Chapter 108
Chapter 108
The sales of all 11 ‘Lu & Cream’ stores were remarkable.
This was possible because all 11 stores were decorated differently, with distinct concepts.
The interior design incorporated regional characteristics, and store-exclusive flavors were created to provide incentives for visiting different branches.
This was possible because Apple could explore flavor variety through research, without the need for entirely new recipes.
However, in such cases, automated ice cream production wasn’t feasible.
[SYSTEM | Acquired new recipe ‘Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream’.]
[SYSTEM | Acquired new recipe ‘Green Tea’.]
[SYSTEM | Acquired new recipe ‘Vanilla Ice Cream’.]
And during this time, as I sold a tremendous amount of ice cream and accumulated experience, I not only leveled up my cooking skill but also acquired numerous ice cream recipes.
Though there were duplicates, by using the invincible skill ‘Combine,’ I could create ice cream of every flavor.
[How is the debt situation?]
‘Damn it!’
The debt remains the same.
From the beginning, that amount was absurd. The first digit of the number hasn’t changed.
It seemed impossible to earn enough by simply selling ice cream.
So, inevitably, I decided that I would need to continuously monitor demonic beast activities in Luwin.
While I kept hiring new personnel and expanding ‘Lu & Cream,’ Cassis focused more on demonic beasts and developed his activities.
Eight months ago, I suspected that Princess Leilyranda might be behind Marquis Cloi, but since we couldn’t properly capture any concrete evidence, my position on ‘demonic beast’ matters had diminished.
“I must have been wrong to be suspicious.”
“What did I tell you?”
“I’m sorry…”
No, Princess Leilyranda was genuinely suspicious.
But what can I do? There’s no evidence.
Moreover, during this time, Leilyranda made her social debut and started to dominate with her beautiful appearance and unique atmosphere, truly befitting a female protagonist.
Despite having nothing and no remarkable background, everyone fell under her spell as if enchanted.
Along with her, the social standing of the Saint, said to be Leilyranda’s closest friend, was skyrocketing.
When Seiren learned of this, she seemed very displeased, but she was too busy simultaneously conducting research to improve the ice cream magic circle and studying demonic beasts, so she just let it go.
Indeed, when people are busy, they don’t even have the energy to get angry elsewhere.
So Cassis focused entirely on the demonic beasts themselves.
Since demonic beasts first appeared at Duke Hellis’s mansion, they had been discovered little by little throughout the capital.
Fortunately, they didn’t appear in large numbers like they did initially. It wasn’t en masse; they appeared one or two at a time.
Still, as they appeared not infrequently, we kept an eye on any relationship with Princess Leilyranda each time, but there was no noticeable movement.
So I had no choice but to think it was my mistake and move on.
“If you’re still uncomfortable, I’ll investigate separately.”
“No! It’s fine. If a problem arises, proper evidence will emerge then.”
We can investigate again at that time.
Cassis is already busy every day investigating and dealing with demonic beasts.
New types of demonic beasts kept emerging. There were the previously seen spider types, but sometimes there were dog forms, centipede forms… demonic beasts of all kinds of life forms appeared.
Initially, the imperial knights would show up in droves to handle the demonic beasts. However, as their frequency increased and people’s reactions dulled, at some point the Emperor passed the responsibility to Cassis.
Not wanting him to bear the shameful epithet of “the Emperor’s mercenary” anymore, I told him to refuse.
However, he took charge of the demonic beasts in the capital, arguing that if he handled them, he could legally take the demonic beast corpses and simultaneously conduct research on them.
“Please don’t overdo it.”
“I’m fine, Irina.”
Cassis leaned forward, lowering himself to meet my eyes as he replied.
“How much sleep have you had?”
“…”
This is unfair! I asked first, and he attacks like this!
“Don’t make that face, just answer.”
I frowned deeply. Where on earth did he learn such a northern duke-like way of speaking?
“I don’t know. Who keeps track of sleep time? I’m dying of busyness here.”
“Haa, Irina. Don’t overdo it.”
“But.”
“You’re already amassing enormous wealth. Thanks to Lu & Cream, other businesses are also doing well.”
He lightly touched beneath my eyes with his fingertips. Then he gently rubbed as if there was soot there, even clicking his tongue.
“Take a good rest today.”
“…But I have a business trip to Hyzen port today.”
“…”
Well, it’s not for any other reason…
A luxury hotel in Hyzen directly inquired with ‘Lu & Cream.’ They wanted to receive ice cream deliveries.
But the quantity they ordered was so enormous that I was contemplating how to proceed with the delivery.
“I think I need to have a serious talk with you soon.”
“Why, why?”
“Are you free next Wednesday?”
“…Am I getting fired?”
“We’ll see?”
Cassis replied nonchalantly as he gathered his uniform.
“At least eat your meals properly.”
“Am I really getting fired?”
“Let’s talk about it then.”
With that, Cassis departed to subdue the demonic beasts. Damn it. I know I’ve been straining myself lately, but once this season ends, I’ll be able to rest again.
Since first launching ‘Lu & Cream,’ I’ve always been implementing new things and aggressively expanding the business, leaving no time to rest.
But what can I do?
Leilyranda Jackmüller has made her social debut, and befitting her origins as the female protagonist, she sweeps people along more easily than anyone.
No matter how suspicious I am, no evidence or circumstances emerge, and I’m so uneasy…
“The letter has been safely delivered to Sir Sian Terezia.”
“Any reply?”
“There was none.”
Sian Terezia left home.
He’s not some runaway teenager, but he just left without a word. I inquired so much, and there was a rumor that he became the lover of some noblewoman from a branch of a count’s family.
So he’s staying in a house that a noblewoman got for him, and when I went looking for him—people said I was crazy—rumors spread that I was coveting another woman’s man.
[That was infuriating at the time]
[I know……]
He was supposedly the crown prince of a great empire! Why is he living as the lover of an insignificant person?
I even tried to find a connection between Sian Terezia and demonic beasts, but Sian Terezia left no traces.
Abnormally, there were no traces.
Someone was clearly erasing all traces on purpose.
It raised alarms for anyone paying attention, yet there wasn’t a shred of evidence.
<Irina, you’re just the person in charge of Lu & Cream.>
<…>
<Sian or Cassis will take care of demonic beast matters.>
I tried to request help from Lemiere, but I was only told I was overstepping my authority. Roen held the same position.
Only Cassis, out of his goodwill, was accommodating my situation…
Anyway, I was only employed for the revival of Luwin, and threats to the nation like demonic beasts were the responsibility of high-ranking nobles.
“It’s frustrating and upsetting, but there’s nothing I can do.”
[Oh dear.]
[Still, Irina, let’s focus on business for now.]
[The almighty Isiel or Roen will take care of the demonic beasts.]
[Yes, yes, Cassis isn’t someone to be underestimated, so let’s trust him with it.]
Yes… with Cassis, things will work out somehow.
The hero of the original story won’t just disappear.
“But I can’t repay all this debt by just selling ice cream!”
Demonic beasts began appearing more frequently. The quest said that if I repaid the debt, I could save the empire from destruction.
But at this rate, it would take more than 10 years to repay the debt.
Yet the original story has already begun?
How can I focus only on the ice cream business? I clutched my head.
My mind was already complicated with the logistics of delivering large quantities of ice cream to Hyzen port city without it melting…
[Hmm…]
The system seemed to contemplate for a moment, and shortly after, a quest arrived.
I was already slightly irritated before even checking the quest.
I know the system gives quests to help me when I’m struggling, but it’s frustrating. It felt like there was nothing I could do immediately.
I half-lay on the couch with my eyes closed.
“Ugh, I don’t want to do quests.”
World destruction or whatever—should I just pretend not to know and go down to Seike? Jin had contacted me anyway.
[…Didn’t he contact you about opening an ice cream store in Seike too?]
[I think so.]
“…”
I opened the system window with an internal curse. The system notifications I had been checking sporadically lately appeared in a rush.
I checked the content I had just received.
[SYSTEM | Quest ‘Expand Stores’ has arrived.]
[SYSTEM | This is a linked quest to the main quest ‘Prevent the Empire’s Destruction’.]
“More ice cream stuff.”
When I spoke in a dejected voice, the system hurriedly began to comfort me.
[Irina, it’s not just about ice cream.]
[It’s a quest directly related to ‘Preventing the Empire’s Destruction’.]
“Yeah, yeah. I have to do it.”
Without properly checking the quest, I turned off the system window first. I’m tired, can’t handle this.
After lying there blankly for a while, someone stood beside me.
“Tell me.”
“Yes, Irina. The gate to Hyzen port will be ready in an hour.”
“What about the ice cream and other luggage?”
“All preparations complete.”
Sigh, it takes just under an hour from here to the teleport gate, so I should start moving soon.
I thought as I sluggishly got up from my seat.
In the past, I would have trembled at the thought of taking a teleport gate even once. But now, riding it almost every day is amazing… but also feels a bit demotivating.
“Or maybe I’m just impatient.”
But regardless of my state, I have to go and do my work.
