The day after Mardol’s grade match.
In a deserted alley of Grand Hertz Academy, the voices of two people could be heard.
“So, my junior! Why is the knight Yurii learning Shadow Slash?”
“Ha, haha… I don’t know? Maybe they are self-taught?”
“Hey, you rascal! You always give yourself away when you’re lying!”
I was cornered by my master Drake. The man with a yellow-haired scarred face was lecturing me. He had called me after seeing Shadow Slash the previous day.
“In the first place, to master a technique that requires a strong will to ‘cut shadows,’ you start by cutting coins! There’s no way he learned it alone!”
“…I had my reasons, Master.”
I figured I needed magic to protect our Saintess, so I thought, “I wanted to learn magic. I didn’t pass down anything else.”
I thought the protagonist could definitely handle my situation. Bowing my head, I began to make excuses.
“Ah, so you joined Dennis’s club for that reason! Hahaha!”
“I’m sorry.”
He burst out laughing as he continued to hear me. Would he just drag me up the mountain to train in swordsmanship?
“The problem is not that. My junior! If my brother finds out, he might get angry!”
With that, he narrowed his eyes, as if suspecting something. He crossed his arms and continued talking.
“In the first place, he has so much magical power that magic suits him more than swordsmanship… I have no idea why he’s so obsessed with swords!”
“Mardol? Maybe it’s because he’s fixated on strength… No, he’s enthusiastic about it?”
That’s why he wears masterpiece-grade armor.
If his gear is performance-wise similar to the Holy Sword, he can certainly hold his own against the Demon King. I almost gave up on our Saintess before.
“Obsessed with strength, and never taking off his armor.”
Even in yesterday’s match, if he had targeted the gaps in the armor or cast magic inside it to counter, the so-called wind wizard would have been at a disadvantage.
Anything has weaknesses; nothing is perfect. The opponent probably didn’t realize that because of the difference in combat experience.
“No! My junior! If even a scratch happens to that delicate and precious individual, my brother will definitely catch up to me if I run away! That’s why I told you to stay as far from him as possible!”
“…So that was the reason you wrote me a letter.”
“Right! If he sees you and Yurii knight together, he’s definitely coming at me with an axe!”
Delicate and precious individual? It’s true she’s a valuable person. Maybe he’s saying that because of some trauma related to his mother. I felt a sense of dissonance with those strange words.
“Surely, people do act emotionally. Almost like they’re someone else.”
I crossed my arms, thinking like Drake, but seeing this, my master just shook his head. Still, I got back Queen Bellin. I didn’t think he would try to kill me.
“Professor Dennis mentioned it, but he said it wouldn’t go that far.”
“That guy’s still young! Try being my age! Everyone else is a wolf…”
Suddenly, the Dragon Slayer Drake stopped speaking as if he saw something.
“Why did you stop suddenly, Master?”
He glanced back at me and gestured. What was there to see?
“Ah, Licht. Hello.”
Speak of the devil! Mardol was waving his hand as he approached. Drake greeted him with a hearty laugh.
“Nice to meet you! Mardol!”
Trying hard to maintain a bright expression, he looked like he was acting, with his eyes twitching oddly.
It must be awkward to pretend not to know someone he already knows.
“What brings you here? Mardol?”
I asked the knight Yurii, who was there. There was no reason for him to come to such a deserted place. Besides, how did he even find it?
Looking at the golden wolf eyes peeking from behind the helmet, I wondered if he had followed the scent—what a strange suspicion.
“Eh, no way. That can’t be!”
I quickly dismissed it from my mind. It must be just my imagination. I wouldn’t want someone else to remember such things about me, especially not some random guy.
“Licht.”
At that moment, there was a clatter of his helmet as he opened his mouth.
“Let’s have lunch together.”
“..Huh? Er…?”
Mardol grabbed my hand and pulled me along. His strength was so much that I was yanked forward. I got caught in some kind of handlock and couldn’t escape.
“I have to watch the match between Kainel and Ariel! It’s about to start!”
“..Either way, they’re strong. Don’t worry. We don’t have time.”
I screamed in surprise as I lost my balance. Why was this happening, am I really going to get trapped in the royal basement? Cold sweat formed out of fear.
“I’m aiming to get through the semifinals without issues, so just worry about coming with me!”
“Yeah, you can fight later.”
I was helplessly being dragged away from my master. I felt relieved that I wouldn’t have to go up the mountain for swordsmanship training for my mistake, but was this really okay? I started leaving marks on the ground as my feet were dragged.
“Drake Master!!”
I called for Grand Sword Master hoping for help, but he just shook his head with a cold stare, like before, probably thanks to the flag already being raised.
“Did I get too friendly at the bakery that time?”
I bit my lip and struggled, but I was already walking at his pace. The speed was like using Wolf Fang, incredibly fast, and if I didn’t match it, I felt like my body would bounce away.
“Please save me!!”
That scream echoed as a singular cry, and as I saw myself disappearing with Mardol, Drake only expressed, “If you’re this concerned, you have to be responsible, my junior.”
I certainly had issued the warning. Drake waved his hand dramatically, and his soft voice didn’t reach me.
Thus, the place I found myself at, away from Drake, was—
“Welcome, customers!!”
“Where are we…?”
“A must-try restaurant that requires a reservation.”
It was a restaurant with a rich aroma of delicious meat. A red dwarf with a braided beard came out to guide Mardol.
“…But I still wanted to see your match.”
“We’ve got no one stronger than the four of us.”
“While that is true.”
Among the new students, he’s right. Sitting on well-crafted wooden tables and chairs, I chatted with him.
“I’ll see you later, in the match.”
“So, why did you come here?”
“I… wanted to treat you.”
Mardol tapped the table with his gloved hands. Not bare hands, but glass gloves. Isn’t it uncomfortable to hide his identity like that? Probably because of trauma.
“You didn’t have to do this. If it’s because of my mother…”
“Nope. I tried to kill myself!”
“…”
How did he know about that determination from the Corruption Route? His golden eyes sparkled, giving off a sad impression. Must be because he’s the protagonist.
“If you eat something delicious, you’ll feel better, Licht.”
[Night Heart] had many similar events, so this work might also have some too. He spoke as if he understood human emotions.
“..I understand.”
Someone who resembled that longing person crossed my mind, leaving me no choice but to agree. So that’s why he asked if I liked meat yesterday.
“Three servings of Minotaur Tomahawk Steak.”
“How would you like it cooked?”
“..Masterpiece.”
“Yes!! Ordering three servings of Minotaur Tomahawk! Masterpiece grade!”
Before I knew it, Mardol expertly placed the order to the returning dwarf. A tomahawk made from the Minotaur.
“Masterpiece? Not medium or rare? Are we following item grades from the game?”
“It’s going to be delicious. Definitely.”
Mardol nodded slightly, expressing his anticipation. Then, from the large kitchen in the center, a commotion began.
The clean kitchen visible to guests boasted strict hygiene.
“Kids!! Get ready!! It’s a masterpiece grade!!”
“Understood! Chef!”
With that shout, a rainbow-colored group of dwarfs in red, orange, and yellow popped out to prepare the dishes.
“The dwarves’ pride! Masterpiece is our soul itself!”
Sizzle. The sound of oil surrounded the iron plate as a large bone with meat was placed on it. Nearby, vegetables that looked like garnishes were being chopped.
“Forging iron and handling fire aren’t just for anvils and hammers!”
The faces of the bearded dwarfs brightened with smiles, their eyes shining with a playful spark. Their harmonious movements were utterly synchronized.
“Let’s reminisce about our eternal mountain from the Land of Fire!”
He must have been talking about one of the Ten Heroes. Probably because he was the leader among the dwarfs. Since he was also a red dwarf, something felt déjà vu.
“..Isn’t it amazing?”
“Ah, yes. It’s my first time at a dwarf restaurant.”
Because I’m following the Saintess route, my fame was low, so I didn’t know. I thought they were only perverts who made or repaired weapons.
I never knew they could cook too. This was a sight I hadn’t seen even in the game, and I couldn’t take my eyes off it.
“Good call bringing me here.”
Seeing that, the knight Yurii let out a small laugh.
“Here it is! Customers!”
At that moment, a red dwarf came over holding a piece of meat taller than him. I was amazed at how quickly the meal had been finished. Perhaps they used magic as well.
“Make sure to eat before it gets cold!”
Was it called Minotaur Tomahawk Steak? The huge bone and meat pieces definitely gave off a ‘video game dish’ vibe. I swallowed as its glossy surface triggered my appetite.
“..What’s the matter, Licht?”
“This is really expensive…?”
It looked like an expensive dish just by the name, which even bore the title masterpiece.
“I’ll take care of it.”
I hesitated to eat it due to the price, but now here’s the Crown Prince treating me—bringing back memories of his abundant wealth in [Black Heart]. I beamed with joy.
“Thank you. I will enjoy it, Mardol.”
I was about to grab a big tomahawk and bite into it.
“Ah, you both are wearing helmets! Let me cut it for you!”
“Oh, thank you.”
I couldn’t eat because of the faceguard blocking me. I hated my Black Knight helmet that I couldn’t freely take off.
Would Mardol’s similar designed helmet be stuck on him too?
Just as I raised a question like that, the red-bearded dwarf easily separated the meat for us.
“..Now I’m really gonna eat.”
“Eat plenty.”
I slightly lifted my facemask. I pierced a piece of cut steak with a fork. Normally, you should hold it to eat for full flavor.
“..Wow, this.”
Each bite revealed juicy flavors. The deep savor and aroma of beef filled my mouth. The seasoning and butter was perfectly balanced without any bad aftertaste.
‘This truly tastes like a high-class steak… No, more like higher than that?’
The texture of the well-cooked meat. There wasn’t a single burnt part on the masterpiece. Masterpiece. Was there a special sauce that made it so non-greasy and went down smoothly?
“Is it delicious?”
“Indeed.”
Worried about eating Minotaur meat, I felt that I had wasted my life up until now when I tasted the bone and attached portions.
“This is shaping up to be a wonderful lunch. Thank you.”
“You truly love meat, huh?”
For a moment, I forgot the thoughts of how it tasted and got lost in the act of eating. How long had I eaten?
As I glanced at the mountain of meat before me, I tilted my head.
“..So, can you eat all of that? Mardol?”
“Yeah. Licht.”
I had ordered a total of three servings. But it was an enormous amount, and two servings had gone toward the knight Yurii’s side already.
“You’re quite the big eater.”
“..Excuse me, Licht.”
Covering his face with Yurii magic while eating was similar to what I did, but he was enjoying the meat too. Already one plate had been cleared.
“I’ll stop here.”
I had cleared the bones, and now there were only the lean meat parts left. I had eaten over half but felt too full. Wiping my mouth, I smiled contentedly.
“Mardol. Aren’t you going to eat that?”
At that moment, he pointed at my plate with his finger. He must have been referring to the lean meat.
“I’m too full. I’m sorry.”
“That’s the most delicious part… What a waste.”
“Want to eat it? I haven’t touched that plate at all.”
Since I couldn’t finish it, was it okay? It was an enormous amount anyway, and I had been dividing them into several plates to eat, so I readily agreed.
“..Really?”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
Mardol was quickly finishing off another plate. He sure could put it away. Buying food with his own money was likely meant to eat more….
“Thanks, Licht.”
He took the bone I had eaten from right behind my plate. It was the very plate I’d mentioned.
“Wait, Mardol?!”
He grabbed something other than the lean meat. I hadn’t anticipated this point at all.
“..Why? Licht?”
Crunch, crunch. The sound echoed from the table. So it was just an empty plate unlike mine. I felt scared seeing him chomp down on the bones like candy.
‘Thinking about it, he’s a wolf beastman.’
Is this what species differences are? If I say something wrong here, the imperial guard might ask me, ‘What, are you making fun of the Crown Prince?’ and unsheathes a blade at my neck.
Moreover, he easily munched on bones with those powerful jaws.
“It’s nothing… Go ahead and eat your fill…”
“Sure. Thanks.”
If I said it was strange, I might get bitten, so I remained silent. It must be just species differences.
There’s absolutely no indirect kiss happening here.
Absolutely not. If our Saintess hears about this, she will surely think I’m cheating.
