第１０１６堀：知らないことは考えに入りにくい (Part1)

**Chapter 1016: It’s Hard to Consider What You Don’t Know**

**Side: Eupia**

"Delicious! So delicious!"

Today, as with every other day, I am enjoying a magnificent lunch with Firia and the others.

The establishment of the Information Management Bureau has settled down, and things have finally calmed down. Because of this, Firia and her companions have been staying by my side, primarily helping me with my correspondence with Weed, while also occasionally providing guidance to the Information Management Bureau.

Even though they are performing such Herculean tasks in a foreign land far away, they can return home in an instant via the Gate, so they never overexert themselves—it’s truly wonderful!

And above all else…

"Mmm! Yakiniku is truly something! I never imagined beef could taste this good! I didn't even think dragon meat was edible in the first place! And to grill it to my own preference! How magnificent!"

*Sizzle…*

Before my eyes, a row of meat awaits, emitting an indescribable aroma as it finishes grilling.

I have raised all of this with the utmost care.

It was rescued at the perfect moment, waiting for the time to be carried to my mouth.

"So good! The white rice is great too! Refill!"

The combination of yakiniku sauce and white rice is truly the strongest! Curry is good, but this is hard to pass up!

"…Your Majesty. Since you said you were going to stop by a yakiniku restaurant during a time like this, right before work, with Firia and the others, I wondered what you were doing, but why… why go as far as to eat yakiniku?"

Show, who pours cold water on my moment of peak happiness with his tedious nagging.

"Hmph. Honestly. You’re eating yakiniku yourself, so what right do you have to act so superior? I asked Firia, and she said, 'Let’s prepare everything and eat together,' so that’s why we’re eating like this. It’s no burden at all. Isn't that right, Firia, Aslin?"

"It’s fine. This grill for the meat was handmade by Firia."

"We paid the shop properly, so it’s okay!"

My friends answered with smiles. Compared to that…

"To barge into our meal and then nag us—you have quite the nerve. I won't give you any!"

"Guh. I truly apologize for failing to read the room. Please, just forgive me for that alone. That is why, please give me some meat."

How pathetic. A Great Emperor waving a white flag just because I took a little meat away.

"Don't you think you should use that boasted wisdom of yours a little more? Honestly, what is with this total surrender to yakiniku?"

When I voiced my complaint at his immediate capitulation…

"There is no disadvantage to myself, and this way, I can eat faster. And as Your Majesty said, I have reflected on my inappropriate remarks. After all, Aslin and the others worked hard to bring this here. I was being cynical."

"…You summarized that well in the second half, but… in the end, you just wanted to eat yakiniku."

"Of course. Your Majesty doesn't know. The shop where Aslin and the others sourced this meat is a super popular spot that is the talk of the town in Weed, you know? Right, Labyris?"

"Yeah, that shop is popular, isn't it? Maybe it’s because their selection of meat is unique. Yeah. It’s delicious."

"It is. Thanks to Ratz-san investing, they sold us the meat smoothly. It was great."

Ho-ho. Meat from a super popular shop, you say?

I see, that explains why it’s exquisite. Even the maids and the guards are eating it with such relish.

My, my, to think that something as simple as grilling meat could turn into this.

"Show. Make arrangements to procure this meat. Ensure you do not cause any trouble for the yakiniku shop. I want to have the other retainers eat this eventually."

"Yes. Oh, I'll take this."

"Don't mess with me! That is the meat I raised with such care!"

What a rebellion!

"First, please give some freshly grilled meat to the loyal retainer right in front of you."

"You say one thing after another!! I won't! I won't give even a single scrap more of my precious meat!"

Saying this, I hurriedly rescued the meat I had raised from the grill and moved it to my own plate.

This plate is originally for meat that can't be finished and would burn if left on the grill, but right now, it is to protect it from this traitor, Show.

"Ah… How narrow-minded. *Sniffle*…"

I thought he was just faking the crying, but Aslin smoothly said:

"Then, Big Sister Show, I'll share mine with you."

"Firia will too."

"Oh! Thank you very much. I will never forget this debt. If the time comes, I will lend you my strength."

"Hey! How pathetic to receive meat from Aslin and the others!"

"Yes, yes. Calm down, Emperor Eupia. I'll give you some of my meat."

"Then, I will too."

"Mmm! Labyris, Shera, I thank you. If anything happens, you can rely on me!"

"Isn't that the same thing?"

"Shut up!"

And so, the lunch hour passed by noisily.

Before I knew it, all the yakiniku, which should have been quite a large amount, had been eaten.

"Ugh. I still haven't had enough."

"What are you doing eating so much in the middle of the day? It will interfere with your official duties, so please stop that."

"Well, I suppose that’s true. I'll look forward to tonight's dinner and work hard this afternoon."

Yes. Recently, because there are clear goals right in front of me, my work has been progressing exceptionally well.

And then, I remembered that there was a matter related to that work.

"Come to think of it, Aslin, Firia, didn't you say there was something you wanted to ask?"

"Hm? Something you wanted to ask?"

"Yes. You said there was something you wanted to ask after eating yakiniku. A promise must be kept. As a king, as a person, and as a friend."

"What’s with the exaggeration? But, what is it you want to ask so formally?"

When I turned my gaze to the two of them…

"Um… what was it?"

"Hmm. I can't remember."

"What was it we wanted to ask?" The two of them tilted their heads in a cute manner.

I immediately took out my camera and snapped a photo.

Yes. Cute.

I had a small camera gifted to me!

Though, I mostly use it to take pictures with Aslin and the others!

"Yes, yes. Aslin and Firia, don't forget. It's about the dungeon, right?"

"That's right. Don't forget."

"Ah, that's right! The dungeon!"

"That's right. We came to ask about the dungeon!"

It seems their older sisters, Labyris and Shera, remembered the content of the question and followed up.

However…

"A dungeon?"

I have no idea why they would go out of their way to ask about such a thing.

Regardless, Aslin and the others are the ones asking.

There is no reason not to answer.

Well, it’s not exactly a classified matter, either.

"You mean the cave where monsters live, located within the territory of the Highn Empire?"

"Ah, is that what it is?"

For some reason, it was Show, not the people who asked, who was satisfied by my words.

"Why are you the one satisfied?"

"No. It’s because I understood the intent behind Aslin and the others' question. As I have reported, I have been visiting various places in Weed for a short time."

"That is true. You've been eating good food and taking baths every day, which is the most important thing."

"Guh. That’s not what I’m talking about, but I believe I reported it? That there is entertainment using dungeons and adventurers."

"Hm? Oh! That’s right, you said dungeons are assets, a mountain of treasure."

I see, I believe I did see a report like that.