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It's been said that if you want to know a person's integrity, sit around the table with them.
Zagoro Ceremonial Wine. Among them, food culture is the foundation, root, and backbone of human society.
Being able to observe what people eat, how they eat it, and the stories they tell around it.
It's no exaggeration to say that you can see the trajectory of a person's life.
Just as no one can say that there's a zero chance that a seemingly perfect person with great hair and beauty and impeccable character and personality will turn into a psychopath who stir-fries mint chocolate sauce with sweet and sour pork at the dinner table.
No matter how thickly we mask our true nature, there is no superhuman in this world who can completely hide his or her nakedness in the face of the primal need to eat, as long as he or she is covered by the fear of life.
And this is true even of those whom the public hails as heroes and deifies as gods.
''I warned you I'd put an arrow through your forehead if you read at the head of the table one more time, Downah!''
''I want----. I can't believe you're complaining about this efficient way to get the calories you need and expand your horizons at the same time----. Are all the Elfrans like you, Apis, who hang their necks on such petty principles?''
''----''
The caught elven woman, dressed in the unbalanced attire of a bow and apron, stamping her foot roughly on the table and letting out a harsh rant, was named Apis.
The black-haired woman, whose table is cluttered with a myriad of texts, none of which are in the same language, and who looks as if she could be picked up and toppled by the slightest breeze, is named Dauna.
And the dignified man who sits solemnly in his seat, arms folded, unperturbed by the tumultuous scene, dozing off, is named Big Tim.
If those who do not know their names and identities were to see them now, they would think that the children of the Dassol clan were fussing over nothing, and would think nothing of it.
If they were to see this murderous spectacle, they would recognize that these are beings who individually possess the power to destroy a small nation in a single night.
It was all too obvious that, like the poor Yang people caught in the middle of the dragon's power struggle, they would try to get as far away from this place as possible, even if it meant breaking a leg, just to get away from it all, giving in to the survival instinct that raged within them.
The Shrine. Apis.
Magi. Downa.
The Iron Wall. Big Team.
Warrior Party.
That each and every one of them was worthy of their great name, and that they were the sharpest and fiercest blades that mankind could bring to a demon's throat, had long since been established as an immutable truth within the system, to the point where even the smallest children in the world could weave them into a song.
''I see you've decided to test the limits of my patience again, and if you're so curious, there's nothing I can't show you, kindly body!
''What fatuous nonsense, there's no need to even experiment with such a thing, for I've already proven the other evening that your patience is worse than the gallstones of a crawling ant.''
''----''
It was a close call.
Apis's arrow was already taut and ready to fire, and the veins of magic coursing through Downa's surroundings were hastily reshaping themselves into sharp ice and violent fire, as if to counter Apis's anticipation.
The only person who might have been able to stop the blue clash that threatened to turn the neighborhood into a lifeless wasteland was Big Tim, the party's vanguard, but he was too sleepy to be awakened by the petty squabbles of his usual companions except when confronting the enemy.
It didn't take long for the situation to deteriorate beyond anyone's control.
''Ha! Are you going to try?''
''It is said that one who is unable to speak must be subdued by force----. It's not something I'd ever do, but it might be a refreshing change of pace to be as savage as you once in a while----.''
And just like that, the two heroes were about to clash with a level of animosity that could hardly be believed to stem from a private gargantuan.
''Oh, come on, they're fighting again.
Both of their gazes snapped toward the empty chair as they simultaneously recognized the voice of someone who shouldn't be here.
It was always up to 'him' to mediate their arguments.
It's in their nature, it's in their culture. The friction between two people who never had a single cog in the wheel had never reached the point of crashing a party.
Even the women themselves secretly realize that without the lubricant of 'him', the acrobatics would have been impossible.
''Hah----. Forget it. Forget it. I don't even want to stir-fry with you even when we're eating----.''
''I agree----.''
The chill in the air that had been pulsating in the air gradually began to subside as the two of them settled their bets.
It had been half a year.
Half a year had passed since he had disappeared, leaving behind only a letter, but the chasm between them had only deepened. There was no sign of reconciliation.
With a sigh of frustration, Apis finally broke off.
''Where are you going?''
''To feed the warriors----. Since he hasn't come down even though it's mealtime, it looks like he's planning to starve himself working again----. Why, not long ago, he saved some nameless Yin children and broke his own statue with his own hands----. No matter what the circumstances were, it's not a warrior-like behavior to destroy something handmade by a fan, so you're writing a letter of apology to hand-deliver to the sculptor----.''
''Yeah----. That's a reasonable judgment for you----.''
''Ha! Yes, that's very tearful of you.''
''--------So, Apis----.''
''Oh, what else!''
''Oh, nothing----. I'm on my way to the store----.''
''Chit.''
Shortly after Apis, who had transferred the small meal to a plate, trudged up to the second floor where the warriors were, Downa, who had been unable to turn the pages of the book she was reading for a while, sobbed quietly to herself that no one else heard.
''Please come back quickly----. Thee----. Isn't that enough----. I see now----. I see----. Without you, I'm a mojiri who can't even say that simple word, thank you for taking care of my meals----. If you're watching----. If you happen to see me in my current state of stupor, come over and give me a good scolding----.''
The fleeting echoes that could not become a voice because of the insufficient volume of the voice were blocked by the open book and could not reach anywhere or anyone.
◈◈◈◈
Apis rested his forehead against the tightly closed door and drew in a long breath.
Ever since the man's sudden disappearance that day, Apis had always felt nervous whenever she saw him, as if she were walking into a demon lair without a bow and arrow.
''The warrior----.''
Apis recalled.
His gaze was always steady.
Even after the man had disappeared, the warrior hadn't taken a single day off, slaying hordes of demons with his usual cheerful smile.
He slashed, slashed, slashed, slashed, slashed, until his brilliant blond hair was stained and burned with blood, and he never slept for days.
Despite the urgings of his companions and others, the sight of him single-handedly slaying hordes of demons numbering in the hundreds made him feel like he was witnessing the second coming of a hero from one of his people's fairy tales.
Maybe it was a sense of duty, maybe it was a sense of triumph.
Maybe he was just trying to ease the burden of his colleagues, who were feeling anxious due to his absence.
But, strangely enough, none of these answers felt right to me.
In fact, the reason shouldn't have mattered.
The fact that a warrior sacrificed his body and fought with so many beasts and bloodsuckers was a contribution to the system, to his people, and to all who live and breathe in this world, a contribution that deserves to be honored.
But.
''That's not like you, ----. A warrior----.''
He may have been a little creaky in his daily life, but on the battlefield, at least, he was his usual self.
His sword was impeccably organized, and his movements were fluid and clean. Her coordination with her comrades could not have been better.
But as a member of the party who had always watched her, I couldn't help but feel an unpleasant discomfort.
I don't know how to describe it, because it was clear that something was off.
A sense of otherness, as if someone who looked exactly like her was being forced to play her.
Like a candle that's about to go out. Gunpowder on fire.
I felt like I was looking at something precarious, something that was barely, just barely, maintaining a balance that could collapse with the slightest shake.
And the reason for it all was so clear.
Apis's uncontrolled emotions slowly materialized through her mouth in the form of resentment towards someone.
''Hey----. Where the hell are you doing right now, you idiot----. Hurry up----.''
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