The Military Chef of a Ruined World - Chapter 418



Only Noblemtl

destruction

Episode 418 The Taste of Lying (1)

“The legion that received our invitation came to Seoul, accompanied by [Assassins]… … How should I interpret this?”

In that regard.

I turned my head slightly and looked around.

-Kiruruk… … !

Colorful, translucent birds with their feathers standing on end.

I wondered why I was called here.

‘Those birds. I guess they have fighting skills too.’

These are the nests of birds.

This must be that guy’s battlefield.

“The conquest of Gangwon Province by the legions was too fast. At first, I wondered how this was possible.”

Whether I answer or not.

He looked at me and continued speaking.

“No matter how excellent Lieutenant Kim Hyun-seok’s command was, this was an unbelievable speed. Even if the battle with the monster was one thing… … Considering the friction with other survivor groups, this was an absolutely impossible speed.”

It was exactly as he said.

At least for normal human forces, the war of conquest is not simply a matter of fighting well.

As you expand your territory, you will encounter survivors from that area.

It’s impossible for all of those survivors to be good people.

The expansion of the territory was bound to bring friction with humans.

“But… … if you add in the existence of the assassin, then it makes sense.”

“… … .”

“There must have been people who could have interfered with the occupation battle. However… … If the leaders of those forces were all eliminated through assassins, the fight against the monsters could have been resolved with the leadership of Lieutenant Kim Hyun-seok.”

In that regard.

I thought to myself.

‘No, Inma… … .’

To be precise.

Half right and half wrong.

‘I’m not an assassin. But.’

As he said.

Unfriendly groups of survivors… … .

That is, if there were many encounters with looters.

We wouldn’t have been able to finish the occupation war this quickly either.

‘It’s true that I dealt with them.’

Ariella and her followers.

If during the day the unit members actively expanded their territory.

At night, Ariella’s vampires cleaned out the marauders.

When I left for Gyeonggi-do, I left most of Ariella’s family behind in Gangwon-do.

The conquests of the Legion were efficient because they eliminated those who could be a problem in advance.

And this way.

“It’s a very violent way.”

Anyone who gets in the way is removed and moved on.

It was also a dark side of the legion that even most of the unit members were unaware of.

“We did send invitations to survivors in other regions, but they were only friendly messages. But the Legion responded to the invitation and brought assassins with them. How am I supposed to take this?”

“… … .”

“Like what Lieutenant Kim said earlier, is the corps really willing to cooperate with us?”

I couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

I never thought I would be criticized for something like this.

“why…….”

But at the same time.

I couldn’t help but tilt my head.

“Are you sure my job is an assassin?”

“what?”

As he himself said.

That’s all I’ve ever shown anyone else about my fighting spirit.

There may be others, but that was the first and last time he showed combat ability that could be considered to be on a similar level to other executives.

‘You’re sure he’s an assassin just because of that one rumor?’

There was something strange about this.

To my words:

He frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then said.

“… … So you’re not an assassin?”

“yes.”

I hesitated for a moment, but then shook my head and opened my mouth.

I am a person who takes pride in my job.

“My job is a cook, not an assassin.”

* * *

“Haha! I’m really sorry about this.”

A little later.

The apartment he guided me to.

It was in a house inside.

“A cook, a cook. Come to think of it, there was a rumor about that. That if you go to the legion, you can get food… … .”

“You can think of it as the effect of my skill. It makes inedible ingredients edible.”

“Indeed… … Our food shortage is still a problem that has not been completely resolved. The person in charge of food should be in a high enough position.”

He said that far.

He muttered in a small voice.

“… … With that power, you can be a chef.”

“?”

“No, anyway, I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.”

Let him say so.

“I’m sorry. My husband is a bit suspicious.”

“Oh, yes… … .”

A woman brought some snacks and placed them on the table in front of us.

‘You suddenly invited me to your house.’

This house was the house of a man named Jang Young-woong.

That woman was his wife.

“If the misunderstanding has been resolved, can I just go?”

After I revealed that I was a chef.

He offered to invite me to his home, as an apology.

‘Is there any reason to call me home?’

I somehow ended up following you here, but honestly, I didn’t really understand it.

“Well, it’s not like it’s just an apology.”

He said, putting a piece of candy in front of him into his mouth.

“For some reason, Lieutenant Kim Hyun-seok seemed suspicious of us. To be honest, we expected Lieutenant Kim to be friendly to us. It was quite unexpected.”

Even I expected Lieutenant Kim to be friendly.

They said they had gathered some information about us, so their expectations were the same as mine.

“So, I don’t think it’s meaningful for me to try to persuade Lieutenant Kim myself. I’m going to try to conquer the surrounding areas first.”

“You speak quite confidently.”

“Would it have been better to hide it?”

Jang Young-woong giggling.

I looked at him in disbelief and then looked around.

‘Because it’s a private home.’

Except for the military uniform I’m wearing.

It really looks like an ordinary family home before the destruction.

I realized once again how well Seoul had managed to prevent this destruction.

“Come on, let’s eat, Mom~”

There were even children among these families.

A young baby who looks like he’s about a year old now.

It is said that the baby was saved in this destruction.

Honestly, I was left with nothing but admiration.

“If you want to persuade, Lieutenant General Kim Myeong-hwan has already come to you.”

“Ah, Lieutenant General Kim? As expected… … I really can’t keep up with his ability to take action.”

“So, you don’t have to talk any further. We’ll try to talk things out.”

“Well, that could be the case. I guess I should at least try.”

He leaned back.

He said as he looked around his house.

“I wanted to show this appearance to the Legion figures at least once.”

“… … ?”

“This is the landscape I want to protect.”

He got up from the table.

She said this while gently touching the baby’s cheek with her finger while she was sucking on the bottle.

“There have been many embarrassing moments since the day of destruction. But I… … gritted my teeth and persevered, thinking only of protecting myself and my family. I’m not bragging, but I’ve gotten some results.”

“I saw it. It was amazing.”

“My determination will not change in the future. If there is anyone who tries to disturb the peace between me and my family… … .”

Swish.

The gaze was directed at me.

“I will do whatever it takes to get rid of it.”

Only then did I understand.

There was no other reason why he brought me here.

To show his sincerity.

* * *

“For my family to have peace, cooperation between people is essential. Because of that radio, the Legion’s influence in this land has grown considerably.”

“… … .”

“I don’t know why you suspect us, but I’m a man with a lot to lose. I’m ready to do anything to protect these things. I hope you tell Lieutenant Kim that, too.”

Encounters with other forces.

There is bound to be some doubt as to whether that force is a proper force.

But, as he said.

‘No matter how I look at them… …they are people who are truly committed to overcoming this destruction.’

Now that I’ve seen his weaknesses firsthand,

I could really feel how serious the author was about overcoming this destruction.

‘I’ve been feeling uneasy for a while now, and I’m concerned about what Lieutenant Kim said… … .’

actually.

I wasn’t even sure that they were some kind of strange group.

The discomfort I felt was just a feeling of discomfort.

That feeling of discomfort was also just a minor illusion on my part.

Or… … .

A legion that I was secretly proud of.

It may have been jealousy towards those who had overcome this destruction more easily than that legion.

‘Even though Lieutenant Kim made such a mess of things… … I think it might be better to start building a proper cooperative relationship from now on.’

Thinking like that.

I opened my mouth slightly when I saw Jang Young-woong.

“How old is the child?”

“hmm?”

It wasn’t a question that had any particular meaning.

I asked a question without thinking, because I thought it would be pointless to just watch him blankly lost in thought.

In response to my question, Jang Young-woong’s wife wiped the child’s mouth and said.

“He’s one year old now. Fifteen months to be exact!”

“aha.”

Because it was a thoughtless question.

Even with the reply I got, I didn’t think much of it at first.

but…….

‘… … 15 months?’

In response to that.

I couldn’t help but feel something was off.

‘Surely not.’

It’s different from the discomfort I’ve felt so far.

There is an obvious reason for this… … such a sense of discomfort.

“Mr. Hero.”

“Hmm? Something.”

“Can I ask you a question?”

Even though I felt that sense of discomfort.

I asked Jang Young-woong a question, hoping that it was my mistake.

“I heard that about a tenth of the people of Seoul survived.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Can I ask what percentage of them are Awakened?”

“… … Hmm. Is this intended to confirm our capabilities as allies?”

If it’s common.

It would be rude to ask about the power of another force like this.

but.

‘Seoul was different.’

They don’t even mind asking about the Awakened’s skills.

Well then, I guess I can accept questions like this.

“To be honest, not much.”

“Can I ask why?”

In that regard.

He thought for a moment before opening his mouth.

“We already had a lot of weapons in the beginning.”

“… … ?”

“The defense force isn’t that strong, but since there are a lot of reserve forces in Seoul, the number of weapons stockpiled is just as high as in Gangwon-do. After somehow recapturing the military bases and acquiring those weapons, we were able to defeat most monsters. So, how should I put it… … I guess the need to awaken has decreased a little.”

“……ah.”

“You may be dissatisfied with the small number of awakened people, but I can say that our power is certain. We also plan to slowly increase it in the future.”

“Yes, I admit that part.”

“Then, if you have any other questions, feel free to ask them. If it’s for the sake of good relations between the Legion and the government, what questions can I not answer?”

And after that.

I had a few conversations with him and was offered some light snacks.

“Okay, then go in.”

After all the conversations are over.

When returning to your accommodation.

‘… … .’

I stared blankly at the sky.

Despite its pristine appearance, Seoul has lost most of its light.

The stars in the sky were visible to a degree that was unimaginable in Seoul in the past.

* * *

“As I told you yesterday, I brought documents and photos that can prove our identity.”

The next day.

In the same conference room as yesterday, government officials spoke while handing out some documents.

The photos showed them each active in their respective positions.

“And, I think we were definitely a little rude yesterday.”

After the evidence has been confirmed.

Jang Young-woong bowed his head slightly and said.

“They are called soldiers, but most of the members of the corps are already civilians. It would be problematic to only present them with the duties of a soldier.”

“What does that mean?”

“As I said yesterday, I will proceed with the promotion to corps commander and lieutenant general, but the corps will be granted complete autonomy as an independent unit that does not belong to any command structure.”

Unlike yesterday, when the legion was moving towards being under the government’s command.

In today’s terms, it included the content of respecting them as virtually equal forces.

“Cooperation is about exchanging each other’s materials and information and making decisions through discussion when something big happens… … .”

And after that.

There are various stories about the four forces gathered here cooperating.

The content was quite normal and reasonable.

I’m amazed at how much preparation they’ve done in just one day.

“Well, to this extent… … .”

“I don’t know for sure, but I think good is good, right?”

The Gyeonggi-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do areas as well.

I was nodding my head without any particular complaints about the content.

“We must all work together to survive in this world.”

“We think the same way.”

like that.

The meeting is progressing smoothly.

The story progresses in a way that it seems as if an alliance is being formed between these four forces.

“Can I ask you one question?”

“… … Hmm? Who are you?”

I opened my mouth with my arms crossed.

“Oh, he’s a friend of mine. We had a brief conversation yesterday.”

“Ah, if that’s the case, Mr. Hero.”

“Yes, Youngjun. Do you have any questions? As I said yesterday, you can ask anything. I’m sure other people besides me will answer honestly.”

“No, everyone else is fine, I just want to ask you, Mr. Hero.”

“huh?”

“This is what Seoul looks like right now… … .”

I looked at Jang Young-woong and said.

“Is this normal?”

“… … ?”

In that regard.

“Is this normal?”

“… … What kind of question is that?”

Everyone else was puzzled.

Even I thought about it, it was a question that might sound strange to others.

“……of course.”

To my words:

Jang Young-woong paused for a moment, lost in thought as if trying to figure out what I meant.

He nodded and said.

“I’m not sure what you mean by the question, but Seoul is running completely normally. There’s nothing unusual.”

“……okay.”

In that regard.

I looked at the government officials sitting above me and thought.

‘They’re probably good people.’

At first, we didn’t know each other well, so we were more wary.

Perhaps if the relationship progresses.

You will be able to see many of their good aspects.

‘I am also sincere in my desire to overcome this destruction.’

The fact that he has the ability to do so has also been proven through results.

If their abilities and ours synergize, it will be no problem to unite all the survivors on this land.

but.

I couldn’t help but smile bitterly inside.

As the relationship progresses, you get to see their good sides.

Or creating synergy with their abilities.

“Lieutenant Kim.”

“hmm.”

“It is just as I told you then.”

Not that kind of thing.

Because I knew it was impossible.

“… … Yeah. Is that so?”

To my words:

Lieutenant Kim said with a bitter smile.

“You said Jang Young-woong? And the acting president… … and Vice Minister Yoo Jin-hwan. I won’t make a long story short.”

He pushed the chair back.

He said, getting up from his seat.

“There is no alliance.”

“……yes?”

“The Legion will not cooperate with the government. This decision will not be reversed, so we will return to Gangwon Province. That’s it.”

With those words, Lieutenant Kim Hyeon-seok really walks out of the conference room.

I and the two corporals followed suit.

“No, Lieutenant Kim… … ?”

“What the heck is this?”

To our reaction like that.

The people from Seoul, as well as those from the other two forces, looked at us in confusion.

“Please tell me why, Lieutenant Kim!”

Behind us as we leave.

Jang Young-woong’s voice is heard.

“Was it the conditions that were the problem? Or was it our attitude yesterday that was the problem?”

“I thought you said there was no way the decision could be changed.”

“Still, can you tell me why!”

Jang Young-woong shouts with an expression that seems like he doesn’t understand.

I looked at that face and opened my mouth slightly.

“We… … .”

Let’s open our mouths.

The tongue that was inside comes out.

The slightly damp air of the underground bunker touches his tongue.

“This Seoul is a safe place!”

and.

At the tip of that tongue that was stuck out like that.

‘This taste.’

A bitter, bloody taste.

‘It tastes like lying.’

I was feeling it.