Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 92

Chapter 92: Kurt’s Favorite Cake

Having finished all preparations, I headed towards Eclava in a dragon-drawn carriage.

I felt a little pleased to confirm my disciple’s growth.

Mil is more dependable than I imagined. Not only does she excel in pastry skills, but her personality itself is suited for a pastry chef.

However, her aptitude is strictly limited to pastry making. She lacks in other aspects such as cost calculation, attention to the appearance and aroma of pastries, and the ability to gauge the customer base and anticipate demanded pastries.

In this world, just making delicious pastries isn’t enough to succeed.

In fact, even in my world, geniuses who are only good at making pastries often quickly go under. It’s not about demanding everything at once. We’ll train little by little.

“I apologize, Kurt-sama. I keep imposing impossible schedules on you every time. If only Fernande’s influence were a bit stronger, you could face these difficulties with more ease.”

Farne, a beautiful girl with peach-colored hair, gripped the hem of her dress with a look of frustration.

Despite being engaged, she seems frustrated that she can’t be of more help to me.

“It can’t be helped. Even though Fernande is the Count, last time it was the Duke, and this time it’s the royal family. There’s no way to go against them. Of course, I’d appreciate having more time. Still, I’m used to these unreasonable demands. You don’t need to worry.”

“Thank you for your reassuring words, Kurt-sama. I will do my best to support you as much as I can!”

Farne breathed a sigh of relief.

By the way, she wasn’t just putting on a brave front just now.

I used to work at a high-end restaurant overseas. We often had very important VIP clients, and those kinds of clients would always make outrageous demands that couldn’t be refused.

I’ve been playing that risky game for a long time. So, this situation isn’t something to panic about. After all, to me, “only two weeks” is actually “I still have two weeks.”

In the dragon-drawn carriage, along with Farne, were several others. One was my martial arts mentor and Farne’s butler, Vorg.

And then there were two others…

“Kurt-sama, this dragon carriage is always so enjoyable!”

“Hey, Kurt. Why don’t we just go all the way to the capital in this? Then we’d have plenty of time!”

Tina, her fox ears perked up, and Chloe, the elf with golden hair pulled back, chimed in with their suggestions.

“It would be convenient if we could take the dragon carriage all the way. But the capital is heavily guarded. If an unauthorized dragon carriage approaches, they’d shoot it down immediately.”

That was the issue at hand.

Dragon carriages were convenient but also easily viewed with suspicion. Especially in the airspace near the capital, there was always a strict surveillance network.

“Wow, that sounds dangerous. So are we going by land then?”

“I’d rather not. Though I’m guessing Fernande, being the Count, has probably arranged everything perfectly.”

He’s meticulous about these things.

If we were to travel by land, the schedule would be quite tight. It would likely involve hopping from one express carriage to another.

I’ve gotten quite used to the dragon carriage. I can gauge how much longer it’ll be until we arrive just by looking at the scenery outside.

It’s been a tremendous help. Once you’ve experienced its convenience, you can’t go back to regular carriages.

◇

The dragon carriage landed in the courtyard of Count Fernande’s estate.

The Count’s servants hurried over to the dragon handlers.

They began unloading our luggage.

I’ve kept the luggage to a minimum this time. Arnoldt’s prized honey. Walnut butter, pinaru and papuru, and jams and compotes of two different fruits. Lastly, chocolate kept for the very end. Kudzu, and recently added as a specialty, grape seed oil.

These items are difficult to obtain outside of Arnoldt’s territory.

The royal family has experienced every kind of delicacy.

Therefore, using ingredients that can only be obtained in Arnoldt’s could be a breakthrough.

As soon as I stepped down from the carriage, a representative of the servants conveyed Fernande Count’s message to me.

“Understood. Let’s go immediately.”

Normally, I would bathe and tidy up my attire before being received in a private room. However, it seemed that Fernande Count was in a hurry, instructing me to come to his office just as I was.

I nodded and started walking with the servant, leaving the rest to Farne and the others.

◇

I was led to Count Fernande’s office.

Inside, there were bookshelves, a desk, and piles of documents. The furnishings were minimal, each item of exceptional quality yet highly practical.

It wasn’t a room for show; every detail was meticulously designed for maximum efficiency.

Seeing it reminded me of my father’s study.

I prefer this room over any luxurious chamber.

“Welcome, Kurt-kun.”

He greeted.

“Long time no see, Count Fernande.”

I was slightly taken aback.

Fernande Count always exuded elegance and composure, no matter the circumstances.

However, his hair was slightly disheveled, and he seemed tired. It was subtle, visible only to those who knew him well, but he was showing signs of fatigue.

“You’ve been pushing yourself quite hard, haven’t you?”

“Heh, caught in the act, huh? My, my, back in my younger days, I could go three days without sleep and not show it.”

He smiled wearily. His desk was piled high with documents and letters.

Count Fernande wasn’t just a figurehead; he was a capable leader who rolled up his sleeves and got things done.

Yet here he was, unexpectedly absent from his domain for several days. His absence posed a greater challenge than my own absence from Arnoldt.

Moreover, he was simultaneously ensuring not only his own duties were fulfilled but also supporting me to ensure my ennoblement proceeded smoothly.

Undoubtedly, he hadn’t had much time to sleep properly in the past few days.

“I appreciate everything you’re doing for me…”

Rather than apologize, I expressed my gratitude.

Apologizing would be an insult to him.

“It’s fine. Working for the sake of my foster child is my duty. Besides, I’ve told you before. Your success is my success. I’m working for my own sake as much as anyone else’s.”

“Then I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to Arnoldt and to you.”

There’s no other way to repay him for his kindness.

Most nobles are unreliable. But he’s the exception, the one I trust.

When I wasn’t sure if I could inherit my title, he facilitated manuscript work for me. He didn’t ridicule the farming methods I proposed but implemented them on his own land and rewarded me for it.

He has a knack for identifying capable individuals and supporting them. He’s one of the adults I look up to.

“You’re dependable, Kurt-kun. If only my own son were a third as capable as you… cough Well then, shall we discuss the schedule? In two days, Duke Lenaril’s dragon carriage will arrive here to take us to her territory. We’ll have an audience with Duke Lenaril. For about a week, we’ll meet with the pro-Lenaril nobles she’s prepared, one after another, to make connections. At the same time, she’ll receive professional instruction on etiquette to ensure she doesn’t embarrass herself during the ennoblement ceremony.”

“Flattering to hear.”

“She likes you. Just like me. In the future, your presence will be a weapon, so it’s crucial to assert that she sees you as hers. Surprisingly, noble rivalries are fiercest within the same faction. Your rapid rise to prominence at such a young age will attract attention. By accompanying you, Duke Lenaril will introduce you to faction nobles, sending a message: ‘Try to crush this young talent out of jealousy, and I’ll use my influence to crush you.’ It’s a threat.”

“Wouldn’t that just stoke jealousy?”

“Your favor with her is already widely known. That’s why it’s important to emphasize that you’re not just another favorite. It’s a strategy to break away. I believe it’s the right move. With your achievements, it should be safe. I wouldn’t do the same to an incompetent rival—it would harm my own reputation.”

A world beyond my imagination.

Arnoldt has largely avoided dealing with other nobles, for better or worse.

That’s likely to change now.

“To be honest, I don’t aspire to further advancement. Becoming a baron and a formal noble would allow me more freedom in managing my estate. I want to gradually enrich my territory, acquire more ingredients for various sweets, wield my skills as I please, and spread sweets to more people than ever before.”

I doubt other nobles would believe in such thinking. They’re fixed on the idea that nobility is about climbing the ladder.

“Understood. What happens after that week?”

“We head to the royal capital using Duke Lenaril’s dragon carriage. It can stop at a station within the capital. We’ll spend about three days greeting people, on the fourth day, present your sweets to the royal family. On the fifth day, you’ll be ennobled as a baron.”

“…Sounds like it’ll be dizzyingly busy.”

“Don’t worry, both Duke Lenaril and I will support you fully. This schedule can’t be changed. I’m sorry for the storm of busyness, but I want you to create the best cake amidst it all.”

“Yes, I intend to. I’m ready to surpass my past self.”

He’s resolved.

“I’ll throw everything I’ve got into this.”

Come to think of it, I forgot something important.

“Marquis Fernand, I apologize greatly, but could you introduce me to a gentleman’s tailor?”

I don’t have clothes to wear to the ennoblement ceremony.

So, I was planning on pulling off a bold move: getting introduced to a top-notch craftsman, slapping down some gold, and having them accompany me to create the finest clothes over two weeks.

“Hahaha, no worries, that’s covered. I had clothes made when we headed to Duke Lenaril’s. They’ve already been ordered based on those measurements. They’ll be ready by tomorrow.”

I breathed a sigh of relief.

The worst-case scenario had been avoided.

“Then, I have one more request. I heard we’re departing the day after tomorrow, but tomorrow I need to gather ingredients from the market for treats to serve to the royal family. After that, I’d like to use the kitchen for some trials. Also, I’d like to make special treats for Cound Fernande and Duke Lenaril, who are helping us this time.”

“Of course, no problem. I’m looking forward to your treats. Something new?”

“Yes, it’s one of my specialties, a cake. Please look forward to it.”

I can make nearly all Western cakes, but I excel particularly at Viennese and German pastries.

This time, I’ll make a cake that’s little known in Japan but has an outstanding taste, made with red wine and chocolate.

A robust, adult cake.

Its name is Rotweinkuchen (German Red Wine Cake).

It’s also my favorite cake.

To make this, good red wine is essential, but I already have an idea for that. With that wine, I can make the best Rotweinkuchen.

To be honest, with this cake, I’m more excited about making it and enjoying it myself than I am about making it or having others enjoy it.

In my mind, I recalled the recipe and made improvements as I went along.