Chapter 4
Things turned out better than I expected.
‘…Is this really a good thing?’
Yeah, of course.
Just the fact that I wasn’t kicked out after receiving help and giving back as much as I could is a good sign.
In a medieval fantasy world, having three meals a day and a cozy place to sleep already means you’re living an upper-tier life.
If I’d been dropped into Dark Souls or Elden Ring, I’d have long left a message saying, “Death ahead” and vanished.
Thinking of it that way, my current situation is practically paradise, a fortress as safe as having thousands of reinforcements.
“Would you like to stay in our camp until your memories return?”
After all, I’m under the protection of the 3rd Squad of the Guardian Knights.
“We’ll probably stay here in this camp for a while to carry out our mission, so it’d be safer for you to stay here. I’ve already discussed it with the other squad members. If you’re okay with it, we can set up an extra tent for you.”
The day after I was rescued, Ornica carefully asked me this.
Honestly, I had no reason to refuse.
As soon as I accepted, Erina and Galli quickly set up a tent for me.
“…Hey. Why is it right next to your tent?”
“Oh my~ Galli, I didn’t know you were the type to worry about such things.”
Although there were some issues here and there, I managed to secure a place to stay without any major problems.
‘It feels like my tent is even bigger and cleaner than the others’.’
Even the sleeping bag they gave me to use as a bed was made of the highest quality material.
It was several times more comfortable and warmer than sleeping on a bed of leaves on the dirt floor.
Although I felt it was a bit excessive,
‘It’s the Guardian Knights, after all.’
In the Valdeon Saga, there are many different ‘Knight Orders,’ each with a distinct atmosphere.
The Guardian Knights, to which Ornica belongs, were established under the ideology of helping the weak and protecting those in danger.
It’s an order you would definitely encounter in the rescue or relief events within the game.
‘Still, it feels wrong to just keep receiving without giving anything back.’
After all, they didn’t give me the resources from their long-term field operation just for nothing.
I also needed an excuse to stay here long-term to plan my next moves.
‘I should at least earn my keep.’
To avoid being kicked out as a freeloader, I decided to do what I could.
And that was exactly this:
“What’s that smell?”
Having just returned from patrol, Erina sniffed the air and looked around curiously.
“Oh! Welcome back.”
I wiped the water off my hands on my apron and walked toward where Erina was standing.
“You must have worked hard today as well.”
“Alben, what’s in that pot?”
She tilted her head as she pointed at the bubbling pot.
“It’s nothing special. I just made a simple stew.”
“A stew, you say?”
Despite how it might look, I graduated from a culinary school in my previous life.
‘Although I wasn’t the top student…’
But I could confidently say that when it came to achieving flavours through shortcuts, I was better than the top students.
I’m the type that makes K-pasta with gochujang and kimchi better than a regular tomato pasta.
‘Of course, I can’t just touch the food storage as I please.’
After getting permission from Ornica, I only used a few leftover cuts of meat, some flour, and a few spices.
The rest were ingredients I foraged from the forest.
Thus, I made this ‘meat and mushroom stew.’
“Oh, really, you don’t need to go through so much trouble….”
“It’s no trouble at all. Just sitting around doing nothing was getting boring. Plus, I really like cooking.”
“Y-you do…?”
Somehow, mentioning that I like cooking made the corners of Erina’s mouth twitch.
“Hm…?”
“What’s that smell?”
“It’s making me hungry!”
Ornica and the other squad members, who had also finished their patrols, came over, swallowing their saliva as they approached.
‘…It’s been a while since I’ve cooked for others.’
I felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.
I tightened the apron around me and picked up the bowls and ladle.
“Dinner’s ready, everyone.”
***
“Just something I threw together.”
Each of the four women had a portion of stew served in front of them.
“It’s been a while since I last cooked, so it might lack flavour. Please bear with it.”
“N-no! This is rather….”
Erina couldn’t finish her sentence as she wiped the drool from her mouth.
“Gulp….”
“Wow….”
Corinne and Galli reacted similarly.
‘How can someone cook such high-quality food in a place like this…?’
Ornica felt the same way.
The meat and mushroom stew was impeccable, from its appearance to its aroma.
The white, thick broth with mushrooms and chunks of meat floating on the surface looked appetizing.
The rich and savoury scent wafting into their noses made their mouths water uncontrollably.
Part of the reason was that the menu included ‘stew, fried meat, and seasoned stir-fry,’ which were considered soul foods for women.
“Well then… Enjoy your meal!”
The fact that Alben made it himself also whetted their appetites.
With that face, that body, and that personality… He’s even good at cooking?
‘What on earth…?’
He’s the perfect Husband material.
“Thank you for the food!”
“Thank you so much.”
“Thanks!”
“…I’ll enjoy it.”
All of them raised their spoons simultaneously.
The moment they put the stew into their mouths, bright smiles appeared on all four faces.
“It’s so delicious!”
“This is… amazing.”
While the ingredients weren’t enough to make it a mind-blowing dish, it had a flavour that seeped deep into their hearts.
It was closer to the taste of a mother’s home-cooked meal rather than that of a top-tier chef’s dish.
“Ah…! I’m so glad you liked it.”
Alben sighed in relief and smiled softly.
That smile, combined with the warm meal made with such sincerity by a handsome man—
‘……Ah.’
‘This is driving me crazy… How can someone be like that? Is he some kind of a hundred-year-old fox spirit?’
‘Where should we hold the wedding? First, we’ll send the kids to the Swordsmanship Academy….’
‘This… this is what a man is. It’s even more incredible than what I heard from my mom….’
It was enough to stir up the hearts of all four women.
The female knights in the order rarely interacted with men.
Specialized academies and the knight orders are predominantly female groups.
Although there are occasionally male members, they often retire quickly due to issues like harassment from other female members, failing to adapt, or, in severe cases, experiencing sexual assault.
Therefore, the members of the 3rd Squad of the Guardian Knights…
All of them had no experience with men.
“…….”
Ornica’s eyes narrowed as she swallowed the stew.
***
After that, a peaceful routine followed.
I would wake up in the morning, think about the tasks for the day, cook when it was time, and clean up afterward.
Ornica practically handed me control of the food storage.
From then on, I could make more diverse dishes.
“Whew~ Today’s meal was the best, as always.”
Erina patted her full stomach contentedly.
It seemed like today’s braised pork was to her liking.
‘It’s rewarding to see them eat so well.’
They would eat anything I made with a ferocity that made it seem like they’d lick the bowls clean.
Ornica sometimes left food unfinished, but that was because she was a light eater in the original story, so it wasn’t surprising.
Drip—
I came out to the creek to wash the dishes I used today.
“Ugh… Damn, it’s so cold….”
Just dipping my hands in the water for a moment made them turn red.
No matter how I looked at it, the water in this creek was always cold.
But it was the closest source of running water.
‘Where’s a pair of rubber gloves when you need them?’
…Maybe I should consider making and selling rubber gloves if I get out of here.
It’d be a revolutionary product that could save housewives’ hands.
“Hoo- hoo—”
I blew warm breaths onto my hands as I washed the dishes, and a familiar voice approached.
“Let me help you.”
Ornica rolled up her sleeves and began scrubbing the stains off the pot.
“Go inside and rest! You must be tired from today’s duties….”
“No, it’s fine. I’m already eating such luxurious meals. The least I can do is help with this.”
She helped with the dishes without a single complaint.
She would glance at my hands every now and then, and before I knew it, she’d snatch away the pot I was about to wash and do it herself.
“Thanks to you, we finished in no time. Thank you.”
With Ornica’s help, the dishwashing was done twice as fast as usual.
I lowered my head as I organized the cleaned pots.
I’ll just prepare tomorrow’s ingredients and take a rest afterward.
“Um.”
Just as I was about to turn around, Ornica’s voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Yes? Is there something you need?”
“Do you… have anything you want?”
Something I want?
“Pardon? That’s quite sudden.”
“It’s just… I feel like I’ve been taking too much from you without giving back.”
Ornica averted her gaze as she spoke.
“It’s our knight order’s responsibility and duty to protect those in danger. But Alben, you’ve been cooking for us every day without any obligation. It’s been bothering me.”
“Oh, come on, it’s nothing.”
“…Your hands.”
She looked at my hands with a troubled expression.
“Those scars… You got them from handling fish last time, right? And that one next to it is from frying, when the oil splattered. And the cut on the back of your hand… from slicing meat.”
Huh.
Why does she remember all that?
I didn’t even know.
“Every time I see those beautiful hands getting ruined, it weighs on my heart.”
Seeing Ornica lower her gaze as if she were genuinely sad, I felt slightly taken aback.
A cook’s hands are bound to be covered in cuts and scars.
Having rough, scarred hands is like a badge of honour that proves one is a true cook.
‘Well, an ordinary person wouldn’t understand.’
Cooking isn’t just about delicate work.
“So, please… let me fulfil something you wish for.”
“…….”
Seeing Ornica earnestly making this request, a few thoughts crossed my mind.
This is the perfect opportunity to build a foundation for the skills I’ll need in the future.
“Then… May I ask you a favour?”
“Yes, please. Whatever it is.”
“Then, could you teach me swordsmanship?”
Ornica’s eyes widened in surprise, a rare sight for her.
“…Swordsmanship?”
“Yes. Is it not possible?”
“Well… it’s not that it’s impossible… But are you sure about this?”
I nodded firmly.
“Yes!”
I was lucky enough to stay by Ornica’s side.
So, before this period ends—
“In that case… Alright.”
I will master the [Scarlet Moon Style].
—
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