Chapter 29. Variable (2)
“…What did you just say?”
Kai couldn’t believe what Bernard had just told him.
“You’re saying you gave the former Count’s personal property to that bastard—no, to Sir Adrian?”
Bernard’s words that Adrian had received the late Count’s private estate made Kai question sharply.
But Bernard didn’t have much to say in return.
“…I’m sorry.”
He just kept repeating the words “I’m sorry.”
Until Seraphia stepped in to stop him, Bernard could only mutter his apologies over and over.
“It’s not your fault, Head Steward.”
“……”
“My brother’s demand was legitimate. You only followed the legal procedures.”
“……”
“Besides, I’m the one most to blame.”
Even though she hadn’t expected it to turn out like this.
Seraphia swallowed the last words with effort.
Just as she said, it wasn’t truly Bernard’s fault.
As the head steward of the White Wolf County, Bernard had only acted in accordance with the law.
And Kai understood that.
That’s why he didn’t blame or scold Bernard.
It was just… everything ahead felt so uncertain.
The funds Adrian had taken weren’t just the personal assets of the former Count.
The cost of the funeral after the late Count’s passing had been substantial, and it had been covered by the estate’s funds.
They hadn’t been able to touch the former Count’s personal assets, especially those involving Adrian, until the will was processed.
Seraphia had planned to retrieve those funds after she was officially appointed as the lord.
But Adrian had swooped in and taken everything.
“In a time when we barely have enough food and firewood to prepare for the coming winter…!”
“…I’m truly sorry. I should have refused no matter what…”
“No, Head Steward, you did nothing wrong. Please don’t say that. It’s all my responsibility.”
Seraphia comforted Bernard and then continued.
“For now… let’s try to track the funds. We must recover whatever we can. Head Steward?”
“Yes, my lady?”
“Do you know why my brother took the money? What his purpose was?”
“Well…”
Bernard trailed off.
He wore a face that seemed to ask, “Is this really what I think it is?” before slowly opening his mouth.
“He said he was starting a merchant company.”
At that, both Kai and Seraphia tilted their heads in confusion.
“…Sorry, what?”
“A merchant… company?”
Was it not for gambling?
A merchant company referred to an association of two or more merchants working together to sell goods or services for profit.
So it was only natural that Seraphia and Kai were puzzled.
“A merchant company…? What do you mean?”
“What exactly is he planning to sell?”
This county lay on the border between the snowy plains and the snowy mountains.
The weather was so harsh that even conifer trees couldn’t grow.
At most, mosses and lichen barely clung to life, and even those were rare.
There were no mines or natural underground resources either. As a result, the White Wolf County had no real specialty goods.
They were always short on food and had to rely entirely on imports.
“He did mention selling monster parts…”
Monster parts referred to things like skin and bones.
Monsters that lived in snowy regions had evolved to survive the extreme cold, which made their materials valuable.
That much Seraphia could understand.
In fact, selling monster parts was the only source of income the county had at present.
“But the quantity can’t be that much, right?”
The supply wasn’t enough.
To be more specific, there wasn’t a stable or continuous supply.
Once it was sold, that was it.
It was hardly enough to justify founding a full merchant company.
“I suspect…”
Bernard closed his eyes slowly.
He didn’t finish his sentence, but Seraphia already knew what he was going to say.
It was a scam.
Creating a merchant company was just the excuse Adrian gave to take the money.
He probably had a different use in mind for the funds.
And Seraphia had a good idea what that purpose was.
In the end…
“I thought he had changed…”
Adrian had gone back to his old ways.
He had become the count’s disgrace once more, indulging in gambling and pleasure.
Just as Seraphia’s face darkened with dismay—
Knock knock.
A knock came at the door.
Seraphia quickly composed her expression and spoke.
“Come in.”
A maid from the manor carefully stepped into the room.
“What is it?”
“Well… Sir Adrian wishes to see you, Lady Seraphia.”
“My brother wants to see me?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“…He could’ve just come in.”
She could understand the knock, but sending a maid to ask for her permission was slightly hurtful.
But then came the reason.
“He’d like to see you in the dining hall.”
“…Pardon? The dining hall?”
“Yes. Shall I tell him you’re too busy?”
Seraphia gently waved her hand.
“No, no. I’ll go there myself.”
She stood up immediately and headed for the dining room.
* * *
A delicious aroma wafted from the end of the hallway.
When she opened the door to the dining hall, a perfectly plated steak awaited her.
“…My brother made this himself?”
It was none other than Adrian who had cooked the steak.
The marbling on the meat was beautiful—red meat with delicate white fat between the fibers, and the outside perfectly seared with a golden crust.
“I didn’t know he could cook this well.”
It looked like something from a top-class chef.
Just seeing it made her mouth water.
“But… where did he even get such high-quality meat?”
Steak-grade meat was extremely rare—especially in this county.
It must’ve been why he called her to the dining hall.
“Try it.”
“…Huh?!”
Seraphia’s eyes widened.
She looked around, but no one else was there.
Just to be sure, she pointed a finger at herself.
“Me?!”
“Don’t want to?”
“No! I’ll eat it!! I’ll eat it right away!”
She quickly sat down.
“My brother… made this for me…”
Her heart was racing, to the point of confusion. She didn’t even care anymore where he got the meat.
She picked up her knife and fork in excitement.
But just then—
“I’ll try it first.”
Someone grabbed her hand. She turned to see Kai blocking her.
“…Just in case.”
In other words, he was worried the steak might be poisoned.
Adrian certainly hated Seraphia enough to consider it.
Just a month ago, he’d nearly strangled her to death.
Kai glanced at Adrian.
Thankfully, Adrian didn’t seem to mind.
“Go ahead.”
At Adrian’s words, Kai carefully cut the steak with just a knife—no fork needed, it was that tender.
He placed a slice in his mouth.
And at that moment—
“…!!”
Kai’s eyes flew open.
His expression was stunned.
“…W-What is this…?”
He clearly thought it was delicious.
He struggled to suppress the rush of emotion.
“Me too! I want to try it too!”
Seraphia snatched the fork from Kai and cut a slice of steak.
It was a perfect medium-rare, juicy and tender.
She put it in her mouth.
“Mmmmmm…!!”
The meat released rich juices with every chew.
The thick fat melted in her mouth, leaving a deep, lingering flavor.
It had high fat content but wasn’t greasy—instead, it enhanced the flavor beautifully.
Munch munch.
“This is seriously amazing!!”
She could confidently say it was the best steak she’d ever had.
And since it was made by her brother, of course it tasted good.
But even without that bias, this steak was a masterpiece.
The lingering flavor filled her mouth, and her mind craved more.
Unable to resist, she skewered another piece with her fork and took a big bite.
Every chew spread that savory taste all over again.
Before she knew it—
The plate was empty.
The steak had vanished without a trace.
Kai looked a bit disappointed. Seraphia too, though she was more curious now.
“What kind of meat was this?!”
This was unlike anything she’d ever tasted.
“I used Gelu Drake meat.”
Ah… that explains the rich flavor—
“…Wait, what?”
“Come again?!”
Seraphia and Kai asked at the same time.
Gelu Drake?
“You mean the monster we just hunted?!”
They both looked shocked.
Surely not…
Even if Adrian hated Seraphia, he wouldn’t serve her monster meat.
He might give her cockroaches first, but monster meat?
“…Yeah.”
—Apparently, yes.
And just like that…
Seraphia’s world shattered.
“Bluhh—!!”
She shoved her fingers into her mouth, trying to make herself vomit.
She scratched at her tongue, trying to force the meat back up.
Monster meat must never be eaten.
Not because it’s inedible—but because it’s dangerous.
It contains madness, a kind of spiritual corruption that can drive people insane.
She had to throw it up right now.
Even though it was already too late.
Still, Seraphia desperately jammed her fingers down her throat. Meanwhile, Kai drew his sword with a roar.
“Have you lost your mind?!”
His sword shone with bluish aura—clearly filled with killing intent.
He swung, meaning to kill Adrian.
But he couldn’t.
Kaang—!
A burst of flame shot up.
“……!!”
Kai’s eyes went wide.
Adrian had blocked his sword.
With his fingernails.
…His fingernails?
It wasn’t an illusion.
He really had blocked Kai’s aura-infused sword with just his claws.
That wasn’t something a human—or even a beast—could do.
This wasn’t just any sword either. It had cut through Gelu Drake’s hide.
Yet Adrian blocked it with a fingernail.
And he wasn’t just blocking.
BOOM—!
Kai’s aura exploded on impact. The light shattered fixtures and plates. The dining hall turned to chaos.
Kai was blown backward but managed to steady himself.
His eyes trembled.
…This was exactly like that time.
The time he faced the Gelu Drake’s claws.
His mind reeled, but he quickly gathered himself.
There was something more urgent.
“Do you not know what happens when you eat monster meat?!”
“I do.”
“And even so—!”
“That’s why.”
Adrian casually pointed with his chin.
“Are you insane right now?”
“…Of course I—!”
…Wait?
Kai froze.
He looked at himself slowly.
…He was fine?
But how?
He should have gone mad from the monster meat.
The madness strikes instantly.
Yet he was fine.
He looked urgently at Seraphia—who was now frozen in panic.
“Eh? Eh?!”
She fumbled and flailed.
Her silver hair was a mess.
Her red eyes darted around in fear and confusion.
Her pale cheeks turned slightly pink from the stress.
Her lips fumbled to form words but couldn’t.
“Heh?! Huh?!”
She fiddled nervously with her clothes. Her trembling fingers toyed with her hair.
She looked completely out of it—but not insane.
Not like someone overcome by madness.
More like…
“Ehhhhhh?!”
More like someone overwhelmed with embarrassment.
Seraphia finally lifted her gaze.
Kai looked closely into her eyes.
Ruby-red and sparkling like gemstones.
No madness. Only beauty.
“Why… am I okay?”
Seraphia and Kai both snapped their gazes toward Adrian.
* * *
Despite eating monster meat, Seraphia and Kai remained sane.
Now I was sure.
‘So it really was absorption.’
My Devour [S+] skill didn’t just copy—it absorbed and took the target’s traits.
‘Looks like I can sell it.’
Which meant…
It was safe to sell monster meat as a product.
