Chapter 16

Chapter 15

The Baking Club That Can't Bake - 1

Three foreign dignitaries, who had been designated as persons of interest by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gathered in the same club and even got to know the representative figures of the three countries. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the real academy dispatch life has now begun. However, ever since arriving at the academy, I seem to be thinking about this a lot. Every time it seems like things are really getting started, something always happens.

- Hahahaha!

The minister's choking laughter echoed through the communication device. The fact that the persons of interest gathered in a club so quickly, and that I am the advisor of that club, had genuinely made him burst out laughing. I couldn't help but feel annoyed and looked at the minister with a sullen face.

"Why are you laughing?"

- You told me a funny story and now you're telling me not to laugh?

I felt even more annoyed. What a bastard, of all people to be the minister.

After laughing several more times, the minister finally managed to catch his breath and calm down. Watching him do this in real-time was more painful than I thought. My misfortune is your laughing matter. After taking a deep breath, the minister looked at me with a serious expression.

- So, you really have no idea?

"I already told you. I really have no clue."

The official report on the phenomenon of the key figures flocking to the baking club was listed as "cause unknown." There's nothing more incompetent than a supervisor reporting that they don't know the reason, but I can't exactly say, "A pink capybara released a poison in the academy!"

Sometimes, in life, events happen that you just can't figure out. So, I decided to treat this incident that way.

The minister, after hearing my repeated answers, stroked his chin in deep thought. Although I'm planning to retire, I've never played around with my duties. The minister can only truly believe that the cause is unknown.

- I also need to inform the Imperial Palace and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We need a reasonable excuse to package this.

"Maybe we can say that the other dignitaries, who were considering where to go, decided to join the club where the Third Prince is?"

- Then what's the reason the Third Prince joined?

"That's a real mystery..."

Ainter, who had been living in fear since the succession dispute, had been living like a dead person after the prince's dazzling sword dance. But now, Ainter suddenly joined a club?

'How do I say he was bewitched by a girl?'

I felt like sighing. Is this how someone who holds a precious secret feels?

The minister, looking at me, waved his hand and spoke.

- Well, never mind. We can say that the Third Prince's intentions are still under investigation. Since you've been the advisor since the club's inception, it will be a reasonable excuse.

"Yes, I understand."

- When the communication device turns purple, it means a royal envoy has arrived.

"Damn, that's terrifying."

The purple color signifies a royal envoy. If the prince starts watching the Third Prince again, I might suddenly receive a call from the royal family. Please, please, not that...

The minister, chuckling, abruptly ended the call. As his face disappeared and the communication device dimmed, silence filled the room again. Another day has passed.

The pattern of the baking club is similar. Although it hasn't been around long enough to analyze a pattern.

"Miss Louise, if you're not careful, you'll get it all over your face."

During club time, it essentially becomes a one-woman show by Louise, while the five surrounding members try to find reasons to talk to her and help move various ingredients. They don't actually get involved in the baking, but from a distance, it looks like they're doing something. It's a strange setup.

I guess being born into privilege has its perks. They instinctively know how to get the most out of minimal effort. Of course, up close, they're just freeloaders who know nothing about baking. They do like Louise, right? Sometimes they remind me of group project members who slack off.

I watched the five who were chiming in with Louise. They look like they could make some money as audience members. You can buy people's goodwill, but not their romantic feelings. Among them, Erich was still there. What a loser.

'I need to give him some advice.'

I had planned to suggest that Erich share a hobby with Louise, like baking, but before I could, three new members joined, and I didn't get the chance. Fortunately or unfortunately, they're all still observing, so if Erich makes a move now, he'll be the frontrunner.

Alright, let's start with Erich.

"I need one more person to help move some ingredients."

Standing up, I caught everyone's attention. Of course, there are no ingredients to move. Thankfully, we have a porter who brings any missing ingredients to the club room every morning.

"Erich, come with me."

Erich flinched at my quick selection and cautiously approached me. A member who follows the advisor's request so readily. This advisor is very pleased.

I nodded at Erich and headed out. Just as I was about to leave, Ruitis raised his hand.

"Will two people be enough? I can help if it's a heavy job."

'Why are you butting in?'

Ruitis, who usually focuses on Louise, is volunteering. It's suspicious, but he's always been active, so I let it go. Understanding the actions of the original group is too complex for me.

"It's fine. Two people are enough."

"If you say so."

Ruitis shrugged and turned his attention back to Louise. He asked out of politeness. Thanks for the courtesy.

"Let's go."

"Okay."

Now it's time to strengthen this weakest link.

As the door closed and the two of us walked away, Ruitis glanced at the door.

'Karl Krasius.'

The name of the inspector who stayed at the academy to monitor the three countries. Ruitis, who unexpectedly became one of his club members, first heard his name about two years ago.

After the empire ended the northern war and appointed a crown prince, there was a major personnel reshuffle. It was natural for the Armein Kingdom, which boasted the second-strongest power after the empire, to keep an eye on these changes. Thus, learning about Karl Krasius, who became a section chief at 19, was a natural progression.

Upon hearing this news, the Armein Kingdom's leadership concluded that the empire's personnel shortage was more severe than expected. How else could a 19-year-old become a section chief? Still, if Karl was appointed, there must have been a reason. Armein began an investigation.

Fortunately, due to the war, succession dispute, and purges, the empire's counter-espionage network was relatively lax. The Armein intelligence service managed to gather information on Karl and revised their initial conclusion.

'They could have given the section chief position to the man who captured the Khan.'

Four years ago, a nomadic leader united the northern tribes and threatened the empire. The Khan, the emperor of the nomads. Of course, the sole empire of the continent, Kephalophen, did not recognize the title of Khan and called him a rebel challenging the empire's mandate. However, being harassed by this rebel for two years was a humiliation for the empire.

After two years of war, Karl Krasius beheaded the Khan in the final battle. While another person commanded the imperial army and defeated the Khan's forces, Karl was the one who beheaded the Khan. Strangely, the empire did not widely publicize this, but it wasn't a secret, so the intelligence service knew.

'So, he's an inspector.'

Ruitis almost chuckled. Regardless of why Karl is in the Ministry of Finance, it seems the empire is ready to crush any trouble from the three countries. The three countries' dignity and concessions allowed the stationing of a protective force, but only up to a point.

If necessary, the inspector will use force. And the empire will provide additional support to protect the talent who captured the Khan. It felt like I could hear these words echoing in my ears. Pretending to make concessions while trying to gain an advantage is a common imperial diplomatic tactic.

Despite the empire's ominous intentions, Ruitis wasn't overly concerned. As long as the three countries don't act strangely, the empire has no reason to move. Ruitis really just wanted to attend the academy quietly. So, he had nothing to fear.

The only question was how the presence of the inspector in the club with Louise, the woman he fell for at first sight, would affect things. That's why Ruitis raised his hand to talk to Karl and then gracefully backed off when rejected. No matter how curious, Louise was more important right now.

Ruitis smiled and looked at Louise, who was mixing dough. The face that made his heart race for the first time, after being trapped in the dull and boring royal court.

'Teacher, please take good care of the club.'

I can't let the club fall apart if I want to see that face.

"Do you really like Louise?"

And at that moment, Karl was strengthening his brother by hitting him with a hammer.

Author's Note

The Karl on the cover, who had been carrying the royal officials and enduring hardships, finally straightened his back. I'm really grateful to the creator who kindly transferred the copyright for the cover.

Although I've been feeling unwell the past two days due to some drinking, I couldn't just take a break to celebrate the new cover, so I managed to complete it.

Thank you for reading this chapter!

DNKE! Grail! Thank you for your support!