Hell Inn: Rebirth - I Became a Chef in Hell

Chapter 70 Octavia Goetia

As we all know, you're someone who gets embarrassed very easily... You mean if it weren't for the demon in front of you, you'd really want to cover your head and scream on the ground right now!

It wasn't awkward when you sent the letter to Viya, but it changed when her parents saw it!

Although you didn't write anything strange in the letter, this...this!

Aside from your slightly unpleasant expression, you were internally making some kind of gesticulating gestures, but otherwise behaving normally.

After experiencing such ups and downs, you kept your hands behind your back and your expression calm and composed, looking exactly the same as before. This made Viya, who was worried that you might be uncomfortable, seem a little more relaxed.

Little did they know that one of the dragons' spiritual worlds had already shattered.

"Dad, do you really think I'd meet a stranger online who's been harassing me? Ugh... What are you thinking?"

Viya, still dissatisfied with Stolas's previous behavior, stood beside you and muttered, repeating what she had actually said earlier.

The little owl, not expecting his father to think this way about the blunder, crossed his arms and looked displeased.

“I just wanted to make sure you were absolutely right, but I didn’t expect you to be meeting that… the person in front of you! If I had known you were meeting your pen pal, I don’t think I would have called my Billies over.”

Stolas, his tone tinged with helplessness, seemed to have completely given up the fight against the accusations against his beloved youngest daughter.

After her father uttered the meaningful phrase "my dear Billy," Viya let out a low "ugh."

You decide to pretend you didn't hear it.

"...But I am truly sorry. A demon who can write such words and keeps his promises without ever crossing the line should not be treated this way."

Following this, Stolas repeatedly praised your writing and even gave you an apologetic look.

Faced with Stolas's sincere apology, you remained silent for a moment before responding as politely as possible: "In any case, you flatter me, Your Highness..."

You won't die young if a nobleman of such high rank apologizes to you like that, will you?

"No, no, no, I really love the words you write, whether it's the soul of mountains shattering stars or dust dying in a noisy city... I can feel the fullness and richness of your soul."

Just as you were losing focus and thinking about random things, Stolas, with a voice as elegant as singing, delivered a mental blow with a speech ten times more refined than yours.

What is fulfilling and complete?

After the other person reads aloud the words you once wrote in a letter, for a moment you really want to dig a hole in the ground and crawl into it until hell is destroyed.

Those sentences sound romantic when written in a letter, but when read aloud by the recipient's father in a serious manner, they become nothing more than affectation and horror—especially in a place like hell!

Even though you turn around and see Moses and Millie with innocent "oh~" expressions, your breakdown reaches its peak when you see Billies' "you're hopeless" look.

"Dad! You read my letter!? Didn't we agree on..."

Seeing that Stolas could actually recite the contents of her letter, Viya, who looked a little furious, glared at her father, her pink eyes wide open.

It's obvious that the little owl didn't notice the direction of your pain.

"I just glanced at it when you were writing the letter... I only saw that one sentence, it was just the beginning."

Stolas, who seemed a little guilty, shifted his gaze.

"..."

"Even if the mountains shatter the souls of stars, and dust dies in the bustling city... as long as you are willing to tell me, I will always remember your words. Dad, this is the ending written by ■■■... You really can't lie."

Seeing that Stolas was so clumsy in trying to make amends for himself, Viya, feeling powerless and frustrated, remained silent for a while before reaching out to rub her temples.

you:"?"

But who would have thought that the demon who should be a nobleman in front of you would remember the contents of your letters so clearly?

……

So why do I remember the ending of your letter so clearly?

This is even more devastating than Stolas calling you a stalker... Is this some kind of torture used by the nobles of hell?

"...Thank you, Your Highness. This is the first time today that I've felt so embarrassed that I wanted to run away."

The Eastern sinner, who felt as if his spirit had suddenly died, remained expressionless and offered this polite remark with a numb face.

"Uh... but anyway, thank you for taking care of my little owl. I haven't seen her this happy in a long time."

Perhaps noticing that you looked a bit awkward, Stolas cleared his throat and considerately brought the topic to a close. He finally realized that discussing such strange things in front of the person in question was a bit odd.

"It's getting late now. I'm sure you must be tired after all that you've been through today, right?"

Just then, Stolas, who had come to pick up his daughter from school, made a very subtle gesture toward the "spectacle" behind you.

"Yes, Your Highness, it is indeed time to go home."

Faced with the way out offered by Stolas, you felt hopeful of escaping your misery and naturally followed his lead.

After all, today has been long enough.

"...Thank you for taking care of my daughter for me today. I must say, you did a really good job."

After Stolas confessed those words honestly, a portal with extra power suddenly appeared before you, shimmering with a blue-purple light.

A seemingly elegant big owl bowed to you.

Then he winked at Billies next to you.

Seeing this, the primal little devil immediately squeezed his two employees like paper cups and skillfully crossed the portal.

"Let's work together again sometime, you freak from the Arrogant Ring."

Billy, who seemed to consider you a friend, gave you a swaggering gesture.

You didn't miss the fleeting hint of affection in Stolas's eyes as he did that.

Millie and Moses, who are also on good terms with you, waved to you from the other end of the teleportation circle, while you stood quietly in place, gently waving back at them.

With her back hunched and looking somewhat dejected, Viya stood still after the portal opened.

She kept gazing at you with a look that carried a hint of affection.

But perhaps because of the somewhat dishonest label attached to teenagers, Viya's gaze wasn't so blatant. The little owl's disappointed expression reminds you of a child unwilling to leave a children's park.

You didn't say goodbye to Viya because you were waiting for her to finish saying what she wanted to say.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing... It's really rude of me to say it, but I've also heard about your restaurant's plans. I wonder if I could trouble you then?"

Just as you and Viya were gazing at each other in silence, Stolas, who was about to turn around and go inside, suddenly turned back and asked you this question.

After learning your identity, the big owl's attitude softened.

Compared to his previous gentle yet sharp demeanor, the current noble owl seems a bit like a taciturn elder brother to you.

Stolas seemed genuinely apologetic for misunderstanding you earlier, and his conversations with you were always filled with a sense of "wanting to make amends." He appeared sincere.

Even when not angry, an elegant nobleman who appears knowledgeable and refined will still look gentle, even if he habitually squints his red eyes slightly.

"...Of course, if Your Highness wishes. If all goes well, I will inform my subordinates that you, your family, and your friends will all be treated to a free meal."

Faced with the olive branch extended by Stolas, you politely accepted his kindness without showing excessive joy or indifference.

Clearly, at this point, Stolas was unaware of the immense power he had invested in.

He simply wanted to help his daughter's friend with her entrepreneurial journey... In any case, it's always good to do a favor for someone he doesn't dislike or overstep his bounds with.

"...But before accepting your kindness, I feel I must clarify one thing—"

After informing the elegant and noble male demon in front of you that you would accept his kindness, you, who had been standing still with an unchanged expression, suddenly changed the subject, and your tone and words became more formal.

The Eastern Sinner's long black hair was gently lifted by the wind of the Arrogance Ring. Her ordinary ink-black hair danced lazily in the scarlet air, and her golden eyes shone brightly.

"No matter what, I hope you can understand one thing."

"This may sound a bit rude, but I did not befriend Viya because of your family background... or rather, I do not care about my friends' origins, whether they are homeless people living under bridges or noblemen."

Your tone was always calm and even, your eyes fixed on Stolas, whose expression seemed somewhat surprised.

As you shift your focus, when you look at Viya, whose expression is equally surprised, your facial features, which could almost be described as lacking, will involuntarily soften.

Your gentle, unadulterated gaze makes you look like you're looking at your younger sister.

"...Your Highness, Viya is an excellent, beautiful, and intelligent magician. She always understands everything related to magic very quickly and has her own unique insights into many things. If I were a teacher, Viya would undoubtedly be my best student."

As you seriously and earnestly recalled everything that had happened that day, you reported this to Stolas as if giving a report.

But unlike reports, all your evaluations of Viya are sincere.

"Your Highness, believe me, even if I hadn't met Viya, Viya would have made even more outstanding friends."

"May you and your little owl be well from now on. I will wait for you where I belong—and Viya, I will look forward to our next journey together as I do today... Ah."

Before you finished your farewell speech, Viya, who was standing next to Stolas, suddenly ran over from the other side and hugged you.

Octavia Getia.

Hearing the other person's quiet emphasis, you looked at the young female demon who had hugged you without asking any questions, somewhat taken aback. This was the third time she had hugged you today.

"This is my name... Of course, you'll still call me Viya from now on, right?"

Perhaps sensing your bewilderment and confusion, the little owl lifted its head from your lap and let out two low laughs.

Stolas didn't urge his daughter on, but just stood there quietly watching.

Viya didn't hug you for long; she tightened her arms around you once before letting go.

"I look forward to our next meeting, and I hope that next time... no one will cause trouble."

See you next time, ■■■.

Octavia gave you a lazy smile without saying goodbye. After receiving your low and helpless "okay," she turned around and walked gracefully toward her father.

"...I hope you have a good day. See you next time, [name]."

Two noble owls, one large and one small, who seemed to have truly bestowed upon you a great honor, stood in front of the portal and bowed slightly to you.

After you bowed to the two people opposite you, the beautiful portal formed by the power of Stolas slowly disappeared.

After Viya, Stolas, and the little devils disappeared, you suddenly felt as if all the air in your body had been depleted.

Finally, after a long and complicated day, you rubbed your stiff neck, looked up at the Arrogant Ring of Sky—so empty of stars—and muttered to yourself:

"...Sigh...Time to go back to the inn."