Feasting Lord in Another World - Chapter 38

Screeeech!

Three wyverns that had been drawing a large circle in the sky suddenly descended vertically toward the ground as if they were competing to see who would go first.

“Evade!”

With a scream resembling that of a startled horse, knights scattered in all directions. They had realized what the three wyverns were aiming for.

Screeeech!

The Centipede, which had emerged from its burrow and become agile, tried to hide its body between the densely packed trees of the primeval forest. However, the sturdy talons of the wyverns prevented it from doing so.

The battle between the four giant beasts, each stretching several meters, was so fierce that even the valorous knights couldn’t help but stare in awe.

The Centipede twisted its body to strangle the neck of a wyvern.

Another wyvern caught the Centipede and hurled it toward a rock in mid-air.

As the Centipede tried to regain its senses, the three wyverns each ripped at its head, belly, and tail.

The bodies of the wyverns were corroding due to the Centipede’s poison, and some even had torn wing membranes.

But is there any creature that would be afraid of its food just because it struggles?

Rather, the wyverns became more aggressive, attacking the Centipede with powerful wing flaps and sharp talons.

Screeeech!

Thud!

After about twenty minutes of a bloody fight, the outcome was disappointing.

The exhausted Centipede was carried once again into the sky by a wyvern, and after a quarrel among the other wyverns over dividing the prey, the giant Centipede was torn into three pieces in the sky.

Whoooosh!

The Centipede’s blue and dense blood poured down to the ground.

Although the knights and Dominic were covered in splashes of blood, it seemed that unlike saliva, the blood was not poisonous.

“…Did you know?”

“Know what?”

“That wyverns prey on centipedes.”

“Maybe about half?”

Ian asked Dominic, but there was no definitive answer.

“To risk everything on a fifty-fifty chance. Should we call it good luck?”

“Whether the wyverns would eat the Centipede was fifty-fifty. But it was almost certain that if they found the Centipede, they wouldn’t leave it alone. So it’s not luck, it’s skill and wisdom, you know.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Other knights had also gathered around.

Even the knight who had pointed a sword at Dominic while he was casting fire magic was there.

“Didn’t a knight say earlier that the wyverns are here in the mountains because it’s their mating season?”

“Could you explain it in simpler terms?”

It seemed that these knights were quite ignorant about animal behavior.

“Gathering in a specific area during mating season means they are preparing to give birth and raise their young in that area.”

“Is, is that so?”

“Any of you married with a child?”

“I have a daughter. She just turned two.”

“A lovely age, indeed. Now, Sir Knight. What would you do if a strong, violent, and dirty creature lived near your young daughter?”

“Hmm.”

“Of course, being the honorable knight you are, you would try to civilize it, right? But what about wyverns?”

“…They would try to kill it.”

“Exactly.”

Even if the wyverns did not eat the Centipede, Dominic was certain that the wyverns in mating season would definitely attack the Centipede.

“By the way, will you compensate for the magical items used in the battle later?”

Now that the big task was over, it seemed that thoughts of compensation had begun to surface.

***

After completing their mission, the knights and Dominic received applause and cheers from all directions.

“Can’t we rest for a bit?”

But having pushed themselves to the limit mentally and physically, they filled a full day with sleep and rest.

Once the knights’ fatigue had somewhat eased, the lords called them back to the command tent. They needed more specific information.

“…So everyone watched the end of the Sentinel with their eyes wide open.”

“There’s no doubt that many people would have suffered if it weren’t for you!”

“Exactly! Have you seen its outer shell? If such a massive creature stirred the mountains, it would have been inevitable for smaller monsters to come out and attack humans.”

“The knights should be proud of their valor!”

The lords, who laid the debris brought by the knights on the table, shivered continuously.

It was horrifying to think what could have happened if they had not been effective.

“The village chief has worked hard.”

“You flatter me.”

Everyone in the command tent turned their eyes to Dominic at the quietly spoken words of Count Sinclair.

‘I wish they would just generously give me a reward now.’

Among the local lords, Count Sinclair was a nobleman who, just for feeding the soldiers well and boosting his pride, reduced the tax burden by 80%.

‘Although our village is small, if they’re cutting taxes that dramatically, they’re probably not just doing it for show. Please, something good!’

Money is good, and so is land. In life, it’s either cash or real estate.

“Although there were some seriously injured and several minor injuries among our knights, thanks to the wisdom of the village chief and the magic tools, there were no deaths or disabled.”

The faces of the knights who participated in the battle lit up with positive light. Fortunately, no one wanted to monopolize the credit.

After all, the only one who inflicted meaningful damage on the Centipede was Ian, so the other knights would consider themselves lucky just to go along with it.

“Village chief, Dominic. We will pay triple the value of the magic tools you used. Unfortunately, you are not military personnel, so promotion is difficult. However, we will give you a bonus equivalent to a captain of a hundred men and a silver medal!”

“I accept!”

“And for Knight Ian…”

Count Sinclair continued, but about thirty question marks floated above Dominic’s head.

‘What’s this? Is this the end? No way, really? Is this really the end?’

Magic tools are not that expensive. They contain 1st class magic but with limited uses.

‘The bonus a captain of a hundred men gets is just okay, and the medal is useless to me, who doesn’t care for loyalty or honor.’

“Congratulations, Village Chief!”

“You deserve this silver medal, man!”

The knights who had faced life and death with him congratulated him, but Dominic’s face did not brighten up.

‘Ah! Maybe they’re worried about jealousy if they give me a big reward in front of everyone? Yeah, that must be it. How thoughtful!’

Dominic returned to his tent with a bag of reward money and a medal, still in full uniform, waiting for the moment the lord would call him.

“Cook!”

Then a soldier called him from outside.

“Oh, finally!”

“Um, they’re asking if you can prepare a simple meal for lunch tomorrow when they return. What should I say?”

“…Is that it?”

“Yes?”

But in the end, the count did not seek Dominic.

That night, Dominic had to drink two bottles of wine before he could finally sleep.

***

“Soldiers keep messing around everywhere, anyway. Ugh!”

“What’s bothering you so much?”

“Oh, you’re here? Are you staying as the commander?”

“As of yesterday, the command has returned to the lord. I have to follow my original mission.”

“Your original mission?”

“To protect you, as Lord Theodore ordered.”

Dominic patted Ian on the shoulder at his answer.

“…?”

“Keep it up.”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Originally, in the military, having your merit stolen happens as easily as breathing. Don’t be too distressed. I also just received a small sum and it was over. In fact, that centipede’s capture was pretty much done by me. Isn’t that right?”

“What are you talking about? Why did you get a small sum?”

“Sir, I know you’re modest, but saying you received a lot seems a bit much, doesn’t it?”

Dominic continued to toss a small pouch up and down.

“I forgot.”

“What did you forget?”

“You’re not affiliated with our territorial army, are you?”

“Are you going to levy a tax on me now?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s the medal you’re holding.”

“The medal? Why? Should I give it to you, sir? Do you need it?”

“…”

For a moment, Dominic thought Ian might be more ambitious or power-hungry than he’d initially believed.

“The Silver Medal is awarded to those who made a major contribution.”

“Yes, yes. It’s an honor.”

Dominic still responded indifferently.

But Ian didn’t care about Dominic’s reaction and continued speaking.

“The Silver Medal, awarded to the one who has made the greatest achievement, also serves as a sign that you will receive the most valuable thing captured in battle as a prize.”

Thump.

Upon hearing that, Dominic dropped the pouch filled with gold coins onto the floor.

“It looks like you finally understand.”

“Well, then…”

“That outer shell of the centipede. That means it’s now your possession.”

“Lord, may you live a thousand years!”

“Tsk.”

The once-muted historical drama dialogue popped out again.

**

Although forces remained to clear residual monsters, Dominic, who had completed even the extra mission, returned to Evergreen with the Lord’s permission.

And then several utterly peaceful days passed by.

Just the kind of everyday life Dominic had hoped for.

Whooosh!

Dominic, preparing a rural-style meal after a long time, stoked a strong fire in the stove.

On the cooking table were already prepared ingredients, piled up. Squid, shellfish, conch, shrimp, cabbage, bok choy, mushrooms, and fresh bamboo shoots were in abundance.

“I should stir-fry some pork here too.”

Sizzle, sizzle.

Spicy pepper and pork started to fry in the large wok, followed by seafood and vegetables.

“Ah-. Lard is different, even the smell!”

The lard, which turned transparent in an instant upon meeting the heat, generously coated the lavish ingredients, filling the entire cooking area with a tempting aroma.

“Fire!”

Dominic stylishly exclaimed, as if chanting a magic incantation.

In reality, he was just sprinkling some high-proof alcohol to create a large flame and remove any fishy smell, but the onlookers spontaneously applauded.

“Wow! Impressive!”

“Typical Dominic! Powerful!”

Two middle-aged, well-matched burly men.

Calron and Lord Theodore Sinclair.

The jjamppong was nearing its final stages.

Dominic added red pepper powder to the ingredients, then poured in the seafood-based broth he had prepared since morning.

“Are you going to taste it first?”

“Of course!”

Dominic brought out four bowls, neatly arranged the noodles, and generously poured the red soup and ingredients over them.

One for the two middle-aged men, one for Ian, and one for himself.

“Done! My special seafood and pork jjamppong.”

“Wow!”

“But are you sure you’re okay? Jjamppong is really not good for gout.”

“What do you take a Swordmaster’s physique for!”

“…I did warn you clearly, right?”

Dominic sighed softly and handed a bowl to Lord Theodore as well.

“But why are you eating here when you’re staying at the resort? Our resort food is quite good.”

“I’ve been eating it since before you came, and I’m already sick of it. Ah! This is great! Men’s food! It’s got a kick, haha!”

Dominic saw the thick sweat on their foreheads and their panting lips. They were clearly finding it spicy, but they put on a bravado until the end.

“When are you going back? You can’t stay here forever.”

“Well, I have to see the auction of your outer shell at least. They say it’s going to be a big festival?”

“There’s still quite some time until it happens, you know?”

“Hehe, what I have in abundance are strength and time.”

Wearing a floral embroidered shirt, long-term resort guest Lord Theodore strolled around the village leisurely.