HRNGDS 29

~Chapter 29~

Kasen was also a knight—and quite a skilled one at that. Calyx had plenty of reason to think well of him.

In fact, he had even praised Kasen in the past for his talent and effort.

‘So how did things end up like this?’

Kasen looked at Delphina.

He saw her gently wiping the mess from Calyx’s hair, not knowing what else to do.

That sight reminded him of their academy days.

And she was… truly beautiful.

Delphina had a natural elegance that shone from within. No matter how much Ivelina tried to drag her down, she couldn’t erase the dignity that Delphina carried herself with.

Compared to that, how was Ivelina?

Her eyes burned with hostility as she glared at Delphina—vicious and sharp.

Kasen felt a headache coming on. There was nothing he could do here.

‘I must get Sir Calyx to forgive her somehow.’

If things reached the Imperial Court, the Rikaion family would have to pay a huge settlement.

And that wasn’t all.

The Emperor might even lose trust in Duke Rikaion.

‘It’s okay. There’s still a way.’

Calyx seemed to care deeply about Delphina.

‘If Delphina asks for forgiveness on Ivelina’s behalf, Sir Calyx will show mercy.’

And another thought followed.

‘Delphina used to like me.’

Trying to speak to Calyx now would only make things worse.

It was better to talk to Delphina later and ask for her help.

Thinking this, Kasen led Ivelina away.

✦✦✦

Delphina and Calyx were left alone.

Calyx had asked everyone else to leave.

Now that people knew he was Calyx Artman, the strongest knight of the Empire, no one dared refuse his orders.

Calyx turned to Delphina and asked:

“Lady Delphina, may I ask you just one question?”

“Yes, Sir Calyx. Please go ahead.”

He hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“I’m not sure how to phrase this.”

“…”

“Can your cooking… make people stronger?”

Delphina bit her lower lip softly.

‘He figured it out.’

She nodded.

“I think… yes. When people eat my food, they seem to become stronger—or their abilities improve, almost like they’re blessed.”

Honestly, it was only a matter of time before someone noticed.

Especially someone like Calyx, with strong senses.

Delphina peeked at Calyx’s system window.

<Calyx Artman>

“So surprised I almost fainted.”

It looked like a joke, but it clearly expressed his real shock.

“I’ve been stuck at the same level for a long time. I felt like I couldn’t grow any stronger—because I’m human.”

“…”

“The human body has its limits, unlike dragons or monsters. We’re born with natural boundaries.”

Calyx took a breath and continued.

“But your cooking is strange, Lady Delphina. It felt like it shook something deep inside me. Just eating made me stronger—that’s incredible.”

Delphina’s face darkened.

“I haven’t felt fear in a long time. But after tasting your food, I was afraid. A fear born of selfishness.”

“You… were afraid?”

“Yes. What would happen if someone tried to monopolize your food?”

“…”

“If the king of a far-off land had eaten your cooking, he might have gone mad—driven by greed.”

“That would be dangerous…”

“Of course, there’s a limit to how strong your cooking can make someone. But in the Empire, full of people desperate for power, many would do anything to control you.”

Human greed was terrifying.

Delphina’s food would attract countless powerful figures.

Some might even lock her away just to keep her cooking for themselves.

They might try to take her freedom.

That’s why Calyx was glad he figured it out early.

‘Maybe that’s why God Prad sent me here—to protect her.’

Thinking this, Calyx bowed to Delphina.

“You must build strong allies.”

The system agreed.

<The Strongest Is On My Side>

Food is a powerful weapon. But it’s also a dangerous one.
To protect yourself, gather powerful allies.
Find someone trustworthy—and make them the strongest.

Calyx bowed again.

“And I, too, am a selfish man.”

“Sir Calyx…”

“Please let me protect you, Lady Delphina.”

“Do you want my cooking?”

“Yes. I want to taste your food again. Let me serve you.”

Calyx thought,

‘Maybe it was fate that God Prad led me here.’

Her cooking, from the hands of this small girl, could change the future of the Empire.

Calyx was ready to follow that path.

✦✦✦

Calyx and Delphina arrived at the Grand Duke’s estate. Calyx said he’d go meet Elcayan and headed for the audience hall.

Meanwhile, Delphina’s first stop was the kitchen.

She stared at the pot of soup in front of her.

She had sent food to the Grand Madam a few times, but there had been no big improvement yet.

‘My food can’t cure her… but it might slow the spread of the monster poison in her body.’

But that wasn’t a real solution.

So where was the real answer?

‘Maybe the system wanted me to figure this out.’

Her cooking had special power. And now, Delphina was starting to attract attention—maybe even danger. She needed to think about how to reveal this ability wisely.

It was also essential to complete the quest:

<Save Aris>

‘I need people with more talent and power.’

Delphina closed her eyes tightly.

‘Finding skilled people is necessary—especially to protect myself.’

Food shortages in the North were a constant issue.

The cold made crops hard to grow.

And the lands where plants could grow were taken over by monsters. To reclaim that land, the North had to become stronger.

‘I have to strengthen the northern knights. Elcayan comes first.’

Delphina understood her own value now. Especially after gaining Calyx as an ally.

‘I need to cook higher-grade dishes to attract talented people. I can’t hide my abilities—they’ll be revealed eventually.’

She couldn’t hide this forever. Her cooking was vital to the North’s strength.

And if she failed to grow that strength, she would fail the quest—and die.

She still remembered the phrase from her system:

“Aris dies.”

‘Not using this ability would be foolish.’

Still, she understood Calyx’s warning.

It was lucky he noticed her power and not someone else.

‘He’s right. I’m in danger. If the wrong person finds out, they might lock me up…’

Just then, her system window changed.

Almost as if it had read her thoughts.

<Quest Activated>
Gather Allies!
Find and recruit people to help you grow stronger.

You may be talented, but you’re physically weak. If your ability is discovered while you’re alone… it could lead to a “captured ending.”

Registered Ally:

• Calyx Artman: SSS Rank

The loyal knight Calyx Artman will never betray you.