The village landscape was tranquil.

“It seems like a beautiful land to be taken away by monsters.”

Sharlov looked towards the distant harbor. White buildings gathered to form the village.

Windmills were turning in the village, and the sound of a mill crushing grains echoed. As they descended towards the village, the echoes of ship horns grew louder. Sharlov looked into the distance, tilting his head slightly. The seawater was gently rippling.

“The sea is quiet.”

“Don’t forget that there are monsters hiding below.”

Benjamin pulled the reins.

A light flickered in the distance. A ship was sailing along the coastline.

“Is that a warship?”

“It’s a patrol warship patrolling the border area. It prevents ordinary ships from approaching the Suppression Front and investigates changes along the coastline.”

Fishermen gathered at the pier, laying out drinking tables.

“I thought it would be desolate because of the monsters.”

“Of course, the Suppression Front is a land where they kill each other. Monster attacks are frequent, and Suppression Fronts exposed to monster toxins are mostly contaminated.”

“…”

“Still, someone has to protect this territory.”

Benjamin nodded to the fishermen holding liquor bottles.

“Due to the nature of the Suppression Front, mercenaries often come and go, and here, too, the residents make a living. Fishing boats catch fish, mercenaries hunt monsters, each has its own role.”

Most of the residents lost their families to monsters.

“This is the port of Pofta.”

The wind from the sea became colder as the sun set.

“The wind gets colder as the sun sets. Press your scarf deeper.”

The black horse snorted. The black horse, having fought against monsters in the Suppression Front, had smooth fur and a large build.

Soon, the Imperial Guard slowed down by pulling the reins.

“From here, it’s better to tie the horses near the harbor and move on foot.”

He wasn’t particularly fond of snacks. There were times when he poured toxic substances into an empty stomach, and many days when he forgot to eat.

Eating was one of the means of livelihood, and he seemed to find it a bit bothersome. His lethargic body didn’t have much of an appetite.

Yet, Sharlov was chewing on octopus tentacles.

“Isn’t it spicy?”

“It’s spicy and hot.”

“It might burn your stomach. There’s potato salad, so eat it together.”

Benjamin put mashed potato salad into Sharlov’s mouth.

“There are many spicy and salty foods here.”

“Here, the flavor tends to be spicy and salty.”

An old street vendor chuckled.

“This is how you feed fishermen.”

Sitting at such a street vendor, enjoying liquor and appetizers, was the fishermen’s life. They spiced up their stomachs when washed ashore by waves or when they couldn’t sail due to monsters.

“What’s the tingling in the throat?”

“It’s pepper. In a dull and monotonous life, a little stimulation like this is fine.”

Pepper stung. The eyes turned red with the spicy seasoning. Also, the horns of the ships echoed loudly.
With his ears slightly blocked, Sharlov playfully extended his tingling tongue. ‘It’s spicy.’ Reading Sharlov’s expression, Benjamin put honey-coated potatoes into Sharlov’s mouth.

“Your eating looks like a cat with its mouth full.”

Perhaps because the potatoes were big, Sharlov bit into them, lips sealed, and tilted his head back.

“Hmm?”

Drowsy eyes turned towards him, and Sharlov’s eyes were gently folded.

“Anything else you want to eat?”

“I’m full.”

Sharlov gently touched his lower stomach with his hand and turned it softly.

“Why does everyone keep giving me food?”

“If you eat too much, you’ll get an upset stomach.”

Benjamin grabbed Sharlov’s forearm, bent down, and took a bite of the potato. His lips touched the cold.

“Sip!”

The Imperial Guards quickly looked over.

“Spicy.”

Benjamin frowned at the sweet and tingling taste. The street vendor grilling octopus skewers on charcoal chuckled.

“I sprinkled a lot of honey because it’s spicy.”

Potato salad, mixed with honey and mayonnaise, clumped on the tongue like cream.

“Why did you space out?”

Benjamin ran his hand over Sharlov’s lips.

“You got it on your lips.”

“You looked like a snake.”

Swiftly, Sharlov scraped off the honey on his lips with his tongue.

“A snake with refined tastes, I guess.”

“…”

“Do you remember? The day you first came to find me alone, you saw me as a snake that day too. You asked me to put you in my mouth.”

“Yes. You looked like a snake that day too.”

“Whether it’s in the stomach or in the mouth.”

Even though he knew it would cause indigestion if eaten improperly.

“I feel like I swallowed you that day.”

Sharlov groped his throat. The hot heat gathered densely.

If he lost his mind, he felt like he would crumble in that direction.

“Kukuku.”

The street vendor awkwardly cleared his throat.

“How much is it?”

“It’s three silver coins.”

Benjamin quietly calculated the cost of the food.

“Shall we walk a bit more?”

Sharlov walked along the harbor path.

“…”

Ship horns sounded loudly. Even this noise gradually quieted down.