NOVEL NEXT Chapter 360
A craving for Jajangmyeon.
Outrage against Inamark.
Henry, who had been babbling and speaking in a childish manner about all of this, eventually couldn’t hold his temper and collapsed in exhaustion.
It was so intense that even Alicia couldn’t interpret it.
Thanks to that, Karem had to directly hear what was going on from Inamark’s mouth.
Chinese dishes, including Jajangmyeon, inherently have strong odors. The smell of sweet and sour pork sauce and frying black bean sauce especially.
The recipes for Chinese dishes, including Jajangmyeon, in Bendleig, are solely for Henry.
However, with each passing day, the number of curious people drawn in by the appetizing scents wafting at certain times only increased.
Among the visitors to the royal palace, nine out of ten were talking about it, so as a king, Inamark couldn’t simply ignore the harsh rumors surrounding the prince.
In the end, to prevent the false rumors, Inamark gently coaxed Henry and prepared a small tasting event centered on Jajangmyeon.
“Did it turn out to be more popular than expected?”
[Hmm. That’s true.]
“So you’re saying it ran out—”
[Before the participants could even take a single bite, all the prepared dishes were gone.]
Honestly, Karem was bewildered. Taking food away from a child to serve it?
“And since I prepared more dishes for the other participants, by the time the tasting was over, the share meant for His Royal Highness the Prince was completely gone.”
[Who would have thought it would be that little?]
Inamark, perhaps feeling embarrassed, subtly averted his gaze while catching Henry’s furious flail with one hand.
Honestly, it was understandable. Inamark was the king of a kingdom. Even if it was the prince’s food, he couldn’t memorize the quantity of sauces.
If it were any other day, this would simply have been a chance to praise the grandeur of a king who could prepare such dishes, but one thing was unexpected.
No, he never imagined that a dish with so many vegetables would be this popular.
[Day after day, the requests for when the next tasting would be and how to procure the sauce come in the form of petitions and inquiries, and it’s getting rather annoying… ]
“Um… Your Grace. How can I assist you?”
Inamark’s following request was simple.
Increase the supply of Kongarum being delivered to the royal palace, no matter the time it takes. By at least tenfold.
If he were a merchant or aiming to amass power and wealth, this proposal would be the opportunity of a lifetime granted from the heavens.
‘Honestly, that seems excessive.’
Karem, who already had plenty of money, was not particularly pleased.
Ten times the existing supply.
It wasn’t particularly difficult.
If it’s merely ten times the amount Henry alone would eat, then it could easily be finished in a day.
The problem was that the tenfold was merely the minimum.
Once it began exceeding that, it would interfere with daily life.
Yet, refusing this request seemed unwise, as Inamark, who was catching Henry’s flailing with one hand from beyond the crystal, was the king.
Rejecting a duke’s proposal was difficult enough, but rejecting a king’s offer was out of the question.
‘If that’s the case, I might as well go for subcontracting production instead.’
With that thought, Karem stood frozen in place.
[Hmm? Why the sudden pause?]
“I am just an individual, and with trends already starting to show…”
Karem, frowning, began to formulate a vague thought while rubbing his thumb and index finger together.
“Supplying that amount all by myself is honestly stretching it, isn’t it?”
[Are you saying you want to set up a workshop?]
“What about making it a royal workshop, if possible?”
[Hmm…]
Inamark thought while tenderly soothing the exhausted Henry with one hand.
It wasn’t a bad suggestion.
After all, signs of a trend beginning at the royal palace were appearing, so it would be best if that trend was led by the royal palace itself rather than leaving room for anyone else, which could tarnish the prestige of the Yates royal family and himself.
In that sense, having a direct line of communication with Karem, who was practically the starting point of that trend, was beneficial.
Though borrowing his son’s romantic means did dampen his pride a bit, the complaints from Henry softened as it was for Jajangmyeon.
However, for that to happen…
[A loyal and trustworthy agent will be needed.]
“I already have someone in mind.”
Inamark frowned as if questioning whether there could be such a person.
Upon hearing the name Karem mentioned, he nodded.
Michael Jackson.
To Karem, he was a reincarnation from a parallel world.
With a reputation of being brutally called “Bloodstained” due to his cruel capabilities.
Coming from a humble background yet a noble killer.
Yet precisely because of that, no one approached him, making it unlikely for any factions to arise.
He held the elite knight order tightly in one hand, but that authority was merely borrowed from the king.
Although the proposer was a serf, Inamark had no reason to refuse him. After all, Michael was also part of the royal power, and increasing royal workshops to lead the trend would only be a good thing.
However, there was one problem: time itself.
[Autumn, and then winter. Time is tight.]
“It’s alright. Your Grace.”
[What did you say?]
“I have plenty of time.”
And time was hardly an issue for Karem.
*
*
*
When Karem unexpectedly visited, Wales was delighted.
But upon hearing the reason, he was deflated.
[Are you telling me you’ve come to this distant retreat just for that business?]
“It’s not just that.”
Wales exhaled sharply, indicating he wanted more information.
“If this business is successful, we can also allocate some resources to the dishes Marta presents to you, Sir Wales—”
[However, I am generous, so I will let this matter slide. Hurry and go. Didn’t you say you had a guest waiting for you?]
With a nonchalant wave of his forepaw, Karem followed Marta outside the den as the stone door closed behind them.
After confirming the den’s closure several times, Marta turned to Karem with an incredulous expression.
“I’ve felt it before, but you really aren’t all there, are you?”
“Why such a disparaging comment all of a sudden?”
“Do you think it’s sane for a mere mortal to exploit the grace of a Lord Dragon just for a single business opportunity?”
Karem shrugged at her scolding tone.
“I should utilize what I can to the fullest.”
Marta shook her head in disbelief, her horns, wings, and tail disappearing into her flowing black hair.
“Now, hold my hand.”
Marta extended her hand.
Karem stared at it vacantly.
“…”
“…”
“I’m asking you to hold my hand, you know?”
“Sorry, but I’m already taken.”
Even a succubus like Marta was not unaware of that fact.
She even knew Karem had engaged with Catherine at first sight. If a succubus couldn’t tell whether the person before her was a virgin or not, it would be a disqualification.
“You’re moving to see your guest, aren’t you?”
“Ah, if that’s the case.”
Only then, without hesitation and with the pure ravenous look of an elf facing a prime rib steak, did Karem accept.
“This feels a bit degrading.”
As Karem hesitated to reply to that remark, both vanished into thin air in the corridor illuminated by crystal lamps.
In an instant, the scenery changed around them, revealing an elegant, marbled chamber.
“Well, she’s less pretty than Catherine, I’ll admit.”
Karem let go of her hand without any lingering thoughts.
His casual tone packed with truth ruffled Marta’s sentiments sharply.
“Do you know that I could enchant every man on this street with just a single gesture?”
“Well, saying that doesn’t make it any less true.”
“Should I just go ahead and bewitch you!!!”
“If you’re that confident, then go for it.”
Marta ground her teeth without thinking and turned away, stomping ahead.
“Ugh, I should really keep my mouth shut.”
“So, where’s Lord Jackson?”
“In the guest chamber.”
With that, Karem donned the robe Marta handed him and promptly followed her out of the room.
He had expected a brothel to be dimly lit, but the opposite was true, and he momentarily marveled at the neat decor.
“Here we are.”
As the door to the guest chamber opened, Marta squeezed her eyes shut.
“Well, what brings you here today?”
“I came because I have someone to meet regarding work.”
“Someone to meet at the brothel? Wouldn’t you like to spend some quality time with us afterward? We’re quite skilled at that.”
“I have urgent matters at hand.”
The courtesans, eager to earn their keep, were showing every charm in their repertoire. Yet, Marta honestly understood their perspective.
Objectively speaking, Michael’s appearance was the pinnacle among the men she had encountered.
Even for a succubus like her, it was clear that in the eyes of women, Michael must be like a fairy-tale prince.
As Michael responded indifferently, a flush reached his face.
The two courtesans couldn’t help but feel suspicious as to where his gaze was directed.
‘Could he be a homosexual?’
Of course, the two courtesans were unaware that they were what would be called premium courtesans trained directly by succubi.
They didn’t particularly shy away from homosexuality.
In the city of Servianus, known as the epicenter of fresh trends, homosexuality was not avoided, and there were even combat groups formed solely of homosexual individuals.
“My God, have you finally graced us with your presence?”
“Don’t give me that blasphemous talk!”
However, it’s a different story if the madman is involved.
After all, what could be more beautiful and striking than a statue?
“Oh, really. Is that your preference?”
“If so, we do apologize for the intrusion.”
The two women swiftly passed Marta, who was stunned, the religiously-inclined Michael, and Karem, who was facepalming.
“…Here, take this. Call me when you’re done.”
Marta wiped her face and handed Karem a free pass for future visits, promptly shutting the door behind her.
With Karem standing there gaping at the closed door, Michael turned to him and broke into a wide smile. The smile was unnecessarily charming.
“My God, I have heard of His Grace, but I’m astonished that you actually came during such a brief time.”
“Just know that there are such methods. Michael.”
“Using casual language.”
“Wait… still?”
“Please, when we’re alone, drop the formalities.”
“Ugh… fine. Just this once.”
“Well, considering you’re a sage-level Grand Wizard, I can understand.”
Karem decided to leave Michael’s wild thoughts alone.
It was better for fewer people to know the truth behind the little white lies.
“Speaking of which, you’re planning to establish a soybean paste factory? Has it finally hit you to expand your influence?”
“Technically speaking, it’s for Meju. And honestly, this is because I can’t handle Your Grace’s requests all by myself.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?”
Karem sighed at their unyielding worship.
As they exited the guest chamber, Michael, clad in the robe, continued to display his unwavering faith. While Karem didn’t particularly enjoy that, he was at a loss as to how to change Michael’s stubbornness.
There were, after all, more pressing matters at hand.
“By the way, thinking about it, this seems to be getting quite significant.”
“My God, it’s just needless worry.”
“But I have no experience in such grand ventures. It’s unsettling. Especially establishing a royal workshop.”
“There’s no need to be concerned. I have the experience. Most importantly.”
Looking back at Karem as they left the brothel, Michael’s smile, glowing from outside the robe, was unnecessarily charming.
“Your Grace has the authority and wealth granted to you.”
And indeed, that was exactly the case.
“Wow, royal workshop territory! Uh, um! At this quantity…”
“Internal construction… in half a day? Impossible. No, wait. Let me reconsider. For that amount, it wouldn’t be out of the question!”
“No, I’m talking about the land I bid on—Whoa! Blood! Ah, nothing at all!”
Michael lightly demonstrated how the authority of a businessperson backed by power could bulldoze through challenges.