Chapter 50

After finishing our lunch break, we resumed work and divided the tasks to make bricks and ingots.

By the time it was almost quitting time in the evening, we had managed to complete both the bricks and the ingots.

"We did it!"

"You can do it if you try. More than half of it was done by Sieg, though."

"I didn’t do much, did I?"

All three of us looked exhausted.

"There’s nothing we can do about Adel. She’ll get used to it with practice. Even Leonora, who was whining about the medicine, managed to do it."

"I wasn’t whining!"

You were whining.

"Mr. Sieg, are you going to deliver the goods tomorrow?"

Erika asked.

"No, I’ll go to the office the day after tomorrow and take them then."

This request has a flexible deadline, and there’s no bonus for early delivery.

"Oh, I see. Then, it’s fine?"

Not really.

"There’s nothing left to do. I was thinking of teaching you how to make waterstones next, but that can’t be done in an hour."

We haven’t even received the magic grass from the military, so we can’t make the recovery ointment either.

"True, it’s an awkward amount of time left."

"Exactly. Besides, if we leave early, no one will scold us. We should work efficiently, and as long as we get the results, we don’t need to work a full eight hours."

Someone who works for eight hours but only makes 3% progress should be evaluated less favorably than someone who makes 5% progress in six hours.

"I understand what you’re saying, but I feel a bit guilty."

"Change your perspective. What do you do after you get home and eat dinner?"

"Study for the next exam."

That’s right.

I’m the one teaching you.

"If you stay, you won’t have anything to do for the next hour, so you might as well study. In fact, it’s better to eat and then focus on studying with a well-nourished brain."

"I see."

"Do you understand? Let’s go. I’m hungry."

That’s what I wanted to say.

"I’ll make it right away. What about you, Adel?"

"Huh? Dinner too?"

Adel looked back and forth between me and Leonora.

"All of it."

"Adel, since you only eat out, why don’t you pay Erika to cook for you?"

Adel doesn’t seem to cook at all.

"You guys are so bold… I feel bad for Erika."

"It’s fine. I love cooking, and I want to try the recipes from the book Sieg gave me. Please give me your feedback."

She’s so bright.

"O-Okay? Then, since we’re here, why don’t I join you for dinner?"

"Yes!"

We tidied up and left the branch office, even though it wasn’t quitting time yet, and headed back to the dormitory. We dispersed for a moment but quickly gathered at Erika’s place.

"Sorry for the intrusion."

"Sorry for the intrusion!"

"Please come in."

Helen and I were invited into Erika’s room, where Leonora and Adel were already seated. They were sitting opposite each other, so I sat next to Adel.

"Next to Adel… I’m loved."

"Loved…"

That’s what it means…

I thought they were looking at us strangely, but they were probably discussing where I would sit.

"It’s not related. I always sit here, so I just sat down. Across from Erika."

"Opposite Erika… in conflict…"

It’s not related.

We sit next to each other at work.

"Hey, is that a dating technique?"

"Dating…"

"I’ve heard of it. It’s a mixed-gender drinking party, right?"

The two of them looked at each other.

"Have you ever been to one?"

"No."

"Nobles don’t go to those."

That’s the image I have.

"Erika, have you ever been to a dating party?"

I asked Erika, who was cooking.

"No, but I’ve been to girls’ nights. What about you, Sieg?"

"Have you ever been invited?"

"Probably not."

I’ve never been invited.

I’m confident I’d ruin the atmosphere.

"Even if I were invited, I’d decline."

"Do you like mayonnaise, Sieg? It’s supposed to make you gain a lot of weight."

"A little is fine. If you’re that worried, I can give you a special diet drug. It will make you lose a few kilograms instantly, but you’ll definitely end up in the hospital."

I think you’d be bedridden for a few days.

"I’ll pass, thanks."

That’s a good idea.

You’re not even overweight; you’re quite slim.

We waited and chatted, and Erika brought out the food. Today’s menu included bread, soup, salad, and fried chicken.

"Oh, something new."

"What is this? It looks like a lot of oil was used."

"This is fried chicken, as taught by Sieg."

Frying is not a cooking method in this world.

"Wow… that’s different."

"Sieg is amazing."

"Let’s dig in."

We started eating the fried chicken. When I put a piece in my mouth, the crispy texture and juicy chicken flavor spread throughout.

It tastes like the fried chicken I used to eat.

To be honest, it’s been so long that I don’t remember much…

"Oh… this is delicious."

"It’s hot, but it’s really good."

"Yes, it’s impressive."

It is impressive.

"Does Helen want to try?"

"Please put it there. I’ll eat it after it cools down a bit. I have a sensitive tongue."

I see…

"This mysterious mayonnaise is also delicious. It goes well with both the salad and the fried chicken."

"Indeed. It’s delicious."

The two nobles were eating with gusto.

"I’m glad it turned out well."

Erika is really good at cooking.

"I think you could open a restaurant."

"Would you invest in it?"

These noble girls are really into it, aren’t they?

"I’m an alchemist."

Erika said this, but she didn’t seem to mind.

"Then, let’s name the restaurant Alchemist."

"Even though we’re alchemists, that’s a bad name…"

You’re right…

It sounds like something terrible will come out of it.

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