Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 13

Sometimes, the most important decisions are made at the dinner table.

Seeing Vincent von Sven and Julius Konrad sitting side by side, the trainee knights whispered.

“As expected of Sir Vincent. That aristocratic appearance… Doesn’t it look like a painting just to see him sitting there? Besides, he’s kind to everyone and always humble… If I become a knight, I want to serve someone like him.”

“But isn’t Sir Vincent more like the heir to the Sven family than a knight? Sir Julius is the most knightly in the training center. Those magnificent deltoids and biceps! Besides, the abs connected to the pectoralis major [chest muscles] are the epitome of a knight.”

“Wh, what are you talking about! Sir Vincent may look a little weak on the outside. But isn’t that what they call combat-ready muscles? Especially when using an Aura Sword, strength isn’t that important…”

Vincent and Julius were closer to becoming knights than anyone else in the Stanis Knight Training Center.

Perhaps that’s why.

There was a daily debate about who was the more ideal knight.

In fact, there were just many trainee knights who couldn’t control their burning bloodlust to eat quietly.

Vincent and Julius knew that many eyes were on them.

So the conversation was cautious.

But the content was not cautious.

“Julius. What on earth are you thinking?”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t tell me you thought I wouldn’t know about your duel with Cainchel in a week?”

“…It’s just a little amusement.”

Vincent smiled.

But his golden eyes hid a cold blade.

“I knew you’ve been tormenting Cainchel physically and mentally since your rookie days.”

Then the expression disappeared from Julius’s face.

“I’m sorry.”

When he readily admitted it, Vincent opened his mouth quietly.

“I’m not blaming you. Rather, I knew you were tormenting Cainchel, but I was secretly preventing the incident from escalating. Do you know why?”

“…”

Julius was speechless in the face of the shocking truth. He never thought Vincent knew everything.

The two were not just the number one and number two in the training center.

The Konrad family had served the Sven family for hundreds of years.

The same was true for Vincent and Julius.

Julius, who became a knight, was scheduled to become the bodyguard for Vincent, who would become the Marquis of Sven [a nobleman ranking below a duke].

But the lord knew his secret hobby.

He was so ashamed that he wanted to run away somewhere right now.

“I’m not blaming you, Julius. You did a great job.”

“Yes?”

“Cainchel is an essential talent in this Stanis Training Center.”

“What does that mean?”

Vincent put his clasped hands on the table and rested his chin on them.

“Do you know what the average level of the Chevalier class is right now?”

The answer came immediately.

“It’s 35.”

“High, isn’t it?”

“Yes. I know it’s the highest ever.”

Of course, Vincent and Julius had significantly raised the average.

But even excluding the two, the level of the current Chevalier class was the highest since the establishment of the Stanis Training Center.

Julius, who had heard the story up to that point, realized what Vincent was trying to say.

“Ah, don’t tell me. Is it all thanks to Cainchel?”

“As expected, I like that you’re quick-witted, Julius. That’s right. There’s always a ridiculed and mocked underachiever right next to you. Then wouldn’t anyone work harder to avoid becoming like that? The reason why the Chevalier class is doing so well now is all because of Cainchel, the clown.”

“Ha… So every time the status is updated, he’s been…”

“Bu, ut.”

Vincent emitted tremendous murderous intent and covered Julius.

Julius bowed his head, sweating profusely.

“To apply for a duel with Cainchel. That makes it seem like Cainchel is being treated as a knight candidate… That bastard is enough as a clown to make the bugs realize that there is someone below them.”

Crack-

At that moment, the mask Vincent was wearing broke and his true nature popped out.

Julius, who received the tremendous murderous intent with his whole body, realized once again.

Vincent von Sven.

He was the hero who saved the continent and the only successor to Hector von Sven, the Sword Master of Temperance.

“I, I’m sorry. Then, in order to keep him as a clown in the future, I’ll just moderately…”

“No, no, that’s not it, Julius. Now that he’s been treated like a knight because of the duel, it’s difficult to keep him as a clown.”

“Then…”

“We have to be sure.”

Vincent slightly lifted the knife he was cutting the steak with and pointed it at Julius’s neck.

Kill him. Toys that have lost their value are no longer useful.

Quick-witted Julius immediately understood Vincent’s actions.

“Bu, but chivalry is…”

“Chivalry? Hah, a knight is just a weapon to kill enemies. What kind of morality is there in that? Chivalry is just an illusion that appears in the songs of bards [traveling poets]. Do you understand? If you ever lose to Cainchel, I will give you a very severe punishment.”

“I will obey your order. My lord.”

“Good. There will be a war soon, Julius. We need as many knights as possible before that. Even a slightly stronger weapon. Remember that everything is for His Majesty Aslan.”

“For His Majesty Aslan…”

A kind smile appeared on Vincent’s face.

“Then Julius. Let’s have a meal. Today is a day when special delicious food comes out, so eat a lot.”

“…”

Julius sighed quietly at the sight of him changing as if he were a different person from before.

I’m the only one here who knows that person’s true nature.

But what? Don’t ever lose to Cainchel?

Unless ten impossible chances fall on him, the possibility is zero.

Cainchel, who hasn’t raised a single level in three years, and Julius, who will soon become a Sword Knight [a high-ranking knight].

There is a difference between them that humans can never overcome.

I just have to think about how to step on Cainchel.

“But isn’t today’s steak really delicious?”

“Yes. This juice and the degree of grilling of the meat are really exquisite. There are not many people in the capital who can grill steak like this.”

“Ah, one of the chefs working at the training center used to work in the imperial palace. I think that person grilled it.”

“A former imperial chef? Then I understand. It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a delicious steak.”

“The garlic flavor is really amazing.”

“I agree. Ahaha!”

They couldn’t even imagine who grilled the steak they were eating.

And that they were helping him grow.

@

The heat in the kitchen is intense.

Cainchel grilled the steak and looked at the Joma Mirror next to him.

[You have completed a dish using fire!]

[Fire resistance increases slightly (+0.1%)]

······.

···.

[You have completed a dish using incense!]

[Poison resistance increases slightly (+0.1%)]

‘Yes, it went up again!’

That wasn’t the end of it. Cainchel was grilling 1-pound steaks made by slicing large chunks of meat.

That’s why unimaginable stats were rising.

[Your meat cutting skills are excellent.]

[Cutting resistance increases slightly (+0.1%)]

‘Kuh… This is a blessing given to Vincent.’

Cutting resistance literally prevents injuries from knives.

Just being there gives you an overwhelming advantage in battles fighting with swords.

‘How many stats rise with just one steak? Steak, hooray!’

Besides, messages were popping up that the guests who ate the food were satisfied.

At this rate, the cooking level will also rise soon.

Cainchel grilled the steak with the feeling of putting his soul into it.

To make it a little more delicious.

To satisfy a few more guests.

All of that would become experience and make him stronger.

Meanwhile, Cainchel grilled all fifty steaks.

It was a great steak beyond any doubt.

Thanks to the pouring experience, the happy steak day was coming to an end.

Cainchel shouted in a cheerful voice.

“Thank you all for your hard work!”

“Hoo, it’s finally over.”

“Ugh, my back… My back…”

“Are you all groaning with just this much? I think you need to learn how to cut again.”

“Eek! Ch, Chief! Please spare me that.”

The kitchen, after work, was a mess as if it had been bombed.

The chefs headed to the lounge in the corner of the kitchen. They had to clean up, but they felt like they couldn’t do anything unless they took a breath first.

Einchel looked for Cainchel, who had worked the hardest today. He was left in the kitchen doing something.

“Sir Cainchel, come and rest.”

“Ah, you must be tired. Try this. It’s Assam tea [a type of black tea].”

Cainchel came into the lounge with a cup of black tea.

Then Einchel cheered.

“Wow! Thank you for the drink! Sir Cainchel must be tired, but you’re doing this…”

Joffrey was still prickly.

“Humph. I’m sorry, but I’m a bit picky about black tea. To satisfy my taste, you have to brew it really well… Huh? This is amazing?”

Einchel, who knew that Joffrey was picky about black tea, widened his eyes.

“Is it that delicious? Then let me see. …The scent is no joke. How can you brew black tea so well?”

Cainchel just smiled without saying a word.

Everything was thanks to the Fallen Star skill. Now he could know the temperature of the ingredients just by looking at them.

Just as the cooking skill was sublimated into a swordsmanship skill. The opposite was also possible.

The ability of ‘Fallen Star’ to feel the opponent’s hostility.

When he used it while cooking, he could know the temperature of the ingredients.

‘It was a skill that was created while grilling steak in the first place.’

In order to brew black tea well, the temperature of the water is more important than anything else.

Cainchel, who was able to control it freely, was able to brew really delicious tea.

[Guests are impressed with the tea you brewed.]

[The skill of boiling water is very high.]

[Tea ceremony level has been created.]

Cainchel, who had spent three years in all sorts of ridicule and sarcasm.

But he would be praised just for boiling water like this.

Cainchel felt something hot starting to overflow from his heart.

It was definitely something he had forgotten for a while.

“Oh my! Our rookie must have had a hard time! Should I rub your shoulders a little?”

“Mr. Joffrey! I saw you put away a few pieces of meat earlier! Don’t eat them alone, grill them and give them to us. Sir Cainchel didn’t have dinner either, did he? Grill a lot so we can eat together.”

“Haha. I understand. Gee. You have an amazing sense of smell for food. You come along too. You’re not telling me to grill it alone, are you?”

“Yes, yes.”

Cainchel looked at the backs of the two chefs who were grilling steak for him even though they must be tired.

Yes, this is it…

Gordon spoke to Cainchel, who was embarrassed by the feeling he was feeling for the first time.

“Cainchel van Jistad.”

“Yes, Chef.”

“Listen carefully. You have a talent for cooking.”

“Yes? Wh, what suddenly…”

“I saw the steak you grilled today. Even in this busy situation, there were traces of you trying to grill the best steak. That is the most necessary mindset for a chef.”

“…”

At that moment, Cainchel couldn’t say anything. He was just working hard to get as much experience as possible.

But it seemed that Gordon saw it a little differently.

Gordon scratched his head a few times as if he was embarrassed and continued.

“I heard that you are scheduled to have a duel with the number two of the Chevalier class next week.”

“You knew.”

“The kitchen is a place where all rumors gather. It’s not a secret in the first place, is it? Everyone is talking about it.”

But why did Gordon Rambolton bring up this story?

That sarcastic and twisted man wouldn’t be worried.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from Instructor Ian before. He said that there is a trainee knight who works really hard, but he is worried that his skills are not improving.”

“Instructor Ian said that?”

“Yes. He seemed to care about you a lot.”

The memory of hugging each other and crying a few days ago came to mind, and his face turned red without him knowing it.

Gordon paused for a moment and made a suggestion that Cainchel couldn’t even imagine.

“Your talent may be somewhere other than swordsmanship. And you have a talent for cooking.”

“…”

“Have you ever thought about becoming a chef? I am Gordon Rambolton. Although it’s just a past glory, I was even an imperial chef. There are tons of juniors who learned from me when I go to the capital. I can help you learn to cook under them.”

“Are you telling me to become a chef?”

“That’s right. If you have the skills, you can sit in the position of imperial chef in 20 years… No, within 10 years. I think so.”

“Th, thank you, Chef.”

Gordon raised one corner of his mouth.

“Don’t be arrogant. Your talent is still just an unbloomed bud. Yes, if you leave it to Marianne. She will raise you very well.”

It was such a wonderful suggestion. Cainchel had just learned the joy of cooking.

Besides, cooking raises the level of swordsmanship. Then, wouldn’t it be possible to get stronger quickly by working in a restaurant instead of the training center?

He had thought about it.

But the result did not change.

Cainchel bowed to Gordon, who had discovered his talent that no one cared about.

And quietly expressed his refusal.

“…But I’m sorry, Chef.”

“Wh, what? Why? You’re just an underachiever if you stay here. Ah, are you worried about the title? Don’t worry about that. If you become an imperial chef, you can receive treatment equivalent to a baron [a nobleman]. Although there is no fief [land granted by a lord], you can live a sufficiently affluent life…”

“The reason I’m here is…”

Cainchel, who started cooking, learned what kind of mind the chefs cook with.

An enlightenment that could only be obtained by holding a kitchen knife and facing guests who ate the food deliciously.

Then, wouldn’t the same thing exist in swordsmanship?

“…To become a knight.”

Can you call someone a knight just because they have strong swordsmanship?

No matter how well-made a dish is, it is meaningless if there is no one to eat it.

Holding a kitchen knife for 3 weeks.

What he learned during that time was not just the skill of cooking.

Gordon, who read the strong will in Cainchel’s eyes, sighed.

“Then what do you want to do in the future?”

“The same as before. I will train in swordsmanship during the day. And work as a kitchen assistant outside of work hours.”

“Haha. Maybe the first cooking knight will be born.”

Cainchel smiled. And pointed out the wrong part in Gordon’s words.

“There’s a saying that you should have big dreams. If possible, let’s make it a cooking Sword Master.”

“Sword Master? Kid, you have really big dreams!”

“…Please continue to take care of me in the future.”

“Kid. I don’t think you know. My class will be very difficult.”

“I know.”

Cainchel smiled.

Then Gordon smiled too.

There were still a lot of things he wanted to learn from this man.

So he had no intention of leaving the Stanis Knight Training Center yet.

@

The remaining time passed in an instant.

The day of ‘Status Update’ has come.

The second-ranked in the Chevalier class, which is considered to have the best power ever.

And the worst underachiever in the history of the Stanis Training Center will face off.

The turmoil starts now #1