The Crown of Rutile Quartz: Volume 2 [Parts 1 to 8] by Surume Enoki

Author:Surume Enoki
Language: eng
Format: epub

That day, a major landowner who served as a representative for the agricultural workers in the capital arrived upon the grounds of the palace for an audience with the king. “Your Majesty, it is a great honor to be invited to the royal palace,” said the man.

Behind the major landowner were many other farmers—some who owned land themselves, a number of small-scale subsistence farmers who rented land, and several dozen agricultural workers selected at random from among the populace as well.

The landowner wore a rather stiff expression on his face as he greeted Slaine. As the leader of the Uzelheim peasantry, he possessed considerable influence and capital, but he nevertheless faced his king with an air of nervousness about him. It was only to be expected. Some of the less powerful farmers even seemed to quake at the sight of the crown.

“I thank you all for coming,” Slaine said with a gentle smile. “I hope you enjoy your time in the palace.”

Slaine had arranged for a banquet in the palace. The dozens of guests took their seats in the many chairs encircling the long table in the center of the hall. One of the farmers happened to make a loud noise when pulling out his chair to sit, and he froze, looking to the young king for a reaction—but Slaine merely laughed and told the farmer not to worry.

“Well, then,” said Slaine, “as you have been informed, I have invited the capital’s agricultural workers to the palace for a discussion. Please, relax and make yourselves at home. There is absolutely no need to concern yourselves with the fine particulars of royal etiquette or whatnot.”

The gathered farmers immediately looked quite relieved.

“First, we shall eat lunch—we will concern ourselves with business later,” Slaine continued. “Oh, and please rest assured I have no intent to use this feast to pressure you into doing what I say, or anything of the sort!”

The farmers smiled a bit in response to Slaine’s lighthearted tone.

Then the maids began to carry food out to the table. Considering the large number of guests—and their lack of education regarding matters of table etiquette—dishes were served on platters so that the diners could serve themselves whatever they wished to eat.

One of the farmers looked upon the food placed before him, tilted his head, and asked, “Lord King, what is this?”

Heaped on the platter was a mountain of rather firm yellow paste with various ingredients mixed into it.

“This is the staple of our lunch—that is to say, it will take the place of bread. The potato, as it’s called, is a crop imported from afar. We’ve boiled it, peeled it, mashed it, and mixed it with meat and vegetables to make it easier to eat,” Slaine said. Then, he gestured to another platter with boiled potatoes chopped up and seasoned with salt and pepper. “This is what the potato looks like before it’s been mashed.”

The farmers began to speak amongst themselves.

“The...potato?”

“Ever heard of it?”

“Naw, this’s the first I ever seen it.”

“This ain’t no bean.

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