第４９２堀：女領主の苦労と国の方針転換 (Part1)
**Chapter 492: The Troubles of a Female Lord and a Shift in National Policy**
**Side: Yuki**
The morning had long since passed, and it was now afternoon.
Lunchtime was over, and the city of Baide was caught in the frantic, bustling flow of post-war processing.
If one were to call it a blessing in disguise, the fact that we, the Weed members, were summoned before the Imperial army could swarm in meant there had been no chaotic melee within the city walls. Therefore, the "post-war processing" and cleanup weren't as dire as they could have been.
It was merely a matter of tidying up the clutter; we could be grateful that we avoided a situation where corpses were strewn about in every direction.
Because of that cleanup work, the meeting with Baide’s lord, Catherine, had been pushed back to the afternoon.
In truth, we had only wanted to speak with the Empire first, so the delay worked out for both sides. Catherine needed time to assess the damage to Baide, so we’ll just call it a win-win.
Incidentally, Georgin was already waiting in the next room.
We had served him lunch earlier, and it was surprisingly well-received.
"My, the food from Weed is delicious. Simply marvelous."
As he said that, he was eating instant ramen with a fork.
...I think this every time, but it’s a strange feeling to have something that costs a few dozen yen a bag back home praised so highly.
While I think, *The person who invented instant ramen is a genius, Japan is amazing*, I also realize that this just goes to show how limited the food culture is in this region.
I’ll have to warn everyone that if we’re ever invited to a formal dinner, they should be prepared for the food to be terrible.
I’ve traveled to many countries with my wives, and there are three main reasons they make sour faces.
First, the toilets.
Previously, people just relieved themselves in alleys, but since we taught them the importance of hygiene, the idea of doing it on the street is now unthinkable to them. Plus, they don't want to be seen by anyone.
Second, the baths.
In terms of cleanliness, this is the same as the first point, but for the women, it has another meaning: maintaining their beauty. Silky hair from shampoo and smooth skin from soap have become indispensable. They absolutely hate going to countries that lack these things. Well, royalty and nobles have such baths, but during infiltration missions, they’re often reduced to just wiping themselves down with a towel, which is why they dislike it.
And the third, the food.
It is something essential for human survival.
As Georgin’s praise demonstrated, there is a world of difference between the food culture of Weed—or rather, Earth—and this world. Comparing them is a mistake to begin with, but since eating bad food is a form of torture, even if it’s for work, my wives despise formal banquets. Well, that’s why we carry travel spice sets and instant ramen with us.
So, I decided to let Catherine try some as well.
"Please, go ahead."
"What is this? It’s black... is this burnt bread?"
These were cookies I’d asked Aslin and the others to bake.
I had skipped this during the meeting with the Empire because it was just men, but Prince George and Georgin had devoured them in an instant.
It was a moment that reminded me that sugar is expensive here, too.
Of course, Aslin and the others had also treated the guards to cookies, much to their delight.
Well, that’s enough of that; back to Catherine.
The description of "burnt bread" made sense; in this region, the standard is hard bread that is pressed and baked—the very definition of the unappetizing food that has existed throughout Earth's history as well.
It lasts a long time, so it’s excellent as a preserved ration, and I’m not denying its existence. If you call it wisdom for survival, then that’s exactly what it is.
"I see you aren't familiar with it. To explain briefly, this is a baked confection made by mixing cacao, flour, eggs, milk, and sugar."
"Sugar? You possess such precious items? Is it truly alright for you to share them with someone like me?"
If I told her we had tons of it in the dungeon’s pantry, she’d probably faint.
...Actually, I included these unnecessary supplies in the dungeon expansion, which is why I’m short on DP.
I should have stuck to kilograms, not tons. I’ll be more careful in the future.
Thinking this, I popped a cookie into my own mouth to show Catherine it was safe.
"Mmm. It’s well-made. It’s delicious. It’s a chocolate cookie."
"Choco-cookie? Is it something like a galette?"
"Something close to that. Don't worry about the sugar; please, enjoy."
"Ah... I understand. Thank you."
Was the galette created before the cookie? Or was it an evolution of the pie?
Ah, this is another world, so the evolution of cuisine might be different.
"...It’s sweet and delicious. But that’s not all. There’s a faint bitterness? Is that because of this black color?"
Catherine, confused by the chocolate flavor, kept popping cookies into her mouth until the plate was empty.
We hadn't prepared a large amount, so there were only about four or five pieces; they vanished in an instant.
"Oh..."
That sound likely escaped her because she was disappointed they were gone. She reached her hand toward the plate and froze in place.
"I’m glad you liked them. Aslin and the others will be happy to hear that. Another batch should be ready soon, so I’ll have them bring more. Hiiro, could you?"
"Okay!"
"Hey, Hiiro! I told you to say 'As you wish' in places like this!"
"Viri-nee, you're loud."
"W-what did you say!? A-ah, wait! My apologies, Master."
"...*Sigh*. Both of you are hopeless."
Hiiro and Vilia scrambled out of the room, and Dressa, who had been watching, let out a sigh.
Cleena and Samantha didn't say anything since I hadn't given any orders.
However, Catherine, having finished the cookies, was in a different state.
"M-my apologies. The cookies were just so delicious..."
Her face had gone pale.
She had just devoured almost the entire serving of sweets made with ingredients she herself had called precious.
In the first place, eating all the snacks during a meeting could be seen as a grave insult.
Well, we were using this to gauge information, so it worked out.
"There is no need to be so intimidated. I don't intend to make a fuss over a cookie or two. Besides, I wanted to ease the tension and get a grasp on the local supply situation."
"I see... I am grateful for your understanding."
Catherine let out a sigh of relief.
I suppose I can't blame her. From her perspective, this is like an encounter with an unknown culture where she doesn't know when she might be told to lose her head. She’s well aware that we possess overwhelming power.
"Now, let’s move the discussion forward while we wait for the next batch of cookies. The reason I arranged this meeting with you here in the dungeon is for the future. We know almost nothing about the relationships in this region, such as the Kingdom of Hyden or the Findal Empire. Could you enlighten us?"
"I don't mind explaining, but what did the Princess and Lord Kamishiro tell you?"
"To be honest, it was a non-starter. I can talk to Lord Kamishiro, but Princess Carrie seems... off. It’s as if we aren't speaking the same language."
I’m not even sure how sane Kagura, the aide to that airheaded princess, is either.
"Ah... I see. As I expected."
"When you say 'as expected,' does that mean you have the same doubts about Princess Carrie?"
"No, it’s not a doubt. It’s exactly as I predicted."
"Predicted?"
"Let’s see, how should I put this... First, regarding the relationship between the Kingdom of Hyden and its neighbors, it has been poor for the last ten years. I believe the Empire’s invasion is the culmination of that deteriorating relationship."
That much, I had already heard from the people of the Empire.