Chapter 268 : Chapter 268
Chapter 268
Serena de Verchello caught her breath.
Without doing so, it was hard to continue speaking.
“…I didn’t know I would meet you here.”
Her hand under the table trembled with anger.
“So you were alive, Head Kukulo.”
“…It is thanks to being spared. And I am not a Head anymore.”
“Then you should have stayed hidden, why bother coming to find me?”
Serena’s tone is sharp.
It was even cold-hearted, surprising the other three.
Because it was the first time they saw Serena, who was always amiable, behave so sharply toward another person.
Serena de Verchello spat out words like blades.
“Because of you, I have ruined a good day.”
“…I am sorry, Lady Serena. I, just….”
Kukulo fiddled with his clothes with a grievous face.
He seemed unsure of what to do himself.
However, he soon bowed his head deeply, very deeply.
His hair, which had turned white in just a year, drew attention.
“…I wanted to offer an apology to you, My Lady.”
“…….”
“…I was foolish. I was terrible…. I….”
Kukulo, not even daring to ask for forgiveness, strung together grievous words saying I, I.
He just felt sinful.
“…Because I, this Kukulo Del Conti, was a guy like a beggar’s foot wrappings… I made My Lady’s young days painful…….”
“Ha….”
Serena glared at him with cold eyes.
Even though her gaze was so cold, her eyes quickly turned red.
Recalling all the wounds inflicted by him, tears were about to flow immediately.
Even though redness started to show, her sharpness increased with the coldness.
“Now, after all this time….”
A grinding sound came from her mouth.
The wounds are vivid.
All sorts of scars left in her heart were Kukulo’s doing.
As Kukulo said, he was terrible and despicable, making Serena’s young days painful.
‘……’
However, it didn't feel terrible.
Looking back at the young days that were terrible, it didn't feel terrible.
The cuckoo that pushed out Verchello, the Del Conti family.
Serena’s youth spent only suffering to save the family.
At one time, it was a reality she couldn't escape from enough to be fed up with, but now it feels distant.
Because it has all become an old story.
Yes, it has all just become an old story.
The Verchello family is enjoying prosperity incomparable to any other time.
There is no one who even remembers the Del Conti family now.
Everyone has forgotten what kind of fight Shion fought to make Verchello the master of Merion again.
The three guest retainers of the Del Conti family?
‘Brass Arm’ Onseu Om or Pneuve Freira?
Who remembers their names now?
Even Kukulo Del Conti has become shabby and is just asking for forgiveness.
She looked back at the terribleness Kukulo gave.
But it didn't feel terrible.
‘…Is that so.’
She realized it was all thanks to Shion.
Therefore, Serena could smile.
‘Is that so, Shion.’
The fist that had strength in it relaxed.
The fact that she ground her teeth became funny.
Serena could wear a faint smile again as usual.
“Mr. Kukulo.”
“…Yes, My Lady.”
“It has been about a year since you left Merion. What do you do for a living?”
“…I have no talent other than playing with numbers. But fortunately, there are many wealthy people in the Hanchamus Islands. I sell my legwork to find people who need an accountant from time to time.”
“No problems with livelihood?”
“…Enough to indulge in luxury once in a while.”
Serena continued.
“Do you stay on Cesano Island?”
“…Yes.”
“I am on Valeria Island.”
Her raspberry-colored pupils curve gently.
Even her smile resembled the color of raspberries.
“Since it hasn't been long since I came here, I plan to have a small meal gathering to get acquainted with the neighbors.”
“Oh, I see….”
“Come visit then. Let’s have a meal.”
“…….”
“Don't misunderstand. I just thought if my father were alive, he would have done this.”
Kukulo Del Conti lost his words.
He did unspeakable things to Serena.
He trampled on the family and habitually insulted her.
He even struggled to take away even the chance to revive.
That was why he felt grievous and sinful throughout the apology.
It was his old self, shameful and dog-like enough to be impossible to acknowledge.
However, to open her heart so easily, he had no choice but to be surprised.
He suddenly realized that he had been foolish.
As expected, the one worthy of being the master of Merion was Serena.
Not someone narrow-minded like Kukulo.
He felt deep gratitude that he was kicked out and Serena and Shion became the masters of Merion.
“A good….”
Tears flowed from his weary eyes.
They flowed down over his cheeks aged suddenly by hardship.
“…I will bring a good gift.”
“Do as you please.”
Serena reached out her hand.
“Why don't you go back now and have your meal? Your food… oh my, what is that…?”
“It is a whole roast piglet. A specialty of this place.”
“…You really must live well enough to indulge in luxury once in a while. Go back quickly. The food will get cold.”
“……Yes, My Lady.”
Kukulo came with tears and turned back with a smile.
It means the heart that started with fear ended with gratitude.
Tibel Bartole also bowed her head toward Serena.
She was standing despite her uncomfortable body.
Serena waved her hand dismissively.
She didn't want to talk with them any more today.
So she deliberately smiled brightly and said.
“Shall we also have the whole roast piglet?”
***
The whole roast piglet tasted amazing.
It was due to Gold-toothed Kifkos’s stubbornness.
He did not neglect even the ingredients.
Choosing the best breed of pig, providing the best feed and environment while it is alive.
It was the minimum respect toward life.
Catching such a piglet, he seasons it when it is freshest.
The mix of seasoning cannot be revealed to anyone.
Only the fact that using the best salt is important can be revealed.
Even salt has flavor.
As much as it permeates deeply, it is much more important than thought!
Two days of seasoning thoroughly like that.
In this state, apply seasoning and roast once.
After that, season with new seasoning and roast again, and finally apply seasoning again and roast again.
It is important not to make the seasoning too strong and build up the taste in layers.
And finally again, even the secret seasoning.
Five seasonings and three roastings.
Then the terribly delicious whole roast piglet is complete.
How terribly delicious it is, Serena even called Kifkos and Gloriosus as catering chefs to the meal gathering.
“Now. I will roast the piglet for the last time!”
Gloriosus made a fuss and put the piglet into the portable oven.
It was a spectacle for those gathered at the meal.
Kifkos was also smiling brightly revealing his gold teeth beside him.
He had already served four kinds of appetizers and six kinds of main dishes, and prepared seven kinds of desserts.
Soon Gloriosus took out the whole roast piglet from the oven.
Both color and smell were very te-rribly alluring. He brought the whole roast and held it out in front of Kifkos.
“Then now, Hanchamus Islands’ best chef Kifkos’s secret seasoning!”
“…….”
“Secret seasoning!”
“…….”
Seeing Kifkos staying still, Gloriosus whispered.
“What are you doing, Brother! Guests are waiting!”
“…Do I really have to? If I just sprinkle the seasoning….”
“Then it’s no fun. You said you would do it, Brother!”
“…Ugh…! I am Gold-toothed Kifkos…!”
Kifkos held the seasoning container in his hand.
And with exaggerated movements, swinging his arm widely, he sprinkled seasoning all over the roast and shouted.
“…Become delicious-!!!”
The gold-toothed man (former Centurion of Cordis 11th Legion, once the best fist in Sillemol Free Market) sprinkled seasoning thoroughly with a voice mixed with aegyo.
It was a cute sight enough to make Gloriosus close his eyes tight unconsciously.
Still, thanks to the guests being people with leisure in their hearts and excellent character, they applauded Kifkos.
Some stiffened their faces but tried not to show it.
“…Then please enjoy your meal!!!”
Kifkos, having served the roast, hurriedly avoided the spot.
“Wow, Brother. You really do this?”
“Do I do it because I want to…!”
In fact, he never wanted to do such a thing.
A man has pride, money is not lacking even without doing catering…… was too much money to say that.
The organizers of this meal gathering are three.
Serena, Gwaemos, Santia.
Gwaemos is the master of the Guidone family, the former Bururade Imperial Family.
Santia Hostanio is a former 2nd Princess of the Cordis Empire.
Their concept of money itself was too different from ordinary people.
Serena was surprised by how big their spending was, but they had wealth enough to make that spending look frugal.
“How much did you receive exactly?”
“…(Whisper)….”
“…Yes? Really…?”
Gloriosus was surprised and lost his words.
Usually he would jump in surprise, but it was a tremendous amount enough to make him unable to even think of that.
“No. What kind of money like that for one catering…. With that amount, not just Brother’s teeth but your whole body could be coated with gold three times and still have left over.”
“Would I do it!”
“Just saying so.”
Knowing he would get hit if he teased more, Gloriosus shut his mouth.
But it didn't mean he lost the thought of teasing more, and he planned to tell everything that happened today to Sister-in-law Ofenia when he returned.
Then it would become a very enjoyable gathering.
Whether it would be enjoyable for Kifkos too is unknown, but he didn't care much.
“Let’s prepare dessert, prepare dessert…!”
“Damn it…. I am Kifkos…. Gold-toothed Kifkos…….”
“It’s the first time we have such generous guests since Mr. Kid Pasionus! Let’s work, Brother!”
The two sworn brothers disappeared to prepare dessert and people began to enjoy the feast.
Everyone did not spare admiration for the terrible deliciousness of the whole roast piglet.
“It is terribly delicious.”
“Yes, truly te-rribly delicious.”
“Did you say you are originally from Konland?”
“Oh. Correct. Thank you for remembering, Head Guidone.”
“Haha, we are neighbors now. More than that, because of this war, the Konland Isen border issue…….”
“Ah, there is a lot to say about that too. We can have a very cultured conversation today….”
Gwaemos and Santia shared various stories with people.
It was a part of socializing.
They were used to social gatherings.
However, Serena was an exception.
It hasn't been long since the Verchello family was revived.
It also means she rarely experienced high society.
Moreover, the fact that Serena is the wife of the hero Shion was already an open secret.
People felt interest and curiosity toward her, and at the same time, fear toward the man named Shion.
Shion performed various great deeds in the West.
The problem is, because he was too great, the public evaluation toward him was closer to fear beyond awe.
The fact that his origin could not even be guessed played a part too.
Suddenly appearing and blocking Niko Nereyades and three Cordis Legions single-handedly, making the White Lord and the Widow Queen stand up again, and now becoming the Vice-Commander of the Western Alliance commanding the war against the Empire.
Rather than the same human, he felt like an existence that fell from the sky.
As people gathered in the Hanchamus Islands are those who fled the war anyway, there is no way they would want to get involved with Shion who is at the center of the war.
“……”
However, Serena was also used to loneliness.
She decided to do what she wanted regardless of whether people felt uncomfortable with her or not.
It was a life she had always lived.
She moved her seat to the corner of the table.
Kukulo and Tibel were there.
“Why are you sitting in such a corner seat, Mr. Kukulo?”
“…Even this is undeserved.”
“If you are too like that, the person who invited you feels uncomfortable.”
Tibel bowed her head.
Serena discovered that half of her face had melted down. A feeling of compassion arose.
“Does the meal suit your taste?”
“What is there to say about the skill of the Gold Whale Tavern chef?”
“That is fortunate. Please eat a lot.”
“Yes. We are doing so….”
Awkward silence hovered.
Although they didn't fiercely hate each other, it was not to the extent that fondness arose either. Even trying to say something, no words came to mind properly.
Therefore, Kukulo Del Conti put his hand into his bosom out of a sense of duty.
“…By the way. I have a gift.”
“You really brought it. It is fine.”
“No. Please accept it.”
Kukulo held out a small paper envelope.
Serena tilted her head.
“…What is it?”
“Former Head of Verchello… so, the location of your father’s secret warehouse, My Lady.”
“Yes?”
“I found it while organizing the remaining property after coming here. Inside the frame of your grandfather’s portrait…. There was an enclosed letter, and it seems to be a place storing family art pieces rather than wealth.”
“…….”
She didn't ask why that portrait was with Kukulo.
He must have taken it instead of debt from the Verchello family in the past.
Thinking like that, she felt hatred again.
But eventually, didn't it return to her hand like this.
Serena decided to tolerate Kukulo once again.
“…Okay. I will accept it thankfully.”
“…We are the ones thankful.”
Kukulo smiled.
Serena also smiled with effort.
If she said all hatred disappeared, it is a lie.
Hatred created by accumulated years does not disappear that easily.
However, if she said this smile is a pretense, this is also a lie. Despite old hatred, Serena wanted to smile toward Kukulo.
Serena felt relieved.
“……Uh……?”
It was then that one guest groaned.
The sea was very clearly visible from where they were, and the guest pointed toward the horizon.
“On the sea… that….”
“…Oh….”
Kifkos and Gloriosus, who were preparing dessert, groaned.
They are from Cordis 11th Legion.
Therefore, they realized their identity just by seeing the shape of the appearing ship.
“……It’s a warship!!”
“A warship of the Cordis Empire finally came here…!!!”