Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 219

66. Sacrifice

To fulfill an alchemist’s lifelong ambition, a significant investment of time is essential.

Ultimately, the greatest hurdle they face is the inherent limitation of human lifespan.

Except, of course, for the Slime Bishop, a being born from a fluke.

Astolfo, the doll, and Merlin, the wanderer of life, both attained near-immortal lifespans through their own unique methods.

In Astolfo’s case, he gradually replaced his aging biological organs with mechanical components.

Now, everything within him, save for his brain, is automated.

“By the way, Master Astolfo,” a voice might say, “I’ve noticed you’ve become increasingly forgetful lately. It seems like an early sign of dementia. Even the hardest rock eventually weathers away. You can only polish, oil, and tighten a body that rusts. Before long, he’ll forget the very ambition he dedicated his life to, and die surrounded by the dolls he created…”

Ultimately, he couldn’t achieve true immortality simply by mechanizing his body.

Knowing this, Merlin conceived a method to transplant his consciousness into other living beings.

He moved from body to body, inhabiting not only demi-humans like elves and dwarves, but even humanoid monsters like goblins, tenaciously prolonging his existence from the mythical era to the present.

“I estimate that Merlin has lived for approximately three thousand years. He’s practically a golem at this point. Do you know what happens when a human lives for such a long time, partner?”

Kainchel shook his head.

How could he possibly comprehend the thoughts of an alchemist who had achieved immortality?

“When the possibility of dying of old age vanishes, ironically, the fear of death intensifies. In Astolfo’s case, with his mechanical body, he wouldn’t die even if his body crumbled to dust. But Merlin’s body is made of flesh and blood. He could be killed by a gnoll [a hyena-like humanoid monster] wielding a stone ax.”

‘Indeed. Even if natural death is eliminated, accidents and sudden deaths remain a threat.’

Perhaps that’s why Merlin is so obsessed with immortal cells.

“But even that is finite. How many times have you fought and defeated immortal cell holders, partner? Eventually, Merlin ceased transplanting immortal cells into his body. And to achieve true immortality, he delved into the forbidden art of sealing his mind into matter.”

‘If it’s an object with a human mind, are you referring to an Ego Sword [a sentient weapon]?’

“The mechanism is similar. Combined with his desire to create the ultimate chimera with his own hands, Abyss was born.”

Having heard this much, Kainchel opened his eyes and gazed at Merlin’s remnants.

It felt as though they had been conversing for about thirty minutes, but in reality, it was only a fleeting moment, lasting less than a second.

“Kainchel, what on earth are you talking about? Merlin is watching this place through the crystal from outside the Abyss……”

“When we fought Chaos, didn’t it feel like this space itself was moving for him?”

“……Yes. I definitely felt that way.”

“This place… the entire Abyss *is* Merlin. He sacrificed the last vestiges of his humanity to fulfill his lifelong ambition of creating the ultimate chimera.”

“……!”

Kugugugugung-!

The collapse of the Abyss accelerated. It was becoming difficult to even stand upright.

Calliope urged him on.

“Kainchel, the gate to cross dimensions is complete. We have to get out of here right now.”

“Just wait one minute… no, thirty seconds. There’s still a problem to solve.”

Kainchel picked up the crystal lying on the ground.

Within it, Merlin’s face, contorted with fury like an erupting volcano, was visible.

“How dare a mongrel monkey like you insult the great creator Merlin…!”

Merlin summoned the chimera Chaos, which possessed the power of a dragon.

Anything is possible in this place where time and space are distorted.

‘If we leave the Abyss like this, Merlin will simply create another Chaos. There’s only one way to stop him.’

Only a month has passed outside, but an immeasurable amount of time has flowed within this place.

The reason Merlin was able to maintain his ego during that time was because of his twisted will to fulfill his lifelong ambition.

Kainchel spoke with an indifferent expression.

“By the way, I couldn’t help but notice that the Tartaros [a type of artificially created monster] are severely degraded due to repeated inbreeding. Aren’t they going to be wiped out in a few generations?”

“Wh-what…!”

As if struck by a physical blow, Merlin’s voice vanished.

He must be checking on the condition of the remaining Tartaros at this very moment.

After all, they are artificially created chimeras. Even minor deformities can weaken their strength and distort their appearance.

However, a small pebble tossed into a wide, calm lake creates a large ripple.

The seed of doubt that had been planted created a small crack in Merlin’s unwavering will, which had endured for tens of thousands of years.

“In theory, Chaos can be created indefinitely, given infinite time. But now that the demon of doubt has begun to sprout, how much time does he *really* have left? Well, have a good time stewing on that.”

Somewhere in the distance, the sound of Merlin screaming could be heard.

“No! My plan is perfect! It can’t fail! How much time is left? Ten thousand years… no, if I have only five thousand years, I can create a new Chaos… Uaaaaaaack!”

‘Ten thousand years? I’ll be impressed if you can hold out for three.’

Kainchel grabbed the hand of Calliope, who was impatiently stamping her feet in front of the completed gate.

“Shall we return to the Gistad territory, then?”

“……Yes. If I’m with Kainchel, I feel like I can go anywhere.”

There was a hint of loneliness in her voice.

It was the moment when their short, yet incredibly long, witch-finding journey came to an end.

* * *

Elizabeth, who had been guarding the gate, jumped up from her seat the moment she saw Kainchel.

“Kid, it’s been so long?!”

Then Morgana muttered with a pathetic expression.

“It’s only been three weeks at most. Shouldn’t you stop running over with the expression of a puppy meeting its owner after ten years, you idiot Elza?”

“Who are you calling an idiot! Are you trying to start a fight with your older sister right now?”

Gawain, who was sitting on a rock and turning the pages of a parchment book, looked up.

“Let’s see. Let’s check how well the junior has performed his mission. Sister Morgana, and a lady who looks quiet… But why is there a man involved in finding a witch?”

Gawain narrowed his eyes and looked at Goethe, who was yawning languidly.

And then he promptly fell forward.

“M-Mr. Goethe?! It’s a great honor to meet you! Wow, wow… This is a real connection…”

He proudly displayed the cover of the book he was holding.

There, the words ‘The Sorrows of Young Werther’ were written in elegant handwriting.

It seemed that Gawain was also an avid reader of Goethe.

Goethe smiled, took out a quill pen from his coat, and signed the book.

Gawain clasped Goethe’s hand with an awestruck expression.

“Charlotte was my first love. To think I would meet you in such a place… Ah, this is like fate.”

Kainchel recalled what Gawain had said before they left to find the witch.

“Sir Gawain, didn’t you say we should cross swords again when we meet again?”

“What’s with the ‘Sir’ between us? Just call me ‘hyung’ [older brother or close male friend] comfortably. And with Mr. Goethe right in front of me, is sparring really a priority?!”

“Ah, yes… Then I hope you have a good time.”

Gawain is said to be the strongest of the Knights of the Round Table in terms of combat prowess alone.

Kainchel had hoped to spar with him at least once, but it seemed he would have to postpone it until another time.

Batory’s eyes sparkled as she watched Gawain put his arm around Goethe’s shoulder.

“Haa…, Gawain-nim being so eager around Goethe-nim… You’re so cool…”

Kainchel decided to check the condition of the gate first.

Following the path to the lair that Calliope’s main body had created for sleeping, he saw it.

It’s called the ‘Gate of the Demon Realm,’ but there isn’t actually a gate. The chaotic energy of the Abyss was simply flowing out through a distorted space.

“It feels completely similar to the Abyss.”

“The Demon Realm basically exists in another dimension. Besides, the fragments of dimensions that make up the Abyss also contained a portion of the Demon Realm.”

Kainchel nodded. From now on, he would have to perform a ritual to completely seal it off. But there was something he had to do before that.

“Then shall we have Cockatrice cuisine for today’s menu?”

“Ah, is it seasoned chicken [a popular Korean dish]? I really like that!”

“Spicy and sweet seasoned chicken is good, but today I’m going to make a dish that maximizes the efficacy of Mandrake [a magical plant with potent properties].”

Elizabeth blushed with an expression of eager anticipation.

“I like all the dishes Kainchel makes! Ah, I want to eat it right now…”

It seemed that she was experiencing withdrawal symptoms from not being able to eat Kainchel’s cooking for three weeks.

There was a possibility that a battle with a demon emerging from the gate might break out during the ritual.

Even if Morgana, a Sword Master, was present, Batory and Goethe needed a means to protect themselves.

‘If they eat a dish using Cockatrice and Mandrake, they can use the Diamond Body skill [a defensive ability].’

Seasoned chicken is definitely an amazing dish, but the Mandrake used in it is only a few leaves.

If possible, he wanted to make a dish that could utilize even the roots without sparing them.

So, he decided on stuffed roast chicken.

Kainchel set up a makeshift kitchen in a place slightly away from the Gate of the Demon Realm.

Calliope asked, her eyes twinkling.

“What kind of dish are you going to make this time?”

“I’m going to make roast chicken stuffed with chorizo [a type of Spanish sausage] and mandrake. Ah, chorizo is a type of sausage made in the Tuscan Confederation, smell it.”

“Sniff sniff… The sausage smells like garlic and spiciness. And the rich meat scent is amazing.”

“Right? From now on, I’m going to chop this up with mandrake roots to make the stuffing to fill the chicken. Then the chicken will be incredibly moist, and the texture will be fantastic too.”

Kainchel stroked Calliope’s head once and then began to cook in earnest.

First, he finely chopped the chorizo. This would enrich the taste of the stuffing.

He put it in a pan and fried it. The oil rendered out, releasing an amazing aroma.

As the spicy and rich meat scent spread, Goethe and Gawain, who had been enjoying each other’s company, approached with shining eyes.

“Oh, isn’t that chorizo? That’s really delicious.”

“If Mr. Goethe says it’s delicious, it must be delicious. Haha! I will never wash the hand I shook earlier.”

“……I’ll shake your hand as much as you want, so please wash your hands.”

When the chorizo was cooked to some extent, he sprinkled a little olive oil.

Now, he chopped the finely chopped mandrake roots together with a satisfying sound.

The color of the mandrake, infused with the scent of chorizo, began to change.

When finely chopped garlic was added, a pungent and fragrant scent was added.

“If you sprinkle fresh thyme here, the scent will be even better.”

He then added plenty of pre-boiled navy beans to the pan.

It was a variety that didn’t mash easily even when boiled, making it ideal for stuffing.

It would absorb all the remaining chorizo juice.

Finally, it was time to add half-dried tomatoes, which would impart a subtle sweetness.

After frying it for a while, the spicy and fragrant smell stimulated their empty stomachs.

Now it was time to prepare the Cockatrice.

If you remove all the feathers and cut off the snake’s tail, it’s essentially the same as a chicken. However, since it is about ten times larger, it looks more like a turkey.

After seasoning it with salt and pepper, it was time to fill it with the stuffing that had been prepared in advance.

“When you put in the stuffing, you have to pack it very tightly. This is how the chicken cooks evenly, because the ingredients inside fill all the empty space.”

Goethe, who was watching, shone his eyes.

“Because Kainchel-gong [a respectful title] makes it, it looks like real chicken, not a monster.”

Then Elizabeth and Morgana attacked at the same time.

“It’s okay if it’s a monster as long as it’s delicious. Does Goethe-sensei [teacher] even know the taste of chicken?”

“That’s right.”

“Tch, you only work well together at times like this.”

The entrance where the stuffing was inserted was securely blocked with a large lemon. And olive oil was applied to the entire bird. This would ensure that the skin turned crispy when cooked.

Paprika powder was also sprinkled to give it a spicy flavor. And it had to be rubbed in like a massage by hand so that the seasoning permeated the whole bird.

The spicy scent was driving people crazy.

In the end, Elizabeth, who couldn’t stand it any longer, screamed.

“Damn it! Raw meat is fine! Let me eat it! I’m going crazy because I’m hungry!”

“That’s why you’re called an idiot. Aren’t you ashamed to show that to Calliope?”

“……Kuang!”

In the end, Elizabeth, unable to restrain herself, unleashed a wave of succubus fear.

Morgana and Elizabeth had become so close to Calliope that they seemed like real sisters.

Kainchel smiled and prepared to put the roast chicken in the oven.

As it was a huge size, a special tray was needed.

Ten bottles of white wine and the same amount of water were added to it. These would keep it moist. He did not forget to add plenty of thyme to enhance the aroma.

Finally, the tray was sealed with meringue. This would prevent the juices from drying out.

“Now, after baking for one hour, remove the meringue and bake for about thirty minutes more. You have to bake it twice to get the crispy skin.”

“Haa, is there an hour and a half left?! My stomach is already kicking me to put out the meat?!”

“Isn’t it true that the longer you wait, the more delicious the food becomes?”

That’s how a moment of leisure was created.

Batory was screaming happily as she watched Goethe and Gawain, who had already become completely close.

Then Goethe suddenly got up from his seat as if something had come to mind.

“But Calliope-agassi [young lady]. I’m sorry, but there’s just one thing I’d like to ask.”

“Yes. I’ll answer if it’s something I can answer.”

“It’s as if everyone is turning a blind eye to this fact. What happens to Agassi when the sealing ritual is over?”

She would have to sleep for a thousand years to completely seal the Gate of the Demon Realm.

However, that had only been temporarily suspended due to the conspiracy of the Seven Sins Church.

Calliope gave a brief, lonely smile and then returned to her expressionless face.

“I’m going to fall asleep again. Don’t worry too much. For a dragon who lives for ten thousand years, a thousand years is just a slightly long nap.”

Goethe shook his head. It was as if he knew something.