Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 25

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The Yellow Knight Order journeyed to the habitat of the goblin tribe they were tasked with eliminating.

The ride through the Red Mountains took over half a day.

Without an instructor present, the atmosphere was relaxed.

“That breakfast this morning was amazing. It was the best penne I’ve ever had.”

“Ah… just thinking about it makes my mouth water. I never knew tomato-based dishes could be so delicious. The spiciness and the way it stimulated my appetite… I want to eat it again.”

“Weren’t you the one who hated tomatoes? Anyway, what about the calamari salad that came with it? It’s been a while since I’ve had squid fried so perfectly.”

The main topic of conversation among the trainee knights was the dramatically improved quality of their meals.

Who knew that the food they used to eat simply to fill their stomachs could be so delicious? It was a shame they wouldn’t be able to enjoy it for two days because of the field training.

A satisfied smile appeared on Cainchel’s face as well.

‘Oh, thank you. My experience points are soaring these days thanks to you guys.’

The increased level of cooking in the kitchen was all thanks to Cainchel.

He did everything from preparing ingredients to handling minor tasks, and now he was even in charge of simple cooking.

The increase in manpower meant more time could be spent on each dish, naturally raising the quality.

Both the penne and the calamari salad on this morning’s menu were dishes that had passed through Cainchel’s hands.

The tomato sauce in the penne was made by Ainchel.

The fried squid in the calamari salad was made by Joffrey.

However, Cainchel was responsible for boiling the pasta and preparing the vegetables.

‘This is so sweet [rewarding].’

Thus began a strange symbiotic relationship where the trainee knights ate delicious food and Cainchel gained experience points.

After crossing several ridges, the Yellow Knight Order arrived at their destination: the goblin tribe’s habitat.

Captain Abel, who was leading the Yellow Knight Order, raised his hand to signal a stop.

“Everyone, dismount and take a ten-minute break. We’ll start assigning roles for this extermination mission. In case there’s anyone who doesn’t know, I’ll explain how this training is evaluated.”

“Yes, Captain!”

“All training in the Second Season is recorded in real-time by observers placed by the Sorcerers. And the results are evaluated into five grades: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Receiving a Platinum grade means you’ve received the highest evaluation.”

“Didn’t you say there were five grades in total?”

“Kyung, you were dozing off during the lesson. It’s content we clearly learned yesterday. Of course, there is one more grade, but you usually can’t get it with ordinary achievements, so we treat it as non-existent. To receive the fifth grade, you have to achieve an incredible feat that is recognized by everyone. It’s impossible to get that grade in the Rookie Class unless a miracle happens. Do you understand now?”

“Roger!”

“Anyway, since it’s a team mission, if even one person gets injured, everyone will get a deduction, and you won’t be able to get the Platinum grade. So, be ready to lend a helping hand to comrades in danger.”

After briefly explaining the training process, Abel began assigning tasks for each person in the extermination mission.

“I’ll say it in advance: I’m planning to get the Platinum grade in this training no matter what, because I want to advance to the Senior Class in first place. So, volunteer for the position you are most confident in.”

Abel looked at the faces of all the Yellow Knight Order members and continued speaking.

“For your information, I am the captain of the Yellow Knight Order. I have the right to select the Meister [master swordsman] and Strider [scout] among you. So, show me everything you can do.”

The 8 trainee knights, excluding Captain Abel and Cainchel, shouted with shining eyes.

“Yes, Captain!”

Abel shifted his gaze to Cainchel, who had not said anything.

“Why aren’t you saying anything, Kyung?”

“I have something I want to propose to the Captain separately.”

“Hmm. Speak.”

Cainchel slightly lowered his posture to make eye contact with the short Abel.

“I would like to take on the reconnaissance mission in this extermination.”

Then the other trainee knights’ gazes focused on Cainchel.

Reconnaissance is the role of spying on the enemy camp to find out the enemy’s size and location.

That was already indicated in the order [briefing].

In the end, it meant that it was difficult to achieve merit no matter how well you did.

That’s why it was a position everyone avoided.

Abel groaned.

“If you take on the reconnaissance mission, you’ll miss the opportunity to cut down enemies and score points. But you’re volunteering to do it?”

“It’s to wash away the disgrace from three months ago. Besides, I judged that it would be beneficial for everyone if I, who have done it once, take on the reconnaissance mission.”

It was a reasonable enough reason. Only Cainchel would be at a disadvantage.

Abel pondered for a moment and then nodded.

“Well, if you’re okay with it, then do it that way.”

Then a sneering voice was heard from somewhere.

“Hehe. See? He must be so scared of fighting goblins that he’s volunteering for reconnaissance. Anyone who said Cainchel seemed different earlier, raise your hand and slap yourself.”

Abel glared at the trainee knight who sneered at Cainchel.

“It’s not good to use that tone with someone who volunteers to take on reconnaissance. Refrain from it.”

“…Roger.”

Once Cainchel’s role was decided, the rest was instantaneous.

Thus, all the Yellow Knight Order members were assigned their missions.

Captain Abel asked one last question.

“If you have any questions, ask them.”

Then Cainchel stood up as if he had been waiting for it.

“Captain Abel, what should I do if I encounter a goblin while doing reconnaissance?”

Then the trainee knight who had sneered at Cainchel earlier burst into laughter.

“Hehe. He’s going to run away anyway, but he’s asking as if he’s not.”

“Kyung, I clearly told you to refrain, didn’t I?”

“…”

“Your actions are clearly disrupting the harmony of the knight order. I will report it to the instructor.”

“Cap, Captain! Please, just forgive me this once! It’s really dangerous if I get penalty points.”

“I’ll be watching you from now on.”

Abel was planning to lead the team and get the Platinum grade no matter what.

But it was already creaking like this from the start.

That’s why he didn’t want to be in the same group as that underachiever.

But since it was already decided, there was nothing he could do.

“Do as it says in the textbook. Concentrate on escaping as safely as possible, but if it’s unavoidable, you can draw your sword.”

“Roger.”

The corners of Cainchel’s mouth lifted slightly as he answered.

‘I finally got the answer I wanted from the Captain. Now, no one can stop my solo actions.’

Cainchel had experienced the same training several times.

And he knew how the other trainee knights were evaluated.

‘Even Vincent couldn’t get the Platinum grade in this training.’

This is a team battle.

No matter how well you do alone, that alone doesn’t determine the grade.

Cainchel recalled the memories from 3 years ago.

When Vincent attended the goblin extermination as the leader of the Black Knight Order.

‘Two of the members rushed in recklessly to gain merit and got their front teeth knocked out by the enemy’s stone axe. In the end, Vincent received a Gold grade for not being able to command properly. To get the Platinum grade for sure in this training, you have to block all other variables.’

The easiest way to do that is to exclude the other members from the extermination.

Cainchel’s plan was simple.

The members must wait until the person in charge of reconnaissance returns.

In the meantime, he would defeat all the goblins alone.

In addition, he was thinking of using Fallen Star [his special ability] to search for Poison Goblins as well.

Then he would be able to prove that his words were not wrong.

‘Captain Abel is the type to move rigidly according to the textbook. You gave the order according to the book, but that ultimately gave me the authority to act independently.’

Cainchel licked his lips, looking at the other members.

Sorry, but there won’t be any goblins left for you.

It’s not enough even if I eat them all myself.

@

Cainchel muttered softly as he beheaded the last remaining goblin.

“So far, it’s going according to plan.”

At Cainchel’s feet, there were dozens of goblin corpses piled up.

All of them fell before Cainchel’s sword without even putting up proper resistance.

Until three months ago, he couldn’t even handle one goblin.

But what about now?

Even though he had cut down more than 10 times that number of goblins, his body was still light and there was no hesitation in his sword.

“I have gotten stronger.”

A feeling that he couldn’t feel just by raising his level and stats.

He could feel it when he moved his body and cut down monsters.

He thought he would be so moved that he would cry, but he was surprisingly calm.

It felt like he was doing something natural, like cutting onions and trimming meat every day.

Cainchel shook the goblin blood off his longsword and put it back into its scabbard.

And he concentrated his mind.

“…Fallen Star.”

Then an image of a star falling from the sky and emitting a bright light came to mind.

At the same time, he was able to feel the hostility of enemies nearby.

The range of Fallen Star when activated without holding a sword was about 10 meters.

Cainchel began to wander around the goblin village, looking for any remaining enemies.

“…There’s nothing. What, does that mean the goblins I defeated were all of them?”

The sun had already set in the west a long time ago.

It was time for the goblins who had gone hunting to return to the village, eat, and sleep.

Cainchel swallowed hard and recalled what he had seen 10 minutes ago.

About ten goblins were preparing food.

‘Something unidentifiable was boiling in 5 large pots.’

The smell was so foul that he could smell it from a distance.

While the goblins were busy preparing the meal, Cainchel drew his sword and leaped forward.

The surprise attack was successful.

The opponents were beheaded without even putting up proper resistance.

‘Is that really it? Was it just good timing? It’s too easy no matter how I think about it.’

Besides, there was definitely a Poison Goblin living in this village. Their figures were nowhere to be seen.

‘It’s a shame, but I’ll have to wear the liar title for a while. Still, this confirms Platinum!’

All the other members were unharmed and in good condition.

And Cainchel had cut down more goblins than anyone else.

It was the greatest achievement since the extermination training began.

But he felt a little disappointed to go back like this.

Goblin rice boiling in a pot caught Cainchel’s eye.

“…What does the food that monsters eat taste like?”

Cainchel, who had suddenly become curious, decided to taste it once.

“The experience of eating goblin rice is not something you can easily do.”

Cainchel smiled and stirred the contents of the pot with a ladle.

Animal entrails, unidentified herbs, and barley that had not even been peeled, probably stolen from somewhere, were boiling.

“Ugh…”

A terribly disgusting smell wafted out, as if half-rotten meat had been added.

Cainchel shouted cheerfully.

“Ta-da! Today, I’m going to eat goblin rice. What will it taste like?”

It’s harder to put it in your mouth if you hesitate.

He scooped up a ladle full and shoved it into his mouth in one go.

“[email protected]#@[email protected][email protected]$!”

‘Ugh! What is this taste!’

In the end, Cainchel had to throw up everything he had eaten this morning.

He rinsed his mouth with the water in his canteen and muttered.

“Is this something humans are supposed to eat? Oh, it’s goblin rice.”

Tasting the food that monsters eat was a very fresh [unique] experience.

Of course, it was also something he never wanted to do again.

But something unimaginable happened.

Ting-

[You have eaten food made by a monster and learned that such disgusting food exists.]

[Gourmet Level has increased.]

“…”

Cainchel, who read the letters that appeared on the Joma Mirror [his status screen], was speechless for a while.

Then he shouted without realizing it.

“What is this! Are you saying I have to eat things like this to raise my Gourmet Level?”

Just thinking about it made the steak he had eaten a month ago want to come up.

“Haha! Okay, let’s think positively. This makes my Gourmet Level 3 stars! Haha! Damn it.”

Cainchel had to feel a strange sense of frustration for a while.

There was still plenty of goblin rice left. He could probably gain experience by eating that too.

“…No way! I’d rather pick up goat poop and eat it!”

Cainchel dumped all the goblin rice in the pot.

Otherwise, the disgusting taste remaining in his mouth would come out in his dreams.

In the end, all the goblin rice in the 5 pots disappeared.

“Phew, let’s go back.”

Cainchel kicked the pot that contained the goblin rice as if he didn’t want to see it again.

Perhaps because it was quite large, it rolled away with a thud.

“But goblins are surprisingly good eaters. Ten of them ate all that…”

At that moment, Cainchel’s movements stopped.

“Wait, that doesn’t make sense. Goblins are much smaller than humans. That amount looks like it would feed at least thirty, no, fifty people.”

Cainchel had been supporting the kitchen, distributing the fixed amount to the fixed number of people.

Now he was so used to it that he could tell how many people could eat just by looking at the food in the pot.

But the amount of goblin rice was not an amount that ten goblins could eat all of.

Cainchel was flustered.

The number of goblins was smaller than expected.

And the existence of goblin rice that was being made too much.

What that meant was….

Cainchel drew the sword scabbard he was wearing on his waist and stood up.

The contents of the monster ecology book he had seen in the library came to mind.

It was the guy he had looked up after being defeated by the goblin because he was angry.

It said this.

― Goblins also have considerable intelligence. If the village is in danger, they ask other tribes for help or launch a preemptive attack. You must not forget that monsters also form their own ecosystems.

The goblins living here have been constantly used for trainee knights’ training for 10 years.

The goblin extermination is always held at the same time.

What if the goblin, who has been suffering from it for a long time of ten years, is preparing a preemptive strike?

And what if they received support from other tribes for that purpose?

The amount of goblin rice is enough for 30 humans to eat.

If it’s goblins, 50 could eat it and still have some left.

“Damn it, the main camp is in danger!”

Cainchel ran towards where the Yellow Knight Order was waiting.

The fight between trainee knights armed with armor and goblins.

Even if they were ambushed, they could easily handle about 40 goblins.

However, if Poison Goblins are mixed in, the risk increases dramatically.

Unless there is an antidote, they will be seriously injured.

‘Then my Platinum evaluation will be…!’

Cainchel checked the items he had brought in his pocket.

It was an antidote that could detoxify the poison of the Poison Goblin.

‘I brought it just in case. I never thought I’d have to use it like this.’

Cainchel hung the Joma Mirror he was holding in his hand around his neck.

It showed the level, stats, and various resistances.

– Fire Resistance (35%), Venom Resistance (27.2%), Cutting Resistance (11.3%)

‘It’s finally time to use the Venom Resistance that I raised so hard during the hot season.’

When he arrived at the main camp, dozens of goblins and 5 Poison Goblins were attacking the Yellow Knight Order.

All members of the Yellow Knight Order must be safe to receive the Platinum grade.

To do that, he had to defeat all the enemies in front of him.

Cainchel drew his sword as it was and stepped on the Jinga [his unique footwork technique].

“Don’t touch my Platinum evaluation, you goblin bastards! Fallen Star!”

Then a star fell from the sky and began to show the location of the enemy.

Thus, the goblin extermination entered its final phase.

All-Time Great #1