Chapter 190: Baking Competition (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 190: Baking Competition (4)
“I have a favor to ask.”
“If it is a request from a brother, I must grant it, no matter what.”
Marian’s smile, which suggested she would stab a random passerby without hesitation if I asked, gave me the creeps. However, since this was necessary, I finished my request with a smile of my own.
And for good reason.
It’s too easy.
Normally, in the world of web novels, power inflation occurs as time passes. Yet here, the skill level of the Dark Mages seemed to be plummeting.
Something was off.
Boradori had mentioned that the average skill level of the Academy—not to mention the RoFan leads—had risen drastically, so I could understand the difficulty of the incidents decreasing. Furthermore, with the Empire’s efforts and external variables like the Heresy Inquisitors added to the mix, it wasn't impossible to catch Dark Mages early.
But that was one thing.
The Academy’s level rising and the Dark Mages’ level falling were two entirely different stories. If they were the Dark Mages we knew, they wouldn't be using weak methods like taking hostages; they were the kind of lunatics who would use corpse bombs.
That was why I asked the Heresy Inquisitors to squeeze some information out of the captured Dark Mages.
I couldn't tell if this was simply a result of the Dark Mages' forces being weakened, or if they were preparing for the "calm before the storm" typical of a RoFan development.
Since there was a very high probability that even Boradori wouldn't know the answer, it was only right for me to look into it myself.
“Sigh…”
After handling my personal business, I looked at the despondent Uncle Aeryun and suggested we go watch the finals.
“What’s the point? It’s already over anyway.”
“I think it’s still going, though?”
Since I had sent my junior as a substitute, the finals should technically still be in progress.
“It’s all over…”
I dragged the slumped Uncle Aeryun along to the finals of the Baking Competition.
“The Empire of ‘A Cup of Warm Tea’ is falling!”
“A single individual is toppling the Emperor of the Empire’s dessert world!”
“……?”
I heard commentary that I really shouldn't have been hearing.
Setting aside the absurdity of the content, was it really okay to shout that the Empire was falling and the Emperor was being toppled in the middle of the Imperial Capital?
As far as I knew, the Empire had recently crushed some rebels who were trying to wave the flag of revolution nearby, even if it hadn't been made public.
“The dynasty falls, and a new challenger seizes their territory!”
“The After-School Dessert Club! They are this year’s dessert champions!”
“……”
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Uncle Aeryun was shedding tears.
“Finally… I’ve achieved my dream.”
“……”
Honestly, I wondered if I had already been hit by a Dark Mage’s spell. It felt like it had been less than a week since we started preparing for this Baking Competition.
Seeing Uncle Aeryun speak with such sincerity, like a man who had finally achieved a decade-long dream, made me question if this was all a Dark Mage’s illusion magic. Or perhaps the entire Founding Festival was one giant Truman Show.
I asked Elian, this year’s champion, for the full story.
“It’s all thanks to you, Senior.”
“……?”
What, is it really a Truman Show?
For a moment, I suspected Esid had realized what I’d done to him and was launching a counterattack. But my junior’s following words forced me into deep thought.
“You know those recipes you left behind in the Kingdom? Surprisingly, a lot of people liked them. I used to make them often back at the Magic Tower.”
“Ah.”
In this RoFan world, the Academy cafeteria served pork cutlets, curry, and even gukbap if you looked hard enough. However, when it came to bread and desserts, it was a world steeped in history and tradition.
According to Violet, that’s just how RoFan is. Though she never explained why a place where bread is the staple food has more rice and side dishes in the Academy cafeteria.
Anyway, because of that, traditional RoFan-style bread… didn't suit my palate, which was accustomed to K-Bakery.
It was inevitable. The bakeries in my past life were criticized for being expensive, but their average taste was actually quite high. Moreover, because bread was consumed as a dessert rather than a staple in that country, those characteristics were reflected in the baking.
A prime example was the bagel.
Originally a sugarless, very tough bread meant for meals, it had been transformed into a delicious dessert that tasted good on its own. Despite being a Korean author, the creator of this world had made the bagels here strictly traditional.
Back when I was in the Leon Royal Family, I had recalled Korean-style recipes and released them to the palace. I had even asked the Captain to "persuade" the bakers who claimed they couldn't follow such a "heretical" path, forcing them to make the bread for me.
In the process, some of the other training officer seniors had swiped a few. I never imagined they would make it all the way to the Magic Tower.
“But wait, you’re a mage. Why were you the one making bread?”
No matter how the Leon Magic Tower was treated, the Royal Family wouldn't have neglected their meals.
“They said they couldn't make such bread even if dirt entered their eyes…”
“Hmm.”
It seemed our Captain had literally rubbed dirt in their eyes while making them do it.
“Anyway, I submitted the breads I used to make back then. They said they wanted to hear the story of why I created such bread…”
He couldn't exactly say the royal bakers refused and he got stuck with the job because he was low in the Magic Tower hierarchy.
“So, I just mixed in some stories about entering the Magic Tower…”
Apparently, he had crafted a plausible scenario. Come to think of it, his story about dreaming of becoming a mage was quite compelling. By weaving that story into the bread, he had created a narrative worthy of a legendary chef.
To stop the tenth consecutive victory of the Dessert Empire, was the only way really "Wind Style: Talk-no-Jutsu"?
“W-What is this…”
While I was lost in thought, Uncle Aeryun was trembling as he looked at the breads submitted for the finals.
“It’s sausage bread.”
Looking at the bread commonly known as pizza bread, Uncle Aeryun was trembling with the same terror he’d shown when he first encountered a Dark Mage.
“W-Why would you put a sausage inside bread and bake it?!”
“You put them in sandwiches too.”
“That’s different!”
People sure are saying that a lot lately.
“Isn't it basically the same thing?”
“It is not! And what is this?!”
Uncle Aeryun, who had been nitpicking every single loaf, finally screamed.
“A victory like this… was never my dream!”
…Seriously, anyone would think he’d been dreaming of this for ten years.
#Violet - No, what even is this?
It went without saying that the finals were our—no, Delmoa’s—victory.
In the first place…
“We are sorry.”
“We didn't mean for it to turn out like this.”
The people who were supposed to be the finalists had already lost their will to fight.
“The uncles are nice. They gave me yummy things.”
“……”
Watching Delmoa defend them made me feel a bit indignant. To think she’d call a kidnapper a "nice person" just because they gave her something tasty. Is that why she follows that "Red" more than me?
But that ends now.
“It’s alright. Just be careful in the future.”
“Thank you!”
After showing the losers a winner’s magnanimity, I immediately pulled a snack from my pocket and handed it to Delmoa. My subspace pouch was already filled with products from the top eight contestants of the Baking Competition.
Normally, it would be difficult to obtain even one, but after handing over a single childhood photo of Daisy, the Ilias Merchant Guild had provided a massive amount of gifts.
“Nom.”
“Is it good?”
“Yeah.”
“…Better than that red unnie’s?”
Seeing her shake her head vigorously, it seemed the Flame Witch of Dale had used some sort of trick. It couldn't be helped. I’d either have to actually learn how to bake or keep getting supplies from the guy who won this time.
And so, I spent the Founding Festival eating snacks with the club members, including Daisy, who had come to share in the joy of victory. I watched the RoFan male leads participate in the swordsmanship and magic tournaments. I lightly suppressed the desperate final struggles of the Dark Mage remnants the Empire had missed and handed them over.
It was two days before the closing ceremony of the Founding Festival.
“Hmm.”
I ended up getting kidnapped.
The culprits weren't the atrocious Dark Mages or cultists.
“Could someone tell me why I’m tied up like this?”
To my question, my boss spoke quietly.
“I told you before. You’re dead.”
I shut my mouth and thought back quietly.
“Which time are you talking about…?”
There were too many instances; I didn't know which one he meant.
“Then what about what I said about seeing you later?”
“Hmm…”
Looking at Leah—no, Nea—who was staring down at me with an expressionless face, I tilted my head.
“I-I don't really remember.”
“Hmph. I see.”
Nea let out a light snort and stepped toward me. She crouched down, meeting my eyes with a bright smile.
“Senior. I am a Princess of the Empire.”
“Huh?”
“Nea Elleras. You’ve heard the name, right?”
She suddenly comes out with it.
“U-Uh?”
“Hmm…”
Seeing my bewildered state, Leah—no, Nea’s—expression hardened.
“You already knew, didn't you?”
It’s chilling. A metaphorical dagger flies and stabs me in the chest. Seeing my boss shaking his head a short distance away, it didn't seem like he was the one who told me.
“I say I have no interest in the throne, but I am still royalty. I live in a world where you get eaten if you show weakness. A world where you have to distinguish between those hiding knives behind their backs and those who aren't.”
Looking at my face, Nea spoke with a voice full of disappointment.
“That’s why I enjoyed talking to you, Senior.”
She thought I wasn't one of those people.
Hearing her speak with such sorrow and disappointment made my conscience prickle slightly, but I was also someone struggling to survive in this RoFan world full of intrigue and deception.
Because within that expression of sadness and disappointment…
“…To me, it looks like you’re enjoying this?”
I had spotted a subtle hint of amusement.
“Senior. Did I ever tell you that I like you a lot?”
At that, Nea shed her facade and returned to her usual mischievous expression.
“Unfortunately, I’ll have to pass on the same-sex romance.”
“I feel the same way, but seeing your expression just now, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Ah. I feel like I suddenly understand someone else’s feelings.”
“……”
Knowing why she was still competing for the throne despite having a "perfect" eldest brother, I was honestly a bit intimidated, but I didn't let it show. I had something to rely on too!
Save me!
“……?”
I sent a desperate look, but the person who should have been at the end of my gaze was nowhere to be seen.
“Ah, are you looking for Senior Adam? I asked him to head down first.”
Nea, noticing where my gaze was headed, smiled brightly.
“I gave him a more than satisfactory reward, so no one will be able to interfere for a while.”
“Hey, Leah?”
“Oh, come on. I told you it’s Nea.”
I hurriedly called my junior’s name, but she pressured me by using her title as Princess.
Then, her subtle touch began to open my collar, sliding into my shirt…
“Hey, hey! What are you doing?!”
A sudden drift?! This was an all-ages novel (probably!)!
“Don't worry, Senior.”
She neutralized my resistance as if it were cute, brought her lips to my ear, and whispered softly.
“It’s my first time, too.”
First time for what!