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Azur Lane: Episode of Belfast Volume 4 Chapter 3 Part 4

However, despite such an introduction, Edinburgh and Suffolk remained as vacant as ever.

「Huh? That’s it? No reaction at all? Or could it be that you did not even hear my awesome self-introduction?」

Looking at Le Témeraire who wondered about that, Emile smiled brightly.

「Well, that is also because we have not really started to explain anything yet, so it cannot really be helped for the time being.」

「Yes, about that. Actually, you see ——」

And just like that, Belfast explained to the other two step by step what happened earlier in the theater and what brought them here.

「…… And that would be more or less a gist of it.」

When Belfast finishes recollecting the recent events, Edinburgh still showed a really dissatisfied expression.

「Yes, I understand that Cygnet is shutting herself away in the waiting room because of the pressure and stress, but what that does have to do with you coming here of all places right now and wanting to make sweets all of a sudden?」

Suffolk nodded her head, backing up Edinburgh’s words.

「Yes, that’s right. And besides, when it comes to making sweets, you’re the best in the entire Maid Corps, aren’t you? But I assume that as a Patissiere, you want me to make something extra special for you right now?」

「But, please bear in mind that the dessert we want you to make cannot be just delicious alone. It also has to be deliciously fragrant at that.」

「Deliciously? Fragrant?」

Suffolk cocked her head slightly, clearly not understanding what it was that Belfast meant by that.

「Yes, that’s right. It has to be all about fragrance right now. Now, I have a question for both of you, Suffolk and Nee-san: did you know that humans can perceive the scents and fragrances in two distinct ways?」

「Huh? Two distinct ways? First time I have ever heard of it.」

Belfast then gently placed her finger on top of Edinburgh’s bewildered nose.

「The first kind is the aromas that you smell directly through your nose, which is called orthonasal aroma. The other kind is the aromas that passes through your throat and pass through your nasal cavity, and is called retronasal aroma.」

After sticking her tongue out to demonstrate, Belfast stared at the dinner menu that had just been hung on the wall for a good moment or two.

「Basically, the Royal Navy models its meals after the Royal Family, and they seem to attach great importance to breakfast in their meals of the day. So much so that our usual breakfast routine is called “Full Royal Breakfast ”, but they do not place much importance on lunch and dinner as a result of that. It’s just a plethora of simple side dishes thrown together, and there are not many dishes that have an appetizing smell orthonasal-wise.」

「Hmm, I see. But then, why is this, umm…… Ortho-something…… What was it called again……?」

Suffolk smiled shyly upon not being able to recall the new term she just heard, and Belfast answered her with a warm smile on her face.

「Orthonasal Aroma.」

「Oh! Yes, yes, that’s it! That was the one! Why do you need that aroma in the first place?」

「Surely it must have something to do with the air that you breathe in, right?」

Emile put her index finger to her chin and answered Suffolk’s question after a moment.

「And it is precisely because of that fact that Belfast thought that we should prepare some sweets or dessert with a strong citrus aroma to it.」

Belfast nodded her head to confirm those words.

「It is said that citrus scents reduce fatigue, make donomines more likely to occur, and have a relaxing effect overall. The Iris Libre faction’s cuisine is devised to consciously bring out the relaxing aromas from the food that they are using in their dishes, and it’s something called Flavor Design. That is why I have consulted in advance with those two to see if we could actually make sweets like that.」

「I-I see that you have put a great deal of thought into that subject……」

Hearing that waterfall of information spilling out of Belfast’s mouth, Edinburgh let out a resigned sigh from her mouth while shaking her head slightly.

「Yes, for you to know that much about Iris Libre’s cuisine…… I must say that I am really surprised.」

Belfast chuckled slightly upon hearing Emile’s words.

「Recently, I was able to study how you are cooking your meals on several occasions, so I had a great deal of examples to learn from.」

After saying those words, Belfast then called out to Le Temeraire.

「But, this is actually going to be my first time making some of IRis Libre’s sweets. So I would really appreciate it if you had some good and simple recipes that you could share with us.」

Le Témeraire then posed with a sharp salute in response.

「Just leave it to me! When it comes to making sweets, I have watched Dunkirque-san make them many times, so I can teach you a little bit about our recipes! And I am also perfectly fine with being a taste tester!」

「Well, it’s all good and all that, but there I can see one big problem that we will have to face.」

Standing beside Belfast while letting out such enigmatic words, Emile added a supplement to what her Iris Libre companion said just now.

「You see, Le Témeraire is a kind of a scatterbrain, so it is more than probable that she doesn’t remember the proper distribution of ingredients.」

「Well, if it’s something like that, then do not worry!」

Then Suffolk puffed out her chest and raised her hand high.

「True, while I have never even made one of Iris Libre’s sweets before, since I like making sweets in general, I can pretty much imagine how it looks and what steps need to be taken!」

As one would expect from a Royal Navy’s Patissier who was said to be the best in the entire Royal Navy’s Maid Corps.

「And since we have a taste tester with us, we can surely deliver a product that is going to be as good as the real thing. Or at the very least the closest to the real thing as possible.」

「That’s actually very reassuring to hear, Suffolk.」

When Belfast praised her like that, Suffolk began to be all proud of herself.

「Well then, let us go to the Still Room right away and make ourselves some sweets!」

* * *

After some time passed, in the hallway outside the waiting room, Hood, King George V and Sheffield were still waiting for Belfast to make her return.

Just then, everyone present could hear someone breathe slowly and softly, and when they happened to look at the source of that sound, it would seem that Javelin pretty much dozed off here.

「—— Oh well, it’s already so late at night, so I can hardly even blame her.」

With her back pressed against the wall, King George V said so quietly.

「Tomorrow is the big day, but I guess that being able to doze off like that is just like something that Javelin would do.」

Hood called out like that towards Cygnet at the other side of the Waiting Room’s door.

Since a little while ago, Cygnet has remained completely silent and would not respond to any of their words.

Hood then continued, worrying that she might have fallen asleep in there as well.

「Just a little while ago…… Belfast-san said that by dumping my expectations onto you like that, I might have put you under even more unnecessary pressure……」

King George V also stared at the door while listening to Hood’s words.

「But you know, I really meant what I said to you back then. Even if I might have given you some unnecessary tension as a result, Cygnet-chan, I want to complete this stage play with you as the leading role. Because I know that you can do it.」

There was still no answer to her words, but Hood continued speaking regardless.

「And you know, you are not the only one. Me as well…… I am always feeling so tremendously under pressure, that I sometimes think that it is going to crush me.」

As she said that, Hood slowly lifted her head and stared at the ceiling, and her eyelids flickered despite the unreliable light from the fluorescent lights that were placed there.

「On the main island of the Royal Navy, they call me ‘Hood the Mighty’, even though I am anything but that. I have been described both as a graceful and beautiful lady who symbolizes the values of the Royal Family….. But even so, I am anything but that. I am also afraid at all times and many of my victories were simply a stroke of blind luck.」