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Catherine was busy finishing the tasks she had been handling leisurely until now, all to follow Alfred’s orders.

Karem wasn’t just idly resting either.

With Mary’s help, he prepared a plethora of dishes.

And the Ship’s Claw Crab played a significant role in those dishes.

As a result, by mealtime, the concentration of wizards in the tower had dropped to a critical level, leading Mary to throw her hands up in surrender.

No matter how much they made, there weren’t enough people to eat it, turning the overflowing crabs into a nuisance taking up space in the refrigerator.

It might sound strange to prepare dishes with so few people, including Narque, but it wasn’t strange at all.

These dozens of portions weren’t for the wizards in the Mage Tower who were completely overwhelmed by the crabs.

“Ah, so that’s why there were so many crabs?”

“Well, they are delicious, aren’t they?”

“Of course, it’s only natural that they taste good.”

Wales felt weird about the situation that was like a chore.

However, his stomach was honest, as he kept shoveling food into his mouth.

“But you little creature, your attitude seems to have become ruder than when I first saw you.”

“Excuse me? Me? No way.”

“That’s suspicious.”

“Ah, I recommend the fried crab legs.”

Wales’ expression changed as he experienced the unfamiliar sensation for the first time, but soon he melted away into the flavor and texture spreading in his mouth.

A crispy coating soaked with a smoky aroma, rich in exotic flavors, enveloped the meat inside.

The tender flesh hidden within was springy yet dissolved softly, perfectly filling his mouth with a savory, salty delight.

Wales decided not to worry about the trivial matters.

After all, it had been a month since he last had any good food.

And Karem delighted in seeing people so focused on the food that they momentarily forgot what they were saying.

Some cooks claim they can’t stop cooking because they love seeing customers enjoy their dishes.

In that regard, Wales was an excellent customer.

Even now and a month ago, after the seal was broken, he joyously enjoyed whatever dish was prepared for him.

“The subtle scent of earth attribute magic is so nice. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt something like this.”

Karem, quietly admiring the scene, caught a strange remark.

“The scent of earth attribute magic, you say?”

“Huh? You didn’t know?”

“I’m hearing this for the first time.”

Wales looked bewildered, as if he couldn’t understand.

“Hmm? Just wait a moment.”

Using telekinesis, he levitated a dish at the far end of the wide table.

The chili crab, a luxurious dish prepared with the body meat of the Ship’s Claw Crab, was topped with a sauce made from dozens of crabs.

The most extravagant dish prepared today now entered Wales’ mouth.

The outer coating was crispy, yet soft; the crab meat was even softer, almost crumbling.

Above all, Wales involuntarily moaned at the explosive and rich aftertaste of earth attribute magic that surged from the sauce.

“Yes, it’s certainly true. Who would have thought seafood could carry such deep echoes of earth’s magic? I especially love this contradictory taste.”

“Uh… I guess you’re right.”

“Of course, ah. I almost forgot.”

Wales tilted his head slightly and snapped his fingers.

“Only being a beast wouldn’t allow your kind to sense these magical echoes.”

He naturally looked down on most of the people in this world, feeling as if saying ‘people don’t have eyes on the back of their heads’ was perfectly normal.

“Ah, but Miss Catherine is a Grand Wizard!”

“True. Among the lesser beings, she’s skilled, but still a lesser being.”

“Is that so.”

Wales continued speaking without caring about Karem’s disgruntled reaction.

‘Wait a minute, those lesser beings are in a romantic relationship.’

If he hadn’t briefly thought about their relationship, he wouldn’t have made that comment.

Wales’ thoughts accelerated, being as smart as he was gentle; a rare sort among red dragons.

He managed to understand a bit about the thoughts of those he deemed lesser since he had an air of superiority typical of a dragon, but was far more kind than most red dragons.

Wales instantly noticed Karem’s discomfort with this realization.

Suddenly, he thought he might be rejected if he suggested increasing the frequency of meals due to this.

“There’s no need to be uncomfortable. It’s very natural that humans, dwarves, elves, and gnomes can’t sense smells like beasts who retain the characteristics and wild instincts of animals.”

“Well, in any case, I’ll have to consult Miss Catherine.”

Wales found relief as Karem’s discomfort seemed to ease, and dug into the lemon crab.

Now, he just needed to time it right to casually suggest—

“Ah, wait. I forgot something.”

“Forgot something? Do you have a question for me?”

Seeing Karem nodding and scratching his head, he telekinetically gulped down the bouillabaisse broth like it was a water bomb.

“I shall allow your inquiry.”

“Can you also lift Catherine’s curse?”

“The curse, you say?”

At that, Wales blinked, suckling on his fingers, and lightly struck his palm with his fist.

“It seems curses indeed linger in both hands.”

“Yes, you named it the drought curse. If you could grant it aside from a wish—”

“Ha, I am the Dragon Lord. Curses are nothing.”

Wales cheered inwardly, of course, while maintaining a façade of calm as he continued eating.

He was only looking for a good reason to increase the frequency of his meals without shattering his pride, and the idea of a treasure falling into his lap was entirely unexpected.

“However, I also need time to examine it closely since I haven’t seen it in detail yet.”

“Thank goodness, I was worried about it. Thank you.”

“Bring me along next time. That rune stone should allow up to two people to come to this place.”

“Then I shall take my leave. Please enjoy your meal.”

“So in return—oh, um, little creature, wait—”

Wales reached out, unable to hide his surprise, but Karem seemed not to have heard and vanished with the rune stone in hand.

As expected from a short-lived little being—such a hasty action.

Of course, if Karem came back with Catherine a month later, he might be able to propose a reduced timeframe for the reward.

However, Wales was then filled with worry over how he would endure the next month if he finished the dishes before him.

Shuh—

“Ugh, ugh. Huh? Master? It looks like Karem just left?”

“Ahem, yes. He was just here a moment ago.”

“But why is your hand in thin air—”

“Ahem. I briefly put something in the pocket dimension.”

Wales could only vague the truth to his loyal familiar, feeling a pang of regret.

Catherine had cleared all her backlog of tasks.

Which meant it was time for dispatch.

Before leaving, all preparations, including food supplies, had already been completed days ago, so they just needed to move.

However, unexpected people suddenly joined in.

“Well, it’s come to this, so please take care of things.”

“Sir Atanitas. I apologize for the sudden addition of the First Grand Prince, but I ask for your understanding.”

“Viktor? Aren’t you one of my attendants?”

“The loyal advice of a faithful vassal should be taken like Alraune’s Tear.”

The Grand Prince Godwin and the former smuggler, Sir Viktor.

Catherine even received a note saying she hoped Godwin could handle this issue if possible.

The reason for the sudden amendment to the trip’s content and personnel was also noted, and it was reasonable.

The gathering of achievements for a smooth succession of the throne.

Letting off some steam after a busy schedule.

Above all, practical training to prepare for later.

Though the heir’s education wasn’t completed, gaining hands-on experience by solving problems that arose on-site was crucial.

In comparison, Godwin’s situation was quite favorable.

Even though there might be some mistakes or accidents, having a former smuggler and the youngest sage-level Grand Wizard around meant most issues could be handled somehow.

“But, Miss Catherine, didn’t Your Grace conduct any prior investigations?”

“A messenger did come, but… you’ll see for yourself.”

“Where, where… the bottom is covered with crabs? What does that mean?”

“That’s to check what’s going on.”

Thus, to uncover why there were so many Ship’s Claw Crabs in Winterhome, Karem followed Catherine into a wagon and departed Coldon. Not long after, they stopped for a brief pause.

It was still not mealtime.

It had barely been half a day since they started.

“To the northeast, a horde of Undead!”

Grrrrrah—! Clatter-clatter! Clatter!

“Zombies and skeletons? It’s nothing serious.”

“Prepare the formation! Defensive stance!”

Every year when spring and summer came around, hordes of Lower Undead would swarm. Thus, the caravan halted for a moment.

Behind the defensive line, Godwin, with Viktor and some knights, was preparing for the first actual combat experience.

While the caravan became chaotic as the hordes approached, Catherine stepped off the wagon to stretch her stiff body. Karem, following behind, seized the chance to take out the snacks he had prepared earlier.

Freshly made toast, a Menbosha filled with an overflow of crab meat and shrimp, pushed back the damp summer air and the faint stench of the Undead.

“Fried toast sandwich, huh?”

“Isn’t it too greasy?”

“Not a chance!”

Categorically denying it, Catherine took a piece of the toast, cut into generous sizes by Mary.

Basa-basa-sak—

The first sensation of the crispy toast was distinctly different from any fried food.

If anything, it was as if the outer part of well-grilled, crispy toast was thinly sliced and stacked together into one.

With the oil frying it, they should be greasy.

However, the greasiness was nowhere to be found.

Considering how the bread seemed to absorb water and butter beyond imagination, the taste was almost incomprehensible.

It felt as if they’d expertly drained only the moisture from the bread, using the least oil possible.

Yet it wasn’t without flaws.

It left a somewhat dry impression at first.

But the moment the toast split open, the moisture from the crab and shrimp filling quenched the dryness of his mouth, making up for the flaw.

The springy shrimp, soft crab meat and crisp yet tender toast created a delightful and endlessly stimulating texture each time they chewed.

Crunchy, springy, bouncy, and soft, every bite teased not just their teeth but also their tongues.

The rich flavor of the fried toast condensed as it lost moisture, along with the sweetness of the crab meat entrapped in the crispy coating.

Moreover, the salty flavor—a perfect ratio from the sea—whispered across their taste buds and slid down their throats.

“Ah, Miss Catherine, can we set up a soundproof barrier for a moment?”

“Hmm? Just wait a second.”

With a light gesture, Catherine activated a simple soundproofing spell.

“Wales said the Ship’s Claw Crab has an echo of earth attribute magic wafting from it.”

“Hmm? An echo of magic? And of earth?”

Catherine, pausing while eating crab toast dipped in tartar sauce, frowned.

“Is there something odd about that?”

“The Ship’s Claw Crab is a marine creature. If it’s anything, it should have the scent of water attribute magic, not earth.”

“Is that a strange thing?”

“Exactly.”

As Catherine slightly leaned forward, Karem took out a handkerchief to wipe the crumbs and sauce from her mouth.

“The creatures attack ships, but they primarily feed on seafood, including seaweed.”

“So you’re saying there’s no relation to what they eat?”

“That’s correct. Unless they’re devouring fertile dirt, it shouldn’t make sense.”

“You mentioned that unlike other creatures, their main food isn’t soil.”

When Catherine nodded in agreement, Mary raised her hand.

“Is it possible they fed on a ship rich in earth attribute magic? A pricey ship engraved with barrier magic, perhaps?”

“Even if that were the case, it wouldn’t explain the amount of Ship’s Claw Crabs brought into Winterhome.”

In the end, there was only one way to investigate the bizarre situation.

“We can only go check it out ourselves.”

Three days after the undead clashed with the military of the caravan, they passed through the coastal city of Obsidian Berry.

After three more days of travel, they arrived at their destination, the village of Ishikobaharten.

And immediately found the cause of the odd situation.

A large swarm of Ship’s Claw Crabs was crawling from the sea onto land in real time.

The crabs that had boarded were covering the surface of the swamp near the village with their shell linings.

“Catherine?”

“What is it?”

Karem looked around the bizarre sight. Truth be told, the crabs seemed countless, to the point where the swamp’s surface was no longer visible.

“You said that the primary food of the Ship’s Claw Crab was seafood, right?”

“That’s correct. It was indeed their main food.”

Creeeeack—!!!

Metallic-scaled beasts soared gracefully in the sky, circling, and snatching Ship’s Claw Crabs with their sharp claws.

Whenever a predator appeared, prey would usually flee, but the cause of the issue went unheeded.

It appeared as if they were all willing to die fighting over the food.

The Ship’s Claw Crabs, undeterred by their kin being taken, frantically dug into the earth with their pincers.

“So what are those?”

“Steamphaloss.”

“Not that bird’s name.”

“Steamphaloss is a monster.”

“No, I meant—”

“Oh, the Grand Prince is calling me.”

Catherine stepped aside.

 

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