Chapter 14

Chapter 13

Unwilling Main Character Gathering - 4

Making cookies turned out to be more time-consuming than I thought. I had assumed that after roughly mixing the dough, shaping it, and putting it in the oven, it would be done, but there was more to it. The waiting time seemed even longer.

"It's done!"

So, I was just staring blankly when it was suddenly finished. Erih and Ainter, who had been waiting, slowly approached at the news of completion. They were just watching as the club leader did all the work, even though they were supposed to be club members. Even if their purpose for joining the club wasn't baking, it was a bit too obvious. Still, Louise seemed to enjoy baking so much that she didn't show any dissatisfaction with the two freeloaders.

'What a slacker.'

Looking at Erih, who had become the first freeloader, I couldn't help but think that. He was already in the weakest position, and he needed to increase any minor interactions to have a chance. If he had just pretended to bake alongside Louise, who was crazy about baking, he would have gained the advantage of sharing a hobby. But he didn't.

It's surprising. Even I, who haven't seen Louise many times, can think this, yet the one who likes her is acting like this. Ainter is the same. Does falling in love make you less intelligent? If both of them are in a state of intellectual regression, I should subtly inform Erih. Stupid, you need to do something like this to be competitive.

"Everyone, please try them."

With Louise's expectant words, I turned my gaze from Erih to the cookies. Since we made them, we should eat them.

As I reached for a cookie, Louise picked one up first and offered it to me. Is this a sign of respect for the elder? It's touching to see such Eastern etiquette in this bizarre world where everything is mixed. I saw two people sending sharp glances from behind Louise's back, who was smiling. Don't include me in your competition. If you're going to be jealous, you should do something first, freeloaders.

"Thank you."

I took the cookie Louise offered and took a bite. In most stories, the main character's cooking is either heavenly or terrible, but fortunately, it was quite delicious.

"Ah."

"Hmm..."

But the reactions of the two who followed were not normal. They were looking at Louise's reaction after taking a bite. What's going on, why are they like that?

"It's delicious. We could sell these."

Despite their strange reactions, I ignored them and gave my honest opinion. Since she made them alone, I had to at least do that. It was genuinely delicious, so I didn't feel guilty. Louise, who seemed pleased, turned to look at the two behind her. They were startled and trying to manage their expressions.

"Yeah, I think it's delicious too. You did a good job."

"It's delicious, Miss Louise."

But their shaking eyes were honest. If Louise wasn't happy with the praise, she would have noticed the tremor. Why are they reacting like this if it's delicious? Are their tastes too refined, or is my taste too simple? I took another bite. It was still delicious.

At least my taste isn't the problem. Unless the cookies are a Russian roulette of hits and misses, which I doubt. I can't even do that on purpose.

'Full stomachs.'

The first club meeting ended like that.

I didn't expect the cookies I ate yesterday to be the money for my mental journey to the afterlife.

"Hello, I came to apply for the club."

At the cheerful voice, I silently looked at the speaker. How did he know? The third prince of the Armain Kingdom, Ruitis Robens, found me in the baking club room and asked about joining. He had come early in the morning, disrupting the peaceful morning of the baking club room, which I had been using as a quiet hideout.

"I'm in charge of the baking club."

"Then I came to the right place!"

At my casual response, he grinned, looking like he could easily knock down a building pillar with a punch. Got it, you're the third offering. I had expected the three foreigners to gather this week since it was the club selection week. I accepted Ruitis's application as if I was expecting it.

"I heard I should apply for the baking club with you."

After Ruitis left, satisfied with the approval, about two hours later, the second prince of the Yuben United Kingdom, Lather Ostia, came.

"..."

'Are these guys in cahoots?'

Two people came in a row on the same day. What's with the two-hour gap? Is it a tip to prepare mentally? It's a strange consideration. Anyway, unlike Ruitis, Lather had a lean build, so it was definitely him. I nodded at Lather, who was looking at me with cold eyes, and welcomed the fourth offering, who seemed to be enchanted by a capybara.

"Nice to meet you, brother. I came to find you as I heard you are the advisor of the baking club."

About two hours later, the fifth one arrived. My suspicion that it couldn't be Lather turned out to be true. I wonder why my positive predictions are always wrong, but my ominous ones are always right.

"Did you come to join the club?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Name?"

"Tanian Enes of the Holy Church State."

I know. I just asked out of courtesy.

I quietly wrote Tanian's name at the bottom of the member list. The club's membership doubled in one day. Louise would be happy to know...

Tanian, who smiled faintly, left the club room, and I sank into my chair, looking at the member list. All six notable people gathered on the second day of the club's establishment. It was a promising start. Now, I had to monitor these six alone. A terrifying future.

It's strange. In some games, if you gather five parts, you win. I gathered six, exceeding the requirement. Why do I have to suffer instead?

Feeling overwhelmed, I looked up at the ceiling and swept my face with my hands. I had let my guard down because the week wasn't over yet, and I ended up with a miraculous three-in-a-row. It's really unbelievable.

'How did you charm those three in one day?'

How? Is that even physically possible? Is this what they call plausibility? I've only attracted crazy people so far, why not you?

The resentment that was about to be directed at Louise suddenly shifted to the three countries. Thinking about it, those guys were the problem. If they think their country's important figures might fall for a noble lady from another country, they should cut it off, right?

But it was too late. The three countries couldn't prevent the eccentric behavior of their important figures, and I had no choice but to follow the original story's flow. In a few hours, the six would come to the club room.

I quietly closed my eyes, hoping to wake up in the inspection department. It's ridiculous that even if I escape from one dungeon, I end up in another.

"Three new members have joined. Get along well and don't fight."

Please.

When I spoke to the six gathered members with the heartfelt concern of a kindergarten teacher, Ruitis laughed. This guy, laughing...?

"You worry too much! We can all take care of ourselves, so don't worry!"

Ruitis, who said something incredibly worrying, got a nod from me, and I turned my gaze. I can trust the self-restraint of royalty, but with the original story involved, my trust in them plummeted. My heart raced, wondering when the original story's punch would hit my chest.

"Nice to see you again. You're in this club too?"

While I was unintentionally holding Ruitis, Lather approached Louise and greeted her. He pretended not to know she was there, even though he clearly knew. Disgusting, Prince.

"Hello! Y-You're Lather, right...?"

"You can call me Lather."

Lather's cold expression softened slightly.

'Shit.'

I don't have a hobby of seeing guys with such expressions, so I turned my gaze, only to see the faces of the others. With more people, I could see at least one of them no matter where I looked. Terrifying. Should I close my eyes and walk around?

Anyway, because Lather took the initiative, the other members gradually approached Louise. The existing members, who were wary of the new members, and the new members, who didn't know others had joined, eventually united in their intentions.

'Why does this seem familiar?'

Louise, surrounded by five men, looked like a politician giving a speech at a market. The only difference was whether it was voluntary or not. I silently mourned Louise, who was flustered by the sudden attention. Although I sometimes resent her for causing me trouble, I also feel sorry for her because she has no ill intentions.

While I was thinking this, I saw someone moving outside the window in the hallway. It was the principal.

When our eyes met, he bowed and showed me a letter in his hand. What is it? Is there someone who would send me a letter? The six were still busy with introductions, so I quietly went to the hallway and approached the principal.

"What brings you here?"

The principal, who was evolving into my personal messenger due to the sin of not having a class, handed me the letter he had shown earlier. He then quietly added a sentence.

"It's a letter from the three countries."

That one sentence was enough. It seemed the three countries' forces stationed at the academy had noticed the unusual situation where their important figures were being swept up. I thanked the principal and checked the content. After removing the pleasantries and formalities, the main point could be summarized in one sentence.

[We would like to meet with the inspector as soon as possible.]

'Inspector, not advisor.'

The nuance suggested that they suspected this incident was not just an academy matter but a deliberate move by the empire. It was clear how bewildered the three countries must have been.

I glanced at the six in the club room through the window. The empire... did they deliberately gather these people? I need to meet them to clear up the misunderstanding. The premature gathering of the six has also led to an earlier confrontation with the three countries.

Author's Note

I am truly grateful for the overwhelming attention, love, and support from the readers. I will continue to strive not to disappoint you.

Thank you for reading this chapter!

Thank you, DNKE, for your support!