Chapter 31
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Monster Extermination and Field Kitchen (2)
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“Oh! So we're finally doing a monster extermination this year?”
“How large is the force? What's the duration?”
“Where's the assembly point? Kenbane Castle? Or Delt Castle?”
Unlike Dominic, who tensed up at the mention of monsters, some of the village chiefs openly lit up with excitement, pressing the administrator for every scrap of information they could get.
“Um, isn't a monster extermination dangerous?”
“Huh? Haha! Of course it is! This is your first one, right?”
“Yes. It's my first year as village chief, and I haven't been settled in this area long...”
“That explains why you wouldn't get the vibe here.”
When he asked for advice from the village chief of another town sitting nearby—who already seemed to like him—the man explained in detail.
“Have you ever seen a monster in this region?”
“...No?”
“Exactly. Our southern lands have never had many monsters since ancient times. The sea, deserts, and mountains keep them at bay.”
“I've heard the south is in an easy position to defend.”
“Quick on the uptake, aren't you? That's why we in the south rarely do regular monster sweeps like other regions. But even so, monster colonies sometimes grow too large.”
“And this is to prevent that!”
“Spot on.”
Every few years, the monster ecosystem would become unstable.
Something like one species exploding in numbers, or a powerful individual disrupting the food chain.
The southern lords would scout for these anomalies, notify neighboring territories immediately, and muster forces together to wipe out the monsters.
“Still, it's bloody work. The other chiefs seem pretty excited about it. Am I seeing that wrong?”
“No, you're not. It's right to be tense about danger, but the truth is, these extermination ops bring big gains to every village involved.”
“Gains?”
“It's an unplanned mobilization, so they won't have stockpiled rations, supplies, or laborers in advance. Where do you think they'll source all that?”
“Ah!”
“You know from experience—our lord isn't the type to squeeze us for cash. So everyone's salivating over it.”
Now that it was explained, Dominic spotted the common thread among the chiefs with sparkling eyes.
'Places with big farmlands, mines, or overflowing populations!'
It was obvious that regions equipped to supply materials on short notice could cash in big on this opportunity.
'Wow, that stings a bit.'
Dominic was already piling up coin hand over fist, but who didn't love a bonus?
Yet no matter how he racked his brain, Evergreen had no way to get a piece of the action.
It was pie in the sky.
“Um, the lord is calling for you.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
Just then, the administrator who'd delivered the news summoned Dominic, who was smacking his lips in regret.
The now-familiar office-cum-meeting room of Count Sinclair.
“Greetings, my lord!”
He'd finally nailed not slipping into Joseon-era drama speech after a few tries.
“You've heard about the monster extermination, I take it?”
“Yes.”
“I have a proposal for you regarding that.”
“For me? Ah, no—I mean, for your humble servant?”
Catching him off guard, Dominic blurted a casual reply, then hastily corrected himself under the icy stares from the other officials and knights nearby.
But the lord paid no mind to such things, simply saying what needed to be said.
“I need you to serve as field cook for our territory's soldiers.”
Straight to the point, no preamble.
This confirmed he was the old lord's son, alright.
“Uh... isn't that usually handled by the camp cooks or the castle's head chef...?”
“Normally, yes. Our castle chef is an excellent cook. But after seeing someone outperform him in feeding soldiers during live training, why would I hesitate?”
“Er... well...”
His past life as a nutritionist—sleeving up to fend off a norovirus outbreak in the group—had boomeranged back at him.
'I did a good deed, so why's punishment coming instead of reward?'
It screamed no pay and hard labor.
A few gold coins would be the max reward for one man's effort—anything more would be unreasonable.
The problem? Dominic no longer trembled at a handful of gold.
'I'm a resort manager, after all...'
Things had changed in just a few months.
But turning down a direct request from the lord? No way.
This wasn't some personal favor—it was for the territory, for protecting the people via monster extermination!
- No justification for that, none!
A movie line flashed through his mind.
'Either yes or no—why hunt for justification?'
Some things you had to experience firsthand.
No courage to refuse, no desire to accept—he dawdled. Then, as if reading his mind, the lord spoke again.
“Word is, a few coins won't buy your time anymore. So if you handle this well, I'll give you something you truly need.”
“Oh no, my lord! If you say you need me, how dare I ask for payment!”
“You seemed reluctant at first.”
“Perish the thought! Feeding the soldiers is grave work. I was just agonizing over how to meet your expectations for such a heavy duty.”
“Is that so?”
“Why would I lie in your presence?”
Pure baloney, of course.
Seeing the lord was offering something more precious than gold, Dominic flipped his expression and launched into the most loyal village chief act imaginable.
'See? Our lord's a good guy.'
His opinion flipped like a pancake.
“So... what is it I need, you say...?”
Gulp.
Dominic swallowed dryly.
If it turned out to be something trivial after all this buttering up, he'd find an excuse to bail.
'If they call crap a 'reward,' I'll just hurl myself under a cart. Broken arm means I can't do it—what then?'
Loyalty? Still zilch today.
“Evergreen is prospering thanks to your efforts, they say?”
“I've scraped by with odd schemes to get this far, but the road ahead is long, my lord. It's just a tiny rural village without even an outpost.”
“Sounds like that death rattle of yours is a habit.”
“Rumors exaggerate—I fear they might cloud your eyes and ears...”
“Haha, exaggerate? If what I heard is overstated, I'll have to change the gift I had in mind.”
“Pardon?”
“I figured you and your village were racking your brains over taxes. But if revenues aren't that high, reducing taxes might not be best—better to reward you with something else, no?”
“Oh, my lord!”
Dominic bowed deeply, unleashing his most ingratiating whine.
“Your grace humbles me!”
In that moment, his king was Count Sinclair.
“What the hell does 'your grace' even mean?”
“Ah, that? Mountain valley dialect from back home—you probably haven't heard it before. Means something like 'the king's benevolence.’”
“...Plotting rebellion?”
“What're you on about?”
Ian fiddled with his ear at the absurd remark, then—uncharacteristically—smacked his lips and sat awkwardly.
“Ugh, our lord's got guts. Right? Who else thinks to lower tax rates? Guy like this needs to live forever.”
Dominic's philtrum lengthened as he fought back laughter.
[No set duration. It'll probably depend on soldier satisfaction.]
[Is that true?]
[Yes. The late lord, old Count Theodore Sinclair, often used this approach.]
[So basically, perform well if you want more perks?]
[Pretty much.]
Dominic was genuinely impressed. 'Old timer knows his tricks.'
“Knight, know anything about the extermination op?”
“......”
“Even a little—say something.”
“...Ida.”
“Pardon?”
“...First time for me too.”
Ian's face flushed crimson.
He hadn't realized his inexperience could feel this embarrassing.
“Right, you're not from the south.”
“Yeah.”
“Thought it'd be easy, but no dice. Guess I'll ask the head cook?”
“Better to ask the soldiers. Satisfaction decides it, remember?”
“Soldiers, huh. Ah! That redhead!”
Recalling a helpful soldier, Dominic bolted from the guest room toward the barracks.
He no longer feared getting lost in the castle without a guide.
“Micky!”
“Village chief! Doing well? You called for me?”
The redheaded soldier beamed in welcome.
Dominic got straight to the point, wasting no second, and the rookie relayed his seniors' tales without filter.
“...That's all I heard, chief. Think it'll help?”
“Plenty. Good call coming here.”
He was the type who'd volunteer in the kitchens after grueling drills for extra snacks—dead serious about food.
Dominic figured he'd know more than most veterans. Spot on.
“Thanks to you, I've got a clear direction. Appreciate it.”
“Heh heh. No problem.”
“Sneak back later. I'll hook you up with snacks.”
“For real? Thanks!”
“In return, pass me soldier chatter during the op? Nothing fancy—just food-related stuff.”
“Sure thing, no issue.”
“Great. See you on site.”
“Yes sir! Take care!”
The tall redhead trotted back into the barracks, and Ian retook the seat beside Dominic.
“Got intel on soldier-pleasing dishes?”
“Not the issue.”
Dominic had considered asking about favorites, ingredients, dislikes, cooking methods.
But Micky's stories held something far weightier.
[A veteran senior told me. Soldiers from the next territory get hot stews with big meat chunks, but we get dry bread and potatoes—it's heartbreaking.]
The south's monster extermination.
Unlike elsewhere, multiple territories teamed up. Three or four at least, up to seven lords bringing their troops.
To boost our side's meal satisfaction there?
'We gotta eat better than the guys next door—hands down!'
Meals were a competition too.