Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 55

The simple act of holding a kitchen knife strangely calms my mind.

With a smile, Cainchel efficiently managed the mountain of ingredients before him.

A familiar scene in the kitchen.

Having realized that cooking enhanced his swordsmanship, he gripped the kitchen knife with the determination of someone ready to dedicate himself entirely to the task.

A place where he prepared food for hundreds of people every day.

The sheer volume of ingredients he’d handled here over the past six months was more than one person could consume in a lifetime.

Few places offered such a wealth of experience.

But who knew his time here would end so soon?

The Joma Crystal [a magical artifact] around his neck vibrated.

‘Could it be…!’

[Your Beginner Swordsmanship level has increased.]

A star added after almost three months of relentless practice.

‘……Finally, 12 stars!’

Through the skill tree, Cainchel possessed both ‘Beginner Swordsmanship: Mastery’ and ‘Intermediate Swordsmanship’.

As a trade-off, he needed twice the experience to earn each star.

‘If I calculate 200 servings per meal…’

It was a daunting number.

Cainchel decided to stop calculating.

If he just kept wielding the kitchen knife diligently, wouldn’t another star eventually appear?

Someone was silently observing Cainchel as he worked.

“I heard there’s a very important training session for the instructors today. What are you doing here at this hour?”

At the sudden voice, he turned toward the kitchen entrance and saw Gordon standing there, his eyes deeply set.

“I’m handling the ingredients. I have to do what I have to do until the end.”

The wrinkles around Gordon’s eyes deepened.

“You’re thinking of leaving the kitchen… no, this place.”

“Yes, Chef.”

“You were only here temporarily to help with the kitchen work anyway. I forgot that for a moment because you stayed longer than I expected.”

Gordon’s eyes were filled with nostalgia. Gordon Lamboulton, who had worked in countless kitchens throughout his life.

He must have seen as many meetings and farewells as there are stars in the sky.

Cainchel looked into Gordon’s eyes.

A man who, though a bit prickly, possessed more amazing cooking skills than anyone he had ever met.

The cooking skills and mindset he learned from him… without that, it would have been impossible to become this strong so quickly.

Cainchel had two mentors: Ian, who was the only one who patted him on the back when he was frustrated by his slow progress, and Gordon Lamboulton, who hid a greater passion than anyone else, though his words were often sharp.

His encounters with them were invaluable opportunities.

Gordon furrowed his brow and said,

“Joffrey and Ainkel will be very disappointed. Two people are leaving the kitchen at the same time.”

“Is there anyone else leaving besides me?”

Then Gordon’s mouth twisted. It almost looked like a smile.

“I’m also thinking of leaving soon. The reason? That bizarre dish you made.”

Cainchel’s eyes widened.

Gordon leaving was surprising, but the reason was even more so.

‘Wild Duck!’

“After eating that dish, I suddenly thought, ‘If I stay in a place like this, I’ll be left behind by newcomers like you in an instant.’ Just as I was thinking that, I received a very good offer.”

“You’ve been scouted.”

“Yes. A merchant who claims to be a fan of my cooking is thinking of opening a restaurant. It’s very brave in an era where fine dining is often frowned upon. But I don’t hate people like that. I’ve decided to be the head chef there.”

Gordon had been drinking less often lately and spending more time in the kitchen.

It was as if his passion for cooking had been reignited.

And the reason was the dish he had made.

Cainchel was incredibly proud of that.

“My daughter and wife live there, too. I’m thinking of settling down there for good. The restaurant, which will be completed in about half a year, will be called ‘Agape’.”

A word meaning unconditional love.

Cainchel’s lips curled up at the word, which seemed so unlike Gordon.

“…Why are you telling me all this?”

“Well, you can think of it as an old man’s whim. Strangely, when I see you cooking, I’m reminded of the dreams I had when I was young.”

“Dreams from when you were young… If it’s not a secret, can I hear about them?”

“Humph! What are you curious about! I’m not going to share that with a greenhorn like you!”

“Then I’ll have to make a dish so delicious that you’ll be surprised into telling me.”

Then Gordon laughed heartily.

“Kahaha! You’re a very interesting man after all. Okay. If you make a dish that makes me exclaim, I’ll tell you everything.”

Gordon had been away from his seat often recently.

It seemed like he was preparing for the opening of the new restaurant, Agape.

In other words, if he didn’t ask now, he might never get the chance.

Cainchel steeled himself, ready for whatever answer he might receive.

“There’s one thing I really want to know.”

“What is it?”

“I asked you once before, but you were drunk, so I didn’t get a proper answer. Did you ever make chicken soup for a patient who was hospitalized in the infirmary about six months ago?”

Gordon stroked his chin and pondered.

“I remember that question. The answer is the same as before. I’ve eaten chicken soup that someone else made, but I didn’t make it. Maybe one of the other two guys made it.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Cainchel quietly sighed. The chicken soup Gordon ate was the first dish he had ever made.

Then who on earth made the chicken soup for him when he was lying in the hospital room?

‘Besides, I can’t remember the face of the staff member who brought it to me. What on earth…’

In the end, the mystery of the chicken soup for the soul remained unsolved.

“Oh, I almost forgot one important fact. Agape will open in the commercial city of Citizen. You seem to be able to peel an onion amazingly well now, so if you ever want to work in a kitchen again, come to Agape anytime.”

“Ci, Citizen, you say?”

“Yes. Is there another Citizen?”

A city that was very familiar to Cainchel.

He had disguised himself as Hool and sold honey butter sandwiches, which became a sensation.

It was a place he still visited once a week for Prelia, who was cursed with sloth.

Gordon was opening a new restaurant there?

A coincidence that felt like fate.

He was convinced that his relationship with Gordon Lamboulton would continue in the future.

@

“It’s an honor to have you visit, Your Excellency.”

“I’ve only come to see my son’s progress as a father.”

“The training knights’ morale is high because of the hero’s visit. Especially this year…”

Hector van Svengale.

The strongest knight in the Empire, one of the Seven Virtues [elite knights], and the great hero who led the War of the Seven Sins to victory.

Before that name, Commander Stanis was just a loyal dog.

The commander was rubbing his palms together and explaining his achievements.

“The training knights this year are very skilled. Vincent reached the realm of Sword Knight [a high rank for knights] half a year ago, as well as… Thanks to everyone’s hard work, spurred on by Your Excellency’s visit, two training knights have newly succeeded in implementing Aura Swords [swords imbued with magical energy].”

“How about the rookies?”

“Ah, this year’s rookies are also performing well. One person even achieved a double class up [promotion to a higher rank], which is very rare…”

Hector cut him off sternly when he didn’t hear the answer he wanted.

“Tell me about Abel of the Carters family.”

“Ah! I was going to tell you anyway. He is a training knight with a very good sense of swordsmanship. According to the instructor in charge, he will become a Sword Knight within three months. Perhaps… Are you thinking of taking him on as a disciple?”

The seven Sword Masters representing Britannia.

The rumor that they were trying to find disciples to succeed them had already spread throughout the country.

Wasn’t the person in question already here?

Hector said with an expression devoid of emotion,

“I want to meet him.”

“Yes, I’ll make arrangements.”

Then the adjutant who was waiting next to him whispered in the commander’s ear.

The commander jumped up when he heard that.

“What? He went to an interview? I’m sorry, Your Excellency. I’ll send a letter right away to call him back.”

Hector narrowed his eyes and said,

“I was just going to ask something very simple. After today’s training, bring me one member who is training with Captain Abel.”

“Abel Carters is not a captain, Your Excellency.”

“Does that mean there is a knight in the same knighthood who is better than Carters?”

“Yes, it’s Cainchel van Gistad.”

The moment he heard the name Gistad, Hector’s fingers twitched. Before he knew it, a strange madness flickered in his eyes.

“Keuhuk… Gistad. To hear that name in a place like this.”

“Is it a family you know?”

“No. Then bring me Gistad after today’s training.”

“I understand. Ah, and if you go to the auditorium, the court orchestra will be there to celebrate Your Excellency’s visit…”

“I clearly told you not to do such formalities. Don’t you know how hard the people who prepare it work at your command?”

Murderous intent flashed in Hector’s sanpaku eyes [eyes where the white of the eye is visible below the iris]. The commander, who received it head-on, trembled like a puppy in front of a lion.

The commander was also a man who was in charge during the War of the Seven Sins.

The sense of intimidation given by Sword Master Hector was that great.

“I, I, I’m sorry! I’ll cancel all the events right away!”

“Yes. It’s been a long time since I’ve been out. I’ll just watch my son train and eat some bad food with him. Do you understand?”

“Yes! Your Excellency!”

A satisfied smile appeared on Hector’s lips.

The madness he had shown when he heard the name Gistad had disappeared.

@

The morale of the Golden Knights was at its peak ahead of the annihilation battle.

“To think that Meister and Strider would become Sword Knights after Captain Vincent…”

Aura Swords were flickering on the swords of the two new Sword Knights.

“After all, mindset was important in implementing Aura. I worked hard to train the mana cultivation method [method to enhance magical power] to show Hector the most wonderful appearance, and before I knew it, it became like this.”

“Me too.”

Originally, it was a training session held to encourage the juniors to train harder in the future.

But the situation changed when it was announced that Hector, the Sword Master of Temperance, would be attending.

“I heard that the Seven Virtues are looking for disciples these days, right? If you catch Hector’s eye today, maybe…”

You might become a disciple of a Sword Master.

A chance that might come once in a lifetime!

The training knights who had not yet decided on their future looked at the Golden Knights with envious eyes.

The members of the Golden Knights already had no rookies to deal with in their minds. They were just thinking about how to show their skills to Hector.

Unlike the Golden Knights, who were full of motivation, the atmosphere of the Black and Yellow Knights was heavy.

“…It’s hard to deal with one Sword Knight, but three…”

Besides, even Abel Carters, who they trusted, did not participate in this training because he said he was going to an interview.

In the end, nine people had to face three Sword Knights.

It wasn’t a level that could be overcome simply by working hard.

Cainchel stood up and said,

“As we decided in advance, we will use a large number of people to lure the opponent one by one and have a majority face one.”

The Black Meister shouted,

“I acknowledge Captain Cainchel’s abilities. But usually, it is said that five times the power is needed to face one Sword Knight. No matter how much you break them down individually, with this much power difference, it will only lead to a war of attrition.”

“The opponent has three Sword Knights, but we have more people. Isn’t it a union of two knighthoods? One knighthood lures the enemy, and the other hits it. It’s a hammer and anvil operation [military tactic].”

“B, but that requires someone to face the enemy’s Sword Knight…”

Cainchel licked his lips.

Now, in an hour, he would have to fight an annihilation battle against three Sword Knights.

He couldn’t hide it any longer.

“What if there was someone on this side with the same power?”

“Wh, what…”

Cainchel quietly drew his sword.

Before he knew it, a brilliantly shining aura was formed there.

“I’ll leave it to Captain Kundam to lure the opponent. Then I’ll stab that heart.”

Kundam… No, shock arose in the eyes of everyone gathered there.

Cainchel van Gistad.

The underachiever of the Stanis Knight Academy.

Before they knew it, that man had become a Sword Knight.