LPSB 20

Now that I think about it, I remembered the first time I met Akaterian.

Akaterian had said I smelled delicious and that he wanted to eat me.

I recalled the original story.

“Do dragons even eat humans…?”

Dragons didn’t really need to eat food in the first place.

Regular intake of magic was essential, but food wasn’t.

So while there were dragons who pursued gourmet tastes, they were often considered odd among their kind.

Dragons were beings that did not feel hunger.

When that topic came up in the original story, the comment section had completely exploded over the idea of hunger.

People argued about whether it was a good or bad thing to not feel hunger.

• Dragons who don’t know hunger… how sad…
  └ For real, ramen after swimming tastes like heaven.
  └ Humans feeling sorry for dragons?
  └ Says the human with no wings or breath attack…
• Honestly, isn’t not feeling hunger a huge win? Saves food expenses.
  └ Dragons are insanely rich anyway, they don’t need to save food costs.
  └ There are broke dragons though. Why ignore homeless dragon Hom리스?
  └ LOL the wandering minstrel dragon ranking #1 now
• Lose hunger and become a dragon vs gain hunger and become human
  └ Obviously the former. Why even hesitate?
  └ This is unbalanced. Please nerf.

Of course, I was firmly in the “not feeling hunger is better” camp.

“I’ve been starving so much I could die, working while smelling bread… people who haven’t experienced that wouldn’t understand.”

Every time I saw my paycheck vanish immediately into food expenses, I used to wonder why humans are always hungry.

Lost in those memories, I was brought back by Hiser. He patted my shoulder reassuringly.

“Don’t worry, Shuen. I’ll never let the dragons eat you.”

Hiser smiled lazily as he spoke.

“In fact, that’s exactly why we’re making a plan like this.”

No, wait—weren’t you just threatening me that dragons might want to eat me…?

Was he trying to soothe and scare me at the same time?

When I looked at him for an explanation, Hiser spoke calmly.

“You don’t realize how special you are.”

All I could do was bake bread. I was just an ordinary noble lady with no special talent. That was me.

“Why am I so special…?”

“You’ll understand once you open your bakery.”

I frowned. His words made no sense.

Seeing my confusion, Hiser continued.

“You’ve heard the story of the Golden Apple Tree, right?”

It was a short fairy tale from the original story.

Once upon a time, there was a tree that bore golden apples.

Dragons, who loved shiny things, all coveted them. But a greedy dragon decided to take the tree for itself and uprooted it entirely.

However, the moment it was pulled from the ground, all the apples turned to ash. It was a children’s tale teaching that greed leads to ruin.

“You’re not much different from that golden apple tree.”

Hiser continued.

“For now, Akaterian and I are hiding you. But if a greedy dragon finds you…”

His eyes darkened.

I didn’t need to hear the rest to imagine the ending.

Seeing my confusion, Hiser made a proposal.

“So before that happens, we reveal you first. A bakery for all dragons.”

“What does that change?”

“The dragons won’t tolerate anyone trying to monopolize you.”

He added meaningfully.

“I guarantee it. You won’t just be protected by me and Akaterian—you’ll be protected by all dragons.”

In short, it was simple.

Open a bakery to protect me.

I touched my lips, thinking.

It wasn’t like I would lose anything.

If dragons became customers, I wouldn’t get warning alerts anymore, and I could earn money.

“And it’ll help me achieve my dream faster…”

Honestly, I was still scared of meeting new dragons.

I could get along with Hiser and Akaterian, but the others might not be the same.

“Don’t worriee, Shushu! I’ll beat them all!”

No… that’s also a problem…

After much hesitation, I made my decision and looked at Hiser.

“What’s the plan?”

Hiser smiled as if he had been waiting for that exact question.

*****

Magic really was something amazing.

Hiser instantly built the bakery exactly as I wanted.

It was located slightly away from the capital’s busy district, at the end of a deep alley.

From the outside, it looked old and abandoned, like a closed shop.

Only special beings could see its true form.

The moment you opened the door, an entirely different space unfolded.

Warm yellow walls like they were coated in honey, and mahogany flooring.

A large arched glass window that let in refreshing light.

And soft white lace curtains that made the place feel cozy and bright.

I almost hugged Hiser from sheer happiness.

The bakery he created was identical to the one from my past life that had burned down before it could even open.

He had placed a huge magic circle over the entire building.

“Only dragons or beings with equivalent magic can enter through the barrier.”

Everything was ready.

“Shall we lift the communication seal now?”

There were two types of dragon communication.

One was private transmission directly into the mind of someone nearby.

The other was public communication that all dragons and their contractors could see.

When this setting first appeared in the original story, readers had gone wild with jokes.

• Is this a Wi-Fi zone? LOL
  └ Dragon network ON!
  └ LOLLLLL

“To make a successful debut, we need an audience.”

Hiser clapped his hands.

A transparent barrier I hadn’t noticed slowly melted away.

Immediately, a loud chime rang out.

Ding!

<<Dragons are extremely curious about the new contractor.>>

<<Dragons are so excited they are snorting hot air.>>

I could feel massive gazes watching me from all directions.

My heart trembled as I gripped my apron tightly.

So this is what standing in front of dragons feels like…

I was suddenly grateful to Akaterian and Hiser for shielding me until now.

Hiser chuckled.

“They’re all quite excited.”

Ding!

<<Hiser, the dragon who measures time, is introducing Akaterian’s contractor.>>

I hugged Akaterian tightly out of nervousness.

His steady warmth comforted me.

No matter what happened, Akaterian would be on my side.

Thinking that calmed me a little.

Hiser placed a hand on my shoulder and spoke into the air.

“Let’s start with some simple questions.”

Ding! Ding! Ding!

<<Dragons are extremely curious about your identity.>>

<<The magic-path dragon Galdalf asks if you are a great mage.>>

<<The sword-wielding dragon Aragonian is certain you are a Swordmaster.>>

<<The gambling-addicted dragon Elcasino shakes his wings and raises the stakes.>>

I blinked in panic.

It looked like dragons had started a betting pool about my identity.

Great mage… Swordmaster…

I felt embarrassed and curled my toes together.

“I… am…”

My uncertain voice trembled.

<<The dragons hold their breath.>>

<<A dragon who hates 60 seconds begins to fidget.>>

“…a.”

My throat tightened.

<<Galdalf rejoices, saying he knew it was a great mage.>>

<<Dragons who bet on “Great Mage” cheer!>>

<<Dragons who bet on “Swordmaster” hold their heads in despair.>>

No, that’s not it.

They got excited just hearing “a” and started going wild.

<<A persistent dragon, Baechu Serian, demands I speak clearly.>>

I glanced at Hiser and Akaterian.

Both looked at me calmly and gently.

I took a deep breath and spoke again.

“I’m a baker!”

Silence fell for a moment.

Then the chimes rang loudly.

Ding ding ding!

<<Dragons erupt in laughter!>>

<<The gourmet-loving dragon Michelin cheers while holding a fork!>>

<<All dragons who bet on “Great Mage or Swordmaster” lose their money!>>

<<The gambling-addicted dragon Elcasino screams in despair!>>

The dragons laughed at me with full sincerity.

I had expected it, but it still hurt my pride.

‘So compared to Swordmaster or Great Mage… a baker is nothing, huh?’

A strange stubbornness rose inside me.

I’ll show them the greatness of baking. I’ll blow these dragons away with bread.