"Oh my… Rare ingredients, you say?"
Tilting his head in response to Rest's question was Diebl — Rest's magic teacher, of sorts.
It just so happened that Diebl had business that brought him to the Crocus count's domain, so he'd decided it was a good opportunity to gather some information about ingredients.
"Ah, I see. You're looking for ingredients to serve at next month's party. In that case, there are a few things that come to mind."
Diebl thought for a brief moment before explaining.
"Ingredients befitting a noble's party are, in principle, auspicious ones. Ingredients that invoke blessings for longevity and the prosperity of one's lineage tend to be favored."
"I see."
It seemed to be the same as Japan in that regard.
Foods that served as good-luck charms were apparently quite popular.
"The ingredients considered the finest are dragon meat. Dragons are the most powerful monsters, and they are also longevity creatures that live for over a thousand years. There are even legends that consuming dragon meat grants an immortal body… Of course, it's not the sort of thing that comes to market very often."
In a broad sense, worms might qualify as dragons too… but at the very least, they weren't recognized as luxury ingredients. Their appearance was also completely grotesque.
"As for monster meat that's still relatively obtainable, the meat of 'lesser dragons' — that is, lesser dragons — would be a good choice. Since you can't get your hands on actual dragon meat, this is often used as a substitute at parties. Wyrms and other wyvern-type flying dragons are seen as symbols of success and advancement, because they 'ascend to the heavens.'"
"Wyrms, huh… Are there any around here?"
"They inhabit the southern mountain ranges in great numbers. The mountains along the border."
The Kingdom of Aiwood had a large chain of mountains running along its southern side.
Beyond those mountains lay several nations locked in fierce territorial disputes, but because crossing the mountain range was so difficult, there was almost no exchange between them.
"The southern mountains, huh… I've never been there."
"Oh, I have!"
Yuri, who had been listening to the conversation from the side, raised his hand.
Rest and Diebl exchanged glances, tilting their heads.
"The southern mountains? How on earth...?"
"It's quite far from both the royal capital and the Cattleya marquis's domain...?"
"Well, one time during a school holiday, I went on a little picnic. I only meant to take a short walk outside the capital, but before I knew it, I'd wandered into the mountains. I nearly ended up stranded, y'know~"
"............"
No, if you wandered into a mountain range while "only meaning to take a short walk," that was already a disaster.
How does someone end up straying into the frontier borderlands on what was supposed to be a picnic?
"Come to think of it... there was that time you skipped class without telling anyone. Everyone in class was wondering what happened... you didn't wander into the mountains, did you?"
Once again, Yuri's recklessness and utter lack of common sense left them astonished.
His sense of direction was something straight out of a manga character.
"Well, let's put that aside for now."
Diebl cleared his throat, seemingly regaining his composure.
"Let's also compile a list of ingredients favored by nobles at celebratory banquets, beyond just wyvern. I'm sure House Rosemary will prepare things as well, but... some ingredients are hard to come by. As for drinks... hmm, rather than asking me, why not consult the Crocus duke's young lady?"
"Celestine? Why her, again?"
"Yes. Duke Crocus is well known as a connoisseur of fine alcohol, and his domain has vineyards for wine grapes."
"I see... I didn't know that."
Come to think of it... when he visited the fishing village before, he'd grown interested after hearing about the distilled spirits they made there. Perhaps his father's love of drink had something to do with it.
"Got it. I'll ask her... sorry for interrupting."
"Not at all. Please feel free to come to me anytime you need help."
Rest received the ingredient list, thanked Diebl, and left.