第７６３堀：各国の昼食 (Part1)
### Chapter 763: Lunch for Each Nation
**Side: Agil**
*Gong, gong, gong...*
The sound of a large bell echoed through the heated conference room, silencing the room instantly. Seeing my chance, I spoke up.
"Everyone, while it is commendable to be so focused on the meeting, it is already past noon. Shall we take a break and continue later? Lunch from Weed has been prepared for us."
As soon as I said this, the meeting came to a dead halt, and all eyes turned toward the Holy King of Enaria.
"Gentlemen. As General Agil suggests, I propose we break for lunch. Does anyone have any objections?"
"None at all!"
The fools agreed with His Majesty’s words immediately. Are you all just dogs waiting to be fed? Actually, dogs would be better—at least they’re cute.
Thinking this to myself, I left the conference room and walked down the hallway to arrange our lunch, when...
"Yo. If it isn't Agil."
"Ugh, Marly."
I had run into a troublesome person in the hallway.
"What’s with that reaction? We’re close, aren't we, Agil?"
"Who’s 'we'? We’ve been at each other’s throats plenty of times."
"Isn't that exactly why? There’s no better way to know someone."
"If you want to talk about that, Prism has fought you way more than I have. I’ve mostly just been a spectator."
"Our duels as Magic Sword Users were fun. I always thought we might cross blades on the battlefield someday..."
"Setting aside our sparring at ceremonies, if we actually fought on a battlefield, one of us would end up dead. We’re both generals. If we were to engage in single combat, it would mean the front lines had already collapsed."
I’d have retreated long before it came to that. This is why I hate talking to battle-junkies.
"Anyway, why are you walking around here? Isn't it still meeting time?"
"I'm bored, so I'm taking a walk."
What an idiot. As I was thinking that, Jessica came running up from behind Marly.
"Princess! Please don't wander off on your own! It could be mistaken for espionage!"
"It doesn't matter, we're going to talk about it at the Inter-Continent Joint Meeting later anyway. Besides, didn't you go to arrange lunch, Jessica? What's for lunch today? I'm looking forward to it."
"Haaah..."
It’s hopeless. Even Jessica can't keep her in check. This idiot is the type to do whatever she wants. And yet, she has a more feminine figure and style than I do—it makes no sense.
As I was pondering this, people approached from another direction.
"Oh? What brings you all together in a place like this?"
"Like us, I assume you're here to arrange lunch, given the mix of Magic Sword Users and diplomats?"
"Ah, indeed. Cleena-san and the others were the same, weren't they?"
"Mm. Hungry."
"Yes. I, Laraina, have accompanied Princess Cleena as her guard and assistant. Honestly, though, my father would be delighted if I could bring back the recipes for the food here."
The ones who had arrived were Princess Samantha, the diplomat from Roday, and her Magic Sword User, Deryu. And with them were Princess Cleena, the diplomat from August, and her Magic Sword User, Laraina. It seemed they were here to arrange lunch just like us.
"Mm. That’s for sure. But I’ll introduce you to a recipe shop elsewhere, so don't worry about it too much."
"I heard about that, but is it really okay to just sell recipes?"
"If you just copy a recipe, it's amateur, home-cooked food. A chef's true skill lies in elevating that into something worth selling."
"True."
Well, it’s not like just following a recipe is enough. It’s the arrangement and application that make a professional. Though, I’m perfectly happy just being the one who eats it.
As I was thinking that, the idiot next to me opened her mouth.
"Man, it's great when all the Magic Sword Users are together. What a sight. Shall we go out and eat somewhere?"
"We will not. His Majesty is waiting, so we will arrange lunch and return immediately."
I could practically feel Jessica’s exhaustion. You can’t survive long dealing with an idiot like that.
"Wait, why is Agil alone?"
"I’m a general as well as a Magic Sword User, so I don't really need an escort. You lot have a lot of princesses with you."
Samantha and Cleena were both adopted into their positions as princesses, after all.
"Hm? I’m a general and a Magic Sword User, too."
There isn't a soul who would let you go anywhere alone. I think I deserve credit for not saying, "You're the one who’s supposed to be guarding Jessica."
"Well, there are people waiting for lunch, so let's stop standing around and talking."
"Mm. We can talk while we walk."
Prompted by Samantha and Cleena, we started walking.
"Come to think of it, Jessica, what’s for lunch today?"
"It’s nothing particularly extravagant, but..."
"Haa, Jessica, you’ve been corrupted by Yuki-sama. Calling the food here 'not extravagant' is just silly. Right, everyone?"
As Marly sought agreement, we all nodded. The food at Weed is simply delicious and incredibly varied. If there’s a dish you don't like, you just don't pick it and find something else that suits your palate—it’s the height of luxury. For the past few days, thanks to the food provided by Weed, even the high-ranking officials who were getting worked up during the meetings would calm down as soon as it was time to eat. It’s been a huge help in that regard.
I’m starting to wonder if they anticipated this and prepared it specifically for me. No, no, I’m being self-conscious. If you think about it normally, they’re just serving good food to improve Weed’s reputation.
"Well, I understand the sentiment, but 'extravagant' isn't just about the food being delicious. Eating with your family is the greatest luxury of all."
"That is true."
"Mm. Just as Jessica says."
"..."
The three Magic Sword Users, who were all single, fell silent at the words of the three married women. Well, they said "family," so it wasn't necessarily about boyfriends or husbands, but it still felt like they were rubbing it in.
"Tch. Take your lovey-dovey talk elsewhere. Hivia looked annoyed by it, too. Anyway, this is the place to arrange the meals."
Before we could choke on the sweetness of their domestic bliss, we arrived at the arrangement station. In short, it was the reception desk for the conference hall.
"Welcome. Is there something you need help with?"
The maid greeted us. Since this was a meeting for each nation, the maids and servants of Weed were stationed at the reception to maintain information security. While the servants we brought could handle minor things, large-scale lunch arrangements had to be directed by us diplomats. If we didn't, the fear of poisoning would be too great. If something happened, the Inter-Continent Exchange Meeting would turn into an Inter-Continent Declaration of War. Since no one wanted that, not a single person complained about Weed providing the food.
Well, it would lead to the destruction of their own countries, after all. Even the stubborn folks from Enaria who didn't trust Weed couldn't do anything, having realized the fundamental difference in technological power shown during the opening ceremony and the days that followed.
Actually, the reason there were no complaints was simply because the food was delicious. The "you don't have to eat what you don't like" strategy seems like something that could be used in the future.
While I was thinking about that, each nation began to arrange their lunch.
"Zilba wants meat. I want the steak we had yesterday! And the miso cup ramen!"
"Marly-sama... Steak is heavy on the stomach, and cup ramen is far from extravagant, so they aren't suitable for today's lunch. Besides, we don't have that. We might have steak, though."
"Then, steak it is."
"Yes, understood. Since it's steak, would you like a Western-style menu?"
"Yes, that will do."
Because of that idiot, Zilba ended up with Western food.