episode_0045

The sun has already set.

Since Mt. Geumgang was also a beautiful sight after eating, we headed to the annex with the intention of eating first.

In the end, the grilled wyvern fin that I had never tasted appeared before my eyes, whetting my hunger.

I heard it has a chewy texture and a savory flavor.

I must try it when I get the chance.

by the way.

‘I wonder who cooked all those dishes.’

It seems that among the chefs of the Grand Duke Castle who all boast excellent flavors, there is a master of monster cooking.

It would be nice to invite them, but I don’t know if they will be able to match the enormous compensation they receive from the Grand Duke’s castle, or if they will be able to give up their stable jobs and take part in a foodie trip straight from the farm.

First, after the intimation with Lord Gelwood is over, I’ll have to look for it at a restaurant in the city center of the Northern Territory.

Because there are many restaurants that serve monster dishes.

A chef who dreams of adventure and romance may be anxiously waiting for a nobleman to give it to him.

I arrived at the entrance of the annex, hoping that there would be someone like that… .

“Esss–!!”

I had to turn my head to the passionate voice calling me.

Of course, it was the voice of the lady with the bun hair.

Among all the joy and praise that erupted at the first face-to-face ceremony, Ariel was the only one who raised a question mark.

Because she met the white-haired Erincia one step ahead of anyone else.

He must have been so curious that he went crazy.

Judging by the fact that he wasn’t carrying a book, it looked like he hadn’t been able to read as much as today.

“Ariel?”

“What is it? What on earth? What happened?”

Ariel, who runs to me with her blonde hair flying, begins to pour out questions she had been holding back.

With a face full of unanswered question marks.

Was the white-haired Erincia I met on a late night a few days ago really the Grand Duchess of Lemien?

Is it possible that the Baroness Erincia of the Royal Academy was the youngest daughter of the Grand Duke of Winterfell?

I wonder what the circumstances are like.

What kind of secret was hidden?

who.

when.

where.

what.

how.

why.

A question was asked based on the six and a half principle, and I was about to answer it… .

“Huh?”

Another question appeared in Ariel’s gaze as she looked at me.

From the moment I looked at my right cheek.

and.

The same question with a different meaning has been asked again.

Ariel poked my cheek with her index finger.

“What, what is it? How did this happen?”

I felt like I needed to answer that question first, so I answered while rubbing my cheek.

“I got hit once.”

“What? Did you end up getting hit by being mean to Sir Rachel?”

I smiled and answered Ariel’s expression, which seemed to say, “I knew it would happen someday.”

“No. I was hit by the Grand Duchess.”

“What? Why, why?”

At the unexpected answer, Ariel’s reddish-brown pupils and red lips grew bigger and bigger, and the moment the final answer was delivered, Ariel had to ask another question.

“I rejected the marriage proposal.”

“… What?!”

The bun-haired lady had many surprises.

**

“Well, in the presence of the candidates, Erincia, no. Grand Duchess Lemian made a public proposal, and you rejected it and got slapped?”

“Correct answer.”

I told Ariel everything that happened at the second face-to-face meeting without adding or subtracting anything.

Now that the truth was revealed to the world, there was no reason to lie to my classmate Ariel or to cover it up.

Rather, it was right to tell the truth.

This is Lemien, who could not accept the change and approached a third person, Ariel, in the middle of the night.

There’s no telling what kind of variables she might create as she couldn’t even accept the last greeting.

“So it would be better for you not to approach the Grand Duchess.”

“I wanted to go say hello, but it’s probably better not to, right?”

“Yes. It would be better to avoid it, at least for the time being.”

The heroine was not in good condition.

The fate of those who are consumed by revenge and are eventually devoured is always miserable.

I hope that doesn’t happen, but since they might use a third party, it wouldn’t hurt to be careful at least until the Battle of Marriage comes to a complete conclusion.

Because Lemien already has a history of using Ariel.

“What… I’ll do as you say. But is the wound okay?”

Ariel, who had resolved the newly emerging question, looked at my cheek with concern as she asked that question.

A warm hand that takes out the saved ointment and applies it directly.

A warm question that places more importance on a friend’s wounds than a long-held curiosity.

Considering the karma of Ariel and Rachel from the original Elden Raphellion, I think they are truly undeserved beings.

“It’s okay. What can I do with this much?”

“Thank goodness. But what happened? Was Erincia the Grand Duchess of Lemien?”

Afterwards, I explained everything to Ariel.

Of course, this excludes what you know as a reader of the original work.

“Awesome… It was true. So you’re saying it wasn’t a coincidence that the top graduates of the Royal Academy were the finalists?”

He nodded.

“Yes.”

“So your abstention has now been approved?”

“Not yet because the final decision maker has changed, but it is practically approved.”

“I see… .”

There was still a week left before the wedding battle came to a grand conclusion, but for me, it was no different from the end.

The fact that the right time to take out the cards that had been saved had arrived meant that escape from the Great Siege was imminent.

so that.

“I think the food trip schedule will be moved up a bit, is that okay?”

asked Ariel.

If Ariel asked if I could delay my departure a little bit, saying that there were many books I hadn’t read yet, I planned to wait.

I didn’t want to live so harshly that I ignored the request of a nobleman who helped me a lot and a friend I made for the first time in this world.

There were still things to prepare for a restful and romantic gastronomic trip.

However, contrary to expectations, Ariel nodded willingly.

“I’m good!”

“…Really? But aren’t there still many books left to read?”

“Well, what do you think? It’s a book. You can come back to read it next time, but now is the only chance to see you killing monsters in style, right?”

“I have no intention of rushing. There are still things to prepare. If you need time, I can wait, so you can talk comfortably.”

Ariel, who had brightly agreed without hesitation, appears to hesitate when she is told that she will wait.

Anyway, with my current skills, I would have a hard time against low-level or higher monsters.

The development of the ability to manipulate mana had not even begun yet.

Since there was something to prepare, there was no need to rush or be impatient.

Above all, leisure should be the top priority when it comes to a relaxing and romantic gastronomic trip.

Ariel hesitated for a moment, but then cautiously opened her mouth.

“Or… I heard that after the Marriage War, a [Monster Cooking Festival] will be held in the center of the Northern Territory? Didn’t you say last time that we needed to find a cook? I heard there will be a cooking contest as well. How about staying in Northern Territory for a while and enjoying the festival?”

what?

wait for a sec.

“A monster cooking festival is being held?”

When I showed interest, Ariel responded again with excitement.

“Yes! The event was held on Jungang Street for 5 days! I heard that some of the best chefs from around the northern region are gathering together, so maybe I can find one?”

“Oh. Is this tempting?”

“Hee hee. I thought you would like it!”

Monster National Cuisine Map and restaurant review books are not enough, and even the Monster Cuisine Festival that you may have passed by without knowing.

I think it would be an understatement to consider meeting Ariel a blessing.

Inviting a chef is one thing, but for Yellowy, it is a feast of mouth-watering rice bowls.

“Then I’ll go! Get some rest! Even Rachel~!”

Ariel walks away, having once again provided valuable help.

I wondered when I would be able to repay this favor, when I would be able to repay the generously giving tree, and waited for that moment to arrive.

**

“Hmm… .”

In the central aide’s office, there was continuous silence and sighing that started in the early evening.

Gelwood sits on a chair and looks at the seal placed on the desk.

It was a seal symbolizing the omnipotent and powerful power that temporarily represented Archduke Logan’s authority.

“That was foolish… It was truly foolish.”

Gelwood reproached himself.

I had so many regrets.

I was unable to stop Lemian from shortlisting four of his Royal Academy classmates as finalists simply because I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be better to choose among people I know?’

Even though I felt a strange feeling, I couldn’t deal with it properly.

Prince Elden’s sudden abstention and Lemien’s obsession with him were not suspected.

I cheered them on by sending them a note.

I regretted everything, and my heart was heavy because it seemed like I was responsible for the situation that had now become irreversible.

A bad relationship disguised as a coincidence.

Confucius Kyle’s fainting and disappearance.

A perverse obsession with abstentions.

Even the lukewarm attitude of the Royal Academy.

Even though everything showed that this battle for marriage was not about finding a husband but a revenge plot, and all the circumstances showed that this battle for marriage was wrongly buttoned from the beginning, I felt truly foolish for not being able to do anything.

I took a sip of wine while looking at the candlelight flickering in Gelwood.

And then, he let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh along with a sigh.

“Cluck… I guess I’m older now.”

Insight is not what it used to be.

I feel like my judgment is clouded.

I felt like my concentration, which I couldn’t easily overcome even the smallest of problems, had diminished.

Perhaps aging energy is dulling all senses.

“Why on earth did you plan something like this? Grand Duchess.”

The war of marriage that went wrong from the start led to catastrophe.

At the end, there are only three candidates left who should be the winner.

Even then, one person insisted on abstaining, making it difficult for him to become the winner.

In order to resolve this catastrophe before Grand Duke Logan’s return, all schedules for the Battle of the Marriage must be rescheduled, and at the same time, a method must be found to prevent the Third Grand Duchess from running away.

And the method may have to be quite cruel.

In order to close the crack that has begun, there must be no restrictions on means or compassion.

Gelwood stood up and stood by the window.

I thought as I looked at the third outer castle, where Grand Duchess Lemien would be.

perhaps.

“… … The curse may not have ended.”

The Royal Academy was headed to the Royal Academy with a thirst for learning and stubbornness.

The step taken despite the risk of being cursed may have signaled the beginning of the curse… Gelwood thought this and sighed with a bitter smile.

After that.

smart.

Someone announced a visit, and Gelwood, who personally opened the door and welcomed the visitor, was surprised.

Because it was the visit of an abstainer who was the only one who could smile in this chaos and catastrophe.

“Prince Elden?”

“Are you okay?”

“… That’s right, but I wonder what’s going on… ?”

“I have something to tell you, so I came here.”

In his hands, there were two mana records along with the note he had delivered.

and.

There was a long scar on his face that wasn’t there during the first meeting.

It’s coming soon.

It seemed like they were announcing that the three remaining candidates had officially become two.