Chapter 44
Even starting something as simple as a single dish was a major undertaking.
First, I wrote down everything I needed and gave the list to Ryuzel. Ryuzel explained the situation and passed it to the guards of the Third Knight Order, who contacted headquarters for permission. Then someone else went shopping and brought everything back.
After going through that absurdly cumbersome process, the ingredients were now lined up before me.
We all—Rururia, her attendant Zora-san, and the rest of us—went together to the kitchen on the first floor.
As soon as we came down from the second floor, the soldiers keeping watch on the first floor disappeared. Ryuzel was standing a short distance away in their place.
They were probably being considerate of Rururia, but was this really how things had been until we came down? They were treating her like something delicate and untouchable.
Anyway, I picked up the ingredients that had been delivered to us. Naturally, none of them were wilted. Everything was fresh and high-quality.
"So, what do we do first?" Rururia asked, looking intensely curious.
"Um, cut the Sasar into thin strips, mash the Tritt, and the fish is already prepared, so we can use it as is."
"What exactly is this Sasar? It looks hard. Can you really eat it?" Rururia peered over my shoulder.
"Of course you can. If it's fresh, you can even eat it as is, but it's more common to cook it first. It's very fibrous, so even when you cook it thoroughly, it retains a crisp texture that's fun to eat."
Sasar was a fairly common vegetable in Ludeck, but perhaps they didn't have it on the Southern Continent. Its texture held up no matter what you did to it, so it was one of the first things I'd put in a jar when making preserves...
That meant canned Sasar might be in demand on the Southern Continent.
As I was thinking this, Rururia started saying something outrageous.
"You're going to cut that vegetable? Then I'll cut it for you!"
"My lady!" Even Zora-san raised their voice, but Rururia paid no heed.
"Um... Rururia, have you ever used a knife before?"
"Nope." Her answer was so refreshingly straightforward. Well, she was a princess.
"Then, Rururia, could you mash the Tritt? As I said, it's the foundation of the whole dish. If you mash it roughly, you can enjoy its texture, while mashing it thoroughly gives it a smooth mouthfeel. The flavor changes depending on your preference."
"That sounds interesting. All right! Leave it to me! I'll mash it in the way that makes it the most delicious in the world!"
Zora-san and I secretly breathed sighs of relief. We exchanged glances and smiled quietly. I felt like I might get along with Zora-san, who knew all about the hardships of working behind the scenes.
As I watched Rururia happily start mashing the Tritt, I gave some instructions. "Rufa, could you cut the Sasar into rough pieces? I'll lightly sear the fish." Then Wickhart asked, his eyes like a puppy's, "Roa-dono... What about me?" Huh? You want to take part too?
"Then, Wickhart, could you help Rururia? Mashing Tritt is fairly hard work. Rururia will probably get tired partway through."
"Understood," Wickhart said cheerfully as he went over to Rururia.
What on earth was I doing right now? No... I'd better not think too deeply about it. I'd probably lose if I did.
I let out a small sigh without letting anyone notice and began preparing the remaining ingredients.
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"It's done! This is the ultimate way to mash it!" Rururia looked extremely pleased with herself.
In the bowl she held out was Tritt with a moderate amount of pulp remaining... an extremely average mash. In a sense, it could be called the ultimate method approved by the masses, so she wasn't wrong.
"Thank you, Rururia. Now, could you put it in this pot?"
"Yes. Wickhart, could you help me?"
"Ah, yes."
Wickhart hurried to help her. The way she could order people around as naturally as breathing was very princess-like.
"Lower the heat and simmer it slowly. Put the Sasar in now. The fish goes in a little later, so leave it for now."
I didn't lift a finger myself, leaving the work to Rururia. Zora-san also didn't seem inclined to complain as long as no knives were involved.
"It's about time to add the fish. Use a spoon to sink it into the Tritt soup. Oh, yes, take it slowly. Now leave it alone for a while until the fish is cooked through. Finally, add some salt and then this spice, stir it lightly so the fish doesn't fall apart too much, and it'll be done."
Breathing hard, Rururia handled everything cautiously as she added the final seasoning.
"...It's done... It's done!"
Beside Rururia, who was overwhelmed with emotion, I quietly scooped some Poge onto a spoon and tasted it.
"...Mm. Good. Wickhart, the plates..."
"They're already prepared." A man who never missed a beat, Wickhart had already taken care of everything.
"...Then, shall we plate it?" At my words, Rururia shot her hand up.
"I'll do it! You all sit down!"
I glanced at Zora-san, who slowly nodded.
"...Then I'll leave it to you."
At this point, it was impossible to tell who the guest of honor was.
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The Poge we made together was delicious.
Rururia was especially moved. I had more or less expected that, but apparently this was her first time cooking, so it must have been all the more touching.
This incident—or rather, I—seemed to win Rururia's favor considerably.
The next day, Rays-sama sent word: "The arrangements are taking time, so I'll leave her in your care a little longer." We spent the next several days with nothing to worry about.
Rururia seemed to enjoy cooking, and she spent most of her time in my cooking lessons.
Since I'd wandered from place to place in the future, I had a decent repertoire of recipes.
Then, after waiting several more days,
Rays-sama finally arrived.