The Dragon Hater's Respite
Sofia’s summons rang out. “Did you just touch my burger with those profane hands?! How could you commit such a terrible act…?! Why didn’t you say anything earlier?!”
The title “Dragon Hater” proved remarkably effective. It was almost too cost-efficient. At the mere mention of being a dragon hater, Maruti flew into a rage, ranting and raving. He was so incensed that I half-expected flames to erupt from his lizard mouth. It reminded me of the time back in elementary school when an auntie preaching on the way home from school asked if I knew about “Jacob,” and I answered, “You mean vegetable giblets?” She had shouted just as furiously as Maruti was now.
“Do you even realize what you’ve done?! This goes far beyond simple cooking—it’s a grave offense…!!”
Ah, I suddenly crave some vegetable giblets.
Maruti’s furious tirade didn’t register. All I could picture was sizzling vegetable giblets on the griddle.
“Huff, huff, hah…!”
Only after his fellow chefs rushed over and physically restrained him did Maruti finally regain his composure.
“Brother Breeder?! Stop pretending you didn’t hear me and say it again. Even if it was a joke, that went too far!”
He repeated my words as if they were nothing more than a jest, his face full of disbelief. Too bad I couldn’t afford to feel guilty. I couldn’t let myself play along with Benetric’s scheme.
“My crime? Being a dragon hater, obviously.”
“H-How could you…!!!”
I answered boldly once more. Though I hadn’t committed the act myself, I was perfectly capable of hating dragons right now—except for a few special individuals I was bonded or pursuing, of course.
“B-Burger…! Retrieve the burger! Immediately!! We can’t let anything impure touch the food meant for the Dragon Lords…!!! If word gets out, we’ll all be severely punished!!”
Maruti recoiled at my honest admission and began shouting again. Apparently, the burger I’d eaten for lunch concerned him more than the fact that I was a dragon hater.
“C-Chef? The young ladies have already started eating…”
“It seems too late to take it back, Chef…”
The elf and dwarf chefs wore troubled expressions at Maruti’s order to retrieve the food.
“That can’t be…! No, I must go explain and retrieve it myself…!”
“Maruti, sir? It might be better if you didn’t.”
“What? How dare a profane dragon hater like you speak so freely?!”
I warned the agitated Maruti in a calm voice, as if he were about to bolt out the door.
“I’m warning you for your own sake.”
“Don’t make me laugh! You’d better be prepared. Once I report every detail, your life will—”
“Really? You won’t be able to escape responsibility either, you know.”
“W-What did you just say…? How dare a dragon hater like you threaten me?!”
“Even while worshiping the Dragon Lords, you don’t seem to know much about them.”
“You insolent…!”
“Think about it. If you report this, the lunch chef—namely you—won’t escape unscathed either. And even if you somehow retrieve the burger… do you really think the hungry young ladies will just let it go?”
“……!”
“Ah, it would be fine if you could serve something else right away… but is that possible in this situation?”
Maruti fell silent, unable to counter my argument. As a chef, he knew better than anyone how sensitive dragons were about their food.
“Chef…? I think it would be best to let this slide quietly.”
“That’s right! Just like the servant said, we don’t have any replacement food ready right now!”
The elf and dwarf chefs stepped in to mediate. Their own lives were on the line since they had helped prepare the meal.
“How did things end up like this…! Haa… Fine. I understand. We have no choice. But everyone, keep quiet about what just happened.”
Maruti finally calmed down after his colleagues’ pleas. He glared at me with his yellow reptilian eyes.
I really didn’t want to hear another lecture…
“…Brother Breeder? Someone like you—a dragon hater—has no place here.”
Oh, now that was music to my ears.
“So don’t ever show your face here again! I don’t even want to look at you…!!!”
“Got it.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Getting exempted was a relief. If I’d known this would happen, I would have revealed I was a dragon hater much sooner.
***
“Hmm~ Nice view.”
I stood in the clearing behind the temple grounds, leisurely enjoying the scenery. Leaning against an old tree, I took in the panoramic view of Valkyrie Island. Below the sheer cliffs, the grand academy facilities blended harmoniously with the natural landscape. Up close, the academy felt like a prison, but from this distance it looked like a work of art.
Yeah, this is what a day off should feel like…!
The warm spring sunlight and cool breeze caressed me. The island viewed from above was utterly peaceful. From here, it almost looked like an ordinary resort. I felt like I was on vacation. I wanted to throw on a Hawaiian shirt and sip from a coconut.
—Rustle…!
From my vantage point, I pulled out a One Burger. It was something I’d managed to take with me after being chased out of the meal service area. Maruti had declared the food tainted by my impure touch and hadn’t even spared it a glance, telling me to take it or leave it as I pleased.
Just because I touched the wrapper once, he treats his own hard work like trash…
Maruti’s religious convictions seemed stronger than his pride as a chef.
“That aside, I get why they called it a One Burger now.”
I hadn’t noticed while answering Maruti earlier, but looking at the contents now, the name made sense. Between thick slices of rye bread sat round meatballs. There was no ordinary meat patty in sight. They must have used fried meatballs as the patty. That explained the “One” in the name. “Ring Burger” wouldn’t have been bad either.
—Chomp!
I opened my mouth wide to satisfy my hunger. Since it was a place Benetric frequented, I couldn’t help but be curious about the taste. If it was good enough to serve to the entire student body, it couldn’t be some bizarre dish. Feeling reasonably reassured, I took a big bite.
—Crunch…!
“Oh? This is pretty good.”
The honest review slipped out after that first large bite. It was an objective assessment. I wasn’t thrilled that a reptile had handled it, but it was undeniably delicious. The bread, brushed with butter and toasted, was moist and soft, while the round patty—fried once—added a satisfying crunch. Fresh onions and cabbage contributed to the texture, offering a crisp, refreshing bite with every chew.
The sauce isn’t too heavy either. The slight tang is nice.
The acidity of the sauce spread on the bread nicely cut through the greasiness of the fried patty. It seemed to be based on mayonnaise and ketchup, with something extra mixed in.
“Without the sauce, it would’ve been pretty heavy.”
I murmured to myself while savoring the flavor. Without realizing it, I found myself dissecting the food. Maybe it was an occupational habit I’d picked up. I was unconsciously analyzing how each ingredient had been prepared.
—Munch, munch…!
Up to this point, it had been pleasantly ordinary. Aside from the spherical shape of the patties, I couldn’t pinpoint anything particularly special yet.
“Huh? Wait… the meat in each patty is different.”
But the real reason Benetric was a regular lay elsewhere. There were three types of meatballs inside the burger—pork, beef, and chicken, each with its distinct flavor. They had been ground and shaped into easy-to-form balls. It was a burger with clear character. No wonder it was popular across the continent. With this level of taste, business would surely thrive.
“I hate to admit it, but it’s good. At this rate, it might be worth three and a half stars.”
It was a useful reference. I could probably use this later. I didn’t even need Maruti to teach me the technique—recipes were already forming in my head.
By the way, is it really okay to slack off like this today?
I pondered while finishing the burger. Being granted freedom so suddenly made me uneasy. I wasn’t used to having this much leisure. At this rate, my slave mentality might take root.
“It’s been so long since I had free time. I can’t spend it feeling anxious. For today, I’ll stop worrying and just hide away for a quiet nap…”
“Breeder? Are you there?”
“Huh?”
Maybe it was because I’d been thinking unnecessary anxious thoughts. Just as I was about to close my eyes while leaning against the old tree, a very familiar voice reached my ears.
“I knew you’d be here. What are you doing all by yourself?”
“Ah, Lady Sofia?”
The owner of the voice was none other than Sofia. I almost didn’t recognize her at first because she was wearing an outfit I’d never seen before. Given the occasion, she must have changed clothes at the temple. Her attire was plainer than usual, giving her an especially devout appearance. The ceremonial dress meant for welcoming the Primordial Dragon felt unfamiliar.
“…How did you know I was here?”
“Hehe, how could I not? Half of my heart belongs to you, Breeder. Of course I’d notice your presence.”
Sofia smiled brightly and pointed at my chest with her hand—the side where her Dragon Heart was embedded. It seemed her Dragon Heart was functioning as a tracking device. As long as I wore it, escaping Sofia’s notice would be impossible.
“Is something the matter? It should still be mealtime for you…”
“I came because I have something to discuss with you.”
“With me?”
What could it be? She had been avoiding me earlier. Had Maruti ended up snitching after all? If not, what business could she possibly have with me…?
“Come with me. There’s something I need to confirm.”
“W-What do you need to confirm? I was just following orders and packaging the—”
“What? Packaging? What are you talking about?”
“Ah, so it’s not that?”
“Pfft, I don’t know what you mean, but since I’m already at the temple, there’s something I’d like to verify with you.”
Sofia grabbed my hand and flashed a radiant smile. Standing with the warm sunlight behind her, she looked like a goddess descending from the heavens.
“So what exactly do you need to confirm?”
“Well… I can’t go into details right now, but in the temple’s sanctuary, the power of the Dawn Clan lets us see through to the truth.”
“……?”
“For example, your true identity…”