Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: The Selection Ceremony

We depart from the village early in the morning.

This time, due to the amount of luggage and the number of people, we’re using a carriage.

About ten people from this village will participate in the festival after the selection ceremony, so they’re all riding together in the carriage.

When we reach the main road, we notice villagers gathering at the edge of the road ahead.

There are so many people, it seems like almost the entire village is here.

What could be happening?

As we pass by in the carriage, at that moment…

“Master, make sure you win!”

“Kurt-sama, don’t lose!”

“Kurt-sama, you’ll definitely win!”

“We’re counting on you for souvenirs, future head of the family.”

Words of encouragement are thrown at me one after another. They’re strong, heartfelt voices. And the emotions behind those words tell me that this support comes from the bottom of their hearts.

“Thank you, everyone…”

I feel a little teary-eyed. It’s heartwarming.

“Kurt-sama, you’re truly loved.”

“That’s right. These are wonderful people, almost too good for someone like me.”

I’ve grown to love this village even more.

The villagers’ cheers continue until our carriage is out of sight.

◇

Upon reaching the main village, we drop off the villagers, and then only Tina and I head towards the warehouse of the main village in the carriage.

At the main village’s warehouse, representatives from each village have formed lines of carriages since early morning.

For today’s festival, each village has prepared offerings to show off as much as possible.

In a way, it’s an appeal to demonstrate the wealth and loyalty of their own village to the main village.

Efficiently, my father and the household servants handle the lines, and when my turn comes…

“Father, I’ve brought the offering.”

“Good work.”

Father inspects the deer meat I’ve brought.

The corner of his mouth lifts slightly.

“Yes, this is fine deer. Quite a feast.”

“I hope you enjoy it at today’s festival.”

I give a perfunctory greeting. If I show any emotion here, it might overflow into various other things.

With the task completed, I turn to leave. There’s no need to linger.

“Kurt!”

Father calls out to me.

When I turn around, Father hesitates for a moment before speaking.

“After the selection ceremony, whether you win or lose, come to my room later. There’s something I want to discuss with you.”

Father looks smaller than usual. It’s the first time I’ve seen him like this.

“Understood. Father, I’ll come to see you after the selection ceremony.”

“I’m sorry, Kurt.”

Father murmurs apologetically.

I dislike seeing him like this, so I change the subject.

“…I have one request as well, may I ask for your permission?”

I almost forgot about something important.

It’s the ceremony necessary to make Father understand how I will lead this territory as the new lord. Permission from Father is required for the preparations.

“What is it?”

“Whether I win or lose in the selection ceremony, please allow me to use the mansion’s kitchen. I want to make sweets to serve at the festival.”

As I say this, Father looks bewildered.

“Sweets to serve?”

“Yes, it’s the most important thing to me. And it will convey my feelings to everyone more than a thousand words ever could.”

Father doesn’t look convinced, but he grants permission to use the kitchen.

For now, this is enough. My true intentions will be understood at the festival.

◇

The selection ceremony takes place in the central square of the main village.

Before it starts, Tina and I arrive together.

A dedicated ring has been set up—a raised platform with seating for spectators around it.

Under the watchful eyes of the Arnoldt family’s subjects, the candidates for the future lord wield their spears to prove themselves worthy of becoming the lord.

Perhaps because it’s still early, no one else is here. It’s just Tina and me.

“Kurt-sama,”

Tina squeezes my hand tightly.

It’s only when she holds my hand that I realize—

My hand is trembling.

“…It’s strange. I know there’s no way I could lose, especially with Sword Skills Level 3 and the weapon to back it up. It’s harder to lose now. Yet, the unease in my heart won’t disappear.

I’ve never been able to defeat Jorg even once. That experience instills fear in me. It’s not logical.

Seeing me like this, Tina smiles.

“Kurt-sama, may I ask you to crouch down for a moment?”

“I don’t mind.”

As I crouch down as Tina instructs, she wraps her arms tightly around the back of my head and pulls me close to her chest.

Tina’s warmth, softness, and sweet scent. And I can feel her heartbeat.

“When I was really distressed or anxious, Mother did this for me. Then, I always felt at ease. Kurt-sama, how about now? Are you still scared?”

I close my eyes. Tina’s presence is comforting.

Before I knew it, the anxiety and tension had vanished.

“I’m fine now. Thank you. I acted unlike myself. It’s a bit embarrassing.”

It’s shameful for a man to be comforted by a younger woman like Tina.

“I think it’s okay once in a while. I love everything about Kurt-sama, including that side of you.”

I’m glad I met Tina.

I truly feel that way from the bottom of my heart. After releasing Tina’s embrace, I stood up.

There’s no more trembling.

Now, all that’s left is to win.

◇

After a while, people begin to gather.

Among them, I saw a familiar face.

“I’ve been looking for you, and here you are.”

The friendly voice belonged to Count Fernande, the borderland lord.

Behind him, a servant was carrying a large wooden box.

“I’m sorry to have made you search, Count Fernande. I apologize.”

“No, it’s fine. I was just eager to show you this as soon as possible.”

Ahead of Fernande’s gaze was the wooden box carried by the servant.

Could it be…?

“Is that what I requested?”

“Yes, it’s the item you asked for.”

The servant approached me and opened the box. Inside were straw and eggs wrapped in straw.

I picked one up.

Well-shaped and of good size. These were excellent eggs.

“These are amazing eggs.”

“They’re a reward for giving me something fantastic. I prepared the best. The hen that laid these eggs will be arranged to arrive in your village tomorrow morning. It would be inconvenient for you to receive it today, wouldn’t it?”

“I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

I couldn’t leave the village today anyway. Tomorrow would be more convenient. It was a thoughtful gesture.

“In return, I’ll ask for some wonderful sweets. Both Farne and I are looking forward to them.”

“Is Lady Farne coming as well?”

She was Fernande’s third daughter, and she had come out of curiosity during her inspection.

I hadn’t expected her to accompany us to this selection ceremony, so I was surprised.

“Indeed, she’s coming. For her, today’s selection ceremony is far from irrelevant.”

Fernande, the borderland lord, remarked.

Upon hearing Fernande’s words, I tilted my head in confusion.

Fernande only smiled meaningfully in response.

Just then, my father, my brother Jorg, and Farne with her attendants appeared.

As our eyes met, Jorg quickly looked away, seeming to still harbor some discomfort towards me after our previous encounter.

On the contrary, Farne’s eyes sparkled as she hurried over to us.

“Oh, Father! You sneaky thing, talking to Kurt-sama before we even set off!”

“Hey, no running. It’s unbecoming of a lady. Look at Kurt, you’re making him widen his eyes in surprise.”

“Oh, um, I’m sorry. I’m usually much more composed, you know?”

With her face turned away, Farne murmured embarrassedly.

“That’s, um, not a concern.”

“Ah, that’s a relief to hear! Kurt-sama, please make sure to win today’s selection ceremony! I’ll be rooting for you!”

“Uh, sure.”

I was puzzled by Farne’s encouragement.

I felt someone’s gaze prickling at me.

Jorg was glaring at us.

I couldn’t help but sympathize this time. Supporting me meant she wanted Jorg to lose.

“Farne, it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to openly support one side in our position. It could be seen as going against the wishes of the borderland lord. And I must admit, although it was a reward, giving you those eggs in a public setting may have been a bit indiscreet.”

Fernande admonished Farne.

His point was valid. Farne’s recent remarks indeed carried such risks.

Here, besides us, are influential figures from various villages.

It wouldn’t be ideal for them to think that the borderland lord is favoring me.

“Father, my apologies.”

Farne apologized again.

“Lord Fernande, Lady Farne, I intend to give it my all. Naturally, my brother Jorg too. The one fit to be the lord is the one with power and suitability. That’s all.”

I intervened to support Farne. Lord Fernande seemed to pick up on my intention and gave a faint smile.

“Exactly, Kurt. We have no intention of interfering with the succession of the Arnoldt Viscountcy.”

Lord Fernande asserted emphatically, almost too deliberately.

That should settle it.

After exchanging greetings, we parted ways.

◇

Finally, the time for the selection ceremony arrived, and Jorg and I faced each other on the prepared stage.

“Brother, I can finally put an end to you. Look forward to what will happen when I become the lord.”

Jorg declared, prompting cheers from the surrounding spectators.

Soon, our father would appear, announcing the start of the selection ceremony, and the duel would begin.

Everything would be decided in this battle.

Whether I could become the lord and protect what I had built, or lose it all.

“If it comes to that, then so be it. Let them try, if they dare.”

I grinned defiantly.

There’s no more fear. Tina has given me courage. All that’s left now is to win.