Vol. 1 - Ch. 322 - School Festival (4)

Once Allen dashingly disappeared from the view, Ford and Jeanna finally found the time to lift their faces from behind the menu. 

"......Haa. It really doesn't feel like you're living when that boy is around. ...He said something about the special menu. I don't think I see it?"

Recalling back Allen's words, the two tilted their heads in confusion, seemingly not finding the pointed out dish in the menu.

In confusion, Jeanna flipped the menu and then noticed the difference—unlike the front, the back of the menu card was a polar opposite in design. It was written in deliberate eerie calligraphy using black and red colors, alongside the matching graphic.

Meanwhile, the dishes had skull designs next to them for rating. The grilled gross sauce of the Greater Snake had two skulls next to it. The raw fermented fish had three skulls, the wholly cooked Big G had four skulls among others. And at the very end was today's special menu, rated seven skulls and for the price of 3,000 rea.

Three thousand rea was just before the ball park of expensive for Ford. The ingredient must be something hard to procure then, he presumed.

"Three thousand, eh... but if this is Chef's special, I really do want to give it a go......"

"......He, Allen-san sure appeared to be one who lives with grace, don't you think so? ...He was kind enough to remind about the special menu. And the last I heard, he's also fond of flowers. Perhaps, the rumours have added too much color over his true personality..."

Jeanna murmured with mixed expression. But Ford promptly cut her words short.

"Don't say that even as a joke, Jeanna. Surely, you haven't forgotten his devil-like laughter as he engulfed his opponent inside the hellfire during Rising Dragon Cup, do you? And sure, the other side had been in complete fault, but the Holy Land was still a symbol of friendly ties between our two nations, and much of their priests had even nothing to do with the darkness. Even if the rumours are stretched, you can't make up the fact that he had summoned the calamity monster into the Holy Land, and led it to its destruction. What about this shows his gentle persona, huh...?"

Jeanna choked on her words as Fords brought his counterpoint. Nevertheless, she shook her head.

"I wouldn't deny that, but... he had to take drastic measures to rescue Jeuri-sama from the hands of those despicable fien——"

"Thank you for your patience. Here's your special menu."

The debate between the two suddenly halted when they heard another voice. They turned around together, and gazed at the table behind, on their left. 

The duo of boy and girl were being served their order, brought in by Jeu, and another, but incredibly handsome, boy. He had black hair, black as obsidian but with a touch of blue. His spine straight as a pole. It was no exaggeration to depict him as a prince out of a fairytale. 

The boy was balancing a tray with cloche—the silver bowl-like lid often seen in restaurants to cover the food—over his three fingers, exuding an aura that rivals even those of noble scion.

Ford abruptly got up on his feet. 

"L-Leon-sama?! W-what happened, why are you in t-that attire...?"

Dressed in a sommelier apron over the black shirt, one that was commonly seen around the high-class restaurants, Leon shifted his glance in Ford's direction, and answered in a dead serious tone, displaying not a fibre of embarrassment.

"It's you, Ford. Well, what you see. I am obviously the steward x waiter for the house. —You all are utterly clueless about the experience of a common person in service. Once my friend had made that statement, and I certainly agree with him now., it is an eye-opener experience. Until now, I had thought it's obvious for us to have maids or butlers."

Ford's Edward family was a House of Count serving in the imperial court, and also a part of Zaitsinger's faction. The two had known each other since their childhood.

"W-what are you saying... who's audacious enough to suggest a remark as foolish—"

"Keep it for later. Our dear master here has waited long enough. —Ahem, I apologise for the wait, dear master. This is your order, today's special menu. Now, we would be casting a magic spell to make the taste even more delicious. Jeuri, the chant please."

"On it, Leon-san."

His expression strained in nervousness, Leon placed his hand on the cloche.

"Taste up even more! Moe moe-kyun!"

Jue brought her fingers together to form an adorable heart symbol, and chanted. Leon acted just as Jeu had begun and invoked fire magic, his attention solely gathered on that gesture.

"......M-moe moe kyun? ......What... just what is being shown to us......?"

"I-i don't know. Jeuri-sama is so freaking cute my mind has stopped thinking."

Ford and Jeanna displayed their confusion, each in their own way.

"...Phew, it's a success. Truly, a human can do anything once he puts his mind on it, eh?"

Beads of sweat slid down the forehead of Leon as he finally revealed a smile. 

"Hehe. You made a pile of burnt dishes in practice yesterday, Leon-sana. But, Allen-san knew you can do it. He is capable of much more as long as he's serious, he had said."

With a triumphant smile, Leon placed the tray on the table, and lifted the cloche.

"Please enjoy today's menu—«The Road to Magician»."

As soon Leon removed the cloche, a cloud of vapor escaped into the air as the effect of Leon's magic. 

"Woooaaah!"

The visual impact must have been too much. The boy, who'd ordered the special menu, cradled his head in his arms as he released an impressed cry, his eyes bloodshot. 

However, he didn't reach for the knife and fork.

"Please enjoy the dish while it's still hot, dear master."

Jeu sliced that dish herself, and brought the fork closer to the boy's mouth in the so-called 'ahn' gesture. 

Tears streamed down the cheeks of the boy, as if he had been deeply moved. 

Almost immediately, the chime of the bell echoed in succession. It appeared all the customers had decided on the special menu.

"W-what should I do? I so want to order it, but... but how can I ask Jeuri-sama of all to serve me. I'ts just, just sooo—"

"...............You, you know, I think I will have the special menu. I mean, as a member of Edward family, I must try it out to feel the craftsmanship of chef—"

"Guraaagghhhh!"

Convincing himself with that logic, Ford was also about to reach out for the bell when the boy, who had just had the first bite of the special menu, fell on his back along the chair he was on.

"Now then, it's your turn, Milady."

"Geeeehhh!"

A similar reaction ensued from the accompanying girl. Their eyes rolled inwardly as they convulsed on the ground, like a fish being skimmed alive on the chopping board. 

Like a sudden screech, the air which had been vibrant with the ringing of bell, as if it was a christmas, came to deadly silence. 

"......Oh dear, seeing as how they're trying to pick a fight so obviously, I had assumed they've a plan but...uh-huh. Leon-san, sorry to bother you, but please carry our dear masters to the laboratory of Sora-san. There was something strange about Allen-san's reaction, perhaps he's being vary of them. We will have a little chat with them later."

"Alright. It's about time for me to take my leave too, since there's some preparation for the Rising Star Cup at noon. Call Dol or Rudion if someone else orders the special menu. You should switch out with Stella too, and take a break."

Leon piled the bodies—*cough* the esteemed customers on the tray, and just as he had come holding it on his three fingers, he did the exact thing and left the scene. 

Jeu saw him off, and arrived at Ford and Jeanna's seat. 

"Thank you for your patience, Milady Jeanna, Young master Ford. Have you decided on your order?"

"......I will have the Soury Fruit Pancake."

"...............I will have this mischievous hamburger."

Noting down the orders, Jeu nodded with a full smile.

"I have your orders. I will bring it as soon as it's prepared."

◆◆◆

Meanwhile, Allen was—

"Hehe! ......Just like this, I will improve my favourability. Hehehe."

—giggling to himself. 

T/N - This is the only update so far now, following the patreon schedule and author update frequency. Hopefully author get back soon as well.

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