A short while later, the food arrived. It was fragrant and heavily spiced, with an ethnic flair reminiscent of tandoori dishes. Since the royal castle was built in a tropical style, the meal seemed to fit the atmosphere perfectly.
"This looks delicious. Is the Hydra Kingdom famous for its spices?"
"Hmm? You didn't know, Kaito? Ah, right... you've only ever visited our capital. Since it’s a port town, the street stalls mostly serve fresh seafood. But if you're talking about the Hydra Kingdom as a whole, it’s all about spice."
"The Hydra Kingdom produces over seventy percent of the spices circulated throughout the Human Realm," Falce added. "As a result, their culinary culture has naturally evolved around the liberal use of those seasonings. People often speak of the 'Hydra of Clothing, Sinfonia of Food, and Arclesia of Housing,' but that doesn't mean they neglect other areas. For instance, the Arclesia Empire is a cold region, so they're well-known for their soups and stews. Each nation has its own unique characteristics, and I think you’d find it quite rewarding to look into them if you're interested."
"I see..."
It made sense. Earth was the same way—countries like Japan and the United States had vastly different food cultures. It was only natural that the three nations of the Human Realm would have their own identities too. Because Trinia consisted of three distinct worlds—the Demon, Human, and God Realms—I often found myself categorizing things by world. But the Human Realm was expansive, and with three separate nations, they were bound to have their own individual cultures.
Learning about these differences felt fresh and exciting. Thanks to teleportation magic, I could visit almost anywhere instantly, but the Hydra Kingdom was actually a foreign land located quite far from Sinfonia's capital. Being able to truly feel that I was in a different country made it feel like a real trip, and that was a pleasant feeling.
"It's surprising to experience these cultural shifts firsthand, but it's really fun. I feel like I have a general idea of how things work, but the truth is I haven't seen much beyond the capitals—Sinfonia included."
"Well, as the name implies, the capital is where everything converges. You’d never lack for anything while living there, so it can be difficult to find a reason to visit the provinces unless you make a deliberate effort. However, your curiosity is a wonderful thing. Even within the same country, like the Rigforresia where I live, there are many unique local cultures. To take an interest in such things is admirable. Intellectual curiosity is something that must be nurtured."
"I’d say she needs to dial it back a bit... but Falce is right. Your perspective is excellent, Kaito. It would surely be interesting to tour the various sights of the Human Realm. As for the Hydra Kingdom, I can recommend as many places as you like—just ask! I’ll even arrange the accommodations. My top recommendation is—mgh!?"
"...That is quite enough self-promotion, Your Majesty the King-dono. Pressuring a guest is hardly a commendable act. Part of the joy of travel lies in the discovery process. If someone knowledgeable explains everything from start to finish, the fun is drained away. It’s better to only offer answers when he has a specific question."
As expected of a king, I suppose? Seeing a golden opportunity, Laguna-san had tried to start her pitch, but Falce-san stuffed bread into her mouth to silence her while smiling with a gentle expression.
For all her eccentricities—the machine-gun talking, her total lack of direction, and the mad-scientist vibes—Falce-san actually had a solid head on her shoulders. She carried herself with the calm, refined air of a mature adult.
"By the way, Falce-san, do you have any personal recommendations?"
"Oh? You’re asking me? To pose such a question to a hardcore shut-in... what a mischievous boy you are. Let’s see. Since you’ve been to Rigforresia several times, we’ll set that aside. Are you aware of the Trade City situated between the capital of Sinfonia and Rigforresia?"
"I’ve heard the name, but I’ve never actually been there."
"That's not surprising. It’s essentially off the Wyvern Service routes, so if you’re traveling by wyvern or teleportation, you’d never have a reason to stop by. But because it’s a Trade City, it’s a bustling hub for all sorts of goods. There are many items there that you’d be hard-pressed to find in the capital. It’s a great place to experience products from various regions, so if you’re curious, it might be worth a visit."
"I see. I'll definitely keep that in mind."
Thinking about it, there really were so many places I hadn't seen yet. If the opportunity arose, it would be fun to visit those unfamiliar locations.
Serious-senpai: "I have a feeling a certain Duchess is probably clutching her stomach as Kaito's range of activity expands..."