Chapter 1
Chapter 1. Quitting Everything to Sell Cola (1)
Who is a Hero?
It is one who achieves feats that even a lowly person could not accomplish in a lifetime of dedication.
It refers to one who casually accomplishes what others cannot, thereby changing the ‘world’.
In that sense, the man whose story is about to be told was an existence worthy of being called a ‘Hero’.
He subjugated the monsters that had been tormenting the Britannia Kingdom from the frontlines of the Demon Realm.
Even the infamous monsters classified as 'Destruction' or 'Disaster' class that could easily destroy large cities and kingdoms.
Even 'Apocalypse' class monsters are evaluated as monsters capable of bringing about the downfall of an entire nation.
They were no match for him, a powerful 'Knight'.
So if you ask whether his true worth lay only in his martial prowess as a Knight...
Absolutely not.
He was an Alchemist capable of 'Material Creation', which everyone called a fantastical realm.
He was a unique existence capable of creating something from nothing, a Miracle Magician who embodied miracles from fantasy.
That wasn't all.
God had given him far too much.
He was an outstanding Knight, an Alchemist, and simultaneously an excellent inventor.
Each technology he developed and invented led the kingdom to prosperity.
Having gone through various major positions to become Minister of Internal Affairs, he received assistance from the world's most adorable Grade 4 Secretary Lily Fontaine to reorganize basic infrastructure including roads and public facilities.
He presented and successfully established previously undiscussed concepts such as public health and hygiene, public security, and environmental conservation (in this process, Grade 4 Secretary Lily Fontaine's activities were outstanding).
He, who was the world's greatest Knight and Alchemist, became a progressive urban planner and pioneer centuries ahead of his time, and a lawyer who reorganized the kingdom's imperfect legal system!
Therefore.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the abundance and prosperity that present-day Britannia enjoys originated from his fingertips.
"In addition, he was selected as a Royal Maid choice. He was also chosen as the number one man most women want to date."
"......"
"To collect the affections of unspecified numerous women like a pyramid scheme. What a truly terrifying story."
"......"
"Do you happen to know what this man's name is?"
"I know it. Hanbin. Isn't it my name? Though it seems a bit exaggerated... But Secretary, can you tell me why you're listing off compliments as soon as you receive my annual leave application?"
"They say praise makes even dolphins perform tricks. Do you feel like performing tricks?"
"It's just scary."
"You're quick on the uptake."
The young secretary who had been half-sitting on the table looked expressionlessly and steadily at her superior.
In front of her lay the annual leave application that Hanbin had just submitted, placed crookedly.
"As you've noticed. I will reject Hanbin-nim's annual leave."
"Don't say such things! Are you my superior, Lily? No matter what anyone says, I must take a vacation! Please!"
Despite his pleading, Grade 4 Secretary Lily coldly flicked away the annual leave application with her fingertips.
The application that fluttered down looked particularly pitiful, so Hanbin held his head and cried out.
"Kyaaaah! You have no right to do this to me!"
"I do have the right."
"What right exactly?"
"We spend every night together. We'll be spending tonight together too."
"Don't express overtime work that way. What if rumors spread?"
Even to his earnest pleading, Lily didn't blink an eye.
She only showed an indifferent reaction while twirling her luscious hair around her finger.
"Don't worry. Even if the Minister of Internal Affairs becomes an old bachelor who missed his marriage prospects due to rumors, I, Lily, will always be by your side. Always."
Hanbin looked at her resentfully.
Grade 4 Secretary Lily Fontaine, who assisted with all work beside Minister of Internal Affairs Hanbin.
Voluminous cocoa-colored hair that looked like a mix of soft rabbit fur and fluffy sheep's wool.
The owner of mysterious violet eyes.
She was someone who would be more suited to film industry award ceremonies or high society red carpets than these piles of documents.
However, Lily was the holder of the title Grade 4 Secretary despite her young age.
A talent of Britannia employed through Hanbin's special recruitment.
It was Lily who efficiently translated into practical work the ideas that Hanbin only provided in outline.
It was also Lily who rolled up her sleeves and charged into neighboring departments when work hit snags.
Contrary to her seemingly blunt appearance, she was also good at social skills, being a capable person who could charm stubborn administrators to make impossible things possible.
"I'm always grateful that you refused promotion and remained as a secretary..."
"Is that so? Then please also be grateful for the honor of being able to look at an aide more beautiful than any actress every day."
"Of course I'm grateful for that too..."
"Then you won't be taking annual leave, right?"
The problem was that she was such a workaholic, so full of patriotism and pride that she connected every breathing moment to 'Britannia's development'.
Why this was a problem was because Miss Lily would not tolerate her superior leaving work before she did.
"Hanbin-nim, listen. When we work hard, our beloved homeland Britannia shines more gloriously. Conversely, if Hanbin-nim takes a week of annual leave, it means the nation's development will be delayed by that much. Do you understand this far?"
"I don't understand. Oh, I get it. I understand, so please relax your expression."
Hanbin sighed deeply at his aide's cute threat as she bit her lips firmly and glared with wide eyes.
"But I do understand Hanbin-nim's feelings."
"Right, right? Then about a vacation..."
"Head Chef. Please come in."
When Lily, who had shown unexpected generosity, clapped her hands, the door opened and the Head Chef appeared.
On the tray he wheeled in by hand was an elegant silver plate.
"You always ask for delicious food, don't you? This is a special meal prepared for Hanbin-nim who works tirelessly for the kingdom. Head Chef. Please introduce the menu."
"Yes, Secretary."
The Head Chef presented his signature menu with a confident expression.
"It's an Eel Pie made with fat-rich sea eel. The inside is filled with eel bones boiled and solidified into jelly form with chives."
"Right now... eel, what did you say?"
"Eel Pie."
Its appearance was such that the eel's head and tail protruded from between the crusty pie crust.
The gentleman's hat decorating the head made the food even more astral.
"Dear God."
Hanbin sought God but received no answer.
Right.
Looking at the miserable life of the eel that was not only brutally murdered but also transformed into something that didn't even look like food...
God probably doesn't exist.
"This is my masterpiece. Please try it."
"I'm fine. I'm full."
"Hanbin-nim, the Head Chef put his heart into this dish."
"...Then I'll just have one bite."
While the chubby-cheeked Head Chef watched with expectant eyes, he took a bite of the food with the irreverent name Eel Pie.
He knew there was sincerity from the person who prepared the meal.
He tried not to show it as much as possible.
"Ugh."
But he is naturally dry-heaved.
This fishiness! The squishy texture! A whirlwind of incomprehensible flavors that made it unclear what it was trying to express!
"Hanbin-nim, the Head Chef is shocked and crying."
"Huheuhuhuk."
"I'm sorry, Head Chef. But this food, no... things like this shouldn't exist in the world."
"Please don't be too heartbroken. It's delicious enough for my taste."
"Thank you... Secretary.... Huhuhuk."
Lily comforted the Head Chef while deliciously eating the Eel Pie with nom nom sounds.
Hanbin watched the scene with distaste and passed his portion of pie to Lily.
The platitudes that Lily had put forward earlier when rejecting his annual leave application.
Actually, there were several omitted parts to that.
Hanbin was originally a modern Korean who had worked as a Food Development Researcher, and there was a very, very long story of how he had suddenly fallen into this fantasy world.
However, what made Hanbin more difficult than any hardships that had occurred since then was the kingdom's terrible food culture.
Britannia's food was continentally famous for being tasteless.
The variety of dishes was very limited, making dining tables monotonous, and even the few existing dishes had incomprehensible flavors.
Hanbin had also wondered what exactly was the problem and looked for reasons.
First, the recipes themselves were problematic.
Sentences like 'boil for a few minutes', 'adjust heat as you see fit', and 'season to taste' were brazenly written.
Since the recipes that should serve as standards for taste were in this state, proper food couldn't possibly emerge.
The more terrifying point was that people didn't feel the need to develop recipes.
Because of over 100 years of war with the Alcand Empire, a culture of 'eating is just about getting nutrition' had been widespread for a long time.
Once a culture's continuity is broken, it cannot naturally continue.
Ingredients are cooked with almost no intervention under the pretext of preserving their natural flavors.
Combined with impoverished home cooking and virtually non-existent local cuisine, meals in this kingdom were nothing more than a means to obtain nutrition.
For modern-era Hanbin, these foods were worse than prison meals.
"I have an appointment with the Chief of Security, so I'll see you in the afternoon."
"See you then..."
Lily, who had cleanly finished the tasteless Eel Pie, quickly left the office.
"Haah......"
As mentioned earlier, Hanbin had accomplished many things in this Britannia Kingdom.
He had dealt with the kingdom's enemies from the shadows and subjugated monsters at the frontmost lines of the Demon Realm.
He had worked as a Chair Professor and had even served as Minister of Internal Affairs, which was beyond his destiny.
When the reforms he led conflicted with existing vested interests, there were times when he got caught up in troublesome political battles and ended up in unexpected political dramas.
Honestly, the Britannia Kingdom? It had prospered as much as it could prosper.
He was confident that he had truly made great contributions, just as Lily's platitudes suggested.
As a result, the Britannia Kingdom was experiencing an unprecedented Golden Age since its founding.
Hadn't he done enough by now?
Now it was sufficient for the kingdom to continue developing through momentum even if Hanbin stepped back.
"Now I want to do something I want to do..."
Improving this terrible kingdom's food culture.
For Hanbin, this had been a long-cherished desire.
But originally, isn't culture the shared identity of society's members?
Lily would not stand by and watch Hanbin become absorbed in such trivial matters.
Britannia people, accustomed to tasteless food, had little interest in gourmet dining.
The ambition to provide more delicious food to this world would very likely be seen as futile by Lily.
Then is there no way?
No.
There is.
Hanbin pulled out a blank sheet of paper with a determined expression.
***
To Lily Fontaine, Hanbin was not simply a superior.
He was her benefactor, the person she most respected, and a mentor who had opened new perspectives on how Lily viewed the world.
Lily, who had been an excellent student at Albion Royal University, still remembered.
How many times she had rolled around on her bed the day she was selected as his secretary and set foot in the Royal Palace.
Each footstep of changing this kingdom together with him.
How each moment of changing history brought such great joy and meaning to life.
"Hmm~"
On the way back after finishing the meeting with the Chief of Security.
Lily's steps were as light as cotton candy fluttering in a gentle breeze.
Not because she could do overtime next to her beloved superior.
Because in her arms was a signed annual leave application.
"He'll be very surprised."
Although she had played a slightly mischievous prank in the morning, Lily had already approved his annual leave.
She had only pranked him for a dramatic surprise.
She had also arranged a wonderful villa near the beach where he would go for vacation, and Lily was also planning to take annual leave and accompany him.
"Hehe."
When he finds out about this, he'll be delighted while being shocked.
Just thinking about that sight made her feel like her heels were floating.
No.
Her light steps weren't only for that reason.
The first vacation with her respected superior.
This itself was very enjoyable.
What kind of vacation would be good?
Let's enjoy swimming together, and while having Fish and Chips as snacks, drink wine together and appreciate a wonderful sunset.
When the sun sets and the sea breeze feels refreshingly cool, they'd return to the villa and have cozy conversations.
Since Hanbin had indulged Lily's whims so far, at least during vacation, she should do what he wants.
It's a slightly indecent thought, but.
For instance, if Hanbin, caught up in the atmosphere, creates a romantic mood, she's willing to pretend not to know and readily go along.
So maybe just a cheek kiss?
"How unseemly of me."
Lily gave a bitter smile upon recognizing her flowery mental state.
There was no way he was looking at her with such eyes.
Her self-deprecating chuckle was brief.
"Hanbin-kyung."
Lily, who opened the office door with a businesslike voice to maximize the surprise.
Her shoulders stiffened with a start.
Because she couldn't see her superior who should have been groaning among piles of documents at this time.
That wasn't the only strange thing.
Even though the sun had set long ago, all the lights were turned off and the surroundings were dim.
It was a terrifyingly quiet silence.
"Hanbin-kyung...?"
Lily, feeling some unease, raised her Magic Power while being alert to her surroundings in case of emergency.
Slowly approaching his desk, Lily discovered a paper placed in the center of the desk.
Soon she also saw letters written clearly in his handwriting.
[I'm quitting as Minister of Internal Affairs. Don't look for me. — Hanbin Ainsworth]
"Ah."
Lily, whose legs lost strength, collapsed with a thud.