Volume 2 Chapter 19 Let's Go Shopping II
Lashina bowed politely to Cain and said, "Excuse me." Then she quickly turned toward the men. Suddenly, she heard a sound like a "clang" and felt the noise fade away. The men gasped in fear and staggered back, dropping to their behinds and trembling.
'Huh? What just happened?'
She coldly shouted at the men, "Do you even know who this person is? This is Sir Cain Sanroze, the 4th son of the lord. How dare you treat him like that? Are you ready to lose your life for this?"
Lashina's voice was icy, like she was frozen.
'No way... she found out? This is bad, I need to stop it fast!'
"Sorry, Ms. Lashina. It's my fault for showing up suddenly. Please don't mind it. Can you forgive them?"
"If Sir Cain says so, then I'll give them permission. ──So you guys, hurry up and leave now, before Sir Cain changes his mind."
When Lashina gave the order, the men scrambled and ran outside.
"Lala── why did I have to tell them I was coming?!"
Cain turned his head just a little, asking the girl standing behind him.
"It's thanks to Sir Randolph's training. My job today is to keep Sir Cain safe from trouble."
Lala had a smug look and looked at Cain confidently.
"Ah, Lashina, I'm sorry for causing trouble.
It's just my curiosity. I shouldn't have done that, and I feel bad for those guys. Sorry."
"No, Sir Cain. I think those men learned their lesson.
Don't worry about it. Now, about the magic stones──can we look at them in the meeting room?"
Cain, Lala, and Lashina sat in a small meeting room at the back left. They faced a table with magic stones on it. Lashina brought many magic stones from the adventurers' guild; some were big or small. Most were dark purple, but some were red or blue.
"This small item is a goblin or tiny monster's stuff. A slightly bigger one is an orc. And this is a forest wolf. The red magic stone is a fire attribute stone. The blue one is for water."
"Hmm, so there are many types. How do people usually use them?"
Cain touched the magic stones while asking.
"Normally, people use them to operate magic tools. This goblin's magic stone can move a [Light] magic tool about 20 times. Usually, alchemists buy these to cast spells."
Lashina brought the magic tool and showed Cain where to put the magic stone.
"Then, can I buy 5 magic stones each for the orc and the forest wolf? How much is it?"
"Thank you for your purchase. One orc magic stone costs 20 silver coins, and one forest wolf magic stone costs 15 silver coins. Total is 175 silver coins."
"Just give me 2 gold coins. Can I take them home now?"
"Yes, we'll bring a bag for carrying and your change."
* * *
Cain and the others thanked Lashina and left the adventurers' guild.
"Hey, Lala. What kind of person is Lashina at the guild? Is she important? But those adventurers seemed so casual talking to her."
"Sir Cain, you have a keen eye. Lady Lashina is a former A-rank adventurer and a veteran receptionist. In a way, she might have more power than the guild master."
"Oh, I see. I'd better be careful. Now, we need to hurry so I have time to make sweets."
When Cain and the others returned, they found a package already arrived from Pedro Merchant Guild. It was past lunch time, so they sat at the kitchen table and ate sandwiches again.
"Young Master Cain, what are you going to make?"
Chef Lloyd asked Cain, who had finished lunch.
"Today, I'll make 2 sweets. First is 'Daigaku Imo (Japanese Sweet Potato Desert)'. Second is 'Castella'. Daigaku Imo uses Satsuma; Castella is a type of baked cake. I want everyone, Lloyd and others, to taste them, so please look forward to it."
The chefs and maids in the kitchen cheered loudly. Cain quickly told the cooks to gather the ingredients he bought today, like oil.
"Since we don't have much time, we'll make 2 things at once. The 'Daigaku Imo' group will wash Satsuma and cut it into 10 cm pieces with 5 mm thick, long strips. The amount should be enough for everyone, right?" The 'Castella' group will stir 10 eggs after casting a [magic] purification spell on them. The others keep giving instructions and keep moving through each step.
The 'Daigaku Imo' was deep-fried until golden and coated with honey glaze, then sprinkled with what looked like sesame seeds they brought. The 'Castella' was made by mixing the beaten eggs with some flour, honey, and a little oil, then putting it into a deep iron pan and baking it in the oven. When it gets a little more browned, they plan to cover it and finish baking.
A sweet smell filled the kitchen. The cooks and maids waiting eagerly for the food watched as it was almost finished. The first 'Daigaku Imo' was done, so they took one piece and tasted it. Then, they also grabbed a piece of 'Castella' and tasted that.
"Mmm, both turned out so tasty. Want to try some, everyone?"
Right as he said that, the cooks and maids, ready and waiting, rushed forward to grab the 'Daigaku Imo' and 'Castella' and shove them into their mouths.
"""Yum! So good!"""
"This crunchiness with a soft inside... the honey's sweetness is just right..."
"The sesame flavor is amazing."
"What's this? The fluffy, sweet thing?"
"The edges are especially tasty."
It was a big hit. Seeing everyone so happy, Lloyd the head chef stepped closer.
"Young Master Cain, thank you for the new recipe. But... for the 'Daigaku Imo,' maybe make the cuts a little bigger? I think it would be even more fluffy and tender. And for the 'Castella,' I think it would taste even better if left to sit a little and become moist."
"As expected, Lloyd the head chef. Will you do that when you make it for Elder Sister Alice too?"
Cain asked Chef Lloyd for help. The tasting session ended quickly, and the preparation of "daigakuimo" for Elder Sister Alice began. He requested a little extra.
"Lala, could you deliver some extra 'daigakuimo' for Elder Sister Alice to Monica and Rashina? I'll prepare 'castella' for you. Is that okay?"
"Of course!!"
Lala replied with her brightest smile of the day.
Character Notes:
Lashina - An elf woman working at the Adventurers' Guild, involved in handling inquiries about magic stones.
Lala - Cain's companion, likely a servant or minder, cautious and protective.
Lloyd - Head Chef of the Family.
Alice - Cain's Elder Sister, from the second wife.
Monica - Proprietress of the Merchant Guild Pedoro.
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