Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Even if I Have to Lie

After finishing breakfast, I returned to the kitchen once again.

Accompanying Colt, Chloe was already busy with preparations for setting up. They were getting ready to gather the villagers this afternoon under the pretext of praying for the end of the plague.

Meanwhile, I was checking the quantity of sweets. After all, I needed to make enough for about two hundred people.

The “Silk Crepe of Light Snow” could be made in large quantities at once by pouring it into stone molds.

Truth be told, this sweet was not only intended to be served as medicine this time but also to be considered for sale in the Fernande Borderland. It had overwhelming novelty and deliciousness due to the use of kudzu, a material never seen before.

However, it didn’t have a long shelf life, so I would need to go to the prepared shop and make it on the spot. It wouldn’t be part of the regular menu but rather a limited-time offer, perhaps once a month.

“Kurt-sama, I brought a lot of bamboo grass.”

“Thank you, Tina.”

I had Tina bring bamboo grass, which I intended to use as plates.

“What are you going to use bamboo grass for?”

“As a substitute for plates. We don’t have enough plates for two hundred people, and handing them out by hand wouldn’t work.”

I washed the bamboo grass with water and started placing the Silk Crepes of Light Snow on them.

“It looks beautiful. Placing them on bamboo leaves makes them look even more delicious.”

“The transparency of the sweets and the bamboo leaves complement each other well visually. Plus, their scents don’t clash. And bamboo grass is resistant to spoilage and has the effect of warding off harmful diseases.”

In Japan, there is a culture of wrapping rice cakes and sushi in bamboo leaves, not just for appearance and convenience but also to prolong the shelf life of the food.

And so, I arranged the Silk Crepes of Light Snow one by one on the tray made with earth magic, placing bamboo leaves underneath each one.

“Kurt-sama, I’ll help too.”

Tina offered.

Tina started to assist by washing the bamboo grass and arranging them on the tray, allowing me to focus solely on placing the Silk Crepes of Light Snow on them.

“I hope everyone enjoys your sweets, Kurt-sama.”

Tina remarked.

“Yeah, I believe they will.”

I replied, sharing her sentiment.

And so, the two of us continued to work diligently.

◇

After finishing all the preparations, we left the kitchen with trays in hand.

Our destination was to transport the sweets.

On our way to the location where Colt had instructed us to store the sweets, we passed by a shrine that had been set up in the center of the village.

It resembled a campfire, with logs arranged within a wooden frame.

Most likely, it would be used for lighting a fire.

With that sight in mind, we carried the sweets into a building a little away from the plaza.

We covered them with damp cloths to shield them from the sunlight.

Nearby, we placed water jars filled with plenty of ice.

This would prevent them from drying out and keep them cool.

After several trips back and forth to transport all the sweets, we reunited with Colt and the others to perform the final coordination.

◇

By midday, it was time for the prayer.

The residents of the village had gathered in the central square of the village.

Tina and I stood together in the corner of the square, observing the proceedings.

Colt, standing on the platform, explained the spread of the illness and announced the beginning of the prayer.

At the altar prepared in the center of the square, flames rose thickly. Surrounding it, elderly elves clad in white robes chanted prayers reminiscent of mantras.

Encircling them, the residents of the village who were not afflicted by the sickness prayed earnestly.

Everyone wore a serious expression.

Perhaps they didn’t truly believe that praying would quell the illness.

Nevertheless, they had no choice but to cling to that hope. Such was the extent of their desperation.

“Kurt-sama.”

Tina squeezed my hand tightly.

She could sense the anxiety and helplessness in the air.

“It’s going to be okay. I’ll figure something out.”

I reassured her, gently returning her grip.

In response, Tina smiled.

Once this prayer concluded, it would be my turn.

For Tina, for Colt, for Chloe, I couldn’t afford to fail.

◇

After a while, the prayer concluded.

Once again, Colt ascended the platform.

“I thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to join us. I also pray that your prayers reach their intended destination.”

Colt’s voice echoed throughout the square.

His voice carried a sincere plea. It seemed to resonate with the villagers, who all wore solemn expressions.

“In this solemn moment, there’s something I want to share with everyone. Some of you may already know, but my daughter, Kururina, who left the village with humans, has passed away. She fell victim to the illness. The humans who took her, too, succumbed to the same sickness.”

Upon hearing these words, the villagers were visibly shaken, their expressions darkening.

Tina’s mother must have been well-loved and renowned in the village.

“And Kururina had a child. My grandchild. A daughter named Tina, born to a fox beastman father, resembling Kururina closely. Tina has returned to the village. Allow me to introduce her here, along with another visitor.”

A murmur spread through the villagers.

Then, Tina and I ascended the platform.

“She looks just like Kururina-sama. It’s uncanny.”

Murmured voices could be heard from the crowd.

First, Tina spoke.

“Nice to meet you all. My name is Tina. I’m delighted to have come to my mother’s hometown. My mother often told me about the spirit village. She always spoke of it with joy, saying it was a wonderful place. It’s saddening to see such a lovely village facing such hardships due to the illness.”

Tina lowered her head.

She was genuinely saddened, and her sincerity resonated with the villagers.

After a brief pause, Tina continued.

“In truth, coming to this village wasn’t my main purpose. Chloe left the village to seek the help of a human doctor to save the village, and that’s when I met Kurt-sama, who is standing next to me. Kurt-sama picked me up when I was lost and without parents, hiring me as a servant. As Kurt-sama’s assistant, I have come to this village.”

The conversation took an unexpected turn, leaving the villagers bewildered. Despite this, Tina pressed on with her explanation.

“Kurt-sama came to this village to cure the illness plaguing it. However, he was refused treatment because he couldn’t borrow human power. Kurt-sama can cure this illness. Please, accept Kurt-sama’s treatment. I beg of you.”

Tina pleaded, bowing her head.

But the villagers’ reactions were unfavorable.

I enhanced my hearing with magic to pick up their voices.

“A human doctor?”

“If he can really cure the illness, if that’s true…”

“It must be a lie. Not a single person in the village could do anything about it.”

“Using human power is out of the question.”

“Yeah, that’s right. I’d choose death over sacrificing our pride.”

“But if it means my sister can be saved, even from humans…”

Negative opinions and voices of doubt about me comprised more than half of the responses. There were very few voices willing to consider seeking help from humans if it meant saving a loved one.

Well, this was expected. It would be difficult to receive conventional treatment.

But this was fine. It was crucial to speak up like this. Tina had conveyed my sincere intentions to come here and cure the illness.

“Tina, it’s okay now.”

I said, placing a hand on Tina’s shoulder.

“Kurt-sama…”

“It’s alright. Leave the rest to me.”

I assured her.

Tina had fulfilled her role sufficiently. From here on, it was my job.

“Nice to meet you all. I’m Kurt Arnoldt, a human doctor. I came to this village at Chloe’s request. Let me make one thing clear from the start. As Tina mentioned, I can cure this illness.”

I declared firmly.

There was a much louder murmur than before, and all attention suddenly focused on me.

“Unfortunately, I’ve been told that I can’t borrow human power, so I can’t intervene. However, if anyone is willing to risk being expelled from the village for breaking the rules, I’m allowed to treat them. If anyone intends to do so, please let me know afterward. You won’t have to worry even after being expelled from the village. I’ll arrange a place to live and work in the human village. I have Colt’s permission for this.”

I announced as a precaution in case the sweets failed.

If I couldn’t persuade everyone with the sweets, I wanted to at least ensure that I could save them to some extent.

“I want to save lives. But I’m not allowed to. Honestly, it’s quite painful. …It’s heartbreaking and frustrating to have the power to help these people but to stand by and watch them suffer.”

I confessed, following Tina’s lead, laying bare my true feelings in the hope of gaining some trust.

“So, at the very least, I wanted to do something for the people of this village. I’m both a doctor and a confectioner. I’ve made sweets using ingredients from this village that no one has ever seen before. I want to give them to you. By giving you these sweets, I’ll break the village rules and be expelled, but I’ll leave, hoping for treatment and leaving the village. I’m sorry that I can’t do more than this.”

I said, bowing my head.

The villagers looked at me with complex expressions, slightly less guarded than before.

“Everyone, Kurt’s sweets are really delicious. So, please make sure to try them.”

A cheerful voice out of place could be heard. It was Chloe.

She suddenly appeared on the platform, holding Silk Crepes of Light Snow on bamboo leaves.

The crepes trembled with vibration.

Chloe inserted a spoon, which sank softly, and brought it to her mouth. She chewed it in no time, placing her hands on both cheeks, wearing a blissful expression.

“Mmm, it’s delicious as expected! This is the first time I’ve ever had such a delicious treat.”

Chloe exclaimed, expressing her delight with her entire body.

The villagers gulped audibly.

“Hey, everyone. We never know when we might fall ill, right? I don’t think it’s a waste to miss out on such amazing sweets. I’d rather break the village rules than miss the chance to eat these treats. Right, Uncle Colt?”

Chloe teased.

“Yeah, that’s right. In that case, it doesn’t break the rule.”

Colt agreed.

“Right? Oh, but if you’re not going to eat them, I’ll eat them all for you.”

Chloe joked, easing the villagers’ minds.

“We’ll have some too.”

“Don’t just let Chloe have all the delicious stuff.”

And they started coming over to us.

I chuckled and descended from the stage to bring the Silk Crepes of Light Snow on the tray.

Placing them on the prepared table, I began distributing them.

“Here you go, please enjoy.”

“Thanks, big brother.”

As I discreetly applied some healing magic while handing out each Deep Snow Silk Crepe, the initially hesitant villagers gradually relaxed. Once they started putting them in their mouths, their apprehension melted away, and one by one, the villagers tasted my sweets. With each positive review, the momentum grew.

“Everyone, please line up properly.”

“This is the end of the line.”

Chloe and Tina organized the queue, which was a huge help.

As we surpassed a hundred people, I started sweating.

There were about a hundred and fifty people here today. This continuous stream of Heal Spells was unprecedented for me.

But I had to endure. There was meaning in casting the spell on everyone.

As my consciousness started to fade, I felt a warm sensation on my back.

It was Tina’s hand. She was supporting me.

Just that made me feel like I could hang on a little longer.

She must have come over here once the queue cleared up and Chloe could handle it alone.

Just a little more. Let’s push through to the end.

◇

After a while, I finally finished distributing the Silk Crepes of Light Snow.

“What’s this? It’s so wobbly.”

“It’s slimy and bouncy, sticking to the inside of my mouth.”

“But it’s not sticky at all. It breaks cleanly and feels nice when you bite into it.”

“It’s not just the texture, the flavor is great too. It tastes like Pinaru.”

“I can taste Papuru too. And there’s a hint of alcohol.”

“It’s my first time eating it, but it feels so nostalgic.”

“I wonder how they make this transparent skin. I’d love to learn.”

The villagers of the Spirit Village exclaimed one after another in admiration.

Though they were small sweets, the Silk Crepes of Light Snow disappeared one by one as the villagers enjoyed them.

Even those who had hesitated at first couldn’t resist anymore after seeing how deliciously others were eating, and they finally started taking a bite.

Everyone had finished eating the Silk Crepes of Light Snow.

With this, we’ve cleared the first hurdle.

I step up onto the platform. Now, it’s time to drop the bomb.

“Everyone, thank you for enjoying the sweets I made. It makes it all worth it to see you enjoying them.”

In response to my inquiry, cheerful responses like “They were delicious!” and “Thank you!” come back to me.

“I’m glad to hear those words. These sweets are called Silk Crepes of Light Snow. I made them with love.”

At that point, I pause for a moment.

Then, at the perfect moment when all eyes are on me, I speak up.

“And I have something to apologize for to everyone. These sweets aren’t just ordinary sweets. They’re medicine. I treated everyone here with these sweets. I’m sorry for breaking the rules.”

For a moment, there’s silence all around.

Then, chaos erupted.