Chapter 28: 28. Annoying nobles
Rendy’s problem is no longer Kaileon’s problem. Kai has already given a clue, so let Duke handle it. Besides, Duke understands the situation better than Kai, so he doesn’t need to get involved—he should just focus on cooking.
Since this is a hunting event, just like any other hunting event, commoners or noble children who wish to hunt are welcome to do so after Kaileon has finished his hunt. So, the other participants left after Kaileon was done. Of course, they didn’t expect Kaileon to finish that quickly—not even an hour after he entered the forest.
Both commoners and nobles were utterly stunned by what they saw on the big screen. The magic recording device showed how Kaileon hunted, a process so brief it seemed almost effortless. As for the nobles and Kaileon’s detractors, they were deeply annoyed by the sight, as they were unsatisfied. How could hunting a stone bird be that easy? Just by throwing a dagger at the stone bird. But those who understand the art of dagger-throwing, or those who study weapons, would know that what looks so easy isn’t actually easy to do. It requires considerable skill. Well, at the very least, ordinary citizens with hunting permits were becoming increasingly enthusiastic about participating in the event. If the participants managed to secure a kill, the nobles would buy it directly from them. Especially the Duke; he had to buy the largest kill at a high price.
That’s why the citizens are so enthusiastic about this event. Because they can earn a lot of money—more than if they sold it to the guild. Since the nobles love to show off, they’ll definitely buy the game at a higher price than the normal rate.
The incident also caused a bit of a scene with Rendy, making his parents, who were watching, feel very embarrassed. But it was a valuable lesson for the Baron Crech family, because that family had been acting increasingly bold simply because they were protected by the Duchess. So that they and the other nobles would know who held the real power in Arslan.
"Hey, answer me! Why are you giving those commoner hunters free food, while we nobles have to pay?" asked Jessica.
The girl, who was supposed to be Kaileon’s older sister, had been making a fuss ever since Kaileon finished his hunt.
She always protested whatever Kaileon did.
Like why Kaileon took control of the hunting event all by himself and didn’t tell the other merchants to sell there, because the nobles were jealous seeing Kaileon’s tent supermarket so crowded with customers. Whether they were buyers from the nobility or commoners. Moreover, the service there was also very friendly to everyone, making no distinction between nobles and commoners.
After Kaileon answered by saying that the event was an opening event—since Kaileon and the Duke planned to hold such events regularly every month—it would be discussed again later.
Jessica calmed down, but then she asked about other things.
Meanwhile, Kaileon was cooking for everyone. He wasn’t alone; of course, he was assisted by Keith, Peoni, and Daisy, and even Nathan pitched in because he was very curious about Kaileon’s cooking skills after tasting Kaileon’s delicious food.
It turned out that Kaileon could work quickly; he also directed the others politely, and he was even able to answer Jessica’s barrage of questions.
Kai knew that Jessica was asking all the questions on behalf of the nobles, because they didn’t dare to ask Kaileon directly—that’s why Jessica stepped forward to ask.
Finally, Kaileon stopped and looked at Jessica, flashing his fake smile.
"Honorable Lady Jessica, aren’t the nobles more honorable, more powerful, and wealthier than the common people? Besides, only the hunters are given free food... so they have the strength to hunt. Then, their game will also be bought by you nobles who need meat to eat, right? You also need other materials, like the magic stones that form the core of those monsters... in the end, everything will come back to you. Why are you protesting something that’s practically cheap for you? You can get that food for just a few small bronze coins—and you want it for free too? Are you poorer than the common people? Even they can buy a few skewers of satay; they don’t protest to me—so why are you protesting over something so cheap, honorable Lady Jessica?"
Kaileon’s lengthy speech left Jessica and the other nobles who heard it feeling deeply embarrassed.
They also began to wonder: how could Kaileon say such things? As far as they knew, Kaileon was stupid, quiet, and timid—completely different from what they were seeing now.
Jessica, too, was astonished by Kaileon’s transformation. So, she fell silent afterward.
"Stop bothering Kaileon, sister. He has to cook for all of us—I’m really looking forward to this meal! Kaileon, can I help?" asked Justine, who had just arrived with Luca and their maid.
"I’ll help you too, Kaileon! I can cut the meat!" Luca chimed in.
Kaileon chuckled and shook his head, "I’ll teach the two of you how to cook some other time. For now, just sit quietly over there and eat this." Kaileon handed them a basket full of fruit.
The two children cheered happily, which annoyed Jessica.
"You can share it with Lady Jessica too; she looks like she wants a snack. Remember not to eat too much," Kai said again.
"Of course, Kaileon!"
After that, they pulled Jessica to sit with them; Laura was already there, not bothering to protest to Kaileon. Laura preferred to enjoy her ice cream, which she’d gotten by pestering Kaileon earlier.
Kai prepared various meat dishes using all the meat he’d obtained from the hunt.
Luckily, all the meat became tender after Kai marinated it in pineapple juice for five minutes.
Watching Kai and his team cook in such an unconventional way made the cooking session an entertaining spectacle for them.
Kai had successfully introduced the various products he sold at the supermarket. Everyone who made a purchase was also informed about the supermarket located in front of the public market.
All the food was ready just as the hunt participants finished.
Thanks to the public’s great enthusiasm, the hunt went smoothly. Part of the game was purchased by the Duke, to be distributed to the people after it was slaughtered and cut up.
The food was distributed to everyone—whether nobles or commoners—and everyone received an equal portion.
Kai knew the nobles didn’t like it; they initially refused to eat because their food was the same as what was distributed to the common people. But after the Duke gave a brief speech to everyone, they all felt ashamed and agreed to eat.
Because what the Duke said was, "Today we have gathered together for this enjoyable hunting event. Everyone, from the nobility to the common people, has come together. We are eating the same food in the same place. Hopefully, after this, the nobles will become better, and the common people will know that not all nobles are as bad as you think."
The local community looked very happy, because it turned out that Duke Arslan was indeed kind, just like Kaileon. The community’s negative preconceptions about the Duke and Kaileon had improved, but as for the nobles... the community was still skeptical.
After all, Kaileon’s goal was simply to make them believe that Duke Arslan, who ruled the Arslan region, wasn’t as bad as they thought. Because all this time, the Duchess had been secretly spreading bad rumors about the Duke and Kaileon.
Kai still didn’t know why that woman was doing such a thing, but what was certain was that the people were now beginning to trust their leader. That was what mattered.
That night, the bustling atmosphere turned quiet. Only Kaileon and Keith remained at the edge of the forest that night.
It wasn’t because they wanted to camp there again, but because Kai sensed something was wrong and was heading toward where Kai and Keith were.
A pack of diamond-horned wolves. These monsters are also edible, especially since diamond-horned wolves are omnivores. Monsters that can’t be eaten are the ones that eat other monsters.
Although diamond-horned wolves are very unique, they’re quite strong. Usually, a pack consists of about five wolves.
There were no signs of a diamond-horned wolf pack earlier, until night fell and people began leaving one by one.
"Diamond-horned wolves are extremely rare, young master—so rare they’re practically mythical. The last recorded sighting of these wolves was about fifty years ago; they were hunted for their delicious meat. After that, they became extremely rare. I’d love to meet these wolves, young master... because they’re so unique. Oh, and besides their meat, their horns are also highly sought after. The last diamond necklace made from their horns is now even more expensive than the magical artifacts from the Magic Tower," Keith said enthusiastically.
Kai was also very enthusiastic, but he could understand why diamond-horned wolves had nearly gone extinct.
"What if we capture them and take care of them, Keith? That way, they can multiply and thrive, so they won’t go extinct. We’ll build them a big, comfortable enclosure," said Kai.
Keith smiled broadly at the idea. "You’re right, young master! Unlike most wolf monsters, they don’t just eat other monsters—they eat anything, so they should be pretty easy to care for."
Just as Kai opened his mouth to reply to Keith, a group of them emerged from the bushes.
"Oh, they’re coming, Keith... but something’s strange," said Kai.
