Chapter 166
Chapter 166
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: The Name of Original Sin
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I came back with some roughly mixed drinks, and it looked like Eve had finished her preliminary work. She was beaming from ear to ear.
Judging by the little thumbs-up she gave me, she was genuinely in a great mood.
So, starting next year, Filtia would be standing at the podium as an instructor?
Considering her skills, there was no issue with her teaching at all.
She had common sense, knew Jefrin Academy inside and out, and her position as Hark's adopted daughter held enough value that leaving her as just a professor would be a waste.
If she started picking fights with the Loengrin Empire, saying things like "You're all wrong, back in my day..." and demanding reforms from the current imperial family, who could counter her head-on? ...Eve, maybe? Even the current emperor wouldn't stand a chance.
I casually set down three drinks and took a seat, starting a casual chat.
"So, for next year's lectures in the Magic Division... I'd like you to handle the advanced combat track."
"Sure! Sis is confident in that! Especially combat!"
This ought to be interesting.
Next year's classes were already shaping up to be exciting.
Advanced magic combat lectures taught by a dragon herself.
It was bound to be a brutal battlefield of bone-crushing intensity and blood splatter.
"Doesn't Wolfram have anything to say?"
"Like what?"
"The Autumn Grand Festival is coming up soon. You know they're accepting entries, right?"
"Oh, that? ...I'm thinking food industry for now."
"As expected? Steak sandwiches again? Something a bit sweet might go well too."
"That's too much hassle. It'd be nice if I could stockpile stuff that stays edible even when cold... Hmm... Lots to think about."
"Sweet dishes don't spoil easily, right?"
"Mm. But meat dishes aren't bad either. For students in their prime and all. Meat dishes..."
"Sweet meat dishes... Not a bad idea. Shall we go with that?"
"......"
"...What's wrong?"
"I can tell exactly how much you want sweet food. You'll gain weight."
"Eek!"
Eve's face turned beet red as she clutched her stomach.
No way.
"Have you gained weight?"
"...Shut up!"
"......"
Hey, kids that age pack it on quick but lose it just as fast with a little movement, so no big deal.
"What, it'll come right off. No need to worry."
"...I-It's your fault... All your fault..."
"Hm?"
Was she trying to pin the blame on me here? Why?
"Your cooking is so delicious. Your candies are so delicious. That's why I'm gaining weight...!"
"......You're not seriously using that as an excuse right now, are you?"
"Ugh, uugh... It's your fault... For making such candies..."
Well, sugar itself is a notoriously filthy ingredient to produce.
What?
Drops from monsters when you kill them?
That's true, but using it for food feels different, doesn't it?
Hmm. Say there's a monster called a Honey Troll that drops sugar. You slice its neck with magic—slash—and blood sprays out whoosh! Then poof, white sugar drops on top.
Would anyone think, 'Whoa, killed a troll and got sugar. Even though I have no idea where it came from on its body, this harvested sugar tastes sweet, so maybe use it in cooking?' Like some insane idea?
Impossible. You'd have to be crazy.
Besides, sugar's a classic plantation crop. What's that mean? Uh... I don't know exactly, but I remember some EDS documentary talking about black people, tears, their blood flowing to make pure white sugar or something—basically, it's an ingredient that takes insane effort to produce.
Anyway, while slavery exists here, it's not a horrific world where slaves run sugar plantations, so sugar comes from drops of plant-type monsters or tiny-batch manufacturing processes.
Me? I've got beans, so I mass-produce it via bean cultivation. Or just farm 'Sugarwalkers' nonstop in high-altitude heaven-spots, and it stacks up automatically.
Keep repeating this, but agriculture in this world is in decline. Food shortages are managed somehow, and thanks to the founding emperor's ironclad decree of 'You can eat tasteless crap, but complain about edible food and it's the chop,' there's no issue with eating.
That's why black bread and barely purified water are practically free in the game.
And with Eve treating luxury as a sin, she wouldn't gorge on sugar anyway.
But since I've been pumping out sugar products nonstop with sugar beans, this young princess must have been dying to indulge.
But that's that...
"You'll gain weight."
"...Ugh, I-I know... I know..."
Gaining is gaining.
Whether Eve's lower belly fat increased or not wasn't my concern.
More importantly, I needed to finalize the Autumn Grand Festival entry list.
Honestly, the game had no story events, so every year: spring knight tournament and field trip, summer sports festival, autumn athletics meet...? Plus nature experience camp...
"Is this really a military academy?"
Hmm.
Whatever, moving on.
That's not the point.
"So, that's why I called you all. Can you help?"
As I asked smoothly, the four seated there nodded with smiles.
Always the same crew. Aila. Nefti. Milmyu. Rudika.
"So, what are you planning to make? Something that'll surprise us again, right?"
"Mm. Don't worry."
Of course, I was confident I'd blow everyone's minds.
If this flopped, I wouldn't have the confidence to move forward anymore.
That's how sure I was, and that's how delicious it was.
"First off, borrowing this moment: thanks to Sabre Territory for the chicken, milk, and cheese, and Gluco Territory for the herbs and wheat."
"...Hehe. No problem."
"Haha, that's nothing!"
Milmyu and Nefti beamed and nodded at my praise, while Aila and Rudika puffed their cheeks.
"...Our territory sells ore too..."
"Our territory can lend assassins..."
What were they whining about?
And Rudika... Lend them for what?
"Anyway, Senior? Please use the milk and meat from my homeland."
"Ah... I'm curious what dish you can make with the herbs I dug up myself and the wheat stored in my village!"
The two approached me smiling, while the other two were pushed back.
What the heck.
Anyway, my dish was guaranteed 100% success.
Twice-fried tender chicken chunks topped with special spicy sauce!
Behold, you fantasy plebs. This is modern Korea's killer move.
Dakgangjeong!
"...Wow."
"It looks... super tasty."
With steam rising from the dakgangjeong, the fantasy world's inhabitants' eyes sparkled.
This is Korea's steady seller. Couldn't recreate gochujang exactly, so mixed sugar into a red vinegar-based spicy sauce... But the taste is close enough.
【Cooking】 and 【Handicraft】 bend the results to the user's will!
In all the webnovels I binged during Emily runs, dakgangjeong got rave reviews from fantasy folk. 'Is this from the protagonist's homeland?' 'Amazing!' 'To discover this taste so late...' Stuff like that!
Of course, no dakgangjeong in the original D/Z SAGA, but whatever!
"...It's spicy."
"Spicy."
"Se-Senior...!"
"Tasty!"
......Huh?
I never imagined.
These guys were hardcore spice wimps!
"That spicy?"
Rudika shot her hand up at my question.
"No! Not spicy at all!"
"Rudika. I'll give you extra, so be quiet for a bit."
"Got it!"
Sorry, but your taste buds aren't objective at all.
"So, is it spicy?"
"Mm... Even I find it a bit tough, Wolfram."
"Yeah..."
I see. Dakgangjeong is spicy. Got it...
Apparently, encountering thoughts you've never had in life leaves you flustered, unable to think of alternatives.
Tasting it, it matched modern flavors closely. Dakgangjeong stays edible even cooled, perfect for stockpiling sales.
But spicy...?
"On average, is this spice level too much?"
"Probably tough, right?"
"Yeah."
"Se-Senior, I... Uw."
Even Milmyu, who always spoke politely and kindly, teared up.
Nefti hmmed thoughtfully too. Seriously...
Need to think of something else?
Is 'reality' an iron wall I must crumble before?
Dakgangjeong selling well in another world? Ridiculous tale. Haha. Endure the humiliation?
No.
Recall the countless frozen chicken pieces pulled from the freezer at 11 AM at the convenience store.
Remember Gold/Thurs/Fri 3-day special: 20% off digital pay, frying 50 pieces a day.
Innumerable jumbo spicy chicken kings, big drumsticks—they're telling me: Don't give up.
There has to be a way.
"...How's the meat taste? Without sauce, just the fried chicken?"
"That..."
"It's fine. No, really good."
As expected. Change the sauce.
But dakgangjeong to me meant red sauce or soy. How would I know soy sauce recipe?
"Changing the sauce is the answer, huh."
"...Mm. Yeah, I think so too."
Find a sauce that pairs perfectly with dakgangjeong?
"No idea. My narrow thinking can't come up with one."
"......We'll help."
"Hm?"
"We'll taste-test one by one and make it. We'll help you, Wolfram!"
With Aila leading, the others' eyes burned with fervor.
I get it.
I'm not alone.
Not alone... But.
"Won't you gain weight?"
Silence fell instantly.
"Deep night, mix meat with starch powder, fry once, fry again, slather sweet sticky sauce... Okay?"
No one replied.
Yeah, figured.
Weight gain.
"...It's fine. I'm prepared! I'll walk to the convenience store starting tomorrow! No more riding the Black King Tiger!"
Milmyu volunteered first.
I don't want any party member unhappy.
Shaking my head at Milmyu,
"No. Just thought of one."
"...Senior?"
There is. A heaven-sent sauce.
But can I use it? Can I face myself?
No.
I must.
Shed weak self.
After that, I stood.
"Wait. I'll bring the finished version now."
I returned with a modified sauce.
Precisely, just added one thing to the original.
"...Wow. Spi-spicy, but this..."
"Th-this... Yeah. Amazing."
"T-ta-sty..."
Praise poured in.
Admiration. Gratitude. Delight. Emotion. Endless acclaim.
But I couldn't smile.
Was this right?
Now distant past. Half a year ago.
Working at the convenience store. Bro brought back a ton from HQ marketing.
【Bro. This really sells?】
【Whoa, this sells? I seriously don't get it.】
At first, doubted bro's judgment.
【No way this tastes good? Are you sane?】
【No stock in freezer now, come back later seriously.】
【I seriously don't get the taste.】
Later, couldn't understand students devouring it.
But soon, the world shoved sales receipts at me: You're wrong.
The whole world went mad for that taste.
"...This taste is ahead of its time."
"Yeah... Whew. I'm super satisfied."
"Senior's a genius."
Amid all the praise, I couldn't smile.
Just because it sells, bend your principles? Haven't answered that yet.
"So, Senior. What's this dish called?"
"Right! Wolfram. What'll you call it for sale?"
"Ooh... We wanna hear the name too!"
Name? Of course.
What else do you call non-spicy dakgangjeong piled mountain-high with cheese powder.
The dish I couldn't fathom why it sold. But swept youth culture.
"...Cheese Powder Spicy Dakgangjeong."
I uttered the name of original sin.