Chapter 175: An Unfinished Conspiracy Dwarf Town, located near Falstead Castle, was as crowded with tourists as ever.
Even though the food truck and its owner, Lee Jinseo, were absent, the chefs of Bunsik Street ensured that visitors could still enjoy bunsik to their hearts' content while sightseeing.
Bunsik had now become a dish that anyone visiting Dwarf Town absolutely had to try.
Countless customers came and went along Bunsik Street to savor it, yet not a single person approached the table where a red-haired woman and a middle-aged man were seated.
The woman's beauty was striking even from a distance, but more than that, she was a being powerful enough to single-handedly overturn the balance of the entire continent.
"So, when did you say your son's wedding would be?"
Seated at an outdoor table, Charlotte addressed Oswald Hamilton, who was eating ramen across from her.
"It has been decided for May. Jinseo said that in Korea, May is considered the most suitable time for weddings. They even have a saying about the 'Bride of May.'"
"May? Spring before summer—perfect timing. I wonder what I should wear to the ceremony…"
"Your mere attendance would be an honor to our family, so any attire will suffice."
"Really? Truly? You definitely said any attire would suffice?"
"I earnestly ask only that you wear something not embarrassing in the eyes of others."
"Relax. I'm not a tactless dragon who would ruin a wedding by showing up in inappropriate clothing."
Charlotte responded to Oswald Hamilton's troubled expression with a smile and stretched lazily.
"What about what I'm wearing now? Would this be acceptable?"
"Yes, that would be more than gracious."
Today she wore a white frilled blouse and a black frilled skirt. Her legs, clad in stockings matching the skirt, were propped atop an empty chair, and she idly dangled a half-removed high heel from her toes. The look was more free-spirited than refined.
After sleeping for centuries and only recently awakening, one of her new pleasures was dressing like the models in the fashion magazines Jinseo had given her.
"Ah… perhaps I should get married myself."
"Pardon? You as well, Lady Charlotte?"
"You know, I've lived for thousands of years and experienced nearly everything. Yet I've never actually married. I won't be picky about conditions. As long as they're at least half my age, that's enough. Marrying someone too young would feel strange, wouldn't it?"
"…."
"What? Is that odd? Maybe someone younger isn't ideal after all. Should I look for someone older?"
"Ah, yes… I see."
Oswald Hamilton pondered at length over what to say, but in the end, he merely repeated neutral responses devoid of emotion.
"By the way, I wonder when the allied delegation will return. Today marks ten days since Jinseo left for the Keinua Continent. It will likely still be some time, won't it?"
"From the look on your face, you truly wanted to go."
"I wished to see the mystical race of elves before anyone else. Of course, I could see them if they visit here like the other races did before…"
Oswald Hamilton could not hide his regret at being unable to join the delegation due to preparations for his son's wedding.
Once again, bunsik served as his consolation.
Slurp.
"Ah… excellent."
After finishing the noodles, he drank the remaining broth and let out a satisfied exclamation.
"Even just adding vegetables grown in the greenhouse has elevated the flavor to another level. Truly remarkable."
"It's not just that. The chef who prepared it is different, so naturally it would taste different. More importantly, when is the bunsik I ordered going to arrive—"
"Lady Charlotte, your Japanese-style tonkatsu is ready."
"Oh! Finally! I'll enjoy it."
The one who personally brought the perfectly crisp Japanese-style tonkatsu set to Charlotte was Marco, temporarily serving as head chef of Bunsik Street for the day.
Currently operating a branch at Selphier Castle, he had come to Dwarf Town via teleportation magic circle to replenish ingredients. He had originally planned to return by midday, but since Charlotte had complained that something was lacking compared to Jinseo's cooking, he had taken responsibility for her meal for the day.
Crunch.
"Now this level of crispness is not something most chefs can easily replicate besides Jinseo… No wonder you're called a genius chef. You're not inferior to Jinseo at all."
Marco scratched the back of his head shyly, pleased by the praise.
"No, I still have a long way to go compared to Mr. Jinseo."
"No need to be modest. Jinseo acknowledges your skill as well."
"Today's vegetable ramen was also outstanding—worthy of standing beside Jinseo's cooking!"
Click.
After finishing his ramen, Oswald Hamilton opened a canned drink that few others enjoyed besides himself.
"And finishing with this makes one feel as though one has arrived in paradise."
"You never tire of drinking that strange-tasting beverage."
Charlotte grimaced at the sight of the SolXnun can—a drink utterly incompatible with her tastes.
"Even you, Lady Charlotte, should not dismiss SolXnun so lightly! Try it once. Jinseo said something for moments like this… ah, that's right—'try'!"
"Cola is enough for me. No, nothing but cola can satisfy me."
Charlotte made a face at the SolXnun can being offered and opened her cola instead.
"Anyway, thanks to Jinseo, I discovered cola. I do enjoy this peace."
Gulp, gulp.
"However…"
As she savored the carbonation and sweetness, her brow suddenly furrowed.
"Ah… I didn't realize you disliked SolXnun so much. I've committed a grave offense—"
"No, it's not that. What was his name… Ah! Any news about that human?"
Charlotte's expression darkened as she recalled the wretched human who had awakened her from her long slumber.
"If you mean that human… Marquis Horus?"
"He's not even a marquis anymore, is he? In any case, are you still pursuing his whereabouts?"
"I informed you that the Order began a full-scale search about a month ago. There has been no further news since. I can only apologize."
"You have no reason to apologize. I told you before—there's no need to rush. I merely asked because he came to mind."
Charlotte smiled and patted Oswald Hamilton's back as he flustered.
"What could someone who was thoroughly punished for waking me possibly attempt again? Any sane human wouldn't dare."
"That human is not entirely sane."
"Well… yes. In any case, it will work out."
The Mardin Mountain Range, located at the northernmost edge of the Francia Continent, remained blanketed in snow despite the arrival of spring.
Deep within the mountains—where no spring, summer, or autumn existed, only winter, and where no one dwelled due to the harsh terrain and climate—a group of cathedral knights had gathered.
The biting cold and relentless wind caused the knights, who had climbed halfway up the range, to hunch their shoulders.
"Phew…"
Veronica, the inquisitor leading them, stopped and wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand.
She had been climbing for over an hour without rest, and her entire body was drenched in sweat.
Finally, she halted the advance and sat upon a large rock.
"To flee to such a place… he's truly tenacious."
There was only one reason she had led her subordinates into the treacherous Mardin Mountain Range: to capture Horus, former marquis of the Doren Kingdom and now a wanted criminal.
He had insulted the sacred relic of the Heirem Order—the Mobile Cooking Facility—and had gone so far as to attack the dragon Charlotte. As a result, a warrant had been issued not only by the Order but by every nation on the Francia Continent.
Having received immense assistance from Lee Jinseo during his visit to the Holy Land, the Heirem Order pursued Horus more aggressively than any other nation. Based on accumulated intelligence, they had identified a lead and deployed cathedral knights into the Mardin Mountain Range.
Gulp, gulp.
After draining her canteen in one go, Veronica searched her pocket.
"Let's see… only about ten left."
Having quenched her thirst, she took out a piece of individually wrapped salt candy, unwrapped it, and placed it in her mouth.
The taste isn't entirely to my preference, but it's good for replenishing salt and sugar.
Lee Jinseo had gifted her various preserved foods, including combat rations, for her travels across the continent. One of them was salt candy.
True to its name, it offered the peculiar combination of salty and sweet, which suited her taste perfectly.
Whenever she felt her stamina depleted, slowly dissolving one in her mouth restored her strength gradually. It had become one of her most favored snacks.
"Oh."
Realizing her subordinates were watching her, Veronica belatedly took out a brown paper bag from her pack and distributed the remaining candies one by one.
While salt candy was an acquired taste, the regular candies she carried were highly popular among her subordinates.
"Ah… Nurungji-flavored candy is the best."
"I prefer strawberry."
"Hey, don't bite it! You're supposed to savor it!"
Each knight chose according to personal preference, momentarily forgetting their fatigue in the sweetness.
As they did so, the once-full paper bag was reduced to a single remaining piece.
"This one… even I find difficult to eat. No wonder it was left over. Why did Lord Jinseo include such a flavor?"
Whoooosh.
"Ah—!"
A sudden gust of wind carried the paper bag away. Veronica reached out, but it was swept farther and farther. Eventually, she gave up the chase and rose to her feet.
"Further searching seems meaningless. Brothers and sisters, we will withdraw."
Though the candy had restored some of their energy, it would be reckless to push her exhausted subordinates further up the mountain.
But there was a greater reason.
Rumor held that within a cave at the peak of the Mardin Mountain Range lay a Dark Dragon sealed long ago after plunging the continent into crisis.
Whether true or not, advancing further risked another disaster like the one Horus had already caused.
Suppressing her regret, Veronica ordered the retreat. The footprints of the cathedral knights stretched long across the snow as they descended.
"…"
Thirty minutes after the knights departed, someone who had concealed himself within the snow slowly rose.
"They won't… come back, will they?"
Horus, former marquis, brushed off the snow while gripping the edge of his magic cloak that concealed his presence.
Ever since attacking the dragon Charlotte and losing everything, he had survived stubbornly, nurturing hatred toward Lee Jinseo.
After fleeing the Doren Kingdom, he wandered through several nations, only to learn belatedly of the warrant issued against him. He had fled in desperation.
Thus he arrived at the Mardin Mountain Range, far from prying eyes.
Gazing toward the summit, his intended destination, he bit his lower lip hard.
"I… cannot end like this."
He searched through the paper bag Veronica had lost and found the single remaining candy inside. He shoved it into his mouth.
Crunch.
"Ugh… what kind of flavor is this?"
The candy rejected by the cathedral knights until the very end was none other than red ginseng candy.
He wanted to spit it out immediately, but having gone hungry for over three days, he needed anything edible. He forced himself to chew.
Crunch. Crunch.
"Damn it… to think I must eat something like this…"
Swallowing the crushed red ginseng candy, Horus rekindled his hatred toward Lee Jinseo.
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