I’ve never made decisions for myself. When Gungrave started the mercenary group, I just tagged along thinking it might be a way to make a living. When Lill’s inventions were completed, I just went with the flow. Even during battles, it’s mostly my second-in-command giving orders. I’ve never given orders or made decisions myself. I’ve always been watching from behind, living by going with the flow. That’s my way of life.
I’m Tegue. I’m the captain of the archer unit. The reason I chose archery is simply because I hate close combat. Plus, Gungrave told me, “You, think about the unit formation and use a bow.” So I just kind of use a bow. Fortunately, I have a talent for archery, so I’m not a burden on the battlefield. But there’s only one thing I regret. In a past battle we lost, during the retreat, Gungrave was seriously injured. Why did Gungrave, who serves as both a unit captain and the leader of our group, take on the role of rearguard? It was because Kuuga’s unit was operating separately and wasn’t there at the time. Without the infantry unit, the cavalry unit had to serve as the rearguard. Lill’s unit couldn’t handle being the rearguard, and using Arius’s unit as the rearguard would have been too costly and risky. At that time, I just went with the flow and fled. Even now, I see it in my dreams. I wonder if we could have at least avoided the worst-case scenario if my unit had participated in the operation as the rearguard back then. We somehow managed to save Gungrave’s life, and the group avoided complete destruction and disbandment. At that time, I made a vow.
“Everyone is family. This time, I’ll protect them.”
But the go-with-the-flow attitude I’ve developed over the years is hard to overcome. All I can do is try to keep the mood of the group from getting bad.
In the midst of this, Gungrave brought in a new member. A cook named Shuri. This guy’s cooking is just incredibly delicious. Until now, we were all pretty much fending for ourselves when it came to food. Our meals were so over-salted you couldn’t tell what was what. But I can tell that everyone’s faces have brightened up since Shuri arrived. Mealtimes are fun now, and it’s a joy to be able to fill up on delicious food. When we win a battle and eat Shuri’s food, it makes me feel glad to be alive. More than anything, it gives us energy for the next fight. But I felt a bit frustrated. It’s Shuri who’s protecting everyone I thought of as family, albeit behind the scenes. He’s giving everyone energy with his delicious food. While feeling frustrated, I also think it can’t be helped with cooking this good. It’s just that delicious.
Then Shuri caught a cold. In a recent battle, we fought in a cold region during a cold season, and we ended up pushing all the burden of cooking onto Shuri. Shuri is weak. He’s scrawny and can barely swing a sword. He didn’t have much stamina either. But we all, including Gungrave and I, had been complacent, thinking he’d be fine since he was eating the same food as everyone else. No one had expected Shuri to be this weak. And Shuri himself was too good at hiding it. He kept making meals for everyone day after day with a nonchalant face. He did all the dishwashing alone in the freezing cold without complaining about how tough it was. Then suddenly, he collapsed with a thud. Everyone panicked and rushed to take care of him. And then Shuri says something like “I’m sorry.” We’re the ones who pushed all the troublesome tasks onto him, but he doesn’t blame us one bit.
“Sorry. I should’ve hired you an assistant cook sooner.”
Inside the tent, Shuri and Gungrave are talking alone. Obviously, we can’t all crowd in there, so Gungrave is handling the visit and I’m on watch duty.
“No… if I had taken better care of my health… this wouldn’t have happened…” “It’s also my fault for not stocking up on medicine… I relied too much on your cooking…” “I’m… happy to be relied on… it’s part of my job…”
No, Shuri, that’s not right. If we had paid more attention to Shuri, this wouldn’t have happened.
“More importantly… how is everyone… Are they eating properly…?” “Yeah. But the taste is terrible. Everyone’s wishing for your recovery.” “That’s an exaggeration…”
It’s not an exaggeration at all. Since Shuri collapsed, everyone’s been at a loss. We relied on Shuri because no one else could cook properly. Now that Shuri has collapsed, everyone’s back to eating bad food again. It’s not just my unit. We’re getting complaints from subordinates in other units too.
“It’s not an exaggeration. We don’t have a doctor nearby. We don’t have medicine. If something were to happen, it’d be scary.”
To be honest, our group’s medicine stock is not good. We didn’t have any knowledge about medicine, and no one got sick after eating Shuri’s cooking. If Shuri were to die now, it would be our fault.
“I won’t die… that easily…” “I believe you. Actually, everyone wants to come and take care of you. You’ve got everyone here for you, you know.” “Haha… please tell them… thank you…”
Gungrave came out of the tent looking pained. As if to say it was all his fault.
“Captain. How’s Shuri?” “He has a fever, but he’s conscious and thinking clearly. There’s no need to worry for now.”
I felt a little relieved.
“But if we had medicine, it wouldn’t have come to this…!”
But Gungrave twisted his face in frustration and shame.
“It’s my fault. I wasn’t thinking properly about him. About the medicine, about the cook, about his homeland. I’ve received so much from him, but I haven’t been able to give anything back…!”
Before, Gungrave only thought about winning battles. He was unmatched when it came to tactics and political maneuvering. But he was careless about preparations before entering battle. Food, supplies, equipment, wages… Gungrave used to complain that just maintaining a mercenary group eats up money. Now he’s leading a mercenary group of over two hundred people. But this time, we were putting a burden on Shuri. All of us, including me.
“Gungrave…” “Don’t say it, Tegue. Right now, anything you say will just be licking each other’s wounds…”
With that, Gungrave quickly walked away. I was a bit concerned, so I was about to reach for the tent to check on Shuri when,
“Dad… Mom…”
I heard Shuri’s anguished voice. Shuri has a family. Far away, there’s Shuri’s homeland and family. He’s been desperately trying to survive to meet them. That weak Shuri, you know. At first, I thought it was enviable that he had a family. Because I didn’t have one. But in Shuri’s case, it’s not that he doesn’t have one. He just can’t meet them. Far away and unsure if he can return, he’s been keeping his loneliness to himself all this time. How about me in comparison? Have I tried to understand Shuri’s pain? Do I know what his family is like? Shuri’s favorite foods, his taste in booze, his type of woman, his hobbies. We don’t know any of it.
The consequences of living by just going with the flow have now turned into a massive regret. What do I mean by protecting family? I didn’t even try to listen to Shuri’s worries.
“Oh, Tegue?” “Ah, yeah, Shuri. Feeling better?” “Yes, much better.”
Before I knew it, Shuri had come outside and it had turned to night.
“It’s cold, would you like to come inside?” “Ah, no, it’s fine. Shuri, you should go back to sleep.” “I’m feeling better, so it’s okay. Besides, I’d like to talk to someone for a bit.”
…This is a good opportunity.
“Is that so… Then I’ll take you up on that offer. I’ve got something I want to talk about too.”
Sitting inside, I faced Shuri.
“Shuri. Don’t you want to go back to your homeland?” “Huh?”
It’s direct, but I wanted to ask.
“Of course I want to go back.” “I see…” “But I might not be able to.”
Eh?
“It’s hard to explain, but it’s far away. So far that it’s not easy to reach. It’s not even on this continent.” “Not on this continent?” “Well…”
Not on this continent? The Çabrille continent is a huge landmass, taking a year to travel from one end to the other. And no one has ever gone beyond the sea. The area beyond the sea is called the “Outer Sea,” and it’s thought that there are no other continents. No one has ever returned from there. Also, at a certain distance out to sea, there are “sea beasts” that can capsize ships. That’s why no one has ever gone out there. Shuri came from there?
“I’ll make a little midnight snack.”
Lost in thought, I heard Shuri say this.
“Ah, then I’ll be going…” “No, would you eat with me?”
Hm?
“This dish. It’s something my family used to make for me when I caught a cold. So, I think it’d be better to have someone around.”
For the first time, I felt like I was hearing about Shuri’s family. Such a nostalgic dish, with me?
While I was thinking about this, Shuri set a pot on the stove and started cooking. For some reason, he had brought ingredients with him.
He’s putting sausage, potatoes, carrots, and cabbage into a clear, tea-colored soup and boiling it. Ah, as expected, Shuri’s cooking smells good from the start. As I was enjoying the aroma, Shuri served the soup into a bowl for me.
“Here, let’s eat.” “This… is this sausage?” “Yes, it goes well with this dish.”
Sausage is a bit of a luxury meat. Common people can afford it, but it’s expensive. I’ve eaten it a few times, and I remember the meat juices were irresistibly delicious and made the drink go down well. I try a spoonful.
It’s delicious.
The soup has a complex flavor that delights both the tongue and throat. I can tell it’s made with various ingredients, but I can’t tell how many. The sausage has been boiled and seasoned, and the mixture of meat juices and soup creates an even more delicious taste. The cabbage and carrots are soft and melt in your mouth as they go down to your stomach. But what’s surprising is the potato. I thought potatoes were usually just boiled and eaten. When I was hungry, I used to just eat potatoes to get by. But the potatoes in this soup have flavor, they’re soft, and they gently melt in your mouth. It’s the first time I’ve felt potatoes were delicious.
“It’s delicious. I used to think potatoes were just filler ingredients.” “They’re not just fillers. Potatoes are full of nutrients and good for your body. Potatoes that have absorbed the flavor are exceptional.” “I see…” “My mom used to make this for me.”
Shuri’s… mom?
“It’s a bit nostalgic, or maybe sad… Everyone in this group has been so kind. But it’s hard not being able to see my family.” “All of us!”
Before I knew it, I was shouting. They’re not dead. But he can’t meet them. There’s too much hope to just accept it like we do, but he can’t express that hope either. How pathetic, what do I mean by protecting family? I haven’t even been able to become family to Shuri!
“All of us are orphans. Gungrave, Lill, Kuuga, Arius, me, everyone. But we consider each other family. And that includes you, Shuri. So if you’re feeling lonely, you can rely on us. We’re a family bound by fate.”
This time, I make a vow. To protect my family, my comrades.
“Yes… thank you…” “We’ll definitely protect you, Shuri. So Shuri, you just need to be our home. If we had parents, I think they would have made such delicious meals for us. We’re the ones who should be thanking you.” “Yes… yes…” “It’s delicious. This soup.”
Shuri was crying, but I pretended not to notice. Because I felt like I finally understood Shuri. So for now, it’s just a secret between us.
The next day, Shuri was completely back to normal. Everyone’s saying they’re glad and congratulating him. I don’t feel jealous or frustrated anymore. I’m not just going with the flow either. I’m doing what I can do.
“Alright, time for training!” “Yeah!”
I’m firing up my subordinates, repeatedly practicing target shooting and physical techniques.
“The captain seems pretty motivated lately.”
My vice-captain said to me with a puzzled look.
“I can be serious when I need to be.” “I see, then I’ll support you as your vice-captain.”
My subordinates are desperately keeping up with the training. Before I knew it, I had come up with ideas for close combat using bows, and I was working on them with my subordinates.
I’ve been going with the flow. But now I have a dream, or rather, a goal of my own. This time, it’s not because I’m being swept along. It’s my own dream. I want to travel this continent from end to end and compile it into a book. And then I’ll go beyond the sea and find Shuri’s homeland. I’ll tell Shuri’s parents that he’s doing well. For that, I’ll do my best now.
Tegue Valence has two aspects: that of a hero and that of an adventurer. He established the Tengu-style Archery Combat Technique, one of the two great martial arts of the Unified Empire, which uses bows for close, medium, and long-range combat. The name comes from when his close friend muttered, “It’s kind of like a tengu,” and he used those characters. He was dutiful and diligent in his missions, but he soon handed over his position as captain of the Imperial Guard to his juniors and set out on a journey, traveling to every place on the continent, seeing everything, and eating everything. After that, he wrote a book. The Record of Foreign Lands. It’s an adventure book that contains everything about the Çabrille continent. Captivated by this adventure book, many adventurers ventured into unexplored and dangerous territories, leading to various discoveries. Tegue Valence became the pioneer of the adventurer profession and established the very term “adventurer.” In later years, many adventurers came to revere him, and gradually he became such a prominent figure that there was said to be no adventurer who didn’t know his name. However, he disappeared for twenty years on his last adventure. During that time, he had actually crossed the Outer Sea and was traveling on a different continent. With the discovered sea routes and navigation techniques, he established trade routes between the continents. And he wrote another book. It would inspire many adventurers to embark on new journeys. The Record of Other Worlds. It was a book that documented the nations, foods, cultures, and histories of the newly discovered continent. In later years, it would come to be used by scholars when studying different cultures. After returning from the other continent, he spent the rest of his life peacefully in the imperial capital, blessed with a wife, children, and grandchildren. It’s said that he often conversed with his close friend, the cook. On those occasions, a certain soup was always served. Every time he ate it, he would say: “A single bowl of soup connected me and the world.”
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Chapter 10
I’ve never made decisions for myself.
When Gungrave started the mercenary group, I just tagged along thinking it might be a way to make a living.
When Lill’s inventions were completed, I just went with the flow.
Even during battles, it’s mostly my second-in-command giving orders. I’ve never given orders or made decisions myself.
I’ve always been watching from behind, living by going with the flow.
That’s my way of life.
I’m Tegue. I’m the captain of the archer unit.
The reason I chose archery is simply because I hate close combat.
Plus, Gungrave told me, “You, think about the unit formation and use a bow.”
So I just kind of use a bow.
Fortunately, I have a talent for archery, so I’m not a burden on the battlefield.
But there’s only one thing I regret.
In a past battle we lost, during the retreat, Gungrave was seriously injured.
Why did Gungrave, who serves as both a unit captain and the leader of our group, take on the role of rearguard?
It was because Kuuga’s unit was operating separately and wasn’t there at the time.
Without the infantry unit, the cavalry unit had to serve as the rearguard. Lill’s unit couldn’t handle being the rearguard, and using Arius’s unit as the rearguard would have been too costly and risky.
At that time, I just went with the flow and fled.
Even now, I see it in my dreams.
I wonder if we could have at least avoided the worst-case scenario if my unit had participated in the operation as the rearguard back then.
We somehow managed to save Gungrave’s life, and the group avoided complete destruction and disbandment.
At that time, I made a vow.
“Everyone is family. This time, I’ll protect them.”
But the go-with-the-flow attitude I’ve developed over the years is hard to overcome.
All I can do is try to keep the mood of the group from getting bad.
In the midst of this, Gungrave brought in a new member.
A cook named Shuri.
This guy’s cooking is just incredibly delicious.
Until now, we were all pretty much fending for ourselves when it came to food.
Our meals were so over-salted you couldn’t tell what was what.
But I can tell that everyone’s faces have brightened up since Shuri arrived.
Mealtimes are fun now, and it’s a joy to be able to fill up on delicious food.
When we win a battle and eat Shuri’s food, it makes me feel glad to be alive.
More than anything, it gives us energy for the next fight.
But I felt a bit frustrated.
It’s Shuri who’s protecting everyone I thought of as family, albeit behind the scenes.
He’s giving everyone energy with his delicious food.
While feeling frustrated, I also think it can’t be helped with cooking this good.
It’s just that delicious.
Then Shuri caught a cold.
In a recent battle, we fought in a cold region during a cold season, and we ended up pushing all the burden of cooking onto Shuri.
Shuri is weak. He’s scrawny and can barely swing a sword. He didn’t have much stamina either.
But we all, including Gungrave and I, had been complacent, thinking he’d be fine since he was eating the same food as everyone else.
No one had expected Shuri to be this weak.
And Shuri himself was too good at hiding it.
He kept making meals for everyone day after day with a nonchalant face.
He did all the dishwashing alone in the freezing cold without complaining about how tough it was.
Then suddenly, he collapsed with a thud.
Everyone panicked and rushed to take care of him.
And then Shuri says something like “I’m sorry.”
We’re the ones who pushed all the troublesome tasks onto him, but he doesn’t blame us one bit.
“Sorry. I should’ve hired you an assistant cook sooner.”
Inside the tent, Shuri and Gungrave are talking alone.
Obviously, we can’t all crowd in there, so Gungrave is handling the visit and I’m on watch duty.
“No… if I had taken better care of my health… this wouldn’t have happened…”
“It’s also my fault for not stocking up on medicine… I relied too much on your cooking…”
“I’m… happy to be relied on… it’s part of my job…”
No, Shuri, that’s not right.
If we had paid more attention to Shuri, this wouldn’t have happened.
“More importantly… how is everyone… Are they eating properly…?”
“Yeah. But the taste is terrible. Everyone’s wishing for your recovery.”
“That’s an exaggeration…”
It’s not an exaggeration at all.
Since Shuri collapsed, everyone’s been at a loss.
We relied on Shuri because no one else could cook properly.
Now that Shuri has collapsed, everyone’s back to eating bad food again.
It’s not just my unit. We’re getting complaints from subordinates in other units too.
“It’s not an exaggeration. We don’t have a doctor nearby. We don’t have medicine. If something were to happen, it’d be scary.”
To be honest, our group’s medicine stock is not good.
We didn’t have any knowledge about medicine, and no one got sick after eating Shuri’s cooking.
If Shuri were to die now, it would be our fault.
“I won’t die… that easily…”
“I believe you. Actually, everyone wants to come and take care of you.
You’ve got everyone here for you, you know.”
“Haha… please tell them… thank you…”
Gungrave came out of the tent looking pained.
As if to say it was all his fault.
“Captain. How’s Shuri?”
“He has a fever, but he’s conscious and thinking clearly. There’s no need to worry for now.”
I felt a little relieved.
“But if we had medicine, it wouldn’t have come to this…!”
But Gungrave twisted his face in frustration and shame.
“It’s my fault. I wasn’t thinking properly about him.
About the medicine, about the cook, about his homeland.
I’ve received so much from him, but I haven’t been able to give anything back…!”
Before, Gungrave only thought about winning battles.
He was unmatched when it came to tactics and political maneuvering.
But he was careless about preparations before entering battle.
Food, supplies, equipment, wages…
Gungrave used to complain that just maintaining a mercenary group eats up money.
Now he’s leading a mercenary group of over two hundred people.
But this time, we were putting a burden on Shuri.
All of us, including me.
“Gungrave…”
“Don’t say it, Tegue. Right now, anything you say will just be licking each other’s wounds…”
With that, Gungrave quickly walked away.
I was a bit concerned, so I was about to reach for the tent to check on Shuri when,
“Dad… Mom…”
I heard Shuri’s anguished voice.
Shuri has a family.
Far away, there’s Shuri’s homeland and family.
He’s been desperately trying to survive to meet them.
That weak Shuri, you know.
At first, I thought it was enviable that he had a family.
Because I didn’t have one.
But in Shuri’s case, it’s not that he doesn’t have one. He just can’t meet them.
Far away and unsure if he can return, he’s been keeping his loneliness to himself all this time.
How about me in comparison?
Have I tried to understand Shuri’s pain?
Do I know what his family is like?
Shuri’s favorite foods, his taste in booze, his type of woman, his hobbies.
We don’t know any of it.
The consequences of living by just going with the flow have now turned into a massive regret.
What do I mean by protecting family?
I didn’t even try to listen to Shuri’s worries.
“Oh, Tegue?”
“Ah, yeah, Shuri. Feeling better?”
“Yes, much better.”
Before I knew it, Shuri had come outside and it had turned to night.
“It’s cold, would you like to come inside?”
“Ah, no, it’s fine. Shuri, you should go back to sleep.”
“I’m feeling better, so it’s okay. Besides, I’d like to talk to someone for a bit.”
…This is a good opportunity.
“Is that so… Then I’ll take you up on that offer. I’ve got something I want to talk about too.”
Sitting inside, I faced Shuri.
“Shuri. Don’t you want to go back to your homeland?”
“Huh?”
It’s direct, but I wanted to ask.
“Of course I want to go back.”
“I see…”
“But I might not be able to.”
Eh?
“It’s hard to explain, but it’s far away. So far that it’s not easy to reach.
It’s not even on this continent.”
“Not on this continent?”
“Well…”
Not on this continent?
The Çabrille continent is a huge landmass, taking a year to travel from one end to the other.
And no one has ever gone beyond the sea.
The area beyond the sea is called the “Outer Sea,” and it’s thought that there are no other continents. No one has ever returned from there.
Also, at a certain distance out to sea, there are “sea beasts” that can capsize ships.
That’s why no one has ever gone out there.
Shuri came from there?
“I’ll make a little midnight snack.”
Lost in thought, I heard Shuri say this.
“Ah, then I’ll be going…”
“No, would you eat with me?”
Hm?
“This dish. It’s something my family used to make for me when I caught a cold.
So, I think it’d be better to have someone around.”
For the first time, I felt like I was hearing about Shuri’s family.
Such a nostalgic dish, with me?
While I was thinking about this, Shuri set a pot on the stove and started cooking.
For some reason, he had brought ingredients with him.
He’s putting sausage, potatoes, carrots, and cabbage into a clear, tea-colored soup and boiling it.
Ah, as expected, Shuri’s cooking smells good from the start.
As I was enjoying the aroma, Shuri served the soup into a bowl for me.
“Here, let’s eat.”
“This… is this sausage?”
“Yes, it goes well with this dish.”
Sausage is a bit of a luxury meat.
Common people can afford it, but it’s expensive.
I’ve eaten it a few times, and I remember the meat juices were irresistibly delicious and made the drink go down well.
I try a spoonful.
It’s delicious.
The soup has a complex flavor that delights both the tongue and throat.
I can tell it’s made with various ingredients, but I can’t tell how many.
The sausage has been boiled and seasoned, and the mixture of meat juices and soup creates an even more delicious taste.
The cabbage and carrots are soft and melt in your mouth as they go down to your stomach.
But what’s surprising is the potato.
I thought potatoes were usually just boiled and eaten.
When I was hungry, I used to just eat potatoes to get by.
But the potatoes in this soup have flavor, they’re soft, and they gently melt in your mouth.
It’s the first time I’ve felt potatoes were delicious.
“It’s delicious. I used to think potatoes were just filler ingredients.”
“They’re not just fillers. Potatoes are full of nutrients and good for your body.
Potatoes that have absorbed the flavor are exceptional.”
“I see…”
“My mom used to make this for me.”
Shuri’s… mom?
“It’s a bit nostalgic, or maybe sad…
Everyone in this group has been so kind. But it’s hard not being able to see my family.”
“All of us!”
Before I knew it, I was shouting.
They’re not dead. But he can’t meet them.
There’s too much hope to just accept it like we do, but he can’t express that hope either.
How pathetic, what do I mean by protecting family?
I haven’t even been able to become family to Shuri!
“All of us are orphans. Gungrave, Lill, Kuuga, Arius, me, everyone.
But we consider each other family.
And that includes you, Shuri.
So if you’re feeling lonely, you can rely on us.
We’re a family bound by fate.”
This time, I make a vow.
To protect my family, my comrades.
“Yes… thank you…”
“We’ll definitely protect you, Shuri.
So Shuri, you just need to be our home.
If we had parents, I think they would have made such delicious meals for us.
We’re the ones who should be thanking you.”
“Yes… yes…”
“It’s delicious. This soup.”
Shuri was crying, but I pretended not to notice.
Because I felt like I finally understood Shuri.
So for now, it’s just a secret between us.
The next day, Shuri was completely back to normal.
Everyone’s saying they’re glad and congratulating him.
I don’t feel jealous or frustrated anymore.
I’m not just going with the flow either.
I’m doing what I can do.
“Alright, time for training!”
“Yeah!”
I’m firing up my subordinates, repeatedly practicing target shooting and physical techniques.
“The captain seems pretty motivated lately.”
My vice-captain said to me with a puzzled look.
“I can be serious when I need to be.”
“I see, then I’ll support you as your vice-captain.”
My subordinates are desperately keeping up with the training.
Before I knew it, I had come up with ideas for close combat using bows, and I was working on them with my subordinates.
I’ve been going with the flow. But now I have a dream, or rather, a goal of my own.
This time, it’s not because I’m being swept along. It’s my own dream.
I want to travel this continent from end to end and compile it into a book.
And then I’ll go beyond the sea and find Shuri’s homeland.
I’ll tell Shuri’s parents that he’s doing well.
For that, I’ll do my best now.
Tegue Valence has two aspects: that of a hero and that of an adventurer.
He established the Tengu-style Archery Combat Technique, one of the two great martial arts of the Unified Empire, which uses bows for close, medium, and long-range combat. The name comes from when his close friend muttered, “It’s kind of like a tengu,” and he used those characters.
He was dutiful and diligent in his missions, but he soon handed over his position as captain of the Imperial Guard to his juniors and set out on a journey, traveling to every place on the continent, seeing everything, and eating everything.
After that, he wrote a book.
The Record of Foreign Lands.
It’s an adventure book that contains everything about the Çabrille continent.
Captivated by this adventure book, many adventurers ventured into unexplored and dangerous territories, leading to various discoveries.
Tegue Valence became the pioneer of the adventurer profession and established the very term “adventurer.”
In later years, many adventurers came to revere him, and gradually he became such a prominent figure that there was said to be no adventurer who didn’t know his name.
However, he disappeared for twenty years on his last adventure.
During that time, he had actually crossed the Outer Sea and was traveling on a different continent.
With the discovered sea routes and navigation techniques, he established trade routes between the continents.
And he wrote another book. It would inspire many adventurers to embark on new journeys.
The Record of Other Worlds.
It was a book that documented the nations, foods, cultures, and histories of the newly discovered continent.
In later years, it would come to be used by scholars when studying different cultures.
After returning from the other continent, he spent the rest of his life peacefully in the imperial capital, blessed with a wife, children, and grandchildren.
It’s said that he often conversed with his close friend, the cook.
On those occasions, a certain soup was always served.
Every time he ate it, he would say:
“A single bowl of soup connected me and the world.”
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