Chapter 19

Chapter 18

The Baking Club That Can't Bake - 4

One person taking the lead can be seen as standing out, but when two people start to take the lead, everyone must move. Two becomes three, and three becomes four, quickly forming a massive leading group.

Thus, Lather's sprint following Erich completely shook up the dynamics of the Louise contest.

Erich, who had tried to maintain the title of the only hobby-sharing partner, ultimately couldn't stop Lather. There was no reason to stop a baking club member from baking. In fact, Erich had already done more than enough by trying to stop it so far. He should be content with the monopoly he had enjoyed until now.

With Erich and Lather on either side of Louise, the remaining three naturally joined in the baking. The baking club that couldn't bake had finally evolved into a baking club that could bake.

Actually, just thinking about it makes me feel a bit ashamed. Despite the grand talk of shaking up the dynamics and evolving, it was just a belated start to something that should have been done long ago.

"The future of the continent is bright..."

Those fools, those people are the key figures of the continent. The future of the continent doesn't seem to be as radiant and bright as a three-headed dragon's head.

Feeling disheartened, I quietly observed the six of them when my eyes met Lather's, who had just turned to move a plate. I nodded in response to his awkward eye contact, and he then took the plate and returned to Louise's side. Since our last conversation, Lather has been acting cautiously.

He must be embarrassed too. After all, he asked his family member to stop giving advice to another family member. At the time, Erich had the upper hand, and the continuation of the contest was uncertain, but it was indeed an ugly scene.

Lather probably didn't realize how desperate it was to stop Erich's dominance at the time, but he must have realized it later when he calmed down. He must have seen how ugly he looked.

Of course, I don't care. It's more beneficial for one of the key figures to show a more compliant attitude because of this. The small peace I gained by using his past as leverage gave me great satisfaction.

"Is this really your first time?"

In the midst of this, I heard Louise's surprised voice and turned to see her looking down at the cookies Tannian had made with a mix of admiration. The cookies looked quite impressive, as if they had been plated. But do cookies need plating? Wouldn't it be fine to just stack them in a container?

"I'm fortunate to have a knack for it. Moreover, with my sister's clear guidance, I was able to do it quickly."

Despite my thoughts, Tannian seemed to be in a good mood, perhaps because he had Louise's attention. For a powerful candidate for the next saint, it's a small happiness.

Or maybe, considering the divine teaching to be frugal, this is appropriate.

While I was lost in these subtle thoughts, the other members' cookies were also placed on plates and set on the table. Looking at them, Tannian's cookies were indeed well-made. They were on par with Louise's. This, is talent?

The others seemed to have similar thoughts, as they looked at Tannian's cookies with less-than-friendly eyes. It might seem like they're jealous of the cookies, but at least they're not at the stage of hating each other, which I find satisfying. As long as they don't fight, it's fine.

"Let's try them now!"

Louise said as she gathered the six cookies made by the six of us. Yes, this is how a proper club should be. Until now, it was more like a free ride on Louise's one-woman show.

While the members gathered and reached for the cookies, I stepped back to observe. My share was already waiting on the shelf, so I didn't need to join in. Louise has such a big appetite that the cookies seem to be replenished faster than they are eaten.

"Hey, you guys."

And my personal cookie jar, which has never been empty since the club was founded, is expected to be full again today. Among the six cookies, only Louise's are not decreasing.

The members who had been eating Louise's cookies out of politeness suddenly stopped, as if they had made a pact. At first, I thought I had misseen, but as the other plates emptied, I realized I hadn't. Why are they caring about their taste here when this isn't a gourmet club?

Feeling embarrassed, I glanced at Louise, who seemed unaware as she talked with the others. Fortunately, she hasn't noticed yet. I was worried she might shiver with betrayal and shame.

"Did you leave them for me to eat? I'm grateful that you thought of me like this."

Still, if I left them too long, Louise might notice, so I quietly took the plate. There are more today than usual... I'll probably be full just from these.

As I collected the plate that everyone was avoiding, the five of them looked at me as if I were the one who had just saved them from falling off a cliff. Louise also smiled widely, happy that I had taken her cookies.

"I made more because I thought you liked them!"

Yes, I can see that...

"Brother, you seem to have a warm heart."

"What are you talking about?"

When the club time was almost over and the room had quieted down, Tannian, following Lather, stayed behind to speak to me. With a strange, distant tone.

"Didn't you show consideration for Louise today?"

Tannian's words were even more confusing. What consideration? If you don't know, you're a fool. I haven't regressed intellectually yet.

"Would you have shared if you knew it was consideration?"

Bastard, knowing and not doing it is the worst.

I only put down the plate after eating all the cookies that everyone had avoided. How could I put it down with the kid who made them staring at me so intently?

As the sweetness lingered in my mouth, Tannian smiled and bowed slightly.

"Sorry, Brother. I realized that some things are hard even with effort. I'll be more careful in the future."

"I look forward to that."

"Ha-ha. While it's not exactly a favor, may I tell you about your future if you don't mind?"

His words made me pause while I was clearing the plates.

"Future?"

"If you're okay with it, Brother."

Tannian's "future" is like a horoscope, but in a world where gods and divine power exist, it's much more reliable. Only a few priests with strong faith and divine power can do it, so I've never experienced it.

"Please do."

But a future reading by the next saint? Even if I ate raw flour, it would be worth it. It's a chance to find a small clue to my tangled fate and luck.

Seeing my changed attitude, Tannian smiled again and then his expression became serious. His professional demeanor increased my trust. Sorry, I thought you were a sly guy until now.

"Actually, I could see your future from the first time I met you. Sometimes, just by looking at someone, their future becomes clear."

"I see."

"And such a future is one that even blessings cannot interfere with."

"..."

What, why are you making me feel uneasy.

Feeling the intense atmosphere, I looked at Tannian silently. He shrugged and continued.

"There's good news and bad news, but I'll tell you in order."

"Either way is fine. I'll listen."

"You won't face impossible trials."

"Good news."

Even now, I sometimes feel like I can't breathe. If a disaster-like trial came, I might really go crazy. Tannian's words gave me a small glimmer of hope, and I felt relieved.

"However, you might face trials that are nearly impossible."

Damn.

I almost blurted out a curse but managed to stop it at the last moment. Tannian seemed a bit sorry for saying that and continued before I could protest.

"I debated whether to tell you. Since blessings can't change it, and the future isn't exact, I hesitated. How can we, mere mortals, see through what the gods have ordained? I was afraid it would only confuse you, so I kept silent."

It was a good decision. My mind is very confused now.

Tannian, seeing that I couldn't speak, awkwardly continued. No, stop. I'm scared to hear what you'll say.

"Again, the future isn't exact. We can see it, but we can't be sure if it's the right one. Even the previous pope and cardinals have records of seeing the wrong future."

"Is that so."

That's really comforting...

Left alone in the club room after Tannian left.

"Even if heavy trials come to you, with your abilities, you can overcome them. Don't be discouraged and keep moving forward."

Tannian's last words echoed in my ears. He added that the purpose was to encourage me, not just to talk about the future. He wanted to say it earlier but didn't have the chance.

But the future could be wrong. What if the worst, truly impossible trial comes? Can I overcome it just by not being discouraged?

I sighed. I thought today would be a normal, uneventful day, but I unexpectedly heard from a saint candidate, "Your fate is a mess. It'll be tough, but there's no way out. Sorry."

Of course, as Tannian said, the future seen by humans isn't exact. I can just think of it as hearing something unpleasant from a fortune-teller in my previous life. But what if that fortune-teller is Nostradamus? Damn.

I almost sighed again but closed my mouth and stood up. When have I ever thought my fate was good? Thinking of it as a normal story made me feel a bit better. Disappointment comes from expectation, so what was I expecting?

With my mind settled, I returned to my dorm and ended the day—

"Inspector. That..."

The next day, when the principal visited the club room, I realized that Tannian's words were a foreshadowing of the upcoming trouble.

Author's Note

I was surprised by the readers' interest in yesterday's afterword... The bone-chicken incident was resolved satisfactorily after contacting the restaurant, so readers can rest assured! Enlightenment is enlightenment, and money is money.

Thank you for reading this chapter!

Thank you for the support, Mr. Moktum and Mr. _993!