Chapter 55: Side Story Late Night Snack Time

54: [Side Story] Late Night Snack Time

We left to explore in the afternoon, and when we returned, it was around late lunchtime.

We moved for an entire day after exploring overnight.

In the dungeon, I couldn't feel the fatigue properly because I was nervous, but when I returned, my whole body felt heavy.

“You’re off for the rest of the day… Good work, everyone…”

When the dispersal order was issued, all party members fluttered and scattered. They looked just like jellyfish.

Lucas and Evangeline will be staying in this mansion. Demian at the temple, and Jupiter at the mercenary guild.

I called a coachman and instructed him to drive Demian and Jupiter to their lodgings.

“Yaawn, I should get some rest too…”

Staggering, I headed to my room in the mansion.

I’m going to take a nap until evening, and get some work done…

* * *

However,

“......”

When I opened my eyes in bed, the entire world had already become dark.

I looked at the clock, confirming that it was 3 am. It was already the middle of the night.

“Take a nap until the evening, my ass.”

I had lost consciousness until now.

I thought that I might as well sleep until the morning, but I couldn’t fall back asleep because of my hunger.

‘I should perhaps organize the items I earned yesterday.’

I put my hand in my inventory.

There was no need to look at other items. I only need to look at the additional items I got as bonuses.

First off, the ‘Blue flame torch’, was received as a reward for clearing all of Area 2.

Whoosh-

The blue torch ignited itself and started flickering as soon as it was taken out of the inventory.

This item is nothing special, really. it's just a torch that 'never goes out no matter what'.

No matter how strong the wind blows, no matter how drenched it gets, this fire will not be extinguished.

It is not a bad item because the player always has to fight the darkness off during the dungeon exploration in this game.

‘It holds no more value than that though…’

It’s better than nothing. I threw the Blue flame torch back into the inventory.

Hopefully, it doesn’t burn the other items inside my inventory.

Next up is the great income that I was not expecting. It’s the item that I earned through the complete destruction of the boss parts.

I pulled out a magical scroll shining in blue light from my inventory

[Summoning Scroll: Giant Steam Golem ]

“I didn’t think I’d get this drop…”

Summoning magic, which is a player skill. This one allows for the summoning of a boss monster.

It’s one-time use only, but it’s very useful.

I can order that giant golem that I encountered during the free exploration as my subordinate.

There was really no reason to save it, so I used it right away.

[Would you like to use ‘Summoning Scroll: Giant Steam Golem’?]

- Yes/No

Yes, of course!

Whoosh!

The moment I selected the ‘yes’ option, the scroll burned with blue flames, and blue particles flowed from what remained of the scroll. They were then absorbed into my body.

[Ash (EX) acquired a Player Skill!]

> Summoning Magic: Giant Steam Golem (One-time usage)

“Alright.”

I’m going to save it up well and use it as a last resort.

‘With this, I should be able to pass an emergency crisis at least once.’

Feeling reassured for no reason, I patted my stomach.

Rumble!

“Ugh, I’m starving…”

My heart may be filled, but my stomach was empty.

I rummaged in my bed for a bit, then got up. I decided that I should eat something before going back to sleep.

“Yaaawn~”

I yawned as I walked down to the kitchen.

“......”

“......”

Then we met.

Lucas and Evangeline, the dual knights, rummaged through the kitchen like petty thieves.

Lucas was munching a piece of meat bone in his mouth (what’re you, a dog?), and Evangeline had her little cheeks full of chestnuts (what are you, a squirrel?), and her big green eyes were rolling around.

“...Cough, cough.”

“... Hiccup.”

We stood there for a moment. Soon Lucas started coughing, and Evangeline began to hiccup.

“...What are you two doing?”

I awkwardly asked, then Lucas and Evangeline started pointing at each other.

“I visited the kitchen because I was hungry…”

“And this mister was already here…”

After finding an accomplice, they decided to rob the kitchen together.

I looked into the kitchen while laughing at this absurd situation.

“I came here because I’m hungry too. Anything to eat?”

“The kitchen is very cleanly organized…”

“These are ingredients for tomorrow, but no cooked dishes…”

The two knights got noticeably gloomy.

“...Are you two that hungry?”

I asked them. They nodded their heads fiercely.

After spilling a little smile, I rolled up my sleeves and entered the kitchen.

“Then go take a seat on that table over there. I’ll make you something simple.”

Both Lucas and Evangeline's eyes widened after hearing that.

“Master, you know how to cook?”

“Well, a little.”

“Sunbae, you’re from the imperial family, but you can cook yourself?”

“Why? Is there a law that says I can’t? Even if there was, so what? I’m from the imperial family.”

Since I lived by myself on Earth, I was able to learn how to cook simple dishes.

I’m also hungry, so I decided to make something.

‘Let’s see, what should I cook…?’

I am craving a bowl of ramen with leeks, fried egg, and kimchi on top. However, I’d assume that’s not possible around here.

I started to go through the cupboard.

It’s a manor house so there’s a rich amount of ingredients. There is butter, milk, eggs, spices, and even smoked ham.

“......”

“......”

Lucas and Evangeline, who were awkwardly sitting at the table, were watching me with worried eyes.

Hey, don’t be scared. I’m not going to cook you inedible stuff.

After finding a large loaf of bread in the corner of the cupboard, I nodded.

‘I guess I’ll cook one of those street foods, a toasted sandwich.’

However, the fire on the stove was off.

Now that I think about it, this place doesn’t even use gas to light up the fire. I wonder if they raise some kind of fire spirit. It is a fantasy world, so maybe…?

‘But I can use this.’

I took out the Blue flame torch I got recently from my inventory and put it into the stove.

Soon, the frying pan on the stove started heating up.

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I smirked and tossed a generous amount of butter onto the frying pan.

Tsssch-

Soon the sweet smell spread all over the room.

I could hear Lucas and Evangeline swallow a dry gulp. You cute little baby pings. Your bodies show an honest reaction.

* * *

* * *

I roasted the smoked ham and vegetable salad and put them between the slices of bread coated with milk, eggs, and honey

“Alright, I call this the Prince-styled toasted sandwich. Let’s eat up and go back to bed.”

Although I wasn’t able to get the holy trinity of ketchup, mustard, and mayo, this was good enough.

I cut the deliciously browned sandwich into slices and served it.

Lucas and Evangeline got two pieces each, and I got one.

I took the first bite of the sandwich.

“Hm. Not bad.”

The taste was subtly different from Earth, but it was still decent.

Lucas and Evangeline followed after and took a bite, then looked surprised.

Lucas, in particular, seemed very moved.

“It’s very delicious, Master! I believe you could even take the position of the head chef with this skill! I will consider it an honor that will go down for generations to be served with Master's cuisine!”

“Don’t overreact… Just finish your food…”

I already understand your loyalty, so you don’t have to flatter me so much.

Evangeline nodded at me next to Lucas, who was ravaging through the food.

“But really, it’s really tasty. It tastes like the one sold at street stalls during festivals.”

“Oh? That’s an accurate impression.”

It’s the recipe for the toasted sandwich sold on the streets, so it’s exactly that feeling.

“...This takes me back to the old days.”

Evangeline muttered as she was eating the toast.

“When I was young, there would be a rustling sound in the kitchen here at dawn, so when I woke up and went downstairs… I’d find my dad hurriedly cooking something to eat.”

It was a story about the Earl of the Frontier. I slowly stopped my chin from chewing on the toast.

“Because the monsters invaded regardless of the time. After defeating the monsters and returning at dawn, he would get hungry, so he ate a simple meal.”

“He used to pan-fry all the ingredients left in the kitchen and cook them, covered in blood and dust… Then when he noticed me, he would ask, ‘You want something too?’.”

I let out a small laugh.

“So did you say you did?”

“Yes, I did. And because of the food he gave me back then, my cheeks are still chubby like this…”

She said as she pinched the baby fat still left on her face. It’s cute—fit for her age—.

“When the two of us would be eating, my mother who woke up late would come running downstairs and ask why he would feed me this late at night.”

The smile slowly faded from Evangeline's lips after her small giggling.

“It’s just that… being in the kitchen late at night reminded me of those memories.”

Evangeline slowly looked around the kitchen of the manor house, where traces of the old times remained.

This place where both her father and mother, who were with her at that time, disappeared.

“Memories of those dawns.”

“...The funeral of the Earl will be held tomorrow.”

Evangeline caught her breath at my words.

Time flew by while she was in the dungeon. The Earl’s funeral is now a day away.

“Crossroad almost doesn’t have a funeral culture, so I arbitrarily supervise everything. However, if you wish, you can take the role of the chief mourner.”

“...No thanks. Sunbae, you can take care of that.”

Spitting dry words, Evangeline shoved her leftover toast into her mouth.

“I respect my dad. I think he is a great person who has protected people here all his life. But….”

Gulp. Gulp.

Evangeline swallowed the food inside her mouth along with the milk then wiped the corners of her mouth roughly.

“I cannot forgive him yet.”

“......”

“Sunbae, did you hear it by any chance? How my mother passed away.”

How should I answer this?

After hesitating, I nodded slowly. Evangeline lowered her eyes.

“Dad left my mom to die and instead went to go defend the city.”

“......”

“I… Couldn’t pardon my dad’s decision with heart. However, it made sense. Protecting the city is the lord's first priority, and dad was just following the rules.”

Evangeline's prominent fangs dug into her lower lip.

“However, on the day of mom’s burial at the orchard, he did not attend. Instead, he left to repair the southern forward operating base.”

“......”

“Because he had to prepare for the next invasion. Because that is the duty of the Lord of Crossroad. Because it’s the more important thing to do.”

Evangeline's little fingers squeezed the clothes on her lap.

“As I dug out the side of the stone wall of the ruined orchard with my own hands and buried the empty coffin in the ground instead of mom, I realized. Ah, the head of the Cross family has to be this kind of person.”

With a bitter smile on her face, Evangeline shook her head.

“And I, cannot become that kind of person.”

I slowly nodded my head.

“So that’s why you left this place.”

“...Yes.”

Evangeline raised her sharp green gaze and looked straight at me.

“Thank you for taking care of my dad’s funeral instead of me, Sunbae. I believe my dad is a person who well deserves respect, but…”

Evangeline said in a heavy tone.

“I cannot forgive him as my father.”

“......”

“Thank you for the late-night snack. It is truly an honor to be treated personally by the prince himself.”

After getting up from her chair and nodding at me, Evangeline walked out of the kitchen and trotted away.

Watching her get further away from behind, I let out a small sigh.

“It’s difficult, this whole family thing…”

“......”

Lucas was silently sitting next to me. I slowly stuffed the rest of the toast into my mouth.

This kind of personal issue was not a matter that could take others’ opinions. It was something that Evangeline herself had to choose and accept.

After finishing up the toast, I shook my hand and got up from the seat.

“It’s late. We should go back to bed.”

“Yes, Master.”

Lucas started to help clean up.

It was a funny sight to see a huge guy cleaning the dishes and tidying up the kitchen. I covered my mouth and laughed.

After the clean-up, we went back to our respective bedrooms.

“...Are you alright, Master?”

Lucas, who was walking ahead, suddenly opened his mouth. I widened my eyes.

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“You also have complicated family affairs, Master, don’t you? And that’s why you’re helping Miss Evangeline.”

…Huh?

I do? Complicated family affairs? Wait, Ash has complicated family affairs? I thought he was just a scoundrel.

I was confused. Obviously, I had no information on Ash’s family affairs.

“You are looking at your past self through Miss Evangeline. I know I am usually clueless, but I can tell that much.”

Lucas turned around and smiled.

“Am I wrong?”

“......”

Is he asking because he’s really worried about me?

Or is he asking to see if I’m the ‘real’ Ash?

My body froze up as I wasn’t able to tell which.

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