Volume 10 Chapter 47 Nostalgic Custard Pie
I'm running up to Sylphina and Sir Stefan, standing in front of Sir Stefan to protect Sylphina.
Sylphina is staring at us with unfocused eyes.
"──I used up all the magic I had. Even so, I couldn't win. So, kill me."
Sylphina says in a flat voice.
I shake my head vigorously. I didn't come here to do that.
Sylphina has real emotions. She can feel and talk.
Inside Witch Sylphina, the original Sylphina is still there.
So──!.
"Sir Stefan, please lower your sword. Give me some time."
"...I thought I had lost you. Lydia, I'm glad."
"I'm sorry for worrying you."
I grip Sir Stefan's hand tightly.
I think he must have felt really lonely when I disappeared right in front of him.
He's a very responsible and serious person, so if I had been even a moment later in coming back, Sylphina would have surely been defeated by the holy sword.
I'm glad I made it in time.
"I hate Saints. Saints took everything from me. So I thought I would peel off your mask, which is covered in lies, expose your true self, and break your heart. But you──."
"I'm not a Saint; I'm a chef from Lobelia! I'm not good at lying. I'm bad at lying to my own heart, so... I always end up showing my pathetic self, my embarrassing self, and the parts of me I don't want to remember... but."
I spread my arms wide.
Then, I create a smile that I show to my customers as a chef.
At first, it might have been an awkward forced smile.
But── I was happy to serve food from Lobelia for the first time.
I was happy to hear people say it was delicious.
I was happy to see the people who ate the food laughing joyfully.
I had always been alone. I was always on guard, like a wary stray cat, intimidating others, crying, and getting angry all the time.
But──thanks to the smiles of the customers who enjoyed their meals, it eventually became genuine.
"I really want you to enjoy delicious food and feel full. That feeling is always real. Because being alone and feeling hungry is really lonely and sad...!"
Light overflowed from my hands, transforming the empty space into Lobelia's kitchen.
The prep table, the stove and sink, and by the window, Ms. Famine and Mer-Mer were always curled up on cushions.
Dad was always napping on the round stool, Eir-Eir was rolling around on the prep table, and recently, Med and Nel-Nel had been lounging on the carpet spread out on the floor.
My Lobelia has become so lively over this past year.
Everyone is here with me, and I feel so saved.
There are no more lonely nights. No more mornings spent alone.
It was Sylphina who connected everyone to me.
So now, I want to give back, to repay all the happiness I've received.
I want to be there for Sylphina, who has fallen into darkness, just like I did when I carelessly spat out curses.
Sylphina, who was chained to the floor, sat in a princess's seat.
A magnificent chair, a table.
Flowers bloomed all around the chair, and Sylphina was sitting there.
Chains were wrapped around her body.
The chains must have transformed from the red moon's cage that bound Sylphina.
The space created by my magic can change form as I imagine, but I couldn't break the chains.
It looked like a sturdy cage that trapped Sylphina's own heart.
"Welcome to Lobelia Diner House, Princess Kirschtein! I'll make you the most delicious dessert!"
When I say it, flour, butter, milk, sugar, eggs, vanilla beans, and a bunch of raspberries pop up on the countertop.
Sir Stefan stands next to Sylphina, holding the holy sword that can always be returned to its sheath, like a guard.
Sylphina doesn't say anything anymore.
She quietly closes her eyes, as if waiting for the moment of judgment.
"First, the pie crust. Mix the flour and butter until crumbly, bring it together, and let it rest in the Ice Magic Stone storage for a bit."
I put the moist and cute pie dough I mixed in the bowl into the Ice Magic Stone storage.
"In the meantime, I'll make the custard cream. Gradually add warmed milk to the flour and sugar. Mix well, add the egg yolks, mix some more, heat it up, and stir it gently to avoid burning. Then, add the vanilla beans."
In the small pot over the heat, the liquid starts to thicken.
I stir it around to prevent it from burning.
Once it all comes together nicely, I take it off the heat and put it in the Ice Magic Stone storage.
While it cools, I take out the chilled pie dough.
"Fold the pie dough several times, roll it out, fold it, roll it out again."
I roll out the pie dough on a floured surface, layering and rolling it out again.
"Make a larger square, poke it with a fork to make holes. In the center, add the custard. Fold it in half and brush the surface with egg yolk. We'll bake this in the Fire Magic Stone oven."
While the pies on the baking sheet are baking in the Magic Stone oven, I wash the raspberries well and put sugar in a small pot to simmer.
The raspberries bubble away, and a lovely aroma of butter and sugar wafts from the oven.
When I cut the finished crispy triangular pie in half, the custard oozes out.
I drizzle raspberry sauce over the custard pie on the plate──.
"It's done! Nostalgic custard pie with raspberry sauce!"
"Custard pie..."
Sylphina opens her eyes and murmurs in a small voice.
"Lydia... if Sylphina..."
"Don't worry, Sir Stefan. Absolutely, it's fine!"
I interrupted Sir Stefan, who was about to say something, and stood tall.
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