MTLNOVEL Chapter 152
The bakery’s name was something like “Fluffy Happiness,” if I recall correctly.
As soon as I took a bite of the cake that Leesia had made for me, I thought the name was very well chosen.
Fluffy and sweet.
The extreme softness enveloped my tongue, relaxing my frown.
The caramel and chocolate were perfectly balanced, and the cream was just the right amount of sweet, making me smile.
The strawberries and blueberries on the whipped cream tasted so fresh and unique compared to the fruits I had on Earth that I couldn’t help but think, “This is truly a different dimension of taste.”
When I asked Leesia about it, she explained that the fruits were grown using items from the labyrinth.
The cake was ready much faster than expected, thanks to her baking skills and the bakery’s magical tools.
“This is by far the best cake I’ve ever had in my life.”
Well, it’s been a long time since I celebrated my birthday, so I haven’t had many opportunities to indulge in such treats.
“⋯Haa. It’s good that I became younger. I’m happy.”
“Oho! I’m so glad you all like it!”
After enjoying the cake, we filled our stomachs with dessert instead of a meal and chatted.
“Oh my! You’re not a cute little girl, but a party member who temporarily became younger due to a trait? I’m sorry for treating you like a child!”
After formally introducing Veronica as a party member, I stopped Leesia from stroking her hair, which she called her “baby hair.”
“Before, I used to hit and run, but when I got the chance, I would charge in and push forward.”
“But?”
“After equipping the gauntlets, I could counterattack and restore my health while taking hits. My party members praised me for being like a berserker, and I was very proud.”
Is being called a berserker a compliment for a fighter who fights like a zombie?
“Thanks to everyone’s hard work, I’ve been able to make good use of the equipment I got a few months ago!”
After defeating Ephusio and obtaining the unique equipment, Leesia shared her adventures and hardships from the past few months.
I also shared my own stories of the hardships I endured while resting at the sanctuary.
It was during this conversation that the bakery’s door opened, and a middle-aged man in a neat butler uniform and an intellectual-looking monocle appeared.
“Alfred? What are you doing here?”
He seemed to be the butler of the Yuzfel family.
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[Alfred]
[Strength: B] [Agility: A-] [Endurance: B] [Stamina: B+] [Magic: B+] [Luck: C]
[Possessed Traits] (Collapse)
Carmen Style – Dagger Technique
Gangche – Yuzfel
Magic Affinity
Sprint
Teal Swimming
Ghost Step
Violet Blade
At the End of the Line
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He’s a strong man, especially skilled in assassination.
He pretended to know me, so I remained silent, but the middle-aged man asked a question that was quite different from what I expected.
“As you know, Miss Leesia is working at Sonas Soublanc as a hobby, and this is only possible because the head of the family has given her tacit permission.”
“Huh! Don’t talk nonsense. Working as a bakery employee is a disgrace to the family’s honor, and without permission, it’s something that can’t be done. So, don’t break the tacit permission.”
“I’m sorry, Miss. I just wanted to make sure you don’t forget that you’re a member of the Yuzfel family, even when you’re working as a hobby.”
“Hmm⋯ Now I know why you’re talking so long-winded. The news of the commotion I caused a while ago has already reached the family, hasn’t it?”
How did the news spread in just a few hours?
Did they have a communication magic tool among the employees to keep an eye on her?
“You’re still sharp. That’s right.”
“Don’t beat around the bush. I know you sent the head butler for a reason.”
Leesia, with a crooked smile, waved her hand.
“Don’t talk nonsense and just say what you want. We’re having a pleasant conversation, so please leave as soon as you’re done.”
“I understand. Oh, before that.”
Alfred, who was wearing a monocle, bowed politely to Veronica and me and asked,
“I’m sorry for interrupting your conversation. I have an important message from the head of the family for Miss Leesia. Could you please move to another table for a moment?”
“Sure. Veronica, let’s go to that table over there.”
The butler’s attitude was very polite, and he even added that it wouldn’t take long.
As we were about to move, Leesia shook her head.
“No, don’t go.”
She declared firmly,
“Alfred? Ahren is my savior who saved my life in the labyrinth. Unless it’s a major family matter, just say it.”
“Hmm… If that’s Miss Leesia’s wish, I’ll deliver the message from the head of the family.”
Alfred cleared his throat and spoke in a different tone, as if imitating someone else’s voice and mannerisms.
“Hmm. Leesia! You’ve ignored the list I prepared for you and now caused a commotion in front the bakery. Is this true?”
“Here we go again⋯ Father, really.”
“You’ve been visiting the bakery frequently as a hobby, ignoring your duties as a member of the Yuzfel family, and causing a scene over a man! You must have a special relationship with that man!”
Well, it’s true that Leesia and I have a special relationship, but⋯
“I must hear the truth about your relationship with that man and whether you’re secretly seeing each other!”
Leesia made a disgusted face and rolled her eyes.
“You’ve gone too far. You’ve placed spies everywhere, and now you’re even interfering with my personal life. Don’t you know that I’m a mid-level adventurer?”
“I’m just worried about you, Miss. You know how much the head of the family loves you. Even Rain, the young master, is envious of you.”
“In the public eye, such a father is called a ‘daddy’s girl.'”
“Haha, who would dare speak ill of the Count of Yuzfel, an imperial count?”
Smack!
Alfred, who was still standing straight, continued,
“Finally, the head of the family said⋯ This grand ball is not an ordinary ball but a gathering of nobles from the Empire and other countries, as well as nobles from the East, the frozen North, and the Great Desert. It’s an important meeting place for the noble and powerful, so you must choose a partner by next week.”
The scale of the problem has suddenly grown from a warning about causing a commotion to a grand ball.
In other words, Leesia and the butler’s long conversation can be summarized as follows:
The head of the family, who is a daddy’s girl, heard that Leesia, who is a spinster, caused a commotion with a man at the bakery.
He sent the head butler to find out the relationship between Leesia and the man and to urge her to choose a partner for the grand ball, where nobles and powerful people from various regions and backgrounds will gather.
‘I feel like I’ve heard something I shouldn’t have.’
As I sat there, feeling awkward, Leesia, who had been silent for a while, spoke up again.
“Partner⋯ Do I have to choose a partner of the opposite sex?”
“That’s a fallacy. This time, you should just listen to what your father says.”
“You’re so full of yourself. Why do I have to choose from a list of nobles who are full of vanity and showmanship, or adventurers who are full of themselves and empty of substance? All I see on the list are the same idiots I’ve seen at the ball.”
“Miss, your words are too harsh! Please remember that you are a member of the Yuzfel family before you are an adventurer.”
Alfred’s worried scolding made Leesia sigh and look nauseous.
“I’m not from a minor kingdom, and I’m obviously going to be the subject of gossip if I attend with a man. I absolutely don’t want that.”
She didn’t like this, and she didn’t like that. I understood that she couldn’t choose a partner because she didn’t find anyone suitable, but why was she doing this?
If the family’s support were to be cut off, would she live on as a mid-level adventurer?
In the worst-case scenario, the head of the family, who was a daddy’s girl, might just choose someone at random to accompany her.
“Then, there’s only one option left.”
Alfred, the head butler, lit up.
“You must find a partner who meets the head of the family’s standards before the deadline. Of course, it must be a man.”
“My father’s standards. Standards and men. ⋯Ahh!”
Why are you looking at me?
[Chaos warns you to be careful, as the female fighter’s eyes are not normal.]
Leesia, who had spotted her prey, smiled and asked me,
“Ahren! Why don’t you come with me and enjoy the grand ball? It’s a rare opportunity that only comes around once every few years.”
“⋯Huh?”
I was so surprised by her unexpected words that Alfred immediately spoke up.
“Miss, are you serious?”
I was also curious.
“You must be careful in your choice. I don’t even know who this person is, so I don’t know why you call him your savior.”
Wait a minute.
I was so surprised that I forgot to introduce myself, but now I’m scratching my head.
I feel very offended when people look at me as if I’m not qualified to be a partner, just because I’m a stranger.
“Haha, can I call you Alfred? Can you tell me the conditions that would satisfy the head of the Yuzfel family?”
“There are no specific conditions, but please wait a moment.”
He thought for a moment and then spoke.
“In my decades of service to the family, my standard is that the partner must have outstanding looks and at least the status of a baron or a similar background and reputation.”
“Hmm.”
“Or, at the very least, a mid-level adventurer with mid-level strength or above can be considered qualified to attend the grand ball with Miss Leesia.”
“Wait a minute. Alfred, isn’t that a bit too subjective? It seems like you’re just telling me to choose from the list.”
Leesia, who was grumbling about being told to choose from the list, waved her hand.
‘I think my looks are good enough.’
[Chaos says it’s annoying when you underestimate yourself too much.]
Tap tap.
Veronica, who had been listening quietly, whispered in my ear.
“You definitely meet the first condition, after all you are the disciple of Blood Witch.”
Blood Witch, the mid-level adventurer, has only one disciple.
Yes. With such a unique title, she could easily surpass the lowest rank of the five noble ranks.
‘Damn. My adventurer rank is lacking.’
I can’t prove my strength by showing my iron or gold badge, as I still need to earn half of the guild contribution points to reach the mid-level.
Or, as he added, I need to meet all the conditions.
Since I can’t back down now without hurting my pride, I began to prove that I met the conditions.
“What do you think of my looks, Alfred?”
“Of course, you’re very outstanding. I’m confident that even the head of the family would have no objections.”
“Is that so? Thank you.”
I smoothed my flushed face and continued,
“I’m not a noble, and my background is ordinary.”
I took a deep breath and said,
“However, I have a record of contributing to the defeat of the Apostle of the Evil God in the city.”
I looked straight into his eyes, which were listening intently.
“You may know her nickname, but⋯ Blood Witch, the mid-level adventurer and leader of the Silver Cross Knights, is my master. I, Ahren, am her only disciple.”
Master! I’m sorry for using your name without permission!
It wasn’t a problem, but I thought I should visit the Knights later with lots of delicious food.
“Are you really Blood Witch’s disciple? If you’re lying, not only will you offend the Yuzfel family, but she will personally tear you apart.”
I was surprised to hear that Blood Witch had such a reputation, even though she didn’t seem much older than me.
I was surprised to learn that there was such a hidden background behind Ahren.
“I didn’t know that about you! It’s amazing that you have such a background, Ahren!”
I proved my skills by passing on the skills I had learned from her, and I was confident that I could visit the Knights with her if necessary.
Next was the proof of strength.
“My adventurer rank is currently at the iron level, as I haven’t met the guild contribution requirements for promotion yet.”
“It’s difficult to present a non-noble man with less strength than Miss Leesia as her partner.”
Hey, listen to me until the end.
“But if given the opportunity, I can prove that I can easily defeat several people who have just reached the mid-level adventurer rank.”
Alfred, who had met another arrogant young man, looked at me with a meaningful gaze, his calm eyes meeting my unwavering gaze.
Tap!
I firmly grasped the hand extended towards me.
“Let’s take the easy way. From now on, please don’t overexert yourself and declare defeat if you feel tired.”
A simple magic duel.
This is my specialty. I like it.
“Then, begin!”
Slurp!
As soon as Leesia declared the start, a dense magic power flowed into me from the hand I was holding.
“⋯.”
His teal magic power surged like a wave, sweeping over my entire body, but I easily nullified it.
Ho!
The B+ grade magic power, which anyone would consider high, clashed with mine, but I was able to move on to the next stage.
“Hoo!”
I was able to move on to the next stage, but I couldn’t break through.
The flawless gray wall, created by infinite magic power, completely blocked the entrance of others’ magic power.
“Hmm.”
1 minute. 5 minutes.
10 minutes.
“It’s already been 10 minutes! That’s enough!”
Alfred, who had at least the potential to reach the high-level adventurer rank, had been clashing with me for more than 10 minutes, according to Leesia.
“Hmm. I’m so embarrassed that I can’t even lift my head.”
Alfred, who had been so focused that sweat had formed under his chin, acknowledged me.
“Ahren, is it? As the head butler, I acknowledge you. You are qualified to stand by Miss Leesia’s side.”
“Ahaha! Ahren, did you hear that? Since there will be many people who are hard to see normally, let’s go and see some interesting people!”
.
.
.
I played along with her, as my pride was at stake, but I realized that I had gotten myself into a very complicated situation.
I had originally planned to take a tour of the labyrinth city with Veronica, who had become younger, but I had no idea how we had gotten into such a complicated situation.
.
.
.
─Ahren, is it? As the head butler, I acknowledge you. You are qualified to stand by Miss Leesia’s side.
─Ahaha! Ahren, did you hear that? Since there will be many people who are hard to see normally, let’s go and see some interesting people!
Crackle. Crackle.
My nails, worn down from biting.
My pupils, dyed pink, were filled with heat.
“Stand by his side? Who dares to claim that they are qualified to stand by his side? I can’t even get close to him, let alone be with him, and I’m going crazy.”
Whoosh!
“Just for a moment. We need to make a deal.”
The flames flickered.