CHAPTER 94
CHAPTER 94
Let’s Reduce Food Waste
As Karl pressed the issue with a confrontational tone, the young demons all glanced at Coraldun.
It seemed clear that among them, Coraldun held the highest status, and the others followed his lead.
“Hm. I see. If it came across as rude, then I will apologize.”
The moment Coraldun apologized, the other demon youths reacted strongly.
“That isn’t necessary. We are the guests here—are they not the ones being rude?”
“Such arrogance in speech… You should be ashamed. Even street thugs wouldn’t start a fight like that.”
Karl, caught off guard, faltered.
“No, what I meant was—we’ve already revealed who we are, but you’ve said nothing beyond being the disciple of that grand mage. There’s even a crown prince here, and yet you—”
“Well, a blind squirrel found a nut.”
Lorenzo let out a small chuckle.
“Karl may have spoken a bit crudely, but you could say he has a certain instinct. He did hit the core of the issue.”
“What? Was that an insult just now?”
“Ah, just be quiet for a moment, Karl. Over here we have the Crown Prince of the Holy Eldar Empire, yet you address him so casually. Shouldn’t you at least properly introduce yourselves? I’ve heard that the people of Garmhau aren’t overly obsessed with lineage, but surely even you wouldn’t accept just anyone as a disciple of your national archmage.”
At Lorenzo’s pointed remark, the demon youths hesitated.
That was when Rudolf stepped in to smooth things over.
“Now, now. We’ve gathered here on such a fine occasion—why fuss over status? Let us share a drink and move past it.”
As Rudolf extended his glass, Coraldun smiled and accepted it.
“How generous of you, Your Highness.”
After that, both sides continued eating and drinking, exchanging light conversation—but neither side spoke their true thoughts. The discussion remained hollow.
Meanwhile, Idnia was deep in thought about how to take food back with her.
“If I freeze it with cooling magic and form an ice container… then pack the food inside… it should be possible. I’ll need a lot of water though. And space in the carriage…”
“My, my lady… surely that’s going too far…”
Marie looked flustered.
“Why? Does the food not suit your taste?”
“No, not at all. It’s delicious. Someone like me has never even dreamed of eating imperial palace cuisine.”
“Then perhaps it’s because you’re too nervous to even taste it properly?”
“…That might be true.”
“Then let’s take some with us and eat later in peace. Even if freezing affects the flavor a bit, steaming it should restore it somewhat. No matter what, it’ll still be better than the academy meals, right?”
Unable to hold back, Lorenzo finally interjected.
“But focusing only on food when we have guests here… isn’t that a bit improper?”
“They’re all wearing masks anyway. No one’s speaking honestly. The real discussions will happen among the officials later, won’t they?”
Idnia turned to both Lorenzo and the demons, then casually asked a servant:
“May I take some food with me?”
“…Pardon? Ah—yes, that is allowed, but how would you—”
“Could you let me use the water supply?”
“….”
At that moment, the silver-haired demon girl stood up.
“I’ll assist with a simple trick.”
As she raised her wand, the atmosphere instantly grew tense.
Hidden presences throughout the palace sharpened their awareness. Even disguised attendants reacted.
But with a snap of Emperor Franz’s fingers, the pressure vanished.
“My apologies. My disciple is still inexperienced.”
Gimel bowed lightly.
“Not at all. It is I who should apologize. Please, proceed—I would very much like to see your magic.”
With permission granted, the girl began.
“First… water summoning.”
Water materialized in midair. She froze it into an ice container, filled it with food, sealed it, and applied a sustained cooling spell.
“It’s cold. Lady Idnia, please handle it carefully.”
Using telekinesis, she sent the container to Idnia.
Murmurs spread through the hall.
“What was that?”
“That’s incredible control.”
“…Wait, is she really packing food?”
“So the Betelgeuse duchy has fallen that far…”
“No wonder she disappeared from society.”
Ignoring the whispers, Idnia accepted it calmly.
“Thank you. Your name?”
“Linser.”
“Would it be alright to make a few more? This isn’t quite enough.”
“….”
“Then I’ll request some as well.”
To everyone’s shock, Crown Prince Rudolf joined in.
“I would also like some.”
“Me too.”
Karl and Lorenzo followed.
The crowd quickly changed their interpretation.
“Ah… the academy must be that strict.”
“No, the Crown Prince must be trying to draw out their magic abilities.”
Idnia smiled faintly.
‘They’re covering for me. They really are good people.’
Then Gimel spoke.
“I’ve heard that the students of Dunais Academy are also trained in magic. Would you care to demonstrate?”
“…What should we do?”
“I’ll handle telekinesis.”
Idnia lifted the food with precise control.
“I’ll summon water.”
Surprisingly, it was Marie.
“Holy Water Summoning!”
Silence fell.
Using holy water… for food storage?
But the academy students had endured such terrible meals that dignity was no longer a concern.
“Frost Wind!”
Karl froze the holy water into an ice container, sealing everything neatly.
“Impressive.”
Linser murmured in admiration.
But a muscular demon youth scoffed internally.
[Impressive? One of ours did that alone—they needed three.]
Another, wearing glasses, clicked his tongue.
[Idiot. They’re concealing their true abilities. Idnia’s telekinesis is extremely refined. And that saint candidate—she deliberately used holy water instead of basic water magic. They’re showing just enough without revealing everything.]
[You’re overthinking it.]
[Perhaps. But caution is wise.]
Coraldun nodded.
“At the very least, I appreciate that they do not waste food.”
As the academy group prepared to leave, Linser asked:
“What should we do?”
Coraldun narrowed his eyes.
“This is the imperial palace. We cannot act recklessly. But that woman… she is different from her mother.”
Then—
Gimel’s voice entered their telepathic link.
[The Emperor says… if you wish to ‘confirm’ Idnia, you may do so. He will permit it.]
Silence.
[What is he thinking?]
[It’s a trap.]
[Absolutely a trap.]
[Then what do we do?]
Coraldun’s eyes gleamed.
“A trap… perhaps. But when a feast is laid out, one cannot simply walk away.”
He looked at Gimel.
“Begin.”
“Yes… understood.”
The grand mage Gimel rose, gripping his staff tightly.
.