Chapter 2-6:
Cooking
SERENA FLASHED A BEWITCHING SMILE. “HERE’S my training for today.”
Her glossy hair was like fine silk, her dark eyes mystical like the night. Her beauty was truly unmatched and unique, enough to enchant anyone she pleased. However, the orphans could resist her breathtaking appearance. They knew from experience that the more stunning the aura she put on, the more likely she would make a completely unreasonable request.
“Cooking,” Serena said.
The orphans stared at her suspiciously, hardly able to believe their ears. They had been forced to undergo all sorts of training since their arrival at the manor, but not once had they attempted to cook. It was a difficult task for them, in a sense; until now, they had been forced to engage in chaotic battles or missions that required vast knowledge.
Cooking, on the other hand, didn’t seem as daunting.
“Sir, cooking, sir?” Richard asked, thinking he had misheard.
“That’s right,” Serena said. “However, you must gather your own ingredients.”
What did that mean? Would the orphans be forced to steal away pigs or cows and butcher them into parts? Or did they have to steal vegetables to get their hands on some fresh produce? Neither seemed pleasant, and the orphans gulped as they awaited the rest of Serena’s explanation.
“You’ll each gather one ingredient and that will be all,” Serena said. “Isn’t that easy?”
“Sir, yes, sir!” the orphans replied.
They knew that her idea of easy was never so simple. Though, of course, pointing that out would only earn misfortune.
“I’m so happy to see that you guys are quick to understand,” Serena said. “Now then, I shall announce what ingredient each of you will gather. First, Richard, you’ll gather agonas meat.”
“Agonas?!” Richard gasped.
In his surprise, he had forgotten to address Serena as “sir.” An agonas was a vicious ox monster, and its meat was said to be delicious. However, because of its power and ferocity, no one hunted the monsters down solely for their meat.
At that moment, everyone knew Serena’s intentions.
“Lewis, you’re tasked with gathering a basilisk’s tail,” Serena continued. “Isabel, you must get a bloodbear’s paw; Emma, you collect a wingtail’s egg; Oscar, bring me a killerfish’s flesh; and Alice, grab a mandragora’s roots.”
Each ingredient was related to a monster, and all of them were fairly strong, which meant that they were difficult to obtain. Most importantly, they each had to tackle their task alone. Up until now, they’d supported each other through their training, but now they would be forced to act solo.
“Your deadline will be today’s sunset,” Serena ordered.
And with that, the orphans rushed out—time was of the utmost essence.
✦ ✦ ✦
Richard rushed into the mountains where the agonas supposedly lived. The monster possessed colossal horns and a flaming red hide. It was aggressive even amongst other monsters and would charge if it caught sight of a human. Richard used his greatsword to cut down tree branches as he walked. He was used to Serena’s unreasonable requests and didn’t feel as weary and exhausted anymore.
I’ve changed quite a bit, haven’t I? Richard thought. While he often insulted Serena in his mind whenever he heard her orders, he was now able to be more optimistic and believed that she spoke with some sort of intention in mind.
Two years ago, he couldn’t have possibly entered the mountains alone to defeat monsters. Now, he was confident that he could. The more hardships he overcame, the more apparent it was that he had grown stronger. I never would’ve become like this if I’d remained at that orphanage.
He was cutting through bushes and clearing his surroundings when he spotted a rocky area that resembled a cliff. A large, red agonas stood there and stared straight at Richard, who was just emerging from the shrubbery. It was much more gigantic than he had imagined.
It looks pretty fierce, the young man thought.
The red ox charged straight for him from its place by the cliff.
“You’ve saved me some time and effort,” Richard said, flashing a fearless smile as he gripped his greatsword.
✦ ✦ ✦
Lewis made his way to the grassy fields where basilisks were known to appear. It was a touch closer to the royal capital when compared to the other orphans’ monsters. No one was sure if Serena had shown any sort of consideration toward him, but Lewis chose to think so.
It’s all thanks to Lady Serena for training me to become this strong when I had nothing to offer, Lewis thought.
When he was at the orphanage, he had always been all alone. It was Serena who first called out to him and said that he was essential to her. Her extremely harsh training tempted him to flee, but her kind words allowed him to work hard until now.
And I want to live up to her expectations.
He soon spotted a monster camouflaged in the pale vegetation of the grassy plain.
The basilisk resembled a large lizard and had noticed Lewis as well. He immediately prayed for a miracle from God to strengthen his body, and a pale light surrounded him. It still didn’t make him as strong as Richard, since Lewis’s physical prowess wasn’t impressive to begin with, so he would need to cast healing magic as he whittled his opponent down.
Lewis was confident in his endurance. He had braved Serena’s merciless training every day, and he knew that he boasted exceptional perseverance.
He smiled as he held up his shield. If I drag this into a battle of endurance, I’m sure that I can win.
The basilisk’s tongue flicked out as it cut through the grass to rush at Lewis.
✦ ✦ ✦
Isabel headed to the northern mountainous terrain where the bloodbear lived. According to the information that she’d gathered, the monster often appeared at the foot of the mountains, so there was no need for climbing.
Because Serena had forced the orphans through a variety of training regimens, Isabel had become skilled at gathering information. She used to hold disdain for men who flocked to her because of her appearance, but now she was an expert on how to handle such people.
Pretty much everyone seemed better in comparison to Lady Serena, Isabel thought.
However, Isabel didn’t hate her master. Training was harsh, but the future that loomed over her at the orphanage was now one filled with hope. She knew that her situation couldn’t get any worse, and thus, she was able to become more optimistic.
Not only had she become physically stronger, but she also learned etiquette and gained knowledge of other things as well. Be it the house of a noble or the family of a merchant, she knew that she could be hired many places. She even had the duke’s seal of approval.
If I can survive this, that is.
A dark shadow emerged from the mountain brush—a bear with reddish-black fur that made it seem like it was covered in the blood of its victims. She had spotted the bloodbear. Isabel unsheathed her blade.
I just need to cut off its paws, but…
She knew that the bear wouldn’t just let her do that. Even a trained knight couldn’t face the creature alone.
But we can.
Serena’s training had given Isabel confidence.