“What is it? Father.”
“It’s about the training exercise I mentioned earlier. This time, our army will be composed of the main force I lead and two detachments. I intend for you to command one flank of the detachment.”
The Duke informed Elnet of the reason he had summoned her.
“You’re entrusting such a significant responsibility to me, who is about to leave the Duke’s family?”
“Ah, yes. Once you leave the Duke’s family, you won’t have these kinds of opportunities. I thought it would be good study to have this experience once. I’ve already reserved a slot for you.”
“But I have no experience leading an army…”
“I understand. With your swordsmanship skills, which are said to be the best in this country, your morale will surely improve. Of course, I will assign someone to assist you. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask that person. That said, I believe your talent is such that you’ll do well even without an assistant.”
The Duke seemed to hold Elnet’s abilities in high regard.
“Father, the claim that my swordsmanship is the best is a scheme by the Queen. There are actually several people stronger than me.”
“Well, I know that. But, just a few, you say… My daughter, you’ve truly become strong.”
Elnet’s strength ranked among the top five in the country. It was due to the Queen’s skillful propaganda that Elnet was now considered the strongest person.
“I have one question: who will command the other detachment?”
“Ah, him. I’m thinking of entrusting it to Evarist.”
“My older brother? Indeed, he is suitable.”
Evarist seemed to be Elnet’s older brother. Kent had no prior acquaintance with him and couldn’t imagine what kind of person he was, but based on Elnet’s words, he seemed to be competent enough to lead an army.
“What do you say? Will you accept?”
“Understood. I will accept.”
“Is that so? I’m counting on you.”
Elnet’s mind seemed made up, as she replied with acceptance on the spot.
“That’s all for the matter at hand. By the way, Kent.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Although he was told the business was concluded, the Duke stopped Kent, looking like he had something more to say.
“Lately, the new menu at Marie’s Bakery has been the talk of the town. I’m quite busy myself and haven’t been able to visit the shop. I’ve heard that takeout is also available, but I also hear that the taste deteriorates when it gets cold, and it’s best enjoyed inside the shop. I’d like to try it sometime…”
“If you lend us the kitchen, I can prepare it right away.”
“Coincidentally, I have a little time before my next appointment today. Could you prepare it for me in the meantime?”
“Understood. I will begin preparations immediately.”
At the Duke’s request, they were now hastily preparing steamed buns and oden.
“Ah, Kent. I’ll help too.”
As Kent was about to leave the room, Elnet accompanied him, and they left together.
“To think that he could captivate Elnet to this extent. There’s Josette, and then all these other women… Kent seems to possess a charm that inexplicably draws women to him.”
Though he had once given up on his daughter’s future, the Duke was grateful to Kent upon seeing Elnet, so happy.
“Oh, Young Lady. What brings you here so suddenly?”
A young man working in the kitchen noticed Elnet and rushed over, stopping his work.
“Sorry to interrupt your work. Please continue as you were.”
“Yes. Understood.”
At Elnet’s word, the young man returned to his task. He appeared to be preparing vegetables.
“Head Chef, I need to borrow some space.”
“Why, it’s Young Lady Elnet and Lord Kent. Lending you space is no problem at all, but did the Duke perhaps ask you to make something for him?”
“Something like that.”
Kent was acquainted with the Head Chef here, having met him before when he installed a commercial freezer in this location.
“Regarding the freezer you installed, Kent, we’ve been using it to store ingredients after the weather turned cold and demand for ice cream decreased. Being able to preserve freshness is very convenient and has been a great help.”
“I’m glad it’s been useful,” Kent replied to the Head Chef.
“Well then, Kent, shall we begin preparations?”
“Ah, got it.”
Kent set up the portable cassette stove and gas canister he had retrieved. He then used his terminal to order a pot specifically for oden to go with the stove.
“Houhou, a portable stove? They have such things,” the Head Chef remarked with interest as Kent took the oden ingredients out of their bags and lit the pot.
“For the time being, let’s set this aside. Next, I’ll make anman, nikuman, and curry-man.”
“I understand. Then, I’ll get the stove going. And a suitable pot, too.”
Elnet found a suitable pot from the kitchen shelf, filled it with water, set it on the stove, and started a fire. Incidentally, starting a fire can be quite a hassle, but they used a “Cha-kaman” which ignites with a single button, no flint needed.
“Now, I’ll set up the steamer we use at the shop for emergency nikuman orders. And arrange the nikuman, anman, and curry-man…”
Elnet layered the frozen nikuman, anman, and other items into the steamer Kent had ordered from his terminal.
“Alright, they’re done.”
“Ah, let’s put the dishes we prepared on this cart and take them over.”
They loaded the finished oden and steamed buns onto a cart and headed for the Duke’s room.
“Houhou, so this is what nikuman is. I can see why it would be popular. Next is the anman. The outside isn’t much different, but this inside is sweet. Hmm. And what about this yellow curry-man? It’s a little spicy, but it warms the body well.”
Back in the Duke’s room, he first sampled the nikuman, anman, and curry-man, in that order. The Duke ate with satisfaction, breathing sighs of “Hofuhofu” between bites.
“Next is the oden. This is the portable stove from earlier. I see, you eat it while it’s still on the heat. This looks like it will warm the body.”
Steam rose from the oden pot on the cassette stove, filling the air with an appetizing aroma.
“Father, there are various ingredients, so please try them all. Also, using this grated mustard will enhance the flavor. But if you use too much…”
“Uwaaah. That stings the nose! But this stimulation is quite good! This would be excellent with alcohol.”
Before Elnet could finish speaking, the Duke had already taken a large amount from the plate of grated mustard and applied it to the oden, holding his nose.
“If so, perhaps some alcohol…”
“No, I have another engagement later, so I’ll refrain this time. I was curious after hearing about your new products, and I’m very grateful to have been able to taste them today.”
The Duke ate everything that was served with evident satisfaction.
“My, my, I’m stuffed. I won’t be able to eat lunch after eating all this! Hahaha.”
“You say that, but you’ll still eat lunch, won’t you?”
“Well, perhaps.”
Watching the exchange between Elnet and the Duke, Kent thought that her passion for food was similar to Josette’s, and that she was indeed his father’s daughter.
“Kent, thank you for the meal today. I will repay this favor at a later date. Now, I must attend to a guest, so I shall take my leave. Elnet, I’m leaving the rest to you.”
“Understood. Father.”
With that, the Duke left the room, patting his full stomach.
“Well, Kent, what shall we do now?”
“Hmm, I don’t have any particular plans.”
“In that case, why don’t you come to my room?”
Elnet invited Kent to her room.
