Not the Hero, Not the Villain — Just the One Who Wins-Chapter 68: A Taste of Fire

"Fine," Lilith said, her voice calm but edged with amusement. "You’re an interesting man, Ashen. I’ll gift you a tailored dress for the girl—free of charge."

She turned slightly and gestured with a flick of her fingers. "Lorien."

Her butler, a tall man with flawless posture and deep crimson attire, stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Take the measurements of this dress," she said, gesturing to her own flowing crimson ensemble, "and make a custom replica. Smaller, for that little girl over there."

Lorien nodded. "Understood, Your Majesty."

Lilith turned back to me. "You’re really drawing attention these days. Stirring things up. What was your name again... Crimson Child, was it?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Crimson Child? You do know you’re only three years older than me, right?"

She smirked. "True. But in royal years, that’s a generation."

"The name’s Ashen. Not child."

"Right, right," she said airily. "I had no interest in attending this event, honestly. These diplomatic festivals bore me. But protocol wouldn’t let me abandon it. Then, I started hearing whispers. About you. About your strength, your shadow, your name. I came to watch you fight in the sparring tournament myself."

I gave a modest shrug. "Then I suppose I’ve disappointed you."

"Why?"

"I’m not participating in the tournament."

Lilith paused, blinked. "You didn’t enroll?"

"Didn’t see the point."

"Tch. What a waste."

I smiled faintly. "But don’t worry. You can still witness my talents. Not in the arena, but on the plate."

I gestured toward the stall, where the staff was now scrambling again under a new wave of customers.

"Come. Let me feed you."

Lilith hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. I don’t have much time. But let’s see what you’ve got."

We moved toward the stall.

I looked around quickly.

Every table was packed. Even our extended seating was filled.

Except one.

I turned to Lilith. "Would you be comfortable sitting beside Headmistress Evelyn and Queen Althea? And, uh, the Nowa princess."

Lilith studied the trio from afar, then looked at me. "I don’t mind. Unless they pick a fight."

"That won’t happen. I promise."

We walked together toward the table. As we approached, all three women stood.

"Queen Lilith," Althea greeted with a gracious bow. "It’s an honor."

"Queen Althea," Lilith responded with a polite nod.

Evelyn grinned. "This table just got more interesting."

"Princess Liora," Lilith said softly, and Liora curtsied.

After the formalities, they sat.

I placed the order personally: our finest bowl of shadow ramen, two side servings of flame-fried dumplings, and a special drizzle of spirit-glazed fries. All prepared by Julie under direct instruction.

When I delivered the dishes myself, Lilith blinked as the aroma hit her.

The bowl of ramen before her shimmered slightly—a golden broth carrying deep notes of bone marrow, aged herbs, and a faint smoky infusion of beast peppers. Floating within were hand-pulled noodles, curled just right, coated in a shadow oil glaze that shimmered under the noon sun. Thin slices of star-pork, charred to perfection, rested on top beside a marinated egg that split softly at its center.

The burger were crisp on the outside, bursting with molten flavor inside. The blend was a mystery—a mixture of spicy mana-root and savory crystal lamb, creating an explosion of textures and taste. They hissed gently in their plate, garnished with tiny sprigs of fire-thyme.

And the fries... long, crispy, kissed with spirit-glaze—a sweet-sour mana syrup that crackled faintly when bitten.

Lilith took her first bite.

And time seemed to slow.

She set her spoon down, leaned back, and closed her eyes for a full ten seconds.

When she opened them again, they glimmered.

"I expected quality. I didn’t expect perfection."

Althea raised an eyebrow. "He gets that a lot."

Evelyn smirked. "Told you he’s good."

Lilith nodded. "No. He’s not just good. This... This is the kind of flavor that sits in your soul. You don’t just eat it—you remember it."

She took another bite, slower this time.

"The broth alone feels like warmth after a storm. The burger carry the heat of Pyronis—but tempered. Balanced. And the fries... spirits, these fries are dangerous."

The other three laughed softly.

"He does have a habit of surprising everyone," Evelyn said.

Liora smiled. "Even when he’s pretending to be cold, he puts his heart in everything."

Lilith continued eating, her expression softening.

From where I stood at a distance, I saw them laughing.

Talking.

About me.

I couldn’t hear the details, but their glances said enough.

Althea might’ve mentioned the child who once tried to roast meat over enchanted candles in his palace room.

Liora... who knew what she was saying. But she was blushing again.

And Lilith?

She kept looking at Yumi between bites.

Eventually, she pointed her fork at Yumi and called, "Tell that little one she will have her dress within three days. My finest tailors will deliver it personally."

Yumi, from afar, squealed. "Thank you, flame lady!"

Lilith blinked. Then smiled.

"Flame lady. I like that."

She turned back to her food and took another slow bite, savoring every second.

In that moment, I realized something.

This wasn’t just about profit.

This stall...

It had become something else.

A place where bonds were tested.

Where hearts opened.

Where the walls people wore cracked just a little.

Even a queen of fire and steel had found comfort here.

And I...

I was right in the middle of it all.

By the time the sun hovered at its midpoint, the sales tally had quietly climbed to a staggering total—1,800 gold coins.

With only half the day gone.

It was unthinkable. Our stall had outperformed not just every expectation, but every record ever set during the Academy Fest’s long history. We were drawing nobles, royalty, and academy staff alike, all for one taste of shadow and flame.

And we weren’t even done yet.

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