Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 10: Demigod Old Deng
Since he became a demigod, he had never encountered someone so brazen.
To kill a chicken and roast it in your own garden—was this person bored of living too long, tired of life itself?
Weber had lived for so many years, and yet he had never seen anything like this. Naturally, he felt a surge of anger, but as a centenarian, he could already tell from the silhouette in his garden that this was a student from the academy. There was no need to get furious at a child—but lessons still needed to be taught.
“Cough, cough—”
Weber cleared his throat, and the sound made Merlin shiver. When he turned around, he saw a kindly-looking old man standing behind him.
“Phew, you startled me! Why do you walk so quietly?”
Merlin couldn’t help but complain. Weber’s lips twitched slightly at the remark. He tapped his cane on the ground.
“What are you doing here?”
Weber was slightly surprised. The boy in front of him was indeed handsome—so striking that even elves, renowned for their beauty, might not match him. He reminded Weber somewhat of his own youthful charm.
“The food in the school cafeteria is unbearable. I was wandering around looking for something to eat, and I saw this chicken roaming around, so I grabbed it to roast,” Merlin explained, pointing to the small fire in front of him. He seemed to have an idea as he glanced at the old man.
“Old man, don’t tell me this chicken belongs to you? If it does, I can only apologize. I’ll pay for it—and invite you to share it.”
Weber felt a spike of blood pressure hearing this. Could the academy’s food really be that bad? And what did he mean by “roaming chicken”?
Wasn’t this the red-crested, white-feathered chicken he had been raising? Even in the Elven Forest, this was a rare breed, each one carefully nurtured by him. How exactly did the boy plan to make amends?
Weber’s forehead was already lined with black veins. He was about to say something when he noticed the boy holding a dark lump of earth and placing it in front of him.
“It should be about done. Let me unwrap it and see.”
Merlin wiped his hands, now blackened with soot and dirt. Seeing nothing useful nearby, he grabbed Weber’s cane without hesitation.
“Old man, I couldn’t find a proper tool, so I’ll borrow your cane.”
Before Weber could react, Merlin tapped the lump of earth with the cane. Weber froze in shock—it wasn’t just a cane; it was his staff!
Bang, bang, bang—
The demigod’s staff struck the soil hard. Weber was about to stop him when he heard the cracking sound, followed by a rich, tantalizing aroma wafting from the dirt.
Weber, who had intended to scold Merlin, instantly stopped. What was this smell?
He leaned closer and discovered that the lump of earth was wrapped in lotus leaves.
Merlin eagerly peeled away the leaves, releasing an even more intense fragrance, revealing golden chicken meat inside. The skin was slightly crisp and glistening with oil, irresistibly appealing.
“I can’t believe I actually pulled it off,” Merlin murmured, blowing on the hot surface as the aroma reached his nose.
Weber first noticed the fresh, herbal scent of the lotus leaves, perfectly complementing the savory chicken, transporting him into a refreshing natural atmosphere.
As an alchemy master, Weber could detect the aromas of spices—star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves—each carefully blended to deepen the chicken’s flavor with a subtle mix of spiciness and sweetness.
Finally, there was the scent of the chicken itself. Long marination and roasting had drawn out its full savor, exuding a fragrance that made mouths water.
Merlin reached for the Chicken, but Weber’s face immediately darkened. With a wave of his staff, a sphere of water appeared, blocking Merlin’s hand.
“Go wash your hands. Don’t touch such perfection with those filthy fingers.”
Merlin chuckled, dipping his dirty hands into the floating water sphere. “Huh, I didn’t expect an old man like you to be a mage. You wouldn’t happen to be a professor at the academy, would you?”
“I’m not,” Weber replied with a glance. And indeed, he wasn’t a professor—he was the dean.
“Good, good. As long as you’re not a professor,” Merlin said, relieved, and began tearing into the chicken.
“Here, old man, try this. It’s far better than the cafeteria food.”
Weber accepted the chicken leg. “Young man, have some manners. You seem noble; don’t call me ‘old man’ with every bite.”
Merlin smirked, sucking the oil off his fingers. “If not ‘old man,’ what should I call you? You didn’t tell me your name. Should I call you ‘Old Deng’?”
“What does ‘Old Deng’ mean?”
“The wise one who reaches the pinnacle.”
“The wise one who reaches the pinnacle? Old Deng? Well, that suits me,” Weber said.
“Alright, let’s eat before it cools.” Merlin continued tearing into the chicken.
Weber took a bite. Juices burst forth, some even staining his white beard.
“This… this flavor!” Weber’s eyes widened.
“The complexity is mesmerizing. First, the crisp skin bursts with rich aroma. Then, the tender marinated meat is juicy and firm, each bite full of delicate flavor. The spices penetrate perfectly, giving each bite a delightful surprise. Finally, the lotus leaf’s freshness and the earthy scent add a unique layer, leaving a lingering taste that’s unforgettable.”
Merlin stared in awe. Was this old man a gourmet? His words sounded like a professional critique.
“Old Deng, don’t think talking like that will get you more,” Merlin said, placing a piece of meat on a lotus leaf and pushing it toward him.
“I’ll take just this much. The rest is yours. But I must admit—the flavor of this chicken is extraordinary. I wonder what breed it is. Truly delicious!”
This was the first time Merlin had tasted such perfection. Beyond his own cooking skill, it had to be the quality of the ingredients—this chicken couldn’t have been cheap.