Chapter 39
The orphanage at Schlesen Castle was almost like an academy.
That must mean Duke Julius himself paid great attention to it.
When the inspection began, Ariel calmly gave her explanation.
She said that many children orphaned by the war with the Demon Realm had been taken in at Schlesen Castle, and after the war ended, a proper orphanage was established to raise children of the Empire who had nowhere to go. At the age of seventeen, the children left the orphanage and took up jobs.
The boys trained at the training grounds to become knights, but often ended up as mercenaries when things didn’t work out. The girls, on the other hand, dreamed of being employed as maids in noble households or seamstresses in dress shops.
A few even said it was an honor to work in Schlesen Castle itself, and Ariel’s eyes carried a trace of pride when she spoke of them.
Fortunately, when these children got jobs, their board and lodging were provided. In essence, the orphans of Schlesen Castle were trusted workers of the Empire.
Finally—it was lunchtime.
Ariel tried to lead me and Theodore to the guest dining hall, but I insisted on eating with the children. That way, I could freely enjoy food made from scraps.
Ariel then ordered the knights to fetch food for me and Theodore, but Theodore stubbornly refused, insisting he could do it himself. After all, the children he had shared lessons with were all carrying their own trays.
How heartwarming.
The knights guarded us from a short distance so as not to make the children feel uncomfortable.
“Have they eaten yet?”
I asked Ariel. She replied that they ate in shifts.
“Good. No matter how busy things get, never let them skip meals. Hunger makes one angry.”
At my words, Ariel let out a small laugh. Together, we waited in line to receive our food.
Oh ho! Floating in the soup bowl were familiar seaweed leaves!
Along with it, we were given vegetable salad and mashed potatoes.
This was promising.
The moment I sat down, I eagerly tasted the seaweed soup.
Yes, indeed—a refreshing anchovy broth.
And that sweet depth—must be kelp.
The natural briny flavor of the sea was exquisite.
It had been so long since I’d tasted real food in this world that I devoured the entire bowl in one go.
I considered going back for seconds, but Theodore had already gotten up for another serving. I chuckled.
Good food is truth.
“Could you arrange for me to meet the head cook of this place?”
I dabbed my lips with a napkin, keeping as elegant an expression as possible as I looked at Ariel.
This was, after all, one of the most important reasons for my visit today.
Joseph!
When I first heard his name, I imagined a plump, middle-aged man—someone who looked like he belonged in a kitchen, since he cooked for the entire orphanage. But he was young, and his body was fit like that of a knight.
The dazzling skill with which he tossed his wok was breathtaking.
I’d heard that visiting nobles who came to sponsor the orphanage often tried to recruit him with offers.
But it wasn’t his hands or his body that I coveted. What I wanted was the secret behind his cooking—the seasonings!
He looked troubled at my request but couldn’t refuse. After all, the Grand Duchess was the highest authority in the land.
He led me to a wide beach beneath the orphanage.
Good heavens.
Spread out to dry on branches, just like on the southern coast I once visited back home, were seaweed, kelp, and anchovies.
This young man understands the taste of the sea.
I seized Joseph’s hand.
“I will support you.”
“Pardon?”
“Let’s go into business together. These healthy natural seasonings must be enjoyed not only by the people of our duchy but by all citizens of the Empire.”
Joseph looked bewildered and turned toward Ariel.
“Your Highness, as I mentioned before, people avoid these things, calling them ‘demon food.’ We only use them to cut costs.”
“So what! Have any of the children who grew up here become demons because of it?”
“No, absolutely not. Never.”
“Exactly. They live fulfilling lives, don’t they?”
“Yes, indeed.”
“Then trust me. By the way, these scinia, evrion, and saitan—did you get them from the fishing guild?”
“No, that wouldn’t be enough. We cultivate them ourselves.”
Oh ho! This man was impressive.
“Then let’s target the market!”
“Excuse me?”
“I’ve heard your dream is to open your own restaurant, Joseph. This could be your stepping stone.”
“I plan to sell these to nobles!”
“To nobles?”
Joseph looked terrified. Such timidity.
“Yes. They don’t know yet, that’s all. Once they taste it, no one will ever call it demon food again.”
I prayed this young man would accept my sincerity.
Since he hesitated, I pressed harder.
“If you lack confidence, I’ll simply do it myself.”
I gazed at the ingredients basking in the pure sea breeze and gracious sunlight.
5, 4, 3…
“I’ll do it. Yes, I’ll do it!”
That’s better. One must have that much pride at least.
“Excellent.”
I extended my hand. Joseph looked puzzled but took it, and I shook it firmly.
“From this moment, we are comrades!”
His face flushed red.
Why so bashful?
Heh heh heh.
Exclusive rights secured!
“By the way, Ariel, isn’t there a system for registering patents for our developed products?”
I had read about the law before coming here but wasn’t sure who to consult, so I asked casually.
“You should speak with Lord Schmidt about that.”
Ariel answered lightly.
“Oh, the duke’s aide?”
“Yes. He’s also the director of the Beatria Imperial Academy and manages its finances.”
I see.
So he handled not just Schlesen Castle but also the Academy’s finances.
I resolved to summon Schmidt starting tomorrow.
As we prepared to leave—
“Gemo!”
Young Lord Theodore came toddling across the beach, clutching a light-brown stick.
“What is this?”
“I, Theodore, give this to Gemo to eat happily!”
I looked at the stick in his little hand.
The boy had a habit of picking up random things to eat—I really needed to fix that.
But those cherry-like eyes sparkled so brightly that I couldn’t refuse. I took it and bit into it.
Oh!
This place was a paradise of flavors!
Eliso Trading Company.
This was the wealthiest firm in the Empire, richer in liquid assets than anyone.
When nobles ran out of money, they came here. Its promissory notes were valued even higher than those of the Imperial Treasury. Even Emperor Hereis occasionally used its services.
Yet the true owner of this firm remained a mystery.
Its greatest strength was confidentiality: all transactions and identities were kept secret, making it irresistible for nobles.
The company itself was hidden in a secluded corner within the Dyson Guild. The streets around it formed a labyrinth, difficult for outsiders to navigate.
Only those who met its strict criteria could become members and were required to follow its code of conduct.
Into one such shadowy alleyway stepped a noblewoman cloaked in fine silk robes that concealed her crest. She was flanked by two bodyguards.
Though they wore plain clothes, their strong builds and upright bearing made it clear they were not to be trifled with.
As she walked, the alley seemed to open and close like magic, forming a path just for her.
Soon after—
Knock, knock, knock.
Three knocks sounded on a door.
From within came the same three knocks in reply.
The woman lowered her head and whispered softly:
“Amor vincit omnia.”
Creak—
The door opened. The middle-aged noblewoman glanced around quickly, then slipped inside. Her bodyguards remained outside, stoic and expressionless.
Eureka!
Thanks to Theodore, I discovered a wild field of sugarcane taller than myself.
As I ran, the knights rushed along with me, followed by Ariel and Joseph, who hurried to see what was going on.
“Give me a sword.”
When I reached the cane field, I held out my hand. The knight hesitated.
“Hurry!”
Taking the sword, I cut through a stalk of cane as tall as me, then peeled back the green outer layer to reveal the yellow fibrous core.
I bit into it immediately. Sweet juice filled my mouth, fragrant and rich.
My goodness, why hadn’t anyone eaten this before?
I leaned close to Ariel and whispered:
“Is this also considered a witch’s plant?”
“No, but why would you eat such weeds?”
I quickly cut another stalk, peeled it, and handed pieces to Joseph and Ariel. Ariel frowned.
“Go on.”
Reluctantly, Ariel put it in her mouth but didn’t chew.
Joseph, however, was different. As a cook, he bit into it eagerly.
I smiled broadly at him.
His eyes widened in astonishment.
“Chew it, Ariel. Don’t just hold it.”
At Joseph’s words, Ariel reluctantly bit down—and then!
Her eyes went wide, and a smile curled on her lips as she chewed eagerly.
“Hehehehe.”
And thus, you have become a slave to sweetness.
Surely, the bells of heaven were ringing in her ears.
Taste resides in the taste buds—specialized cells mostly located on the tongue. Glucose, a component of all sugars, is a small molecule.
That sweet glucose was surely enchanting Ariel’s brain as it passed through her taste buds.
One glance at her dazed, blissful eyes confirmed it.
“Commander.”
One of the knights, worried at Ariel’s uncharacteristic expression, called out.
“Mmhh…”
From Ariel’s lips—usually firm as steel—escaped a sweet moan. The knights’ eyes grew as round as saucers.
Joseph, though, remained composed. Being a cook, he simply enjoyed it.
“Don’t worry. You should all try some too.”
I quickly cut more pieces, peeled them, and handed them around.
Though the knights took them with dubious expressions, soon their eyes too went wide.
As expected.
I smiled as I watched them.
The relationship between sweetness and molecular structure is complex. The simple “AH-B theory” states that sweetness depends on atomic arrangements.
The sugar molecules bind with proteins in the taste buds, triggering the signal “sweet!” which travels swiftly to the brain.
This, in turn, releases bursts of adrenaline, lifting one’s mood.
Sugar is especially useful under stress. Stress causes the adrenal glands to release cortisol, which creates a craving for sweets—making us cry out, “I need sugar!”
Behold those blissful, cloud-walking expressions!
Soon, they too would be crying out, “I need sugar!”
“It tastes a little different from honey. What is it?”
Joseph asked with keen curiosity.
“I’ve read about it in botanical compendiums, though I can’t recall the name. It’s much sweeter and more immediate than honey, isn’t it?”
Joseph nodded. I quickly turned to Ariel.
“This land also belongs to the Jeier family, doesn’t it?”
“Yes.”
I spread my arms wide, gazing at the endless sugarcane fields.
People of the Beatria Empire, I will melt you in sweetness.
My business was coming together far too easily.
I felt both uneasy and proud.
Then Theodore ran up behind me and hugged my knees tightly. For a five-year-old, his strength almost toppled me forward. I just managed to keep my balance.
Stroking his small head as he leaned against my thigh, I asked:
“Who gave this to you?”
Beaming up at me, Theodore suddenly pressed his finger to his lips and tilted his head.
“Hmm, who was it again?”
I was dumbfounded.
Did our little Theo suddenly turn into a fool? Kids only play dumb like that when they’ve done something wrong.
I’d have to press him further.
“It’s so delicious—I’d like to give that person a great reward.”
“Mm? If you give me a reward, then I’ll give it to them.”
“But I don’t know what that person likes.”
“Mm, mm! I, Theodore, saw they like things like bones!”
“Bones?”
Startled, I stared at Theodore.
At that moment—
The towering stalks of sugarcane shook violently. The knights tensed, hands flying to their swords.
Could it be—another monster?
I quickly pulled Theodore into my arms.
