The next day, the 12th, was a scheduled buffer day.
Not a single attendee spoke of leaving early. On this secluded Kunlun Island, they likely wished to spend at least one more day in peace, far removed from the cares of the mundane world. Since the original itinerary had planned for three days including the buffer, there were no logistical issues for any of the nations.
"Oho, porridge this morning?"
"Wait, this isn't barley...?"
The dignitaries of the various nations were deeply intrigued by the menu served in the grand dining hall. Of course, those who knew what they were looking at simply smiled.
"This is porridge made with rice from the Shouro Empire," Jin explained, prompting a chorus of impressed murmurs.
"I see... so this is it."
"Indeed, it seems to be slightly more viscous than barley."
"It's quite mild on its own, so please add these according to your preference," Jin said, gesturing toward a selection of accompaniments. "The basic seasoning is salt. We have sea salt and rock salt, so please try them both."
Among the sea salts was a standard distilled version and seaweed salt—made by burning seaweed soaked in seawater, dissolving the ash in water, and then using the mineral-rich clear liquid from the top. It was packed with umami and minerals.
"Oho, this brown salt is delicious in its own right!"
Those who sampled the seaweed salt were astonished by its depth of flavor.
"And this is called umeboshi," Jin continued. "It's made by pickling the fruit of the plume—which are common in the mountains of the Klein Kingdom—in salt and then drying them. They are quite sour and salty even in small amounts, making them an excellent side dish. However, I expect they may be an acquired taste."
"...Mm, it is sour, but it adds a profound depth when paired with the porridge." King Rotaro of the Kingdom of Franz seemed to have taken a liking to it.
Jin moved on to the next item. "Then we have this. It is called tsukudani, made by simmering small fish, shrimp, or shellfish caught in the sea with soy sauce and other seasonings."
"Oho! This is excellent. It has a savory saltiness quite different from plain salt." King Cesar of the Celuroa Kingdom seemed to favor the shrimp tsukudani.
"Next, we have a simmered dish made with Topopo." Jin pointed to a bowl of nikujaga.
"Oh my, I had no idea they could be prepared this way!"
The first to literally bite was Marchioness Firenziano. Her alias as the "Potato Marchioness" was certainly well-earned.
"The seasoning uses the soy sauce I mentioned. You should be able to obtain it within the Shouro Empire."
Through trade with Mitsuho, high-quality soy sauce was expected to be imported regularly.
There was also a similar dish made with itopo. While it also used a small amount of soy sauce, it was simmered with a larger amount of sugar to make it sweet.
"Simmered vegetable dishes are gentle on the stomach, so they make for excellent breakfast sides."
"My, what a wonderful way to eat itopo! The hint of soy sauce really brings out the flavor!" The Empress of the Shouro Empire appeared to be quite pleased as well.
"And finally, miso soup. This time, I've prepared it with Topopo and marunegi."
"Oh! This is also quite delicious!"
In addition to the main meal, a variety of desserts like citran, apulul, and Airbeil were laid out.
"These Airbeils are marvelous. The ones from the Shouro Empire seem to be much larger," remarked Chancellor Powell of the Klein Kingdom. The strawberries native to Klein were limited to wild mountain varieties like the Wylie and its related species.
Overall, the breakfast was a resounding success, and Jin felt a wave of relief.
"I believe many of the ingredients used today were from the Shouro Empire, but I ask for your understanding, as it is the homeland of my fiancée, Elsa. In exchange, I plan to serve something quite different for lunch."
"I see, I see. Then we shall look forward to the midday meal with great anticipation."
"Showing such consideration for your future wife... how charmingly youthful. It's quite enviable."
The positive reactions brought a faint blush to Elsa's cheeks.
The meal concluded with hojicha. As it had been freshly roasted, the aroma was delightful.
"This is also wonderful."
"The culinary culture alone makes this exchange worthwhile."
Seeing that his intentions had been understood, Jin felt a sense of satisfaction. Then, he remembered the advice Loll had given him the previous night.
"At this point, I would like to offer a brief explanation regarding our cuisine."
Having opened the floor, Jin called over Perido Leader.
"The one who supervised every dish served here is Perido Leader."
When Jin lightly tapped her shoulder, Perido Leader performed a graceful, deliberate curtsy.
"I am truly honored that our cuisine has met with your satisfaction."
Jin took over the explanation. "The reason they can consistently produce such delicious food is due to their tireless daily trial and error."
The attendees leaned in, curious about what the Lord of Kunlun had to say.
"Their greatest strength is a precision that is impossible for a human. Once the optimal values—how many liters of water, how many grams of salt—are determined, they can repeat that exact process perfectly, every single time."
A chorus of "Ooh" and "I see" rippled through the room.
"Variability is kept to an absolute minimum. That is their advantage."
Combined with his previous explanation, the guests understood that these golems could repeat a process hundreds of times without tiring, always seeking the perfect result.
"In addition, I understand that many royal chefs keep their recipes and techniques secret. While that isn't inherently bad, I find the traditional methods of instruction—like 'learn by watching' or 'oral tradition only'—to be inefficient."
Jin argued that standardized ratios and measurements should be passed down clearly.
"This applies to us engineers as well. Lately, I've come to believe that if we truly desire progress, we must open our doors rather than hoard our secrets."
As if to provide a necessary addendum to his statement, the Empress spoke up.
"...Provided, of course, that world peace remains the foundation, right, Lord of Kunlun?"
"Yes."
Cuisine was one thing, but magi-craft and science could reshape the world. Such power could not be left entirely unchecked.
"I should like to discuss these educational matters at the next World Conference as well," the Empress concluded, bringing the topic to a close.
But the moment of reflection was short-lived, as an urgent report arrived.
"Emergency contact. Five Death Sea Serpents are approaching from the north. They are projected to pass ten kilometers west of Kunlun Island."
It was a message from Taihaku. He had broadcast it through the Mansion's internal speakers so that every guest could hear it.
"Death Sea Serpents!"
"They don't seem to be targeting the island, but..."
"On that heading, aren't they going to hit the Kingdom of Elias!?"
Jin and his companions had encountered Death Sea Serpents before in Port Rock Town, at the southern edge of Elias. They were carnivorous, ferocious, and known to attack coastal villages. Once they drifted south from their northern habitats, conflict with humanity was inevitable. Coexistence was not an option.
"Please, remain calm. My subordinates will handle this," Jin declared.
He knew that if he couldn't neutralize a threat of this caliber, his credibility as a host and a power would suffer.
"I have a maritime security unit. If you wish to observe, you may do so from an airship. What are your intentions?"
The world leaders were unanimous in their desire to board. They were joined by Gloria, Fritz, Flora, Prince Ernest, and Princess Lieschen.
"Very well. Let's go."
Edgar took the pilot's seat once again. Jin, Elsa, Reiko, Soleil, Luna, and Anne boarded alongside the guests.
Konron 3 gained altitude rapidly. From their vantage point 200 meters above the water, the passengers looked down at the sea, where the engagement with the Death Sea Serpents was about to begin.