Novel Full Chapter 1350. Return (10)
Chapter 1350. Return (10)
My eyes kept drifting in that direction. After all, they were wearing the same hood as the Honorary Cardinal I had seen last night. In addition, the way they were watching us from a distance was distracting.
"What are you doing, Carlton? Aren’t you going to get ready to serve? Don’t you see the customers waiting?" Big Boy shouted.
"W-wait, hold on!" I[1] shouted.
At Big Boy’s voice, I hurried inside the shop, but the figure in the same hood was nowhere to be seen.
"Prepare the hambier!" Big Boy ordered.
"O-Okay!" I answered.
‘That's not what's important right now.’
A huge swarm of customers stood before me, leaving me with no time to dwell on my suspicion.
"Yoojin, are you making the number tickets?" Big Boy asked.
"I just tear some paper and make them like this, right?" Yoojin asked.
"Yeah, that’s right!" Big Boy answered.
Big Boy hurriedly started making the secret sauce; Yoojin was busy tearing a notebook to make tickets; I saw some youngsters recording the scene.
Big Boy was more energetic and happier than usual. I took note of that before proceeding to prepare the hambier.
‘These guys are way too excited.’
"How long do we have to wait?!" a kid asked.
"We’re doing it as fast as we can! Please wait!" Yoojin answered.
"I came first! I was here first!"
"W-Wait, everyone, line up..." Yoojin instructed them.
"Ah! I really can’t stand it anymore! Give it here!"
"W-What?"
One of the customers who had arrived first snatched the notebook and issued tickets on their own, creating a comical scene.
"There are only two items on the menu anyway, right? From now on, we’ll take orders while handing out number tickets! Line up! Take your photos later! These guys aren’t planning to do interviews, so folks from the press, behave yourselves! Let’s not make this already narrow street even more crowded!" the customer shouted.
The waiting customers were actually cooperating. The chaos from earlier disappeared, and the scene had become a bit organized.
Meanwhile, Big Boy hurriedly put the skewers on the fire as if he were a master. He looked as if he was putting his heart and soul into it.
I could tell he was conscious of the customers watching him.
‘That guy’s way too excited.’
He was even doing things he normally wouldn’t do. I wasn’t sure if he wanted to put on a fire show or something, but the moment he poured something onto the grill, the flames leapt and danced.
'I don’t want him to get his hopes up...’
"Carlton! Is the next batch ready?!" Big Boy asked.
"Hold on, damn it!" I answered.
There was a saying about how one ought to strike while the iron was hot, but... I couldn’t help but wonder if this was even ready to be shown to the world.
The sauce was completely unique, and the hambier was tough. Objectively, it wasn’t something anyone would pay for. One could probably call it a delicacy, but it was still the kind of food that was easily ignored on Straggler’s Lane.
There was no way it would suit the tastes of Lindel’s youngsters, and with all the so-called food critics present, the fate of this hambier skewer was painfully obvious.
Above all, I couldn’t help but worry about Big Boy’s face if it turned out to be a disappointment.
Meanwhile, the first hambier skewer was finally served. Big Boy was still acting like a master craftsman, but I could tell he was secretly hopeful; he was on high alert.
The sight of him swallowing out of nervousness made it obvious.
"Wait. Isn’t that Mr. Kyoiku?" Yoojin asked.
"What’s a Kyoiku?" I asked.
"A food columnist from Celia. He shows up in the media pretty often, too," Yoojin answered.
‘Of all people...’
Looking closer, I realized I had seen that guy's face before. He was the type to constantly gush about this food or that food. He didn't have the best reputation, but surprisingly, he had a big fanbase.
It was like the world before me had slowed down as I stared at him biting into the hambier skewer. As expected, the tough skewer was hard to chew in one bite, and he gnawed on it persistently. His face wasn’t good.
My tension spiked, worried he would criticize it.
Just then, he said, "It has a distinct flavor."
Seeing him stubbornly chew and finish the tough skewer was a sight to behold.
"You see, this hambier skewer originated from the mercenaries of Celia..."
‘What nonsense is he spouting?’
The next customers were the same.
"Uh... it’s good."
"Kind of unique."
‘Did they all get brainwashed or something?’
"This is perfect as a drinking snack, right? Hey, sir! I’ll have a glass of rum!"
‘What is happening?’
Was I wrong? Could it be that Boy had been correct all this while? All around me, people were bursting out with exclamations of admiration, making me feel foolish for ever worrying that it could fail.
Most of them were talking about something that was unknown even to me.
"The seasoning is unique."
"I wonder what technique they used to make this thing. It definitely doesn’t seem like it’s from Earth... Maybe a traditional recipe from the Union of Kingdoms?"
‘What is that even supposed to mean?’
"The hambier skewer originally comes from food eaten by slash-and-burn farmers or adventurers who had little else to eat. Its texture is tough, but it doesn’t spoil easily and is easy to store, making it perfect for those embarking on long journeys."
‘So that’s how it came to be?’
"Back when the continent wasn’t as prosperous as it is now, there were more cooking methods. It seems they’ve preserved the traditional method quite well."
"It’s an interesting flavor. Hmm... this is fun."
‘What exactly is fun about it?’
"It’s unique, fun, and distinctive. Can you see this part here? Everyone... this tip here is the real delicacy."
‘Where is the delicacy in that? Why are they even filming this?’
"Now, I’ll try another bite. It looks a bit tough, but hambier is meant to be chewy. I think I finally understand why the Honorary Cardinal likes this. How should I put it... it's a taste that brings back memories."
‘Brings back memories?’
"The Honorary Cardinal used to spend a lot of time in the field, so he would have enjoyed this kind of meat just like ordinary adventurers back then."
“...”
“This tastes insane. Mmm... Wow... it’s a delicacy. A real delicacy!”
‘Are these people all crazy or something?’
I was feeling conflicted; the boundary between reality and fantasy was collapsing right before me. Big Boy’s confident expression only made it harder for me to understand what was going on.
The Honorary Cardinal himself had posted about this hambier skewer, so no one could possibly make a negative comment, yet their reactions were still utterly irrational.
I half-wondered if Big Boy had secretly hired some of them.
"Hmm... ha! This is mouthwatering. It’s too good to eat alone. Director, you should try some, too."
"Ah... just watching everyone else eat is driving me crazy."
"Give us some here, too! Over here, quick!"
"When will ours be ready?! Cook it faster!"
"Please wait a moment. We can’t just rush and lower the quality." Big Boy told them.
‘Big Boy is way too smug.’
"Carlton! Yoojin! What are you doing, you idiots! Move faster!" he shouted.
The ingredients were rapidly disappearing. We even used up the hambier that we couldn't sell yesterday, but even so, the skewers vanished in the proverbial blink of an eye.
People were even shouting back and forth everywhere.
"Don’t cut in line!"
"Sir! Our order...."
"Ah, stop pushing!"
The atmosphere heated up to an incomprehensible level. Some were even paying extra to get a ticket or buy a skewer. As time went on, the chaos went on as well, and I even saw the servants of wealthy households doing everything they could just to get a single skewer.
"What do we do, Big Boy? This is the last one," Yoojin asked.
"What do... what do we do?! You idiots! We have to close up. Pft... hahahaha. Sorry, but this is all we have today!” Big Boy announced.
"Ahhhhh! No way!"
"Ah, come on! Please... please! Sell just one more!"
The crowd surged in like a tide, and even though we were already in the middle of closing up shop, I still saw hopeful customers.
Everyone was shouting, begging for just one more skewer, but Big Boy remained indifferent to the rare power he held and quietly closed the door.
He rambled about how he had known this would happen and how finally the world was seeing the true value of the hambier skewer...
‘Something about this... feels off.’
Of course, it was a good thing, but I still couldn’t understand it. It wasn't because I disliked Big Boy showing off, but because it was a moment that demanded rational suspicion.
Just then, the figure in the familiar hood appeared once more.
For a brief instant, it felt like our eyes met.
“Where are you going, Carlton....” Yoojin asked.
“I just....”
It almost felt like the hooded figure was telling me to follow them. The hooded figure was slowly walking through the crowd, weaving in and out of the alleyways, and at some point, I saw them disappear into a building.
Without thinking, I cautiously followed inside, and the interior was much cleaner than I thought, especially when I compared it to the dirty street outside.
“Hello.” A voice echoed from behind.
Startled, I turned around and saw—
“Miss... Lee Ji-Hye?”
One of the figures I saw yesterday stood before me.
“You follow people pretty casually,” she commented.
“...”
“Just kidding. Just kidding. Honestly, I’m glad you followed me. Have a seat. I’m not trying to tell some grand story... It’s just that you seem like the only person I can actually talk to. I originally wanted to speak to all of you, but it was way too chaotic outside. I absolutely hate that kind of atmosphere...” Lee Ji-Hye remarked.
“Ha... hahaha...” I laughed awkwardly.
“And between us, there are also some things that need to be settled...” Lee Ji-Hye added.
“...”
“...”
“Settled?” I asked.
“Did you think I’d just let that slide?” she asked.
It was a statement that I couldn’t quite comprehend.
“...”
“Whatever the reason, you did protect the Honorary Cardinal, didn’t you?” Lee Ji-Hye said.
“Ah... that was just....”
“The Order will probably send you a reward,” Lee Ji-Hye said.
“What?”
“The amount will roughly be about... this much,” Lee Ji-Hye revealed.
“What? What?”
“The Continental Protection Management Committee will also issue a reward. The amount is about... this much...” Lee Ji-Hye added.
“W-What does that even....” I stuttered.
“The ownership of your shop has already been transferred under the three of your names, and the same goes for your residence,” Lee Ji-Hye said.
“What?”
“Ah, and we’ve decided to keep Straggler’s Lane as it is. There’s a scheduled development project, but we’ve decided to preserve the identity of Stragglers’ Lane, so don’t worry too much about it,” Lee Ji-Hye added.
“Wait, what? What?” I asked.
From beginning to end, nothing made sense.
The reward money—what even was it? The shop ownership—what? And the Stragglers’ Lane development project. What on earth was that?
It was hard to understand.
Instead, a wave of fear rose in me. The sudden fortune felt too large to handle.
“With no conditions at all, you’re really going to do all this for us?” I asked.
“It’s not without conditions,” Lee Ji-Hye answered.
I thought there would be some kind of condition, but what came out of her mouth was completely unexpected.
“Please live diligently. Don’t let money or strange things blind you and distract you. Just keep doing what you’ve been doing so far. Work hard at your business, work hard at living, and show that you’re living honestly,” Lee Ji-Hye revealed.
“...”
“Ah! If I were to add a small condition, it’s that the Honorary Cardinal will probably come by often. He might even drop by this evening. When that happens, I’d like you to treat him as well as you can. Don’t be too nervous about it,” Lee Ji-Hye added.
“...”
“...”
“Why...”
The question I asked carried many other questions within it.
Why had this luck come to us?
How come we were being given such bountiful rewards?
It was far too much to be just payment for protecting a lost Honorary Cardinal. Even the fact that he promoted our tasteless hambier on his personal account felt like we had already used up all the luck we had ever accumulated in our entire lives.
His promotion alone was more than enough as a reward. From start to finish, everything was so incomprehensible that I could only blink dumbly like Big Boy. It was like I had become the embodiment of Big Boy.
“Well...” Lee Ji-Hye trailed off. “The Honorary Cardinal...”
“...”
“Seems to have a lot to be thankful for,” Lee Ji-Hye added.
And with that, the conversation ended.
I blinked, and I couldn't see her anymore.
“...”
“...”
In her place, I saw Big Boy slapping my cheeks.
“...”
“...”
“Calton...” Big Boy said.
“...”
“Calton! Wake up!” Big Boy shouted.
“...”
“Carlton! Wake up, you bastard! Aren’t you going to work? You’re still going to sleep?” Big Boy complained.
“Huh? Wha—?”
Everything was incomprehensible.
“Uh...”
“Big Boy,” I said.
“What?” Big Boy answered.
“Put in another order for some hambier meat. Use every last cent we’ve got and place an order for every hambier meat in the entire continent. Yoojin, you go ahead and make the tickets!” I ordered.
“What? What the hell are you talking about? That hambier doesn’t even sell, why would we—”
“No, just trust me and do it, quick!” I interrupted her.
Now, I was certain that our lives were about to change.
“We’re going to be selling until evening! Gather every hambier meat distributed across Lindel—no, across the entire continent!” I shouted.
“...”
“The Honorary Cardinal is coming!” I told them. Soon, they would understand it, too. I looked up at the shelf, where the photo of the four of us was sitting quietly.
I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of it.
1. Carlton's POV ☜