AMTC 07

Chapter 7

Caw. Cawww. Caw.

Against the backdrop of the snow-covered mountains behind the two-story house, the sound of a crow echoed from somewhere.

“……Haha.”

Because of that, Felix’s awkward laugh was almost drowned out.

“This is the only house in the village with a separate annex.”

Celine tried to snatch the luggage from his hand.

“I’ll stay at another house.”

But Felix tightened his grip on the bag.

“Everyone else has children at home, so there are no spare rooms.”

Celine was pulled toward him along with the bag.

This was unbelievable.

‘This man. Why is he so strong?’

A Black Agent couldn’t even make him budge. Just what kind of person was this man?

Celine clenched her teeth and continued pulling the luggage handle toward herself.

Felix didn’t give in either. The handle stretched tight between them.

“The only people who live alone are young men.”

You’re a young man too, aren’t you?

‘……Wait. Is he married?’

Celine slightly relaxed and asked.

“Are you married?”

“No. Do I look like I am?”

Felix made an extremely offended expression and reacted just like Celine had earlier.

“You’re unmarried, right?”

“Yes.”

Felix nodded. At that moment, the strength in the hand holding the luggage handle loosened, and ownership of the bag returned to Celine.

“Then even more reason why I shouldn’t stay at the village chief’s house.”

“There is a separate annex. I am confident I can take the best care of you, more than anyone else. Do you not trust me?”

No. Why did the conversation suddenly go in that direction?

“Who asked you to take care of me like that?”

Honestly, Celine had difficulty trusting people.

“I told you I’m strong, didn’t I? I can take down thieves or even bears with my bare hands. Would you like me to show you?”

“Wow. Do you just say whatever comes to your mind? Who would believe that?”

“I’ll show you.”

This village chief keeps saying he’ll show me things!

While Celine stared at him in disbelief, Felix suddenly walked toward a round boulder sitting on one side of the yard. It was about the size of a fountain statue.

Why was something like that even there? A rock that size would probably require ten workers just to move.

Celine quickly waved both hands.

“No, I know you’re strong. I believe you. But you don’t need to go that far—”

Lift.

Felix picked up the boulder with both hands.

Just like that.

He lifted it effortlessly.

“See? Do you believe me now?”

Now he was holding the boulder with only one hand.

The huge rock rested lightly on his palm like a baby.

‘What is this person really?’

“I told you. I can protect you, teacher.”

Why does he keep saying he’ll protect me?

I can protect myself.

Celine bit her lips tightly.

Her old habit, which she had worked so hard to fix, had slipped out again.

She wanted to immediately report the White Agents for leaving out the information that mountain villagers were so stubborn.

But Celine never forgot her goal.

A perfect retirement!

She had no choice but to give a lifeless reaction.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

“……Yes. I enjoyed watching your display of strength.”

Thud.

Felix returned the rock to its original place.

After brushing his hands off, he walked toward her in one step and asked:

“Is it because of the food? I’m also good at cooking.”

His expression was so serious that it completely defeated the spirit of a Black Agent.

“……Cooking?”

“Yes.”

Although it was sudden, Celine’s ears perked up.

She had never told anyone this before, but Celine’s childhood dream was to become a chef.

During her second mission after her first assignment, she had infiltrated the kitchen of a famous restaurant in the southern kingdom of Newmabel.

Her mission was to steal a certain rare ingredient stored in a hidden double storage room inside the restaurant’s warehouse.

There, for the first time in her life, Celine received sincere praise for something other than hurting people.

Of course, back then she wasn’t Celine.

She was Lucy.

“Lucy! You peeled all these onions yourself? And you cut the potatoes and carrots this quickly too?”

“Yes.”

“Amazing. You have a talent for cooking. Have you cooked before?”

“Ah, no? I just know how to use a knife a little……”

Yes. Because I’ve cut many straw dolls shaped like people.

I’ve even carved throwing weapons myself.

“Anyone can tell from how you prepare ingredients. You’ll definitely become an excellent chef who saves people.”

“I save people?”

“Yes. Good food can heal people too.”

“Wow. Th-thank you.”

“Trust me. My eyes are accurate. You have talent for cooking!”

She had been so happy.

Cooking was never part of her training, so she never knew she had another talent besides cutting people.

After completing the mission, she never got the chance to return to the kitchen, but after that day, Celine gained a dream.

A dream of becoming someone who made delicious food.

She wanted to do something good—not something cruel. Something that could heal people and make them happy.

Of course, she had never actually cooked with her own hands until now.

‘Could I…… learn from this man?’

Celine carefully asked:

“C-can you teach me cooking too?”

“You want to learn cooking? Usually nobles aren’t interested in that.”

“Even nobles need to eat after becoming independent…… I’m not a high-ranking noble who can hire a personal chef.”

“Yes. Survival is important. I’ll gladly teach you cooking!”

Felix looked genuinely confident.

Thinking about it, there were many male chefs among the cooks of Newmabel Kingdom, which was famous for its cuisine.

‘The village chief is just the village chief. There’s no need to see him as a man, right? And anyway, I’ll leave after finishing the mission.’

Celine made her decision.

“So where did you say my room was?”

“Ah! Teacher! You decided to stay here, right? I’ll make sure you never regret it and treat you with the utmost care!”

Felix happily pointed in the direction she should walk, like he was escorting a noble lady.

“You don’t have to go that far, but…… I’ll be in your care.”

Anyway, she needed this man’s help to adapt to the village.

Celine began walking in the direction Felix showed her. Felix followed behind her with a bright smile.

“If I don’t take proper care of you, Elder Herman might hit the back of my head with his cane. Teacher, you saved me. I promise I won’t interfere with your work, and I won’t enter the annex except during meal times.”

“Excuse me, but who is Elder Herman?”

“He is the oldest person in Eldwick. He is 109 years old.”

Could I live that long if I stayed here?

Just twice my current age would be nice.

No, even one and a half times would be enough.

Knowing it was impossible, Celine unconsciously voiced her thoughts.

“I’m jealous. 109 years old is a little more than four times my age.”

“I’ll make sure you live that long.”

Looking at Felix’s handsome face smiling brightly, Celine narrowed her eyes.

She knew this man didn’t know anything about her true circumstances, but strangely, she didn’t feel bad hearing it.

“Teacher, that is what Eldwick is like.”

Because there wasn’t even a trace of a lie in his clear, shining eyes.

Celine suppressed the urge to tell him that would never happen and simply nodded.

“I suppose so.”

“Teacher. Shall we go inside?”

“Yes.”

The luggage once again ended up in Felix’s hands.

Celine didn’t have the energy to argue again, so she let him do whatever he wanted.

Passing through the neatly trimmed garden grass, she was about to enter the annex through the door Felix opened.

“Traditionally, people in Eldwick take off their shoes inside the house. Being barefoot is good for your health.”

His handsome eyebrows slightly lifted.

“Ah…… yes.”

What an interesting tradition.

Celine awkwardly lifted her heels and removed her shoes.

The annex had a two-story structure, with a long staircase leading from the first floor to the bedroom upstairs.

“……Wow.”

Celine unintentionally let out an exclamation.

The high-ceilinged building was clean and comfortable.

“The second floor here connects to the second floor of the main building.”

When she entered inside, she saw a cozy space decorated with wooden furniture.

“How is it? Do you like it?”

“Yes.”

Celine nodded.

“This staircase leads to the second floor where your bedroom is. Be careful, it’s slippery.”

Swoosh.

Felix held out his large hand.

Celine stared blankly at his hand and his clear face.

“Teacher?”

Felix called her with a puzzled expression.

Ah. Right. I’m a noble.

Thinking it would be easier to shoot a gun with this hand instead, Celine still placed her hand elegantly on Felix’s.

“Thank you.”

With Felix escorting her, Celine reached the second floor.

The spacious room contained a neatly arranged white bed, and sunlight pouring through the large window made her eyes shine.

“Please rest. I’ll come get you when it’s time for dinner.”

Celine calmly nodded.

Just as Felix finished greeting her brightly and was about to leave the annex to prepare dinner—

He hesitated for a moment, then walked toward the bedside table and took something from the lower drawer.

“Put these on your heels.”

Two bandages with little teddy bear pictures on them.

Celine accepted them without thinking.

“……Yes.”

“They already have ointment on them. I’ll be going now, Teacher!”

Felix said this with a slightly stiff voice and finally left the annex.

Celine stood straight until he completely disappeared.

Then the strength left her legs, and she collapsed face-first onto the white bed.

‘This mission is really not easy.’

‘Being taken hostage would be easier.’

She remembered the last face of Director Heinrich, who had confidently declared:

“This is a D-rank mission for you.”

‘This is an S-rank mission.’

If it had been an infiltration or assassination mission, she felt like she could have completed it even with both hands tied.

Celine looked at the flowering cabbage placed beside the window and muttered:

“What…… when did he notice this?”

She sat up, brought her legs together, and looked down at her heels.

The blisters had burst and were painfully sore.

She couldn’t throw away the bandages, so she carefully placed one on each heel.

“Why is someone this kind? ……Should I have said thank you?”

The place where the bandage was attached felt strangely ticklish.

It was annoying.