Lord of Cinder in American Comics

"Lord Ash, the food tastes just as wonderful as you described."

While the Fire Keeper's words were stating the facts, in Ares's eyes, who was still unaware of the truth, Ash was just a bastard who wouldn't feed the Fire Keeper.

'Gwyn, come on, do something. I really can't stand being in this house anymore. Oh, Gwyn's dead, that's alright then.'

Ash spent the rest of the meal feeling extremely uncomfortable under Ares's disdainful gaze. Just then, the phone rang in the living room, and Ash quickly ran to answer it.

"Hello, this is Ash. Yes, okay, I understand."

Ash put down the phone, stroking his stubble-less chin. He really hadn't expected that the assassins' side jobs were so successful.

Some time ago, Ash made a deal with Jane Smith at Firelink Shrine during a casual conversation, on behalf of her husband John Smith, to modernize Firelink Shrine.

As Ash requested, the shrine needed to have its waterproofing and drainage system rebuilt to prevent it from becoming too damp. Concealed lighting also needed to be installed so the shrine wouldn't rely on candles for illumination.

All of this is based on the premise that the architecture of the sacrificial site cannot be altered or damaged in the slightest.

Ash originally thought this change would take several months to complete, but unexpectedly, he was called today to ask Ash to come and inspect it.

'Are all hitmen good at their side jobs? Wolf is an accountant, Smith is a construction contractor…'

In her past life, Ash also remembered some legends about assassins as a side job.

It is said that those online writers who stop updating every six months are actually assassins with secret identities. They use online writing as a cover to avoid being investigated for being unemployed.

Hitmen don't always have jobs; for safety reasons, they take long breaks between taking a job.

When he receives a job as an assassin, he stops updating his novel to work. He will continue updating the novel as long as he can come back. For those who cannot come back, the updates will naturally stop.

"As expected, the competition is fierce in every industry. Even assassins have to take on side jobs to make money."

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Every vote cast helps a wandering Ash find the Fire Keeper. Helping the Ash starts with me.

Chapter Thirty-Eight: The New Fire-Linking Ritual Site

Ares drove the Fire Keeper and Ash to Firelink Shrine.

The desolate surroundings of the sacrificial site have now been completely transformed. The dilapidated stone paths have been replaced with new ones, the tangled weeds have been cleared away, the ground has been leveled, and new turf has been laid.

The twisted trees along the road were not replaced, but new shrubs were planted next to them. The green shrubs and the withered and twisted trees created a unique aesthetic.

Inside the sacrificial site, the thick layer of dust had been cleaned away, and the areas that were previously illuminated by candles had been replaced with concealed soft lights, while the unlit areas were illuminated by electronic candles.

From top to bottom, the light intensity gradually decreases, finally reaching the bottom where the campfire with its spiral sword still provides illumination. The transition between light and shadow is executed flawlessly.

The lower level of the sacrificial site, which was originally covered by water, was cleaned up by the workers. A waterproof layer was laid under the bricks and stones, and drainage pipes were buried on the cliff side.

The entire renovation, from the outside in, did not damage the original shrine in the slightest. Ash, very satisfied with the renovation, signed her name on the bill.

"It's customary to invite our neighbors over for a party. Ares, could you go and invite the neighbors?"

Ares, standing behind the Fire Keeper, did not react to Ash's words. He simply took out his sunglasses from his pocket, flicked the temples out, and put them on his eyes.

Ares, wearing sunglasses as if to avoid seeing Ash's foolishness, used them to hide her disdainful gaze and gestured with his hands: "You have nothing, what kind of party are you throwing?"

Although the entire shrine had been completely renovated, it was nothing but stone, even the shrine's guardians were made of stone. The gargoyles also slightly turned their heads away, unwilling to witness this bizarre scene.

"You wait."

After saying that, Ash ran towards the interior of the sacrificial site to call for reinforcements.

Standing beside the campfire at the sacrificial site, Ash gripped the burning spiral sword, then released it, and the sacrificial site before her transformed into a dark and damp environment.

"Ashes, you have returned."

Ludovic, seated on his throne, greeted Ash, who had returned to Firelink Shrine.

"I don't have time for you."

Ash turned and ran towards the gates of the sacrificial altar. He was going to find the only master chef in the entire Dark Souls world.

Jaegerbaldo of Catarina, a believer in the sun, wears enormous, bulky armor and is affectionately known as the Onion Knight. Even in this world on the verge of destruction, the Onion Knight maintains unwavering zeal. He has even invented an elemental soup that allows the undead to taste.

After Ash released the Lords of Cinder, Onion Knight settled around Firelink Shrine with his old friend, King Yhorm. He would often experiment with his cooking by the campfire at the location of Gundyr, the Judge of Ash.

Following the path down from the entrance to the Firelink Shrine, past the gates of Gundyr's training grounds, Ash immediately spotted Onion Knight and King Yhorm sitting around the campfire.

The spiral sword stuck in the campfire was placed aside, and a large pot was placed on the fireflies. Onion held a recipe in one hand and added ingredients to the pot with the other.

King Yhorm sat cross-legged on the other side of the campfire, holding a tray in one hand and extending it next to the onions, while holding a huge cup in the other, taking sips every now and then.

Sniffing the aroma in the air, Ash confirmed that what King Yhorm was holding was onion wine. Since the arrival of ingredients from this world, the Onion Knight had been preparing a large amount of onion wine to entertain his friends.

Upon seeing Ash's arrival, Onion Knight waved the recipe in his hand at Ash.

“My friend, come and try this new dish. I’ve made it taste exactly like the recipe described.”

"Brother Cong, come help me quickly."

As soon as Ash finished speaking, Onion pulled out his Storm Ruler and slung it over his shoulder, while Yhorm the Great promptly pulled out his machete.

"Your courage, my sword, and our victory are one."

Onion Knight raised Storm Ruler to the sky and shouted the call to arms. King Yhorm, leaning on his great machete, also stood up, his Lord of Cinder flames igniting and drying out the ingredients in the pot beside him.

The knight of Catarina was indeed an impatient man; he usually wouldn't hold back and would take action directly.

"Brother Cong, stop, stop! I didn't ask you to help me chop someone up."

Ash quickly calmed the two down. As Onion's friend, Onion always helps his friends. Wang Youm is Onion's old friend and will help Onion fulfill his needs.

The combined strength of these two individuals ranks among the top three in the sacrificial arena. Even the Nameless War God would not attempt a challenge when both of them are present.

Ash explained her purpose to the Onion Knight in detail, asking him to help prepare ingredients for the party.

"Hmm...hmm...is that it?"

Onion always spoke in his characteristically deep voice. Having figured out Ash's purpose, Onion quickly agreed.

“My friend needs help, and Jacquebaldo of Catarina is more than willing to help. My old friend, wait for me, I’ll be right back.”

Onion was very willing to help Ash. After agreeing, he comforted the giant king Yhorm beside him, saying that he would return soon.

"By the way, Onion Bro, do you have any clothes from that world?"

Looking at Onion Knight's bulky armor, Ash felt that it was inappropriate for him to go like that.

"Hmm... Oh... clothes... I think I have some. Miss Fireproof brought back a lot of gifts a while ago, and I remember there were some among them."

The Onion Knight kept taking out various ingredients from his backpack until they were spread all over the ground.

"Oh... um... this is it."

The Onion Knight found the clothes buried under the ingredients and put them on.

The Onion Knight, now dressed in new clothes, no longer wore his bulky armor. His hair, now that of a middle-aged man, was neatly trimmed and stood straight up, with a thick mustache hanging from his lips. He looked like a reliable person.

Onion arrived at the Firelink Shrine in the new world with Onion. Soon after arriving, Onion sensed the differences brought about by the different world.

"Mmm...this taste...oh...it's delicious."

Onion kept taking out ingredients and biting into them, savoring the taste, while also taking notes in his notebook.

After bringing the onions, Ash looked for another person who could help.

"Kassel, there's a party, come on over."

Although they had only known each other for a short time, the two, who had some embarrassing pasts, became best friends and could talk about anything. Now that they needed help, Ash immediately thought of Kassel, who had incredibly strong social skills and hoped he could be of some help to the party.

Holding his phone, Ash thought for a moment and then dialed Kingpin's number.

"Kingpin, I'm getting ready to throw a party. Tell the neighbors, and Onion's here too."

Chapter 39: The Party Chef

Kingpin, who had been repeatedly beaten up by Onion Knight in the Dark Souls world, received a message from Ash.

King didn't complain about the beating he suffered. On the contrary, he was filled with gratitude towards the Onion Knight.

In the Dark Souls world, Kingpin encountered a group of undead who didn't need to eat or drink. Only the Onion Knight had a small amount of food.

Furthermore, the Onion Knight was willing to share these foods with Kingpin, so it can be said that Kingpin was able to survive thanks to the Onion Knight.

Upon receiving news of the Onion Knight's arrival, Kingpin immediately summoned his secretary, Leslie.

"Leslie, find the best tailor. I need to attend a party for an important person."

"Are we going to see Miss Vanessa? I'll arrange it immediately."

"No, it's not to see her, it's to see another person who is important to me."

King didn't say much about Onion. In the Dark Souls world, Onion had told him some things, and King understood the importance of keeping secrets until everything was over.

'Did the boss cheat on you?'

Leslie had this question in his mind, but he didn't dare to ask Kingpin directly. He could only keep it to himself and fulfill Kingpin's request.

"Leslie, remember to inform the residents around the Firelink Shrine that the High Priest of the Firelink Shrine is inviting them to a party. Go to the Firelink Shrine and prepare for the party."

Although Kingpin knew that Ash was the true leader of the Firelink Shrine and the Dark Souls world, out of respect for Onion Knight, he prioritized meeting him.

After Ash finished her call, she went to spend time with the Fire Keeper, while Ares stood to the side looking like a little girl whose toy had been taken away.

Not long after, Kingpin's secretary, Leslie, arrived at the sacrificial site with the party-hosting team. This time, instead of making the call from the distant entrance, he went directly to the sacrificial site entrance.

Standing in the doorway, Leslie carefully prepared to make a sound to alert the people inside. Kingpin's politeness made Leslie feel like she was standing in the jaws of a great white shark.

Just as Leslie reached out his hand, before he could even knock on the stone wall at the entrance, Ares emerged from the sacrificial site.

"Here to throw a party?" Ares gestured in sign language.

“Yes, Kingpin sent us,” Leslie replied respectfully, bowing.

"Hold it in an open space outside, don't go into the sacrificial site."

Ares gestured rapidly, not caring whether Leslie could see clearly, and returned to the sacrificial site. She was going to keep an eye on Ash and prevent him from doing anything bad to her light.

"Ah, okay..."

Watching Ares's retreating figure, Leslie responded to his request, unsure whether Ares heard her.

Leslie, the tool man, acted quickly. A stage was set up on the grass in front of the Firelink Shrine, and a barbecue grill and drinks were placed opposite the stage.