HRNGDS 98

~Chapter 98~

“I believe this business really has potential, if His Grace the Grand Duke can clear the Monster Forest this winter.”

Even with Issian’s firm words, Joseph still muttered with doubt.

“But can tourism really grow just because of food? I don’t know.”

Issian shook his head firmly.

“No, Father. People’s desire for good food is stronger than you think. Just like Lady Delphina said, the chances are very high. Her recipes… they are worth it. What impressed me most was the spicy taste. It’s something no one in the Empire has ever experienced.”

“No matter what you say, I can’t believe people will visit the North just because of food.”

“It’s possible, Father. Opening a restaurant isn’t hard. So why not try? This business can only bring profit, not loss.”

Delphina looked at Issian in surprise. A restaurant that could become a tourist attraction all by itself… such a thing didn’t exist in the Empire yet.

In her past life on modern Earth, she had seen it often.

‘Of course, I know it because of my experience from the modern world. But how can Issian be so sure?’

Just as the system had said, Issian clearly had real talent for business.

Issian looked at Delphina with passionate eyes. Joseph found it amazing to see this side of his son for the first time.

“You can make that kind of face too, Issian,” Joseph said.

Issian was not the type to say empty words. That meant he had truly seen great potential in Delphina’s idea.

Joseph’s thoughts began to heat up.

‘If Issian is saying this, maybe the North really can become independent without Imperial aid.’

With new determination, Joseph asked,

“So, what do you want to do first?”

“Open a restaurant and advertise it,” Delphina replied.

Issian’s eyes sparkled.

“What kind of advertising do you want?”

“First, people need to taste it before they’ll buy it. Luckily, many people at the succession ceremony became curious about my dishes.”

The main menu would be tteokbokki and chicken. It was natural that these foods felt unfamiliar to the Empire’s people.

But Delphina was confident.

‘Once they taste it, they’ll be addicted to the spicy flavor and keep coming back.’

Elcayan, Issian, and Delphina gathered in the Grand Duke’s office. Issian adjusted his monocle and said,

“There’s still time before winter fully begins. Winter in the North lasts three months, and we still have one month left. We should prepare to open the restaurant before it starts, then do business throughout the winter.”

Delphina tilted her head.

Winter meant three months of being cut off from outside contact. But luckily, they had Hoochu.

‘Of course, I can’t fly on Hoochu…’

But Elcayan and Issian, both trained, could ride Hoochu for long-distance flights. Hoochu, the divine beast of House Fuat, was allowed by Jerian to help Delphina whenever she needed.

“With Hoochu, communication with the outside won’t be hard. Even in the northern winter, he can move freely,” Issian said, nodding.

“Fortunately, there is land in the capital that’s perfect for a restaurant. We can start there,” Issian added.

Delphina nodded.

“Elcayan, I’ll handle the cooking during winter here in the North, but before it starts, I think we should send Walton to the capital.”

“Yes, that’s best. Among all cooks, none are as reliable as Walton,” Elcayan replied.

Issian turned to Delphina.

“Leave the business side to me. I’ll spread word of the restaurant with whatever creative—and even dirty—methods I need.”

“Yes, I trust you, Sir Issian.”

Issian stressed again,

“Since you trust me, I’ll use any means necessary to sell as much as possible.”

The system window appeared in response:

<The god Frad looks at Issian with amazement, believing he truly will sell a lot.>

Time passed quickly.

Fiaje smiled with satisfaction.

Winter had begun in the North. The people there would be fighting against monsters with their gates shut tight.

‘Three months from now, the North will be beggars.’

He was happily looking at the calendar when his aide rushed in, panicked.

“Your Highness, have you heard the news?”

“What news?”

“Lady Delphina’s restaurant is opening in the capital!”

Fiaje froze on the spot.

His aide handed him a paper.

“What’s this?”

“Lady Delphina has placed a huge advertisement in the newspaper.”

Fiaje’s face twisted with rage. Printed there was a large picture of Elcayan’s face.

“It seems they used a magic camera to insert the Grand Duke’s image,” the aide explained.

Excited, he continued without noticing Fiaje’s expression.

“As expected of the Grand Duke… he looks very handsome. His presence even seems to shine with light.”

“……”

“Maybe because he’s holding it, but even this strange food—this chicken—looks delicious.”

“I don’t care about your useless opinions.”

In the picture, Elcayan held a chicken leg with elegant grace. But Fiaje’s eyes weren’t on him.

Below the chicken, he saw tteokbokki, the food he had eaten at the succession ceremony.

Fiaje’s pupils shook.

Seeing Elcayan only made him angry. But the sight of tteokbokki made his heart beat faster.

‘What is this feeling?’

Saliva filled his mouth. Just like before, he wanted to dip the chicken into that sauce. Or anything fried…

Fiaje shook his head violently.

“Humph. They’re playing tricks again. I don’t know what they’re planning, but I’ll go see it myself. What are you waiting for?”

“Huh?”

“Hurry and prepare.”

“Where are you going, Your Highness?”

“Where else? I must see with my own eyes what kind of tricks they’re up to.”

The aide stared blankly at Fiaje’s back as he strode quickly away.

‘Why is he going himself?’

Normally, Fiaje never moved personally. He always sent others.

“Hurry up, I said!”

Startled by his master’s urgency, the aide quickly followed.

“What’s going on here?”

Fiaje frowned.

“When did this building get decorated like this?”

In front of them stood the restaurant, decorated with a huge portrait of Elcayan.

Just as in the newspaper, his god-like handsome face shone at the entrance. Passersby couldn’t help but glance at the shop as they walked by.

“I knew this was Rohaim’s building, but I didn’t know they had changed it like this. What a splendid restaurant. Honestly, with that face for promotion, of course people will pay attention.”

Fiaje clicked his tongue.

“It doesn’t matter. They weren’t poor to begin with. After winter, when they run out of money, it’ll be over anyway. Let them waste it now.”

The North’s main income came from mana stones, and in winter they couldn’t make much profit.

For Fiaje, seeing them spend money now only made things better.

He ground his teeth and muttered,

“And they’re wasting it on something so useless that won’t even make real money.”