“I... I feel like I’m going to die...”
Having spat out a mouthful of thick black blood, a faint look of despair washed over Sushia's face.
“There are still so many things I haven't done...
“I haven't eaten at the new dessert shop in the commercial district...
“I still wanted to travel to the Kelly Kingdom...
“I wanted to host a gathering with the people from the Judicial Department...”
“Sushia, calm down,” Li An said, looking at her helplessly.
“I always wanted to marry a handsome man...
“And live in a grand mansion with a garden and a pond...
“Raise two or three cute dogs...
“Sushia.
“But now... none of those dreams can come true.”
She stared at the ceiling, her eyes gradually growing hollow.
“Life is like a bubble...
“A fleeting instant, yet enough to become eternal...”
Thwack.
Li An reached out and flicked the back of his hand against her forehead.
“Ouch!”
“You're full of energy right now. How do you look anything like someone who's about to die?”
“Eh... really?”
Sushia froze.
She wiped away the traces of black blood remaining at the corner of her mouth.
When she had coughed up blood just a moment ago, Li An had thought he needed to rush her to a clinic immediately.
However, as time went on...
Sushia's originally pale face unexpectedly began to recover.
It even turned rosy and healthy once more.
“Ah.
“I am truly sorry.
“It was my lack of consideration.”
Just then, Hansen walked over, carrying the main course himself.
Holding a wet cloth, he wiped clean the black blood on the floor.
“Today's special dish is a medicinal meal.
“It was prepared specifically to help everyone recover their spirits and relieve physical fatigue.”
Hansen continued, “It seems this young lady's throat usually bothers her. How do you feel now?”
Sushia blinked blankly.
Then she cleared her throat lightly.
“Cough, cough...
“Hm?
“I sang all night long yesterday, so my throat really was in bad shape.
“But now...
“I feel like I could sing ten more songs in a row.”
Hansen smiled.
“That is good.
“It seems the dish took effect.”
After that, Hansen cleared away the appetizer plates and served the main course.
“Today's main dish is roasted lamb.
“The outer layer was treated with high heat to create a crispy texture.
“The inside was slowly roasted in an oven to remain tender and fresh.
“Finally, it is paired with homemade applesauce.
“The overall flavor will not be overly heavy.”
Great cuisine often began pleasing a person starting with the visual presentation.
The lamb on the plate was garnished with various herbs and spices.
The golden-brown crust looked unbelievably crispy.
It was as if taking a gentle bite would release rich, flavorful juices from within.
Since he hadn't eaten lunch, Li An almost instinctively picked up his fork.
However, in the next second, he remembered his purpose for coming here:
—To confirm the magic stone powder.
Li An stole a glance at Isha.
Sure enough, after seeing the dish, a subtle anomaly appeared in Isha's eyes.
It was a reaction unique to those sensitive to magic.
Isha is extremely sensitive to magic.
She must have noticed the magic stone powder in the dish.
In reality, a small amount of magic stone powder wouldn't immediately cause severe harm.
The true danger lay in long-term accumulation.
That was why Li An had originally thought that having an appetizer wouldn't be a problem.
However, Sushia had coughed up blood after taking just one bite.
Yet, what was truly unexpected was that her condition hadn't worsened; she had actually recovered.
A temporary recovery?
Li An frowned.
Could it be like medication? Suppressing symptoms in the short term and boosting physical performance, but actually destroying the body over time?
For such a noticeable reaction to occur, it was either because Sushia's physical condition was already terrible to begin with, or... Hansen had added far too much magic stone powder this time.
Or perhaps both.
Just as Li An finished sorting out his thoughts and prepared to question Hansen, Isha spoke up first.
“You added magic stone powder to the food.”
The air froze instantly.
Hansen's expression stiffened.
Li An felt the atmosphere in the room shift in an instant.
Here it comes.
The personnel he had arranged outside in advance were ready as well.
This was a necessary precaution.
If he personally arrested Hansen, even if he had to bear partial responsibility, he could reduce his penalty.
Li An held his breath, waiting for Hansen's reaction.
However... Hansen merely showed an embarrassed expression.
“With this amount...
“The price must be very high, right?
“Is it really alright for you to use it like this?”
“...”
Li An froze.
What?
“Although it is indeed a bit of a burden,” Hansen scratched his head and said, “for my benefactor, no amount is too much.”
“...”
The situation seemed completely different from what he had imagined.
Isha didn't question him further.
Hansen wasn't nervous either.
Instead, he acted like someone who had done something embarrassing.
Li An couldn't help speaking up, “Wait a minute. I don't understand. Doesn't magic stone powder accumulate in the human body and cause dependency? It leads to severe consequences later on.”
Isha looked at him with eyes that made it seem as if she were looking at a villain attacking a good person.
“If inferior magic stone powder were used, that would indeed be the case.”
Hansen went silent for a moment, then let out a sigh.
“To be honest... back when no one recognized my worth, I had wicked thoughts too.
“I once thought... of using low-grade magic stone powder to make my dishes more tantalizing.”
Hansen clenched his fists.
“But!
“With the improvement of the empire's magic stone technology, high-quality magic stone powder can now be mass-produced.
“It is inexpensive now.
“Any chef can use top-quality magic stone powder.
“There is simply no need to do such a thing anymore!”
“Wait...”
Li An suddenly froze.
Improvement of magic stone technology? Isn't that... something I did?
He was rendered completely speechless.
Hansen continued, “Furthermore, my true value was recognized by you, my benefactor. How could I ever use such despicable methods again?
“The current me... even if I burn away my very life, I will uphold my culinary philosophy!
“It is all because of you, Lord Li An.”
Hold on...
Li An felt a headache coming on.
Why? Why did things turn out like this again?
“No... this is just a coincidence.”
Hansen's eyes were filled with deep admiration.
“You are even so humble.
“Please visit whenever you wish in the future. I will never charge you a single copper for the rest of my life.
“No...
“To be precise...
“How could I ever dare charge you money!”
Looking at Hansen, who was moved to tears, Li An felt a wave of mixed emotions.
This guy... really is a passionate chef.
“Well then, please enjoy the meal.”
The storm had passed.
Li An weakly picked up his fork.
It's delicious...
Moreover, thanks to the dish containing magic stone powder, his back and shoulders—stiff from long hours of handling official documents—actually felt somewhat relieved.
Li An looked over at Isha.
Since she was in perfectly good health, she didn't seem to show any noticeable changes.
Today's gains:
Enjoy a high-end meal for free, then depart.
After confirming that there was no issue with Hansen's restaurant, Li An decided to strike while the iron was hot and address the second matter:
The witch's illegal street stall.
To prevent Sushia from slipping away, Li An had even promised to buy her a high-end Mont Blanc cake, which barely managed to persuade her to stay.
Opening the door of the dilapidated tent, he saw a heavily wrinkled old woman inside, who let out a sinister smile.
“Hehehe...
“Honorable sir, I have been waiting for you for a long time.”
Li An had disliked fortune-telling ever since his previous life.
In his past life, when he went to get his fortune told, the fortuneteller had told him nonsense like, “You are fated to die young; you won't live past fifteen.”
By the way, he was already eighteen at the time.
Those fortunetellers were simply spouting sheer nonsense.
As for the witch in front of him... her hygiene conditions were thoroughly appalling.
Her fingers, which held the cards, were covered in mold spots.
No matter how one looked at her, she was filthy.
“This is an official document from the administrative department,” Li An said. “It bears the seal of the enforcement department. Once you confirm it, this illegal stall will be dismantled starting today.”
The witch merely waved her hand.
“There is no rush.
“I came here specifically to meet you.
“Why not let me divine your fortune once?
“What do you say?”
“Not interested,” Li An said, frowning. “I don't believe in such superstition.”
“Though...” Sushia suddenly stepped forward. “I'm actually quite curious. Could you divine mine?”
Li An recalled that a few days ago, Sushia had been wearing a string of prayer beads on her wrist. She simply had a liking for this sort of stuff.
Even though... Li An couldn't help thinking that handling imperial civil service matters was getting a bit too casual.
The witch glanced at her.
“Foolish woman.
“However, out of respect for this honorable sir, I shall grant your request.”
“...”
Sushia froze.
The witch, who had been smiling moments ago, instantly turned dead serious.
Then, she shuffled the cards, laid them out, and began the divination.
“This is...
“An omen of betrayal.
“Honorable sir... do not place too much trust in this woman.”
“...”
Sushia went quiet.
“That's it?
“She really is insane. Section Chief, should we tear this place down right now?”
Li An, however, was lost in thought.
She might... actually have some genuine skill.
“Section Chief?”
Li An nodded. “Do mine.”
The witch instantly resumed her smile.
“Of course. Please, step closer.”
In the next second, the witch shrieked as if she had discovered a diamond in a mine.
“AAAAHHH!
“The aura of an angelic emissary!
“So pure!
“Honorable sir!
“Please allow me to inspect further!”
Saying so, without even waiting for permission, she directly grabbed Li An's hand and began groping it.
Li An frowned deeply. “Continue reading.”
At that moment, Isha stepped forward.
“I want one too.”
The witch looked up.
“Oh?
“There is another person with an extraordinary aura here.
“However... this time, I shall use a different method.”
She pointed at a crystal ball.
“Place your hand on it.”
Isha reached out her hand and placed it on the crystal ball.
In the next second, the witch's pupils shrank violently.
“This...
“This is the blood of dragons...
“So noble...” she muttered under her breath.
Then, she stared intently into the crystal ball, as though witnessing a terrifying existence.
—
【How dare you step upon my domain.】
【With dirty feet, lacking even a shred of respect.】
—
【Silence.】
【Your foul aura is polluting my air.】
【I should sew your mouth shut first.】
—
【Witch.】
—
【You.】
—
【Should never have set foot here at all.】
—
【The only space allowed for you...】
—
【Is likely just the size of your neck.】
—
“Eeeek, AAAAAHHH!!!”
The witch suddenly screamed.
In the next second, a sudden warmth spread across her lower half—she had actually lost control of her bladder on the spot.
Then, dropping to all fours, she fled the tent frantically like a wild beast.
“...”
Li An stood dumbfounded.
“What just happened?”
Isha withdrew her hand and wiped it with a handkerchief, as if she had just touched something filthily contaminated.
“Witches often behave strangely. They are a kind that cannot be understood through common sense.”
“Is that so...” Li An nodded. “Now that the witch has left, dismantling this place should be much easier.”
Isha immediately arranged for workers to tear down the tent.
“What should we do with the things left behind by the witch?”
“Burn them.”
“Or confiscate them.”
“You decide, Section Chief.”
Li An looked over at the corner.
Among the items, a crystal ball caught his attention.
A witch typically possessed only one crystal ball in her lifetime.
An item imbued with magic like this could fetch a high price even on the black market.
Li An was silent for a moment.
“This...
“We won't mention it in the report.”
And so, Li An successfully pocketed the witch's crystal ball for himself.
Rate on N.U.
