A week had passed since Raid departed for the Second World with some of their companions. Today, Eluria stood before Alma, Wisel, Ryatt, and Tiana in the meeting room, her features set with a touch of nerves.
“We will now commence the meeting for Operation Become the Best Bride,” she announced. “First on the agenda is...this.” She set a plate on the center of the table for everyone to see.
Wisel leaned over for a closer look. “Is that...eggs Benedict?”
“Mm-hmm. I consulted Nivera, Vance’s subordinate in the logistics squad, and learned that Raid had this for breakfast once and really enjoyed it. After that, he’d frequently order it as a light snack between meals.”
Ryatt nodded. “His Excellency was very busy. Hence, he took to light snacks such as sandwiches, for example, which he could consume during his work hours or while he was on the move.”
“And that’s why I also prepared a chicken sandwich and some jerky,” Eluria added, setting additional plates onto the table, “made with no less than the meat of a mythical glutamina bird, a top-tier ingredient that can only be found by asking for its location from another manabeast known as a mystical delish bird.” Eluria straightened her back, folded her arms, and narrowed her eyes. “Now...please give it a try.”
The four meeting participants—or rather, taste testers—gulped under Eluria’s silent pressure and silently reached for their meals. Nothing but the clinking of utensils filled the air for a while as they all took the time to savor and chew their food. Once they finished and swallowed, they looked at one another and nodded.
“Hmm... It’s very easy to eat,” Wisel commented. “The food of this world isn’t very strong on seasoning, yet the eggs are thick and the bacon’s saltiness is just right.”
“I procured the bacon from the residents of Paradise. The eggs were from the delish,” Eluria explained. “Apparently, glutaminas and delishes are antagonistic species. When I asked the delish where I could get some good meat, it told me, ‘You’ll get some good grub outta that cocky rascal, I reckon. Tell ya what—I’ll give ya his location and toss in summa my eggs to boot, so how ’bout ya spare me, eh?’”
“I don’t know which is more surprising, that a bird can speak or that it’s such a scumbag...” Wisel deadpanned.
“They’re just like the rithmoles—manabeasts with exceptional intelligence. They survive by selling out their enemies. But...”—Eluria cocked her head—“it turns out the glutaminas know that the delishes are giving away their location, so whenever one of them is hunted down, they retaliate by attacking the delishes in turn.”
“What a vengeful food chain...!” Wisel exclaimed, aghast.
“Tastes good to me,” Alma added. “It’s not like you’re bad at cooking, Eluria, and I’m sure His Excellency would be happy with anything you make.”
“I concur,” said Ryatt. “His Excellency is not picky with the taste; he places more importance on the chef. I am certain he would be happy with anything Lady Eluria cooks.”
“Mm... Then I should ask Vance for more recipes and expand my repertoire,” Eluria decided. “Tiana, any input?”
“Urgh...” Tiana sniffled, tears welling up in her eyes as she gripped a sandwich in her hands. “My apologies, Lady Eluria... I am just so moved to have the honor of tasting your cooking...!”
Eluria nodded. “It looks like Tiana won’t be any help, so let’s move on to the next agenda item,” she said, swiftly ignoring her disciple—quite the cruel response, but she wasn’t going to become the best bride by dawdling. “I want to confirm Raid’s hobbies. Felius interviewed the brigade members and reported that Raid used to spend most of his nonwork hours maintaining his weapon and conversing with his subordinates or the locals.”
“Correct,” Ryatt affirmed. “His Excellency places great importance on socializing, and as a result, he possesses a vast pool of knowledge and hobbies. He even lends his ear to his subordinates’ concerns—truly an exceptional superior.”
“Mm-hmm. Keep praising him. It makes me happy.”
“But of course. I can sing His Excellency’s praises for three days and three nights if need be.”
“Wonderful. Ten out of ten.”
Alma blinked. “Hang on a second,” she said, a hint of dread growing in her voice. “If we put these two in a room together, would they just create an endless spring of compliments for His Excellency?”
“Hush, Instructor Alma. We should lie low, then find our chance to escape,” whispered Wisel.
“I’ve detected two flight risks, so let’s return to the matter at hand,” Eluria said, her cheeks puffed up indignantly. She knew she was taking up their time, but did they have to act like she was holding them hostage? “For starters, I’d like to confirm if Raid and I have any shared hobbies.”
“Understood. May I ask what your hobbies are?”
“Reading, taking naps, going for walks, and researching magic.”
“I believe everything excluding ‘taking naps’ are a match. His Excellency enjoys every type of reading material, so I am certain he would accept any recommendation you have to offer. He has also always been interested in magic.”
“Hmm... I want you to elaborate on why naps are excluded.”
“His Excellency requires far less sleep compared to the average person. He sleeps for three hours at most. Most of the time, he simply shuts his eyes for ten minutes during breaks.”
“By the way, I usually sleep for eight hours and take one-hour naps.”
“How very healthy of you, Lady Eluria,” Ryatt remarked. “In any case, His Excellency does enjoy spending his time peacefully, so the most effective course of action may be for you to recommend him some books to read while you’re enjoying your nap.”
“Okay. In that case, I’ll try taking my nap after we read together.” Eluria nodded, greatly satisfied with Ryatt’s work. He wasn’t Raid’s right-hand man for nothing.