I have opened another door for the completion of this quest...
Isvard won the competition as the other rival didn't have the top-quality ingredients.
But I was wrong that I won't visit the king. I still have to meet him and build a relationship with his nation.
Mryna was celebrating their success. I wasn't really in the competition as I checked the place.
First, I checked the specialty of Salfarmia.
Salfarmia is indeed famous for its cultivation technique, but there's more on that. I checked the people here earn... And the one I discovered is that they are the number one who's supplying other countries when it comes to food.
The food supply is the only income that the country has. And others are just tax from a business.
But I thought that I should not be contented with that. I need to meet the king. And the relationship will be the future of my nation and theirs.
"Mryna, congratulations."
"Yes, Hanzel! Thank you! and this is because of you!"
I was startled by Mryna's next action. She suddenly hugged me however, I can't push her as I don't want to spoil her joy.
"Oh... The effort was from you guys."
"S-sorry... I suddenly hugged you."
"No, it's okay. I'm pretty used to sudden hugs."
"Y-you are?"
I just let out a chuckle. I think I can't talk about this anymore. It makes me embarrass to be squished by a girl.
It's not like I don't want to feel this warmth too. I'm quite fond of it since birth. But let's forget about that!
"So... The king hired you to be their cook? And why is that?"
"Well... it was really uncertain since the king didn't disclose why they were rushing to find a cook."
I see... so it was like that.
"Are you going to go there right now?"
"No, the king gave us more time."
However, I don't feel good about this matter. It is because there might be people who are envious of them.
Envious is a dangerous feeling that drives people into madness. I can't let these people be in danger.
I decided that I will protect these people for the night. Since I can't really be complacent, I have to save them from dangers since they will also help us with cultivation techniques.
I already asked for the cultivation technique and guess what, it was useless as I already knew their method and it's common.
Fertilizers... they use fertilizer and did the one who generated this quest didn't know that I have a piece of knowledge about fertilizer.
But, the only matter right now is about them. I will build a relationship with Salfarmia. And it's through the Isvard Diner.
"Can I come with you?"
"W-wait... Of course! You can! You helped us greatly with this! And it greatly saves our diner."
"Good to be a help."
Mryna was helping his father with the preparation for going to the castle.
And my only job is to guard them through the whole night.
***
Mryna presented me with a room to stay in for the night and I gladly accepted it.
Just the sun greeted us with a new bright shine, Mryna's family was already prepared for going to the castle.
They are all joyous at the victory and still can't move on since yesterday. This really is important for them.
"Can I help you?" I offered.
"Sure thing. YOu're coming with us anyways."
I helped them with the things they needed. A carriage came to fetch their things.
They planned to cook for the king for an upcoming event and after that, the king will offer them a clear supplies route.
After our meal, I visited a bathhouse to clean myself. I clearly wanted to have a squicky clean body. I haven't had a tidy body since yesterday.
"That was good." I mumbled after getting out of the bathhouse.
I immediately went back to the diners and saw that the next carriage is already in front of it.
"Hanzel. Our ride is here."
***
Finally, the castle.
It was the same castle as others. Grey-hued bricks and a wide trench. There are also guards and knights, clearing the path by checking every person's identity who gets in the castle.
Our carriage was one of the VIP rides.
We were immediately permitted to get in and I realized I need this type of system. Perhaps, this will be a great help for us.
We made a stop and the door of the carriage opened. A knight in armor greeted us.
"Welcome, people of Isvard Diner." He greeted.
Mryna responded and climbed down the carriage. But when it was my turn, I was halted.
"Who are you?"
"He's one of us." That was Mryna answering the knight.
"Please remove your mask."
I removed my mask then secretly opened my inventory to put it into it.
After removing it, I fixed my hair then step down.
"We're good?"
"Yes. Thank you."
I just nod then followed Mryna.
But just after few minutes of walking, Mryna was constantly peeking at me.
"What's the problem?"
"You... just look too good."
Was that a compliment? Well, I just have to gladly accept it.
"Thanks."
Then I put back my mask. I really don't want to expose this face since this one is my favorite. I still have use for this.
"Why would you do that?"
"I have important matters. I'm hiding my identity."
"W-well... Okay."
After a few walking. We halted in front of a room. And from what I can tell, this is one of the grandiose places here.
Do kings in this place personally meet their employees?
'Tema, why is that king personally meets a cook?'
[Well, there's a reason behind it. Perhaps he has a dark plan.]
I see... it was really suspicious for a king to do that.
First of all, kings have the highest social position in this nation. But maybe I can learn something about it.
We entered the room and a clear bright room greeted my eyes.
There was a long table and only the king was present.
"I want you one job. And it is to poison the Demonic King of the newly built nation. I want that monster dead."