Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: 56. Treasure of the Sea (1)
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Yuri's group rode their horses across Adelbein toward Bursen.
The people of Bursen had louder voices than those in the Empire or Brioll. Even when exchanging greetings, they shouted so fiercely that at first, it seemed like they were fighting.
Riding beside Hose, Yuri remarked,
"Sir Hose, the Bursen folk really are hearty souls."
"Of course. When you think of real men, it's Bursen, isn't it?"
"A full-course feast from a knight of such a place... I can't even imagine what that entails. So, Sir Hose, what exactly do you have planned?"
"Well, that's... um..."
Hose, who had boasted so confidently about treating them to a full course, suddenly grew passive once they crossed the border into Bursen.
"F-First, let's head to my territory. It's not far now."
"Alright, alright."
Yuri's group soon arrived at Hose's territory on horseback.
Orfen, the land Hose governed, was a port city right on the sea.
As they passed through the streets amid cheers from the locals, the mansion's servants welcomed them with great fanfare.
Several black-furred dogs came charging like arrows and leaped into Hose's arms. He hugged them one by one, petting them fondly.
Jared approached to take a closer look at the dogs.
"They're all pitch black."
"Doesn't it remind you of Your Highness?"
"They're a bit too gentle for that, though."
"Gentle? These brave pups go berserk on anyone who tries to harm me."
Yuri chuckled softly.
"Calling me a dog behind my back?"
"Just a figure of speech! Hahaha!"
Yuri's group stayed as guests in Hose's mansion and unpacked. A hot bath washed away all the fatigue from wandering Adelbein.
Dressed in fresh clothes, Yuri sought out Hose right away.
He stood by the window, gazing over his domain.
"Sir Hose."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Isn't it about time you showed us?"
"Pardon?"
"The Bursen full course."
"Ah, that... Hahaha, yes. Of course."
"You do have a plan, right?"
"J-Just trust me."
With that, he promptly led Yuri's group to a restaurant near the seaside.
"This place is killer."
A massive pot bubbled with stew.
"Ever had pig stew hamu?"
"What?"
"Bursen dialect. Means 'have you tried pig stew?'"
"Pig stew... stew made with pork?"
"Something like that. It's the favorite dish of Bursen folk. Six pig stews here!"
The owner was an elderly woman who merely nodded at Hose and headed to the kitchen without a word.
Hose explained,
"She's a no-nonsense granny. Stew doesn't care if you're a lord or a peasant."
"Somehow, that feels very Bursen."
Soon, the old woman returned and placed pig stews before Yuri's group one by one. The clear broth floated with oil globules, still boiling vigorously.
As Yuri reached for his spoon, Hose stopped him.
"Whoa there. There's a proper way to eat pig stew. Follow my lead."
"A method?"
He added a heap of chives, then seasoned it with shrimp sauce.
Yuri mimicked him, but Hose shook his head disapprovingly.
"Seasoning is the key to pig stew. Get it wrong, and it's worthless."
"Isn't that too much?"
"I like it salty."
"Is this about right?"
"Yes. Perfect."
"Well then, shall we dig into Bursen's signature dish?"
"Enjoy."
With that, Yuri scooped up a spoonful and started eating the pig stew.
"How is it? To die for?"
"I see... It's quite delicious..."
"Bursen makes the best pig stew. Uhahaha!"
Yuri bowed his head with a lukewarm expression.
It was definitely tasty. But he couldn't tell if it was worth all the fuss. It didn't seem all that different from stews in Brioll or the Empire.
Still, seeing Hose's immense pride, Yuri decided to go along with it.
"Just as you said. Delicious."
"Eat up! Hahaha!"
Glancing at the others, they all shared similar reactions.
But as they ate, it became impossible to stop.
"Hm...?"
It was fine plain, but it felt like you had to stuff it in greedily, swallow big, and let out an exaggerated gasp of delight. Before he knew it, Yuri's spoon didn't stop moving.
Yuri's group devoured the pig stew, sweat pouring down their faces.
In the end, all six bowls were scraped clean.
"Kuhhh..."
"That was delicious."
"Thank you, Sir Hose."
"Too bad Cori couldn't join..."
"Filling."
Sharing their thoughts, they rose from the pig stew restaurant.
Yuri asked,
"So, what's next?"
"Uh... well..."
"A full course shouldn't end with just one, right?"
Hose pondered. Yuri's eyes narrowed.
"Don't tell me you were all talk with nothing to back it up?"
"N-No way. Absolutely not."
"Then, what's next?"
"C-Cafe?"
"What?"
"A cool drink..."
"You're serious?"
"No, no! Just kidding! Uhahaha!"
Hose whipped his head around. Far on the horizon, seagulls soared.
"Let's head to the sea."
"Oh, the sea..."
"Bursen is the sea."
"Alright, let's go."
Following Hose to the beach, Yuri's group stood dumbfounded on the white sands.
Azure waves stretched endlessly over golden sands. Each crash of the surf birthed white foam that faded away. Seabirds dove from the sky into the waters below.
Watching the scene, the life of a knight swinging a sword felt utterly pointless.
Just spread a mat here, lie back, and that would be true living. Why had he struggled so hard all this time?
Hose beamed contentedly at the group.
"This is Bursen's sea."
"Sir Hose."
"Yes."
"And that's it?"
"N-No, not at all."
"Pig stew and the sea. Impressive, but still a bit bland. Surely there's something amazing up your sleeve."
"Y-Yes. Of course."
"What is it?"
"W-Well... the amazing thing is..."
Hose stammered before blurting,
"Right. How about some sashimi?"
"Sashimi?"
"Don't like it?"
"I do, but..."
Yuri shrugged and patted his belly.
"After stuffing ourselves on pig stew, another meal might be tough."
"Ah..."
"Sir Hose. You can be honest."
Yuri looked at him and said,
"Truth is, there's no such thing as a Bursen full course, is there?"
Hose's face stiffened at the sudden question.
He forced his reluctant lips to deny it.
"Th-There is!"
"I already know there isn't."
"Pardon?"
"I asked my brother before heading to the capital."
After the Allied Forces campaign ended and he returned to Brioll, Yuri had once asked Cedric about Bursen's full course.
His wise elder brother always had answers to any question.
This time was no different.
Cedric had explained that the "Bursen full course" was just a phrase Bursen folk tossed out to show goodwill—there was no actual set menu.
"I-Is that so..."
"No need to force it since I already know."
"To know even the unwritten rule of Bursen's full course... The Crown Prince of Brioll is truly knowledgeable."
"He knows everything. Brioll's future."
Hose laughed hollowly.
"No helping it then, Your Highness. Please just rest easy in my domain before you go."
"Is that really all?"
"Pardon?"
"There must be a reason you dragged me here talking about full courses."
"Did your brother tell you that too?"
"No. Just my personal guess."
"Hahaha..."
Hose nodded.
"Yes. Truth be told, I had someone I wanted to introduce you to if the chance arose. Looks like now's the time."
"Introduce?"
Yuri eyed him warily.
"Don't tell me you have a little sister or..."
"None."
"Or a cousin..."
"I know what you're thinking. It's none of that."
"Then who?"
"Hm..."
Hose smiled and looked up at the sky, choosing his words.
"If I had to put it..."
His gaze drifted toward the distant sea.
"Someone I could call my master."
"Your master? Why introduce her to me?"
"Seeing you fight sparked the thought. What would happen if you two met? It grew stronger after the Adelbein ordeal."
"Fine."
Yuri nodded.
"If you say so, now I'm curious too. Tomorrow?"
"Not sure if she'll be there, but we'll visit tomorrow."
"Sounds good."
With that, Yuri placed a hand on Hose's shoulder and gazed out at the far sea again.
Suddenly, he missed the brother mentioned in their talk.
"I wonder how brother's doing..."
Muttering to himself, Yuri soon chuckled and shook his head. Cedric was the last person he needed to worry about.
A master of martial arts, scholarship, looks—he had it all.
Heck, he was even dating someone great.
Nothing lacking at all.
The devil's flower had been removed from Adelbein, and Gerd was dead.
Someone who knew this fact walked a secret passage hidden in the imperial palace.
"The devil's flower dead? Damn it..."
He spat curses, irritably brushing back his hair.
"After all the effort I put in... that idiot..."
His near-platinum blond hair swayed.
Soon, a massive iron door appeared before him. He shoved it open with his hand and entered.
There was an altar.
Dozens of candles flickered precariously atop a large magic circle, surrounded by bones of unknown origin.
In the center, a skull thrust skyward clutched worn parchment in its jaws.
"Nothing goes right."
He approached the magic circle, muttering in an unknown tongue.
Though no wind blew inside, the candles danced as if caught in a gale.
His incantation quickened.
Light began leaking from the eye sockets of the skull biting the parchment.
"Hoo..."
Then he walked to a corner of the room. Opening a small door shrouded in darkness revealed humans imprisoned behind iron bars.
He regarded them with emotionless eyes.
Starved to the bone, the prisoners in the cage offered no resistance as he dragged one out.
"P-Please... spare me..."
The dragged man pleaded.
"Crown Prince..."
"Quiet."
True to his words, the one hiding secrets beneath the imperial palace was none other than the Empire's Crown Prince, Yugen.
Yugen stomped the man's head to silence him, then flung him into the center of the magic circle.
Candles tangled with the man's body, scorching him.
"Aaaagh..."
"Shut up."
Yugen drew a dagger and stabbed the throat.
"Guhhk..."
Blood poured out.
The blood-soaked parchment began emitting a red glow.
Soon, thick black smoke rose, filling the surroundings.
Yugen watched before kneeling on one knee.
A faint silhouette emerged from the darkness.
A woman's voice followed.
"I'm sorry. Because I trusted that fool..."
"I'm sorry."
Yugen knelt on one knee toward her.
"If I gather the council again..."
"Yes."
"Understood..."
Yugen looked up. The darkness coalesced, forming a shape.
It soon transformed into someone Yugen knew well.
A woman wearing a tall chef's hat.
"Understood."
"Yes."