Transmigrated Into A Tragic Romance Fantasy-Chapter 45: Night Of the Ultimatum (1)

The sun had already set.

Since Mount Kumgang’s view is even better after a good meal, I headed towards the annex to dine first.

That uneaten grilled Wyvern Fin had provoked my hunger.

From what I had heard, it was supposed to have a chewy texture and savory meat aroma.

I must try it when I have the chance.

But,

Who could have cooked all those dishes?

Each dish was amazing. Surely their existence proved the fact that a chef who has mastered the art of monster cuisine worked for the Grand Duke.

It would be great if I managed to invite this chef, but whether I could match their hefty salary or entice them to leave a stable job for a Culinary Journey was another issue.

Firstly, after my ultimatum with Gelwood, I should check the restaurants in the Grand Duchy’s capital.

Many served monster dishes.

Perhaps I could find a chef who hungered for some adventure in those restaurants.

As I hoped to find such a person, I arrived at the entrance of the annex, when...

“Eldeeeeeeeeeeeen-!!”

I turned towards the voice screaming my name.

Of course, the voice belonged to a bun-haired lady.

Ariel was the one who stood completely baffled among the cheering people during the unveiling ceremony.

She was the one who had met the white-haired Erenscia ahead of everyone else.

She must have been dying of curiosity.

Since she wasn’t clutching a book today, it seemed that her curiosity overpowered her thirst for books.

“Ariel?”

“Tell me, tell me, tell me! What happened?!”

Ariel’s blond hair fluttered as she rushed over and started firing all her pent-up questions.

Her face was littered with question marks.

She wanted to know whether the white-haired Erenscia was indeed the Third Northern Duchess.

She wanted to know if the red-haired baroness from our Academy days was indeed the daughter of Winterfell’s Grand Duke.

What her circumstances were,

What were her secrets,

Who?

When?

Where?

New novel chapters are published on freewёbn૦νeɭ.com.

What?

Why?

How?

It was almost as if we were playing a 5W and 1H game. And just when I was about to answer...

“Huh?”

Ariel stared at me, as another question surged.

She was looking at my right cheek specifically.

Then,

As she poked my cheek with her index finger, she voiced her new question.

“W-What is this? What happened?”

It seemed urgent to address her curiosity first, so I answered,

“I got slapped.”

“Huh? Did you and Rachel fight?”

From her expression, it seemed like she had expected this, but after chuckling for a bit, I said,

“No, no. I got slapped by the Third Northern Duchess.”

“What? W-Why?”

Her auburn eyes widened and her crimson lips parted with my unexpected answer.

Seeing her reaction, I decided to clarify things a little.

“I refused her proposal.”

“...What?!”

Indeed, today has been a day full of surprises for this little bun-haired lady.

**

“So, you are saying that, in the private ceremony with the other candidates, Erenscia, no, Lumia, the Third Northern Duchess, proposed to you and you rejected it, and got slapped for it?”

“Exactly.”

I recounted the events to Ariel without omitting any details.

With the truth now in the open, there wasn’t any reason to lie or hide things from my reading buddy, Ariel.

It was better to be honest about it.

Lumia who had been unable to accept my ‘change’ approached a third party, Ariel, under the cover of the night.

It was uncertain what was causing such an inability to accept things, therefore,

“So it’s better if you don’t approach the Duchess.”

“Awn, I wanted to greet her, but maybe it’s better not to?”

“Yes. For the time being, you should do your best to avoid her.”

The protagonist’s condition was not good.

Those who are consumed by vengeance often meet a Tragic end.

While I hoped she wouldn’t end up that way, it was still best to remain cautious, at least until the Grand Ducal Betrothal reached its conclusion.

After all, the Duchess had a precedent of using Ariel.

“Well... I’ll do as you say. But are you sure you’re okay?”

After having her questions answered, Ariel looked at my cheek with some concern.

Then, she pulled out an ointment and also applied it to my cheek with a warm touch.

Her concern about a friend’s injury warmed my heart.

Considering Elden’s character, Ariel’s and Rachel’s actions seemed almost too good for me.

“I’m fine, it’s nothing, really.”

“Sigh-. That’s good...But what exactly happened with Erenscia? She was the Duchess this whole time?”

I proceeded to explain everything to Ariel.

Of course, I made sure to leave out the bits only someone who had read the Original Novel would know.

“Wow...So that’s why the valedictorians of the Royal Academy ended up as the finalists...”

I nodded my head in agreement.

“Indeed.”

“So, you are officially withdrawn from the contest now?”

“Since the one in charge of the Betrothal has changed, it’s not official yet, but it’s pretty much confirmed.”

“I see...”

There was still a week left until the Grand Ducal Betrothal reached its conclusion, but for me, it might as well have been over.

It was now the time to play my cards, meaning my escape was imminent. That’s why I asked Ariel something.

“Looks like the Culinary Journey might start a bit sooner than planned. Are you fine with that, Ariel?”

If she wanted to stay here for a bit more because there were many books left unread, I would comply.

She was a noble soul who had helped me greatly, and my first friend in this other world; I had no desire to live so callously as to ignore her request.

Besides, there were still preparations to be made for our restful and adventurous Culinary journey.

Unexpectedly, Ariel cheerfully nodded her agreement.

“I’m fine with it!”

“...Really? Aren’t there many books you want to read?”

“Ah? There’ll always be time to read. But seeing you fight monsters is something I can only witness now.”

“I’m not in a rush. There are still things to prepare. If you need time, I can wait, so feel free to speak your mind.”

Ariel, who had agreed with me so easily, now hesitated a little upon my offer to wait.

With my current skills, I would struggle against anything more than a low-tier monster.

Besides, I hadn’t even begun my training on how to use my magic in combat.

There was no need to hurry, nor any reason to be anxious.

Above all, the principle behind my journey was to relax and enjoy this world.

After a moment of silence, Ariel cautiously said,

“....Once the Grand Ducal Betrothal ends, there’s going to be a [ Monster Cuisine Festival ] in the Grand Duchy’s capital. Didn’t you say that we needed to find a chef? I also heard that there will be a cooking competition. How about we stay here for a while and enjoy the festival?”

What.

Hold up.

“D-Did you just say, a Monster Cuisine Festival is going to happen?”

Noticing my interest, Ariel responded with a cheerful tone.

“Yes! The festival will take place on Central Street for 5 days! Renowned chefs from around the Northern Territories will gather, so perhaps we might find what we’re looking for?”

“Oho, now that sounds tempting!”

“Hehe. I knew you’d like it!”

Beyond my guidebook that showed all the delicious places to eat monster cuisine, there’s even a festival I might have missed!

Truly, meeting Ariel has been a blessing in disguise.

This festival wouldn’t only be an opportunity to recruit a chef, but a chance to have my fill with drool-worthy dishes!

“Well, I’ll go gather some more information about it! Rest well, Elden! You too, Knight Rachel!”

With those words, Ariel proved herself once again, how invaluable she was as she walked away.

I wondered when I would be able to repay the kindness this giving tree was providing me.

**

“Sigh...”

Ever since morning, Gelwood’s office was filled with his sighs and groans.

Sitting on his chair, the Advisor stared at the seal placed on his desk.

It was a symbol of absolute power, representing the authority of the Grand Duke, which he now temporarily wielded.

“How foolish... truly foolish.”

Gelwood rebuked himself.

He was filled with immense regret.

The Advisor regretted not opposing Lumia’s decision to choose the final candidates among her Academy peers just because they were known.

Despite sensing something was wrong, at that time, Gelwood hadn’t acted.

He hadn’t suspected Lumia’s growing infatuation with Elden Raphelion, the withdrawer, that later turned into an obsession.

Instead of doing something against that, he even encouraged her by passing notes to the young man.

Everything now seemed regrettable, and the situation had grown beyond control, weighing heavily on his heart as if it was all his fault.

A calamity masquerading as a coincidence.

Kyle Beallon’s fainting and disappearance.

A twisted obsession with those who withdrew.

Even the strange attitude of the Royal Academy.

All signs pointed to the fact that the Grand Ducal Betrothal was not about finding a suitor but a stage for revenge. Yet, he felt incredibly foolish for not having managed to address any of it properly.

Gelwood watched the flames on the candle dance as he took a sip of wine.

Then, with a bitter smile, he sighed again.

“Haaah...It seems I’ve grown old, indeed.”

His keen insight wasn’t all that sharp anymore.

His clear judgment felt blurred.

And now, even his capacity to detect minor signs or clues was gone, as things would often be overlooked by him.

All that was a clear sign of his old age finally dulling his senses.

“What could have possessed you to orchestrate such a thing...My Duchess...”

From the very start, the Grand Ducal Betrothal was fated to spiral towards catastrophe.

Now, only three candidates remained who could claim victory.

And of those three, one stubbornly declared his withdrawal.

Before his Lord returned, Gelwood needed to find a way to salvage this mess and curb the Duchess’s rampage.

And that method might be brutal.

After all, with the situation as it is, Gelwood didn’t have the leisure to be light-handed.

Standing up from his chair, the Advisor moved towards his window.

He looked towards the Third Grand Castle where the Duchess, Lumia Winterfell resided.

As he pondered, something occurred to him.

“......The curse might not have yet been gone.”

The thirst for knowledge and stubbornness led her to the Academy.

The actions she made, despite the curse’s threat, might very well be because of said curse compelling her.

Such a conclusion only made Gelwood sigh again.

Then,

Knock, Knock-.

Someone announced their presence by knocking at his door.

As Gelwood opened the door, he was shocked.

Because his visitor was the only person who could laugh amidst this chaos.

“Lord Elden?”

“Advisor, do you have a moment?”

“...Yes, but what brings you here...?”

“I have something to show you.”

In his hands, he held two mana recorders alongside a folded note.

And,

On his face, there was a long and thin scar that hadn’t been there this morning.

All of sudden, Gelwood had a feeling,

That the three remaining candidates,

Might be reduced to two.