Book 16 Chapter 33

Episode 91

Rista was still unconscious, but it was clear that she had passed the critical point.

“Well, then, I’m hungry, so why don’t I show off my skills?”

Outside Nils’s secret base was the border between the Republic and Hosen.

Ever since the turmoil began, the areas outside the centers of civilization were infested with monsters and bandits, so there was little traffic in such remote areas.

Rin decided to make northern-style stew with the wild boar Link had hunted with one punch.

“Make the water peppery with luminous grass leaves, then mince wild boar bone marrow into it to make a rich broth. Then, tie the pieces of meat to the luminous grass roots… the sap from the roots will tenderize the meat and remove the gamey smell.”

Of course, it would be a shame if it ended there.

That couldn't be called northern-style.

When the stew was fully cooked, they'd pop a wild boar eyeball on top of the stew for a stark white decoration.

“Wow, it’s stark white. This is the North. Who wants the first plate?”

“What North? Ugh! I’m an idiot for thinking I’d trust you one last time!”

Freide’s pipe came crashing down on Rin’s head!

Pain!

However, Link devoured the stew Rin had served him in one mouthful and burst into hearty laughter!

“Link, Link, Link!”

At his reaction, a pure smile blossomed on Rin’s face too!

“It’s delicious, right? See, he says it’s delicious! Wow, I’ve really had so many hard and unfair things happen to me until now. I’ve been traveling with these three regional bigots who keep criticizing my cooking….”

Was it smelling the food? Rin felt an odd sensation on his head, and then Sval appeared with a “Ppyong!”

“Gyuung~!”

Link extended his index finger and fiddled with Sval’s fluff. It had been since the Balrag subjugation, so he seemed to feel some affection.

“Hey, midget.”

While Rin, Link, and Sval were chatting, Freide said, stroking the sleeping Pipi’s head,

“Nils Blantz.”

“You know how to use the Heart Bomb, don’t you?”

“Yes. But even if you ask me to tell you, it’s not something human technology can understand. The Heart Bomb I knew was a prototype, but now it’s almost complete. I might not be able to use it immediately either.”

“You know exactly how to return Rista to normal, right?”

“I do. Since she was hit directly by a Heart Bomb that sends one to the past, she just needs to be exposed to the explosion of a Heart Bomb that sends one to the future.”

Silence followed for a moment.

Freide was neither a child nor a fool to miss the underlying atmosphere of this conversation.

“It seems you want something from us?”

“To do that, we need to defeat Greta Visor. It’s impossible with just my strength and Link’s.”

“That’s something we’d do even if you didn’t ask. You put Rista in that state, so I plan to find the Heart Bomb even if it means destroying that hideout.”

Nils, who had been tightening a screw on some machinery with a wrench, finally lifted his head and raised his safety goggles.

“Then our conversation will be quicker. If we finish off Greta Visor, I will use the Heart Bomb he possesses to restore the hero to normal. At that time, Link will also change to a physique appropriate for his original age.”

“Tell me what you want. You’re our savior, why are you holding back as if we couldn’t grant whatever it is?”

“Very well, then. I’ll tell you. After I restore the hero and Link to normal… would you kill me painlessly?”