"Sung Yujin, what on earth are you thinking?"
Elaine's cold voice echoed from the crystal orb on the table. Though tinged with slight anger, she maintained her composure.
I had to endure her nagging for a while.
"Sung Yujin Prucus, the moment you return to the mansion, you will be confined to your quarters for a month."
"Yes, Mother," I replied with a wry smile.
A month of confinement far longer than I had anticipated.
If I returned to the mansion, I would be confined to my room for the next month. Still, with enough excuses, I could probably manage to take a few walks.
Confinement was a light punishment a month of rest. If necessary, I could even let the time pass automatically.
-...Lastly, your actions in suppressing the bandit gang were commendable. You are indeed a true noble of Prucus.
"Of course, Mother. Ah, I would like to request that the disposal of the captured Pfrek Bandit Gang be entrusted to me."
-Very well. Since capturing the bandits was your achievement, executing them is also within your authority.
Elaine acknowledged my contribution.
Suppressing the bandit gang was a tale worthy of a noble's reputation. This would slightly improve my standing.
"Thank you, Mother."
After exchanging a few more words, we ended the communication.
I've been told that tomorrow morning, they'll send troops and a transport carriage to escort the bandits, along with a carriage for me.
If everything goes according to plan, I should arrive at the mansion by tomorrow afternoon. The long-abandoned prison will finally be put to use.
When did Hassent even pack this?
I grabbed the magical communication device from the table. It was something Hassent had packed truly an impeccable butler.
Next, I glanced across the table at Yuria, who was concealing her appearance with a black cloak and cloth.
A bowl of rice porridge I'd given her sat before her. Given her likely malnourished state, I couldn't risk feeding her greasy samgyeopsal.
"You left some. Didn't you like it?"
"No, I'll finish it all properly."
"I'm not forcing you to eat it. I just said it.
Your stomach must have shrunk from starvation, so it's natural you can't eat much. But try this."
I handed her a palm-sized container.
"What is this?"
"Super vitamins. Lemon-flavored. They're supposed to contain all the nutrients a person needs.
Just take one a day. Remember, wait exactly 24 hours before taking another."
It was an item I'd gotten from a random draw. The container held 99 pills.
I'd taken one myself and hadn't touched it since.
Since I always had plenty to eat and my stamina stat was already maxed out, I didn't need it.
I watched Yuria swallow the pill and stood up.
"I'll go get some food. Stay put."
"Yes, Master."
***
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!
The samgyeopsal sizzling on the massive cauldron lid began to cook deliciously. Beneath the lid, a bonfire blazed fiercely.
I swallowed hard, inhaling the aroma of kimchi grilling in pork fat. In my opinion, kimchi cooked in pork fat was the ultimate culinary delight.
I glanced around. Knights and villagers alike were stationed throughout the area, their mouths watering as they watched the cauldron lid, just like me.
Inviting the villagers, not just the knights, was a calculated move to cultivate a reputation for benevolence among the common folk.
Moreover, if they spread word of the cauldron lid samgyeopsal far and wide, it would only benefit me.
If the rumors spread, I could sell even pot lids and kimchi!
I wanted to introduce Yuria to the taste of Korean BBQ... What a pity.
I couldn't force her to eat something that was clearly bad for her health.
"Still... still not ready?!"
A mournful voice beside me asked.
"Not yet, Sir Maretin. Time to start cutting."
Maretin was the least experienced knight among the six gathered here. As a noble, I was naturally excluded from this hierarchy, and Butler Hassent held the title of Baron.
"Yes, leave it to me, Maretin!"
Maretin declared confidently, then used tongs to lift a long strip of samgyeopsal and began cutting it with scissors.
I clicked my tongue. His clumsy movements were obvious.
"Ugh, this is so frustrating!"
I understood. It must be his first time cutting Samgyeopsal with scissors.
"...Sir Maretin, hand me the tongs and scissors. I'll show you how to cut it properly."
I stood up from my seat. My small stature made it impossible to do this while sitting.
All eyes in the restaurant turned to me. They would surely follow my example.
"This is how you cut Samgyeopsal."
I gripped the tongs in my left hand and the scissors in my right.
I loved grilling and eating meat, especially Samgyeopsal. I not only enjoyed it at restaurants but occasionally grilled it at home as well.
With practiced ease, I began cutting the meat, showing none of Maretin's awkwardness.
After cutting the Samgyeopsal, I grilled it a little longer.
"Alright, let's eat."
I demonstrated first, lifting my chopsticks to pick up a piece of perfectly grilled kimchi and samgyeopsal, placing it on my plate. After letting it cool slightly, I popped it into my mouth.
A shiver ran through me. Samgyeopsal and kimchi an eternally delicious combination.
The others followed suit, starting their meals.
"I heard samgyeopsal is pork belly... I never imagined it could taste this incredible!"
"Is this dish called kimchi? It's a bit spicy, but it's absolutely perfect for my palate!"
"Ugh... I can't stop using these chopsticks!"
The knights exclaimed in delight as they clumsily picked up samgyeopsal with their chopsticks.
I had taught them how to use chopsticks during our last ramen meal, but their unfamiliarity with the utensils made them awkward.
"Young Master, what's that?"
"Ah, this is called ssam. It's samgyeopsal wrapped in lettuce with ssamjang."
I ostentatiously popped the lettuce wrap into my mouth.
The knights hurriedly followed my lead, grabbing lettuce leaves and wrapping ssam to eat.
"Oh! Oh, oh, oh! Just wrapping meat in a leaf makes it taste this amazing!"
"This ssamjang sauce goes perfectly with the samgyeopsal! It's delicious even on its own!"
"Young Master! What exactly is this ssamjang?!"
"Ah, this is called Korea Magic Sauce."
"Korea Magic Sauce! So it's a sauce made with magic!"
"...Well, something like that."
I skipped the detailed explanation.
Besides, how much would they really understand even if I explained? The important thing was that the ssamjang tasted good.
The meat piled on the cauldron vanished in an instant.
These burly men, already known for their hearty appetites, had just fought a battle. It would have been stranger if they didn't eat a lot.
"I'll grill the meat, Young Master."
Just as I was about to grab the scissors again, Hassent stepped forward. His movements were fluid and natural.
"Everyone, raise your soju glasses! We can't let this joyous occasion pass without a toast!"
"As expected of the Young Master!"
"Let me teach you the ancient Korean way of toasting. Follow my lead."
The crowd raised their soju glasses and turned to me.
I lifted my glass high and shouted, "National Pride!"
The knights immediately echoed, "National Pride!"
"National Pride!"
As their cries of "National Pride" rang out, I downed my soju in one gulp. Nothing beats soju with Samgyeopsal.
This is what true isekai National Pride feels like.
A thrill coursed through me, making me tremble with exhilaration.
"National Pride, let's goooooo!" I shouted without thinking.
The crowd, though clueless about the meaning, echoed my words:
"National Pride, let's goooooo!"
"National Pride, let's goooooooo!"
The sound of "National Pride" echoed from all directions.
What the...?
After finishing my meal, I stayed up late talking with the knights before returning to my temporary residence.
The cleanest and finest house in Artel Village was where I was staying.
Upon entering my room, I found Yuria asleep in a chair.
She's doing this because she's mine.
I approached her and gently lifted her into my arms. Yuria had given me everything in exchange for revenge, and I knew how to cherish what was mine.
"..."
Yuria's eyes snapped open. She seemed remarkably sensitive.
"Close your eyes and just sleep."
After laying her on the bed, I left the room. I couldn't sleep yet; there was still one task I needed to complete.
Stepping outside, I addressed the knight standing guard.
"Sir Maretin, you're working hard."
"Not at all, Young Master. Aren't you asleep yet?"
"I need to speak with the butler. Do you know where he is?"
"Butler Hassent is staying at the neighboring residence."
"Thank you."
I headed next door, feeling tense. Hassent wasn't a fool, and I had no idea what business he might have with me.
"Butler, are you inside?"
"Yes, Young Master. Please come in."
As I opened the door, I saw the elderly butler standing ramrod straight. I always marveled at his impeccable posture, not a single inch out of place.
"Butler Hassent, do you have something you wish to discuss with me privately?"
"Young Master Sung Yujin, your congenital heart disease was cured long ago, wasn't it?"
Hassent's words struck me with such force that my heart nearly stopped.
"No. That's... what do you mean? As you know, Butler, my congenital heart disease is no ordinary ailment. Even the highest-grade potions can't cure it, and renowned Healers and specialized mages have all given up."
If my heart disease could have been cured, it would have been done long ago.
With the power of Count Prucus's Household, even the Archmage of the Magic Tower could have been summoned.
But my heart disease remained incurable. Harrel Delisik, Count Prucus's first wife and Sung Yujin Prucus's biological mother, died from the same condition.
If a cure had existed, Count Prucus would never have let the woman he loved die.
"You had a seizure recently, didn't you?"
"My condition has improved recently, but seizures still occur occasionally."
"Young Master Sung Yujin, you speak well, but your acting skills are lacking.
The servants might be easily fooled, but to someone with a keen eye like myself, your performance is clear as day."
"..."
I almost offered an excuse but stopped myself. Hassent was already convinced. I had no memory of feigning a seizure in his presence...
He must have been observing me from beyond my field of vision.
I sighed.
"Yes, my heart disease is cured. One day, it suddenly vanished."
"One day, suddenly?"
"I know it sounds unbelievable. But it's true one day, my heart disease suddenly disappeared."
"Are you referring to the day Young Master's attitude changed?"
"...Yes. Well, something like that."
I felt an inexplicable unease. The day his attitude changed? I couldn't recall when that might have been.
When I first started this game, I had stayed quiet for a while to gather information.
"Young Master, were you perhaps chosen by Serion?"
"...Huh?"
I tilted my head, puzzled by the sudden, out-of-the-blue question.
Serion is the sole deity in this world, the goddess who created it and is said to possess omnipotent power.
While there is a cult that worships Serion, their influence is weak, overshadowed by the Magic Tower.
Since Serion never appeared in the original story, it's impossible to know if she truly exists.
"Young Master, you've become remarkably mature. Of course, there are times when your actions defy understanding, but the depth of your knowledge far exceeds what could be explained by simply reading books."
The other servants and retainers brushed it off, paying me little attention. Hassent, however, sensed something amiss and must have conducted his own investigation.
"You claimed to have discovered my true identity in the study, Young Master. But there's not a single clue in the study that could have led you to that conclusion.
I wouldn't make such an amateur mistake. The only people who know my true identity are the Lord and Lady of the Household, and a few select retainers."
"..."
I scratched the back of my head with one hand. My clumsy attempt to manipulate Hassent had backfired, leaving me trapped.
I don't think I can kill Hassent with my current skills. What should I do?
Should I try using the emotional control device? ...No. It's too valuable to waste on Butler No.
My mind raced.
"Young Master, you knew about Artel Village. More importantly, you knew the Pfrek Bandit Gang, disguised as mercenaries, would attack the village.
And Yuria Grace isn't she the illegitimate daughter of the House of Helbrit?"
"Butler, I concede. No matter what I say, you won't believe me. What do you want from me?"
"One thing: a truthful and proper answer."
Hassent's deep, icy gray eyes stared intently into mine. I met his gaze without flinching.
"Young Master, like the legendary prophet Nofil, have you been chosen by Serion?"
"Yes. That is correct."
In the end, it really was a medieval fantasy.