Raised in Dungeon

Overwhelmed by fear, Allen mustered the courage to express his distress. "I\'m worried that I\'ve taken even a week off from work; Master Rodion might kick me out," he confessed hesitantly to Susan.

Aware of Rodion\'s true nature, Susan reassured Allen with a compassionate tone. "You must understand, Master Rodion isn\'t the type to take such drastic measures. Show bravery, Allen, and humbly apologize to him. I\'m certain it will make a difference."

"I\'ll try, thank you, Susan," Allen turned around and started walking away.

"Allen!" Susan called, making him turn around, looking at Susan curiously.

"You asked me about the chef and such. However, it is not my place to provide an answer. It should be posed to Master!"

Unable to contain his enthusiasm, Allen\'s hand shot up into the air and waved as he exclaimed

"I\'ll do it!"

The encouragement from Susan, made him run as fast as he could back to the Tavern.

At that moment, he couldn\'t help but feel a surge of happiness wash over him, knowing that what Bishop Nicholas had told him was true. Yet, a tinge of embarrassment also pricked at his conscience. It had been an entire week since he had last laid eyes on Rodion because of his depression, and now he was about to see him again.

As he reached the tavern door, a wave of anticipation coursed through him. He paused for a while, taking a deep breath and tightly gripping the door handle, gathering his nerves and composing himself before stepping inside and met him.

-KLICK

An enticing aroma of spices, drifting from the bustling kitchen, welcomed him in. And amidst the flavorful scents, a waft of warm smoke traveled through the air, revealing the presence of a crackling fire within. Intrigued, he made his way toward the source of the smoky fragrance.

Upon entering the kitchen, his eyes fell upon the sight of Rodion diligently splitting firewood all by himself. The only sound that filled the room was the rhythmic thud of the axe meeting the wood, accentuated by the crackling of the fire.

"Master!" called Allen.

Rodion didn\'t answer; he just kept quiet and continued splitting the firewood.

"Master... today I cooked again after a long time.

I\'m cooking for the children at the orphanage.

Master, you once told me that I would fall into a hole one day. And when that happens, I must remember the faces of the people who enjoyed my cooking.

You were absolutely right, Master.

You were right about everything.

I fell into a very deep hole, seen by people who held a grudge against me with eyes full of hatred. I wanted to die then, not caring about anything that would happen to me.

But cooking saved me! The smiles of the children who ate my cooking, then the customers who had been enjoying my cooking. EVERYTHING! Gave me the strength to get up!

I want to keep cooking! I want a world where people can enjoy my cooking!"

Allen expressed emphatically. However, his words seemed to float away into thin air as Rodion remained focused on chopping the firewood, showing no signs of acknowledgment.

Allen then asked.

"Master, is it really okay?" but that word, that sincere word, a heartfelt question resonated with sob like the sincerity of a child tearfully pleading for forgiveness. The impact of how Allen\'s asked that reached deep within Rodion, making him stop his axe.

"Is it okay if I continue to work here and cook for others?

After what I\'ve done to them, after what these hands have taken away.

Is it okay if I use these dirty hands to cook and hope for their happiness?"

Rodion threw his axe at Allen quickly. Allen caught the axe with his right hand.

It was then that Rodion finally looked at Allen with his furrowed brows and scary face.

"How dare you let me split this wood alone! Get to work!"

"O-OKAY!!!"

Allen immediately followed Rodion\'s orders. He carefully split the firewood one by one.

He originally thought that by holding that axe, a weapon, he would remember the horrible events he had gone through in the past, just like when he cooked in the church before.

\'Huh? What is this?" thought Allen.

But, this time was different.

As he lifted that axe, splitting the wood in half, and produced a loud -CLANK sound, strangely, it resonated and made him feel calm.

\'What is this feeling?\'

Every time he swung it, that sense of calm continued to envelop him, just like when he was hoeing in the first time.

\'How can you feel so calm and happy now?\' he asked to himself.

Rodion wiped his sweat with a cloth, then he said

"You asked a stupid question, Allen. You cook, and people eat it; you\'ve really become a cook now."

"Huh?"

"You\'ve probably taken a lot of people\'s lives. That will never go away, and you must continue to bear the burden and responsibility for the people you have killed.

But...

You\'ve given good food to the poor customers here.

You saved Iva and her two babies

You\'ve also given decent food to the orphans.

You\'ve also solved the hunger problem in this city.

And many, many more good things you\'ve done.

Those too will never go away.

If you like cooking, cook, cook for yourself and for others. Be happy for yourself and for others.

One day all your sins will be covered by your good deeds."

Allen\'s tears started flowing.

One thing is for sure, he already understood and knew what he would do in the future.

Master Rodion was in front of him, like a father who showed him how to live in the world, and gave him advice when he fell.

"T-thank you Master!"

"You can change...

No, you have changed, Allen.

From now on you will go through many things. Whether it\'s good or bad, but all the actions you choose to take when facing them, you must do so without regret."