1147 Castle Banquet ④ ~ Happiness ~

"The only remaining dishes are the soup dishes. Just ask for an extra portion of what you've eaten so far.”

When I told them so, Princess Dellshare and Por-Earth happily began to ask for additional food.

Meanwhile, I will deliver an apology to Vermes.

"I could only prepare three dishes without using Giba." I'm sorry for Vermes. ”

"Not at all." Didn't you hear from Princess Delleshea that I could only eat sweets? It's enough to just say that wonderful thing. "

Vermes, who speaks like that, doesn't want to ask for additional food. So I got a different kind of concern.

"Can't you eat Vermes anymore?" Maybe it's too bad and you don't have an appetite...? "

"No, I'm already demodulating my body." I don't need to talk to Gemdo anymore, but I'm worried about him. ”

Then Ei = Fa looked at Vermes in disdain.

When Vermes looked back at it with a somewhat sweet expression, Ei = Fa took a small breath and whispered to me.

"It looks like he's still in the middle of demodulation." But I don't want you to talk about it here. "

"Oh, I see." I don't want you to talk about it here... I wonder if it's covering the ears of the organizer, Princess Dell Share. "

"I don't know. He didn't seem to want us to understand that he was sick in the first place."

Is there a side to being in a position to be able to greatly reduce your ill health? Somehow, the politicians of my hometown had that impression.

(Speaking of which, this is not the first time that Vermes has a fever. If the impression is spread that you are too sick and weak, you risk being relieved of your duties as a diplomat.)

While I was thinking like that, I finished my last meal. In front of everyone except Vermes, the juice dishes and the dishes they added are arranged in a row. "Ahahaha," said Porarth, looking around him, laughing pleasantly.

"Of course, Lord Ei = Fa, there's quite a lot of women there, too." Isn't there more of them than I do? "

"Yes, yes. Even around the forest, I always keep this in my mouth..."

Yun-Sudra replied somewhat embarrassedly, and Merrim smiled at her mate.

“No matter how many dishes someone eats, I think it's a lack of courtesy to be interested in it. If you're dealing with a cramped woman, isn't it even more so?"

"No, I didn't mean to!" Rather, I've just learned to be friendly... but if you're offended, I'll apologize to you, Yun-Sudra-sama, and Malfira-Naham-sama. "

No, no, no, no, no.

In such a story, even if you are apologized for, you will be even more embarrassed. So when Yun-Sudra became smaller, Princess Dershare raised her voice.

"But I seemed to be asking for more food than Yun-Sudra-sama!" Doesn't this mean that the food of the noble people of Genos is rather thin? ”

"No, you're right." We need to learn from Princess Dershare and the people around the forest to do more. ”

Both Princess Dellshare and Por-Earth had a clear expression on their faces, so this would be a gentle reward. Since we both visited the forestside, the two seemed to have been able to build a calm relationship.

Anyway, it's a meal. Dell Share princesses' interest was quickly pulled back into the cooking.

"So, this soup dish... but you didn't have any new workmanship done here, did you?"

“Yes, I wanted to let you know that even with the exception of the vegetables that can be harvested in Dalai Lama, Genos has so much to offer.”

It is a soup dish based on miso, and the ingredients that you can think of are beaten up. Sima per daikon, champagne per courgette, ma pla per sweet potato, ma gigo per sweet potato, no gigo per sweet potato, barbecued chamucham, soybean tau, cabbage tinfa, broccoli remilom, leek ylal pa, pine nuts fana, turnip dollo, lettuce ma tino, cucumber pellet - plus four jaguar mushrooms, gibbons shoulder and rose meat.

”Hmm... it's true that Asta-sama's skill is to use so many different ingredients, but the flavor is not broken at all.”

The soup dish pour-earth said so in a stingy tone.

But I'll say no.

“I think it's mostly because of Miso that the taste is in harmony. I broke my heart with something like heat. Still, it was only enough to simmer in three stages, so it wasn't a big struggle.”

So, for example, is it possible for Jan and Nicola to reproduce this dish?

When Polarth spoke like that, Nicolas, slanted backward, turned his eyes to challenge.

As I smile at you, I say yes.

"I can write down the time to simmer and the amount of seasoning, so I think there is nothing difficult about it. Did you like this dish so much?”

"Oh, no, of course this is a great dish, but it's not like that." Look, just now there was a conversation about selling outpatient ingredients at the market and making the price known, right? But if you don't know the taste of the essence, I don't think you'll be able to get any new ingredients. "

That said, Por-Earth laughed.

"If you can taste these dishes instead of selling outdoor ingredients, I think they will attract a lot of people's interest. If it's so delicious just by simmering, everyone will be interested."

"That's a great idea!" Genos is full of different ingredients, but it seems that most innkeepers buy them in the station town! If the people of Ichii also start to seek out foreign ingredients, will the trade become more prosperous? "

Princess Dellshare had a full smile, but Polaris had a slightly lost look on her face.

"That's exactly what Princess Dellesher said... but if the outpatient ingredients are too expensive, there will be a fear that your vegetables will be sold after the Dalai Lama's field is restored."

“Dalai Lama's vegetables are great quality, so don't worry about that!... but of course, it's only natural that the sales of Dalai Lama's vegetables will drop as more outpatient ingredients become available.”

Having said that, Princess Dell Share smiled even more innocently.

“In that case, you can just trade Dalai Mu vegetables. All you have to do is sell the vegetables from Dalaym for the outpatient ingredients. In Genos, Fuwano and Mamalia were responsible for most of the trade, but I think it would be a pity not to sell such wonderful vegetables!”

"It's a trade. Of course, we're selling Dalai Mu vegetables to nearby territories..."

"It's a territory so close that you don't need to keep it for long, right?" The breadth of the trade is well known. Since Genosians have been trading with the southern kingdom and Gerd for a month in their wagons, shouldn't we learn how to preserve Dalai Lama's vegetables so that they can be traded? ”

Still, with a lost look on her face, Princess Dell Share repeated her words with even more enthusiasm.

“Por-Earth! My father appreciates the quality of Dalai Lama's vegetables! Do you remember when my father gave praise and rewards to the people of Dalai Lama? Believe in the tongue of my father, Jagal's greatest gastronomer!"

“Why is Princess Del Share so enthusiastic about expanding the trade?”

“That's because I want to taste Dalai Lama's vegetables in my hometown! Among other things, Tarapa, Chatch and Gigo harvested in Dalai Mu are much more superior than those available in the capital!”

Having said that, Princess Dershare's emerald green eyes sparkled.

"Besides, my father said that he would bring new ingredients to Genos, right?" If we do that, we will not be able to trade Gerd's ingredients for them, and Genos will have to pay for their silver. Wouldn't it be easier and less burdensome for the Genos to supplement it with Dalai Mu vegetables? ”

"I see... that's certainly worth considering."

And finally, Por-Earth had a sunny smile on her face.

"From my side, I will make recommendations to the Duke of Genos and the Minister of Foreign Affairs."...... Now, Princess Dell Share, please proceed with your meal. The food will get cold after all. ”

"Yes! I've got a fever!" Please also eat from Por-Earth! "

When the two of them resumed their meals, Ei = Fa, who was silently satisfied with her appetite, came to my ear.

"This evening seems like a hard time." It feels like you're sightseeing at a castle town parents' conference. ”

Yeah. I was a part of Ei = Fa earlier, too.

"Yeah, sure.... Genos still has a lot of big problems left, so I guess that's how it's going to look."

Ai = Fa, who spoke like that, felt rather satisfied. I'm sure you felt something meaningful in the interactions between Princess Dellshare and Portia. That was my own mood, too.

After that, talks often continue on soft topics. The next table seemed to be very excited, but there was not much room for you to listen.

If all the dishes are then placed in the stomach bag, the last confection will appear. I was able to see from a distance that Odifia's grey eyes were shining.

“Today we have two types of baked goods, both of which are made from No 'Gigo.”

Princess Dersheer reacted as soon as Tour-Din explained it to her.

"I've been watching it in the kitchen, and my chest has been jumping!" I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of sweets Noh Gigo, the ingredient of the southern kingdom, has been turned into this time! ”

"Yes, yes, I hope you like it"

Therefore, sweets are served on each table. This is a way to separate it from a large plate so that everyone can enjoy it as much as they like. Small, round baked goods like ping-pong balls are stacked in equal portions with a very ordinary yellowish dough and a black-brown dough.

"Hmm. It looks like a normal baked goods." This blackening is... when I look at it, it tastes a little bit like this. "

Porcelain also likes sweetness, so she asked Nicolas to share it with her sweet face. Vermes, who hasn't spoken for a while, also wants differently coloured sweets one by one.

(No one's gonna complain about this candy.)

It was a few days ago that Toole-Din finished this candy, so I've already tasted it at Kamado on the edge of the forest. Therefore, it was the reactions of the castle towns that caught my attention.

Among them, Odifier will be the most concerned. I sneaked up on Odifia from the table next to me - and I saw that there was more radiance in her eyes.

"Tour-din, it's delicious."

“Thank you, how did you like it?”

"Yeah. It's delicious."

Odifia, who had no choice but to repeat the same words, twitched herself frustratedly. However, with the radiance of those eyes and the aura of happiness alone, it would be enough to convey your feelings. The eyes of Toole-Din, who looked back at Odifia, were lit up with the same amount of happiness.

Well, this is really delicious, isn't it?

And at this table, Merrim exclaimed with admiration.

And Princess Dell Share and the others were always prone to the table.

"It's delicious... I can't add any advantage or inferiority to the sweets made by Lord Toole-Din... I'm the one who thinks that the sweets made by Lord Toole-Din are the most delicious of all the sweets I've ever eaten... but I feel like I'm tasted the surprise and shock every time..."

She's a Dell Share princess who often explodes in joy at my cooking, but she's often beaten up by Toole-Din's sweets.

Well, anyway, this confectionery worked great. It's unlikely that Tour-Din will be able to beat the sweet no-gigos and ramen paschocolates that won favor at the tasting.

It was a confectionery made from a no-gigo similar to sweet potatoes.

To bring out the sweetness, we add the chocolate cream on one side and the ramen papaya cream on the other side, which is a baked goods combo.

The sweetness of the cream itself is very modest, because the nogigo itself is very sweet. In this way, sweets that utilize the sweetness of ingredients will produce a unique kindness. Particularly, the cream of Ramampa, which resembled peanuts, tasted elegant.

This is originally a confectionary based on the theme of whether the sweetness of Noghigo can be used as a substitute for sugar. As a result, not only the sweetness of Noghigo, but also its flavor and texture were fully utilized, resulting in such a wonderful confection. To put it bluntly, Toole-Din's sense of cooking was out of the ordinary.

"No, the sweets of Lord Toole-Din are really excellent." I was reminded of my ability to win the tasting. ”

Having said that, Portia breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, Princess Dershea, who was prone, woke up.

It's true! I am sorry to reverse the disturbance caused by the Order of Evil Gods! "

"Sorry? What kind of story is that?"

"Asta and Tour-Din won the tasting!" If nothing were to happen, the brave name would have sown in the neighboring territory... but the Evil God Order has caused a strange commotion, so it feels like it's been interrupted! "

After saying that, Princess Dell Share turned to me.

"But don't worry, Asta-sama!" On the way home, my dad is probably screaming about the results of the tasting! I'm sure there will be visitors to Genos from near and far, looking for Asta's food! ”

"Ah, no, I've been given enough honor..."

“It's too humble!... well, the closer I get to the capital, the stronger my father's prestige will be."

Having said that, Princess Dell Share smiled.

“Fathers should still be on their way home, so they'll need a little more time to make an impact. Please look forward to it."

I didn't ask for any great honor, and I only gave back words that I couldn't rely on. Of course, our beloved patriarch also hides his ruthless expression in his heart.

Then, at the next table, Eurifia shouted, "Now."

Princess Dershare, before you finish eating sweets, why don't you move on to your last spare time?

"Oh, that's right!" This confectionery was so wonderful that I was so lost! ”

Follow Princess Dell Share's instructions to remove the shields that the maids used to hide on one side of the hall. On the other side, only Rico and Belton dressed in castle clothes awaited.

At the farewell party of His Highness the Dakarmas, Rico and the others were performing a puppet show. Today, the same surprise was being prepared. Rico and the others have been around the forest for the last few days, so of course we heard that story beforehand.

"Today, I am grateful to you for inviting us as lowly travellers. It's an awkward trick, but it would be an unexpected pleasure if you could enjoy it even slightly."

While stating the familiar anterior mouth, Rico lowers his head. Rico and the others have been invited to the castle town for several times, so it was a very dignified behavior.

"What we are seeing today is the story of our newly created 'Blessing of Madual'." I know there are a lot of things we haven't heard yet, but I hope you'll forgive me. ”

Noble people applauded gracefully, so we decided to do the same.

"Blessing of Madual" is a new play created by Rico after they left Genos in the Silver Moon. When Rico and the others returned to Genos the day before yesterday, they had already been asked to do this job by Princess Dell Share, so they refrained from revealing it even in the forest-side village.

"It seems that this is an old fairy tale of Jagal, heard from the freemakers who were destroyed by the cult of evil gods." It's a story I don't remember hearing about Jagal's royal family, so I'm very excited about it. ”

While Rico and the others were preparing for the play, Princess Del Share said so.

And then Vermes said, "I see."

“The Blessing of Madual is truly an ancient story. I never thought I'd be able to see it in a puppet show."

Oh, did Master Vermes know that story?

“No, I've just heard a few simple words, and I don't know the details. This is something to look forward to, isn't it?"

When Vermes revealed the expected color, Ei = Fa's face became somewhat difficult. We were surprised to be shown a play called "The Tribulation of St. Alesh" by Vermes before, and I was greatly disturbed, but because of that, I had a crack in my relationship with Vermes.

Then Vermes turns towards us and delivers a soothing smile. The hazel-eye, with its mysterious shade, seems to say, “Don't worry.”

Well, because this is a story that Rico and the others created on their own, it's a story that has nothing to do with Vermes. It should have been impossible for that to happen to be the content related to the "people without stars".

With that in mind, we can start a puppet show.

Rico began to say in a clear voice, "It's a long time ago-", and I felt a pure sense of expectation in my chest.

It was the story of a small village somewhere in Jagal.

It is the content that people who suffer from the sun can be helped by the Seven Little Gods in the process of digging the "way of God" according to God's revelation.

The content of the story was very fairy-tale, but for me it was very interesting because even the familiar little god appeared.

Plus, the new puppet costume was amazing. Especially the last Mizugami Nada was a big snake with sparkling blue scales, and most people were exclaimed when its beautiful nature was revealed.

"... [Blessing of Madual], this is the end."

Rico and Belton come out of the back of the stage and bow to each other, and people clap their hands together. Of course, I was one of them.

"Wonderful! It's been a long time since I've seen your puppet show, but I think you've raised your arms a few steps higher than before!"

"It's true, isn't it? I was completely drawn into the story.”

That was how Por-Earth and Merim spake, and Odifia clapped her hands with unusual enthusiasm. It may be a bit unusual for her to exalt like this, except for Toole-Din's confectionery. Moreover, because "people without stars" was an unrelated story, Ei = Fa also had a restorative expression.

In any case, it was a small number of spectators, but it was a big boom. Rico burned his white cheeks and looked proud.

"Thank you, puppeteers." In the meantime, enjoy your time. "

“Yes, I will.”

When the collisions were restored to their original positions, Riko and the rest of the group were hidden. After this, they'll leave the castle with us and head for the forest.

"That was a really great play!" Were you satisfied with Master Vermes? "

When the water was directed at Princess Dershare, Vermes responded "Yes" with a dreamy gaze.

"I am truly glad to know the content of such an ancient story. Perhaps this is the story of the dawn of the Four Kingdoms."

"Well, is that a story that's been going on for 600 years?" Is it something that tells so many old stories? ”

"It's just my guess." I felt a strong sense of awe for the Seven Little Gods in this story, so... maybe that's what it looks like. "

In a very quiet voice, Vermes said so.

The eyes mixed with green and brown glowed twitchingly.

“The people of this continent once believed in the Great God and the Fourteen Little Gods. Along with the great god's sleep, the seven little gods also fell asleep... our ancestors, who became the newly born sons of the four great gods, seemed to have produced many stories so as not to forget the admiration for the little gods who had been reduced to half the number. Many of them seem to have weathered over the course of more than 600 years... but that means that admiration for the Seven Little Gods has been engraved in your soul and that you no longer need a fairy tale with a lesson."

"I see. Lord Hermes is very knowledgeable."...... So, is it the Evil God sect that is trying to forcefully shake the gods who fell asleep? "

When Por-Earth spoke modestly, Vermes nodded, “Yes.”

"The Fourteen Small Gods were defined as a pair of beings. Alir the sun god, Kerhel the life god, Eila the moon god, Musik the medicine god, Miza the destiny god, Dabaha the harmony god... and Nada the water god was paired with Kettua the serpent god."

"... the serpent god Kettua is the god that the evil god sect believed in the other day, right?"

“Yes, the Madual Blessing of Water God Nada rescued villagers suffering from the sun from the groundwater, and the Evil God Order destroyed the villages of the free reclaimers by the floods. These signs represent the truth of this world. If you believe in the gods in the wrong way, it will bring calamity to the world.”

Hermès's eyes glowed like a light that enveloped everything, and she looked around us.

I didn't expect to lift my spine, but Yun-Sudra and the others shrugged their shoulders. Not so much, Vermes's gaze was too bottomless.

“Nada and Kettua are in pair, not above or below. The fact that Nada is the light and Kettua is the dark... is only the result that one of the pair of gods had to fall asleep for the gods. When the time comes, Kettua will wake up with Amthorne the Great and bring good fortune again as the God of Light... so it is the greatest sin of all to wake up and treat Kettua as a dark being. That's why I can't tolerate the cult of evil gods. They are obsessed with the delusion of a renaissance of magical civilization, and they also use sleeping gods. They are the gods.”

That's why Master Vermes was so committed when the Order of Evil Gods started a disturbance.

And --- Princess Dershare interrupted Vermes's long and wide tongue with a very soft voice.

Vermes looks back at you as if he had woken up from a dream.

Princess Dershare smiled with a compassionate expression.

"My father and His Majesty the King of Jagal are avoiding the cult of evil gods above all else. For me who has not studied enough, it is a story that is completely incomprehensible... but I believe in the rightness of my fathers. And I trust and admire you, Mr. Vermes, who has the same feelings.”

"... I'm nothing but a shallow bachelor." There's nothing like responsible royalty. ”

Vermes, speaking like that, had already regained his usual grace.

Yun-Sudra sighed in relief, relieving Ai-Fa of the tension. I also decided to open the fist I was clenching at some point.

(After all... I wonder if it was because Dakarmas, Hermes and Alyshna were all here that Genos could defeat the evil cult's threat.)

I had a new feeling about that.

For the people of Ichii, the evil god sect is as far away as the characters in the fairy tale. However, the presence of His Highness Dakarmas, Vermes and Alyshna, who had a clear sense of crisis over the Evil God Order, allowed the Genos to respond quickly - I'm sure that's what happened.

"The horror of the Evil God Order has stained our bodies as well." In the future, without forgetting that, I'm going to come back to the genocide that they hurt. ”

Por-Earth said that with a very relaxed expression.

And your eyes are staring at me with a warm light.

“Asta-sama is one of those people who can help us with delicious food in times like these, and he's also the one who is most responsible for the reconstruction of Genos. I finally feel like I can feel it. [M] I think I will continue to take care of you in the future, but... thank you very much."

“Yes, please let me know if there's anything I can do.”

Princess Dell Share watches us like that with a very satisfied look.

His Royal Highness Dakarmas once held a tasting party, which brought together people from different positions in the Genos - and this evening's dinner party was as much a feast between the forest people and the nobility of the Genos as it was between the forest people, who were a little thinned out.

“Now, let's just have another cup of tea and finish the dinner for today. Thank you very much for preparing such a pleasant time today for everyone around the forest.”

“No, thank you for taking care of the chef for such a delightful dinner party. When the situation has settled down, please let me invite you to visit the forest.”

When I answered that, Princess Dell Share smiled with joy.

The meaningful and heartwarming night finally came to an end.