Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 198

Ceremonies presided over by the Emperor take place in the central hall of the Briton Royal Castle.

The most famous of these is the awarding of the Platinum Medal of Honor.

It was the highest honor bestowed upon a knight who had shown valor beyond the call of duty, risking their life.

Due to the nature of the medal, it is very rarely received while the recipient is alive.

In most cases, it is awarded to family or relatives posthumously, and at that time, everyone in attendance wears formal attire to honor the hero’s spirit.

In contrast to this was the title of Virtue, given to those who had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship. The recipient becomes the apex of the military, protecting Britannia.

It was such an honorable position that all knights aspired to witness the ceremony at least once.

Keinzel scanned the faces of the people filling the central hall.

‘Great nobles, high-ranking officials, and even the heads of the top five families in Briton… Oh, isn’t that person wearing a turban the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire?’

The ruler of the vast desert region that occupies most of the southern part of the continent had made a direct appearance.

What business could have brought the ruler of the Ottoman Empire, with whom there was hardly any exchange of envoys, to Britannia?

He was too important a figure to have been sent solely to celebrate the birth of a new Sword Master.

It was a stark contrast to the other friendly nations, which had sent delegations led by marquises.

‘Perhaps he’s trying to have a secret meeting with His Majesty Aslan.’

Next to the Sultan, Mehmet, the head of the Janissaries [elite Ottoman soldiers], was repeatedly drinking water from a glass.

He looked as if he hadn’t had any hydration for days.

‘Even from a distance, you can tell that his skin has lost its elasticity. Besides, his eyes are sunken? It doesn’t look severe, but that’s clearly dehydration.’

His position was such that he could have access to cold water every day, even in the desert nation of the Ottoman Empire.

However, Keinzel’s thoughts did not last long.

The usher who opened and closed the door announced the arrival of an unexpected guest.

“Duke Eirene of El Agrad is entering!”

What entered through the opened door was a young elf with dazzling platinum blonde hair that stretched down to her waist.

The dignitaries, who had been maintaining a solemn atmosphere, murmured.

“That elf is Duke Eirene of El Agrad… Indeed, she is as beautiful as I’ve heard.”

She was dressed casually, as if she were going to a festival, but no one pointed it out.

Awe of the vast forest was emanating from Eirene’s slender body.

“Um, an empty seat…”

At the same time, a man sitting at the head table did a somersault and jumped in front of Eirene.

He was a frivolous-looking man who did not match the solemn formal attire. Even the wrinkles around his mouth could not erase his playfulness.

“Wow, I’ve often heard bards’ songs about the Queen’s beauty. I’ll have to pull out their tongues next time I see them. You’re much more beautiful in person! Hahaha! Oh, I’m late for introductions. My name is Gawain. It’s an honor to meet the beautiful Queen of the Elves.”

Gawain kissed Eirene’s hand.

In an instant, he transformed the solemn atmosphere of the ceremony into a more relaxed one, like a ballroom.

However, no one thought of stopping Gawain’s frivolous behavior.

Gawain was the Sword Master of Patience, known to be the strongest of the Seven Virtues.

“Then I’ll ask you to escort me, human.”

“Haha! Oh, by the way, would you like to have some tea with me after the ceremony? I know a dessert shop that bakes amazing scones.”

“Try to learn more about the other person before you try to pick them up. Elves can’t eat scones.”

“Oh dear… I’ve unknowingly committed a discourtesy. I sincerely apologize. Then, how about some black tea?”

“Well, if it’s just that.”

Gawain moved his lips without making a sound towards Keinzel, who had a dumbfounded expression.

Using lip-reading, which he had learned at the Knight Training Center, he was able to understand what he was saying.

— You owe me one for this, junior. This is the first time the Elven race has officially appeared in public. If I hadn’t escorted her, things would have gotten quite troublesome.

That was certainly true. Keinzel nodded lightly to express his gratitude.

‘That person is the Sword Master of Patience… He doesn’t seem like a bad person after all?’

Gawain winked and added a word.

— Besides, isn’t it a man’s instinct to want to flirt with such a beautiful lady? Hahaha!

‘……Wasn’t he definitely in his 40s?’

Anyway, with this, he had spoken to all the Virtues except for Morgana.

Gawain, who had taken Eirene to her seat, began to warn the nobles around her not to bother her.

Eventually, Hector opened his mouth, unable to watch any longer.

“Gawain. His Majesty will be here soon. Shouldn’t you return to your seat?”

“Oh my. Already? Well, what can I do? I have to do what I’m told.”

Gawain somersaulted again and flew to the chair prepared at the head table.

Eirene, who had spotted Keinzel, waved her hand.

“Hello, Keinzel! I came again because I wanted to eat the tofu steak you made last time! You have to make it for me when the schedule is over.”

Whether she was using the spirit of the wind, her voice was as vivid as if she were right next to him.

She seemed to have forgotten her promise with Gawain.

And as if on cue, the usher’s shout echoed loudly.

“His Majesty, the Great Saint King Aslan, is here!”

Then, silence fell over the entire hall as if cold water had been poured on it.

Aslan looked down at Keinzel with the golden eyes unique to the Britannia royal family.

“Everyone, raise your heads.”

This was the second time he had seen the Saint King’s face. His hair, which had patches of gold, was now completely white.

An unknown desire flowed from his empty eyes that contained nothing.

Elizabeth said that the avatars of the Seven Deadly Sins were sealed in human bodies.

Then, could it be that Aslan, who outwardly seemed to have transcended all desires, was actually harboring sin in his body?

Bishop, who was connected to Keinzel’s neural network and sharing his senses, analyzed his condition.

— Partner. I can feel an enormous desire within the body of the man in front of you. He seems to have endured well for the past 11 years, but he’s slowly reaching his limit. He’ll soon experience withdrawal symptoms.

‘Withdrawal symptoms?’

— I’m talking about the collapse of the flesh. It’s amazing that a human has endured with the avatar of the Seven Deadly Sins for 10 years. Aslan will disappear in 3 years at the longest, and 1 year at the shortest.

In the end, he couldn’t ask what would happen then. He probably guessed it was right.

‘Even if the gate to the Demon World opens, it’s over. Even if too much time passes, it’s over… I wish I had a hint about the 8-star dish.’

— You’ll have to find that in the battles to come. Good luck, partner.

Aslan still did not say any flowery words and went straight to the point.

“I order Keinzel van Zistad to take one step forward.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Climbing one step would lead to the head table where the Virtues were sitting. From now on, Keinzel would be on par with them.

“From now on, I bestow upon Keinzel van Zistad the title of ‘Diligence’.”

And he pinned the emblem symbolizing Virtue on Keinzel’s chest.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“And. Lohengrin.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I order you to give the position of Northern Margrave [a noble title, similar to a count, but with more regional authority], which you are temporarily holding, to Keinzel.”

“Understood.”

Then, sighs mixed with lamentation leaked out from here and there.

The Margrave has the authority of a king in that region alone. It was a much more valuable reward than the empty title of Marquis.

However, Keinzel’s achievements were so great that no one could complain.

He thwarted the ambitions of the Church of the Seven Deadly Sins, which was plotting the revival of the Seven Deadly Sins.

He executed his collaborator, Count Algedi.

Moreover, he recently defeated a demon that threatened the peace of a nation.

It was also entirely Keinzel’s achievement to form an alliance with El Agrad.

No one has ever accomplished so much in just one year.

“Then I will give Margrave Zistad his first mission. Close the gate located in the north. At Elizabeth’s request, she will help with this matter.”

The eyes of the gathered nobles widened at the word gate. What was it that required two Sword Masters? However, Keinzel, who knew its identity, felt that even that was not enough.

If things went wrong, he might have to fight against the 72 demons that came out of the Demon World.

They were all stronger than Adolf.

At that time, Elizabeth brought her finger to her mouth and pointed her chin at Gawain.

It seemed that she had received a promise of assistance from him.

‘So that’s why she said she wouldn’t listen to the orders of someone weaker than herself.’

“Then I will entrust the rest of the entertainment to Hector.”

“Understood. Duke Keinzel, listen. First of all, congratulations on receiving the title of Virtue. From now on, we will have a chance to confirm your skills.”

Then Gawain began to loosen up. He seemed to think that Keinzel would naturally apply for a duel with him.

“There’s no need to think too hard, just call my name. Haha. Shall I show my junior the dignity of a senior?”

Keinzel bowed lightly to Gawain as if he was sorry and said.

“I’m sorry, but the person I’m applying for a duel with is not Senior Gawain.”

“Th, then?!”

“I will apply for a duel with Morgana Gabriel.”

Then, a woman with a pure atmosphere sitting on the outermost edge of the head table stood up.

She was Morgan le Fay, the Sword Master of Chastity who freely manipulates involuntary muscles.

“Oh my, are you perhaps suggesting that we have a match?”

Morgana had an appearance that was in many ways in contrast to Elizabeth, who was sitting on the opposite side.

She was wearing a dress instead of formal attire, and she had a lovely appearance that anyone would think of as a noble young lady.

Her tightly tied bright red hair emphasized her slender neckline.

Her height was also more than a hand shorter than Elizabeth.

Her surprisingly cute face was enough to keep many noble youths up at night.

“That’s right. Senior, let’s have a match. There’s something I need to hear from you.”

“Ahaha, these young kids these days really have a lot of spirit. They don’t know their place and rush in whenever they get the chance. Okay, let’s do it.”

Elizabeth looked at Keinzel with a nervous expression.

Morgana is a witch. That is not a title to denigrate her personality or appearance.

Literally, she acquired a form of Aura Blade that humans cannot possess by contracting with a demon.

It was only natural that Elizabeth, a half-demon, disliked Morgana.

Elizabeth is bound by the inescapable curse of her bloodline.

She became a Sword Master through bone-cutting training to overcome it.

But Morgana sold her soul of her own free will.

A witch’s help was needed to reinsert a fallen sealing stone.

The witch’s soul is subordinate to the Demon World. The connection is used to close the gap between the sealing stone and the gate.

‘When you poke a sea pie [likely a reference to a type of sealed pie], you seal it tightly so that no steam comes out. Is it something like that?’

At least three witches are needed for the job. But the possibility of them cooperating willingly is zero.

Losing the connection means that the witch returns to being an ordinary woman, not a witch.

Moreover, only the same witch can recognize a witch. Morgana’s help was essential to find the other two witches.

‘No, in this case, it’s not help, but subjugation.’

It is said that only Aslan and Elizabeth know Morgana’s identity.

And Elizabeth has a special 『Oath』 that prevents her from ever saying anything about it.

But it was temporarily lifted when she ate the 6-star dish that Keinzel made.

It seemed that the dish was not the only thing that released the curse of the Seven Deadly Sins.

‘Wait a minute. Then what about the contract with Calliope? Does that mean she can kill me whenever she wants? ……Well, it would be too much to expect Calliope to think that far.’

She didn’t seem like she would be plotting such a scheme with her always blank face.

Besides, if she had intended to kill him, she would have had plenty of opportunities so far.

Morgana smiled brightly as she drew three swords of enormous length.

“Are you really okay? I’m not as kind as Elsa. I won’t go easy on you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Those surrounding the open space swallowed hard at the duel between the two Sword Masters.

“I wonder who will win.”

“Duke Morgana has never lost to anyone except Duke Gawain. I’m sure the same result will happen this time.”

This is not just simple entertainment.

It is an opportunity to show the visiting dignitaries how strong the Sword Masters of Britannia are. This will further solidify the national power.

However, if one of them dies or is seriously injured, it will not even be a laughing matter.

In that sense, Morgana was the worst opponent.

‘An absurd enemy. She clearly knows my intentions. Then, let’s use the cooking skill I just learned here first!’

Morgana rushed towards Keinzel without even giving up the first move.

It was an incredible speed, like watching Keinzel activate a booster.

Her Aura Blade strengthens not only the involuntary muscles but also the nerves throughout the body.

The destructive power emanating from it was greater than Meliot’s.

Keinzel’s eyes lit up.

‘Yes, right now……!’