Marquis’ wife furrowed her brow, and Leo continued.

“I understand your concerns. You are worried we might be con artists. However, my sister and I were merely chased out of the palace when we were just four or five years old. If we had sufficient evidence, it would raise even more suspicion.”

“I don’t think you’re con artists.”

The Marquis’ wife thought of a naïve young lady who was completely unaware of manners. It was unlikely to pull off a scam with such a girl by your side. Furthermore, with that level of appearance, there were many ways to gain favor without impersonating royalty.

“I just find it hard to understand why your manners are so impeccable, yet the princess is so clumsy.”

“…Reb. Give her the token.”

Leo handed over the certificate of the Royal Knight from the Belita Kingdom that had ‘Noel’ written on it.

“I didn’t want to reveal my embarrassing past. I was a Royal Knight in the Belita Kingdom. That’s why my manners are decent. And there was a little… incident over there.”

Leo spun the story suitably.

He said that he had worked as a Royal Knight and left his younger sister at the theater, but he had to flee after the unexpected kiss from Princess Chloe de Tatalia, fearing his identity would be revealed — a story that was almost entirely factual, excluding the purpose and duration.

[ Achievement: Meeting Aton de Lognum – Gained slight favor from all nobles serving the Lognum Royal Family. Gained slight favor from Aton de Lognum. ]

[ Achievement: Meeting Alzeor de Lognum – Gained slight favor from all nobles serving the Lognum Royal Family. Gained slight favor from Alzeor de Lognum. ]

The Marquis’ wife listened to Leo’s words.

It somewhat made sense, and since it was information she could verify, she decided to let the two young men go for now.

Then she called the Grand Officer.

“There’s one thing I would like you to check. Please contact… um… Lady Tatian, the Marquis of the Belita Kingdom?”

“…I’m sorry, but Lady Tatian passed away three years ago.”

“Uh? Is that so? What happened?”

The Grand Officer shrugged just enough to be polite.

“I don’t know much. I just heard she passed away due to a weakening constitution.”

“…I see. Then,”

Who else do I know?

Sierra Gaidan came to mind from when he had traveled to the Belita Kingdom and met the ladies.

Soon, he recalled the Countess with curly black hair and striking black eyes.

“Please contact Countess Peter. Send her my regards… and ask about Princess Chloe de Tatalia. Oh, and could you bring the prince and his knight along? They seem to have been injured.”

“Understood. I’ll head to the church right now.”

*

“Ah! Brother! What’s with all the blood…!”

Lena rushed over. She was going to change her clothes first but was caught by her brother out in the yard alongside the handmaid.

“It’s nothing serious. Just a little blood…”

“Not you. You’re fine. Reb, are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“Uh? No, it’s just a little blood splatter. I’m not hurt.”

“……”

Unfairly, Lena bypassed Leo. She clung to Reb, and Leo felt a strange sense of loss.

‘Raising a daughter is useless, they said.’

“Lena. Go over there since we need to change our clothes.”

“No way. You won’t even tell me where you’ve been! You always do this. Do you think I’m a child?”

You are a child…

It was a shared thought between Reb and Leo.

To them, Lena seemed young. In reality, she was still a little kid who hadn’t reached adulthood yet, someone they needed to protect.

In fact, Reb wouldn’t become an adult until this year passed, but oddly, his sister Lena just felt childlike.

“Are you really planning to follow us while we change clothes? Get lost over there. Say, do you want some candy?”

“Forget it?!”

Lena’s expression turned sour.

Puffing her cheeks, she glared but… unlike her words, she accepted the candy. Maybe she hadn’t had any sweets in a while since she couldn’t resist anything sweet.

Chew chew.

Rolling the sweet candy in her mouth, Lena chased after her brothers, determined to find out where they had been and why they returned so covered in blood.

At that moment, the Marquis’ wife approached from across the hallway. She appeared along with the Grand Officer and courteously greeted Leo.

“I was presumptuous to doubt you, my prince. Would you forgive my rudeness?”

“No.”

Leo replied.

“It wasn’t rudeness, so there’s nothing to forgive. I’m just grateful for your hospitality.”

“You are very gracious, my prince. Then… I don’t know what you came here to ask, but please discuss any matters outside with my husband. I wish you good results.”

With a gentle smile, the Marquis’ wife performed another graceful bow, then reached out to the princess.

“Princess, may I have a moment of your time?”

“Uh… that is, right now…”

“Yes. We need to change our clothes, and it just so happens we need someone to take care of my younger sister. Thank you for your consideration.”

Oh dear.

With the graceful exchange of manners, Lena couldn’t throw a tantrum. Unable to move, she followed the Marquis’ wife, expecting her to just suggest having some tea, but instead, the lady led her to the kitchen.

The kitchen was bustling with handmaidens preparing dinner.

“Welcome.”

The handmaidens performed a simultaneous greeting upon the sudden arrival of the Marquis’ wife. However, their demeanor contained no grievances about why a noble of such high standing was here.

Rather, it was palpable that they were truly happy to see her after a long time, which even left Lena, who was unfamiliar with the ways of nobility, a bit confused.

“Princess Lena.”

“Yes?”

“Do you like to cook?”

“If you mean eating…”

The Marquis’ wife smiled brightly, took off her outer garment, handed it to a nearby handmaiden, and rolled up her sleeves.

“I enjoy cooking. I get excited when I see well-prepared ingredients, and I’m delighted to get unique spices.”

Why is she telling me this? Lena looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“Cooking is like politics. The fundamental ingredients are the background. The spices are the cards I’ll throw into the political arena.”

– Clatter.

The Marquis’ wife tapped the pot. She checked the thickness of the iron pot and told a handmaiden to fetch just a little water.

“But no matter how good the ingredients are, or how heavily you season with expensive spices, it doesn’t guarantee delicious food. A bad cook will just ruin the ingredients.”

Lena nodded. Hadn’t she seen how her brother ruined the meat Reb brought back?

Successfully capturing Lena’s interest, the Marquis’ wife placed the pot over the fire. She added just enough chopped potatoes to cover them lightly, sprinkling in salt to boil them.

While the potatoes were boiling, the lady ordered for parsley roots to be chopped. She heated a frying pan and melted a piece of butter.

Once the potatoes were appropriately boiled, she drained them and sautéed them along with the parsley roots.

“Politics must not be lazy. You have to season the foundational ingredients adequately,”

The cutting board arrived. Neatly sliced pieces of meat soaked in milk to eliminate odors were lined up.

The Marquis’ wife touched them lightly to check their condition. Not hastily pouring them into the frying pan, she first added thinly sliced sweet potatoes to add some sweetness.

“Mind the order. Sweet potatoes cook faster than potatoes. Depending on your choice, if you prioritize the Baron’s house over the Count’s, there will be backlash. Sometimes it’s done intentionally, but make the right choices.”

And then came the long-awaited meat.

The sizzling sound made Lena’s mouth water, and the Marquis’ wife’s words continued.

“What do you think when you hear the word ‘noble’? They are generally greedy. If there are only potatoes and sweet potatoes, they won’t even glance at them.”

The kitchen, which had simply started cooking, was nearing completion. The beautifully browned meat, well-seasoned potatoes, and delicious-looking golden sweet potatoes were served hot on the plate.

But it wasn’t finished yet.

“Nevertheless, justification is important.”

Fresh vegetables were added to the plate, enhancing its color. A spicy sauce drizzled over to cover the greasy flavor, and two types of sauces were placed in small bowls on the side for their preferences.

“Nobles wouldn’t move for just pieces of meat. They know it’s rich, but pretend it isn’t and cover it up like it’s a noble affair. Only then can you capture a noble’s heart. Ah, and royals too. Well? Doesn’t it look delicious?”

The Marquis’ wife presented the plate to the princess. Lena gulped.

‘I need to teach this person something. If she’s to live as a princess in the future…’

That was her conclusion.

She wanted to help the benefactors who awakened her, but the prince was already at a level she couldn’t teach. Not so much because of his exceptional abilities, but rather, he seemed to have his ways.

So, they had come this far.

But this pretty princess—

Isn’t she perfectly empty? Someone who can be filled with anything.

Yum yum!

Lena enjoyed the delicious food the Marquis’ wife served. She just swallowed the candy her brother had given her.