Chapter 7: Night Visitor, the Wizard, and Buttermilk Chicken

The old man really accepted the outcome with refreshing ease.

Moreover, the person who had once said, “You can’t cook for shit,” now showed more kindness than promised, as if it were all a lie.

“The dish you made just now was excellent. But this is a place close to the guild, and adventurers often come here. It’s essential to have dishes that go well with alcohol. Do you have anything like that?”

“Yes. I was actually thinking of a dish that pairs well with alcohol. It’s fried chicken…”

“Ah, fried chicken! Good choice. Then it will be important to have a steady supply of chicken and alcohol, especially beer. Just mention my name here. This place has a deep connection with me, so you should be able to get ingredients under good terms.”

“Come to think of it, I haven’t asked your name. What is it?”

“Eloy Graham. You must know me as Eloy from Rinkel.”

The introduction of an essential supplier for opening a restaurant!

“Once you take over the building, a civil servant from the city hall will come. They’ll demand various documents and be a nuisance. At times like that, just hand over five silver coins, and they’ll take care of everything. No need for more, just exactly five coins.”

“…Isn’t that a bribe?”

“Well, it is, but what’s the problem?”

“No… It’s nothing.”

A handy tip for simplifying administrative procedures!

“You haven’t returned your adventurer’s badge yet, have you?”

“Now that you mention it, I haven’t. Should I do it quickly?”

“What do you mean? You should register it with the guild here. If you’re planning to do business around here, it’s much better that way. You won’t have to deal with those pesky protection fee people.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. If you’re short on time, I can arrange a meeting with someone who works here soon, and you can take care of it then. With your name, it should be handled quickly.”

And even an introduction to someone at the adventurer’s guild!

I felt both grateful and a bit embarrassed by the flood of kindness.

‘What is this? Could this person actually be my long-lost grandfather?’

I had already planned to thank him daily just for handing over the refrigerator, but this level of consideration for the small details?

I always think this, but I really have great luck with people.

But it’s not right to just take all this kindness and do nothing in return.

I handed a small token of gratitude to the old man, who was about to leave after helping with so many things.

“Thank you so much for all your help. I don’t have much to repay you with right now, but please accept this.”

I respectfully offered the sword I had, but the old man shook his head.

“Keep it. It’s your last remaining comrade.”

“A sword is just a sword. My comrade will be back soon.”

“…Really, would it be okay to accept? As an adventurer, I thought you’d be attached to your sword.”

“I haven’t had it long enough to become attached, so it doesn’t matter.”

“Mm?…”

The old man’s expression changed oddly upon hearing my words.

“Did you just get that sword? When?”

“Well, not too long ago. I don’t remember exactly, since I’ve switched swords a few times…”

“You’ve kept switching swords? You didn’t get a good one and keep using it?”

“Well, even with good swords, they tend to break quickly. So I just think of them as consumables and get new ones whenever I need them.”

I wondered if I was using my sword too roughly, or if I just didn’t know how to choose a good sword.

The sword I hold doesn’t last very long before breaking.

When I see the sword Isel uses, which lasts much longer, I don’t think it’s that swords from this world are weak.

That’s always been a point of criticism from Isel.

“Kyle, are you planning to spend all the money you earn on swords? Take better care of them!”

After the scolding, the old man would always teach me how to properly take care of a sword, so my knowledge grew quite a bit.

But it didn’t last long before the sword would break again, so I eventually gave up.

The old man, who had been listening to me with a blank expression, laughed heartily.

“Hahaha!”

“Uh… Did I say something strange?”

“No, no. I just remembered something a little amusing.”

It really was an amusing thought.

Muttering to himself, the old man took the sword I had offered.

“Then I’ll accept your kindness. When I go back to my hometown, I’ll have something to brag about.”

“I’m not someone famous enough to brag about.”

“No need to be modest. If you’re not famous, how many famous adventurers are there in the world?”

I didn’t think that was true.

Anyway, the old man and I parted ways with a smile after making plans to meet again.

When we first met, I thought it would be really hard to find a store, but things turned out this well.

As I happily hummed and began to tidy up the tables, I heard Selly’s voice from behind.

“Hey, don’t you have something to say to me?”

…?

I turned around, and Selly was looking at me with a wide smile.

‘Oh no.’

This was the face Selly makes when she’s really angry…

I felt a cold sweat running down my back.

The reason Selly was angry was very clear.

When I sent the letter, I had written that I would always avoid dangerous things, thinking she might worry.

But then the old man started talking about legendary adventurers, dragons, and demons, so from Selly’s point of view, it must have been both shocking and infuriating.

Honestly, I think the old man exaggerated things too much…

But instead of saying something foolish, I quietly lowered my head.

When dealing with an angry person, saying something nonsensical only makes them angrier.

Fortunately, Selly sighed and forgave me.

“I can’t help it. Adventuring can’t always be safe. But since you’re back, I’ll forgive you.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Just don’t do anything dangerous again. Never.”

“It won’t happen again. I’m retired now.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

At my answer, Selly silently opened her arms.

I hesitated for a moment, not used to such affection, but as I approached, Selly came forward and hugged me tightly.

And as she lay in my arms, Selly muttered softly.

“I won’t let you go now.”

Instead of answering, I quietly patted her head.

After that, the time passed in a blur.

I visited the places the old man told me about, went to the city hall to complete the paperwork, and organized the store.

Before I knew it, the day had turned to evening.

Oh no, it’s already this late.

I said to Selly, who was still by my side.

“Selly, you go ahead. I’ll finish up here and head back.”

“Let’s go together. I’ll help too.”

“No, you should go back and take care of the old man. There’s some cutlet and leftover chicken from lunch, so you can make a stew for him.”

For a moment, Selly froze, then she asked casually.

“…Can’t I just tidy up the shop and have the old man cook?”

“It’s already getting late. I’ll cook tomorrow morning, so do it yourself today.”

“Tch. Fine. Should I be careful when I return since it’ll be dark soon?”

I nodded, and Selly didn’t hide her disappointed expression as she headed home.

It seemed she was really looking forward to the dinner I made.

I secretly felt pleased.

‘Should I make something a little more impressive tomorrow?’

The chicken cutlet was good, but it lacked a lot of things.

But now that I can use the spices at the restaurant, I can make a proper dish.

‘They have wine at the restaurant. Should I try Coq au Vin? Or maybe Beef Bourguignon?’

I’ve had chicken for both lunch and dinner today. Maybe I should switch it up?

I think Beef Bourguignon would be better than Coq au Vin…

As I was contemplating the menu for tomorrow, I approached the shop and stopped in front of the door.

I felt a presence from inside.

“Hmm? A customer?”

But the shop isn’t even open yet.

The old man had closed it down long ago, so it couldn’t be a customer from that side.

Then who could it be?

‘A thief?’

As soon as I understood the situation, my mind, which had been a bit loose, snapped back into focus.

If the person was here to rob the restaurant, there was a high chance it was one of the local beggars, but I couldn’t be sure.

This place used to be the old man’s restaurant.

It’s a luxurious place equipped with many kinds of spices.

And most importantly, this place has a refrigerator.

The old man probably didn’t advertise that fact, but if the thief knew about it and came for that, it could be a professional thief.

‘This isn’t good.’

Of all times, it has to be now, when I don’t even have my sword.

I just replaced my prosthetic leg today, so moving is uncomfortable.

And no matter how much of a thief they are, I can’t treat this situation like I would with a monster…

‘I’ll have to take them down in one swift move.’

I had no choice but to subdue them in a surprise attack.

I broke off a nearby branch and entered the restaurant.

The restaurant was dark with the lights off.

There was no one in the hall, but I could feel a presence from the kitchen.

They’re not in the backroom, they’re rummaging through the kitchen?

‘They’re after the refrigerator, aren’t they?!’

How dare they target such a valuable item!

If they steal that, I won’t be able to get it back!

Suppressing my rising anger, I quietly made my way to the kitchen.

As expected, the light was on in the kitchen.

I saw a thief crouched in front of the refrigerator, doing something, and I began to close the distance.

And then—

Creak—

‘Damn!’

I lost control of my prosthetic leg, which is heavier than my real leg, and made a noise.

The thief turned his head quickly and looked at me.

The thief, with a raw carrot in his mouth, widened his eyes upon seeing me and shouted.

“Ddeuge! Ddeugeyo!”

“What are you saying!”

Damn, there’s no turning back now!

Since I was still a distance away, I tried to throw the branch to stop the thief from escaping.

But then, a sharp warning from my instincts made me swing the branch instead—

Bang!

With a loud explosion, the branch shattered.

‘Damn it!’

So, it wasn’t just any thief; it was a magic thief?

I tossed the piece of wood I was holding and leapt forward.