‘It’s quieter than I thought.’
In the Northern Regions, May is a fleeting moment when the snow begins to melt.
As the snow melts, it turns into water.
Naturally, when water seeps into the unpaved dirt roads, they become muddy and slushy.
So, it was perfectly normal for my shoes to be caked in mud just thirty minutes after leaving the Grand Ducal Castle.
It must be quite a challenge to pave roads throughout the vast expanse of Winterfell.
The fact that only the interior of the Grand Ducal Castle and certain streets are paved is likely due to resource limitations or technological constraints.
Regardless, even though I was sinking deep into the muddy paths, my steps felt surprisingly light.
‘I can certainly sense the romance in this!’
If I were to wake up in a medieval period, there were certain things I just had to experience.
Honestly, it wasn’t much.
I wanted to stroll the streets, savor street foods, and inhale the scents wafting through the air.
For someone like me, who yearned for the romantic life of a free-spirited mercenary over the rigid existence of an aristocrat, rustic dishes served on a simple wooden table brought more excitement than a lavish feast set with exquisite tablecloths.
I yearned to tread through lush forest paths with like-minded friends rather than glide across marble floors in a palace surrounded by retained servants.
Of course, if this world was a historically accurate medieval setting filled with slaughter and barbarism, then the story would be entirely different. But this world is a ‘medieval fantasy.’
A fantasy world enriched with modern conveniences is bound to overflow with romance that modern people crave.
‘Though, I suppose there’s still a bit of wild breath lingering around.’
If a fantasy genre were filled exclusively with romance, it wouldn’t count as romance anymore.
Just as light shines brighter against the dark, good romance requires a reasonable compromise with the harsh realities of life.
Behind the medieval era, there are wars and hunting.
There are still traces of the conflict with beastmen and monsters in the Northern Regions, and one can also spot remnants of witch hunts, the very symbol of savagery.
However, instead of feeling disgusted, I found it quite romantic, simply because the scene closely resembled the 21st-century life I knew.
The medieval backdrop simply showcased these aspects more starkly, while in the present, they are concealed and moderated.
Wars driven by ideological conflicts and military profit were unending; communities thrive on the manipulation of false information leading to witch hunts that still continue.
Hatred and conflict merely change form to suit the environment.
Thus, I felt no revulsion, nor any particularly strong emotions about it.
‘People are the same everywhere.’
Children splashed about in the puddles formed by melting snow, their laughter ringing in the air.
Adults watched them fondly, chuckling softly.
Street thugs whispered schemes in the shadows of alleys.
Merchants struggled to free their carts from muddy traps while their workers pushed them, and a few thieves scurried off with fallen goods.
The streets teemed with the vitality I had expected, and just walking through it felt like a healing adventure bursting with freedom.
Was that why?
“This place is fantastic!”
In my amazement, I even forgot about Rachel who was following me.
And she promptly responded to my exclamation.
“Is this your first time in the Northern Regions, My Lord?”
Unlike the others who turned silent in Elden’s presence, Rachel struck up a casual conversation.
She dared to ask, knowing she wasn’t intimidated by Elden.
I gladly replied.
“Yes. What about you?”
“I came here once for training.”
“And how was that?”
“It was quite terrible. We were at war with the beastmen. Corpses were everywhere, and screams echoed throughout.”
Glancing back, I noticed Rachel gazing at the cityscape with a different, contemplative expression.
Though our feelings differed, it was nice that we were sharing a similar moment of appreciation.
“And how does it look now?”
“It looks promising. I was in the battlefield not just for training but also to protect the Northern Regions.”
“I see. You must feel proud.”
“You’re too kind. I was just a foot soldier; I didn’t contribute to this peace.”
“They say little helps can build a mountain. You have every right to feel proud.”
“…Thank you.”
I was relishing the fantasy I had longed for.
However, strolling through the streets alone seemed too mundane.
It would be disappointing for the day to end like this.
If one dreams of a they must leap into the world of their fantasy.
Though it was early for lunch, a light snack would suffice.
“Rachel, could you guide me, please?”
With Rachel’s experience in the Northern Regions, she’d make an excellent guide.
“You want me to show you around, My Lord?”
“Yes. I have a hunch you’ve spent a significant time here, and it would be a shame to leave without exploring a bit more, don’t you think?”
“Understood. Follow me.”
Huh?
I hadn’t even mentioned where I wanted to go, yet Rachel stepped ahead and started leading the way.
Her steps were confident and full of energy.
“Where are we going? I didn’t even specify a destination.”
Rachel halted abruptly, giving me a look that seemed to say, ‘Why are you asking that?’
Then, when she revealed our destination, I had to resist the urge to facepalm.
“We need to go to West 18th Street for the red-light district.”
……Hmm.
Living the life of Elden Raphelion…
‘Isn’t as easy as it sounds.’
“It’s not easy.”
[Gavinna’s Tavern]
After clearing up the confusion about our destination, I arrived at a tavern with Rachel.
This was my first visit to a restaurant since my reincarnation in this other world, and it was exactly the romantic place I longed for.
The lively atmosphere, the faint aroma of delicious food wafting through the air, the sound of glasses clinking, hearty and boisterous laughter, and even the dart games and arm-wrestling battles happening in the corners.
It was a hub of romance, and we sat at the periphery of it.
“…This doesn’t seem quite right,” Rachel said.
“What can we do if there are no other seats? If facing each other is difficult, then just come sit next to me.”
“I’ll stay here.”
The debate over seating was resolved quickly. I couldn’t let Rachel wait outside while I enjoyed my meal all alone in a place she recommended.
Besides, a well-fed escort would perform much better, wouldn’t they?
The problem was that there was only one table available, so Rachel ended up sitting across from me.
Before long, the dish we ordered arrived.
It was the ‘Braised Tail of the Red Longuer’ that Rachel had suggested.
“Wow.”
I couldn’t help but exclaim.
I salivated at the sight.
The Braised Tail of the Red Longuer was a dish made from a monster—something you could only savor in this medieval fantasy world.
It came from the crimson longback monster, a creature in the pig family.
Moreover, the meat of monsters was considered a lowly ingredient, something only available to common folks.
The grotesque appearance of these creatures had made many turn their noses up at the thought of eating them.
Yet, that only made such an ingredient more thrilling to indulge in.
Indeed, while fancy dishes prepared by noble chefs were delightful, a true medieval experience called for this sort of cuisine.
I was about to scoop up some tail stew when Rachel’s gaze caught my attention, making me look up.
“…?”
“Please, don’t. If anyone sees you, it may tarnish your reputation.”
Come on, damage the reputation of Elden Raphelion? That was absurd.
I gave my hood a light tap.
“As long as you keep quiet, nobody will know that the heir of a Count and his knight sat here together.”
“But still…”
“Just eat.”
“Yes.”
I was on the brink of tasting this romantic dish.
Having cut off Rachel’s protests, I hurriedly dug into my meal.
“Mmm, this is really delicious.”
“If you dip it in the sauce, it’ll taste even better.”
“Oh really?”
I eagerly picked up a piece of the tender meat with my fingers and dipped it in the sauce.
The chewy texture paired with the subtly sweet and slightly tangy sauce created a refreshing lemony flavor—a perfect match indeed.
It was delicious.
Truly scrumptious.
The richness of flavors filled my mouth and set my salivary glands into overdrive.
My brows knitted into a capital ‘W,’ and my head bobbed like a toy on the dashboard.
The deliciousness was such that I felt an impulse to set off on a gastronomic adventure immediately.
Especially remarkable was how the simple meat from the tail and the thick broth was all there was to it— with not even a single vegetable to be seen. It’s astonishing that such richness could come from such simplicity. There must be a true master chef hidden here.
After mentally applauding the talented chef behind this creation, I slurped down the dish.
Having scored full marks with my first meal, I eagerly anticipated the second. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go out for dinner tonight, and tomorrow’s lunch would involve an official gathering to kick off the final evaluation.
It seemed fate would make it hard for me to come back here anytime soon.
Clunk.
I set down the empty bowl, scraped clean of stew.
“This is truly a delicacy. I could eat this every day and never tire of it.”
“I was worried that you wouldn’t appreciate such a simple dish, My Lord, but I’m relieved you enjoyed it.”
“It’s regrettable that I’ve neglected such a dish until now.”
I washed my hands in the bowl of water they provided.
This meal was an undeniable success—no complaints at all.
I couldn’t help but want to return this evening to try other monster dishes.
Given that different monsters inhabit various regions, one could only wonder what kinds of dishes they might yield.
Naturally, the thought of planning a culinary adventure was forming in my mind.
‘This cannot continue.’
Indeed.
Being reincarnated into a romance fantasy world only to hide away in a dull mansion was close to a crime! Spending my days engaged in intense rivalry with other noble heirs was entirely against the spirit of the adventure.
I formulated this culinary travel plan in my mind.
With a smile, I looked at Rachel.
“…Why do you keep staring at me like that, My Lord?”
“From tomorrow, you have a new job.”
“What is it?”
To embark on this romantic culinary adventure, I needed to be a versatile warrior, not a reckless combat enthusiast.
Especially since my escort, Rachel, had the qualities of a magic swordsman, someone who could even imbue her sword with magic.
“Become my mentor.”
“…Pardon?”
Rachel was certainly qualified for that role.
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