Chapter 25

■■■ King Kobel Pilatus II ■■■

Before me lies a warehouse filled with burlap sacks.

Each one is packed to the brim with fresh, delicious potatoes.

What in the world is going on here?

According to the spy, the ship that arrived this time was indeed carrying about three tons of potatoes. We had our men watching the port from the moment it docked, so there's no mistake. I even confirmed with the prime minister, and he said that based on the quantities of other goods, it's unlikely to be wrong.

Moreover, this town shouldn't have more than five tons of potatoes in circulation. Even if they scrambled to gather as much as they could, they wouldn't be able to come up with twenty tons.

Yet, here it is.

I don't understand.

"Your Majesty, I deeply apologize for the delay in delivery. It was because my subordinates were selecting only the best quality potatoes. I would be most grateful if you could show your magnanimity and forgive us."

A foreigner with a smooth face stood before me with a peculiar smile. He was the man my Chelina had suddenly dragged in a moment ago.

I had never heard of this man, so this was a complete surprise.

This proud and noble woman is the one who should be by my side. He isn't even allowed to touch my Chelina.

But if he's called a consultant, I can't just dismiss him, can I?

At first, I thought I could easily make him mine, so I enjoyed the pleasure of cornering him by showing him the documents. But then this man suddenly butted in.

At first, he said he wanted a copy of the documents. Why would he want to increase the number of documents that could be used against me? I'm generous, so I said it was fine.

Then the man said he wanted to inspect the warehouse. I thought I would go with him and finish him off, but since he was a man of manners, I decided to welcome him.

The great King... yes, it sounds good.

There are guards watching, so he can't escape.

While sipping the beautiful flower tea and fondling the buttocks of a lowly woman, I finally saw Chelina and that man appear. I couldn't stop licking my lips, thinking that he was finally going to give up.

But there was no sign of despair on their faces.

Chelina looked tired, but the man still had that eerie smile on his face. He was a truly creepy man.

Well, it's fine. I just need to use this breach of contract to make Chelina my concubine... that's what my consultant said.

In terms of money, the Veriello Trading Company could easily pay, even if I demanded ten times the penalty. That's what a trading company is, he said.

I shouldn't be defied, but the prime minister cried and said it was a matter of face, so I've been patient for years. But I can't hold back any longer.

It's like a bag of anger bursting!

Let's go!

"Your Majesty, I'm terribly sorry, but could you please come to the warehouse...?"

I nodded grandly towards Chelina's ample chest.

"Then..."

Chelina's expression was one of fatigue. She must be trying to buy time with the few potatoes left in the warehouse.

It was a look similar to the prime minister's when he tried to negotiate in vain.

But.

Beyond the large doors of the warehouse, there were mountains of potatoes.

I grabbed the prime minister by the collar and demanded an explanation.

"Such... such a thing is unbelievable... but if we have this many potatoes, we can use half as seed potatoes and plant them right after the rainy season, and perhaps..."

"Enough! That's not the point! How are you going to take responsibility for this?!"

"Well, that..."

The man approached me as I was arguing. He was a black-haired man with a smug smile.

And he said those opening lines!

How infuriating!

From then on, it was the man's show.

The quality was impeccable. Honestly, I wanted to take them back to the castle and have them cooked right away. They were so perfect, not a single one was damaged.

Even the royal family could eat them, but the quantity was limited because of the long sea journey.

What delicious potatoes...

"Your Majesty, I believe you can appreciate the quality of these potatoes. I asked Lady Chelina earlier, and she said that water is precious in this land, and they don't have a cooking method called 'boiling.' I just taught this method to the soldiers outside, so you might want to try it."

"A new cooking method?"

"Yes. The soldiers are trying it out right now."

"Where is it? I want to see it."

Without waiting for a response, I went outside and found the guards who were watching the area happily eating the potatoes.

"Hey, what's that?"

"Your Majesty! The merchant offered to teach us a new cooking method, and we're trying out the samples!"

The guard saluted hurriedly, but the potato in his hand ruined the atmosphere.

"...It's a potato, right?"

"Yes, it's a potato."

The potato on the bowl-shaped ceramic dish was plump and had a thin skin that burst open, revealing the white flesh inside.

"Is it good?"

"It's very good. It's worthy of being presented to you."

My throat made a gulping sound. The aroma of the potato, which didn't have any earthy smell, and... is that butter? The combined aroma was overwhelming. Potato sautéed in butter is a common dish in the palace, but this was something different.

"Alright, bring it over."

"Y-Yes!? But it's half-eaten by me! It's not fit for you, Your Majesty."

"Everything I eat needs to be tasted for poison anyway. Are you feeling unwell?"

"No, not at all. In fact, my appetite is increasing."

"Then there's no problem."

"Y-Yes."

The prime minister opposed for a while, but as usual, I silenced him and took the plate from the guard.

The steaming, plump potato had a cross cut and a piece of butter on top.

I stabbed it with a trembling fork. The potato crumbled instantly!

But it wasn't a bad potato; it was fresh and white.

Was this the result of a special cooking method?

I loaded the crumbled potato onto the fork and mixed it with the butter.

Gulp.

The rich aroma filled my nostrils. Could this really be the smell of a potato?

When I finally put it in my mouth...

The world exploded.

What was my life all about?

I must have existed to eat this!

The potato, which melted gently in my mouth, was deep and rich, and the addition of butter made the texture creamy, sending the flavor through my spine.

"How is it, Your Majesty?"

The man was standing next to me, uninvited. It was impolite to stand so close to me without permission, but I couldn't scold him because of what he said next.

"As an apology for the delay in delivery, would you accept a steamer that can cook this dish?"

"What...?"

A special tool to make this... I want it!

I want it!

"Umm, yes. Very well, Prime Minister, accept it."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Then please deliver the potatoes first. I'll have the new steamer ready by this evening."

"What? Wait, if you do that, all our plans will..."

"Your Majesty!"

"Ugh!"

I almost let something slip.

"Very well, then. Make sure to deliver it to the castle by this evening."

Chelina is upset, but she can think of something else. For now, I'll settle for these delicious potatoes.

"Please wait, Your Majesty."

As I was about to leave, the man stopped me again. What is this man up to?

"Will your guards be handling the delivery?"

What is this man talking about? My guards wouldn't do such a lowly job.

"Your Majesty... You did say that earlier."

The prime minister whispered in my ear.

"I did?"

"Yes, you did."

Now that I think about it, I might have said something like that, thinking they wouldn't be able to prepare it anyway.

"Ugh... Prime Minister, what should we do?"

"It's easy to refuse, but at this point, we might have to swallow our pride. If we refuse, there's a risk they'll play some trick... that consultant can't be trusted."

The prime minister glanced at the foreigner with the creepy smile.

"What could they do?"

"Well, for example, it might take time to secure porters to bring the potatoes to the castle, and it could take days."

"Then we can claim a breach of contract because the delivery won't be on time."

"That's only if there's no product. The potatoes are here, so we can't use that excuse."

"What would they gain by stalling?"

"The Veriello Trading Company is a shipping company. The person you're interested in might escape by ship."

"That would be a problem!"

"Yes, we desperately need the connection with the Veriello Trading Company. We'll do our best to fulfill your... wishes, so it's best to accept this. Besides, if we can successfully cultivate these high-quality potatoes, it will further enhance your glory."

The prime minister pleaded with a serious look.

"...Very well. I'll swallow my pride this time."

"It's 'swallow my pride,' Your Majesty."

"...That's what I meant."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

I turned to the man. Chelina was standing right next to him, and I wanted to yell at her, but I couldn't find a reason.

"I'm generous, so I won't go back on my word. Leave it to us."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. As expected of the renowned King Pilatus."

The man bowed politely.

I wanted to kick him in the head, but I let it go with a snort.

As I was about to leave, I suddenly remembered something.

"...What is your name?"

I had forgotten whether I had even asked.

"My name is Akira. Nice to meet you."

I won't forget you, Akira.

---

The 1,800 bags of potatoes were too many to be carried all at once. The guards carried the first batch, and the rest were transported by regular soldiers in multiple trips. The sergeant was apparently pleased, saying it was good training.

The potato butter dish made by the head chef was exquisite.

I fell in love with this potato butter for the rest of my life.

Yes, for the rest of my life.