The Grim Reaper’s subordinate, Mizar, seems to be quite skilled with a kitchen knife.
“Tamatoushirou, huh? Sounds good, I like the ring of it.”
Mizar agreed as he arranged plates of tempura.
Major Toma’s order was bamboo shoot tempura, just as he requested. As for us, we got a mixed tempura platter.
“Eat it while it’s hot, with either dipping sauce or matcha salt. Whichever you prefer.”
I gratefully accepted the offer and enjoyed a large prawn tempura with matcha salt.
This is delicious too! The harmonious combination of the crispy coating and the plump prawn was perfect!
At Kika-chan’s feet, Tachikaze was also devouring a large prawn tempura whole, even the head. He wagged his tail, looking delighted.
Kika-chan seemed engrossed in her meal, so I decided to ask her about it.
“It’s delicious, isn’t it?”
“Woof! (Delicious!)”
I’m starting to wish I had a dog friend like Tachikaze. He’s a large dog with a dignified face, yet so adorable.
Major Toma, having finished his bamboo shoot tempura, voiced an additional request.
“Hey, Miza. Add some smelt…”
“Smelt tempura it is, and have it with rock salt.”
…As expected of the man who has perfected the art of having subordinates, Mizar. He brought out the order before Major Toma could even finish his sentence.
I wonder how much this man likes Major Toma? Even a long-married couple wouldn’t be this in sync.
As Amara picked up smelt tempura with her chopsticks, she asked Major Toma,
“So, Major Toma, have you considered joining the troop as a regular soldier?”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to decline.”
“It would only be a formality, joining under Setsuna-sama. Your relationship would remain the same as before.”
“That’s not the reason.”
“Then what is it that bothers you?”
“I’d rather not live off of taxes.”
With that said, Major Toma crushed three smelt tempura in one go and downed a warm sake.
“Um… I’m someone who lives off of taxes, you know…”
Ah! I said “I” again!
“Heh, is that the real you, Princess? How cute.”
Ugh, I was treated like a child again. But I still wanted to know Major Toma’s philosophy.
“Why do you dislike living on taxes? Not only nobles, but public servants also live off taxes.”
“I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. Not just soldiers, but firefighters, police officers, politicians – society wouldn’t function without public servants. But Princess, public servants have an obligation to serve the public interest, don’t they? That’s what feels restrictive to me.”
“Restrictive, you say?”
“Yeah. I’m an agent of Spec Company, so I only need to contribute to Spec Company. I don’t have an obligation to serve the public interest. Whether I’m contributing to Spec Company is another matter. Well, if Spec Company no longer needs me, they’ll discard me, and if I feel uncomfortable, I’ll just leave. That’s acceptable for a private company, but public servants can’t just abandon their duties so easily. It would cause trouble for the citizens who pay taxes.”
“But I believe that protecting social justice is a rewarding job. Capable individuals should uphold justice and contribute to society!”
These weren’t my words, but echoes of what Ashes and Quester had said.
“Princess, I agree that social justice should be protected. However, I don’t feel the need to protect it myself. While antisocial individuals are unacceptable, there’s no harm in having asocial individuals. Of course, they’re not to be commended.”
“Hmm, as an Archduchess, I would say that everyone should strive to contribute to society. It’s how things ought to be.”
“Princess, it’s fine to be noble and lofty yourself. But you shouldn’t force it upon others. No matter how righteous an act may be, the moment you force it upon someone else, it ceases to be righteous, don’t you think?”
“So, forcing justice isn’t justice?”
“Exactly, that’s the idea. As long as it doesn’t go against social justice, how one lives is their own freedom. That’s what I believe.”
I see. It’s true, one should decide their own way of life. No one should force it upon them.
“…That’s right.”
Deciding my own way of life, huh?
…Perhaps I’m just playing a role, following a script that’s been laid out for me by those around me.
“Given your birth, Princess, you can’t exactly live as you please. But perhaps, occasionally, you could consider the person you want to be, not just the Archduchess that others expect. The fact that Stinrose Ringvolt was born an Archduchess cannot be changed. But how Archduchess Stinrose lives… that might be changed.”
How I live… can be changed?
All my life, I’ve tried to meet the expectations of those around me. It’s my duty as an Archduchess.
But… even if I become the ideal Archduchess that everyone desires… would I still be myself?
…I’ve become unsure.
“Don’t take the Major’s philosophical lecture too seriously, Princess. He sometimes says oddly profound things. Your otoro steak is ready.”
The fragrant scent of the otoro steak rescued me from my labyrinth of thoughts.
“No, it’s very insightful. It’s given me food for thought.”
“One needs nourishment to think. This is a proud dish, cut from the finest part of the highest grade tuna directly from the Izuruha Nations.”
Mizar expertly shaved off the slightly burnt outer layer of the steak with his knife.
“The center is cooked rare. While you likely have steak often as an Archduchess, otoro steak has a different flavor from beast meat. And to complement the star of the dish, the otoro steak, the rice is also the finest special grade rice from Izuruha, Tsuyahikari. Please enjoy.”
I took a bite of the otoro steak.
It’s so sweet! Sweet and rich, it’s delicious! And the rice retains its natural flavor and sweetness, it’s wonderful!
“The fatty part is sweet and rich, but unlike regular meat steak, it’s not greasy at all! And it pairs perfectly with the rice!”
“That’s the beauty of otoro steak. I’m glad you like it.”
“Older Brother! Hurry, hurry! Kika’s too!”
Kika-chan leaned over her chair and urged. What an adorable glutton.
“You fool! Customers first, then the Major. You’re last.”
Mizar playfully smacked his sister on the head with a tray. What a heartwarming sibling pair.
As we enjoyed our meal, a creaking sound came from behind us, and the door to the guesthouse opened. A giant figure entered, stooping to get through.
He’s huge! I’ve never met anyone this large before.
He must be over two and a half meters tall!
“Big Brother Gan! Let’s eat together!”
Big Brother Gan? Is he Kika-chan’s brother too?
“Gan, this is Princess Stinrose of Ringvolt. Princess, this is Iwazaru, Mizar’s brother and Kika’s older brother.”
Major Toma introduced us.
Iwazaru deeply bowed, bending his massive frame. I quickly stood up to return the courtesy.
“Gan, help out in the kitchen when you’re back! As you can see, we have guests, so we’re short-handed.”
Iwazaru entered the kitchen, the floor creaking under his weight.
“Is Iwazaru-san going to eat later?”
“Gan’s cooking takes a lot of effort. He’ll probably relax afterward. I’ll have a smoke before the otoro steak arrives.”
“Cooking takes effort…?”
Major Toma moved near the window and lit a cigarette, seemingly mindful of Amara and me.
“Gan consumes 30,000 calories a day, you know.”
“30,000 calories!”
Let’s see, an adult male’s calorie consumption is about 2,000 calories… that’s 15 times!
Even a typical heavy-class Bio-Metal consumes 6,000 calories… that’s still 5 times!
“Rose-sama! Kika is lightweight, so she eats little!”
“Don’t lie! If you count snacks, you eat about 4,000 calories. I’m the one who cooks, so I know for sure.”
Mizar chimed in as he placed sizzling iron plates of otoro steak on the table.
“I can’t help it, I’m growing!”
“You’re just a glutton!”
I’m a little envious of their close sibling relationship. I wish my Older Brother Adel and I were like that.
Major Toma, having returned to his seat for the otoro steak, asked Amara,
“By the way, Amara, is it true that they’re pairing Zahrt and Barbanes against the Alliance’s Breakstorm Operation?”
“Yes, it’s unavoidable.”
Zahrt, the “immortal,” and Barbanes, the “barbarian.” They’re troop commanders, but notorious figures.
Ashes had said that while “Mad Dog” Murdock stands out, Zahrt and Barbanes are actually more despicable. They’re the reason the troop, despite its excellent battle results, is constantly mired in bad rumors.
“Good heavens, I suppose it’s better to have them concentrated in one place rather than letting them run amok all over the place?”
“Setsuna-sama said as much.”
“Compared to them, Mad Dog is far more manageable. The fact that they have to resort to using them means Setsuna must have her hands full.”
In response to Major Toma’s detached commentary, Amara tried to persuade him, feigning a scolding.
“To alleviate that burden, wouldn’t it be beneficial for you to join the troop, Major Toma?”
“Forget it. If the ‘Grim Reaper of Massacres’ joins, it’ll just be pouring oil on the fire.”
Major Toma, who was heartily shoveling otoro steak into his mouth, waved his fork as a sign of refusal.
“I won’t give up. I will definitely have Major Toma join.”
Amara seemed unwilling to give up. Major Toma must be incredibly capable.
The “Grim Reaper of Massacres,” huh? I’d heard that rumor often. They said he was a pleasure-seeking murderer addicted to war.
Rumors aren’t always reliable. Major Toma, whom I met in person, was friendly and thoughtful.
“Excuse me, is it alright to interrupt your conversation?”
“What is it, Princess?”
“Would it be alright to visit here when I have time? I want to play with Kika-chan again, and I want to hear more of Major Toma’s stories.”
” Really! Rose-sama, you’ll play with Kika again!”
“Yeah, will you play with me again?”
“Of course! ♪”
If I do that, I can see Ashes and Quester, who are currently part of the troop, and everything will be wonderful.
“I don’t mind, but what will Setsuna say?”
“It should be fine. If I handle the transportation, there shouldn’t be any problem.”
“Then, please inform Setsuna. The Sword Saint and the Guardian God are the main forces of the troop. It would be better for us, as guests, to comply with their lord’s wishes.”
“In that case, I’ll have to expand my repertoire of dishes too. I don’t want to bore the Princess. For dessert, it’s almond jelly. It’s cold and delicious.”
The jiggly texture and sweet almond jelly were exactly to my liking.
I can also eat Mizar’s delicious food when I come here.
It’s not that I have any complaints about the guesthouse chef, but their food is so formal, so much like “cuisine.”
Mizar’s cooking feels like “food.” I really like it.
I’ll come back between my public duties. There must be something here that I need to learn, or rather, want to learn.
…Though I don’t know what it is yet.
Waking up early on a holiday, it’s cold this morning, and my breath is visible as mist. And of course… I hit the snooze button for a second sleep (lol).
