Yueln, the auditor of the Last Legion’s Fourth Unit, is a genius, and…
Rose and Yueln walked side-by-side towards the exit of the engineering section.
Despite being a soldier of the infamous Fourth Unit (Hellhorns), the fact that he was granted entry to internal sections meant Yueln must be a trustworthy person. Unlike Origa, Yueln didn’t have that sharp aura about him, so it should be fine, right?
“Your Highness, where might you be going now?”
“Yueln, please call me Rose. I like the sound of it.”
“Then I won’t hesitate to do so. Where are you headed, Lady Rose?”
“I intend to visit Major Toma at the guesthouse.”
“Major Toma… Ah, the Grim Reaper! He goes by the name Tomatoushirou, doesn’t he?”
“Major Toma asked me to, so I gave him that name.”
Rose puffed out her chest slightly.
“Indeed, Lady Rose is the one who named him. That means you are close with the Major, correct? Since you’re going to visit him now.”
“Yes, he’s teaching me many things. I want him to correct my ignorance of the world.”
“Lady Rose, may I accompany you?”
“That’s fine, but do you have business with Major Toma as well, Yueln?”
“I’m interested in the Major, who is feared and called the Grim Reaper by both the Mechanist Army and the Alliance Army. And I’ve heard that his subordinate, Mizar, is a master of cuisine.”
“Mizar is such a skilled chef that I want to scout him as a court chef.”
“Ah, I see. So you’re timing your visit for lunchtime. Lady Rose, you’re quite the strategist.”
Rose’s cover was blown. She just wanted to eat Mizar’s cooking again.
“Hehehe. Are you also a connoisseur of delicious food, Yueln?”
“Indeed. Furthermore, I am also a cook. I learned from my master, Wu Baxu.”
Baxu? You mean the pillar of the army known as ‘Iron Fist’ Baxu…?
“Baxu, are you talking about Master Bakusuu?”
“Yes. He is my master of fist techniques. While Master Bakusuu is famous as a fist fighter, he is also well-known as a cook in the world of Xia Qiao.”
So that’s how it was. Rose hadn’t known that ‘genius’ Yueln was a disciple of ‘Iron Fist’ Baxu.
“Then let’s go together. Major Toma will surely welcome you, as a disciple of Master Baxu.”
“I hope so. After all, I’m a member of the infamous Hellhorns.”
Yueln’s face fell slightly. But as an auditor, it couldn’t be helped.
Upon entering the guesthouse, Major Toma was, as expected, having his meal.
As usual, Mizar was diligently serving him.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the Princess. And with ‘Pervert’ Yueln, no less? A strange combination.”
“P-Pervert? Isn’t he a genius?”
“That’s how you speak to me? You must be Mizar. I’ll hide my dislike for you.”
“I merely stated a fact. My teacher told me about your perverted tendencies. And about you being expelled because of them.”
Expelled!? Rose hadn’t heard anything about this!
Completely taken aback by this unexpected turn of events, Rose took a small step back from Yueln.
“My sexual preferences are just a bit unusual. I’m not a pervert. Please don’t discriminate.”
“If a guy who gets sexually aroused by watching people kill each other isn’t a pervert, then what is? You get excited and panting every time you watch a rabid dog slaughter someone, don’t you?”
Getting sexually aroused by watching people kill each other… He really is a pervert!
“Let me correct that. I’m only sexually aroused when I witness a level of combat that is beyond my reach. I don’t get aroused by mere squabbles between weaklings.”
Yueln said something terrifyingly perverted in a calm tone.
He might be an auditor, but he was undeniably a Hellhorns soldier!
“…That’s enough. I’m in the middle of a meal, and in front of ladies.”
Major Toma’s low voice caused the atmosphere to become tense.
“My, my, I seem to have overstepped.”
Yueln placed his right fist on his left palm in front of his chest, extended his elbow, and bowed his head slightly.
That was the Xia-style bow, wasn’t it? Rose decided to bow slightly as well.
Perhaps it was the role of royalty to wave her hand dismissively in such situations, but it didn’t suit her.
“So? What business do you have, Yueln?”
Major Toma seemed to be in a bad mood, possibly because his meal was interrupted. Bringing Yueln here might have been a mistake.
“I intended to pay my respects to the Grim Reaper Toma… but you’re the Masked Soldier.”
“If I took this off, it would be a horror movie. I go everywhere like this.”
“…I see. Actually, I came to ask Mizar to teach me some Izuharan cuisine. That’s why I visited.”
“No way. I don’t teach cooking to perverts.”
Mizar flatly refused.
“Come now, don’t say that. Instead, I’ll teach you some Xia cuisine. I’m quite skilled myself.”
“I don’t think you can make a dish that surpasses this.”
Mizar held up a plate of braised pork.
“…Wh-What? Could it be my master’s…”
“Who is your master? I broke off relations with him long ago.”
A small old man with a queue (braided hair) appeared from the kitchen, carrying a plate.
He was wearing Xia attire embroidered with the characters for ‘Ascending Dragon’ and ‘Warrior.’ This must be ‘Iron Fist’ Master Bakusuu!
It seemed like a day for meeting famous old gentlemen.
Rose quickly bowed. The master handed the plate to Mizar and returned the Xia-style bow.
“You must be Princess Stinrose of the Ringvolt Empire. I am Wu Baxu, an old fist fighter who borrows the shelter of this army.”
“Please don’t be so modest. I have heard of the renowned ‘Iron Fist’ Baxu.”
“Anyone who fights for long enough becomes known. Yueln, leave quickly. This is no place for you to be.”
“I must admit defeat. I am still not at my master’s level in either fist techniques or cooking, so there seems to be nothing for me to teach you. Well then, Lady Rose, Master Bakusuu, farewell.”
Yueln left the guesthouse with a disappointed look on his face.
“Princess Stinrose, I apologize for Yueln’s intrusion.”
“It wasn’t an intrusion at all. And please call me Rose.”
Rose replied formally, but her eyes were fixed on the braised shark fin stew on the plate.
“Understood. Then, Lady Rose, as an apology, allow me to offer you a meal. Please, have a seat.”
Mizar pulled out a chair for her, and she sat down without hesitation.
The shark fin looked delicious.
“First, please enjoy this abalone soup. Please wait a moment.”
With that, Master Bakusuu returned to the kitchen.
“Major Toma, it’s been a while. I’m glad your operation concluded without incident.”
“It didn’t conclude without incident, you see.”
“Did something happen?”
“There was a slight accident. Well, we can discuss it over jasmine tea after the meal. How about this braised pork? This one is truly excellent!”
Rose gratefully accepted the offer. Wow! This braised pork is indeed delicious! It’s fragrant and tender~♪
“Master Bakusuu’s cooking is incredible. Princess, this dish is not only delicious but also medicinal. It was worth asking him to come.”
“Are you close with Master Bakusuu, Mizar?”
“He’s my master of Xia cuisine. Well, I’m off to the kitchen myself. I need to help Master Bakusuu.”
With that, Mizar also went into the kitchen.
The meal, which began with abalone soup, was exquisite. The chicken dish, in particular, was a masterpiece.
It was chicken steamed in clay, and you cracked open the shell with a mallet to eat it.
The sheer感動 when Master Bakusuu himself cracked open the shell, took out the meat, and put it in Rose’s mouth… it was indescribably delicious!
“!!!”
“It seems you are pleased.”
Rose nodded vigorously, thoroughly enjoying the chicken dish before she finally managed to speak.
“Master Bakusuu, what is this dish called? I’ve never eaten anything like it before!”
Ah! In her excitement, she slipped back into her formal mode…
“It’s called Jiaohua Ji, also known as Beggar’s Chicken. Despite its name, I pride myself on it being a delicacy that satisfies the palates of royalty. For dessert, we have almond pudding and bird’s nest soup. It’s not only delicious but also good for beauty, Lady Rose. Though you are already quite beautiful.”
The master was good at flattery, not just cooking. Rose took a bite. The sweet pudding melted into the bird’s nest soup… it was perfect!
After indulging in the blissful Xia cuisine, Rose drank her jasmine tea.
“Master Bakusuu, that was a splendid meal. Thank you.”
“Not at all, I merely showed you my humble skills.”
“No, no. Yesterday was a day for simple meals, so I hope my stomach isn’t too shocked by the drastic difference.”
“A day for simple meals?”
Hmm, Rose felt awkward explaining about her simple meal days, as if she were boasting.
“Ah, yes. I’ve decided that Mondays are for simple meals. Well, how should I put it…”
“Hmm, if I may infer, is it a day of self-discipline? That is a good thing. A ruler must be so.”
“It’s nothing so grand. Due to certain circumstances, I experienced the suffering of hunger and learned the austerity of simple meals. Food is one of life’s pleasures, but in the current situation, many people have ‘eating’ as their sole purpose in life.”
“You speak truly. It can indeed be called the end times.”
“I want to do something about it. No, I’ve decided to do something. I’m forgetful, so I constantly need to return to my starting point. That’s why I have these simple meal days.”
Master Bakusuu raised his eyebrows, his eyes widening, deepening the wrinkles on his forehead like the rings on a tree.
“…I see. It’s no wonder the Grim Reaper is fond of you. A fledgling phoenix aiming for the heavens, perhaps. A good thing, a very good thing. Lady Rose, please continue as you are. This old man wishes to see the day your ambition is realized.”
“Thank you. I am immature and incompetent, but I refuse to give up. No matter how many times I fail, I will not abandon my aspirations.”
“You are truly remarkable. Persistence is key to achieving great things. As the Izuruha proverb says, even a drop of water can pierce a rock. Tell me, Grim Reaper, even if you are lazy, you will help this determined little phoenix on her journey, won’t you?”
“…I have no intention of doing anything in history.”
“As always. Whatever your circumstances… No, I won’t ask. As one gets older, one becomes too meddlesome.”
“Your meddling nature has always been there, it’s not due to old age. Thank you for going out of your way, old man.”
“When I want to eat Izuharan food, I rely on the eldest of the ‘Three Monkeys.’ This is my repayment. Well then, Lady Rose, farewell.”
“Yes, Master Bakusuu. I look forward to meeting you again.”
“Grim Reaper, take care of yourself. It’s unusual to see you injured.”
Major Toma raised his hand in response, and Master Bakusuu turned his back, waved, and left the guesthouse.
…Major Toma was injured? Perhaps that’s why he’s having medicinal food? There seems to be some story behind it.
