Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

Bonus Short Stories

Liscia and Cookies

Mix, mix, mix...

Liscia was mixing a bowlful of batter with a spatula.

This was the kitchen of the former king and queens home. Liscia was pregnant with Soumas child, so shed chosen her father Alberts old domain as a place to rest. While she was resting there, in order to become a better mother to the children that were on the way, Liscia was learning to cook from her mother Elisha.

At the moment, she was applying what she had learned to make cookies on her own.

Liscia?! Carla cried out in surprise when she came in and saw her. Wh-What do you think youre doing?! Cooking alone!

Practicing, thats what. I need to be able to cook alone, dont I?

Dont give me that! Carla strode over to Liscia and pointed at her belly. Look at that belly! What if something happened?!

Liscia was six months pregnant, and her belly had grown to the point that it was readily apparent she was with child. Having Liscia, who was bother her master and friend, standing alone in the kitchen with a belly like that, Carla was clearly beside herself with worry.

If you had a fall when no one was around to see... Carla began.

Geez... No need to be so dramatic, Carla. Liscia put a hand on her hip with a wry smile. Doctor Hilde was saying that if I kept moving around up until the birth it would make it easier on me. This much exercise shouldnt be any problem.

The problem is that youre doing it where no one can see you! Keep someone with you at all times, in case the unthinkable should happen! I mean, you can just call me!

...Sorry, Carla. Seeing the tears in Carlas eyes as she pleaded with her, Liscia gave her a heartfelt apology. Carla was getting angry for her sake. Given how often she had scolded Souma out of concern for his well-being, Liscia could relate. Ill reflect on what you said, but... theres a reason I didnt want to call you.

Why?!

Come on, Carla, we both know youre improving faster than I am. Liscia puffed up her cheeks and started mixing the batter again. We started learning from Mother at the same time, but youre better than me. Youve always been just as much of a tomboy as me, so it feels kind of unfair.

I-Im not sure what to tell you... Carla faltered.

Carlas duties here were to look after and protect Liscia. That said, her duties as a maid were already being done by the servants here, and Souma had the Black Cats keeping a thorough watch on the area around the mansion, so there was no need to be on constant guard. Basically, all that was left for Carla to do was to give Liscia someone to talk to.

When she heard Elisha would be teaching Liscia to cook, Carla had decided to learn, too, for lack of anything better to do. It was a skill it wouldnt hurt to have, she figured. But once she tried it, it turned out Carla had a surprising knack for this sort of housework, and she improved rapidly. To the point Liscia that was jealous.

Hey, they say cooking is all about love, right? Carla said, trying to mollify her friend in a hurry. Im sure that since you have a husband you love, and kids on the way, youll get better than someone with no partner like me.

...By that logic, shouldnt I be getting better faster than you?

Ah! Er...

While Carla was trying to figure out how to respond, Liscia let out a sigh.

Whatever. We know I have no sense for housework. But Ill work hard so that, someday, I can bake delicious treats for Souma and the kids!

Watching her friend work herself up, Carla scratched her cheek. Thats a fine thing to aspire to, but why limit yourself to sweets?

Well, Soumas good at all kinds of cooking. I want to be able to beat him at one thing, at least.

Youve set a kind of low bar for yourself... Hold on, Liscia.

What?

Havent you mixed the batter too much? Elisha was saying if you mix it too much, itll be hard when cooked...

Ah! Liscia looked down at her bowl of batter. Shed been mixing it the whole time theyd been talking.

She tried cooking the batter anyway to see how it was, but...

Theyre so hard... she mourned.

And overly sweet, too, Carla said.

It seemed she had put in too much sugar, so the cookies had come out both hard and excessively sweet. Liscia rested her elbows on the table with her face on top of her hands. How am I so bad at this...?

W-Well, if you dunk them in tea until theyre soggy, theyre edible, at least.

Thats not how you eat cookies.

Still, it would be a waste not to eat what she had made, so they slowly ate them little by little using the suggested method. It was an odd tea time.

By the way, Carla, didnt you come because you had some business with me? Liscia asked.

Oh! Thats right. We received word from the castle that the master will be coming tomorrow.

Souma will? Liscia perked up. She hadnt been able to see Souma in an awfully long time.

Liscia had come here soon after Souma left for the republic, and since his return, she heard he had been spending his time buried in work. That was why she was pleased to be able to see him. Still, the timing of it made her feel uneasy.

Im happy to see him, but...

Huh? Why do you look so unhappy? Carla asked.

I know how busy Souma is. If hes coming so suddenly, he must have something important to tell me. Liscia bit into one of the hard cookies, then looked at it. Does he need to go abroad again? Is he pushing himself too hard again? Honestly, I wish he wouldnt worry me so much.

Liscia...

If he worries me again, Im going to make him eat these failed cookies.

Liscia giggled to herself, imagining the look on Soumas face was he tasted her botched batch of cookies.

Hakuya gave no response, as he was deep in thought. After a lengthy silence, he finally raised his face.

I think I have something workable.

It looks like youve come up with something, Jeanne said.

Hakuya realized hed been leaving her out. He hurriedly bowed his head in apology. Im sorry. I got lost in thought there.

She smiled. Oh, no, dont mind me. More importantly, what was the idea you came up with?

Hakuya cleared his throat before explaining. If exterminating them on the far side is going to be difficult, we only need to have them cross to the near side. I believe we can borrow the power of a certain esteemed woman in our nation to accomplish that.

After Hakuya laid out the outline of the operation, Jeanne voiced her admiration. I see! I think thats a fine plan.

The problem is... can we keep Duchess Walter under control?

Hm? Duchess Walter is famous in our country, too. Is there some issue with her?

No, Im sure shell lend us her strength if we ask her to, Hakuya sighed. The issue is what will happen afterwards. She can be a person of quite unusual tastes, and its questionable whether shell come back quietly when the situation is resolved. If she decides accompanying His Majesty would be amusing, she may throw a tantrum, saying she doesnt want to come back.

Sh-She sounds like quite a pain in the neck...

She is very reliable, though...

With Jeanne giving him a concerned look, Hakuya let out a sigh.

I believe I will consult her relative Juna, just to be safe, Hakuya thought to himself. She might be able to come up with some countermeasures.

After that, Hakuya and Jeanne exchanged a great deal of information. Normally, after a meeting they would enjoy tea or liquor together while grumbling about their respective masters, but this time they each had matters they needed to act on immediately.

Id love to keep talking, but... Jeanne said, her disappointment apparent, and Hakuya nodded.

As would I. But... right now, let us each do what we must. To bring back peace even a day sooner. Then, when that time comes...

Yes. Lets talk all about it. I have plenty more complaints about my sister Id like you to hear, Sir Hakuya.

I am not entirely sure whether I should be looking forward to that or not...

Then the two of them looked at each other and nodded, each with a wish for the others success.

They hoped for the day when they could talk again to come soon.

The Reason Taru Makes Leporina Stronger

The day before Friedonian reinforcements set out for the Union of Eastern Nations.

Incidentally, later on, Juna was sent by Hakuya to retrieve a stubborn Excel who joined us with additional reinforcements and then refused to go home.

When Juna later told Juno about it, she got a resentful, You traitor! in return.

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