Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 317

Abel Carterus smiled bitterly, placing a hand on the ruins of the completely destroyed building.

This place, until a few years ago, was the site of the Carterus family mansion.

It was also a place that held her entire childhood.

However, due to successive attacks by Agents [supernatural beings causing chaos], the Carterus family eventually moved elsewhere.

“Is this a place that has nothing to do with me anymore?”

Abel had stopped using the Carterus surname some time ago.

It wasn’t just because she had become more elf-like than human.

She had earned the position of Grand Manager of the Edelweiss Merchant Group through her own power.

Moreover, she had recently taken on the role of Chief Administrator of the Gistad Territory.

There was no reason or need for the Carterus family to intervene there.

Abel looked at the sword she was wearing on her waist. It was an item she couldn’t discard even after changing her main weapon to a leaf [likely a magical artifact or weapon associated with her elven nature].

“…The reason I first held a sword was to be recognized by my father. I thought that if I could use Aura Sword [a technique that enhances a sword’s power], I would be accepted as a member of the family. By the way, why did you ask me to meet you in a place like this, Keinzel?”

Then, the man who had been standing behind the wall walked out with a bitter smile.

The man’s identity was her first friend and comrade whom she had opened her heart to. But now, he was Keinzel Van Gistad, who had gone to a place so far away.

“Sorry. I didn’t know the Carterus mansion would be like this.”

“Well, it’s natural that you wouldn’t know since you’ve been away from Britannia [the story’s equivalent of Britain or a similar region] for a year. Don’t feel too sorry. By the way, I didn’t expect you to leave straight for the Eastern Continent without even stopping by the territory.”

It was Nimue who had taken over as the lord of Gistad while Keinzel was away. However, she was an elf who disliked humans. In the end, Abel was the one who handled most of the administration.

“Well, you know, Gistad has you, Abel. I can trust you to take care of the territory for years.”

From the production and distribution of Cola [a popular beverage in this world] to the expansion of the castle.

The Gistad territory was already at a level where it wouldn’t function properly without Abel.

“I guess I should think of it as the burden of having too busy a lord.”

“By the way, you haven’t changed at all.”

“Well, I am a half-elf. Even if it’s not as much as a pureblood, I age much slower than humans.”

“I’m not talking about appearance. You’ve been with me ever since I became a Free Knight [an independent knight, not bound to a specific lord]. So, I wanted to say thank you.”

Why was it so hard to say this one word? Then, Abel’s face turned as red as an apple.

“Ahem, well, the production of Cola is going smoothly, and the size of the territory is growing, so I request a reorganization. And if you ever leave Gistad again, I hope you leave a proper acting lord in charge.”

“I was thinking about that anyway. I received an absurd offer from His Majesty Aslan.”

Keinzel told Abel about the founding of the Gistad Duchy that had happened the day before.

Then, Abel’s eyes narrowed.

“The intention is to make the White Mountain Range area an advance base to fight against the Agents by making it independent as a duchy. That’s certainly a groundbreaking proposal that only His Majesty Aslan could make.”

She perfectly read Aslan’s intentions with just a few words.

Keinzel nodded, muttering that she was indeed Abel.

“And there must be something more besides the Gistad Duchy, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right. First of all, I’m the Sword of Deus [a title or position within a religious order], right? It was just a position of honor, but this time, I’ve been asked to take on the role of Captain of the newly established anti-demon unit, Faith. For reference, all the members are currently vacant.”

“Hmm. The Pope is really too much. In the end, he wants you to fill it with connections.”

“I already have someone in mind, so I’ll have to send a letter. Since it’s not directly under the Deus Order, I’m planning to choose based on skill alone, without distinguishing between borders, religions, or even races. Anyway, with the duchy and Faith, I think I’ll be incredibly busy from now on.”

“It won’t be enough even if you have ten bodies. If you ever need my help, feel free to ask. I’ll help as a ‘friend’.”

“That’s why I’m saying this. I want you to officially become the lord of Gistad.”

“W-What on earth are you talking about?! You are the only one in this world who can become the lord of Gistad!”

“I mean, I want you to carry on the name of Gistad. Hmm…”

Keinzel coughed a few times, as if he couldn’t continue his words properly.

Then, he took out a small dagger made of star fragments from his dimensional pocket and handed it to Abel.

“It’s called Rose Knife. It’s a secondary weapon made in exactly the same way as Fragarach [a powerful, possibly legendary weapon]. If it recognizes you as its owner, you’ll be able to use the unique skill Sword Qi [a technique that allows the user to project their energy through a weapon]. I’ll give it to you.”

It was called a dagger, but its shape looked like a kitchen knife no matter how you looked at it.

However, if used with Enatos Xiphos [Keinzel’s primary weapon, likely a sword], it would be a very useful weapon for both attack and defense. And there was a small ring attached to it so that fingers could be inserted.

“…!”

Abel’s ears turned bright red as she instantly realized its meaning.

She already knew that Keinzel had brought six divine artifacts from the East.

Elizabeth had been boasting about bringing the Cleaver until her ears hurt.

Naturally, she thought that the owners of the divine artifacts would be the Seven Virtues [a group of powerful individuals]. But she never thought that her own would be included there.

“…Can I really accept this? I’m not even a Sword Master yet.”

Keinzel smiled and mentioned something from the past that was already more than ten years ago.

“I once said that I entered Stanise [a place, possibly an academy or organization] to revive my fallen family, right? I’m sorry, but that was a lie. To tell you the truth, I saw you wielding a sword right here. I thought it was so beautiful. So, Abel. You were my goal. That’s where everything started.”

“Ah.”

“So, I want you to accept the Rose Knife. You have to become a Sword Master to handle it properly. This time, I want to be your goal.”

Each other becomes each other’s goal.

That meant only one thing.

Keinzel looked at Abel, whose eyes had widened at the sudden confession.

The beginning of everything, and the only person he wanted to be with forever.

And after taking a few deep breaths, he poured out the sincerity he had kept deep in his heart.

“Will you marry me, Abel?”

“…S-Since when…?”

“Actually, I wanted to tell you this a long time ago. But half-elves and humans have a huge difference in lifespan. I couldn’t bring myself to say it, thinking about you being left alone someday. But in this expedition, I somehow crossed the threshold of a Transcender [a being that has surpassed human limitations].”

The body that had surpassed the limits of humans almost stopped aging from that moment on. Of course, it doesn’t become completely immortal. But at least it can enjoy a lifespan similar to that of a half-elf.

“M-Moreover, this body is gender-neutral, isn’t it? Keinzel… You should have a more proper partner.”

“That’s no problem either. There are plenty of elixirs full of yin energy in the Eastern Continent. If you cook and eat them, you can become a complete woman. Of course, only if you want to, Abel.”

“……”

A body that is neither human nor elf, unable to even leave descendants.

That’s why she could only watch.

She thought she could never reach out.

But at this moment, Keinzel Van Gistad was right in front of Abel.

That fact made her so happy.

“I’ll ask you one more time. Avelin, Guardian of the World Tree [a title or role Abel holds]. Will you marry me, Keinzel Van Gistad?”

It was the moment when Abel was about to nod her head with tears of joy.

Suddenly, a shadow was created in the sky, and with a thud, someone jumped down.

Elizabeth Metatron.

She was a half-succubus who had been active not only in the 1st Seven Deadly Sins War but also in the 2nd.

Elizabeth put her hands on her hips and shouted as if she would breathe fire.

“I secretly followed you because the atmosphere was unusual, and it was as I expected.”

“Ugh. Why did Lady Elizabeth suddenly come from the sky…”

“Hey, I clearly said that my ideal type is a man who makes breakfast, right? So, propose to me too. Right now.”

“D-Did I hear you wrong?”

“You’re going to be the captain of the anti-demon unit Faith, right? I, Elizabeth, will make up my mind and join there. Instead, I want you to marry me as compensation.”

“I’m sorry, but I’ve already proposed to Abel.”

“Ahaha! That’s a joke, right? You’re going to be a Duke soon anyway. You don’t necessarily need to have only one partner, do you?”

The retreat was completely blocked. Keinzel was sweating and checking to see if another intruder was coming.

‘Fortunately, there are no more.’