Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 138

“That boy really has terrible timing every time.”

Bluemountain leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard as if troubled.

He acted quite naturally, as if he had used this place several times before.

“Right now, an auction is underway in the main hall. Among the numerous spectators, the auctioneer calls out the price, and those who wish to bid raise their hands….”

Kainchel raised his hand, cutting off Bluemountain’s words.

Every moment was precious. There was no time to leisurely listen to his explanation.

“It seems Draupnir has already been sold. But usually, such treasures appear in the latter half of the auction, don’t they?”

“Indeed. Not to brag, but all the artifacts I brought will appear at the very end of the auction.”

Bluemountain gestured for Kainchel to come closer, as if he was about to tell a secret that shouldn’t be leaked.

“Can you create a barrier with Aura? So that the sound doesn’t leak out.”

“You mean Meringue [a technique to create a soundproof barrier using Aura]. Understood.”

Weapons were not allowed in the underground auction house.

However, Meringue could be used even without a sword.

A transparent Aura barrier rose around Kainchel and Bluemountain. After consuming the Dragon meat, it became possible to use Meringue in this way.

“The auction going on outside is just for show. Truly precious and confidential items are traded in a different way.”

“It certainly seemed too open.”

On the surface, it looked like a secret auction.

However, once his identity as the head manager of the Merchant Guild was confirmed, he was allowed in without much restriction.

Those who were reluctant to reveal their identities wore masks.

However, the tone of voice, the Aura’s wavelength, etc.

It wasn’t just the face that could reveal one’s identity.

Yet, most people were relaxed, as if they were at a ball.

“Exactly. Usually, an underground grand auction handles items that could get you branded as a heretic just for possessing them, or things that can’t be obtained through normal channels. But how can you trust trading in such a lax environment?”

“So, is there another auction house where only authorized people can enter?”

“Strictly speaking, this entire place is an auction house. Just take a look at the corner of the waiting room.”

“······.”

Kainchel felt a chill run down his spine as he looked there.

There was something cleverly hidden in the shadows.

‘That’s… a bat?’

Bluemountain picked up an empty glass and pretended to drink from it, saying,

“There are hundreds of those bats here. They are all the eyes and ears of this place’s owner.”

Kainchel swallowed hard.

It seemed the rumor that a Vampire ran the auction house was true.

A servant waiting outside the door came in with a small scroll.

Bluemountain read it and raised his thumb. Then, the servant bowed politely and left the waiting room.

“Just now, the Breath of Shiva was sold for 150 gold. This is the real trading method of the Goodblood Underground Grand Auction.”

From the moment you enter the Goodblood Auction House, everyone is monitored by ‘bats.’

And the bats connect those who have items to sell with those who want them.

If there are many people who need it, an auction is held on the spot.

‘It’s the best way to trade for those who don’t want to reveal who bought what.’

The bats are also entirely responsible for choosing the bidders.

It is impossible to collude to buy items at low prices or increase the burden on competitors with false bids.

That’s why auctioneers disappear on the day of the underground grand auction.

But there was one strange thing.

“But how do they know who needs what and send the bats when it’s not like people are walking around with their needs written on their faces?”

Then, Bluemountain opened his mouth with an even more cautious expression than before.

“That’s because Vampires have a Mind’s Eye that sees through people’s psychology.”

“Mind’s Eye······.”

According to legend, Vampires transform into the ideal form that the opposite sex desires to seduce them.

And they gain a near-immortal lifespan by drinking blood.

‘If you can read minds, it would certainly be easier to seduce the opposite sex.’

Flap-!

Just as he thought he heard the sound of a bat’s wings, Abel, who was supposed to be waiting in the carriage, entered the waiting room.

But he wasn’t alone.

A man with such an incredible appearance that even a man would fall for him was standing behind Abel.

Silver hair that sparkled as if woven from starlight.

The delicate face looked even more beautiful than the Elf Horizon.

Abel looked at him with a face as if he had touched a bug and muttered.

“Kainchel, this guy says he wants to suck my blood.”

@

The man in a tailcoat that butlers would wear bowed politely.

“Bonjour, Monsieur Kainchel. Or would you prefer to be called Baron Jistard?”

It was a greasy tone, as if he had eaten a lot of butter.

Seeing Kainchel’s eyes narrow, the man smiled brightly and said,

“No need to be nervous. Ah, I’m late with my introduction. I am Richard von Freremang, the Vampire who owns this Goodblood Auction House. Please, call me Jimang.”

‘This man is a Vampire?’

As if he had no intention of hiding his identity, long fangs protruded from his slightly parted lips.

Lehmann, who had already approached Bluemountain, whispered in his ear.

“Oh my, it seems the great Dwarf race’s Vitist [a title or rank within the Dwarf race] has had too much to drink! Shall I bring you some honey water?”

“I don’t need it.”

Even a Vampire’s Mind’s Eye has difficulty reading the deep psychology of someone who is drunk.

However, it is only difficult, not impossible.

Lehmann wore a meaningful smile on his lips and wrapped one hand around his waist.

“Ah, the beautiful Mademoiselle Abel, I fell in love with you at first sight, agonizing between Elf and human. If only I could sink my teeth into that pure white neck and suck your blood to my heart’s content, I would be your servant for life!”

Abel was in a state of perfectly transforming into a human appearance using Trait Killing [a skill or ability].

However, no matter how magical the tool, it could not deceive the Vampire’s Mind’s Eye.

If he had felt even a slight hostility from Lehmann, he would have pulled out Durandal [a legendary sword], hidden in his two-dimensional pocket.

However, what Lehmann was exuding was affection, albeit somewhat twisted.

“Don’t worry too much! Richard von Freremang is a gentleman among gentlemen! He never bites the neck of someone he dislikes. Besides, he’s not foolish enough to pick a fight with the owner of Durandal.”

‘Ugh, did he figure everything out in that short amount of time?’

Lehmann knelt in front of Abel.

And he held out his hand.

“Mademoiselle is deceiving herself. The feeling you have is affection. Ah, it’s so sweet! Did you know? The blood of an Elf in love is sweeter than anything else. If only I could suck Mademoiselle’s blood, I would break even the rules I made!”

“Stop there. I can’t let this pass as a joke anymore. Tell me what you want.”

“Ah, an even sweeter scent! I wonder how sweet the taste and aroma will be, with the blood of Elves and humans mixed in the most ideal ratio!”

Lehmann, who had been rolling on the floor for a while, let out a strange sigh and got up from his seat.

And he breathed a sweet breath into Abel’s ear.

“You know that with Mademoiselle’s current skills, you’ll only be a hindrance to that person. You certainly won’t be able to fight properly to protect him. So, I’m going to make you a very good offer. How about it? If you let me suck your blood, I’ll tell you the whereabouts of Draupnir [a magical artifact].”

Abel bit his lip without realizing it.

What a gentleman. That’s too cowardly.

Lehmann’s words were hitting the nail right on the head.

Even when he became a Sword Knight, Kainchel and Abel’s skills were similar.

When Kainchel went ahead, Abel followed, speeding up. That way, they could maintain their relationship as friends and colleagues.

But that subtle relationship had collapsed a while ago.

In just a few months, Kainchel had become strong enough to compete with Nymue.

Soon, he would reach a level that Abel would never reach.

“Don’t you want to be a help to your friend? No, your loved one?”

Lehmann’s words sounded like the whispers of a demon.

The scariest part was that he would eventually accept it.

Abel sighed and slowly nodded.

“I already owe Kainchel my life. If I can help him by letting you suck my blood······.”

Kainchel, who had been quietly listening to Abel and Lehmann’s story, intervened between the two.

“There’s no need for that, Abel.”

“······.”

“From now on, I’ll deal with the Vampire.”

Abel’s eyes widened, and he nodded with an impressed expression.

Lehmann’s reason for running the auction house wasn’t just to make money.

Although he was hiding it with thick makeup, his skin was dry, and his hair had lost its shine.

He was starving.

All a Vampire can eat is someone’s blood.

‘He must have been looking for someone with blood that suited his taste among the guests who came to the auction house.’

However, Lehmann, who had a picky palate, couldn’t find palatable blood.

Human blood is too bitter, and the blood of other races is too sweet. Wouldn’t it be even more delicious if the two were mixed appropriately?

Then he discovered Abel, who had both human and Elf blood.

Moreover, what made Abel even more special was that he was a Half who was infinitely close to an Elf.

Lehmann’s words that he fell in love with Abel at first sight were by no means a lie.

“I’ll make you a blood dish that will satisfy you. How about that instead of Abel’s blood?”

Then Lehmann’s eyes softened.

The intensely deep blue eyes began to read Kainchel’s memories.

It seemed he couldn’t read all the memories at once.

“Pufferfish sashimi? This is a bean dish that tastes like sausage? And grilled Sand Worm? Oh, oh! Bravo! They all look delicious! Monsieur Kainchel has amazing cooking skills!”

“Will you do it?”

Lehmann grinned and stretched out his finger, pointing at Kainchel’s neck.

“If it doesn’t suit my taste, I’ll suck Monsieur’s blood too. If you’re still okay with that.”

“Surely you wouldn’t suck my blood to death, since you said you were a gentleman.”

“Of course! We also provide a service where we take responsibility for taking care of you until the sucked blood is made again. Of course, I don’t think we’ll have time for that.”

It seemed he had read from Kainchel’s memories that he would have to fight Meliot soon.

‘A blood dish that can satisfy a Vampire. If I can make that, I’ll definitely get a new cooking skill.’

How many chances will you get in your life to make a dish for a Vampire?

Kainchel took out the Mithril Kitchen Knife and Aegis [a protective shield] from his two-dimensional pocket, burning with fighting spirit.

@

“Vampires can definitely eat other spices besides garlic, right?”

“That’s right, Monsieur. But my taste is very, very picky. Besides, Mademoiselle’s blood is so fragrant that it’s really sweet. Is it really possible to make a dish of the same level?”

Lehmann stuck out his tongue and licked his lips. Then, the sound of bats flapping their wings was heard from inside the tailcoat.

Vampires can freely change their bodies into bats and smoke.

So, they don’t get hurt by attacks that don’t contain divine power.

However, that also means that their weaknesses are clear.

‘It was definitely garlic, sunlight, and a cross, right.’

That’s why he’s hiding deep inside and running an underground auction house.

The information he got from the people who gathered to buy rare items was Lehmann’s lifeline.

Kainchel asked a servant at the auction house to get him several animals.

Pigs, cows, sheep, ducks, goats, etc.

He had learned how to slaughter live animals from Percival. More than anything, what he needed today was fresh blood.

There aren’t many dishes that use blood. Due to the nature of blood turning black when cooked, it’s never easy to create a mouth-watering appearance.

‘The most familiar one is black pudding.’

That is a dish made by mixing animal meat and fat with blood, putting it in the intestines, and steaming it.

Sometimes oatmeal, barley, or rice is added.

However, that is more of a dish where meat and offal are the main ingredients rather than a blood dish.

What kind of dish should he make to satisfy the Vampire’s taste?

Goodblood Auction House #3