The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

There was no kitchenware whatsoever.

There was only a dark, unremarkable pot, inside which was a simmering, porridge-like paste. Hanging on the stove outside the pot were a few salted fish and several high-quality-looking loaves of bread.

Apart from that, this can be called a warehouse.

"You...you live here? I'm quite curious, didn't Merlin find you a better place to stay?"

“Luxury accommodations might raise questions, and besides… most of the new places he found for me were just tree hollows.”

Of course, Artoria didn't explain in detail.

The new place Merlin actually found for her was a small treehouse carefully decorated by the fairies.

Aside from living in the forest and being isolated from the world, it can be considered a high-class place.

However, Artoria herself was not interested in such a life.

For her, personal enjoyment could be completely disregarded. Everything had to wait until Britain was unified and its people lived in peace and prosperity before she could finally indulge in pleasure.

Kiana didn't know that, but she was certain of one thing.

"It's not nice to say it like this, but your place... is really a bit unconventional. Don't you feel uncomfortable living here?"

"will not."

Artoria stretched her limbs, then pointed to the only bed in the room.

A bed covered with a straw mat...

"Uh, what do you mean?" Kiana's lips twitched, unable to understand what Artoria wanted her to do.

result...

"If you feel tired, you can go up and rest for a while. I always relax like this when I'm tired from training. Wait a moment, I'll go and make dinner."

After saying this, she rolled up her sleeves and went into the simple kitchen to cook.

Although Artoria was very polite, Kiana really couldn't bring herself to go to bed.

After all, this place is so dilapidated that it's hard to believe that the future king of Britain is living here.

"Perhaps this is the inevitable low point that every legendary story must traverse?"

With that thought in mind, Kiana then took out a rare treasure from her system space that she hadn't used in a long time.

Dust Song Pot...

It wasn't until she visited the king's residence that she belatedly realized how comfortable it would be to have a winter villa that could be moved at any time.

The only regret is that I currently only have one of these Dust Song Pots.

Of course, one is enough.

"After dinner, shall we take her inside for the night? Heh, I really wonder if she'll still utter those chivalrous words if she sleeps in a normal bed..."

Just as Kiana was wondering about this, a very, very peculiar, and especially unpleasant smell suddenly wafted from the kitchen...

"Ugh! What's that strong salted fish smell...?"

As the unpleasant smell of the air filled the air, Kiana covered her nose almost without hesitation.

Then she saw Artoria come out carrying a pot of black and white wheat porridge.

You can vaguely see salted fish bubbling in the pot...

"Is this...is this dinner?"

Kiana was speechless upon seeing such a British-style dish.

Although, before she crossed the sea to this land, she had heard from people on the Eastern Continent that the food here was notoriously bad.

But only now has she realized that this wasn't some kind of regional discrimination...

"Yes, eat it while it's hot."

Artoria, seemingly oblivious to Kiana's strange look, reached out and grabbed the tail of a salted fish, intending to fill her stomach.

However, before she could succeed, Kiana, who couldn't stand it any longer, suddenly grabbed her hand.

"what happened?"

"Well, I appreciate your kindness, but please let me, as your guest, prepare dinner this time."

Kiana gave an awkward smile, inwardly feeling that if she let Artoria continue eating like this, she might end up eating the queen to death before even becoming king...

Chapter Three: My King~ My pot has many goodies, how about coming in and having a seat?

"What's wrong?"

King Arthur, who was finally ready to have a good dinner to fill his stomach, was somewhat unhappy.

I've been busy all day and was just about to treat you.

Why is it presented like this? Is this bowl of salted fish and wheat porridge really that hard to swallow?

Artoria's idea was quite simple and could be said to be completely in line with the local food culture.

After all, in this day and age, having anything to eat is already a blessing.

Therefore, the British basically eat simple, perfunctory meals.

Those with a little bit of means would take their bows and arrows and traps and go hunting.

Basically, these were the privileges of the nobility, and the hunting grounds were also occupied by the nobles. If commoners entered them, they would be mercilessly shot.

In this situation, she felt that offering salted fish that had been partially cured was already quite generous.

Unfortunately, this was just her opinion.

Kiana, at least, simply couldn't accept such coarse food.

"Why does this salted fish still have a bright red color? Oh... the pickling techniques of this era... Although it's not nice to think like this, is such a simple eating habit really okay?"

After all, in Kiana's opinion, apart from the girl who made the dish, this inexplicable dish was full of primitive charm.

Artoria herself seemed completely unaffected by this... which can only be described as a local characteristic.

"It's nothing, I just hope you can try the dishes I make."

Kiana clapped her hands and suggested.

She felt that her statement was tactful and clear enough.

Unfortunately, Artoria did not show much interest in her friendly offer.

She slowly picked up a salted fish, took a bite, and then generously said, "As a knight, I won't be overly indulgent. But I won't refuse a friend of a friend."

The general idea is that although I still need to eat my own food, you can show me your cooking.

Kiana gave a simple translation, and I think that's roughly what Artoria meant.

She thought for a moment, then nodded and began redeeming food items in the system shop.

In the system's shop, everyday items like these generally don't consume too many Herrscher Points.

Unless it's a dish that requires a high level of technical skill.

However, Kiana didn't exchange for those items, so after exchanging for what she wanted, she only spent less than fifty Herrscher Points.

And

These Herrscher Points eventually transformed into delicious foods such as sweet and sour pork ribs, braised pork belly, squirrel fish, cola chicken wings, fried chicken, and so on.

Because so many were exchanged at once, Artoria's table was almost overflowing.

And when these delicious foods, which are perfect in color, aroma and taste and full of the characteristics and advantages of food from different eras, appeared before her eyes.

She was completely dumbfounded.

Although saying this is quite discouraging.

But she looked around at her living quarters and then at the table full of delicious food.

The salted fish and wheat porridge in my hand suddenly didn't taste good anymore!

"Wow...you made all of this? I never knew you were such a great chef..."

She asked in surprise.

Kiana nodded modestly, "...These are just some of my signature dishes, nothing special, but I'm glad you like them."

This is nothing.

She never expected that, in Artoria's eyes, these dishes would be so delicious and so addictive.

Artoria's expression remained indifferent.

Instead of responding to Kiana's explanation, she asked, "From now on, can I also taste the food you make?"

Kiana was stunned by these words. She had always known that she had no talent for cooking.

It's safe to say that, apart from herself, there are very few people who can cook better dishes than her.

Even Artoria herself could only barely reach that level.

But now Artoria is asking this question.

Kiana smiled. "Of course, as long as I'm still in this world."

"Um..."

Upon hearing this, a happy smile appeared on Artoria's face.

She slowly sat down and began to savor the delicious food on the table.

Of course, at first it could still be called a meal, but later it was almost like fighting for food.

"Mmm, delicious!!!"

As the sounds of chewing food grew louder and more frequent, Artoria, who had just said she would uphold the virtues of chivalry and forbearance, suddenly began to devour her food.

Perhaps the food was so delicious that the king's eating manners could only be described as rough and unrestrained.

Seeing this, Kiana quickly stepped forward, wanting to get a share.

But not long after she finished eating some cake, Artoria sat down in her seat, rubbing her bulging little belly, and let out a satisfied sigh.

"This is delicious! I've never eaten anything so good before. I used to think that the fruit Merlin brought back was the best in the world, but now I realize that my knowledge is far from enough!"