Putting Aside Nationalistic Bias, It’s Really Delicious

41 – Elf Steps for Dieting

“Th-, this seems dangerous…”

Standing in front of the mirror, Andrea looked at her lower abdomen.

Her once clearly-defined, firm abdominal muscles were now blurred.

Since leaving the Elf Forest, she had been training tirelessly every day.

She would wake up in the morning and do her morning workout, track her prey before lunch, and travel on a new journey while eating the pre-hunted prey for lunch as a wanderer.

Having always been in combat, she never stopped training and made her body strong by eating meat.

She consumed an enormous amount of meat, but her daily tasks were sufficient to burn all the calories.

There were many occasions when she starved if she didn’t succeed in hunting for a long time.

She was always a hungry beast and a hunter.

But now was different.

A new daily routine replaced training, and she became very busy.

Instead of hunting, she busily handled the immediate tasks and, after finishing work, Lucas served her high-quality meals every day.

His skills were so impressive that she couldn’t help but eat it all.

As she ate another delicious bowl, her heart unknowingly relaxed with the pleasant feeling of fullness.

Using that gained energy, she worked until late evening, and before she knew it, it was midnight.

Feeling tired from work, she trained once every two days.

She had become dulled.

It was the result of laziness from not training.

Andrea grabbed her lower belly with trembling hands.

There was a thin layer of fat.

A thin layer of fat that should never have formed on an elf’s stomach…

“Ah…”

With trembling eyes, she looked at the barely noticeable layer of fat.

“I’ve gained weight…”

Although it was so thin that others would say it was an overreaction, it was a shocking sight for her who had always maintained an extremely low body fat percentage.

“A countermeasure is needed.”

What she didn’t know was that it wasn’t actually a lack of training.

The amount of labor she did every day was almost as intense as the amount of training she had done up until now.

The reason for the unexpected weight gain was simply a change in her diet.

In the past, she had obtained her nutrients mostly from protein, due to her consumption of meat.

But now, not only meat but also vegetables, rice, and flour were added to her diet.

That’s right.

Increased carbohydrate intake was the cause.

No longer starving for even one meal, her dietary habits changed, and her carbohydrate intake increased.

Moreover, it was unusual for her not to gain weight, as she ate more than two bowls of rice at every meal.

Thanks to that, her once sharp features had softened a bit, but Andrea had no way of knowing that.

Gently pinching her lower belly, she went outside with her sword to train at night.

Today, Andrea’s movements seemed unusual.

Should I say it seemed like the wind moved with her every motion?

Rustle.

A gentle breeze blew every time Andrea moved.

“Why are you like this today?”

“What, what do you mean?”

“Why does the wind blow every time you move?”

“Oh, that’s because… um.”

Look at her now. She was even stepping while speaking.

“This is our elf method of moving around using the wind spirits, and it helps us move a little faster.”

“…”

Today, Andrea was strange.

“So you also want to step like that while working?”

“Yes. I’m going to work wholeheartedly from now on.”

“So you weren’t sincere until now?”

“That’s not true… Anyway, I’ll work earnestly.”

She takes the elf steps again.

Why is she suddenly like this?

As I was about to question her further, I saw knights approaching.

It’s already opening time.

“Then, I’ll do my best to work.”

The wind blew around Andrea.

***

“Indeed, today’s meal also seems to recharge our knightly energy.”

Heimer cut and ate the pork cutlet as he came over.

Western-style King pork cutlet.

It was Heimer’s favorite menu, who had a good appetite.

“Although other menus are delicious, I still think the pork cutlet is the most suitable menu for knighthood. The harmony of this crispy texture and the soft mix of the sauce later on is excellent. Ha haha!”

Heimer laughed loudly and took another piece of meat.

“The pork cutlet is good, but I also think this bibimbap, newly recommended by the employee, is a menu worthy of knighthood.”

Hamilton, scooping up a spoonful of rice mixed with red pepper paste, said.

The knights of Britten, who were obsessed with knighthood, praised each of the best menus they pursued.

“Hehe, it’s nice to see such dedication even while eating. Sometimes I think of my youth when I see the passion of young people these days. I too managed and supervised everything from training to rest for the sake of improving my abilities.”

Lancelot, who was the first to empty his bowl, spoke towards the knights.

However, it was hard for them to hear Lancelot’s words while eating.

Of course, they looked at me.

“Sorry, I can’t hear what you’re saying. I’m busy.”

“Is that so?”

“Customers are coming in.”

“That’s true. Hehe, old age makes you talkative.”

Lancelot opened his mouth again, seemingly disappointed.

“Today I felt the sincerity of knighthood in your cooking. This beef brisket soybean paste stew was a menu approved by Camilla Wagon of the stubborn Golden Wagon, right? Honestly, I hesitated at first because it didn’t look or smell nice, but once again it reminds me that you’re an excellent cook. The appearance isn’t important. What matters is the skill and inner spirit. What a wonderful spirit of knighthood. I’ve gained some enlightenment today. Hehe.”

He went on without a break, discussing his thoughts on today’s menu, recent training, weather, and stories from other places.

Being able to talk like that is a skill.

I concentrated on cooking, letting his words go through one ear and out the other.

“Andrea, one fire beef and one soybean paste stew for table 13!”

“Got it!”

Sizzle!

She was frying two pans almost simultaneously, while boiling stew and frying pork cutlet patties in between.

It was indeed a hectic time.

Andrea, holding the tray filled with dishes, moved as smoothly as if she was riding the wind.

As a member of the elf race, her movement was soft and elegant.

It was somewhat awkward when she danced alone, but when she moved toward her goal, her movement was even graceful.

With both hands holding a tray full of food, the guests watched her move smoothly without a word.

It didn’t distinguish between men and women.

Not just because she was beautiful. Her beautiful appearance and the fluttering skirt she wore as she moved were, no doubt, enough to stimulate the rural men.

People’s eyes were more attracted to her movement because they wondered:

‘Is that my order?’

It was because of the contents of the tray she was holding in her hand.

People anxiously stretched their heads to see if their menu had come out.

In doing so, they could not help but appreciate the captivating movement of the elf, as if she was riding a wind spirit, and their gaze remained fixed, creating a continuous cycle.

How often could they see the captivating movement of elves?

This was a sight not often seen even in the capital.

“Her movement is quite peculiar today. Is that the movement of an elf?”

Lancelot, who admired Andrea’s movement, said.

“What are you talking about?”

“That movement. The soybean paste stew in the elf’s hand, who moves as if she’s riding the wind, isn’t overflowing at all.”

His words were true.

Despite Andrea’s quick movement, the food in her hand didn’t spill at all.

It was an extraordinary serving skill.

“Here are the bulgogi and soybean paste stew. Enjoy your meal. Ha, ha, ha.”

Of course, her awkward smile and reluctance to use honorifics still needed more training.

‘If she gets good at that, she’ll be the best employee.’

Fortunately, now politeness comes naturally to me, at least.

Suppressing her disappointment, Ranslot spoke again.

“If I imagine encountering the author on the battlefield, it’s quite intimidating.”

“Intimidating?”

“Most knights wouldn’t withstand the movements of your elf servant and would crumble. Wearing heavy armor makes their movements sluggish, and the helmet restricts their vision, making it difficult to react. But the opponent aims for my life with a mana-infused sword? In the midst of the fight, the knight will succumb to his own fear.”

After finishing his words, Ranslot looked silently at Andrea.

“Hmm… crumbling without even fighting.”

The verbose noble suddenly became strangely uneasy, closing his mouth.

What’s going on?

Why so uneasy?

What kind of thoughts are making him so focused?

The uneasiness was momentary.

What anxiety amid such busyness.

He was so preoccupied that he almost forgot to wipe the sweat on his forehead while sprinkling sauce on the fried pork cutlet.

“I guess I should introduce this place to my disciple as well.”

If Ranslot’s disciple, who had never visited this place before…

There’s only one person.

Startled, he almost spilled the tonkatsu sauce.

Praise me for not dirtying the food for the guest.

“What did you say?”

“Didn’t I mention it? I have a disciple, not one of those self-proclaimed knights.”

Unconsciously, I looked up at Ranslot.

He remained fixated on the graceful movements of the elf, not diverting his gaze.

“That child is truly talented. If that kid tastes the food here and observes the elf’s movements, they might learn a lot.”

“Are you going to bring him here?”

“Yes. Maybe when that kid tastes your food, he’ll have a lot to think about. Besides, he needs to know the skills of the knight who brought the gift he received.”

As I looked at Lancelot, I held out a freshly made pork cutlet with my serving tongs.

“Pork cutlets for table 24!”

“Got it!”

As Andrea approached, Lancelot’s gaze shifted from her to me.

“Did you say that the sword of the lake you received was originally meant for my disciple?”

“Yes, thanks to it, I’m using it well.”

It was the story of the famous sword, now used for slaughter.

“Well, who uses the sword is more important than how it’s used. Hehehe.”

“Lancelot, by any chance, is your disciple’s name…?”

I asked with the feeling of grasping the last straw.

“Ivan.”

I hoped it wouldn’t be, but it was.

The original novel’s male lead.

I tightly closed my eyes.

He was the next person, after Princess Diana, that I should never, ever meet.

“Isn’t that movement too difficult for a growing knight? Even other knights couldn’t copy it.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. Even Lancelot said it wasn’t easy.”

“Hm… But that kid might be able to do it. He’s a very talented child.”

Damn protagonist buff.

Is such a movement possible with a human body?

Lancelot seemed to have made up his mind to bring him already.

Was there no choice but to hope Ivan would be stubborn and not want to come?

He probably won’t come.

He was a character who was extremely reluctant to face people until he met Yeoju.

“What will you do if he says he doesn’t want to?”

“Well, if that’s the case, I can’t help it. But my personal desire wants me to bring him along. Hiding in a small place won’t lead to any progress.”

“…”

He’s full of intent to bring him along.

It seems that Ivan’s visit is inevitable.

‘I should show them an unpleasant enough side so they won’t want to see me again.’

As long as I don’t get too involved, it should be fine.

Ivan is someone who will leave soon anyway.

Moreover, the British territory is too remote for the emperor to care about.

Even if there’s a slight connection, he won’t interfere.

Just like in the novel.

“Hehehe, I don’t plan to bring him right away. He must be qualified first. Of course, if he comes, I’d like him to taste all the food here more than anyone else. Hehehe.”

Lancelot, unaware of my thoughts, laughed with a playful smile.

His eyes are determined to bring him along.

Damn it.

I swallowed a sigh, filled my plate with bulgogi, and called out.

” Andrea! Bulgogi for table six!”

Ivan is Ivan, but I still have to work.

***

After a busy lunch shift, I grilled some bulgogi for my own lunch.

“Oh, I’ll just eat the vegetables today.”

Did I hear that wrong?

Andrea, of all people, not eating meat and only eating vegetables?

“Suddenly you’re vegetarian?”

“Sometimes, it’s necessary to eat like this.”

“Are you really Andrea?”

“Of course! If I’m not Andrea, then who am I … “

She sighed before finishing her sentence.

“Ah, anyway, I’m only eating vegetarian today, okay? It’s like spiritual training that is sometimes needed for elves.”

“Do whatever you want.”

She ate the side dishes with rice meticulously.

She didn’t forget to look at the meat every time she ate vegetables and rice.

She was chewing the meat with her eyes.

‘I think there’s an old saying about looking at the grilled fish once and eating rice.’

That’s exactly how it felt.

It seemed like tears were about to form in Andrea’s eyes, but it must’ve been her imagination, right?

Anyway, they had a delicious lunch.

***

Rolang, located in the northwest of the empire.

Rolang was the territory of the Count and was a rural area with a small scale territory castle for a Count residence, located in desolate mountains.

The local specialty of this area was iron ore that came from the rugged mountains, and at the same time, the criminals were also the local specialty, thanks to the fact that they could hide their bodies in the rugged mountains.

And it was also the hometown of Lukas.

“Ugh!”

“Please, spare me … “

Senior Knight Deppo of the Imperial Knights, who had taken care of the bandits that had attacked him, sighed deeply.

“This is Lucas’ hometown, huh?”