Chapter 89
Ron said.
“Speak.”
“Currently, the Mirotel Magic Federation is leading the Culinary Association, spearheaded by master chefs……”
“Get to the point.”
“Let’s have a public debate.”
“What benefit would that have for Isabel?”
Viaton felt a pang of regret. Ron’s expression was incredibly fierce.
“Are you suggesting that young child debate against master chefs backed by the Magic Federation? It’s incredibly easy for those vile old men to tarnish one’s reputation by clinging to even the smallest of issues. Their goal is to incite and fabricate. Playing along with them will only make us look foolish. Even if Isabel handles it well, it’ll be a net zero gain, and if she makes a mistake, she’ll suffer significant damage. The losses outweigh the gains, so why are you, the Emperor’s aide, making such an absurd suggestion?”
Viaton closed his mouth for a moment.
Through countless experiences, he knew it was better to remain silent when Ron was this angry.
Knock, knock.
Just then, a knock came.
“Father, it’s Isabel. Are you in?”
“Let her in.”
“Yes!”
It was Isabel.
Isabel, who had opened the door with a bright smile, instantly grasped the atmosphere in the office.
‘Something’s…off.’
Isabel erased the smile that had spread across her face and spoke cautiously.
“Father, I have a favor to ask, so I came to find you.”
“A favor?”
Isabel carefully gauged the situation.
‘What serious conversation were they having that made the atmosphere like this? Did I come at a bad time?’
She was a little worried.
Isabel found herself becoming a little intimidated, her voice growing softer.
“What if we held a public debate?”
“…… …”
“Although I’m still young and can’t even use a sword…”
“That’s a wonderful idea.”
Looking closely, Ron was smiling faintly.
Seeing that, Isabel’s heart completely relaxed.
‘Yes, that’s what handsomeness is!’
Her innocent heart was clearly visible on her face.
One handsome man, two handsome men.
This was a place of handsome men.
The smile that had disappeared bloomed once again.
Oh well, I was worried for nothing.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“I won’t disappoint you! I can do well. Really!”
Oh my, I’m going to have a debate!
Isabel’s young body perceived this new experience, something she had never encountered in her previous life, as a thrilling sensation.
She bowed deeply.
“Thank you for allowing me.”
I got scared for nothing!
The relief she felt was even greater than the tension she had experienced.
‘Why is Mr. Viaton gaping like that? He looks quite upset. And Father seems to be… subtly avoiding Mr. Viaton’s eyes.’
The tense atmosphere from before had long since vanished.
To Isabel, the atmosphere in the office felt quite warm.
‘I guess it was my imagination.’
And a few days later, the public debate was held.
The participants in the debate were Narmore, the representative of Narmore Corporation, Yuri, a royal maid, and Princess Isabel.
Upon receiving the letter from the Imperial Palace, the Culinary Association attempted to reject the proposal. However, reality did not unfold according to their wishes.
This was because Duke Rovena of the North visited the Magic Federation.
In essence, the will of the Magic Federation was the will of the Culinary Association, and Rovena exerted influence over the Magic Federation.
“That’s a very good idea. A public debate. Let’s proceed with it, shall we?”
Duke Rovena had established a trade agreement with the Bilotian Empire and simultaneously maintained a very close relationship with the Mirotel Magic Federation.
Many mages educated on Sky Island occupied high-ranking positions within the Mirotel Magic Federation.
Although it had been 10 years since she had appeared in public, Rovena’s influence was still quite strong.
“Our Sky Island can be considered a neutral location as we have very amicable diplomatic relations with both the Empire and the Magic Federation. How about holding the public debate on Sky Island?”
The Bilotian Imperial Palace actively agreed, and the Mirotel Magic Federation had no grounds to refuse.
Upon receiving this information, it became a major issue among the nobles and the upper class.
“I heard they’re holding a public debate.”
“A public debate?”
“Apparently, a man named Narmore, the representative of Narmore Corporation, will be there, as well as Yuri, the royal maid who developed ramen. And this is the real shocker, it seems Princess Isabel will be participating directly as well.”
“No way. Her Highness is participating? In a debate? That’s absurd.”
“That absurd thing is actually happening.”
“At best, it’ll be a draw, and if it doesn’t go well, she’ll needlessly bear the responsibility, so why bother?”
Isabel, the princess, participating directly was a significant issue.
This could serve as indirect evidence that the princess was directly involved in the development and distribution of ramen, making it impossible for her to avoid responsibility if any problems arose with ramen.
“That’s what I’m saying. Seeing as she’s stepping up like this, it seems she’s that confident…”
“But the people on the Culinary Association’s side are all master chefs. Can she even compete? Besides, Her Highness is only 7 years old.”
“That’s true.”
“It’s true that she’s bright and has outstanding magic skills, enough to win the top spot in the Olympiad…but how can she participate in such a debate and face seasoned master chefs? Moreover, I heard the Magic Federation is also sending one of the Creation Mages as a mediator.”
“What? A Creation Mage? A real Creation Mage is going? Why would a Creation Mage even go to something like this?”
The five pillars that support the Mirotel Magic Federation. They are called Creation Mages.
It was a major event that one of these great mages, Krias, was being dispatched as a mediator.
“Exactly. Can the young princess even speak properly amidst master chefs and a Creation Mage? They’ll undoubtedly target Her Highness.”
“That’s for sure.”
Not much was known about Narmore and Yuri.
The only known facts about Narmore were that he was of commoner origin and a newly emerged businessman with great skill.
The only known facts about Yuri were that she was a patissier with incredible skills and the person who developed ramen.
“Still, Her Highness must be confident since she’s participating directly.”
Amidst the public’s expectations and concerns, the public debate finally commenced.
The location was Sky Island.
As it was a public debate, numerous reporters from invited news outlets were present, along with the residents of Sky Island.
Furthermore, citizens of the Empire and members of the Magic Federation who wished to travel were allowed to move to Sky Island via the ‘TeyIsabel Transfer Gate’ to watch the public debate.
Krias, a Creation Mage of the Magic Federation and one of the VIPs of this public debate, frowned.
‘They allowed the use of the TeyIsabel Transfer Gate for an event that has become this big of an issue?’
Sky Island is a veiled island of secrets.
It’s an island that ordinary people can’t even see in their lifetime, so some even considered it a fictional or legendary island.
‘The methods to reach Sky Island are extremely limited. But if they allow movement using the TeyIsabel Transfer Gate… it would be a direct demonstration of the TeyIsabel Transfer Gate’s utility.’
Creation Mage Krias spoke.
“Did you intentionally orchestrate this show? To demonstrate the value of the TeyIsabel Transfer Gate like this?”
“A show, you say? What do you mean?”
“You’re still a nuisance, Viaton.”
“You’re still old, Sir Krias.”
“It’s a wonder your tongue hasn’t been cut off after studying magic under Duke Rovena.”
“My tongue is quite resilient.”
“Is the use of the TeyIsabel Transfer Gate the will of Bilotian, or the will of the Duke?”
Whose will it was, that was important.
It would be a clue to determine which side the Duke was more favorably inclined towards.
But an unexpected answer came.
“It’s Her Highness’s will.”
Krias interpreted it politically.
‘That means he doesn’t want to tell me.’
In any case, the ‘Sky Island Public Debate,’ which had become a major issue, became an opportunity for many people to experience the TeyIsabel Transfer Gate.
The number of people gathered for the public debate was a staggering 30,000.
An entire large gladiatorial arena was used as the venue for the public debate.
The moderator was assigned from Sky Island and he proceeded with the debate.
“Her Highness Princess Isabel of the Bilotian Empire and… uh… three master chefs representing the Culinary Association are present. The debate will be held in a 3 vs 3 format… and… we shall proceed. The first right to speak will be given to Master Chef Maresenz.”
Master Chef Maresenz.
He was the most famous chef among the three master chefs representing the Culinary Association.
“Yes. This is Maresenz. I stand here today to reveal and widely publicize that ramen is a very dangerous and addictive food, a terrible invention that could potentially lead to demonization. I stake my honor as a master chef on this.”
He thought to himself.
‘There’s no need to prove its harmfulness.’
Incitement is easy anyway.
The words ‘it’s dangerous’ can sway people.
‘But proving its harmlessness is difficult.’
The debate began in earnest.
Until then, Maresenz believed he could crush the three from the Bilotian side.
