I Became a Food Developer in Another World-Chapter 114 - : Side: Neutrality Conference (1)

The Three Northern Kingdoms frequently held meetings with the Empire.

Since they maintained "neutrality" by balancing between the Empire and other nations, they had to keep some level of diplomatic relations with the Empire.

However, unlike previous meetings that had been announced at least three months in advance, this one was scheduled suddenly just fifteen days prior. From the proposal to the actual arrangement, every aspect of this meeting differed significantly from the past.

And for good reason—this meeting was convened due to the emergence of a new hearth of the goddess, called the "Air Fryer."

The imperial procession heading to the meeting was grand.

Hundreds of elite knights on horseback, two magically powered carriages carrying attendants serving the Second Imperial Princess, and at the center, a large, luxurious magic-powered carriage.

For a diplomatic meeting, the procession seemed excessive, but it was a demonstration of the Empire's power to the Three Northern Kingdoms.

After all, diplomacy begins with showcasing national strength.

That was also why there were eight white horses tethered to the magic carriage, even though they were unnecessary for its movement.

I gazed at the grand carriage with the white horses and cautiously asked the Second Princess.

"Am I getting on as well?"

"Of course, I need someone to talk to."

The Second Princess gestured towards the head of the escort formation.

"Unless you want me to bring him in instead?"

She was pointing at a knight mounting a horse, his face hidden behind a helmet.

That was Sir Morian, the silent knight who never removed his helmet, even as an imperial escort.

For the record, I had never once seen Sir Morian without his helmet.

Whether indoors or outdoors, in heat or cold, he always wore it.

'Come to think of it, I've never even heard his voice.'

Sir Morian was a knight of silence, so much so that I often wondered if he could even speak.

Noticing my gaze, Sir Morian gave me a slight nod.

Even that nod was stiff and mechanical.

"...I see why that's not an option."

Now I understood why the Second Princess didn't want Sir Morian in the carriage.

He was dull, suffocatingly serious, and utterly devoid of humor.

The Second Princess, who occasionally enjoyed lighthearted banter, found him impossible to tease.

"But still, sitting in the same carriage as Your Highness while others are watching is a bit..."

"If you don't like it, you can ride a horse instead."

"I'll get in."

I answered immediately, making the Second Princess chuckle.

"You're so easy to read."

I blushed with embarrassment but I didn't have a choice.

No matter how awkward it was, it was still better than riding a horse.

Long hours on horseback left you sore and uncomfortable.

It would take three days to reach the meeting location in 'Emont'. Rather than endure three days of discomfort, I'd take a moment of embarrassment for a comfortable ride.

"Let's go."

"Understood."

With no other options, I followed the Second Princess into the magic carriage.

As expected from an imperial carriage, the seats were plush and luxurious.

*

The "Neutral Nations Meeting" was, on the surface, a discussion about peace and stability on the continent.

But in reality, it was a fierce battleground of political maneuvering.

The decisions made at this meeting would greatly influence international relations, making it as critical as stepping onto a battlefield.

"This time, the Marquis of Summernut will not be attending."

"The Marquis of Summernut?"

"Haha. According to rumors, his influence has greatly diminished."

"That's wonderful news. So, we won't have to see that sly face anymore?"

The nobles from the Three Northern Kingdoms—Arendelle, Lyonia, and Drum—spoke with pleased expressions.

The Empire's Minister of Magic, Marquis Owen Summernut, was a formidable adversary with a silver tongue.

Every meeting, he would appear and chill the Three Northern Kingdoms with his eloquence.

This year, however, he wouldn't be attending, putting the northern kingdom's nobles at ease.

But their relief wasn't just because of his absence.

"So, the Second Princess is coming instead? How unexpected."

"Haha, isn't this good for us?"

"Sending an inexperienced young princess... The Empire must be underestimating us."

"Troublesome, but fortunate."

Instead of Marquis Owen, the Empire was sending the Second Imperial Princess, Christina.

She wasn't a seasoned old noble, nor was she the First Princess, known for her rhetorical skill.

In the north, the Second Princess was famous as a "soldier" and an "excellent knight."

"Sending a warrior to a diplomatic meeting... What is the Empire thinking?"

"Perhaps they want her to gain experience?"

"Tch, meetings aren't for gaining experience."

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"Haha, maybe she took a wrong turn from the battlefield."

The nobles of the Three Northern Kingdoms assumed the meeting would go smoothly.

If the Empire truly intended to pressure them, they would have sent a political specialist, not a military princess.

Confident, they waited at the city gates for the Empire's delegation to arrive, exchanging lighthearted conversation.

Then—

"They're coming."

A dust cloud rose over the hills.

"...That's quite a grand procession for a princess."

"Hmm. Their numbers seem excessive."

The moment the Empire's procession came into view, the nobles' relaxed expressions vanished.

They swallowed nervously; eyes fixed on the incoming procession.

Dududududu—

Hundreds of elite knights on warhorses charged forward.

At their center, a grand magic carriage was led by eight white horses.

The overwhelming force crashed down like a massive tidal wave, making the nobles tense up.

Even before the meeting began, the sheer presence of the "Empire" weighed heavily upon them.

Neighhh—!

The procession halted before them.

"We come from the Terrazé Empire. I am Imperial Knight Conrad, leading this delegation."

"O-oh! Welcome, Sir Conrad. We've been expecting you."

Despite the fact that he remained mounted as he spoke, none of the northern kingdom's nobles dared to protest.

Their spirits were already crushed.

At that moment, the large carriage drawn by the white horses approached and stopped before them.

Under the tense gazes of the nobles, a knight in a helmet stepped forward and opened the carriage door.

"Presenting Her Highness, the Second Imperial Princess."

From beyond the open door, a pair of legs clad in pristine white uniform stepped out.

Dozens of eyes fixated on the Second Imperial Princess as she emerged.

Her golden hair, braided and tied back, shimmered like woven gold.

Her eyes, drowsy yet commanding, gazed down at them with an aloof indifference.

The nobles shuddered under her gaze.

'So, this is the Second Imperial Princess...'

'This meeting might not be as easy as we thought.'

The nobles, who had initially underestimated her, quickly revised their opinions.

The Second Princess, clad in immaculate white, radiated an aura of nobility beyond reach.

She moved gracefully, as if she were born to rule.

Slowly stepping down, the Second Princess turned back toward the carriage.

"...?"

The nobles followed her gaze and looked toward the carriage.

A young man with a neat appearance was stepping out.

The Second Princess waited silently for him to fully disembark before proceeding.

'Who is he?'

'An aide? No...'

'She seems to care about him.'

A person the Second Imperial Princess personally paid attention to?

Caught off guard by his unexpected presence, the nobles scrutinized the young man.

*

I had thought riding in the magic carriage would be comfortable, but I was wrong.

Being alone with the princess in such a confined space was far more exhausting than I had anticipated.

My body was at ease, but my mind was on edge.

I kept accidentally making eye contact while she reviewed documents, leaving me drenched in nervous sweat.

Honestly, enduring a few days on horseback might have been easier.

'Finally, we're getting off.'

Relief washed over me as I stepped out.

Just then—

"Thank you for coming, Your Highness."

A rotund noble with a mustache bowed before the princess.

"I am Count Umberto, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Drum Kingdom."

The Second Princess scanned the gathered nobles and spoke.

"Since everyone is here, let's talk inside."

"Indeed, but..."

Count Umberto glanced at me with curiosity.

"Forgive me, but who might this gentleman be?"

A playful smile crept onto the princess's lips.

"The Sage of Gluttony—no, here, you may know him better as the 'Apostle of the Goddess.'"

"...Your Highness."

At the moment I was taken aback by the Second Princess's mischievousness in mentioning the nickname that came from the adaptation of the 'play',

The most talked-about event in the North recently has been the development of the air fryer.

The problem was that the anecdote had been severely distorted due to the play's fame.

"The Apostle of Hestia!?"

"The one who received the goddess's revelation!?"

They were accepting the embellished stories about 'revelations' and 'apostles' as facts.

Thanks to that, all the attention that was directed towards the Second Princess started to shift towards me.

As soon as she spoke, gasps filled the air.

***

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