Chapter 234

When the guard first stepped forward to try the Coconut Shrimp, the crowd was merely curious, lining up reflexively under the allure of a limited-time premium. However, the moment that guard tasted the Coconut Shrimp, the atmosphere completely shifted.

“It’s, it’s so goooood!!”

“W-what!? Let me try…! It’s, it’s delicious!!!”

“I, I want some too!”

One person tasted it, then two, and soon more than three people in the crowd were raving about how delicious it was. The crowd’s curiosity turned into a serious frenzy to get a bite of Kurt’s cooking.

And so, the guerrilla tasting event in front of the Coconut Company was a success.

It was such a huge success that even the goblins working inside the Coconut Company came out to join the tasting line.

But even as the crowd descended into collective madness to get Kurt’s dish, there was one person who frowned, unwilling to eat her portion of Coconut Shrimp.

“Ugh……. Do people really enjoy eating shrimp? I can’t believe it……”

That person was Yuri, who had first introduced Kurt to the Coconut Company.

While Mari and Karina, who already knew the taste of shrimp dishes, and even Serena, who had just discovered the taste of shrimp, were all devouring it eagerly, and even Mina, who had come to the Coconut Company as an apprentice, closed her eyes and ate the Coconut Shrimp to avoid burdening Tirmel, Yuri couldn’t bring herself to eat it.

After all, despite her carefree demeanor as a rookie adventurer, Yuri was originally the daughter of the Blossom Count family. Her privileged upbringing had limited her perspective, making her reject the idea of eating shrimp, which she saw as mere sea bugs.

Just then, someone approached her plate and spoke.

“What’s wrong? If it’s too hard to eat, should I tell Kurt for you?”

It was Daria, the Sister of the Holy Kingdom and the very person who had attacked Yuri’s party not long ago, now speaking to her with a worried expression.

“….”

“Or maybe you’re allergic to shrimp……”

“…Are you mocking me?”

Yuri’s sharp response caught Daria off guard.

“Huh? Mocking you?”

“You think I’m just a kid who can’t eat shrimp, and everyone’s forgiving me because I’m immature, but you’re not……”

“No, that’s not it. Why would I mock you……”

“Don’t call me ‘Yuri’! You attacked us, trying to hurt us, and now you’re acting like this!”

Yuri’s outburst revealed the emotions she had been holding back while separated from her party. She felt guilty for not being able to forgive Daria like her party members had, betrayed by their acceptance of her, and frustrated at being seen as narrow-minded. She also felt isolated, unable to adapt like the others, and anxious about being forgotten by the party.

As Yuri spoke, her emotions overwhelmed her, and she couldn’t stop herself from crying, even though she knew how pathetic it looked.

Just as she was about to explode in a messy outburst, Daria’s voice interrupted her.

“I-I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention.”

“…Sniff. Then what was your intention?”

“I-I mean……. It’s just……”

“…?”

Daria’s voice wasn’t condescending or mocking, as Yuri had expected. Instead, Daria looked flustered and guilty, as if she herself didn’t know what to do.

It was as if Daria had finally realized the weight of her actions—that what she had done wasn’t just a necessary sacrifice for the greater good, but an incomprehensible act of violence to those affected.

“I-I……. I mean……”

“….”

Seeing Daria’s conflicted expression, Yuri began to calm down. Daria looked just as confused and on the verge of tears as Yuri herself, which was completely different from the image Yuri had of her.

In Yuri’s mind, Daria was supposed to be a golem-like figure, unfeeling and willing to sacrifice innocents for the greater good without a hint of guilt.

“Yuri.”

At that moment, Liche stepped between them.

“Did you know? Shrimp is considered a sea bug in inland areas, but in coastal regions, it’s widely used as an ingredient.”

“…Why are you bringing that up now?”

“I used to think eating shrimp was a barbaric coastal custom. But after trying it, I realized it was just my prejudice. The taste wasn’t strange or savage—it had its own unique charm.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

“Maybe human relationships are the same. Someone you distanced because of a bad first impression might have a different side you’d discover if you got closer. Isn’t it a waste to throw away the chance to build a relationship just because of a first impression? Those experiences are different from what you know through mere information.”

Liche’s gentle persuasion softened Yuri’s heart.

“Liche, could you really do that? Even if someone used magic or violence without asking, or even tried to kidnap or imprison you, could you still befriend them?”

Liche flinched.

“…Y-yes.”

“A different side……”

“Different from what you know through information……”

“I-I should get back to my seat. Wow, how did Kurt even come up with this dish……”

Liche awkwardly trailed off and returned to her seat, leaving Yuri and Daria to ponder her words.

After a moment, Yuri suddenly snatched the plate of Coconut Shrimp from Daria’s hands.

“Y-Yuri. I-I mean……”

“Just so you know, I haven’t forgiven you yet. Not yet.”

With that, Yuri unhesitatingly put the Coconut Shrimp in her mouth.

And…

The taste wasn’t as bad as she had thought.

“Hey! Don’t cut in line! You wanna die?”

“Ha! You’re on your second tasting, aren’t you? I’m telling the guards!”

“What? I am the guard!”

“E-everyone, please maintain order!”

It was the first small step toward reconciliation in the midst of chaos.