Chương 144: Today It's My Treat

The supply captain's face was a little thinner than when they had first met him on the road, but his smile was large.

"I was looking for the people who made the bulgogi."

"Why?"

"Today the meal's on me." He did not wait for Kichan's answer and went into a lane inside the market. He even turned back and beckoned. Argaon followed first. Riphiel looked at Kichan.

"He said it's on him."

"I heard." The four went into an eatery the supply captain knew. It was wider inside than other shops at the front. Several low braziers stood along the wall, and bundles of dried meat and spices hung from the ceiling. Soldiers off their shift sat on the long bench near the entrance, still in their armor. The owner pushed hot bowls between them and carried a stack of empty plates on his forearm into the kitchen. While Kichan's group went deeper inside, dirt off wet boots left a long trail on the floor.

The supply captain held up a few fingers to the owner, and large plates came out. Thin grilled meat, a hot bean dish, sour pickles, and stuffed bread filled the table. Two bottles of liquor were set down as well. Heat from the braziers pushed all the way under the table. Each time the door opened, cold air from outside came in and laid the steam over to one side. A low boom sounded once beyond the wall, but the owner did not stop turning the meat.

"Eat plenty." The supply captain said. Argaon was already picking up meat. Riphiel broke a stuffed bread in half and smelled it. Paul took water instead of liquor. For a while there was only the sound of eating. Kichan wrapped thin meat in bread and ate it. The pickles were more sour than he expected. When he frowned, the supply captain laughed and pushed the bean dish forward.

"It's better if you eat them together." Kichan tried it that way. The sourness eased.

"Not bad."

"It's how we've eaten for a long time up here." The supply captain emptied his cup and picked up fresh meat. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Kichan waited for him to chew.

"At the commanders' duel a few days ago." The supply captain's hand paused briefly.

"Yes."

"Why did the Yao commander say that about Zadkiel and the one you serve?" The supply captain finished chewing the meat and drank water.

"That story is famous among the demonkin inside the city." He rolled the empty cup with his fingers. The owner took the empty plates and set down fresh meat. While the plate was being set down, the supply captain kept his mouth shut. At the next table, a soldier tightened his helmet strap again with bread in his mouth.

"They say Zadkiel first came here on an errand too. He came to deliver something to the One We Serve and fell for her face the moment he saw it." Kichan's fork stopped.

"Fell for her?"

"Yes." The supply captain could not hold back his laugh and rubbed the corner of his mouth.

"And it wasn't one or two confessions. Every time he came he followed her around, asked her to fight him, asked her to live with him. She got tired of it and set one condition."

"What condition?" The supply captain leaned forward.

"If you become one of the top three champions in the demonkin lands, I might consider it." A horn sounded briefly outside. Three soldiers near the entrance drank the rest of their soup at once and stood. Chairs scraped the floor, and dirt and cold air came in together through the open door. Argaon spoke while chewing meat.

"Only consider it?"

"Yes. She never said she would accept him." Riphiel set her bread down.

"So that's why he entered the Arena."

"That's right." Kichan thought back to what the manager had said.

"I heard he kept losing at first."

"They say he was worth watching." The supply captain said.

"Even after taking a beating he came out again the next day, and he kept coming to fight even hurt." Paul's hand stopped around his water cup.

"Then he disappeared for a long time." The supply captain wiped the grease left on the plate with a piece of bread. The footsteps of the soldiers who had run out the door cut off at the end of the lane.

"Where did he go?"

"That I don't know either. I only heard that when he came back he was strong beyond recognition." The supply captain picked up one more piece of meat but did not eat it right away.

"He must have thought he had met the condition, coming back stronger. But she did not acknowledge it."

"Why?"

"If I knew that, I'd be serving at her side instead of running supply." Argaon laughed. The supply captain ate the meat and went on.

"After that, it grew into something bigger. When she refused to acknowledge him, Zadkiel roamed the rear lines, breaking walls and gates and tormenting the demonkin."

"Where is he now?" The supply captain spread both hands.

"Nobody knows." Kichan asked.

"Do you know the guard captain?" The supply captain laughed.

"An old friend."

"Really?"

"We grew up together."

"Bring him and come to where we're staying sometime." Kichan pushed an empty plate on the table aside.

"I'll prepare the meal." The supply captain's eyes lit up.

"Bulgogi?"

"Something else."

"Better?"

"You'll know when you eat it." The supply captain nodded at once.

"I'll bring him, with good liquor." The owner took the empty bottles away behind them. The supply captain quickly pulled the remaining bottle toward himself, then, meeting Kichan's eyes, set it back in the middle of the table.

"When would work for you?"

"Tomorrow evening."

"Good." Argaon lifted an empty plate.

"Are you done talking?"

"Why."

"Order another plate." The supply captain called the owner.