Iya Continent: Card God

The thief, Maren, quickly headed towards the city gates without lingering. He knew perfectly well that he couldn't stay in the city any longer, and it was best not to stay at all.

Linta, who was hiding in the shadows and following them, was filled with doubt. Besides himself, who else was following him? What was their purpose?

Linta was puzzled, but chose to continue tracking him, without any intention of capturing Malen immediately.

I followed him all the way, watching the thief Maren leave Sandel City.

After leaving the city, Malone did not relax; he continued walking briskly and hurriedly. When he was about ten miles away from the city, the eyes that had been watching him from within disappeared.

"Phew..." Maren also felt the spy leave and let out a long sigh of relief.

"These guys are finally gone."

“What should I do next…” Maren looked back at Sandel City, which had already disappeared from sight, with a worried expression.

"Hey!" Suddenly, a voice came from the side.

Maren's eyes widened involuntarily, his throat tightened, and he glanced over with fear and unease.

Under their gazes met, Lin Ta, a familiar figure, appeared before them.

Linta smiled and said, "Could you explain?"

……

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sandel, the Vázquez family mansion.

Inside the study, the Duke, Brandon Vázquez, listened to reports from the family's leaders regarding the arrangements for the upcoming celebrations. Celebrations were always a time of great concern for Brandon, especially this year, as the success of the celebrations would determine the future of the Vázquez family.

Now, there is one day left before the start of the celebration, which will take place the day after tomorrow.

"The number of guards and patrolmen has been increased, and those who have heard of the grand event and come from afar will be given more attention."

"Quinn will keep an eye on those adventurers of unknown origin at the Black Mountain Steel Guild for us."

"Our staff has been arranged to manage the central square of the celebration in advance, and everything is under control."

Brandon Vasquez listened to his people's account of the arrangements, nodded slightly, and gazed intently at the city's layout.

He then asked, "How much longer until the minister arrives?"

"Based on the time, it should arrive by noon tomorrow."

Brandon said, "Yes, come with me to greet them tomorrow."

A member of the tribe asked, "Is Ted going too? Should we tell him?"

Brandon raised an eyebrow and replied, "He doesn't need to; he'll continue handling matters in the city."

……

Crescent Moon Pavilion.

The Vázquez family's administrative office, which handles county affairs, is now in a state of turmoil, with everyone overwhelmed. The once-every-five-years celebration is about to begin, and everyone must be on their toes for the sake of its success.

However, these tasks should have been distributed among the various clan members in power, but they ended up in the hands of Ted Vasquez. Those on the front lines handling affairs and government affairs were well aware of this unfairness. But there was nothing they could do. Moreover, if things weren't handled well, the responsibility would ultimately fall on Lord Ted.

"So busy..."

Lin Ta, stepping into the room, clicked his tongue slightly as he watched the bustling activity inside the Crescent Moon Pavilion.

Linta didn't dare disturb them and went straight to Ted's room.

"Knock knock!!" A simple knock on the door was followed by a voice from inside saying, "Come in."

Linta opened the door and entered, where he once again saw this capable member of the Vázquez family.

He was no longer as composed as he had been during their first meeting. The piles of files on the table would have overwhelmed anyone who looked at them.

Ted glanced at Linta and continued with his own business.

Lin Ta's eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at the other person, his thoughts racing.

During the auction, he bid on the fragment bearing the card's mark and gave it to Linta. At first, Linta was confused as to why the other party would do such a thing. Now, he roughly understood.

I'm only coming to see him now because of this card; I have to repay the favor.

“I’ve recently discovered something that I feel I have to tell you,” Linta said.

Ted remained calm, as if he had always known what was about to happen.

……

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The next day.

Two-Headed Deer Tavern.

Standing outside the tavern, Linta stroked his chin, hesitating slightly.

This time, Linta was not disguised; she was just being herself.

"Eh."

With a sigh, I convinced myself to go ahead.

After all, he had taken Ted's 20 silver coins, and he had to come and spend them.

Stepping into the tavern, it's always the same: a group of adventurers, seemingly from nowhere, drinking cheap drinks and recounting their amusing adventures. The tavern owner, Simon, always has that austere look on his face, constantly wiping the glasses.

"Um……"

According to Ted, Linta should be heading to the underground casino right now. But there's no rush.

"Let's eat first..."

Linta walked to the counter, took out a silver coin, and asked with a smile, "What can you eat with a silver coin?"

A single silver coin can buy so much food, enough to satisfy even the most extravagant cravings.

Mr. Simon took the silver coins, answered no, and prepared to go to the kitchen.

"Wait!" Linta interrupted Boss Simon's actions.

Simon said, "You've changed your mind?"

Linta said, "No, can I go to the kitchen and make it myself?"

Simon was genuinely surprised by this. This was the first time a customer had paid to cook for him. He would never have agreed to this with a regular customer. But since the customer had given him a silver coin, he felt he could do whatever he wanted.

"Do as you please," Simon said, continuing to wipe the wine glass.

Lin Ta smiled and headed towards the kitchen.

This scene in Linta naturally caught the attention of the tavern's patrons, a place where one could enjoy decent food for a cheap copper coin. Someone was actually spending a silver coin to eat? And even cooking it themselves? What kind of person was this?

Cooking skills are nonexistent for the vast majority of people on the continent of Iya. In fact, many who claim to be culinary experts are, in Linta's eyes, not culinary experts at all. What they make is barely edible, let alone delicious.

Linta has been there for almost a year, and the number of days he cooks for himself is pitifully small. Not counting the days when he's out and about in the mountains, he rarely actually cooks for himself in the kitchen.

"What does this smell like..."

"It smells so good!"

Before long, Linta carried the dishes he had cooked to the tavern lobby.

The unprecedented forms of food preparation left them speechless with astonishment.

"This guy can actually cook?!"

"Could he be the 'cook', one of the Four Heroes of Iya?"

"Impossible, the cook isn't that young."

Linta happily set out four dishes she had cooked on an empty table, prepared using four different methods: steaming, boiling, frying, and stir-frying. Four dishes from her own world.

“This is what humans should eat…” Linta murmured.

If cooking weren't so unprofitable in the continent of Iya, I would definitely open a chain of restaurants.

"May I try some?"

"Huh?" Linta blinked. Before he knew it, a woman had appeared in front of him. She had wavy black hair, deep eyes, and exuded an aura of abyss.