Mag didn’t even turn around as he responded, “My apologies, our restaurant is already closed. If you would like a spicy grilled fish, please come back for our lunch service tomorrow.”
There were many customers who tried to come in even after closing time every day, and he was already used to turning them away.
However, the man refused to give up, and continued, “I’m Michael.”
Mag faltered upon hearing that, and he finally turned around as he replied, “I’m Mag.”
The man standing before him was very tall and broad. He wore a set of black golden robes, with a black long-sword hanging from his waist. He appeared to be about 40 years of age, and evidently kept himself very fit. His eyes shimmered with the sharpness of a brave knight, but also the wisdom of a brilliant tactician, and he gave off an unfathomable air.Michael also faltered upon hearing Mag’s reply. That was the first time that he had received such a response after bringing up his name. It appeared that this young man didn’t recognize him, nor his name. A smile appeared on his face, and he began to examine Mag with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
He wore a black and white chef’s suit and stood as straight as a sword, with a lithe and graceful body. A hint of surprise appeared on his face as he made those observations. Mag’s disposition reminded him of a swordsman who was hiding his sharp edges rather than a chef. The sight of him reminded Michael of a young man from many years ago.
That young man also reminded him of a sharp sword, but that sword was too sharp and unyielding. In the end, it became the sharpest sword in the world, but was forcibly snapped in half.
Michael smiled at Mag, and announced, “Let me introduce myself. I am the lord of Chaos City.”
“Oh, my apologies, I didn’t recognize you just then.” A hint of surprise and apology appeared on Mag’s face.
He was naturally aware of the city lord’s name, but he had thought that this was just an ordinary customer with the same name. Who would have thought that it would actually be the city lord himself?
He took a glance at the black horse-drawn carriage parked outside the magic potion shop, as well as a young man in a black jumpsuit inspecting his surroundings with a cautious expression. It appeared that this Michael was indeed the city lord.“That’s alright, I’m coming to you as just a customer anyway.” Michael shook his head with a smile. He didn’t take offense despite the fact that Mag hadn’t recognized him. He looked into Mag’s eyes, and said, “I wanted to visit your restaurant during your opening hours, but I don’t have any time tomorrow, so I decided to come now. Would you be able to cook a grilled fish for me?”
Amy was already close to falling asleep with her head resting on the counter. Mag took a glance at her, before shaking his head with an apologetic look. “I would be happy to cook any dish for you, but only during opening hours. Those are our rules, and our service staff have already gone home for the night as well. I also have a young daughter who needs to attend lessons tomorrow morning, so I have to get her ready for bed. As such, I can only apologize, and ask you to come back another day.”
“So you have a daughter as well. Looks like you’re a good father.” Michael’s brows were initially furrowed with displeasure in the face of Mag’s rejection, but that was immediately replaced by a look of approval as he caught sight of Amy. A good father was much more difficult to find than a good chef.
He was very rarely rejected in Chaos City, and he didn’t think that he would be rejected twice in a row by the same person, even after mentioning the fact that he was the city lord.
“I’m not a good father; I just want to be with her as much as I can, and do everything that I can possibly do for her.” Mag turned to Amy with a gentle look in his eyes.
“I’m actually here as a father to sample your grilled fish. I also have an adorable little daughter. I’m always very busy, and rarely ever have time for her; I owe her a lot. Perhaps the heavens are punishing me for neglecting my daughter, afflicting her with an incurable type of frosty energy. She has been living in constant pain for the past few years, and I’m powerless to help her. Perhaps you can understand the torment that I’m going through.” Michael looked at Mag with a sincere expression as he spoke. He paused momentarily before shaking his head with a wry smile. “I’ve never said those words to anyone. Perhaps I feel like confiding in you as we’re both fathers.”
Mag felt as if he were seeing the city lord through new eyes. The city lord was renowned for being a tough and courageous warrior, but who would have thought that he would have such a gentle and mellow side to him beneath his hard exterior? With that in mind, Mag opened the door to his restaurant, and smiled as he said, “Well, it’s a good thing that our grilled fish is not just delicious, but is also great for combating frosty energy. As a father, you can have a grilled fish on the house today.”
“Then I’ll take you up on that offer.” A smile appeared on Michael’s face as he strode into the restaurant.
“Boss, who’s this?” Yabemiya had just finished cleaning up, and was about to leave when Mag strode in through the door with Michael. As such, she was quite confused as she knew that Mag had never made an exception for anyone when it came to his rules.
That’s the city lord! Sally bowed her head slightly after catching sight of Michael. She had seen his portrait once. In order to prevent their young family members from offending powerful characters, her family kept a collection of portraits of the most powerful and prestigious beings on the Norland Continent, which they were forced to memorize before stepping out into the world.
Mag smiled, and replied, “You two can go home. This is a friend of mine; I’ll take care of this myself.”
“Alright, see you tomorrow, then.” Yabemiya gave Michael a smile before leaving with Sally.
Michael also smiled, and nodded at them in response. His eyes rested on Sally momentarily, and a hint of confusion appeared on his face, but he didn’t say anything.
“Please have a seat, City Lord. You can choose the spice level of the spicy grilled fish; we have mildly spicy, medium spice, super spicy, and insanely spicy. If you want to sleep well tonight, then I suggest you don’t pick the insanely spicy level.” Mag closed the blinds as he gave an introduction to his dish. He had made an exception for Michael not because he was the city lord, but because of his words as a father.
Being a father himself, he could imagine the despair and frustration that he would feel if Amy were to be afflicted by some kind of incurable condition.
Of course, Mag also wanted to have his restaurant reinstated onto the Aden Square food competition rankings board. He was planning to pay a visit to the city lord’s castle the following day, but seeing as the city lord had turned up on his doorsteps, it was a perfect opportunity for him.
Michael inspected the menu momentarily before placing his order. “Then I’ll get a medium size super spicy grilled fish.”
“Alright, please wait for a moment. I have to tuck in my daughter.” Mag nodded before making his way over to the counter. Amy was already sound asleep, as was Ugly Duckling, and he cradled both of them carefully in his arms before slowly going upstairs.
“This is the first time I’ve been left hanging at a restaurant. He is indeed an interesting man.” Michael shook his head as he chuckled. He began to look around the restaurant, and his eyes lit up with interest at the sight of the crystal chandelier overhead.
