A/N:
Okay guys.. I know it's only been two days and all.. but please comment something, anything, 12 k words have passed, no commented powerstones or anything.
Criticise it, say negative if you wish but atleast say something, anything
***
In the story of King Souma's rise, one might ask—what was the moment that held the most importance?
Was it the defeat of Fuuga Haan, the great man who founded the Great Tiger Empire of Haan? The moment when the king, known for his poor combat skills, stood his ground against the man who almost conquered the entire continent?
Was it when his giant warrior destroyed the Kaiju that wreaked havoc in the seas and saved the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Union?
Was it when he conquered the Principality of Amidonia? Or when he crushed the rebellion of Duke Carmine?
Honestly, the feats achieved by the Wise King throughout history are all so great that it's hard to crown any single one above the rest.
But you know… behind every one of these legendary events were the hands of the greatest talents of this era—individuals personally recruited by the king himself.
The wall of talent built by these geniuses was so formidable that even the blade of Fuuga Haan could not reach him.
This gathering of personnel, as historians would later call it, was one of the most significant events ever to take place—an event that decided the fate of Elfrieden and the entire continent. It was the moment when five legendary individuals pledged their loyalty to the kingdom.
***
"Are you okay, Sir Poncho?"
Looking at the overweight man standing sorrowfully alone, Damon asked as he reached out his large hand toward him.
"Y-yes. Yes, I am. Thank you for asking." Surprised, Poncho quickly wiped his tears and thanked Damon with a bow, forcing a smile as he took Damon's hand to shake.
"Oh really? By the way, your performance was wonderful—truly wonderful! Congratulations on your victory, sir."
Presenting the most charming smile he could, Damon congratulated the man before him.
Overweight, with a big round belly and a pudgy face, his steps were awkward, and even walking seemed difficult for him. His tone was friendly and warm but underconfident as he nervously spoke to Damon.
Even as Damon talked, his sharp ears picked up the mockeries of the crowd—people still talking badly about Poncho from a distance.
'Mocking this man? In a few days, they'll worship him' Damon thought as he continued his friendly conversation with Poncho, eventually finding a quiet corner where the two could talk freely.
Five great figures were introduced at the gathering—the main cast, the people who would become the pillars of the kingdom.
Aisha Udgard, the Warrior of the Eastern Wind—the future strongest warrior of the kingdom, a beauty who would one day marry the king.
Juna Doma, the Prima Lorelei—granddaughter of Duchess Excel Walter, future queen of the kingdom, inheriting both her charm and courage, the most beautiful woman in the kingdom, and a woman whose abilities in warfare were said to be exceptional.
Tomoe Inui, the Wise Wolf Princess—despite being a refugee, she was instantly adored by King Souma and Queen Liscia and taken in as the queen's adopted sister. A mystic wolf with the ability to communicate with animals and demons alike.
Hakuya Kwonmin, the black-robed prime minister—one of the greatest minds and strategists to ever grace the continent, who would later marry Queen Jeanne.
And finally, Poncho Panacotta—an unremarkable glutton whose skills and experiences would one day save the kingdom from a food crisis.
As Damon conversed with Poncho, the man slowly began to open up to him. This was the period before the king's gathering—when Poncho was still the underconfident man introduced at the beginning.
His passion for food was unusual. He had traveled the world, eating the famous and bizarre dishes of each region. In his own words: "If it was edible, I ate it."
However, he had spent his entire fortune on traveling and eating. Now broke and overweight, Poncho was seen by the world as someone who had wasted his life—a man no different from how a disappointed father might look at his anime-loving son.
Yet, this was the man with knowledge and experience of nearly every edible thing on the planet—the very man this kingdom needed most.
"I once visited a tribe in an empire," Poncho mentioned as he merrily drank the beverage Damon had offered. "You know, for their daily intake, they ran a gelin farm and feasted on them."
"Gelin?" Damon asked, intrigued.
"Y-yeah! They called the dish Gelin Udon. Honestly, it was one of the best dishes I ever had," Poncho said, salivating as he recalled the taste—while Damon silently wondered how the man still had space left in his stomach after eating non-stop for an hour.
All five members introduced here played important roles… but Poncho is the most important of them all, Damon thought.
While Hakuya might be a strategist and bureaucrat with unmatched skills, Poncho's knowledge held the most practical value in these times.
Food is an industry of the utmost importance, especially in a medieval period like this. If Poncho's knowledge were used correctly—like Souma did—one could establish a stable and prosperous nation.
His knowledge brought immediate relief to the people and helped Elfrieden escape crisis.
That is why Poncho holds such immense importance. A talent like his is one of a kind—someone who, if employed correctly, can stabilize a nation or amass a fortune beyond imagination.
The more Damon talked to Poncho, the more they connected. For Damon, this was a calculated step to recruit a valuable talent. For Poncho, it was the first time in years someone had treated him as an equal—a friend.
For once, he could talk freely without scorn, judgmental stares, or mockery.
When the two finally parted ways, Poncho felt something he hadn't felt in a long time—contentment. His hunger for both food and acknowledgment had been satiated.
"A friend? He did promise to come cheer me tomorrow… hehehe."
With renewed vigor and a bright smile, Poncho happily walked toward his residence, looking forward to meeting Damon again the next morning.
'Maybe I did right coming to the capital' he thought to himself.