TSBSFVW 39

Chapter 39
Eight Breads. Next to the Dog, Next to the Madman (2)

The cooking class was held in the kitchen of the upper-level guild, Mammoth.

“Malina, my lifesaver! My lucky fairy!”

“You’re flattering me, Ellie. But I’m glad I could help.”

Even her words carried an air of charm and maturity, overflowing with elegance.

Ellie was smitten once again. From the very first meeting, Malina had captivated her with her forearm and biceps, and beyond that, she was perfect in taste, initiative, and character. Ellie couldn’t escape Malina’s allure.

“I boasted so much that our retired colleagues were curious. Many had to quit due to injuries, making it difficult to find other work. Thank you for helping, Ellie.”

“I’m glad I could help.”

The first ten students recommended by Malina were her retired mercenary friends.

It wasn’t easy for female mercenaries to find jobs after retirement, just as it was difficult for men. Unless their injuries were minor, most had parts of their bodies disabled or amputated, preventing them from doing ordinary work.

Maurice had hired Malina because her injury was minor.

Those with serious injuries mostly lived in poverty. Having children made it even harder.

By the fifth lesson, the students were skilled enough to handle meringue cookies and regular cookies. By the tenth lesson, they could produce cookies, meringue cookies, and cakes at a level fit for sale.

Although the course was only ten lessons, they practiced all day. Ellie provided all the materials for practice.

After the cooking class ended, Ellie signed service contracts with all the students and made separate employment contracts with the two top students to manage quality.

Once the students were sent off, Malina spoke.

“Since I’ve known all of them for a long time, I’ll take responsibility in case anything unexpected happens.”

“Anything unexpected…?”

Malina didn’t answer, only smiled. Sweat trickled down her back.

“Taking responsibility means…”

Again, only a deep smile was returned. Ellie decided not to ask further. Malina was a fairy—a very scary fairy. You don’t mess with fairies…

Only after delegating the work could Ellie finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“Automatic production system complete!”

Was it okay for things to go this smoothly? So happy…

“Terrifyingly talented Ellie” had lived as “busy and unhappy Ellie,” and now she was “Ellie, happy because work is going well.”

In reality, managing a cooking class on top of her already hectic schedule was a huge challenge.

But without increasing manpower to expand production, there was no way to manage. She couldn’t keep providing only thirty dessert sets a day forever.

Making thirty sets alone was exhausting labor. Ellie would have overworked herself to death.

If she didn’t work, she’d starve. If she worked, she’d overwork.

Ellie thought her fate was excessively cruel. Was it too much to wish for a natural death without suffering?

“Ellie, me? Aren’t you grateful to me?”

“Of course, I’m grateful to Edmund too. He made the oven for me.”

“Praise me more.”

“…Are you copying me right now?”

“Yes.”

Edmund copied Ellie, who had lifted her chin proudly, smiling.

“Come on.”

“Oh, wonderful. Thank you so much. You’re so pretty!”

Ellie adored Edmund, who leaned forward like a grandmother doting on her grandson. She tousled his silvery-white hair, recently soft and plump, like kneading dough.

‘Where did the sensitive beauty avoiding contact with people go? Now there’s a playful, affectionate cat sitting here.’

Since they practically lived together, Ellie felt no distance with Edmund. Even when he clung to her unnecessarily, it didn’t feel awkward.

‘A little annoying and warm, but trying to remove him is even more bothersome…’

Edmund’s limbs were thin and flexible, but his frame was surprisingly strong. Ellie had to exert real strength to separate him—she had to use effort.

Moreover, Edmund was very useful.

Meringue cookies needed to be baked with the oven’s residual heat, and turning off the fire completely each time was inefficient. Ellie didn’t plan to make meringue cookies a main menu item—they were just a side dish.

However, an important client who only knew the name loved the meringue cookies, so what had been a side dish was upgraded to a main menu.

Ellie struggled to figure out a solution, and Edmund easily made a temporary oven, making her cheer.

She almost kissed him, but no matter what, she couldn’t act like Damian, so she refrained.

‘Apparently, he’s surprisingly weak to praise.’

Thanks to that, dessert production increased, Ellie could rest, and giving a little praise cost nothing.

“They get along well.”

“Maurice.”

Edmund, who was quietly letting Ellie rest her head on him, glared at Maurice warily. Maurice looked disappointed.

“Eddy, your look is too cold…”

“Shut up. Don’t make disgusting noises. Why are you here?”

“This is my guild.”

Ellie looked at Edmund again. She thought he was somewhat prickly during arguments, but compared to how he treated Maurice, he was silky smooth. His temper was still intact…

“Get lost.”

“You treat me like a villain. I only ordered the quantity you said you could handle, Ellie.”

Maurice looked at Ellie, seeking agreement. Ellie let Edmund hold her from behind and said:

“That’s true… I didn’t realize it had to be done every day.”

“Can’t you hear the sound of money piling up? Ellie, even at this moment, money is piling up.”

“I heard the sound of my lifespan being shortened, though…”

Ellie liked money, but she wasn’t willing to risk her life for it. Maurice, smiling widely, said:

“Thanks to you, everything’s going smoothly, my money source—no, partner.”

“Hasn’t the position switched?”

At first, Maurice had been Ellie’s money source. Maurice smiled.

“It’s only been half a year, but I’m really glad I invested.”

“There’s never a guarantee of success, so at least take high interest…”

“Shh, Ellie. Let’s forget the past. People must look to the future.”

“Gross, damn it.”

“Ellie, you cursed out loud again.”

“I said it for you to hear.”

Maurice pouted as if hurt. Ellie couldn’t help laughing. This was why she couldn’t hate him.

“Look to the future. Starting tomorrow, Cookie Walking will be run solely by the dessert team, right?”

“Yes, I checked today—it’s fine. But still, double-check when packaging.”

Ellie set strict standards. Though the cooking class ended after ten lessons, if the students hadn’t practiced diligently, Ellie wouldn’t have entered into a product production contract.

‘It looks sloppy at first glance.’

Ellie limited the number of items she offered because she thought the product value would drop otherwise. Maurice knew the students had worked hard to pass Ellie’s test, including Malina.

“Now, time to rest a bit.”

“Yes. Rest, then develop other menus…”

“But Malina said Cookie Walking will be handled by the dessert team.”

“That’s true, but developing new menus…”

“Let’s go on vacation, Ellie.”

“Eh?”

Maurice smiled.

“I found chocolate.”

Well, now it’s my turn to give praise.