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“…So this fruit is Amadeus?”

“To be precise, it’s the base ingredient.”

“Then how do you make it?”

“You add cream or milk and heaps of sugar, and then you set it to solidify, and voilà! You’ve got Amadeus.”

Godwin pulled his head back slightly.

To be honest, I’d heard it was a hard, solid form of Amadeus made from this fruit, but seeing it up close gave me a different vibe.

“It feels kind of magical.”

There’s a term called “Food Desert.”

At first glance, it sounds like a desert full of food, as if food is raining down from the sky, but the concept is entirely different.

It actually refers to a place lacking food.

Even in today’s reality, there are kids in America who incorrectly think tomatoes grow in plastic containers as ketchup rather than being a fruit. This isn’t uncommon.

It’s no different in Europa.

When dwarves from the inland see shrimp or crab, they’re horrified, thinking they’re eating bug monsters.

Extremes exist, like a noble who lived their whole life only eating meat and fruits, who belatedly realizes vegetables aren’t for horses.

Of course, Godwin wasn’t that extreme.

“Is it really that amazing?”

“It has a remarkably clear heart shape, and it’s so bouncy.”

Godwin turned to Karem and lightly tossed the Amadeus fruit to William, who was looking at it with wonder.

Whoosh—thud.

“So, how are you planning to make a substitute with this fruit?”

“A substitute… you say?”

Before Karem could speak, Corvus spun fully around, alternating glances between Godwin, Karem, and the fruit before sharply clapping his claws.

“Indeed. No wonder you’ve started to revert to your old plump self. If you’ve been eating a lot of Amadeus, it makes sense.”

“You’re telling me to be responsible for that?”

“Isn’t that a bit unreasonable?”

Swish—thud. A green beauty named Flora plummeted onto a mountain of fallen leaves. Corvus sighed as the endeavor he was engaged in went up in smoke and moved the rake again.

“If we’re being picky, it’s probably due to the incompetence of His Highness Godwin.”

The black eye of the crow monster fixed intently on Godwin.

“Who would threaten a Grand Prince to eat mayonnaise wielding a sword?”

“…Corvus. Aren’t you supposed to be on my side?”

“If His Highness Godwin’s chubby jawline came to life with my sweet words, I’d gladly do it.”

“…”

That was truly the essence of a fair argument.

Saying it bluntly made Godwin uncomfortably aware.

How many had lost their heads for stating the obvious?

Such people existed in Earth and Europa alike. Of course, Godwin wasn’t an aristocrat who carelessly wielded swords for such reasons.

Godwin pouted.

“So, Karem. How do you plan to make a substitute with this?”

He decided to change the topic.

The sudden shift in conversation was awkward for Flora, who was busy making a fairy out of the fallen leaves, but Karem decided to roll with it.

“Well, just give me a moment. It won’t take long. Can I borrow Corvus’ kitchen?”

“No, but what are you planning to make?”

“Amadeus Fondue.”

Once Karem got Corvus’ approval, he headed straight to the warehouse.

There, he ordered Gordon, who was slacking off, to bring him some old bread and fruits for dipping as well as milk to melt, and as soon as they arrived at the outdoor kitchen of the nest, Flora promptly set about prepping the Amadeus.

Amadeus Fondue.

An Europa version of chocolate fondue.

In fact, whether it’s cheese fondue or its variant, chocolate fondue, it was inappropriate for Godwin at this point in time.

Melted cheese with alcohol, then dunking ingredients to eat, is a high-calorie dish.

Originally, it’s a winter survival food eaten in the mountains of Switzerland.

Europa most likely has similar dishes.

And the variation of chocolate fondue is even worse.

The calories from dunking various sweets, breads, and fruits in chocolate fondue easily surpasses cheese fondue.

So, sugar was boldly omitted.

A small amount of salt was added.

This was to maximize the faint sweetness of the Amadeus I had felt when I sampled it earlier.

Any lack of sweetness would be compensated by the fruits used for dipping.

Gordon, who had been unceremoniously ordered around, was initially sulky, but at least he was diligently cutting bread and prepping fruit since he was allowed to eat something.

“So how are we supposed to eat this fondue?”

Gordon, while prepping a solid peach, pointed at the cooking range with the tip of his knife.

“Surely, you’re not thinking of just putting it there to melt and eat?”

“Of course not.”

The outdoor kitchen set up by Corvus wasn’t exactly arranged for easy dining; it wasn’t a convenient structure.

“Then what’s the plan?”

“Just watch for a moment.”

Just then, Karem had finished prepping the Amadeus and what it would be dipped in.

Karem filled a large pot with water and placed a slightly smaller pot containing the Amadeus on top, ensuring the handle of the smaller pot didn’t touch the bottom of the large one.

He handed the stacked pots to Gordon, who then placed some bricks he picked up next to the oven on the waiting table.

With the curious gazes of two people and one monster upon him, he brandished his beloved magic tool chef’s knife, Felwinter.

The blade glowed red-hot.

Clang—whoosh—thud.

He placed it directly onto the bricks and set the pot on top.

Though the handle was slightly tilted, the pot stood stable.

“I’ll add milk to this and steam it.”

Then everyone except for one fairy and one swordmaster couple found themselves speechless.

What is a magic tool?

Even if it’s cheap, it costs dozens of silver coins.

A proper one should be exchanged for gold coins.

It’s obvious that murders can result from a cheap magic tool, and sometimes local skirmishes break out over them.

And here this magic tool was sitting on the bricks, merely warming a pot.

“…”

“Gordon. Plate please. I need to stir to melt it. Why is everyone looking at me like I’m crazy?”

“…”

Right now, I’m using this magic tool to boil water; isn’t that a bit much?

Of course, there are indeed household-style magic tools designed for cooking, baking, and boiling water.

There’s plenty of such equipment in Felwinter’s treasure vault.

However, there’s a huge difference in perception between a magic tool made specifically for that purpose and one being used for a completely different function.

Not to mention, that functional magic tool is called Felwinter’s Lie.

It’s just a chef’s knife, but it has the name ‘Felwinter’ attached to it.

Even though it’s from a rural duchy, a magic tool bearing the name of a duke’s family, was now simply warming water on bricks.

Godwin, William, and Corvus kept opening and closing their mouths rapidly.

There were so many things they wanted to say, but none came out.

“Is it almost melted?”

“Yeah. It’s all melted now.”

“So, we just dip and eat it, huh?”

“Yeah. Just a moment—”

Thud thud—

As he was about to grab a fork he forgot about, something tapped his arm.

Following Flora’s gesture, vines had sprouted skewers shaped like forks and were being distributed to the people.

“Seems like the timing is perfect. Your Highness Godwin, please go ahead and dip it.”

“Huh?”

At Karem’s words, Godwin snapped back to reality, nodded, and picked up the skewer.

“But it seems like… there’s no sugar in it.”

“If I added that, it wouldn’t serve as a Nutella substitute.”

“Hmm. That’s not wrong.”

But the disappointment lingered.

Godwin dipped a piece of dry bread into the thick puddle of Amadeus. As strands hung and dripped from the plate, he lifted the Amadeus.

“It sure smells good though.”

It had a rich, savory aroma with a hint of bitterness that tinged the end.

Contrasting with the smell that made his mouth water, the fruit’s taste wasn’t anything exceptional. It wasn’t delicious enough to search for, but it was the kind of flavor that occasionally popped into your mind and made you crave it.

“Um. It seems pretty decent.”

While Godwin was savoring it, William had already started dipping bread and fruits.

Soon, others followed suit and began dipping in as well.

Plop? Plop.

“Oh, I was worried about the lack of sugar, but it’s just as William said?”

“Indeed. The missing sweetness is nicely compensated by the fruits.”

“But hey, what are you doing? Just standing there staring blankly.”

“Amadeus is about to run out.”

At that, Godwin nodded.

In any case, it was a dish prepared for him, a snack.

Godwin started scrapping the solidifying Amadeus off the plate with a piece of bread.

Sluurp—

Godwin’s eyebrows raised in surprise.

For something without sugar, it was surprisingly good.

The hard square of bread absorbed the rich Amadeus, creating a crisp bite with a pronounced bittersweet finish—a rich, nutty liquid swirling in his mouth.

The sweetness distinctly arose more as he continued to chew.

Along with the bread, the mild sweetness inherent to the Amadeus, accented by a slight saltiness, was unmistakably present.

“So, are you satisfied?”

“I’d say it’s a side dish? For a Nutella substitute? Not really.”

“Is there really no substitute that can match this?”

“Really? To make it taste better, the only way is to add sugar.”

“I know that. It’s just a shame.”

As he spoke, Godwin dipped another piece of bread into the fondue, and William, who had been dipping peaches, chimed in.

“If you’re craving sweetness, dip fruits.”

“It’s edible?”

“That one’s good in its own way, too?”

Godwin promptly followed William’s advice.

Indeed, with the sweetness boosted, it became rather acceptable.

Yet, the substitute was still just a substitute.

The taste felt far from reaching the level of Nutella, and Godwin’s face was colored with disappointment.

‘At this rate, I should just quit the substitutes and really start eating less at a time.’

With such complicated thoughts in his mind, while Godwin’s hands busied themselves.

“By the way, why did you make this?”

“Because Your Highness Godwin mentioned needing a substitute for Nutella. It’s too delicious for moderation.”

“Hmm. Well, if the quantity can only be limited until the upcoming spring passes, it shouldn’t be an issue.”

A bolt from the blue struck.

“Baron Bolton. What kind of dreadful statement is that?”

At those words, Karem and Gordon’s gazes met in the air simultaneously.

Yet, there was no need for either of them to say anything.

Godwin figured it out for himself.

He realized the reason.

“Right. Felwinter is a vassal, not a retainer…!”

“This spring, we have to go down to the territory with the lord’s support. It will now be my land, and since I’m not alone and have subordinates, I can’t just keep idling about.”

“Wait, but the tree is still here—”

“I hear the Amadeus tree can only be cultivated and looked after by Dryads…”

Was I correct in these vague words? Karem nodded.

In any case, whoever spoke, well, that was essentially a confirmation.

Godwin silently screamed.

“Well, there’s no need to scream. I’ve already established a firm trading contract with the lord.”

“Even so, there’s a huge difference between the amount here and what’s brought in from afar…!”

“That’s, well, true, I suppose?”

No way. Oh no. Skadi, Tutatis, and that nameless traveler—oh no! Why must I be burdened with such a serious trial…!

No, wait.

Gordon’s departure was essentially confirmed.

If that’s the case, then clinging on as much as possible until he leaves is my last chance to eat Nutella to my heart’s content.

In that case, there was a way.

“This spring I’ll join my father on a journey to Kingsland, the royal territory, and then part ways on the way to my domain. If I join that journey, I’ll have one more day to eat!”

“No, you said you wanted to lose weight.”

“I can worry about that later.”

“Geez.”

William threw a fork at Godwin.

 

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