An Important Villain

Foods of a Fantasy World

While everyone was flustered or confused by Adrian's behavior, they had crossed the area of the Nobles and entered the town. 

Adrian was taking in everything that was happening around him. Although it was quiet in the Aristocratic area, the town was full of life. Street markets, customers and shopkeepers, travelers, residents, children’s laughing and playing around.

The smell of foods were coming from everywhere. Many dishes and desserts, candies were being sold on the roadside.

Seeing all those foods made Adrian feel hungry. 

To divert his own attention, he started looking at the buildings and constructions around the city. At first glance , they looked rather plain, but if you paid attention you'd notice that a considerable amount of thought and emotions were carved into each building or construction. They looked very aesthetic.

But no matter how much he tried to ignore it, the smell of food kept bothering him and increasing his hunger. His stomach started rumbling.

"Hey Art, Corner, do you guys want to grab some snacks before we continue our walk?"

Corner didn't know what to say so he waited for Arthur's answer.

"Whatever you wish, young master. But will you be able to eat street food? Aren't they dirty? "

"Why'd they be dirty? Everyone's eating them." 

Adrian was pouting as he said that. He felt like they wouldn't let him have his snack-time.

Corner was confused with his young master’s odd behavior as he said, "But they're commoners."

"They're humans though?"

Although it was an obvious answer, such obviousness coming from a spoiled brat of a duke's family was rarer than anything they've ever heard. This time even Arthur didn't know what to say.

Seeing that no one was opposing him anymore, Adrian gave a winners smirk and started walking towards one of the stalls. 

The first street food stall they went to were selling skewers. The shop looked old but the inside was rather clean. You could tell at a glance that it was here for quite a long time. 

The different types of skewers, dressed with different veggies or sauce looked very appealing to Ian.

'Although the breakfast at home was delicious, nothing beats street food!'

Ian was having a difficult time choosing which one to eat first. Seeing him frown, the others looked a little relieved, as if they were expecting this. Corner wanted to say something but Arthur spoke first again.

Corner wanted to ask if they should leave, thinking that Ian was unable to eat commoner’s food after all, but what Arthur said was completely different.

"Are you having difficulty choosing which one to try first? May I suggest one? Since I often eat here. "

" Oh? Then which one is the most famous here? " Ian looked really interested.

'Just as I thought!' Arthur was complimenting himself internally. He was always a sharp person. Although he was confused at first due to the difference between Adrian and the rumors, the moment he decided to forget the rumors, he could easily guess Ian's thoughts.

But this only made him more confused. How could a person change so much so suddenly? Or was he pretending? Planning something horrible again?

For now, Arthur decided to observe him for a while longer. After all, this

was the safest place for him to continue his plans.

"Hey?

Art?

Oi!" 

"Yes! Oh-uh, the Honey Chicken Kabob! That's their specialty. This is the only street stall where they sell food with honey. As you know, honey is a rare delicacy for the commoners."

"Alright then, mister, please give us five of your special kabob! "

"Alright , young man. Are you a traveler? Oh! Ain't that Art? Are you his companion?"

"Haha, yes. We're childhood friends! "

Ian put his arm around Art's neck acting like they're old buddies. 

The old man started making their skewer while chatting with Art and Ian every now & then.

Corner and the knights also started to loosen up a little looking at Arthur's casual behavior. They started taking part in their conversation every so often as well.

When the food was finally done, Ian took them from the old man and gave one to all four of them, keeping one for himself.

Munch

After taking the first bite, Ian could finally see the perks of transmigrating to this fantasy world.

"It's so damn good!" 

Ian was ecstatic. He hadn't eaten junk food for more than 10 years. Although he had money, he couldn't enjoy his meal.

Feeling nostalgic, his ears turned red and he started sniffing.

Seeing him curse and genuinely enjoy his food, for some reason, everyone around him felt something warm in their stomach. 

They soon finished their food and tried a few more flavors due to Ian's curiosity. He was so satisfied that he paid him double the price for the food. 

After eating their fill in the steaks stall, they also went to the candy stall. Ian ate a Rainbow cotton candy while the others had one of a particular color. For some reason, they all wanted to eat the blue one.

Ian also bought a few types of sour candy's to snack on later. By the time they finished their street food spree, it was almost past noon. Meaning, they were late for their lunch.

They stopped wasting time and started walking towards delish with Ian on the center. They had a weird urgency in their step, as if they didn't want Ian to miss his lunch.

Soon, they arrived in front of Delish. It was a two story building with highly decorated walls. Big, shiny jewels could be seen here and there on the walls. One could tell at a glance that it wasn't a place for commoners. 

There were a few guards with different attires outside the door , probably guarding their master inside.

 When Ian was about to enter, he saw that Arthur and the others started walking towards the other guards instead of following him. He stopped and looked back.

".....?"

He tilted his head to the side.

"Why are you guys going that way? Aren't we gonna have lunch?"

Seeing Ian look completely clueless, Corner felt a bit happy on the inside. When Ian offered them the street foods, they didn't refuse since it was commoner’s food to begin with. But it was different this time.  

"The guards are to stay outside, young master."

"I didn't know there was a rule like that? "

Arthur answered Ian this time.

" There isn't, it's just what all the nobles do."

"I'm still not feeling well so I need my guards with me all the time. I'm also weak so I don't feel safe going alone. "

Ian puckered his lips and looked sideways as he said all that in one breath.

"......"

After a few moments of silence

"Pfft- Ahahaha"

"Ahem! I guess it can't be helped then. We have to accompany you inside as well."

Arthur started laughing, while Corner seemed a little, no, actually, he seemed quite embarrassed.

They finally went inside the restaurant all together. 

As expected, it was really fancy inside the restaurant. Ian decided to go to the 2nd floor. While going upstairs, other nobles gave him weird or scared glances every so often. He didn't pay much attention to it and just walked forward. After they sat around a table near the window, a waiter came to take their order. 

Ian's order was simply.

"Bring us one of all your specialties." 

After the waiter left, Arthur checked their surrounding and started to speak only after confirming that no one else was nearby.

"Young master, something has been bothering me for a while. Can I ask you a question that might be considered disrespectful?"

Ian could pretty much guess what Art was going to ask.

"Ask away."

"Why do you seem so different from the rumors, young master? I'm really happy to be able to serve you, seeing how kind you are. So it bothers me when people look at you like that."

'WOW! He's so good at sugar coating his words. I almost thought he was a loyal knight worried about his master.'

'But did they not hear the rumors about me losing my memory? Did Miller silence the servants?'

Oh well...

"I don't remember how I was."

The four of them looked at him as if they couldn't understand what nonsense he was spouting. So Ian cleared his voice and pointed his finger towards his head.

"The accident. I lost most of my memories. I couldn't even recognize my parents when I woke up."

They all looked shocked to the point that Ian was starting to get nervous. But Corner suddenly snapped out of it and looked at him.

"Then how did you know my name?"

'Because you died while protecting Ian the novel, moron.'

"I tried to learn the basics in the past few days."

That was a lie, of course.

While corner was talking to Ian, he could see Arthur's eye darken for a moment. But as soon as he noticed Ian's stare, they returned to normal.

'Poor guy. Don't worry! I'll help you out after I'm done enjoying this world a bit more.'

To make sure Arthur doesn't forget his plan, Ian intentionally brought up his past.

"And about the rumors, they're most probably true. It's obvious with how the servants behaved around me."

" I see. I'm just glad that you're okay now, young master." 

"I really like our young master too."

Corner and Arthur fell silent after voicing their opinions. Ian also didn't say anything since he didn't want to lie more than necessary.

The atmosphere returned to normal when the waiter brought them their food. The full course meal in front of them washed away all their silence and discomfort. Ian thanked whoever sent him to this world as he enjoyed the rare delicacies in front of him.