~Chapter 34~
<Delphina’s Masterpiece: Northern Grand Duke’s Fried Chicken>
Grade: B
Chicken made by the talented cook Delphina, filled with her wish for her loved ones to enjoy it.
Prad is moved by the cook’s heartfelt care for others.
Delphina blinked in surprise at the system window floating in front of her.
But it didn’t end there.
<God of Chicken, Prad, is pleased.>
<He blesses the chicken.>
<Blessed by Prad>
This chicken carries divine power.
High chance of suppressing the effects of “Monster Poison” status condition.
She sensed Calyx approaching quickly. Delphina immediately hid the chicken basket behind her back.
“L-Lady Delphina… why?!”
“This… needs to go to the Grand Madam.”
Originally, she’d planned to serve the first batch to Calyx and Elcayan, but she changed her mind.
‘This chicken, blessed by Prad, should go to the Grand Madam.’
She refocused.
Since she’d given that batch to the Grand Madam, she’d have to make more for Calyx.
So, Delphina fried two more chickens.
<Delphina’s Masterpiece: Northern Grand Duke’s Fried Chicken>
Grade: B
Chicken made by the talented cook Delphina, filled with her wish for her loved ones to enjoy it.
‘Thank goodness, still B grade…!’
It was an impressive result.
Though the system didn’t show another emotional message from Prad, Delphina was content.
‘Will I keep getting B grades?’
She tried making more, but the next few came out as C grade.
‘Oh well.’
Satisfied with the results, she handed one of the B-grade chickens to Calyx.
“Sir Calyx, could you share this with His Grace?”
Calyx’s hand—holding a drumstick—shook a little.
‘So… this chicken isn’t all mine…?’
Delphina wasn’t the type to be unfair. She had her own code.
One chicken per person.
She handed the second B-grade chicken to Calyx.
“This one’s for His Grace. I’m a little worried he hasn’t been eating properly.”
Only then did Calyx stop trembling. He accepted the chicken solemnly.
“He really does need someone to take care of him.”
Calyx then casually waved his hand. Walton frowned in confusion.
He’d just cast a soundproofing spell.
“I have a question, Lady Delphina. Does your food always increase a person’s strength?”
“No, it doesn’t happen every time. I think those effects only happen with food that turns out really well.”
“Hmm…”
“Honestly, I think the food turns out better when I cook with someone in mind.”
“Then this chicken…”
“Yes. It should boost strength for you and His Grace.”
Calyx nodded, deeply moved.
“Thank you, Lady Delphina. This meal is a blessing from Prad himself.”
He beamed and added:
“Giving food to Elcayan was also a great idea. He pushes himself way too hard.”
“Right? He barely eats… and when he does, it’s always something light.”
Calyx nodded, serious now.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he eats this chicken.”
Just then, it was lunchtime.
With a determined look, Calyx walked off to find Elcayan.
✦ ✦ ✦
Elcayan stared at Calyx in disbelief.
He had been waiting for lunch—just a simple sandwich, as usual. He was too busy managing the North to have more than that.
But instead of a sandwich, Calyx appeared.
With no shame, Calyx said:
“I ate your sandwich.”
Elcayan was silent.
‘So… I’m skipping lunch today.’
Not a big deal. He didn’t care much about food anyway. He stood up, ready to return to work.
But he froze—not because of Calyx, but because of the smell.
The smell of fried chicken.
It hit like an explosion.
Street vendors in her old world used this trick: vent chicken smells into the streets to draw people in.
Naturally, even Elcayan’s nose couldn’t ignore it.
Calyx smirked confidently.
‘Let’s see if you can resist this attack.’
They didn’t speak, but the tension between them was clear.
“Heh.”
Calyx lifted a chicken leg with great joy, holding back the urge to eat.
‘This is Prad’s blessing…!’
Of course, he hadn’t forgotten that Delphina was the one who made it.
Crunch.
Calyx froze mid-bite.
The intense flavor hit his brain like a lightning bolt.
The B-grade dish crafted by master cook Delphina was overwhelming.
‘This is bad…’
Calyx took care of his health very seriously. And he could already tell—this chicken wasn’t good for him.
But…
He couldn’t stop.
Was this even okay?
‘Was that really Prad’s blessing… or was this the work of a different god?’
Because he felt like he was falling.
This is the flavor of corruption.
In that moment, Calyx forgot Prad’s name.
“Chi… Chicken God…”
‘What did I just say?!’
He had just accidentally called out to a false god—the god of chicken.
‘But… I feel stronger.’
A thunderous realization hit him.
He shook his head.
“Sir Calyx… are you alright?”
Elcayan stood nearby, concerned.
“Elcayan? No, wait—what is this?!”
Calyx looked down at the basket—the chicken was gone.
‘A chicken thief?!’
But who could possibly steal it without him noticing?
Elcayan calmly replied,
“You ate it all, Sir Calyx.”
“I—I did?”
“Yes. You ate it very quickly. I was shocked.”
“No… no way. You’re lying!”
Calyx looked at the second chicken—the one he brought for Elcayan.
He suddenly felt a deep temptation to eat that one too.
But he pictured Delphina’s face… and managed to resist.
With trembling hands, Calyx placed the chicken in front of Elcayan.
“This one’s yours.”
Elcayan looked at the chicken, then back at Calyx—who was watching him like a hawk.
‘I told myself I wouldn’t eat this…’
Honestly, seeing Calyx eat like that was shocking.
Despite his rough personality, Calyx had never once acted unrefined.
But now, he had devoured food like a wild man.
Calyx told him seriously:
“If you don’t want it, just say so.”
But his eyes were full of greed.
Elcayan hesitated, then slowly accepted the chicken.
He was curious now. Just how good was it?
Calyx watched him closely, licking his lips.
Elcayan thought:
‘I’ll just taste a little.’
But he was cautious. After all, both Alex and Calyx had started acting… oddly after eating Delphina’s food.
‘Will that happen to me too?’
Still, he was confident in his self-control.
He wasn’t one to overeat.
‘I’ll be fine.’
With that thought, Elcayan reached for the chicken.
