Chapter 10: Chicken and Palenque (6)

“The possibility lies right here in Limon Forest.”

“Here?”

Knoll responded, and I pointed upwards. Exhausted from flying, Palenque was perched on top of the bamboo trees.

“The news that Palenque was sighted here was quite helpful. There were indeed Palenques here. The truth is, I lied about getting Palenque from someone else. I’m sorry.”

“Hmm, even if there are Palenques in this forest, they are too fast to catch. How do you plan to distribute them in the market?”

“It’s possible. Maybe not as common as beef or pork, but we can manage a decent supply here.”

“How?”

I channeled the massive mana circulating through my body. They knew I was a mage, but probably just at an average level.

I used a high-class spell, Tempest Blaze, causing high-temperature flames to dance around me. Manipulating the mana, I directed the flames to explode and spread out, hitting the top of the bamboo forest. Palenques nearby turned to ashes and fell.

The flames were enormous, and controlling them like limbs consumed a lot of mana. Any mercenary would recognize the significance of that.

“What is this?!”

“El!”

The couple exclaimed in shock.

“I have cast a sealing spell over the entire Limon Forest, preventing monsters from escaping. The Palenques will lay eggs, hatch, and continue their life cycle. As wild monsters, they grow on their own. When they mature, we’ll capture and sell them. If we manage the habitat range, the population will increase, allowing a sustainable supply.”

Knoll was speechless, more shocked by the magic than my explanation.

“You… are a high-class mage? But such magic…!”

“Dear!”

Reine grabbed Knoll’s arm, indicating he should be careful with his words.

“Reine, it’s okay. It makes me uncomfortable if you worry about that.”

“But… a high-class mage is akin to nobility…”

“Reine.”

“Yes?”

“Knoll retired from being a mercenary for your sake, right?”

“Yes, yes! He did.”

“I also retired from being a mage to live an ordinary life, selling food at my restaurant. I’m happier now than when I was a mage. When I fought as a mage, it was just endurance, convincing myself that I had to keep going despite comrades dying. It was all meaningless. Even when I rose in rank, it was the same. People wanted to use my power for their own gain, under the guise of protecting the people. I was tired of that life. If I hated them enough, I could destroy the world, but that’s not feasible. So, I chose an ordinary life. As a former mercenary, you understand, don’t you, Knoll?”

This was my true feeling. I could have destroyed empires and kingdoms, but it would only bring more trouble. I wouldn’t find the simple happiness I have now.

“You had such a past?”

Knoll seemed to understand, nodding his head as if he comprehended everything.

“So please, just treat me as the owner of the restaurant over the hill. Especially you, Reine! Why so stiff all of a sudden? You and Knoll came to Gray Creek for a simple life, just like me. We’re in the same boat, and it would hurt me if you acted differently.”

Knoll and Reine looked at each other. Reine spoke first.

“Are you happy now?”

“Yes. You saw the one in the restaurant, right? I’m happy.”

“Oh!”

Reine nodded, seemingly relating to my situation. She apologized with a look full of empathy.

“I’m sorry! I’ll forget everything I saw.”

“Understand, El. Reine had a rough time with nobles, so she tensed up for a moment.”

“Dear!”

Reine glared at Knoll, who scratched the back of his head and corrected himself.

“Ah, forget what I said.”

It’s clear they didn’t want to dwell on the past. I also have a past I’d rather not delve into. So, I nodded.

“Yes, it’s better to forget the past. But showing you the magic wasn’t just a random performance. I plan to use magic to capture Palenque and distribute it through Knoll’s shop. That’s why I brought you here. Will you sell Palenque for me? I plan to split the profits evenly.”

“What?”

Both of them exclaimed loudly, in perfect sync. They are indeed a well-matched couple.

“That can’t be. Why should we take half the profit from your magic? We’ll sell it for you, but half the profit is too much!”

Knoll was firm, so I responded firmly.

“My restaurant doesn’t sell raw ingredients. I don’t plan to sell Palenque meat directly. But Knoll’s shop is different. You sell meat. You have distribution channels. Using that network is worth half the profit. You also need to store and manage the meat. My restaurant is getting too strange because of Palenque. It was a mistake. I want Palenque to be accessible in Gray Creek. For that, I need your help. It’s fair compensation.”

“But…”

“Anyway, we can’t distribute it in large quantities, so it’s not a huge profit. Use the money to get better meat. That way, I can cook better dishes. Isn’t that right? It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement. If the profit is significant, you can give me meat at cost. Haha.”

Knoll and Reine exchanged glances again. Reine nodded, pulling Knoll’s arm.

“Perhaps if other meats sell well thanks to Palenque, you could buy Reine more clothes. She’s a beautiful woman, but you don’t seem to treat her well.”

“What? That’s none of your business! Fine, I’ll sell Palenque.”

“Isn’t this beneficial for me too? You don’t have to be so grateful.”

“I didn’t say thank you! What are you talking about?!”

“Your face says thank you. Why are your eyes tearing up?”

“Reine! Let’s go. We’ll be busy!”

“Oh dear, you really are tearing up.”

“It must be raining.”

“Goodness, dear! El, let’s talk more later. This guy…”

Reine shook her head and followed her husband.

The deal was done. But I didn’t reveal one truth. I can’t actually catch Palenque with my magic.

Honestly, I can’t catch Palenque with my magic. Fire magic turns them to ashes, and ice magic freezes them completely, ruining their texture. Ice magic makes it hard to thaw without ruining the meat. It’s not the same as regular freezing.

To preserve the taste, I need the dragon’s help.

But I can’t reveal the dragon’s identity. So, I let them think it’s my magic. This way, random people won’t come looking for Palenque, and I’ll still make money from the market sales. It’s like pocket money.

Humming a tune, I returned to the restaurant and sat on the dragon’s bed. Her black hair reminded me of home, looking like the black hair of Koreans.

“Snore, snore, puh.”

As usual, Rurin snored softly.

When I gently stroked her hair, she suddenly opened her eyes and sat up.

“You’re back? Where have you been all day?”

She must have known I left, having experienced me going to the market without waking her for months. But today, I returned later than usual, so she seemed concerned.

If she was that worried, she should have come looking for me.

“I made some pocket money and handled some nuisances.”

“Pocket money?”

“Yes, it’s unnecessary money. If I save more, I’ll gift it to you when you rebuild your lair, converting it into treasure.”

“Oh? Treasure? Really?!”

Her previously groggy eyes sparkled with excitement. A dragon’s nature. I combed her messy hair, and she leaned into my chest, tapping her feet eagerly.

“But if you rebuild the lair, will you come with me?”

“No, I’ll stay here.”

“What? Then I don’t want it.”

“Someday, you might have to return.”

Rurin’s face darkened as I touched a sensitive topic. She turned to face me, her eyebrows drooping.

“I don’t want to. Are you planning to betray me?”

“Of course not. I fought the clan for you, remember?”

I held her fingers and messed up her neatly combed hair. This dragon always brings down the mood.

“Ah! That hurts! I was just kidding. As long as you don’t betray me, it’s fine! Now, feed me! And wash my hair again! You messed it up.”

“Sure. Up we go.”

Rurin’s dragon fear will be essential for distributing Palenque.