The Water Magician

After spending a night, Skizblaznil set sail from the Pishkan Kingdom.

On the deck, a water attribute mage was praising.

"Just as expected from Abel, the 'Strange Technique: Karaage Shower' amazed me as well!"

"Kishi? Karaage shower?"

Ryo was admiring, but Abel had no idea what he was talking about.

"It was the technique from yesterday that made the demon eat a large amount of karaage. I never imagined he would be overwhelmed by such a technique; it was beyond my imagination."

"Oh, really…"

"Indeed, the demon is incredibly muscular, so he probably eats a lot of meat. In fact, he seemed to be really enjoying it. Of course, it's thanks to the wonderful culinary skills of Head Chef Kobatchi."

Ryo nodded repeatedly in admiration.

He seemed genuinely impressed.

"The 'demon' you've been referring to is Lord Mozzare, right?"

"Yes, that's correct. I heard he has the title 'Demon.' So, I decided to call him that."

"I see."

Abel was unaware that Mozzare had the title 'Demon.'

He was curious about when and how Ryo found that out, but...

"Did you know there was such a technique, Abel? Did you learn it in the past?"

"Such a technique?"

"Culinary Diplomacy!"

"Culinary Diplomacy?"

Ryo answered while Abel tilted his head.

Abel didn't think of using cuisine for diplomacy.

Thus, his reaction was understandable.

"Using cuisine for diplomacy?"

"Yes. Your reaction indicates that you created that strange technique without knowing about it. What a genius..."

Ryo was astonished.

Abel was still tilting his head.

However, he was interested in Ryo's words.

"Is there really a method of using cuisine for diplomacy?"

"It's a form of diplomacy that was carried out at the embassy in my hometown."

"At the embassy? Is that the one located in the capitals of various countries that I know of?"

Abel tilted his head further.

"Exactly. In the royal capital, there are embassies from various countries, right? The Naitorei Kingdom also has embassies in foreign capitals, doesn't it?"

"Oh, yes."

"Most embassies have chefs, right? And those chefs must be exceptionally skilled."

"Now that you mention it, that's true..."

Abel nodded as he recalled.

During his time as the second prince, he had visited several countries in the Central Nations as an envoy.

During that time, he stayed at the local embassy of the kingdom.

Now that he thought about it, the food at every embassy was delicious.

"They serve dishes to ambassadors from other countries and local ministers. Naturally, skilled chefs are dispatched."

"Dispatched? They aren't hired locally?"

"In my hometown, it was chefs dispatched from the sending country. That is the essence of Culinary Diplomacy!"

Abel honestly hadn't recognized who was cooking at the local embassy.

Even now... he knew there were detailed records regarding the cooks at the kingdom's embassies in the Empire and the Alliance.

He believed the cooks were likely from the kingdom as well.

However, what about the kingdom's embassies in other countries?

"At the local level, they serve our country's cuisine to be enjoyed... sometimes, they even arrange it to resemble local dishes, creating a sense of friendship."

"I see, Culinary Diplomacy..."

Abel began to see what Ryo was trying to convey.

The claims of their own country and the display of friendship unfolded on the table.

The dishes presented were already a part of diplomacy.

Naturally, the menu would reflect the ambassador's intentions.

"Feeding that 'demon' karaage was also a part of diplomacy. I indeed thought it was a diplomatic occasion... but I honestly hadn't considered the food."

"That's the terrifying part of Abel."

Ryo nodded.

Yes, Ryo knew.

That Abel was naturally gifted.

At the same time, he also understood that he was a kind of genius.

He grasped it intuitively.

What needed to be done right then.

What would be the most effective action.

To act or command without hesitation...

"I always think that Abel is unfair."

"Why am I suddenly being accused unjustly?"

"Everyone studies, gains experience, and thinks hard to derive the correct answer... yet Abel somehow does it casually and arrives at the answer!"