The Princess's Meal (2)
A match with Simon had been established.
Right after our audience with the Emperor, Simon and I listened to Ambrosia's explanation in the Heavenly Palace's reception room.
"The deadline is one month. This girl will serve as the judge. As it's a royal command, I promise a just and fair trial."
Ambrosia declared, tapping the floor twice with her holy relic.
"Simon shall use healing spells, and Gotberg shall use medicine. Neither chief physician may use any additional techniques on their lord beyond routine healing and emergencies."
"How will the lord's health be assessed?"
"A fine question. Your Highness Kunter, Your Highness Asella, please step forward."
Summoned urgently by imperial decree, Kunter and Asella came to the front.
"Stealing away my tea time for some squabble among the Imperial Medical Office? How insolent."
Asella, dragged here without knowing why, puffed out her cheeks in full-blown annoyance.
"Just cooperate a little. This is our chance to expand the faction."
The victor's faction would absorb Georg's Imperial Medical Office faction, which was on the verge of dissolution. Most of the personnel had already defected to the First Prince's side, but the artifacts and equipment held by the Second Prince's faction were extremely valuable. Above all, the office space—a 200-pyeong office on the first floor was the most tempting prize.
"Young master, your policy is right. Georg's leftover assets are better scraped clean and brought to the Moonlight Palace than lost to someone else."
"Then why are you mad?"
"Today's snack was cheesecake."
Ah, cheesecake. The signature dish of the imperial kitchens. So that was her grievance. But if my memory served, she'd eaten some with Tanya just yesterday.
"I told you cheesecake only once a week."
"Yesterday finished last week. Today starts a new one."
"You think that makes sense?"
"Why not? If I declare today the Moonlight Palace's rest day, it is."
Asella was throwing a tantrum worthy of a child. She didn't digest dairy well, so it had to be limited. But communication with the imperial kitchens wasn't smooth yet.
"Then, about the judgment method."
Ambrosia opened her holy book and spun her relic in a grand circle. Standing on tiptoe, she swung it with all her might, but being so short, it barely reached Kunter's chin.
"Whoopsie-daisy. Pardon me."
It was still too heavy; she nearly tumbled forward with a wobble. Ambrosia smacked her lips in disappointment, putting on quite the dignified show as the Emperor's chief physician.
Clean Sphere
Her divine power spread in a radiant burst, enveloping Kunter and Asella. Hologram-like images of wooden branches soon floated before each of them.
"Ho ho."
Simon let out a light exclamation of admiration. The skill she'd just used was fairly advanced among divine spells.
"Impressive, Sister. You can even use Circuit Projection. As expected of one with such vast divine power."
"Ahem. This girl's is rather large, yes."
Ambrosia puffed out her chest at my praise, striking a proud pose.
Healing spells generally referred to the broad act of healing people with healing incantations, which fell under divine spells. It was like how fire magic was classified under elemental magic. Blessings that provided beneficial buffs were another branch of divine spells.
The skill Ambrosia had used was a utility-type divine spell. Not being combat-oriented, I hadn't learned it myself. It consumed a tremendous amount of divine power, leaving no doubt that she was the top healer in the Imperial Medical Office. And it even worked on Asella—proof that Ambrosia's divine spell mastery currently surpassed Asella's magic. Though that wouldn't last long.
"What you see now are the mana circuits of Your Highnesses Kunter and Asella."
"Hmm."
Asella's mana circuits densely covered her entire body in a complex web. But there were many blockages and clumps where mana flow was stagnant.
"Mine looks a bit sparse..."
Kunter's circuits were indeed thinner and more fractured than Asella's—a sign of lacking magical talent.
"This girl has just recorded the current mana flow in both Your Highnesses' circuits. In one month, at this same time, the chief physician of the one with the relatively more vibrant flow wins."
"Understood, Sister."
"No objections."
Simon agreed as well.
"Simon, Gotberg—the objectivity of the records will be verified by the vice-chief physicians here. Leave the fairness to me."
"How could we doubt? We trust and will follow the judgment of Sister, whose virtue crowns the Imperial Medical Office."
"Heh heh, good. For reference, what methods do you two plan to use on your lords?"
"Divine spells aren't just for healing."
Simon stepped forward, confidently clenching his fist.
"I was scouted into the Imperial Medical Office as an inquisitor who excels in all divine spells, not just healing ones."
"I remember. Alverich brought you."
"Demons and their followers alike burn to ash when pierced by holy flames. Disease is no different. The germs that harm humans are akin to demons."
Holy Flames
Simon ignited divine power in his hand with a flare.
"Burn away the germs, and they'll vanish for sure! Purging the demons tormenting Your Highness will surely boost your confidence too!"
"Uh, um?"
Kunter shrank back at Simon's words, shoulders hunching.
Simon apparently planned to give Kunter a massage with a major demon-exorcism spell or something.
"Simon, is that right?"
"Trust only me, Your Highness."
"Alright...?"
Kunter tilted his head, sensing something off but raising no objection. The man lacked backbone.
"Hmm, not a bad idea. I'll look forward to it. And you, Gotberg?"
"As atonement for interrupting Her Highness's tea time, I'll prepare a formal dinner myself."
"Oh ho, a formal dinner?"
Asella, who'd been bored until now, perked up her eyebrows with interest at my words.
"Curious? Why don't you join us too, Sister? Tomorrow evening at the Moonlight Palace."
"Mm. That happens to be my shift change. If you invite me so kindly, I'll drop by."
Ambrosia tapped the floor twice with her relic.
"Then, we meet again in one month. Your Highnesses Kunter and Asella, I wish you good health."
With Ambrosia's declaration starting the match, the gathered people dispersed.
Asella, heading back to the Moonlight Palace, turned to me.
"Young master, you can cook too?"
"What do you think?"
Asella tilted her head, eyes drifting skyward as if imagining it.
"Suits you."
"What does?"
"You'll make something tasty, right?"
"Expect it."
Asella gave a slight nod and walked off lightly. I clapped once toward my faction members waiting behind.
"Everyone hear that? Let's start prepping right away. Chloe, can you cook?"
"Uh... d-does putting salt on bread count?"
"If you can bake bread."
"No..."
"Handle chores, dishes, cleaning. Here's the ingredient list—gather them by noon tomorrow. Order from the Schuppre Company first, then forage the rest with the knights."
"Y-yes, sir!"
Chloe nodded vigorously, her bangs bouncing.
"Hugo, you?"
"I'm decent with baby food. Had to cook for Eri."
"Perfect. You're my assistant. Practice with me. Tanya."
"Yes."
"You snack with Asella often?"
"She calls me once a week."
Practically besties now.
"You know her tastes inside out."
"Of course."
Tanya replied proudly. The Asella I knew ten years from now favored cheese and wine. Her current tastes would differ, so Tanya's input was key.
"Division leader handles tasting. Sample ingredients live and advise us."
"Leave it to me. But one question—can food really improve Her Highness's mana flow?"
Tanya's question was valid. This world had no concept of nutrients. People knew food gave energy and starvation killed, but that was instinctual.
That's why folks favor wheat and meat.
The masses ate wheat; the wealthy imperial family stuck to meat. Even my meals were mostly steak with salt and butter.
"Mana circuits are like blood vessels. Balanced nutrients improve them."
"Nutrients! Like vitamins and minerals."
Chloe, already learning medicine from me, got it immediately.
"Even His Majesty has high cholesterol. A meat-only diet at his age is bound to strain the body."
This was something I'd wanted to adjust for a while, but imperial family meals were handled by the kitchens, so it was delayed. This time, using the imperial decree as pretext, I'd establish a proper regimen for Asella.
"So, what food for Her Highness?"
"Asella needs more greens."
"Greens... vegetables?"
Hugo tilted his head. Fair enough. Common veggies like carrots or onions were mostly animal feed; nobles rarely touched them. Simple reason: no taste, no energy boost. Plus, expensive food showed off status.
"Will Her Highness like them?"
"We'll see. That's why Tanya tastes and judges."
I patted Hugo and Tanya's shoulders.
"Alright, move out. Time's short."
The next day.
Bam!
A palm slammed the imperial kitchen table, startling the busy cooks who turned their heads. In the corner, at the Moonlight Palace's rented counter, Tanya raised her voice with a graver expression than facing a wyrm.
"Healer Hugo! You planning to serve this slop to Her Highness? This salmon's so raw, toss it in the river and it'll climb a waterfall right back!"
"Sir, didn't you say ginseng or whatever was health food? The bitterness made me spit it out on contact—was that supposed to heal the floor?"
Ras stuck out his lower lip at Tanya's sharp tongue.
Ouch, it's not that bad.
Ras had hit a wall trying to make medicinal tonics for Asella's health. He'd barely gathered ingredients, but most required long fermentation or aging—skipped here, leaving them bland. And Tanya's palate was sharper than expected, thanks to constant snacks with Asella.
Tch, no choice.
Ras cast a skill on the bitter, insipid ginseng roast.
Property Change. MSG Maximum.