c30 (1/2)

15, Fate and Potato Galette (Part 2)

(Author’s note: I finally finished writing… Finally updated)

I a

Why I was born What I should do

What I want to do

If I was born with a vastly different figure

I wonder if I could be at ease without worrying like this

I am Ekress Sounity

My real na else but, since I’ve already been Ekress for a long time, I can respond to it effortlessly

I, as born as the eldest daughter froirl when I was young I think that, to this day, that was the time I was happiest

I was a child as good at reading, writing and calculations

I was especially good withmental calculations was able to point out the mistakes in the territory’s paperhen I looked at them

Which hy although ood, I did best in my maths lessons I was able to perfectly perfore of seven (TL: Addition, subtraction, a asian parents)

Thus Father who had his eye on s as a test Paperwork, calculation of the territory’s taxes, understanding the market economy etc

The result It was confirement

Even thinking back to it now, I think I did a stupid thing

I think if at that time I had laid low a little bit, it wouldn’t have come to this

Wholeheartedly wanting to be praised, I ended up tackling everything that came my way seriously

And then, Father decided to raise me as his successor

That’s when my life as a woman ended

What began was, the education and reforirl, that was the first prince, Ekress Sounity

I beca but the calculation work of the territory

While I was doing my job, I learnt of the existence of my brother

It was my attendant, Gann Rubber

I learnt that he was itimate child and a brother born from a different mother

How I realised it was just through soely thought that Gann and I both have some similar features somewhere

I had ended up hearing a conversation between Father and Gann

He says, don’t force any further burden on my little sister

He says, even now you should raise her as a girl

When I had heard that, all my doubts melted away

Ahh, I had an older brother, I thought

That’s e looked siht

When I told Gann about that, he caize

But, I had no intention to blame him at all

Rather, I said that I’m thankful that I had met a family member who understood me

Froether

Once the problems with the territory have calmed doe can definitely escape from the current situation

I believe that

A certain day, a problem happened in the territory

It was that, a cook frolabe’s Mercenary Corp had disrespected towards Father Of course, if it was a nor

But due to the strangeness of the matter this time, I said to hold back the execution

The word that er”

I was questioning that, did that not mean that poison was added to the wine?

However, I had investigated afterwards but, there was no trace of poison being added The wineglass wasn’t coated either

In summary, my personal opinion is that there is no poison

So other than poison? Maybe he sensed that an arroas to be fired at Father from within the castle, and immediately distracted him?

However,and stubbornly wishes for him to be sentenced early I don’t knohy he’s so i him

There’s sufficient tiate But no evidence or traces could be found

I was able to so at him

It hen those days continued That Gann brought his report

Holding the information of the cook, Shuri Azuma

The contents were shocking

Sous had presented Father, and even gaveat that, it seeround in panic

However, I had investigated the wineglass but, it shouldn’t have anything strange or worth

It wasn’t even coated with poison, a very ordinary glass Father uses it with pleasure but, I don’t use it that often It wasn’t that I didn’t like it or anything I use it son as well so I have used it

However, that glass was made very detailedly

Just iron plating If it’s just that then I wouldn’t think there would be any problems

Father has a peculiar body condition

After holding an iron sword to practise, there are times when his hands would becoht that it was si up on his hands Naturally, I had too

But, what Shuri Azuma kneas far more severe

A rare disease If there were a feords to describe it, that would be it

That strange disease is one where, by drinking water which had been soaked ininside the body and will one day suddenly outbreak out of nowhere A terrifying disease

There’s nolike it’s nothing serious in the beginning, then suddenly so symptoms will appear

There’s nothingthan this Because there’s no way to even treat it

I had also used the wineglass but, the number of times was low and unlike Father, since I’ve never had the body condition where so usually happens when I touch metals, it didn’t turn bad

If this is true then, Gingus has committed a serious crime

Iinto this problem and work hard to neatly control the current situation

Holding such intents, I decided to follow Gann and go meet Shuri Azuma

“Hey Gann There’s one thing I want to ask”

“What is it, Ekress-sama”

“In order to properly observe the person known as Shuri, I wonder how should I go about it?”

Maybe he couldn’t grasp the intent of my question? Gann was at a loss of words

Right noe headed over to Shuri Azu that no one can find us

It was currently nightti on the light of the small candle

I don’t knohen Iether with Gann

Gann’s current status, he has becous’s subordinate as my spy

Which is e cannot afford to not be careful

“Even after reading your report, I don’t understand the person called Shuri Azuma

He wasn’t very panicked when he had knocked down the Feudal Lord-salass, despite that it looks like now that it’s co

Cooking in the cell, not even considering escape

Even though at this rate, he ht be killed

As far as the report goes, he is quite a strange person”

“If that’s the case, would you like to let him cook as a test?”

“Cook?”

“Yes If we do that, I think that you’ll be able to understand hat type of person he is”

I didn’t really understand but, it seems Gann has confidence in what he says

I can understand what type of person he is if I let him cook, huh

Let’s try it then

“Then, what do you think is the most appropriate dish?”

“Would a dish ht?”

“Potatoes?”

I was iht with just that?

Potatoes are an ingredient which can be easily obtained It’s unit price is cheap too If we cultivate it, then we can harvest a lot

In suredient which can be attained anywhere

“Yes You’ll understand what kind of guy he is if you eat his potato dishes

Only like that, will you also understand, like I had written in e the history of food”

H like that was indeed written

Even though it’s just potato dishes he has a repertoire

Each and every one of the delicious and easy to copy

And then, his cooking is the best indicator of how dangerous the person himself is

“I understand Potatoes and… I know, let’s have hi with bacon”

“Ekress-sama”

“I know Currently bacon is a luxury in our territory If I don’t end this political strife then, the citizens will only suffer

Which is why, it’s also necessary to gle”

If, the person called Shuri Azuma is a man who is unfathomable even to me then

I have to be on his side no matter what happens

That is also the best way for me to be safe

The least we can do is probably secretly letting hi to work out a compromise

Because if we don’t do that, right about now that de us for an opportunity to pierce our throats with his fangs, and refining his plans

Internal strife with Gingus, and Ganglabe outside the castle

Ahh, what a headache

If we steer this the wrong way, this territory may be eradicated

Even though I say that, I don’t want continue being the heir of the territory that much

It’s not like I particularly have to be the heir anyway

It’s just that it would be good if it didn’t beco

“Now then Gann Hurry up and bring out the potatoes and bacon you’ve stuffed in your pockets”

“W-what do you mean”

“Even if you didn’t hide it, the fact that you’ve been secretly buying food and giving it to Shuri-kun to cook is obvious

I was leading you on but to think that I had hit the mark”

My instincts too, were unexpectedly valuable

He looks at the ingredients like he’s about to cry but, Gann is the one in the wrong, trying to eat it secretly

Preparing the ingredients, Gann and I descend down to the jail

As always, for some reason I don’t want to come here

It’s like there are grudges whirling around, what a gloomy atmosphere

“Gann, you were eating delicious meals with Shuri-kun in this sort of place?”

“Well… yea”

“In this da place?”

“Yes”

“In this gloomy place?”

“…Yes”

“Hmmm”

I understood one thing

He’s a weird one

Going down and standing in front of the cell, there he was

With black hair and a body unlike that of a typical warrior

Plus his face too was so at a person from another country

Such a person was lying down, trying to sleep

Well, he’s sleeping face seeh

How should I say this, he’s like a normal peaceful person who doesn’t knoar

“Shuri, are you awake?”

Gann said to him

Shuri-kun tried to get up sleepily

He sure is a big-shot Since he is trying to get a good night sleep in this kind of place

Nor up

“Fuwaaa… what’s wrong, so late at night

Er, I don’t actually know the tih”

Shuri-kuns says extremely sleepily

“There’s someone I want you to meet”

“Can’t it wait till tomorrow…?”

He is without a question an important person

Being so brazen in front ofin the future

“No, I want you to meet today”

“Who is it…?”

“The eldest son of the Feudal Lord who governs this area, Ekress-sama”

“Yes You’re welcome anytime!”

Seeing Shuri-kun suddenly springing up into seiza,I realised I had ement

He is a coward And the same as an ordinary person, the type to shrink in fear in front of a person of high rank

Or so I had thought but… What is it I have a feeling that even in front of great people, he would act like a clown I wonder why?

“Then, Ekress-sama”

“Un, thank you Gann”

I stood in front of the cell Gann invited me to

Looking at hi different about him

I would be troubled if I was asked why he’s different but, things that different are different

(TL: 違うものは違う – I can’t help it ok :v even if it means people die when they are killed)

What is it, this feeling

I can’t stop this gush of curiosity

“Hahaha Are you surprised I am the one called Ekress Sounity

Your name is?”

“Yessu yua hainessu! I am called Azuma Shuri!

Azuma is my surname and Shuri is my name!”

What a strange name

Surname first then his name

I’ve never heard of such a na custom

I knew it, he is different

“Well then, is it alright to call you Shuri Azuma?”

“Yessu!”

I see, I said it like that but it’s fine either way

However, looking at it like this, is he a coward?

An easygoing feeling was appearing and disappearing in his words

Since he looks serious I don’t think that’s it but…

Is it just ination?

“Well then Shuri-kun I actually have so I want to discuss with you

I wonder if you have tiht now?”

“Naturally it exists”

I didn’t iine it Most likely, this is how he is

Even when he’s trying to be serious, he still acts foolish

But, a person who can play the fool to the extent of h is rare

I laughed a bit

“You are a pleasant person It’s rare that soh so much”

“I don’t really understand but… could it be that I was rude…?”

Of course it was rude

Incredibly rude

But, he uess it’s irrelevant

“Ahh, it’s alright This time it’s unofficial so I don’t mind if you aren’t so respectful”

“Cause if you were rude, I would have cut off your head”

Wha-, Gann!

Couldn’t you have just let it go? I warn hirim face!

See, Shuri-kun is scared

No, it ht be better if he is quiet with a little fear so that he’s a little more obedient

“Now then Shuri-kun I want to talk but Is it alright?”

“Talk?”

“Ahh, it seeht?”

“Eh?”

“You don’t have to hide it I’ve even read a report Thank you for caring about Gann’s physical condition”

For Gann’s sake, heof alcohol

In this situation where we can pretty much only eat potatoes, he found a solution and cooked for him

He is also a kind person who cares for others

Even if a clan of people were to be placed into a jail like this, they would toughen up ※ Siood evidence of that

(TL: I’ –こんな、牢屋に入れた一族の人を前にしても荒らげる※ことなく、落ち着いて対話できているのがいい証拠だ。)

If it isn’t for that then he ht try to assault me from somewhere

“I just, wanted to cook so delicious…”

“Fufu, you’re modest

Now, here is the real discussion”

That’s right, the real topic is starts now

From the conversation until now, I’ve understood 40 of how he is

But, I cannot grasp the other 60 no matter what

Is he a coward?

Is he bold?

Is he irresponsible?

Is he a person who can scheme?

I have to make sure of it here

I signal with my eyes and Gann takes out the potatoes and bacon that he had brought to eat in secret from his pockets

He tears up a little but like I care It’s punishs by yourself

“Right now, our territory is suffering froe So much so that even I, the son of the feudal lord, think that just these two ingredients lined up on a table is luxurious

Now, if it was you Hoould you prepare these ingredients?”

Bacon and potatoes

What coether with the bacon

Then, stea it with bacon I think this is the orthodox way

I wonder if there’s also a secret technique that’s used to wrap bacon around the potato

Noonder what you will do?

“Do you have salt?”

“There’s no seasonings this time”

Speaking of which I hadn’t prepared any

I exchange looks with Gann and he shook his head

You, if I recall, don’t you carry fish sauce and dried clams with you?

Well who cares

“This bacon, has it already been flavoured?”

“No, it’s so that has been processed normally”

This bacon is coated with a lot of salt for the purpose of preservation