HRNGDS 33

~Chapter 33~

Delphina asked Elcayan,

“We have to attend the Autumn Banquet, right?”

“Yes. His Majesty the Emperor sent a letter. He wants to officially announce our engagement at the banquet.”

“That’s going to be a tight schedule.”

“To move quickly, we’ll take as few people to the capital as possible.”

“But the Grand Madam still won’t eat unless I cook for her…”

Delphina worried.

‘It’s bad enough the Grand Madam only eats my cooking, but if the monster’s poison spreads while I’m away, I won’t be there to help. But the quest said I need to find allies… So going with Elcayan is the right move. Still, what if the Grand Madam’s poison gets worse while I’m gone?’

The system gave her a solution:

<Let’s Make Fried Chicken!>
Delphina impressed the god Prad with her delicious food.
Prad blesses you to help solve your problem.
If you make his favorite food, fried chicken, the monster poison will temporarily stop spreading!

Reward: Fried chicken that temporarily halts poison progression.
Failure: You won’t be able to go to the capital where a new episode begins.

Delphina pressed her hands together in thanks.

‘Thank you, Lord Prad. You always help me through tough times. Please continue to watch over me.’

<Prad proudly says, “This is easy work.”>

Though she didn’t know why, Delphina realized one thing clearly—Prad, one of the empire’s main gods, wanted the North to prosper.

‘I’ll make fried chicken more often and share it with others.’

<God Prad is delighted by Delphina’s promise.>

She headed to the kitchen—and saw something surprising: Calyx wearing a chef’s apron.

His hands moved skillfully. Watching him, Walton gasped in amazement.

Perfect knife skills!
The swordmaster’s talent was being put to use in the kitchen.

Delphina stood frozen, watching Calyx’s slicing—not just the technique, but the system messages that popped up:

<Potato Sliced by the Strongest Knife>
Ultimate-level slicing brings out the purest flavor of the ingredient.

<Embarrassed Onion>
This onion is blushing from being too perfectly cut.

Calyx’s sword skills were the best in the empire—so it made sense that his prep work was just as flawless. Walton watched him with awe.

“This is the most skilled kitchen assistant I’ve ever seen!”

Delphina muttered softly,

“When exactly did you become a kitchen assistant?”

Walton replied,

“Sir Calyx said he wanted to help you, Lady Delphina. He volunteered for the job.”

“I see…”

Delphina gave up trying to understand. Nothing involving Calyx followed logic.

“Still, it’s amazing. Lady Delphina, it seems like talented people always gather around you.”

But Delphina wondered silently:

‘Is it really okay to use such talent for kitchen help…?’

When Calyx finished chopping, Delphina walked up to him. It was time to return the favor.

“Sir Calyx, you once asked me about fried chicken, right?”

Calyx looked at her with wide, sparkling eyes. Delphina genuinely felt grateful to him.

‘If it weren’t for Sir Calyx, I would’ve been hit with that hot soup.’

Ivelina had poured drinks on her before—tea, juice, even dirty water. But if that hot broth had landed on her, it could’ve caused real burns.

‘After that, I couldn’t even bring myself to cook hot food for a while.’

Now was her chance to repay him for that protection.

Calyx’s eyes gleamed.

“I knew it… You were the one closest to fried chicken all along.”

She didn’t quite understand what he meant—but it was clear he really wanted that chicken.

“I know how to make fried chicken. I was planning to make it today.”

“Thank you so much, Lady Delphina!”

She nodded and stepped up to the prep counter.

In her previous life, Delphina loved fried chicken—especially the classic, no-frills kind.

Whenever her grandmother brought some home from the market, it made her day.

‘I want to share that happiness with others.’

She smiled and said:

“Today is a chicken party.”

Walton blinked.

“A chicken party?”

“Yes. We eat fried chicken to celebrate happy days.”

“What… is chicken?”

“I’ll make it now. It’s the kind of food that makes people smile.”

“It must be a good day, then.”

Delphina smiled. She pulled out fresh chicken from the Grand Duke’s enchanted refrigerator.

‘Thank goodness chicken exists here too.’

It was moments like this that made her grateful to be in a game-like world.

“We’d better hurry if we want everyone to enjoy it.”

She turned to Calyx.

“Sir Calyx, could you help prep the chicken?”

Calyx nodded.

He resumed his slicing—

Swish!

With a clean sound, the chicken was cut and cleaned in moments. Walton watched in awe again.

“Unbelievable…”

Delphina rinsed the chicken and added slits to help with flavor. She seasoned it with salt and pepper, and soaked it in milk to remove any smell.

“Are you going to fry it?”

“Yes.”

Walton tilted his head, curious. Delphina knew fried chicken didn’t exist here.

The Empire had frying techniques, but the North usually boiled or grilled.

‘Oil’s hard to come by up here.’

It was only possible because they were in the Grand Duke’s estate.

Time passed as she chatted with Walton. Soon, she brought out flour for frying.

‘Alright, this looks good.’

She coated the chicken in thin batter, then dusted it again with flour for that perfect crunch.

“Now it’s ready to fry.”

Walton came closer, looking serious.

Delphina focused entirely on the task.

At first, it was to thank Calyx. But now she wanted to cook it for Elcayan too—for helping her when she was struggling with Ivelina and Kasen.

‘I want them to be happy when they eat it. I want to make the best food for those who helped me.’

She carefully considered the details.

‘Let’s set the oil to 175°C.’

That was the ideal temperature in her past life—and used by famous franchises.

As the thermometer hit 175, Delphina dropped the chicken into the oil.

Ssshhhhh!

A delicious sound echoed as the chicken began frying.

✦ ✦ ✦

When it was done, Walton swallowed hard, staring at the golden chicken.

‘I want to eat that.’

The smell was incredible.

Calyx and Alex—who had been watching—had the same reaction.

Even Delphina had to stop herself from drooling.

‘This might be the best chicken I’ve ever made.’

She finally placed the chicken into a basket.

And then—

A system window appeared.