Interlude – At the End of Cooking

Taktak. Parsih wiped the dust off his body and looked around for usable tools. Knives and kitchen utensils were worn and dented. The only thing that was relatively intact was a mace he had dropped during a fight. He let out a dusty sigh and stored the mace in his subspace. A smaller-than-usual gate caught his eye.

His horn had been broken, and Mana had escaped in clumps… The subspace, which had been well over 20 pyeong, had shrunk to a small size of about 5 pyeong. Still, he had enough Mana to use right away, and his Aura Swordsmanship hadn’t died, so he was less worried about the future. He wasn’t as good as before, but this was enough to be considered a strongman.

So, he would continue on.

Parsih would be able to live doing the cooking he loved.

“….”

If it weren’t for the guest who looked like they were about to commit suicide right now.

“Artania―.”

“Shut up….”

He approached Artania with a sullen face and reached out his hand― but the answer he got was a metallic curse. “Don’t pity me.” She didn’t even have the strength to shout. The Demon, steeped in sloth and arrogance, lowered her eyes and cursed the world.

How. Could she be knocked out in one blow? She had never experienced or seen such power. If it was just a difference in strength, she would have blamed her own weakness. But it wasn’t. She was inferior to the girl in every way. It was embarrassing to even call it a fight. She was treated like a toy and then it was over, how could she call this a fight?

“I can’t… accept this….”

When she forcibly twisted her lips, which were hardened with blood, they cracked and new blood seeped out. Artania stared blankly at the flowing blood. How long had it been since she had bled? ‘Blood’ was a story from a distant land for her, who didn’t even get a scratch unless it was a considerable attack.

“What are you going to do if you can’t accept it?”

When she raised her hollow eyes, she saw Parsih’s annoyed face. He was holding a dented pot and sighing as if the ground would sink, then he forcibly picked up the crouched Artania and carried her on his back without permission. The height increased in an instant. Parsih, who was carrying Artania like a piece of luggage, silently headed somewhere.

For a moment, she wondered if he was going to harm her, and her body flinched. But contrary to expectations, that didn’t happen. His face was still full of annoyance, but his eyes were filled with pity as he looked at her. Artania was ashamed and angry. Until yesterday, he was a half-baked Demon who groveled, saying, “Artania-nim!”….

Artania struggled with anger.

“Let… go of me.”

“….”

Parsih’s body didn’t budge. There was no way that the struggles of a body worse than a human girl would work. Artania spoke with as much murderous intent as possible, but he ignored it as well. Parsih’s silence became a dagger and slashed Artania’s mind. Please. Don’t do that. Even though she screamed inwardly, Parsih’s footsteps didn’t stop.

Her heart beats. The sound of her heart beating quietly. It was so clear that it felt like it wasn’t her own heart― the detached sound of her heart dug into Artania’s ears. Then she heard footsteps. The sound of Parsih’s shoe heels echoed irregularly. Ttokak, Ttokak. Artania closed her eyes in the midst of the noisy sounds.

Her breathing quickens.

With each rush of breath, the bandage that covered the despair hidden deep down is peeled off. Artania vomited just from glimpsing the fragments of despair. Now. She has to admit it. She is― no longer the Queen of the Swamps or a Great Demon.

Ordinary.

No, worse than that.

Human.

Below that―…

“Admit… it?”

Pudeuk. She grinds her teeth. A terrible taste of blood spread in her mouth. Unlike when she cooked and ate humans, it was only bitter and astringent. Artania grabbed Parsih’s collar and shouted with bitterness.

“That kind of thing… that kind of thing!!!!”

She opened her mouth wide―

-Kwaaaaaak!!

“Keuk!”

He barely twisted his body and bit his neck to avoid the hand that was trying to grab him again. Parsih reflexively let go of her as sharp teeth dug into his neck. Kung. A dull impact sound echoed. Artania crawled on the floor, which was full of stone fragments and dust, and then grabbed a collapsed pillar and stood up. Her body was staggering. But her eyes were burning.

“…I can’t accept it.”

Parsih stood still and watched Artania. He wanted to say something out of frustration, but he couldn’t open his mouth when he saw her determined eyes. Artania ignored her hoarse voice and spat out blood as she spoke.

“If… if you truly care about me….”

With a smile on her lips. She said, illuminating her anger-soaked lips with blood.

“…Just leave me be.”

She would rather die intoxicated by the glory of the past than live a miserable life avoiding the eyes of humans and Demons. She would rather be buried in the underground of the swamp and die. Her pride wouldn’t allow her to endure the pain and wait for the flower to bloom someday. She didn’t have the mental strength to endure it either. Parsih stared at Artania’s face, which was ruined, and said.

“You’ll die.”

She closes her eyes at his foolish worry and gives up. Tears welled up and fell between her shaking head, as if she would collapse at any moment. Tears that were thicker than the blood of the humans she had killed. Crocodile tears. Artania let out a trembling breath. She leaned her back against the pillar and slumped down. The ceiling she was staring blankly at seemed higher than usual today.

“Just… go away.”

That’s for my sake. A blood-boiling voice.

It was a distance of only two steps. If he took just two steps, he could reach her. But even so. Parsih’s feet didn’t move. No. He couldn’t. It was only two steps, but the meaning contained in those steps was by no means small. Should he reach out his hand even to deny everything that Artania had built up?

If these steps are to be for your sake. What should he do?

“….”

If he gave up everything and went back like this…. He had such thoughts, but he couldn’t easily turn his back because of the regret that filled his chest. Where else could he meet such a Demon? Parsih shuddered at the loneliness that would come again.

As is often the case with mixed-race beings, he couldn’t completely belong to one group. Even if you look at the Elves right away, Half-Elves are treated as a separate race. In a Demon society full of stubbornness and desire, there’s no need to even mention it. He was too tall to mix with the Imps, too weak to get along with the Demons, and not whole.

In an isolated situation, his hobby of cooking only accelerated his loneliness. He didn’t feel any emotion from cooking alone and eating alone. At some point, the desire to show off his cooking to others began to rise. It wasn’t easy. The Imps were stupid bastards who would chew up the plate when he brought them food, and the Demons would cast magic as if they didn’t want to talk to a mixed-blood.

In the midst of all this, he finally met a Demon who recognized him― and she’s telling him to give up everything and go back?

The answer Parsih chose was simple.

“Haha… Artania-nim!”

A ridiculous radio voice fills the fortress. A cheerful voice. Artania squinted and looked at Parsih. He smiled brightly and said ‘as if nothing was wrong’.

“What on earth. What’s going on?”

He didn’t include any pity, as she wished. He tidied up his clothes, packaging himself in his usual cheerful and obnoxious tone. He untied his hair once and tied it properly. Straight. An ashen-faced mixed-blood Demon. A half-baked. A product of a crazy Demon who had sex with an Imp… The many nicknames Artania called him flashed through his head.

“The meal isn’t over yet!”

While rummaging for a usable weapon, Parsih remembered that the stew in the oven was still in its original shape. It flew away with the oven, but the contents inside didn’t spill out thanks to the elastic uterus. Now, cooking and everything else was meaningless, but he could eat it if he wanted to.

He turns around and heads to the ruined kitchen. When he saw the terrible state of it, the smile he had been forcing disappeared on its own. Parsih said, “Ah,” and then immediately raised the corners of his lips.

He opens the overturned oven. The messed-up stew came into view. It was still in its original shape, a food that he could eat if he wanted to. He couldn’t bring himself to call it food waste. He clears away the broken plates and takes out a new plate. Basic tools that were still left in his subspace.

He took out extremely simple seasonings and sauces and decorated them with care. So, the shape turned out better than he thought. Parsih headed to Artania with the dish in one hand and an undamaged chair and table in the other.

“Here you gooo!! Artania-nim!! I’ve brought you the rest of your meal!!”

Parsih skillfully set the table and prepared the last supper.

“….”

He makes eye contact with Artania, who is leaning against the pillar and just breathing. She didn’t know what was going on, so she squinted and stared blankly at the dining table. Parsih approached Artania without erasing his smile.

“Artania.”

A distance of only two steps.

He approached without hesitation and reached out his hand.

“Please, eat.”

Because cooking was all he could do.

Artania’s face, looking at his outstretched hand, was complex and subtle. She was just moving her lips and making strange moans, so she looked quite funny. While she was confused and couldn’t figure out what to say. A sweet smell stung her nose.

He forcibly injected the fragrance into the food, which had cooled down and lost its smell.

The worst of all the dishes he had ever made.

The smell of such a dish.

“Why….”

Tears flow.

This time, a slightly different kind of tears.

“Why are you being so nice to me….”

If he had just hit her head with a mace. If he had just made her into a pulp as a way to vent his anger. That would be more comfortable. She had only cursed and used him like a slave until now… He could at least vent his anger. That would be more comfortable. Artania didn’t have the courage to take Parsih’s hand.

“I, I’m nothing anymore….”

Parsih’s consideration acted as a deadly poison. She was so pathetic that she was nothing. The reality of being pitied by that half-baked was so miserable. It was when she was about to become a crouch again.

-Tak.

“Uh, uh?”

As she was looking down with a gloomy expression, something grabbed her hand. The cold touch unique to Demons. It was Parsih’s hand. Artania opened her bloodshot eyes wide and looked at Parsih.

“Artania.”

A serious voice without any playfulness.

“Nothing?”

And a voice that seemed a little angry.

“Artania. My first guest…. I’m not sticking to you because you’re strong. I’m just by your side because you like my cooking. You are not nothing. You’re my only guest, there’s no way you could be! So, my special luck. And all of me. Artania. Get up. I want to see your face smiling as you eat my cooking.”

If it were normal, she would have hit him in the back of the head for being cheesy, but the situation was such that it didn’t sound light. How could she not worry when he was taking her side when she had nothing left? How could she ignore him when he was approaching her with such a kind voice? Artania barely suppressed her trembling voice and said.

“Really… is that all?”

“Yes. That’s all.”

His answer was so unwavering that it was even more heartbreaking.

“….”

After a time that felt like an eternity. Strength entered her wounded and weak hand. She drags her trembling legs and sits on the chair. As always, she was escorted by Parsih and listened intently to the explanation of the dish.

She, who had been receiving cooking lessons for a long time as if she was being trained, reflexively nodded her head. Artania realized that it was too late to turn back from this appearance of hers. Should she bite her tongue and kill herself right now?

But.

“Well. Then… hmm. Why are you looking at me like that?”

Negative thoughts melted away as she saw Parsih’s kind face.

Artania realized once again the impulse of that tickling emotion.

“…It’s nothing.”

It was too late.

To go back.

* * *

How many years had passed like that?

“This time, we’re going to get the roots of the Karagori flower from the Silbehrin Great Forest. I heard it’s perfect for making broth. It’s a material that humans can’t live without.”

A tall man wearing a black tailcoat and a mask that covered the entire front of his face.

And next to him, a woman with innocent blonde hair wearing a large straw hat.

Two humans― no, two Demons, with a slightly bizarre combination, abandoned the swamp that had been their home and set off on a new adventure.

Surprisingly, the two of them hadn’t killed a single human since leaving home.

It was partly because Artania’s taste, whose horn had been broken, had become closer to that of a human, but Parsih wasn’t very interested in the food he ate.

“Hey, Parsih.”

Artania grabbed the hem of her dress, which was fluttering in the wind, and said.

“Isn’t it enough now?”

She stood on tiptoe in front of Parsih, who was burying his head in the map and estimating the direction, and met his eyes.

Her large breasts swayed and stole his gaze.

Artania, who smiled slyly at his gaze, swiped down the map with her finger and looked at him straight ahead.

Parsih tried not to be conscious of her large breasts and opened his mouth.

“What is it?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know? You’re going on an adventure to find ingredients… It’s about time to stop, isn’t it? You can’t even do long-distance space travel anymore, aren’t you overdoing it too much? I can go into your subspace and rest when I’m tired, but….”

“Hehe. Is that what it was?”

Artania touched the hat on her head and said.

“I’m not kidding. More than that, do you remember what I said before? About settling down soon.”

Whether it was good luck or bad luck. The cut surface of her broken horn was covered by her golden hair and couldn’t be seen. Unless someone rummaged through her hair, they wouldn’t be able to notice. It would be even more distant if she wore a hat. On the outside, she looked like a big-breasted and innocent country girl. In fact, most of the humans she encountered didn’t even notice, but only lusted after Artania’s outstanding beauty. For reference, Parsih made those guys into a pulp.

The problem was Parsih’s ashen face color.

“There are many humans who wear masks because their faces are hideous, so it’s okay… Ah. That’s not to say that your face is hideous….”

She was flustered and made excuses as if she had made a mistake. Artania just wanted to live happily with just the two of them. She wanted to hug Parsih, who had finished cooking, and tell him he had worked hard. She wanted to be hugged by his tall height and act like a spoiled child. She wanted to put her lips against his cheek.

…Of course. She had never said it once since going outside.

“Artania.”

“Yeah?”

Bbeonjjeok.

“Kya, Kyaak?!”

Artania, who was lifted up with her hands under her armpits, struggled while leaning against Parsih’s chest. Her large breasts pressed down on his upper body as she struggled. Contact between bodies. Her face turned as red as a tomato from embarrassment. Tears began to well up in her eyes.

“First of all, I would like to apologize.”

Parsih said as if he didn’t care about that kind of thing. In fact, it wasn’t particularly intentional skinship, it was just that his chest was so big that his balance was leaning forward.

“Eumu, mumu meomwo?”

The strength of his hug increased. Artania shuddered and trembled, stuttering at the cool but definitely delivered body temperature.

“I was so focused on cooking that I forgot what was most precious to me.”

The trembling subsides in the warmth. Artania had a dazed expression as if she was addicted to drugs and accepted the selfish hug. Then, she shuddered as if she had been electrocuted by the hand that stroked the back of her head. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, and she bent her legs and hooked them around his waist like a hook. Artania, who was clinging to his body like a cicada, continued to let out only hot breaths.

Parsih knew.

The appearance of the Great Demon who had been feeling affection for him since some time ago.

“And thank you. For being with me on my journey, which has been stained with selfish desires until now….”

Until now, he had been intentionally ignoring it. A chef who touches a guest. That’s impossible, isn’t it? …He desperately ignored it, comforting himself.

But. When he discovered Artania, who was gradually tiring as she yearned for unrequited love. He felt a sense of responsibility. It was he who had brought her, who had originally decided to die, to this point.

“Artania.”

So.

He intends to take responsibility.

“I love you.”

A gasp. Artania didn’t seem to understand what she had heard. She intermittently trembled her arms and legs and only let out broken moans. For dozens of minutes in that state. Parsih supported her, who was clinging to him, without showing any signs of fatigue. And finally. When she came down from his arms.

“Why… why….”

She buried her head in his chest and said in a tearful voice.

“Why are you saying it now, you idiot….”

On a blue prairie with no one around.

While feeling the cool breeze.

The two men and women whispered love to each other.