Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Kitchen Inspection
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“Honey, are you okay?”
His wife said. He reassured his wife and the staff.
“I’ll check the kitchen too.”
Cal entered the kitchen. Million followed him in. Cal fetched a chair and examined the kitchen ceiling, then got down on his stomach flat to scan the floor.
“You must think I’m some weird guy, huh?”
Cal said as he rummaged through the kitchen utensils.
“I’m not interested in what kind of person you are.”
“Really? If it were me, I’d be dying of curiosity. What’s this reporter guy suddenly up to? What scheme is the guy who was wagging his tail at the deputy director cooking up? Doesn’t it make you suspicious?”
“Lander told me about you. I can’t say if you’re trustworthy, but he said you’re definitely someone we need right now.”
“Lander did? That’s an exciting endorsement. Makes me want to work even harder. No, I’ll have to do a really thorough job.”
Cal stood up from lying on the floor. Only then did Million notice Cal’s feet. He was barefoot.
His dirty boots had been left at the kitchen entrance. The kitchenware he’d rummaged through was all neatly returned to its place without a trace of disturbance.
“I can’t forgive anyone who messes up my workshop. This place must be like a workshop to the chef. I tried my best not to dirty it, but there might be some unavoidable parts, so please forgive those.”
Amid his cheerful response, Million felt a heavy pressure weighing down on him. That was when he realized this wasn’t just a talkative reporter. Or maybe he wasn’t a reporter at all.
Cal beckoned. It was a natural gesture for summoning a subordinate. At the posture he’d seen countless times in the military, Million reacted without thinking.
“I want to check the top of this shelf. Could you hand me that chair?”
Million brought the chair without a word. Cal climbed up and reached into the back of the shelf.
No dust at all. These dishes must be pretty expensive. Our tastes are similar, he kept saying nonstop as he inspected the shelf. Million had never met such a talkative man.
“You think a guy like me has a mouth that’s too loose for his own good?”
“Did I make that face?”
“No. You manage your expressions very well. But people who see me for the first time usually think something similar. Talkative guy, scatterbrained guy, guy who can’t stay still. How about it?”
“Pretty much.”
“You’re the type who doesn’t lie. I like that.”
Having finished with the shelf, Cal now groped the ceiling. He tapped it with his fist and nodded to himself.
“No place here to hide anything.”
“It’s a kitchen.”
“Exactly.”
Cal dusted off his hands as he stepped down from the chair.
“When did you get that scar on your face?”
“That doesn’t seem related to the investigation.”
“Just personal curiosity. Your prosthetic leg isn’t uncomfortable?”
“I’m used to it. Is my personal info helpful to the case?”
“No. This is personal curiosity too. Nice prosthetic you’ve got there. That model’s the latest issued by the military, and you’ve had it for a while? Were you in an independent unit? Number 3? No, probably 4th Independent Unit.”
“You even know about the independent units.”
“If I were just a chatterbox, would Lander have asked for my help? Anyway, interesting. A guy who tangled with magical beasts wielding a little knife in the kitchen. Well, not bad. And you even got a beautiful wife out of it.”
Cal decided that was enough and left the kitchen. He put on his boots and stood in the center of the dining hall, clapping his hands to draw everyone’s attention.
“In my eyes, there are no suspicions in this place. By the book, I should do a direct confrontation, but for Lander’s sake, we’ll skip that. From now on, this place can operate normally without any issues. So rest easy.”
Cal finished speaking with his arms spread wide like a performer seeking applause.
Not just his wife, but the staff all stared at him at once, their eyes asking the same question. Chef, who the hell is this guy?
Million felt the same need for an explanation and looked to Lander. Meanwhile, Cal spread his arms again and said everyone’s problem was solved.
“If he says the problem’s solved, now you can worry even more.”
Lander said. It was directed at his wife. She still couldn’t grasp the situation. He went to her and took her hand.
He whispered that it was really solved, so don’t worry. These were Lander’s words, no one else’s. His old superior always spoke only facts. If he said it was done, it was done.
“Really?”
His wife asked. Lander nodded.
“Wait a second, wait. I did all the hard investigating, so why’s Lander getting the spotlight? This is really upsetting. Come on, focus on me. I solved this problem. So you should thank me. Preferably with some applause. I love it when people bow down to me.”
Lander clapped first. Million followed reflexively. His wife hesitantly raised her hands, and then the staff joined in.
Awkward applause filled the shop. Cal waved it off as if embarrassed but kept smiling. Being able to smile so brightly even at forced applause made his personality seem impressive.
“Um… but how exactly is it solved?”
His logical wife refused to get swept up in the farce to the end. The staff had similar looks.
He couldn’t very well explain that the guy was brought by the Imperial Chancellor, so no worries.
Cal lifted his chin and said it very confidently.
“Because I saw it.”
“And that solves the problem?”
“Yes. That’s enough. It’s not worth deploying someone of my caliber, but a very special person asked me specially, so I put in some effort. So don’t worry and rest easy at home.”
Cal pointed at him as he spoke.
“As a reward for solving the case well, can I get a free dinner here?”
“The shop operates by reservation only.”
“You’re strict. I like that even more. What if I come with Lander?”
“Lander’s name is always on the reservation list, so if you come with him, we’d be happy to serve you.”
“A bit disappointing, but I understand. Anyway, I enjoyed looking around the shop. Do well in business, and have a healthy delivery. Ah, saying I pray doesn’t mean I really believe in gods. Just a figure of speech.”
Cal, who had been pouring out words nonstop, left the shop first. Until Lander said see you later and followed, he and the others just dazedly stared at the shop door.
“Honey. Who was that guy earlier?”
“I want to explain, but I don’t know much either. But there’s one clear thing. We don’t have to worry anymore. So don’t worry.”
He told the staff to go in first, then gently hugged his wife.
* * *
“I went to the Giant Soldier Administration Bureau yesterday, but soldiers had it surrounded, so I came right back.”
“Good call. Make sure to pass it on to the guys below. For the time being, don’t go anywhere near the Giant Soldier Administration Bureau.”
His subordinate replied yes and withdrew. Waltz looked toward the Giant Soldier Administration Bureau through the window right behind him.
Armed soldiers had set up camp around the bureau. He didn’t even want to imagine what was happening inside.
“We got through unscathed.”
“You’re here.”
He stood from his seat to greet the director.
“Did the Inspection Team give any prior notice?”
“None. But we prepared thoroughly on our end.”
“Thanks to your meticulousness, things went smoothly.”
The director patted his shoulder, saying good work.
“How was the meeting with the Inspection Team Leader? As rumored, a cranky bastard?”
The director shook his head.
“Didn’t meet him.”
“Pardon?”
“He never showed up at the appointed time. I left the Administrative Office to you and made special time for it.”
“I hear he’s a stickler for principles. Maybe he went straight to the bureau.”
“No. One of his underlings came and told me. Said even they didn’t know where their team leader was and to stop waiting. Left that and took off. Didn’t even apologize to me.”
“Rude bastards.”
“You know what kind of people are in the Special Inspection Team. I was the fool for expecting manners from backstabbers.”
“I still wonder how a guy like that became a First-Class Noble.”
“How would I know the Emperor’s or the Assembly’s grand intentions? They might even regret promoting him to First-Class Noble. It’s an open secret that more than one or two of the Emperor’s strings have fallen into the Inspection Team’s hands. Same for the Assembly.”
The director scowled as he glared at the Giant Soldier Administration Bureau.
“I hope no sparks fly our way.”
“It’s the module smuggling case. The Administrative Office has no business agreements regarding modules, and just the fact that the transport got out can pin all the blame on the bureau. No need to worry.”
The director nodded slowly.
“And I heard they went to investigate the inner courtyard.”
“No issue there. Just some kid who needs etiquette training; we’re educating him through proper procedures.”
“Since it’s you handling it, I’m sure you’ve got it under control. But don’t go too hard. He’s a young chef who doesn’t know the world yet.”
“Next time, I’ll host the director there without a reservation. I’m giving him a proper talking-to, so the chef will shape up.”
The director laughed and said to invite him anytime. After seeing him off, he returned to his office.
He sat in his chair and turned his eyes to the tasks needing processing. He dipped the pen nib in ink and was checking the approval documents.
“Deputy Director. A visitor. Name’s Cal. What should I do?”
“Cal?”
He recalled the reporter he’d met in the inner courtyard last night. What an impatient fellow. Waltz said to let him in.
“Nice to see you, Deputy Director. You didn’t forget me, right?”
“Your character’s not ordinary enough to forget in a day, so don’t worry.”
He offered a chair and told him to sit. Cal scanned the office as if fascinated.
“You must have a lot of work. The people outside look busy too.”
“This is the Administrative Office that moves the giant bureaucracy. It’d be weird if we weren’t busy.”
“And you’re the key figure in such an important place, Deputy Director.”
“Something like that.”
He accepted Cal’s flattery moderately. Overt praise was easier on him than fidgeting and glancing around.
In that regard, he liked Cal. Being a Wolfji reporter helped with that assessment.
“What brings you here today?”
“Obviously for an interview with you, Deputy Director. A senior I know told me this: Opportunities must be seized when they come. Hesitate, and they fly away like birds.”
“Your senior knows his stuff.”
“That’s why I’m here. I’m not intruding, am I?”
“Intruding? An interview with Wolfji reporter is welcome on my end too.”
He cleared his throat lightly and adjusted his necktie.
“The symbol of imperial bureaucracy suits you perfectly.”
“Not to brag, but it cost a pretty penny to get it tailored.”
“You can tell it’s high-class. I’m jealous.”
Cal said he had something to prepare and pulled an item from his pocket. A notebook. Made of high-quality paper too.
“Do Wolfji reporters all use such expensive paper for notes?”
“Not all. This is like my signature item.”
His signature item? It sounded odd, but he let it pass. Then it happened. Commotion erupted outside.
Wondering what was going on, he opened the door and looked out. Amid the tense subordinates stood members of the Special Inspection Team. What the hell?
“Looks like something happened.”
Cal said. Leaving the curious reporter behind, he went out first to greet the Inspection Team.
(To be continued in the next installment)