Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Too Beautiful
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"Hoo."
Rosalind narrowed her eyes.
She hadn't expected much, but surprisingly, the beef stew before her looked quite appetizing.
'I wonder how it tastes.'
She scooped up a spoonful and put it in her mouth right away.
'Mm.'
It tasted as good as it looked.
The vegetables and meat were perfectly cooked, and the umami lingering on her tongue was far from bad.
It wasn't the pinnacle of flavors, but since her expectations had been low, her evaluation shot straight up.
"Bellatrix. Come here and try some."
"...I'll fetch a spoon."
"Why bother? Just use mine."
"But..."
"What, is it dirty?"
The knight flushed in panic and hurriedly denied it. Then she took the offered spoon and brought a scoop of stew to her mouth.
"I-It tastes good."
"Right? This could even sell at Nocturne."
Nocturne was the name of the restaurant Rosalind sponsored.
It wasn't top-tier fine dining, but a place that prioritized value so commoners could enjoy it without worry.
If it was good enough to sell there, it meant it had a decent level of completion as a 'dish.'
"Ailin, was it?"
"Yes."
"Did you really make this yourself?"
"Yes, I did."
Rosalind stared intently at the red-haired beauty.
Her eyes didn't seem to be lying. Her instincts had never betrayed her once.
'Amazing.'
How could a commoner girl make a dish worthy of a city restaurant?
She had no intention of digging into it.
She had already decided to become her patron anyway, and discovering this unexpected talent was more than enough.
For now, she just wanted to savor that satisfaction a bit longer.
"So it's true you have confidence in your cooking. At this level, you'd graduate from the training hall without issue."
Ailin's eyes widened slightly at those words.
Of course she would be happy.
She'd be even happier after hearing this next.
"Good. You pass. I'll be your patron."
"Th-Thank you."
Watching Ailin bow deeply, Rosalind curled up the corners of her mouth.
'You don't need to thank me that much. I'm just using you because you're useful to me.'
But for some reason.
Unlike her expectations, the girl's joyful expression didn't last long.
And suddenly, she looked worried, then resolute as she spoke.
"Um... There's actually something I need to tell you."
Ailin wasn't all that satisfied with the stew she had made.
It was sorely lacking compared to what Damon had made, after all.
Of course it was. She had only imitated it.
She had tried her best to copy it, but it still fell short.
But she had gained something from the experience.
She had come to understand the care and effort that went into cooking.
And seeing the guild chef taste her stew and be moved had let her feel 'fulfillment' for the first time in her life.
Even though its taste was far inferior to Damon's, he had praised it endlessly as heavenly.
It was a completely different emotion from any time she had cooked before.
She had finally realized the joy of cooking.
That's why her pride wouldn't let her hide the truth.
"...Learned from a friend, you say. Now I'm interested in that boy."
Rosalind set down her spoon and stroked her chin as she heard the full story.
"In that case, the real talent lies with him."
Then she asked seriously.
"So how did you come to say you had confidence in cooking? That was a lie, wasn't it?"
A cold voice flew at her like a dagger.
Even so, Ailin tried her best not to cower as she barely managed to reply.
"...Lady Rosalind, you clearly enjoyed the stew. So I didn't lie."
Well now.
Rosalind's eyes narrowed.
Daring to talk back so boldly to her?
But contrary to those thoughts, her lips curved into a faint smile.
It was because she didn't particularly dislike straightforward personalities. No, she actually liked them.
They were something only those with firm convictions could possess.
Of course, that only held true if those convictions weren't wrong...
'She said it that way hoping for a chance to prove herself.'
Clever girl.
Before she knew it, Rosalind had grown interested in the girl before her. It was a rare amusement these days.
"...But it's a bit puzzling."
"...?"
"This was your first time making it exactly to the recipe?"
"Yes. It's only been a few days since I tasted that dish."
This didn't feel like a lie either. Which made it all the more strange.
Rosalind's curiosity grew even stronger.
"Then how could you do it so skillfully?"
Ailin seized the moment and answered quickly.
"I have a good memory."
"...What?"
Rosalind rarely looked stunned—
"Pfft!"
Then she burst into laughter. It was such a rare sight that Bellatrix's eyes went wide beside her.
"So you're saying you watched your friend cook, memorized it, and replicated it perfectly?"
"Yes, that's right."
Amusing. Very amusing.
'Fine, let's see how much more you can surprise me.'
Rosalind pushed the tray aside and slid forward the documents she had been reviewing all afternoon.
"Can you read?"
"Yes, I can."
"Hmm?"
Rosalind's eyes narrowed again.
In this era, being literate alone was a huge advantage.
And a commoner girl could read?
It was nothing short of a godsend.
"You probably didn't get formal education... Don't tell me you self-taught?"
"As I mentioned earlier, my memory—"
"...Enough. Read this."
At the command, Ailin did so immediately.
'This is...'
The document listed brief information on those registered with the adventurers' guild.
Her guess that the noblewoman had come personally to scout talent was spot on.
And a short while later.
"...that's all."
By the time the reading ended, a satisfied smile adorned Rosalind's face.
'Picked up an unexpected gem.'
She had thought it a wasted trip, but this surprise harvest left her quite pleased.
'A bit of a shame to just raise her as a mere maid.'
The noblewoman habitually toyed with her ring as she pondered.
She would have to think from now on if there was a better use for her.
"Whoa..."
The moment I entered the Spirit Realm, I let out an exclamation.
'This setting wasn't in the original novel...'
It was literally another world. A starry realm.
Not a metaphor—truly a starry realm.
The sky was pitch black, densely embroidered with countless shining points, like billions of stars flowing down as a meteor shower in mystical dance.
"Those are spirits."
As I gazed up, entranced, Elfriede spoke in her sweet voice.
"All those are spirits?"
"Yeah."
There was no sun here. No moon. No stars, of course.
Yet those innumerable spirits illuminated the entire world.
"Spirits exist everywhere here."
The moment Ailin muttered something in elvish.
'...!'
The forest lit up, brightening the surroundings in an instant.
Indigo, purple, blue, and navy lights settled around, creating a spectacular sight.
Blue phosphorescence faintly traced the veins of the leaves, the moss underfoot pulsed like it was alive with each step, and touched blades of grass sparkled like fireworks.
...Ripples spread from everywhere I touched.
"What do you think?"
"It's too beautiful..."
Satisfied with my answer, Elfriede smiled brightly.
And the moment she murmured something else in elvish.
A cool breeze suddenly blew from somewhere, and a softly glowing orb of light flew before her eyes and stopped.
"That's Aero."
"Aero?"
"The wind spirit."
"Ah, a spirit, huh."
"He's saying hello to you."
I couldn't see its form.
To my eyes, it was just bright particles of light.
But if there was a wind spirit...
"Besides Aero, are there other spirits?"
Elfriede nodded and chanted softly again.
Immediately, multiple orbs of light gathered around her.
"This is Hydro, the water spirit, and this is Pyro, the fire spirit."
The silver-haired elf pointed them out one by one.
And when pointing to the last one.
"Wait. Let me guess."
"...Huh?"
Wind, water, fire—the last one had to be earth or soil.
Considering the naming pattern, it should be Terra or Earth, but those words don't exist here.
Therefore.
"Is it Geo, by any chance?"
"...Oh."
Elfriede widened her eyes as if truly surprised.
"Damon, you must have high spirit affinity after all!"
"...Do I?"
I wasn't sure about affinity, but regardless, I was intrigued.
There was no spirit contractor setting in the original novel.
To begin with.
"Can humans handle spirits too?"
"Hmm..."
While Elfriede pondered, I waited eagerly for her answer.
'Please, please.'
If I could handle spirits, cooking would be so much easier.
But contrary to my hopes, her answer was frustratingly vague.
"In theory, yes, but..."
"Yes, but?"
"It's complicated to explain right now. I'll tell you later when we're closer."
Hmm.
It seemed like some taboo she couldn't casually reveal.
"Got it."
There was no point pressing her then.
I smoothly changed the subject.
"This place is really beautiful. I could live here for a thousand or ten thousand years."
I said as I reached out toward the glowing spirits. I didn't actually touch, just in case.
But Elfriede didn't seem to agree.
"Eh... I wouldn't recommend it."
"Why?"
I was puzzled.
Who wouldn't want to see this scenery every day?
As I tilted my head, her next words made me freeze.
"Time stands still in the Spirit Realm."
"...Pardon?"
"Time doesn't flow here. So you can't stay long."
"......What?"
I gaped blankly.
"What do you mean it stands still?"