Chapter 12

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Twilight.

Matthew, having finished his business trip, returned to the town of Shelland, unloaded his baggage, and headed straight for his favorite restaurant, "Rocinante."

As he opened the door, the bell attached to it jingled pleasantly.

"Excuse me."

"Welcome... Oh, Matthew! I thought you'd be back since I heard the caravan had arrived! It's been about half a year, hasn't it?"

Laurent, the owner and an old acquaintance of Matthew, greeted him warmly.

"That's right. Business in the capital was hectic. The snow started falling while I was working, and the roads were closed, so it was quite a struggle."

"I was worried you wouldn't come back this winter. You look a bit thinner. Are you eating properly?"

Matthew, though slender compared to Laurent, was taller. He had a calm demeanor and wore a plain white tunic and burnt brown trousers, a simple and understated outfit. Despite his unassuming appearance, he was a man who could travel anywhere with just a black bag, known for his agility and diplomatic skills.

"I am. One of the perks of this job is getting to enjoy the cuisine and drinks of various towns."

"Sounds enviable."

"Still, there aren't many towns that put as much effort into their food as this one."

While Matthew had his base in Shelland, he conducted business in various towns and even foreign countries.

The territory of the Dylane Magic Kingdom was vast, having expanded rapidly over the past twenty years due to successive victories in war. However, many of the newly conquered lands were still unstable, and traveling from town to town required sharp instincts and resourcefulness. Matthew was a valuable merchant who possessed such qualities.

Today, Matthew had just returned to Shelland after procuring various goods from far-off places, centered around the capital. On such days, it was his custom to enjoy a meal and drinks at his friend's restaurant to savor the taste of home.

"Heh, no other town can match us in terms of cuisine. How was your trip this time?"

"It was troublesome. The atmosphere in the capital and the port town was tense. The checkpoints were stricter than usual, and I had to wait a lot... As a result, I had to camp outside the checkpoint, and my body ached terribly."

Shrugging his shoulders, Matthew hung his coat on the hanger and sat at the counter, looking thoroughly exhausted.

"War?"

"There's no country that can stand up to Dylane on Algenes Island now. They must be wary of rebellions and revolutions... Still, I don't think anyone can defeat the current king."

"Poor souls. There must be survivors from destroyed countries too."

"Let's not talk about such depressing things. Instead, I've brought back a variety of spices and dried goods. You'll be surprised."

"That sounds exciting. Have some food first, though."

A light green soup was served to Matthew.

"It's a potage of asparagus and beans. The main dish will be ready soon."

Matthew took a sip, his face brightening.

"Delicious. Usually, hometown dishes can be a bit heavy, but not this one."

"Of course. My master is amazing."

"Master... You didn't work at that secret restaurant, did you?"

Matthew's skeptical expression made Laurent look even more confident.

"He's a master of the heart. I learned a lot from him. Every chef who has been to that restaurant feels the same way."

"Indeed, the deliciousness was unparalleled."

"It's been over ten years since that restaurant suddenly disappeared, but I can't forget it. I wonder what that person is doing now... Have you heard anything about them during your travels?"

"No, I haven't seen anyone who looks like them. I haven't even seen any of the dishes served at that restaurant."

"They were truly mysterious."

Just as the atmosphere turned somber, a young boy brought out the main dish.

"Here you go. Roast pork with vinegar sauce."

"You must be Mars. You've grown so much!"

"Thank you."

Mars blushed and bowed. Matthew watched him return to the kitchen with a nostalgic look.

"You've grown into a fine young man. You were still a student, right?"

"He's just grown taller, but he's still a kid. He insists on helping with the work instead of playing."

"He has a bright future. By the way, how is your younger child?"

"Well... She's too energetic, and it's a bit of a problem."

Laurent smiled wryly.

Matthew was puzzled. He knew Laurent had always been a doting father, especially fond of his younger daughter.

"Did you have a fight?"

"Something like that. She went to the forest outside town without permission, and I scolded her."

Seeing Laurent's bitter expression, Matthew tried to comfort him.

"That was the right thing to do. She's not even ten yet, right?"

"...Matthew, can you keep a secret?"

"What is it? You sound serious."

Matthew laughed, but Laurent's face remained serious. Matthew cleared his throat and waited for Laurent to continue.

"What I'm about to say might just be my imagination, or even if it's true, it's not something to be spread around. So don't tell anyone."

"Understood. I swear on my late father's grave. I'll keep the secret."

"There might be a new owner in the Forest of Temptation."

"What!?"

Matthew started to stand up, but Laurent calmed him down.

"Calm down. It's not confirmed yet."

"Sorry. Please continue."

"My daughter and her friend were playing in the forest and apparently fainted or something. A beautiful woman in the forest helped them."

"A woman, not a man?"

"A woman with orange hair and unusual clothing. The hair color is the same as that person's."

"Could it be a family member or someone related to that person? That hair color isn't that rare, though."

"That's not all. She knew the recipe for the pudding that person made. She might be a disciple or a family member."

Matthew swallowed hard.

There is a rumor known only to a certain generation in Shelland. It's about the "Secret Restaurant," a mysterious and wonderful place in the depths of the forest that serves food from no known country.

It's not just about enjoying the taste.

The flowers, paintings, and furnishings are all beautiful, and the music is of the highest quality. Even royalty cannot experience such luxury.

However, even royalty cannot enter freely. Only those recognized by the restaurant's owner can receive an invitation.

"I was still a child back then and couldn't drink alcohol."

Matthew and Laurent know that this rumor is not just a rumor but a fact. Both of them had been invited to the restaurant.

As children, Matthew, Laurent, and another friend who is not here, were invited to the restaurant after a casual act of kindness—taking a sick old man to a doctor. The owner of the mansion praised them, saying, "You did a great job! Here's a reward!"

"It was summer, I believe. After enjoying the food, we were served chilled tea and pudding. It was delicious..."

Despite the scorching heat outside, the restaurant was mysteriously cool and refreshing. The taste of the tea, enjoyed while looking at the beautiful garden, was unforgettable. Matthew reminisced about the past, feeling a strange excitement in his chest.

"I'd like to go back there again."

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