Chapter 150 (1/2)
Chapter 150
Chapter 150: Rumination
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“Just a cook?” I repeated “So that”
The head chef shrugged, untying her apron and tossing it over to Nyphia “titles are merely an embellishment stuck in front of your name to establish a hierarchy, so yes, I am Chef Astera Nice to meet you”
Taken aback by the sudden words of wisdom, I dipped my head in reply “And I am Arthur The pleasure is mine”
“Well then, Arthur, let’s put a show on for the antsy soldiers here before they start throwing a fit” Her lips curved into a confident smile as she held up the ladle in her hand
“Of course Will that be your weapon?”
“Don’t be silly It’d be disrespectful to fight with a tool used to cook” Letting out a hearty laugh, Madam Astera motioned one of the soldiers up in the front for his weapon—a short sword, o easy on an old lady like me”
With that, she disappeared from view at a speed that no ‘simple cook’ could have moved Madam Astera blinked into view in the air above loith savage exciteht up e of round, she kicked off the guard of ain distance
With only a minimal amount of mana infused inher attack “Just a simple cook?” I confirmed
“Just a si to ain
Our swords became mere blurs in the space between us as both Madam Astera and I unleashed a flurry of attacks
Her petite body ility that would even ied each other’s strikes and swings withdown our faces and necks, it would’ve looked as if ereon purpose
I raised my mana output to twenty percent but, just likeback as well because ere still at a stalemate
Neither one of us had the luxury to speak as it took all of our focus to keep up with each other’s attacks, but our eh our expressions This wasn’t a duel of ic; just a contest of pure mastery of the sword
Madarin on her sweaty face as she continued her relentless assault and so as well
With each strike she delivered, I countered with another but she flawlessly dodged until her back was against the earthen cage I decided not to raisebelow her waist, I broughtup
She had nowhere to ht
Even when she was just barely an arth away from me, she kicked off the wall and propelled herself directly atjust in time for her blade to whiz past my cheek The tables had turned; noas ainst the wall
“I’ the lines of, ‘even a mouse will attack when it’s cornered’,” Madauard
I smiled “Well, it looks like I’m the cornered htening the grip on her raised sword “Nohy don’t you stop holding back, Arthur?”
“In the ic past basic augmentation would be disrespectful to the way of the sword,” I replied
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“Wise words fro,” she nodded in approval “Then shall we kick things up a notch?” A surge of mana suddenly burst out of my opponent as she took a step back
The soldiers in the front roinced froy while others had to lean forward to not topple backward in their seats
With a smile, I increased my mana output to forty percent A thick wave of mana burst out of me as well, but it took on a different form from Madam Astera’s While her ale, mine manifested into a refined wave-like pulse
Mada herself out of her daze, sheat me The force of her initial step created a s the entire arena
In the span of a single breath, her sas already inches away from my throat but the force of her strike had already sent a spear of wind sailing past my neck, only to create a hole in the wall behind me
I could see why someone like Nyphia was so scared of this ‘simple’ cook After her initial strike failed, she leaped back and repositioned herself, tightening her stance like a coiled snake, ready to strike
But this ti no sound as I flashed beside her withwhen she immediately ducked With no time to prepare, her movement was sloppy, but the very fact that she was able to react toher instincts were
She lashed back with a sharp swing before leaping back again This tied once ht up my sword but realized midway that her stab was a feint as she dipped into a wide swing at e so she could catch htresounded fro A deep tremor rose up my arm from the impact before my sword shattered
For a moment, we stood there, both dazed at the turn of events until I let out “It’s my loss, Chef Astera”
“No, I can’t accept that It was just that your sword’s quality—”
I shook ht?” I walked over to the soldier I had borrowed the sword froet you a new one”
“Wha—oh, yeah, sure No problem…” his voice trailed off as he stared at me blankly It wasn’t until I noticed his awestruck expression that I realized how quiet the camp had become I looked around to see everyone with the same expression as the soldier in front offrom the fires
“You heard the boy, ht!” Madaht!”
With that, the silent crowd erupted into cheers as the large cooks began handing out plates stacked with stea food
The atht out barrels of liquor I spotted Vanesy trying to liave in, taking a glass for herself
I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to drink ere supposed to be on the lookout for any stray shi+ps, but the chances of that happening were too ht
After a few drinks in everyone’s syste while others acco as a s seeht put into rhythm but it was enjoyable nonetheless—especially with a few drinks in me as well
‘Should a lance succumb to peer pressure and drink soto stay inside my cloak for warmth
another sip, relishi+ng the war from the alcohol and from the fire as well
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“Do you mind if I join you?” Madalass of liquor in her hand “So who exactly is Arthur?”
“Not at all,” I replied, thankful since the curious soldiers lingering around ht you already knew”
“I knew you weren’t just a nor down the rest of the liquor in her glass
I followed suit and took another sip as well “Then can I ask who you are?”
“I told you, I’m just a—”