Chapter 36: Meat battle
Walking down the paved road that led to Kurt’s house, I decided to make small talk so as to not make the journey awkward.
"Sooo....uncle Kurt, what do you like doing for fun?". I started.
"Hm?, I’ve always had a knack for Dragonball".
"Dragonball?!". I shouted excitedly, completely ignoring the fact that such a peak anime couldn’t possibly exist in this world.
Kurt seemingly mistook my excitement for enthusiasm as his eye shone as well, "You didn’t tell me you love dragonball!, I’m going to watch the game later tonight, wanna come?".
Listening to Kurt’s suggestion, my eyebrows furrowed in confusion and I realized we were talking about two different things.
Before I could shoot him down, Laura interrupted me, ’Just go with the flow and see if you like it, I mean look how excited you got him.’
Looking at his shining eyes as he waited for my response and nearly hit a pole while he was walking, I chuckled and answered, "I’d love to, but I haven’t really had the chance to see many games, so I don’t know most of the rules. Is that alright?".
Kurt swung his large arms over my shoulder and pat his chest as he spoke with a boisterous laugh, "It’s not really complicated, don’t worry, I’m sure you’d love it".
’You see, Laura?, we men are simple creatures’. I explained.
’You’re simpler than a piece of meat’. Laura jabbed.
’I will refrain from making any comments’. I retreated pridefully.
As Laura laughed cheerfully with a pearly laughter, I expertly repressed the annoyance that crept up my face and engaged in small talk — which was mostly Kurt rambling about the top dragon teams this season and some top player transfers.
"
Finally, a large building came into view, its black gate gleaming with golden letters that formed the initials ’KV.’
I was taken by surprise by the grandeur of the home as Kurt and I made our way to his home.
"Your house is pretty big". I complimented in awe as the gate opened automatically as we came closer.
"Hehe, what can I say, blacksmithing makes alot of money". Kurt responded as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Honey!, you’re home!"
A tall woman with glossy black hair and bright blue eyes, dressed in a slim, gem-studded gown, ran toward him with a cheerful smile before leaping up to wrap her arms around his neck.
"Haha, Victoria!, I told you not to wait up for me". Kurt spoke cheerfully as he spun around with the laughing Victoria in his arms.
"How could I not wait for my workaholic husband not to come home, hmm?, who would make you your favorite dinner then?". Victoria answered with a teasing smile as she rubbed her nose with his.
’This is nice’
’This is nice’
I and Laura spoke simultaneously.
’I feel like this has been happening more frequently’. I observed.
’I’m literally in your head, what do you expect?’. Laura answered
Before our conversation could go any deeper, a soft, soothing voice called out, "And who do we have here?"
I hurried forward and gave a slight bow, "My name is Clark Thompson. I’m a new disciple of Uncle—", I caught myself and quickly corrected, "—Master Kurt."
A light chuckle escaped from her mouth before she responded kindly, "Don’t worry about all those formalities, dear". Casting a side glance at Kurt, she continued, "but it is quite surprising that Kurt chose a disciple".
Kurt chuckled awkwardly and tried to explain, "It wasn’t in the spur of the moment, he’s different from the rest, I promise!"
’Why do I feel like we’ve been caught cheating’. I wondered.
After a few minutes of Kurt frantically explaining and Victoria chuckling lightly with her hands placed over her mouth, she finally decided to stop teasing her pitiful husband and ushered us in.
"You boys must be hungry, there’s enough food for you two, so hold on tight". Victoria remarked in a soft voice as she went into the perfectly furnished kitchen.
A grand wooden table stood at the center, lined with fine plates, silver cutlery, and tall glasses that screamed wealth.
’This stuff looks expensive", I thought as I sat at the table beside Kurt, who claimed the head seat. The scent of the food was intoxicating, making my nose twitch as I glanced around at the fine home.
’Really?, I thought they got it from an alley way somewhere?’. Laura replied sarcastically.
’Haha, very funny’, I commented dryly, eyeing the massive golden chandelier and the curved ceiling painted with portraits in golden frames—faces that looked suspiciously like Kurt. My gaze slid to the parlor, where a pure white couch with gold trim sat beside an average table on a rug so fine it had to be carved from some beast’s hide.
"Here we are~". Victoria hummed as different dishes that each emanated unique pleasant scents floated and landed perfectly on the table.
"These smell delicious and I’m sure they’ll taste just as good too". Kurt complimented and I couldn’t help but nod as the scents invaded my nostrils.
"Then let’s say our prayers and dig in". Victoria replied with a motherly smile.
After a short prayer—one so strange I had no clue how to respond—I grabbed my fork and stabbed a piece of meat, shoving it into my mouth along with the strange-looking vegetables piled on my plate.
"Thwish ish delicioush ma’am". I spoke as I chewed on my food.
"Fufufu, thank you, but no talking while eating, okay?". Victoria replied with a warm smile.
I nodded absentmindedly and dug into the food, only to realize it had somehow turned into an eating contest—especially after Kurt and I both stabbed the same piece of meat at the same time.
I stared at Kurt’s brown eyes and Kurt stared at mine, before I broke the tension with a smile, "Uncle Kurt, you shouldn’t be like this to your newest disciple".
Kurt laughed lowly and slowly dragged the piece of meat to his side as he countered, "As a good disciple, it should be your advantage that your master eats, so he can have enough strength to train you"
Slowly dragging the meat to my position, I shook my head lightly with a smile and answered, "Uncle Kurt, you said it yourself earlier, It has been a long time since I had a good meal such as this one, so why cut me off from such a delicacy?".
Victoria giggled as she watched the both of engage in a covert war for meat but didn’t intervene and just continued eating slowly.
"You should show gratitude to those who help you, no?, your uncle Kurt here is still very hungry and doesn’t want to stress his beautiful wife by making her going back to the kitchen".
Kurt glanced at his wife with a flattering smile as he slowly pulled back the meat to his side.
’Tsk, he’s played the wifey card, this battle is lost’. I concluded grimly.
Still smiling, my fork locked on the poor piece of meat, I called upon the wisdom of history’s greatest rage-baiters and undefeated arguers— Laura.
’Oh, almighty one, I ask for your guidance for this foolish mortal’. I begged Laura shamelessly.
Staring at the proud smile on Kurt’s face, I desperately waited for Laura’s response.
’This goddess had heard this foolish mortals request’. Laura responded after a moment.
My eyes lit up as my smile widened— much to the confusion of Kurt, but I wasn’t going to reveal my trump card to him...not that I could in the first place, but you get it.
’Tell him this....’. Laura replied in a sagely tone.
With a wide smile on my face, I finally responded to Kurt— mind you, all of this transpired within a few seconds. Yes, that was how serious meat battles could get.
"Uncle Kurt...". I spoke with a pitiful expression, "This disciple has been unbelievably poor all this while and hasn’t had a good meal in years. If master could be merciful just this once...."
A look of confliction finally appeared on Kurt’s face as the grip on the meat finally loosened.
Reeling in my triumphant expression and pretending not to see the wronged look on Kurt’s face, I slowly brought the meat close to my mouth.
’Victory is mine’. I reflected, ’but why does it taste so bitter?’.
Staring at the approaching piece of meat and Kurt’s slumped shoulders alongside Victoria’s amused expression, I clicked my tongue and dropped the meat on the plate.
’What are you doing, you fool?!’. Laura screamed frantically as she watched my mind boggling actions.
’This battle was never meant to be won, Laura!’. I replied as I picked up a knife, much to the surprise of Kurt and amusement of Victoria.
’NOOOO!!!’. Laura screamed.
Bringing the knife on the meat, it was cut cleanly into two and I calmly placed one part of the meat on Kurt’s plate.
Staring at me with a look of utter respect at my bravery, Kurt and I brought the pieces of meat to our mouths and ate it at the same time.
"Heavenly!"
"Heavenly!"
Placing our hands on our cheeks with tears of joy streaming down our cheeks, we savoured the taste of the meat that had been won through blood, sweat and tears.
Victoria couldn’t take it anymore and finally burst into laughter.
"Hahahahahahahaha, you boys are so silly!". Holding her belly due to the intensity of the laughter, Victoria continued, "There are still lots of meat left in the kitchen, I could’ve always gotten you some, but you boys were so hell bent on fighting for one that I couldn’t stop you!".
Kurt and I smiled wryly as we stealthily arranged the crooked table cloth.
"Haa... don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything, you two go shower and get ready for bed". Victoria spoke after she had her fill of laughter.
Nodding, Kurt gave me a quick tour of the home and brought me to my room last.
"Go shower, you stink!". He commented as he wrinkled his nose.
Sticking out my tongue, I closed the door and sat on the soft bed that rested right Infront of a large mirror which had a clock on top of it.
After a while, I spoke,"Today was fun".
Laura flew out of my head and answered with a chuckle, "You don’t say".
After laughing for some time, Laura asked, "How much time do I have left?".
My smile faltered for a moment, but I’d long since come to terms with it, so I simply answered.
"Seven hours and 3 minutes".
A heavy sigh escaped from her mouth as she floated and looked out the window to the illuminated streets that had people of different kin walking around.
"I’m sure you know I’m a princess, right?". She started.
I nodded as I sat in lotus position with my pillow held between my arms.
"What if I told you I knew how to send you back to your original world?".
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion and I answered, "You said I had to complete all the missions and I’ll get an option to go back, right?".
Laura shook her head with a weak smile and explained, "That’s what we’re instructed to tell everybody whenever they ask something related to that topic".
I was taken aback, but I let her continue.
"The thing is, you can’t go back unless you die once more and take control of ⬛⬛’s system and luckily get back to your world". Laura explained.
"Huh?, who did you say I had to take control of?". I asked confusedly as my brain seemed to have zoned out when she spoke.
"Hm?, I said ⬛⬛?". Laura repeated
"What?". I asked again and leaned in closer, just in case.
"Are you messing with me?, you have to somehow take control of ⬛⬛!".
I rubbed my hair in annoyance and just decided to drop the topic, Laura also seemed to have understood something but chose not to talk about it, but I didn’t care to know at this point anyway.
I clarified, "I don’t want to go home anyway, so it’s of no consequence".
Laura shrugged as if she had already expected my answer and continued, "This is actually my first official guardian mission, since we’ll be conducting a princess orientation program soon and I’ll need to gather the experience points so I can qualify".
I hugged my knees as I listened.
"The Ynirven kingdom is responsible for the transmigration and allocation of souls to their respective bodies". She continued.
Over a few more hours, Laura explained everything about her kingdom that couldn’t prove detrimental to her in any way.
And just like that, six hours passed and we were only left with one hour with each other.
"So, what are we going to do now?". I asked.
"..... there’s always been something I’ve wanted to do eve since I came here". Laura muttered hesitantly.
"Spit it out, we literally don’t have time to waste". I urged
"Well, okay....."
"I’ve always wanted to go sky diving". She completed with her gaze averted.
"Huh?!"
Hello!, yes it’s me, your pesky author, pretty boring Chapter, eh?, well no worries, it gets good later on. Shout out to Newlin for the powerstones and I’ll be very shameless when I go premium in asking for gifts, so get ready people 🤭. Leave a comment, powerstones or both. Love you!