Chapter 5

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 6, 2025

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Chapter 5

#5. Northern MSG (4)

“Isn’t Arad stew supposed to be so delicious?”

“They’re giving a bowl of that delicious stew to our guards for free every day?”

“Let’s go eat it right now!”

“We must definitely include Jack’s Inn in our patrol route from now on!”

“Providing free stew for our hardworking bureaucrats! The poor lower-ranking officials will love it. If any complaints come from Jack’s Inn, make sure to handle them with top priority.”

At first, the guards and lower-level bureaucrats of Haven frequented Jack’s Inn.

“Hey! Why are you Copper Family members always loitering around here?”

“Well, you see…”

“If I catch you in my sight one more time, I’ll let you rot in the mines forever, got it?”

“I-I’m sorry! Kids, let’s go!”

And just like that, as law enforcement kept visiting Jack’s Inn, the scavengers quickly disappeared.

But this was just the beginning.

“Captains, why are you having your drinking parties at such a shabby place? Aren’t you being too considerate of the captain’s pocket?”

“When have we ever cared about the captain embezzling money? It’s just that their stew is only two coppers per bowl there.”

“Two coppers? Are they crazy?”

As free Arad stew was provided to the guards and lower-level bureaucrats, it had a great effect on both business and promotion.

“Captain, don’t you know about Jack’s Inn’s Arad stew yet?”

“Arad stew? Oh, is that the place?”

“But, our fellow guards get a free bowl.”

“Really?”

“So let’s hurry up and go eat.”

“Hmm. Since they’re so diligent, I guess we should help boost their sales.”

After tasting the Arad stew, subordinates naturally started evangelizing it to their superiors.

“Is the Arad stew really that good?”

“Yes!”

“Even though Jack’s Inn is a place where only the poor gather… Doesn’t eating there seem beneath us? We might as well eat at Polly’s Inn as usual, right?”

“These days, even imperial adventurers, upper-class mercenaries, and wealthy merchants flock to eat there! Everyone sleeps at high-end inns like Polly’s but eats dinner at Jack’s Inn.”

“Is it really that good?”

“Yes! It’s that good. Besides, it’s free for us!”

“Hmm… Alright, let’s have our gathering at Jack’s Inn.”

The higher-ups of Haven eventually began to feel curious about the Arad stew that their subordinates praised so much.

“What?! Such food existed in our Haven?”

After having a drinking party at Jack’s Inn, they became the most enthusiastic missionaries.

“Is it really that good?”

“Yes, Mayor. I swear, it’s better than anything I’ve ever eaten. Even if you use expensive and rare spices in abundance, you couldn’t replicate this taste.”

“Still, as the mayor, shouldn’t I… Isn’t eating at such an old inn somewhat inappropriate? Let’s just eat at Polly’s, right?”

“We thought the same thing at first. But please, hear us out just once.”

“If you say so… Let’s close our eyes and go see.”

This eventually led even the highest-ranking person in Haven, the mayor, to visit.

The entire city was taken by surprise by the sudden appearance of this amazing food and promotion.

“The mayor is coming! Set up all the premium seats! Prepare a full course meal!”

“The head of the guard has visited Jack’s Inn with his captains!”

All of this happened within less than a month.

* * *

Naturally, the biggest victims of this Arad stew craze were the other restaurants and inns in Haven.

Haven’s largest and most luxurious inn, Polly’s Inn, hosted a meeting of all the owners of the city’s proudest eateries and inns.

“Have you tried it?”

“How about you?”

“It’s insanely delicious. No matter what spices you add, you can’t replicate that flavor.”

“True. It’s so delicious that envy, competitiveness, or anger doesn’t even arise.”

“I heard the key to Arad stew is the Arad salt used inside?”

“Could we buy the recipe from Jack’s Inn chef?”

“Would you sell if you were him?”

“Of course not. I wouldn’t even tell my own kids.”

“Ancestors, please grant me the courage and strength to overcome this trial!”

The main topic of discussion among those gathered was obviously the Arad stew served at Jack’s Inn.

Specifically, the magic ingredient used in their dishes: Arad Salt.

It was a seasoning, spice, and flavor enhancer from the North.

“Has anyone tried making a job offer?”

“I tried a few times. But he isn’t someone who moves simply for money.”

“Rumor has it he promised to stay until Jack’s arm fully heals, or something like that?”

“So, when will that arm heal?”

“Even if it does, it’ll heal incredibly slowly…”

“If I were him, I’d injure myself to keep wearing a bandage forever.”

“What did that guy Jack sacrifice to his ancestors to receive such fortune?!”

Sigh… Huff…

The room was filled with deep and heavy sighs.

“Can’t we sabotage them somehow?”

“Not even a chance.”

“Isn’t it strange how none of Haven’s thugs even glance at Jack’s Inn?”

“How cunning. How did he think of offering free food to the guards and bureaucrats?”

“And what about his takeout method? I’ve never even heard of such a thing.”

“All that came from Arad’s mind, didn’t it?”

“He’s not just a healer and cook. If you trace his lineage, surely the blood of a great merchant flows through him.”

Their worries only deepened.

If things continued like this, they’d all go bankrupt before spring arrived.

“What if we pool our money and bribe the mayor and head of the guard?”

“Bribe them for what?”

“Well… Maybe find some excuse to shut them down?”

“Excuse?”

“Claim that Arad salt contains drugs or poison.”

“Get real, would that work? Most people in Haven have already eaten Arad stew and are perfectly fine. In fact, everyone says it makes them healthier.”

“True. Haven is already addicted to Arad salt. The mayor would either refuse our bribe or pretend not to notice it.”

“If the public gets angry about not being able to eat Arad stew, the backlash could easily turn against us.”

But there was no way, no way at all.

They couldn’t think of any way to compete with that Arad salt.

“Hey, Polly. Don’t you have any brilliant ideas?”

“That’s right! Polly, didn’t you serve in High City before?”

“Weren’t you acquainted with not only the former duke but also the current duke and high knights?”

Then naturally, attention turned to Polly, the most influential person in this group.

“Hmm…”

The handsome middle-aged man Polly furrowed his brow deeply as he pondered.

“Isn’t there anyone in your network in High City? If a knight of Lenslet intervenes, even the mayor wouldn’t dare act, right?”

Various desperate suggestions were thrown at the contemplative Polly.

“Absolutely no dishonorable deeds!”

To which Polly firmly shook his head.

Polly had served as a soldier in High City in the past.

Due to his rare ability to read among soldiers, he was assigned to oversee the knights’ meals.

Through this, he formed connections with high knights and even the current duke.

In short, he was a retired soldier who must uphold his honor above all else.

“Most importantly, His Excellency the Duke often travels incognito through the duchy with the knights.”

If they were caught engaging in dishonorable schemes, it would be the end.

How could a mere former soldier operate such a large and prestigious inn in Haven?

It was all thanks to the protection of the connections he made during his military service with the duke and high knights.

“Come on, Polly, you’re starving yourself to death trying to preserve your honor!”

“Does honor put food on the table? First, we need to survive before we can worry about honor!”

Naturally, surrounding merchants and innkeepers found Polly’s stance frustrating.

“Hmm…”

Of course, Polly was equally frustrated.

With arms crossed, he spent a long time contemplating ways to preserve his honor while finding a way out.

“Damn it! Why is this Arad guy even here in such a backwater village with skills and secrets like that?”

“It’s infuriating! There are much bigger and wealthier cities in the North than Haven. Why is he wasting his talent here?”

“He could easily be a royal chef in the Empire or even in High City! Why is he doing this here…?”

As Polly contemplated, some of those gathered began to complain.

“Hold on…”

Upon hearing these complaints, Polly suddenly felt a flash of insight.

“That’s it! High City! Send him to Lenslet Castle!”

Without hesitation, Polly began writing a letter right there.

His Excellency the Duke currently enjoys traveling incognito while indulging in gourmet pleasures.

If he sends this letter, the Duke will surely take interest.

* * *

Deep within the towering fortress located far north in the Northern Duchy.

The grand castle where the Duke of the North resides – Lenslet Castle.

Truly the heart of the Northern Duchy, commonly known as High City, a banquet was underway.

“Ho ho ho! Everyone, drink and eat!”

“A toast to His Excellency the Duke for hosting this banquet!”

“Happy Birthday to His Excellency!”

“Lenslet! Rune Lenslet!”

The Duke, ministers, and high knights raised their goblets.

True to the North’s nature of scarcity and practicality, even this birthday banquet for the Duke was modest.

Not the hours-long course meals typical of banquets in the Empire or other kingdoms.

Rather, it was closer to a buffet style feast where all the food was laid out at once for guests to serve themselves.

“This stew tastes a bit bland. The meat smells off. Not enough spices were sprinkled.”

While eating, an old knight suddenly complained about the food.

Making negative comments about the food at a banquet personally hosted by the Duke would normally be extremely rude.

However, this speaker was one of the five Sword Masters on the continent and the sole Sword Master of the North.

Especially since this old knight was Sir Valgard, revered by knights across the Empire and the continent.

“The Empire raised the price of spices again.”

When the Empire was mentioned in response to the old knight’s puzzled muttering, his eyebrows furrowed.

“Why?”

“It’s because they claim there’s a shortage.”

“Getting more brazen, aren’t they? There’s bound to be more to that story, right?”

“Yes… Last time, the Empire proposed a marriage alliance, suggesting they’d lift trade restrictions including on spices if Your Excellency agreed.”

“You bastards… Proposing a marriage alliance after pulling stunts like that behind our backs?! Some nerve!”

The steel spoon in Sir Valgard’s hand crumpled like paper.

“Shouldn’t we retaliate? Restricting the supply of high-grade magic stones from the North would suffice, wouldn’t it?”

“Magic stones can be obtained to some extent within the Empire as well, not just in the North. But daily necessities like spices…”

The official trailed off.

Upon hearing this, Valgard clicked his tongue.

It was always like this. The Empire constantly toyed with the North’s leash.

“…”

Then suddenly, his gaze shifted to look at his young lord seated nearby.

A woman with snow-white skin, silver hair, and most notably, stunning blue eyes.

Lady Ariana Rune Lenslet, the blue-blooded heir of the North, who held the dukedom after her father’s passing two years ago following her coming-of-age ceremony last year.

She sat silently at the head of the banquet table, absentmindedly cutting her meat.

But there was no strength in her hands as she cut the meat and brought it to her mouth. Her expression lacked vitality as well.

Being thrust into the position of Duchess so suddenly must be suffocating for her, who until recently had freely galloped across snowy fields swinging her sword.

Especially with the increasingly blatant and vulgar advances from the Imperial royal family, the pressure must be immense.

Watching his lord, whom he regarded like a granddaughter, looking so dispirited, broke Valgard’s heart.

‘Soon I must take Her Excellency out hunting. Let her roam freely through the Magic Realm to lift her spirits. She’ll develop stomach problems despite being the youngest Sword Master if she keeps this up.’

Old Knight Valgard resolved firmly in his mind as he finished chewing the gamy meat.

The minimal amount of spice sprinkled on it barely made the meat edible.

He marveled at how he managed to eat food without any spices at all during his younger days.

Meanwhile, Lady Ariana Rune Lenslet, Duchess of the North, was completely unaware of Valgard’s concerned gaze as she focused on the food in front of her.

‘Tastes bad…’

The more she cut and ate the food in front of her, the more despondent she became.

Having grown accustomed to spices, the food with only a light sprinkle seemed increasingly laborious to eat.

‘It’s all my fault.’

Recently, spice prices skyrocketed. With 70% of Lenslet’s budget allocated to military expenses, even the Duchess couldn’t indulge in spices freely.

Hosting such a banquet under these circumstances was certainly burdensome.

But it couldn’t be postponed.

This was the first banquet since her father’s passing two years ago, held in celebration of her birthday.

There was no way to omit the spices for such an occasion.

Ultimately, the chefs of High City had to make do by lightly seasoning the food to save face.

‘It’s a rare banquet… I’m sorry to everyone.’

She felt ashamed and apologetic toward the knights and retainers who had expected food heavily spiced with precious seasonings.