Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: The Gourmet Commander
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Loan and Lucas, startled, were about to shoot to their feet when the man quickly shook his head and spoke.
"Eat, eat."
He then began to jut his chin forward, urging them to try it.
Under the man’s watchful gaze, the two popped the meat-topped biscuits into their mouths at once.
*Crunch-!*
*Crackle-!*
As the biscuits shattered, the oil they held burst forth. It felt as if their tongues and the insides of their mouths were being coated in a savory richness.
A sweet and fresh sauce followed, culminating in a harmony of the meat's salty and deeply savory flavors.
The harmony of flavors was extraordinary.
It had been a misunderstanding.
This was truly delicious, exquisitely prepared meat.
"It's delicious, isn't it? Isn't it?"
Faced with his question, they could no longer maintain their impudence.
Loan and Lucas shot up from their seats in unison, placing their fists over their chests.
"Oz Loan of the Faith Division."
"Oz Lucas of the Faith Division."
"Yes, yes. A pleasure to meet you. I'm Hans, Commander of the Security Division."
His bright smile was so warm it could put anyone at ease.
Seeing that the white shirt collar around his neck was different from the standard Union issue, they instantly understood that Commander Hans was also a former priest of the Orthodox Church.
Commander Hans patted Loan and Lucas on their shoulders simultaneously.
"Sit, sit. We may be busy, but there's always time to hear one's thoughts on the food."
Looking bewildered, Loan and Lucas did as he said.
Hans slid a chair over with his foot and sat down.
Only then did Loan notice that the atmosphere in the restaurant had changed.
It was different from when he and Lucas had first walked in. He could even feel the respect and awe in some of the patrons' eyes.
"You found a good place, didn't you?"
The question was unexpected.
"We came in because it smelled good."
When Loan answered impulsively, Hans smiled as if he were proud.
"You have good instincts. Has the food in Barchino suited your palate?"
"Yes. The dishes are unique, but everything has been delicious, perhaps because the ingredients are so fresh."
"That's a fine perspective."
"I think I'm starting to understand the saying that the best cooking brings out the natural flavor of the ingredients after eating here."
For a moment, Hans's eyes twinkled.
"Where did you hear that?"
"It was quoted often in a book called *A Gourmet's Culinary Stroll*, so I remembered it."
"You've read that book?"
"Yes. It's one of my favorites."
"Oh?"
Hans looked surprised.
For some reason, Loan was pleased that he was showing interest in a book he enjoyed.
"Geography and history books are good, but that book, which chronicles travels through the Seven Principalities, was much better for understanding the world. It felt so alive."
"Is that so?"
"Reading it made me want to travel all over the world someday."
"Wow, thank you."
"Pardon?"
"For meeting a fan like this, as the author of that book."
This time, Loan's eyes went wide. He shot up so fast his chair nearly toppled over.
Seeing the usually unflappable Loan react so dramatically, Lucas subtly tugged at his sleeve.
Loan paid him no mind.
"Is your name by any chance Hans Pere—"
"Yes. *A Gourmet's Continental Stroll* is a book compiling the best foods I tasted across the continent while carrying out Union missions. It was a pleasant pastime during an arduous job."
Loan was deeply moved.
To think the author of the book he had secretly devoured in the shelter's library was standing right before him.
It felt even more surreal than when he had first met the Union.
As Loan blinked, at a loss for words, Hans spoke.
"What a fateful encounter. It's a wonderful thing when palates align. Seeing you both enjoy the food at my favorite restaurant makes me happy."
Hans then began asking Loan and Lucas various questions, mostly about their favorite foods and what dishes they could cook—things that seemed to have little to do with Union missions.
After listening for a while, Hans continued with a very satisfied expression.
"Excellent. While you're in Barchino, be sure to enjoy the seafood and pork dishes to your heart's content. For pork, in particular, if you go around back, there's a blue place with tiled exterior walls..."
"Commander?"
Someone who had approached their table suddenly cut Hans off.
Likely a member of the Security Division, he wore a Runner's insignia on his chest.
Hans looked at the Runner, bewildered.
"Yes? Yes?"
"The members are waiting. It's time to get moving."
"Ah... has it gotten that late already? Could you wait just a moment, then?"
"Yes, sir."
After the Runner went outside, Hans apologized to Loan and Lucas, saying they would have to continue their talk about food another time.
The two waved their hands dismissively.
"Not at all. If we have the chance, please tell us more about your book next time."
"It's fine. We'll be sure to eat as much as we can while we're here."
"Yes, yes, you should. You should. By the way... why are you two here?"
The sudden shift to the main topic.
It was perhaps the question he should have asked first, but for Hans, it seemed to have a different priority.
Loan answered.
"We were tasked with providing support in Barchino alongside Vice Commander Oscar and our senior, Sienna, of the Faith Division, while also assessing the situation at nearby branches."
"And Oscar?"
"On the way, we learned that Libertha forces were regrouping here, so he and Sienna split off to intercept their movements."
"If it's those two, they can handle it. Still, I don't understand why they'd send just you two Oz members on your own."
As if waiting for this moment, Loan took the bookmark he had received from Headmaster Gregor out of his pocket and showed it to Hans.
"Huh... isn't this the old man's bookmark? How did you get this?"
The "old man" he mentioned was likely Headmaster Gregor.
"When I told Headmaster Gregor I wanted to go to Sion, he gave it to me. He said the priests would listen to what I have to say."
"Haha, well now, it seems the old man cares for you even more than I do, Loan."
"..."
As Loan showed a hint of shyness, Hans spoke.
"Come to think of it, I heard about you two a long time ago. The old man was boasting quite a bit. Said some brilliant children would soon be joining the Union. So that was you."
"You must have been close with Headmaster Gregor?"
At Lucas's question, Hans seemed to drift into reminiscence, blinking as he stared at a spot on the ceiling.
"When Gregor was a diocesan priest, I was his assistant. I learned a lot from his scoldings. The old man was a terrifying person, you know."
Loan and Lucas looked at each other and tilted their heads at the same time.
They had never seen Headmaster Gregor frown or get angry.
"When he later resigned as archbishop, we came to the Union together. The old man said his knees hurt too much for fieldwork and went to the school, and as for me, well, here I am."
"Ah..."
"Ah..."
"You said earlier you wanted to go to Sion, Loan?"
"Ah, yes."
"To be precise, you wanted to meet the priests?"
"Yes, that's right."
Loan briefly explained his experience analyzing Le Tell's magic with the Honor Division and his thoughts on ghouls.
Hans nodded several times, looking deeply impressed.
"I see. This is good. If I had heard that story first, I would have granted your request even without this token."
"Pardon?"
"What a commendable spirit. In fact, I think we former priests should be learning from you. Let's find a way together."
The Governor-General's voice, saying, 'You must achieve it,' seemed to echo in his ears.
Loan lightly scratched his head. They were all such kind people.
Hans stood up from his seat.
"Well then, since we're at it, shall we go together? We might just need your help."
Outside, about ten members of the Security Division were lined up in formation.
"These two from the Faith Division will be accompanying us on today's mission."
Loan placed a fist over his chest and greeted the senior members of the Security Division.
For a moment, it felt as if his vision had cleared.
Such incredibly pure flows of mana.
Among them was a familiar face.
It was the woman from orientation, the one who had been wearing priest's vestments when he first saw her. Her well-defined features had made her memorable.
When their eyes met, she smiled and spoke.
"Oz Angela of the Security Division. You can just call me Angie."
"Oz Loan of the Faith Division."
"Oz Lucas of the Faith Division!"
"This is the first time I've seen an Oz from another division in the field. It's a pleasure to work with you."
"I'll do my best!"
Lucas, his face flushed for some reason, answered before Loan could.
His reply was so thunderous that the senior members of the Security Division burst out laughing.
"Alright, alright. Now that introductions are more or less out of the way, shall we get moving? We'll talk details on the way."
At Hans's command, the Security Division began to move with perfect coordination.
At Angie's gesture, Loan and Lucas fell in step beside her.
Lucas kept stealing glances at Angie, which made Loan smile.
* * *
As they left the vibrant atmosphere of Barchino behind, the landscape quickly turned to shades of ocher.
Rough hills formed from rock and dry earth repeatedly obstructed Loan's view.
A region of rolling hills. The Security Division walked in a long line through the narrow paths between them.
The sharp shadows cast by the hills perfectly concealed their black uniforms.
They walked without hesitation, yet with great stealth.
"It's incredibly dry here."
"It's a difficult place for life to take root. That's why they use it as a hideout."
Angie replied to Loan's comment.
Their destination was one of Libertha's hideouts.
According to intelligence obtained by the Security Division, Libertha's forces were gathering near the city in preparation for an all-out war.
The reason they were on the move now was to take advantage of this opening and rescue the children being held captive in one of the hideouts.
Lucas cleared his throat and asked Angie a question.
"Are they really trying to modify the children?"
"That's the information we have. We don't know exactly what this 'modification' entails, but we'll have to see if holy magic can resolve it."
"Do you use holy magic too, Angie?"
"I was ordained, so I can use it, but my skills lack depth. I suppose I need more faith."
Even though it was a simple, informational exchange, Lucas's face grew redder and redder.
When she finished speaking, he ended up staring intently at her face, making her flustered.
"What is it?"
"If they attack, just stay behind me. You'll be safe. I'll protect you."
At his words, Angie's face turned red.
It was only natural that the senior members burst out laughing.
Angie suddenly stared at the ground and said.
"Oh, I just remembered... I forgot I had something to tell the Commander."
With that, she broke from the formation and hurried toward Hans.
Anyone could see she was avoiding Lucas because he was making her uncomfortable.
"Ah... if angels were real, they'd be just like her."
Lucas still had a dazed look on his face.
Loan poked him in the ribs.
"Hey, didn't you like Sienna?"
"I do like Sienna."
"Then why Angie?"
"I like Angie, too. Actually, I think I have since I first saw her at orientation."
"..."
Standing on his toes to keep stealing glances at her from afar, Lucas let out a deep sigh.
"This is so hard. I don't know who to choose. I'm pretty sure either of them would say yes if I asked them out, though."
"..."
Fortunately, Loan didn't have to listen to any more of Lucas's delusions.
A signal came from the front of the line to halt and lower their voices.
The member ahead of them whispered.
"We've reached the Libertha hideout."