Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: The Great Mayonnaise Hunt (1)
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Two letters placed on Jonathan Valerius's desk had been merely the spark igniting the northern gale, but now the eye of that storm was slamming into the heart of the empire—the imperial palace.
The emperor of the empire, Siegmund von Ruberius, burst into hearty laughter as he read the dispatch from the Seventh Outpost.
"Hahaha! The Great Mayonnaise Hunt, eh? Those northern bumpkins came up with quite the catchy name!"
The Minister of Finance wiped cold sweat from his brow and cautiously reported.
"Your Majesty, this is a grave matter. According to the trade post's reports, the giants have hauled in more than three times the resources they traded over the past year—in just a few days."
"Top-grade wyvern hides and fangs, magic stones, rare herbs that grow only beneath the eternal snow, even unrefined iron ore! Their demand was singular: the peachy miracle."
The Minister of War added sharply.
"If we fail to meet their demands, conflict cannot be ruled out. The outpost's forces won't hold back enraged giants. To them, mayonnaise is no longer a mere luxury—it's become a strategic resource tied directly to their survival."
Strategic resource. Emperor Siegmund's red eyes flashed at the words.
"Strategic resource, you say. Excellent. Splendid."
He stroked his goatee, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
"You're right. They've become bodies that can't live without that white cream. Completely dependent on imports, no less. No need for us to shed blood stabilizing the northern border anymore. Who would've thought the Valerius heir could forge such a fine leash with just eggs and oil."
Princess Lorensia, listening from one side of the throne, smirked faintly.
Heh, that's my Jonathan. Shaking the entire northern frontier with a single egg and delivering precious materials straight to the empire.
Emperor Siegmund rose from his seat.
"Minister of Finance, expand the trade routes! Maintain every path leading to the Gray Mountains and mobilize all carriages and manpower to enlarge them!"
"Buy up every bit of goods coming from the north, but supply mayonnaise at thirty to forty percent short of their demands!"
The Minister of Finance grasped the emperor's profound intent and exclaimed in admiration.
"Understood, Your Majesty! By denying them full satisfaction of their thirst, you intend to induce ongoing submission!"
Siegmund nodded in satisfaction.
"Exactly. A well-fed beast grows lazy in the hunt. But a starving one might even turn on its master. The perfect mix of hunger and reliable rewards to soothe it—that's the most efficient muzzle for taming those wild northern brutes."
At the emperor's declaration, Lorensia curved her red lips into a smile and added.
"However, Father, even filling seventy percent of their hunger—not to mention all of it—will burden Jonathan heavily. The imperial family must provide full support."
Lorensia's gaze had already drifted beyond the Scarlet Meadows, to Jonathan.
"Heh, of course! Send word to the Magic Tower at once! Whatever mobile chicken coops Jonathan Valerius needs—twenty, thirty, all of them—provide every technology and manpower required! And command the lords across the empire to requisition the freshest, healthiest eggs and ship them to Kandoria's workshops!"
Siegmund laughed heartily.
"He's the empire's top hero for pacifying the north with nothing but eggs and oil—what's this level of support compared to that?"
With the emperor's edict issued, the empire sprang into terrifying action.
The empire's administrative might and military engineers were fully mobilized for the trade route expansion toward the Gray Mountains.
Narrow mountain paths that had barely allowed two carriages to pass were, in mere days, widened and hardened into roads fit for entire legions to march.
The colossal gold from the giants' mayonnaise hunt was poured straight into the expansion works.
Workers hired with imperial funds paved the roads and laid stones; Magic Tower mages reinforced the ground; soldiers cleared surrounding threats.
The trade routes expanded to over five times their former width, with relay stations built everywhere for carriages and troops to rest.
And upon those vast roads stretched endless lines of imperial-marked carriage trains.
One way, northbound, laden with barrels of the peachy miracle; the other, south to the capital, piled high with wyvern hides, magic stones, rare herbs, and ores.
The Ministry of Finance let out cries of joy, while the Ministry of War expressed awe at controlling the northern threat without swinging a single sword.
The emperor's declaration swiftly became the empire's will, surging north—to Jonathan's territory.
At the same time, the Papal Palace was abuzz with reports from the northern diocese.
"Hmm, let's see..."
Pope Innocentius III furrowed his brow as he read the report submitted by the trembling bishop.
The contents mirrored those received by the palace, save for one crucial difference.
"...Pregnant women suffering morning sickness in the bitter cold regained their strength after eating mayonnaise, and elders too pained in their joints to move took steps after stew laced with it?"
The bishop reported in a voice thick with emotion.
"Yes, Your Holiness! Among the northern barbarians, it's spreading as the Saintess's salvation! Tied to Sister Lumiel Benedicta's recent miracle of healing, that peachy cream is revered not as mere food, but as a holy relic infused with the Saintess's grace!"
The report brimmed with miracle-like anecdotes sparked by mayonnaise's spread.
Far from Jonathan's intent, yet to the Church, it was a proselytizing weapon mightier than any other.
"Cardinal Aquila."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
"Summon Sister Lumiel. We need her testimony."
Soon, white-haired Saintess Lumiel Benedicta stood before the pope.
Hearing the northern news, she clasped her hands and closed her eyes quietly. Thin tears traced her cheeks.
Ah... Lord Jonathan...! So this is what you meant!
The taste he'd gifted her in that sunset-wrapped cabin. The message, the will he sought to convey.
The utterly simple yet fundamental truth: delicious food opens hearts and brings happiness, regardless of status.
This vivid report from the north proved once more that he was right.
Blessing of the Constellation (Tomato Sauce), Penance Feast (Arrabbiata)... and finally, the Saintess's Salvation—no, my salvation (Mayonnaise).
What he created weren't mere foods, but conduits manifesting God's will on earth.
This mayonnaise especially—a miracle incarnate, saving the most suffering in the cold: children, pregnant women, the elderly.
Through food, he spread the Lord's teaching to love one another, saving lives from the roots.
Aah, no doubt. He is the true saint, worthy of all love and reverence!
Lumiel was convinced anew.
The founding Saintess appearing to declare him her descendant was no coincidence.
He was undoubtedly a saint sent to enact God's will, a miracle made manifest on earth.
She vowed to serve as his closest apostle, his shield, upholding his will.
She wiped her tears and lifted her head to Pope Innocentius III.
Her golden eyes burned with conviction and compassion, the old hesitance gone.
"Your Holiness. The northern brothers and sisters are calling to us."
"The weak of the north yearn desperately for the Saintess's salvation. We must answer that call."
The pope smiled gently.
Now was the time to spread the Church's will, saving multitudes under God's teachings.
The pope declared solemnly.
"Place mayonnaise at the top of the relief supplies list for the northern diocese. If the palace opens trade routes, we shall carry the Lord's grace along them. With mayonnaise, spread the Gospel, disseminate the Saintess's tales, and bring them into the Lord's warmth!"
The emperor's edict and the pope's declaration.
As the empire's twin pillars moved in unison, their ripple effects surpassed imagination.
Beyond the Gray Mountains, into the giants' lands, two massive torrents began pouring in.