Chapter 1.2: The Unusual Kitchen

Inside the space that was more of a “mysterious workshop” than a kitchen to the people of this world, two bizarre objects stood prominently.

One was a box made of wood and metal.

When its door was opened, cool air flowed out.
It was something Yu called a “magic refrigerator.”

The other was a flat platform where pots heated up without fire.
A “magic stove.”

No matter how many times Aurora saw them, her brow furrowed.

‘How does it maintain a constant temperature… I have no idea…’

If it were just freezing things, ice magic could handle that easily.

But to “keep ingredients chilled without freezing them” was no simple feat.
She couldn’t even guess what standard it used to control temperature.

‘Even the flow of magical power is completely different from our country’s magic tools… No, even the way the concept of magic itself is constructed is fundamentally different.’

Even she, one of the kingdom’s finest magic users, couldn’t grasp the principles at all.

Ignoring her confusion, Yu casually opened the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator.

Inside, colorful vegetables were packed tightly.

“…It’s as amazing as ever.”

One of the maids muttered.

Even though it was summer, the leafy greens remained fresh, without wilting.

Root vegetables and fruits all looked as if they had just been harvested.

“Even in the capital’s markets, you can’t gather this many varieties unless you choose the right day…”
“And yet he keeps them stocked in the middle of the forest… that’s the strange part…”

It was a scene that could become an entire agricultural revolution book if recorded in history, yet they could only stare in awe.

“Alright then.”

Yu took out a basket full of vegetables and piled them onto the cutting board.

Onions, carrots, leafy greens, mushrooms.
A mix of all kinds.

“Let’s get this done quickly.”

He took a small breath and muttered.

“Acceleration.”

At that moment, the air tightened.

In the next instant, Yu’s figure blurred.

Or rather, afterimages trailed behind each movement.

The knife moved.

On the cutting board, vegetables were sliced into thin, even strips.

Onions, carrots, greens, mushrooms—all transformed instantly into fine strips for tempura.

“There it is, ‘the usual high-speed Yu-sama’…”
“Fast… no matter how many times I see it…”
“It’s amazing he doesn’t cut himself at that speed…”

The maids had already passed the stage of being surprised and now treated it as routine.

Aurora was also used to the sight.

Used to it—but that didn’t make it any less frightening.

‘…That’s not human movement.’

She watched from a step back.

‘If someone attacked at that speed, how many warriors in my country could survive?’

Faces of knights flashed through her mind, then vanished.

‘…None, probably.’

She herself was included in that.

If Yu used this acceleration with killing intent—

In less than a minute, every guard, every maid, and even herself would be cut down without exception.

‘That’s not a magic I could ever use.’

She tightened her lips.

‘Even if I understood how it works, would I have the courage to try? One mistake, and my body wouldn’t just split in half—it would be torn apart.’

He casually muttered “acceleration,” but in truth, this was magic capable of annihilating an army.

Unconcerned, Yu placed the sliced vegetables into a large bowl and mixed in flour and water.

On the magic stove, a pot of water began to boil vigorously.

Bundles of dried noodles were loosened and placed into the pot.

In another pot, oil was poured, and as soon as it touched the magic circle, it began heating steadily.

“The oil temperature is constant too…”

Aurora felt another headache coming.

‘I don’t understand this temperature control either…’

Meanwhile, Yu continued without pause.

Still accelerated, he gathered battered vegetables into a ladle and gently dropped them into the oil.

A loud sizzling sound erupted.

A savory aroma spread instantly through the kitchen.

“…!”

The maids’ faces lit up at once.

“It’s here! That smell!”
“It already smells delicious! Even before eating!”
“The guards outside must be suffering right now…”

Indeed, faint groans of “Uooooh…” could be heard from outside.

The noodles finished cooking and were cooled in water.

The chilled noodles glistened white on the bamboo tray, their glossy surface enough to make anyone swallow.

The tempura pieces were fried one after another and placed on a rack to drain.

Crispy outside, fluffy inside, with the colors of vegetables peeking through the batter.

Everything was done efficiently, without waste, all while accelerated.

‘…If used in battle, he’d be a weapon.’

Aurora leaned casually against the wall.

‘Someone with this power… I can’t just leave him alone, Yu.’

She didn’t say it aloud.

Even if she did, he would just refuse again.

‘If you don’t want to be scouted, at least try to hide your strength.’

But he had no such concept.

He used magic capable of slaughter just because it was convenient for cooking.

‘Now that I’ve seen it, there’s no future where I give up recruiting you.’

Even if it never succeeds.

At least, this power must never become an enemy.

“…Or rather, my stomach is being seduced.”

She muttered quietly, looking at the freshly fried tempura.

At that moment—

“Hey, udon and tempura are ready. Princess, you can eat inside, but the guards’ portions will be served outside, so someone help carry them.”

Yu’s carefree voice echoed, and the summer afternoon instantly turned into a feast.

Dishes were quickly served.

Freshly fried tempura, lightly steaming, tempted the appetite.

The pure white noodles gleamed beautifully.

No one could hold back.

Everyone except Yu dug in like impatient children.

Crunch.

The tempura broke easily with chopsticks, soaking up just a bit of broth.
Steam and aroma rose, and the vegetables inside were sweet.

“I hate vegetables, but this tempura is different…”
“I get it. It’s amazing…”

A guard muttered under the eaves.

The translucent white noodles glistened in the bowl.
Dipped in broth and slurped, the texture was irresistible.

“It’s cold and delicious…”

Voices of delight echoed both inside and outside.

At first, everyone had struggled with chopsticks.

Noodles slipped, food flew, bowls nearly toppled.

But now, they all handled them skillfully.

“Don’t grip too hard. Support it here…”
“Like this?”
“Yeah, that’s it.”

Thanks to Yu’s guidance, both maids and guards now used chopsticks naturally.

Recently, chopsticks had even started spreading in the capital.

When told this, Yu had simply shrugged.

“I didn’t invent them. Spread them if you want.”

That carefree attitude made Aurora sigh countless times.

‘If only he cared more about rights…’

She truly thought so.

‘With just chopsticks, things became this convenient. If he held rights over refrigerators, air conditioners, and dried noodles… I could easily bring him to the capital.’

Even so, she kept eating.

Slurp.

Cold noodles passed through her mouth with rich flavor and a subtle saltiness.

‘…The broth is incredible.’

The base was a mysterious liquid called soy sauce.

Combined with something called “dashi,” made from dried fish, seaweed, and mushrooms.

She had heard explanations, but never understood them.

‘His cooking is fundamentally different from our food culture.’

The ingredients themselves weren’t special.

Flour, water, salt.

Yet no one could replicate this texture.

‘This dried noodle itself is too well made.’

Yu had explained processes she couldn’t follow.

And then—

“The moisture goes from thirty-five percent to fourteen point five percent…”

At that moment, she gave up understanding.

‘He uses high-level magic just to make noodles…’

Any court magician would faint hearing this.

‘Probably none could handle that reality.’

Even Aurora had nearly lost consciousness the first time she heard it.

Yet—

The udon was delicious.

Tempura too.

Crunchy, chewy, unstoppable.

“…Phew. I ate my fill…”
“I can’t eat anymore… but I feel like I could…”
“Good food expands the stomach…”

Outside, guards leaned back in satisfaction.

“Thank you for the meal…”
“I’m glad I’m alive…”

Inside, the maids sighed happily.

“I want to eat this again tomorrow…”
“I wish there were udon shops in the capital…”
“If there were ten of Yu-sama…”

“That idea is the scariest.”

Yu muttered while drinking tea.

Once everything was finished, he stood up.

“Thanks for the meal.”

Everyone bowed at once.

“Thank you!”

The maids quickly began cleaning up.

They washed dishes with water and detergent, creating soft white foam.

‘…I’m not even surprised anymore.’

Aurora watched with a resigned expression.

Everything here surpassed the capital’s technology.

The cool air.
A full stomach.
Birdsong and clinking dishes.

Sleepiness crept in.

“…Yawn…”

Aurora stifled a yawn.

The maids also looked drowsy.

“Hey, don’t fall asleep here.”

Yu sighed.

“Go to the guest house. I built it for you.”

Outside stood a small log house.

It had been built after Aurora kept visiting endlessly—even in winter snow.

“…Yu.”

“Hm?”

“Dinner should be meat.”

A pause.

“You’re seriously shameless!?”

Laughter erupted.

“Your Highness, that’s too much…”
“But I want meat too…”
“Same here.”

“What about me!?”

Aurora smirked.

“We crossed the forest since morning. Udon for lunch, meat for dinner. That’s fair.”
“Why do I have to cook dinner too!?”
“I am a guest! You are the host! Therefore, treat me!”
“What kind of logic is that!?”

The usual banter continued.

The strongest shut-in magician.

The fearless second princess.

And their companions.

Outside, monsters roared in the forest.

Yet here—

It was peaceful, calm, and just a little lively.