Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 68

————– 68/203 ————–

@

“Earl, your tea is served.”

Before getting into the main topic, the Earl took a sip of the tea brought by his head butler, Bradd.

At first, Kainchel found this leisurely pace frustrating. Why couldn’t he just say what he wanted to say quickly?

However, as his relationship with the Earl deepened, he realized this was a time for the Earl to organize his thoughts and choose his words carefully.

Kainchel savored the tea and said,

“Irish Breakfast, I presume. Mainly Assam and Ceylon, with a hint of Kenyan….”

Bradd’s eyes widened in surprise.

“I didn’t realize Sir Kainchel was so knowledgeable about tea. You are the first to notice the Kenyan tea in my blend.”

He was merely reading the words that appeared in his mind’s eye, but to those who didn’t know, it seemed like magic.

‘If my Gourmet level increases, I’ll be able to discern even more information, right? By the way, this tea is incredibly delicious.’

As expected of a butler working for a noble family, the tea Bradd brewed had a distinct aroma.

He had almost forgotten, but the ‘Art of Tea’ also had its own skill.

It was still only at 1-star, but he wondered if leveling it up would grant him some special abilities.

“If you have time later, would you mind teaching me how to brew tea?”

“Of course.”

Earl Well-lyde, who had emptied about half of his teacup, opened his mouth.

“I’ve acquired the wheat monopoly for the Euperian Barony.”

Euperian, the largest granary in the south, producing over 30% of the wheat traded in Britannia.

If this contract were to be finalized, the Edelweiss Trading Company could grow to the point of aiming for second place, not just third.

“······Isn’t that something to celebrate rather than worry about? Should I roast a turkey?”

Earl Well-lyde sighed and stroked his head.

Then, he explained the reason he had obtained the monopoly.

“Do you remember the great famine five years ago?”

“How could I forget? We thought we were all going to starve to death back then.”

It was an incident where anthrax and potato blight spread throughout Britannia, causing grain production to plummet to 1/20th of its usual amount.

“Fortunately, the Merchant Alliance quickly operated trade ships, so we were able to avoid starvation due to the lack of wheat. However, the residents of Euperian suffered enormous losses. So, I lent them some money.”

The Earl said ‘some’ with an indifferent expression, but the amount must have been considerable.

“······.”

“Heh heh, seeing that bewildered look on your face reminds me of that time. Other merchants, and even nobles, pointed fingers, calling it a foolish act. A route had been opened to import wheat from abroad at a low price. Even if Euperian’s wheat production returned to normal after the famine, no one would buy their expensive wheat.”

However, the result was the opposite. When bread was baked with the imported wheat, it tasted completely different from what they had been eating.

When wheat production returned to normal, Euperian’s wheat sold like hotcakes, even at a much higher price.

“A merchant, you see, trades trust, not just money and goods. Wheat produced in Euperian has a very savory and delicious flavor. How could we cut off trade with people who produce such good wheat just because they’re having a slight slump due to a bad harvest?”

And the reward for that trust returned after five years.

In the form of a wheat monopoly.

Earl Well-lyde quickly downed the tea, which had gone cold, and said,

“Of course, it’s not that I have no greed. All the wheat produced in the Euperian territory will be traded through the Edelweiss Trading Company. The profits from that will certainly be enormous. But that’s too much for me to eat alone. We need to increase the size of the company and expand our trading partners. If we do that, there will naturally be some noise. So, instead of a monopoly, we’ve decided to work together with other trading companies in a collaborative form.”

“It’s like a dungeon [a metaphor for a challenging business venture].”

“That’s right. The monopoly is like the core of a dungeon. The monopolization and distribution of wealth… It’s a very difficult problem. So, I wanted to discuss this with Sir Kainchel, but…”

Earl Well-lyde scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

“······So, a bakery alliance was formed to distribute the wheat produced in Euperian. I’m ashamed to say that I’ve been appointed as the head of that alliance.”

Kainchel had to clench his fists to hold back the laughter that was about to burst out.

“Ahem. Don’t mind the name of the alliance. Prelia spent two days agonizing over it.”

“Ah, yes.”

“And the inauguration ceremony for the bakery alliance will be held in two months. It seems Prelia will have to attend.”

“······Haven’t you been avoiding such gatherings until now? Why the sudden change of heart?”

“Thanks to Sir Kainchel, Prelia can now be active for an hour, hasn’t she? These days, she’s even helping me with my work, which is very commendable… Ahem. Anyway, she’s been attending tea parties and book clubs from time to time. That’s where the problem started.”

The girl, who had always stayed at home, had begun to engage in external activities.

Even when she was an imbecile [term used loosely, referring to her previous inactive state], there was a line of people proposing to her, captivated by her fairy-like appearance.

The Earl pointed to the mountain of papers piled on his desk.

“The change in attitude is absurd. These are all invitations. Weddings of great nobles, balls, even public proposals… Of course, I’ve declined most of them, but this event is to celebrate my becoming the head of the alliance, isn’t it? What would it look like if my daughter were absent? You can call me a foolish father if you want. But the interest in Prelia has grown to the point where I can’t stop it. She can no longer stay only in my arms.”

He had somewhat expected this to happen. Prelia was that beautiful. Moreover, she was the only heir of Earl Well-lyde.

“An hour won’t be enough, will it?”

“Hoo… Just a simple greeting would take three hours… No, about two hours would be needed.”

Eating 5-star cuisine weakens the curse, allowing for about an hour of normal activity.

However, eating multiple dishes doesn’t increase the effect.

Earl Well-lyde lowered his head until it almost touched the table.

“I know that what Sir Kainchel has done so far is close to a miracle. I will definitely repay you for it, even if it takes a lifetime. As a merchant… No, as Prelia’s father, I promise you. So, can’t you make me even more delicious food?”

Kainchel was choked up and couldn’t say anything.

It was the first time Earl Well-lyde had been so humble.

The only thing that could break the curse of sloth placed on Prelia was cuisine of 5-star level or higher.

Then, what would happen if she ate 6-star cuisine?

And Kainchel had a clue that could lead him to it.

“What you’ve done for me so far, Earl, is more than enough as payment for the cuisine. How much do you know about salt?”

Kainchel explained to the Earl about jewel salt.

As the story progressed, the Earl’s face gradually brightened.

He was so happy at the possibility of being able to create 6-star cuisine that he raised both hands in the air.

“To think there’s such an amazing salt that could raise the grade of cuisine by one level… If we could only obtain it, perhaps…”

“Yes, the curse placed on Lady Prelia might be completely lifted.”

The hope that he couldn’t find no matter how hard he searched was now close enough to reach out and touch.

The Earl looked at Kainchel with eyes full of joy and nodded.

“To think you’d find it so quickly, I was right to trust and entrust you with this! I’ll summon the Arcserion Mercenary Corps to help you conquer the dungeon. With them, you should be able to conquer a small-scale dungeon in a day.”

The Arcserion Mercenary Corps, known as the best in the Empire.

Hiring them would cost thousands of gold, but he didn’t mind at all.

“I’m sorry, but I think it would be better to proceed with this on a small scale. If we’re not careful, it could escalate into a war between mercenaries.”

“That’s true. Then I’ll attach my Lord Taimu to you. He’s a bit oblivious to the ways of the world, but I guarantee his skills.”

“It would be reassuring to have Lord Taimu with us. But I already have someone in mind.”

The Earl burst out laughing when he heard the name that came out of Kainchel’s mouth.

“Yes, that would be very interesting. If that group gets together, there will be an uproar among the mercenaries, saying that some terrifying rookies have appeared.”

@

The fourth member for the dungeon conquest was very close by.

Abel, who was drinking tea with Prelia in the garden, waved his hand when he saw Kainchel.

“Wait a moment. I’ll brew you a cup too.”

It seemed that he had become completely friendly with Prelia in the short time he hadn’t seen him.

“No, it’s okay. I’ve already had plenty… By the way, what happened to the Polymorph magic?”

The now completely clear blonde hair was dazzling. Abel’s green eyes sparkled with a strange confidence.

“The Lady said she likes this appearance better. She said I look more manly and trustworthy.”

“What about the ears?”

“I’ve hidden them here like this.”

Abel had his hair styled short, tied on both sides and draped to the side.

He had put the ears of a half-elf inside.

Except for the short-cut hair that revealed his nape, anyone would see him as a cute girl.

“······.”

Kainchel, flustered, looked at Prelia, giving her a look that demanded an explanation.

Then, Prelia smiled brightly and put her finger to her lips.

‘······Abel, I’m sorry. I didn’t know the Lady had this kind of personality.’

Abel, who had heard the situation from Kainchel, nodded without hesitation.

“I’ll do it.”

“Are you sure you can make a decision so quickly? What about the academy?”

Then, Abel quietly drew the sword he was wearing on his waist. There was a faint aura on it.

“Only the investiture ceremony remains. They said it will be next spring.”

Kainchel looked at Abel with admiring eyes and quietly reached out his hand.

“You’ve become a Sword Knight. Congratulations.”

The two quietly shook hands. For some reason, Abel’s face turned a little red.

“I can’t keep losing to you forever, can I? How about we spar about once a week from now on?”

“Shall we?”

While Abel was away, Taimu would take over Prelia’s escort.

Prelia said with a look like a child who had her toy taken away.

“I just became friends with him, and it’s a shame I won’t be able to see him for a while.”

“I’ll be back before the celebration party.”

“Yes! I’ll be sure to ask Sir Abel to escort me.”

‘He’s not treating him like a guard knight, but like a younger sibling….’

Kainchel vowed to ask him whether he was a younger brother or a younger sister when he returned.

@

Kundam, who was asked to help conquer the dungeon, drew his sword and replied.

“Let’s spar first.”

Only three weeks had passed, but Kundam had become incredibly strong.

If he didn’t have the booster that strengthened part of his muscles with aura, it was clear that Kainchel would be the one collapsing on the floor.

Kundam gave a cool smile while lying on the floor.

“When I told my master that I had lost to Sir Kainchel twice, he described life as a marathon. He said that you may be ahead or behind for a while, but the important thing is the tenacity not to give up. I think I know what that means now.”

“Then······.”

“Yes, I’m sorry. I plan to focus on training until I can implement a perfect aura sword.”

As the expected answer came back, Kainchel grinned.

“Lord Kundam. You’re currently learning the Mana Cultivation Method, right?”

“That’s right. My master said that I will be able to draw a proper aura sword within three months.”

He will become a Sword Knight one year after entering the training center.

‘I had cuisine, and Abel used the blood of an elf. If you look purely at the talent of the sword, Kundam is the best.’

That’s why he wanted to receive him as the last member.

“What if there was a way to shorten that time to one month?”

“O, one month, you say.”

If you catch monsters that appear in the dungeon, you can get magic stones. It is a lump of pure mana.

Using the Mana Cultivation Method, it can be converted into aura and absorbed.

Of course, the price of magic stones was so high that it was a distant story for Kundam, who was a commoner.

“······I heard that a huge amount of magic stones is needed to become a Sword Knight.”

Kainchel nodded with a confident expression.

“If there is a shortage of magic stones, my sponsor has decided to provide them. What do you say? If you follow me, I’ll make you a Sword Knight in a month.”

Kundam was on the verge of becoming a Sword Knight. It would be enough to have about 20% of the magic stones obtained from the dungeon.

After all, the mined magic stones were to be divided equally among the five people.

“That’s unfair. If you prepare such bait, I have no choice but to bite.”

In this way, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place of the 22nd class of Stanise Knight Training Center, who were called the strongest rookies of all time, formed a team.

As Earl Well-lyde said, terrifying rookies were born.

Terrifying Rookies #3