Chapter 3: Princess Mia...Presents What Seem to be Reasonable Arguments

“I guarantee that the key to victory lies in a bowl of exquisite mushroom stew!”

The sheer confidence of her tone proved compelling, and the council members found themselves persuaded in spite of themselves. All except Keithwood who, horrified by what seemed to be a simultaneous relinquishing of good sense by everyone present, immediately spoke up.

“H-Hold on a minute.”

As attendant to Sion, it was his job to stop his master from acting on lapses in judgment even if he’d incur Sion’s temporary displeasure. He had a duty, and the time to do it was now! Driven by his concern for Sion and the instinctive knowledge that this was a very bad idea, he boldly stepped in front of the speeding wagon of momentum that was Mia.

“There are many types of mushrooms—some poisonous, some not—and telling them apart is, to my knowledge, exceedingly difficult. Attempting to do so ourselves seems rather inadvisable.”

“Aha, I knew you’d say that, Keithwood. You’ve always been careful around mushrooms. And wisely so. But have no fear, for what you speak of is already a solved problem.”

“Huh? A solved problem? H-How, exactly...if you don’t mind my asking?”

Mia grinned slyly at his question.

“Consider, please, the nature of the island you currently stand upon. Is it not an island blessed by God? If so, then nothing poisonous could grow here, nor could it be brought in, correct?”

“Ah...”

Keithwood found himself at a loss for words.

The safest place in the continent... Paradise on Earth... These were descriptors often applied to Saint-Noel Island, for it was a land blessed by God. The pristine holiness of Noelige Lake’s water ensured th