Bubble bubble
“Hehehehe. Baeksuk Baeksuk~”
Shia had fond memories of Baeksuk.
Even before she became the Mangja Seongnyeo after getting caught up in the Great Rift, she used to eat Baeksuk every time she went to Andong with her parents. Having enjoyed it multiple times since childhood, she had a warm impression of Baeksuk as a nostalgic dish.
Although she was now too busy devouring the horrific monsters and the minions of the Mawang right in front of her to even think about Baeksuk, just looking back at old memories and leisurely cooking Baeksuk with her companions made her feel good.
“Hey, how long do we boil this?”
“I dunno.”
“Why don’t you know?! And why am I the one stirring this?!”
“I caught this, okay?”
“You’re the one who said you’d make Baeksuk! Just shut up and chop the other ingredients!!”
“Kyah!”
The Elder Mandragora’s knowledge stemmed quite randomly from the unconscious minds of many humans.
The Taurus Great Canyon was a dungeon where various gates opened around the Earth. With so many humans’ unconsciousness flowing in, many rookie hunters also made this place their home.
As a result, the Elder, whether it liked it or not, was influenced by the consciousness, thoughts, desires, and knowledge of humans, and it couldn’t help but be affected by the mental state of rookie hunters.
And so, the Elder calmly analyzed the situation it found itself in.
-…Is that little human stronger…?
Watching Teresa kick Shia’s butt to chase her away, the Elder wondered if Teresa, who seemed much smaller and weaker than Shia, might actually be a stronger person or hold a higher rank.
-But luckily, I’m not being eaten…?
The Elder felt a basic relief inside upon realizing it wasn’t under any threat to its life.
Boiling in a pot didn’t threaten the Elder’s life; rather, it felt relaxed, like being in a hot spring.
The original Elder wouldn’t know, but simply being submerged in hot water wouldn’t normally give the Elder such a fulfilling sensation.
And Teresa, while stirring the pot, shot glances between the Elder and Shia.
‘In truth, Shia might just be boiling Baeksuk thoughtlessly, but isn’t this quite close to a baptism?’
The term “baptism” originates from the meaning [to be submerged in water] and also carries the connotation of [a ritual of washing away with water].
Though it was just Baeksuk broth, performing a purification ritual with religious significance directly by the hand of the saint—Shia—for the baptizer—Elder—could loosely be referred to as a baptism.
Just as Shia had unintentionally participated in an unconscious ritual of baptism leading to Yane’s ascension back when she took baths with Yane in her Bladed Centipede days, something similar was happening with this Elder Mandragora.
In truth, both Shia and the Elder would only realize much later that this process of boiling Baeksuk was a form of baptism, but Teresa, having watched Shia over countless cycles, recognized this process as a kind of baptism.
‘If one eats food touched by Shia’s hand, it can also be considered a type of miracle, effectively treating them as Shia’s ally or believer… Well, me and Menelapie are technically her believers too…’
Of course, calling it a baptism didn’t involve any purification or complicated processes; nor were there rigid rituals or constraints to follow.
After all, Shia was hardly a saint bound by rules or propriety.
-Uh, um…
“What?”
At first, the Elder used to communicate in cute whines or broken words, but the more it talked, the more familiar it became; soon, its speech became quite fluent.
-I, I really don’t know what happens next…
“…….”
Upon hearing this, Teresa narrowed her eyes while stirring the pot, looking down at the Elder, then silently pressed the flowers blooming from the Elder’s head.
As Teresa cast a shadow with a twisted smile, the Elder felt a strange dread, thinking Teresa looked much scarier than the Mangja Seongnyeo that had captured it.
Initially, the Elder imagined that it would be torn apart and horrifically copulated after being wrapped forcibly by stems, leaves, and flowers created by that Mangja Seongnyeo.
The Elder Mandragora, influenced by the unconsciousness of hunters who entered the Taurus Great Canyon, had an exaggerated imagination, yet it wasn’t impossible since the usual relationship between hunters and monsters meant being eaten and violated if one was weak.
If there were female hunters defeated by a pack of unusually strong goblins, they would fall victim to them. Likewise, male hunters could be captured and turned into steeds by Night Fairies.
Conversely, hunters often forcibly subdued and controlled female monsters as pets, and there were even cases where a unicorn known as “Black Gold Seed” partnered with a female hunter.
Although these were peculiar incidents that ordinary civilians might be unaware of, they did happen, contributing to the Elder Mandragora’s heightened wariness and sense of danger towards the Mangja Seongnyeo.
If the Elder didn’t remain cautious, it would indeed be odd, considering that the Mangja Seongnyeo had a vicious disposition that could threaten even other Mandragoras if she failed to subdue them.
“Well…”
Yikes…
Despite feeling like the weakest and most delicate among them, a strange sensation loomed that Teresa’s shadow was even darker than that of the Mangja Seongnyeo that caught it.
“Our pig saint has had a mischievous and cruel habit for a long time.”
Hick… Yikes, cruel and bad…? You mean… eating everything without leaving a scrap…?
“That’s somewhat accurate.”
Hihiick…!
However, Teresa’s earlier reaction seemed to be a joke, as she shrugged her shoulders and began flicking the flowers atop the Elder’s head with her fingers.
“Whether you’re aware of it or not, she always brings someone with her wherever she goes.”
…!?
“Whether they’re an orphan, have a story or not, whether they have memories or not, occasionally she drags along a turncoat or monster infested with malice.”
So… everybody got eaten, then!?
“No, you’ve never seen them before; what do you think you know? I won’t deny it, but when we roast our pig saint, we roast her too.”
“Do you think the Rose Order, which reveres Shia as a Grand Saint, was created by chance?”
Although administrative measures including management schemes were provided by Menelapie, the followers of Shia consisted of those brought by Shia or willingly sought her out.
The Rose Order was formed this way, along with numerous bishops and followers, including the second Grand Saint, Rosaria.
And humans weren’t the only ones in that mix.
“Subhumans, monsters, and even former members of the Mawang army were here, not to mention demons.”
……
“Congratulations. You are now destined to be an eternal tea bag for Shia’s broth.”
Hick…!?
“You’ve found a rare opportunity, haven’t you? Or would you rather stay buried underground, forever suckling on corpse nutrients?”
…….
The Elder’s voice trembled but was much better than before.
To put it succinctly, it simply had to enjoy a hot spring every now and then, right?
-But if I’m a broth tea bag… then what are you to that Mangja Seongnyeo?
The Elder gazed at Teresa quietly with that thought.
“Well, what could it be?”
—
Shia wore a happy expression.
Lately, she hadn’t always been entirely happy, but perhaps this moment was one of her happiest yet.
Being someone who easily felt lonely and loved people, Shia’s happiness increased merely with someone by her side.
In this moment, she was not only with Menelapie and Teresa but also with Yeonseo—whom she had developed a deep bond with that began after returning to Earth—cooking a delicious-looking Fugu Dove Mandragora Baeksuk together, which made her spirits soar.
Hehehehe…
Even the Elder Mandragora, seeming to have calmed down, appeared to be melting with delight in the enormous pot being boiled.
Not just the eaters, but even the one doing the cooking was in a pleasant situation, meaning there was surely no one unhappy in this place.
“Hey, Shia! Do you need help with anything?”
Menelapie, who seemed to think he would be using that garlic for a long while, was peeling the garlic from a massive basket.
It was a somewhat heartbreaking sight to see someone who had once been an emperor and warrior now peeling garlic, but it couldn’t be helped.
After all, wasn’t he the one who chose to be with the Mangja Seongnyeo and Isia?
Of course, it didn’t matter to Menelapie whether he went from emperor to mere garlic peeler as long as he was by Shia’s side.
“No, no. Thank you for adding the garlic, Menelapie.”
“I’m also looking forward to tasting this Baeksuk for the first time.”
It wasn’t the expectation of earthly food, but the fact that it was made by Shia that truly mattered.
“What about Yeonseo Unnie?”
“She’s peeling corn.”
“Corn…? Oh, there she is.”
Suddenly, where did this corn come from?
As Shia glanced across to see Yeonseo helping in the kitchen, she noticed her peeling corn husks from somewhere.
Shia had to rummage through her mind to check if she had any corn in the massive transport drone that stored her seasonings and cooking ingredients.
Though Shia wasn’t particularly bright, she didn’t remember putting any corn in the transport drone.
“It’s from the Elves. To be precise, it was sent by the Small Olga. They said seeing you sad while broadcasting earlier made them send it.”
“Oh, I see?”
“Even apart from that, once the Elves are officially recognized as a state, it will be a special product from the Daesanrim region to be distributed in various food markets.”
“Indeed, Elf crops are important for taste, but sometimes they have peculiar plants that can turn non-awakened into awakened ones.”
“Isn’t that more than just a simple crop? It’s a strategic resource!”
“Being able to turn non-awakened into awakened isn’t guaranteed. It only revitalizes their energy, so it stimulates the talent of those who already have potential.”
—
Corn sent by the Small Olga… Now that I think about it, doesn’t Baeksuk usually have corn in it?
While ordinary Baeksuk rarely includes corn, for the sake of flavor and texture, it wouldn’t be bad to try using the Daesanrim corn on this occasion.
“How many did you put in?”
“Just the garlic, right? This pot is big, so won’t three be enough?”
“Yeah, three should suffice… What?!”
Only three in a giant pot large enough to hold several people!?
As far as I know, a single serving of Baeksuk usually requires at least half a cup of minced garlic…?
“Sigh, Menelapie… Did you forget you’re a Western-style emperor…?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Based on the culture of Shia’s previous world, though there was a blend of Western, Eastern, and Middle Eastern cultures, Menelapie’s attire aside, the predominant culture around the Imperial Capital leaned more towards Western fantasy.
Thus, it was natural that they didn’t use garlic as liberally in prior Western culinary traditions… much like that of a Korean.
Calling a simple spread of garlic on the surface of a baguette “garlic bread”, or listening to absurdities like a piece of garlic being put in a plate of spaghetti or one side being used in a creamy garlic spaghetti.
Even though Shia had become a Mangja Seongnyeo, she hadn’t lost her Korean palate.
“Shia?”
Silently, Shia picked up the garlic basket brought by Menelapie.
Relieved that Menelapie had peeled plenty of garlic, Shia approached the pot where Teresa was stirring…
“Eh, what’s that?”
“Shia, what are you planning to do with that garlic…?”
Shhshhshh!
Huh?
She poured it into the Elder Mandragora.
Uwaaaaaaah! Garlic, garlic, garlic, it’s spicy! It’s SPICYYYY!!! AAAAAAAH!!
The Elder Mandragora, who had closed its eyes like someone taking a hot spring bath, was suddenly hit with a garlic terror, and ended up screaming as it felt the burning scent and taste of garlic permeate its entire being.
Humans taste through their tongues, but the Elder Mandragora tastes through its roots and stems, so it likely felt the garlic’s intensity much more.
KYAAA!
“Goodness, shut up!”
The garlic must’ve been super spicy.
Despite being a Mandragora, it howled in agony due to the spice from the garlic, loud enough to disturb human hearing, but Teresa shoved a ladle into the Elder’s throat to stifle the screams.
Ugggh! Ughghgh!
“Come on, hang in there. It’s the process to make it delicious.”
Uuuuuuuh!!
“Hey, Shia. By the way, just now I saw Menelapie adding fewer spices as well?”
!?
“…However, the royal chef said that excessive spices are poison…”
“Menelapie, you didn’t, like, accidentally add dates or soy sauce or sugar…?”
“Uh… Well… excessive sugar leads to diabetes, and too much soy sauce isn’t good…”
“Disappointed, Menelapie!”
….!
BAM!
Upon Shia’s words, Menelapie’s expression broke down as if he had just been abandoned by a lover.
Seeing this, Teresa smirked as she shoved the ladle deeper into the Elder Mandragora’s mouth.
“I just wanted Shia to eat healthier food. Didn’t they say Baeksuk is a healthy dish?”
“Did you forget that our pig saint loves spicy food? She’s probably addicted to it!”
“Oh.”
And this girl might get diabetes?
If a diabetic were to face the Mangja Seongnyeo, wouldn’t they scream “Oh no!”.
Huff, are you trying to turn Shia into a vegan saint because you’re dissatisfied with her eating habits? Just be honest, you have major issues with Shia’s diet, don’t you?
It was indeed Teresa who had the most complaints about Shia’s dietary habits rather than Menelapie.
Just how bad was it that they even created a fake Vegan Mawang?
“Is that true, Menelapie?!”
“That can’t be… I was…. misunderstanding Shia…!”
“………Oh dear.”
Just as Yeonseo arrived right next to the big pot, having finished peeling the corn, she turned her gaze away from the unfolding spectacle and freed the ladle stuck in the Elder Mandragora’s mouth.
Bleh! Thanks…!
“A good child that knows how to thank, are you?”
While the Elder Mandragora was bewildered by the sharp taste of garlic, as time passed and the flavors simmered, they began to neutralize, making the Elder not find it overwhelmingly spicy anymore.
If the Elder had been the kind of monster that absolutely hated humans, their basic policy would have been to eradicate it without hesitation. Yet, fortunately, the Elder was smart and a non-aggressive monster, so it managed to survive.
“Do you like corn?”
Corn…?
“Well, I’m going to throw some in regardless of whether you like it or not.”
Hiiik! Why, why me…!!
Fearing it might experience another spicy incident like with the garlic, the Elder took a defensive posture.
Huh…?
But as the corn went into the pot, the Elder’s eyes widened in surprise as it experienced an unexpectedly refreshing and light flavor.
Having only absorbed nutrients seeping from decomposing corpses through its roots, the moment the corn blended into the broth, the Elder felt like it had just had meat.
The warm, rich broth made it feel lethargic but at the same time, as if an incredible surge of strength was coursing through its body.
Ooh, ooooh, oooooo…!
No, it wasn’t an illusion.
Perhaps as a peak-class plant monster, the S-grade Elder Mandragora felt an immense boost in strength and power upon consuming the corn from the Elves within the Baeksuk broth.
Having mostly never been in battle before, at this moment, it felt as if it had grown into an unbeatable, powerful beast and stood up as if trying to escape.
It tasted good!
Corn!
I got stronger thanks to corn!
With this power, I could escape…!
No, or perhaps I could take them all down…!
“So what? Do you want to be a bad kid? You better not…”
—
CRACK!
-…………..
However, the Elder, upon hearing the sound of space cracking right beside its head and witnessing reality being distorted like a cube, quietly folded itself back into the pot.
Yeah, this broth is delicious.
This feels good.
This is a hot spring…
“Hoh, so it seems you’re doing fine. I’m truly glad to find out this old lady didn’t misjudge the good child. I once mixed corn into scorched rice samgyetang when I was young, so I figured it would be okay.”
It seemed the Daesanrim corn indeed had superior potency, as Yeonseo went off to peel the leftover corn.
*Coo…
Previously, the humans the Elder sensed in the Taurus Great Canyon had all been weak rookie hunters; it was a stroke of unfortunate luck for them.
Although Isia had caught it, Menelapie, Teresa, and Yeonseo were all terrifying individuals.
The Elder simply couldn’t fathom why only such powerful beings had come together.
