Local Lord
Benno keeps his ears peeled ever since he sold all those papers to the King, as new products go through him first and its he who agrees on prices the merchant wants to put.
The Guildmaster will then get news updates from him.
As in the form of this format when he saw news the next morning in his office after breakfast:
Mercantilism Production Update:
Perfumed Parchment: 1 large silver a note, 4 large silver a booksheet,
6 large silver a contract sheet, 6 small gold a roll
Production Source: Gilberta Company
Their lord Gilvester aub Ehrenfest.
'This parchment is scented and perfumed...it smells like that pink fruit in vogue lately.' he would say as he could smell the strong scent of Vanillove from his desk. 'I do not agree with your pricing, it should be higher by three more coins.' Benno's heart nearly dropped as that, is a damn dream come true for any merchant his inner greedy merchant spirit was singing. 'But still...what a work...a parchment so white, smells good and a polished surface. Who made these?' he asked. 'Normally if you perfumed a parchment for writing loveletters and such or sending threat letters with sickly-sweet poisoned concoctions, marks of spray should appear yet this one is flawless.' he marveled.
Perfumes are made from oil and extracts, which is why marks would appear on paper. In a way, it ruins 'presentation' and quite distracting.
'Er, a newly baptized kid made it.' said Benno nervously. 'I can swear on my life through magic she really did make it.'
'Oho? Who is this child, Benno?'
'Her name is Maine, youngest daughter of Logistics Gate Officer Gunther and Seamstress Eifa.' said Benno. 'She's also a ridiculously good cook.' he said. 'She's also...a rare breed. She can hear the voice of ingredients that she excelled in her field.'
'A commoner with magic, is it?'
'Yes.' Benno at least knows their lord wasn't a bastard like most nobles...Maine would be safe if he played his cards right. 'She hears the voices of any ingredient but to things with no uses, they are voiceless to her so she knows how to make this brand of paper without having to resort to spraying.' he said. 'Her family is fully-aware she can only marry her own kind so we are looking for safer avenues as before they discovered she was magical, she was a very-loved daughter who suffered the Consumption.'
'I see where this is going...' Benno knew the King put 1+1 by himself as to what he wanted to happen.
'Yes but she found her own way by constantly using her power in a passive manner without realizing it so her condition improved.' said Benno. 'Her education mostly came from plants and usable animal parts, which she taught her older sister but they cannot read or write yet, so through selling paper, they're saving up money for literacy education.'
'Hmmm...bring that girl here tomorrow. I would like to meet her.' Sylvester decided. 'My younger brother has no fiancee yet and he doesn't like anyone in the temple.' he told Benno. 'He chooses by character and personality so it is rather hard and he's getting older.'
'Erm, how old is he?'
'I'd say he's about 15 years her senior if she is currently 7 this year.' Sylvester chuckled. 'Such arrangements are normal in our social caste. I assure you Miss Maine will be alright. It is alright for her to come in her usual clothing as I know how commoners get by. But do not tell her I am the lord. I want her to talk to me like she would a normal person so make up a fake identity or something.'
...which is why right now, Maine is in a carriage with him to the King's Castle.
'Woooow...what a far cry from what I've known for years!' Maine gasped out, wide-eyed. 'It's clean and beautiful!'
The North District was...something out of what she's known as Komatsu in her younger years. She and Toriko have been to different planets to explore their tastes, and seen a lot of civilization and culture...while avoiding space beasts in space!
'Isn't it so? But standards here are heinously-strict.' said Benno. 'I have a shop here as well and nobles and even royalty buy their things here, they will never step foot in the commoner's district if they can help it.' he told her. 'The paper and soap you created naturally, went to my branch here and I'm sold out as soon as you deliver. Can't you cheat with the curing process with magic though? I'm getting demand letters.' he scowled.
'I wish I could, but I need assurance that nobody's looking for the Pink Incident anymore, they might mistake me for the one!' Maine griped. 'My magical light is blue, not pink!' she COULD make it pink though! 'I don't wanna be forced into the temple!'
'I'll look into it.' Benno told her. 'As you see we're in the Commercial District where the shops, restaurants and bars are, as well as other entertainment and recreational places.' he said. 'Half an hour later, we'll step into the residential area which is a huge grassland paradise and you can easily spot mansions from here. The lower your social status, the closer you are to the Commercial District. You'll soon see the mansions of Knight Families here. Only the Duke-Class Families live close to the King's Castle.'
'Heee...so why are we going to the castle for?'
'We'll meet the Logistics Officer of our Aub, the cousin of our King, Sylvester Ehrenfest. He's interested in your paper he literally raised the price so our payday's just got bigger!' Benno grinned. 'This is gonna be fun...'
Upon arrival, the Squires guarding the door raised an eyebrow at Maine's contradictory appearance.
Her vibrant, glossy hair, very fair skin and clean appearance was a stark contrast to her clean but patchwork attire. Her hair, she wore up in a bun like any adult would do, and there are carved sticks on her hair!
She was quite a sight.
Being commoners themselves, there are loads of beauties among them, mostly unnoticed due to how they all grew up dirty and oily that dirt literally caked on them unless they wash hands to eat, but a clean commoner? Wow! And this little lady is beautiful!
xxx
Upon looking at the little lady, the King and his guard knights stared in disbelief.
Commoners are dirty, grimy and they stink with dark skin.
This girl? Very clean and and white-skinned! And that hair!
'So you're Miss Maine.' Gilvester greeted kindly.
Benno took note he wore robes befitting an officer and not a King for ahem, this farce to make Maine relax in talking to him.
'Yes. Hello sir!' Maine chirped. 'Mr. Benno said you wanna meet me about my parchment?'
'Yes. I understand producers have their craft secrets to avoid competition over the same product, but from what I hear you have the ability to make scented paper which is a revolutionary item.' he said. 'What else are you planning to make?'
Maine cannot talk about soap as because as far as public knows, her parents made it but left production to daughters due to their jobs.
'Humm, I was thinking medicine next but without an education and credentials, nobody would believe me and my wares so I'm saving up money for education for myself and my sister. But if my sister got fed up with being a tailor then she can proceed with business as a pharmacist while I pursue what I really wanted.'
'Oho? What would that be little lady?'
'I wanna be a chef but tools are costly...paper will help me out in buying tools I need.' said Maine.
'Mm. How confident are you with your ability?' Gilvester asked, his eyes sparkling with challenge.
'You'll be surprised, sir!' Maine smiled. 'Wanna try?' she challenged back.
'Hoho? Well, show me your work then. I heard you have magic, so you can use magic to help you in tasks you're not physically capable of.'
'Well, daddy did say he wants me to wait till I'm 11 to go for a job in the kitchen...even mom does the heavy stuff at home while I tell how I want it done until I found out I got bright lights that can do anything I wanted but it made me sick for years.' Maine sighed. 'Magic...huh?'
'Are you interested in pursuing magical education Miss Maine?' Gilvester asked her curiously.
Maine shook her head childishly.
'That would be a bit too much on my plate sir. Between studying as a pharmacist and aiming to be a chef one day I see very little application for my job choice unless there's some tough bone I wanna cut through with a knife or instantly turn things to powder for use.' Gilvester chuckled.
Her body language passed as well as eye contact. He was able to discern her character.
This girl really has her priorities. Moreover her ambitions are not worrying when normally when someone has a chance of going higher, they really would pursue it come hell or high waters. Budding social climbers or a thirst for power. He will never allow anyone with such ambitions in marrying his little brother.
'Final question before we proceed to the kitchen...I have heard that Miss Frieda, the granddaughter of the Guildmaster has the same affliction as you that for her life, she is to wed a noble's son.' said Gilvester. 'Normally, one with Consumption are horribly stunted in their growth yet you appear like any normal child...what is your secret?'
'Can I whisper it?'
'Sure.' Benno carried Maine to reach the King's ear and Maine whispered her secret. The King looked at her incredulously. 'It's like that?!'
'Yup!' said Maine as Benno put her down.
'Ahahaha...you've really done it then.' the King twitched in forced chuckle, those words worrying Benno and his bodyguards. 'I expect some supplies this winter little lady. Benno.' Benno got attentive now. 'Your charge has interesting things up her sleeve...I will be forwarding a request to your office later but for now I wish to test your prowess in the kitchen. Shall we go?' he stood up from his seat and proceeded to walk out so they followed. 'I want you to make me an appetizer, soup, fish dish, meat dish, main dish, salad and a dessert. All must complement each other with my choice of wine.'
'OK. Can I taste the wine though? Just a taste so I'd know what to make for a harmonious dinner.' said Maine. 'I take it your chef always harmonizes flavors based on the drinks of choice?'
'Yes. I have tasted many cuisines in my time as a noble but never managed to match and complement the drink it always leaves a bad taste in my mouth but alas, as a guest in some of my visitations, I cannot complain for that would be rude.' Gilvester sighed.
Upon arrival in the kitchen that's vacant for the day...
Gilvester took out a wine from a locked cabinet.
Maine looked at the bottle.
Hey, aren't I a little too strong for you little one? Just a spoon is enough to make you tipsy! I'm a strong brand only a veteran drinker can drink! Just a fourth of a spoon is safe.
'Sir, it says its way too strong for me only a veteran drinker can handle it.' Maine piped up, tugging on the hem of his coat. 'Just enough for a 1/4 of a spoon is safe for me to taste without getting tipsy so soon whatever that word means. Probably nothing good.' Gilvester really is interested with Maine's ability now...he always buys strong liquor and yet without knowing anything about wine, she would instantly know how strong it was for her and what's safe?
'You can hear even processed products like wine?!' Benno squawked incredulously, eyes popping in disbelief.
'Its still an ingredient.' Maine shrugged. 'As long as I hear their voices its an ingredient. I can't hear useless things.'
'Hoho, I think my cousin's Chef would love to have you.' Gilvester snorted as he opened a bottle for her and took out the amount in a spoon for her to taste.
"Strong for this young tongue!" Maine winced. Her body's tongue is so young she really missed her seasoned tongue even if she retained her abilities from eating her former world's Full Course. She still has ANOTHER's power on her tongue But she had to thoroughly taste the wine.
Upon tasting it, she ran for the pantry and opened up all cupboards by her will alone...
She took a number of ingredients. Vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices, even some of her own creations, and meats.
Taking up a knife set, she proceeded to feed firewood into the stove by making the wood fly and go into the kiln and it lit up with her magic, making the men do a double take, and put a pot on the stove, and magically manipulated water to go INTO the pot!
She proceeded to prepare other ingredients and handled the knife in her tiny hands like a pro or rather, isn't she TOO FAST in doing prepwork for her age?! Her movements are a blur in sight as her eyes glowed blue!
'This is normal?' Gilvester asked Benno wryly, pointing at the unbelievable sight before them as the little girl worked in skill and ability no child should have.
'That's what she did at my place too...she's that fast.' Benno croaked out. 'Seeing it again is still as mind-blowing as ever.' he said. 'Maine's only restraint holding her back, is what's available in a pantry. The more selection she has to play with, the more elaborate and delicious her work.'
Upon preparing all ingredients, she took saucepans with some amount of water. Then with condiments, spices, water and other things, she made sauces first, and put them away in bowls. An aromatic fragrance permeated the air.
Next is the real deal. The food. There were four kilns being used at once since she was using magic.
By the end of it, it took an hour and half in total to cook a full course, with her cooking the soup and salad for last. Then she did the plating herself...and there's enough for everybody and with a wave of her hand, she magically cleaned the worktable.
'Hmm, she made enough for five people.' Gilvester mused as he was the one who poured wine for everybody while Maine made fruit juice for herself. 'Shall we taste?' everyone wordlessly sat down to eat.
It all looked and smelled good.
So while they ate, a cake was being baked and not far from them is a bowl and a whisk and some ingredients self-processing themselves for frosting and layer creams...
'This is delicious sir! We've never had anything like this!' a Knight exclaimed as they tasted the soup first and blew their minds away.
'What flavors are these? The most we've always tasted is the taste of salt and vinegar in food along with mild flavors of ingredients but now, I taste ingredients more than salt and vinegar!' said another Knight. 'The texture is also different.'
'So this is your power...' Gilvester marveled, his cheeks tinged pink at how he swooned at such deliciousness.
'Well, for me food is the best teacher in the world.' said Maine. 'They teach me stuff and I never forget what they teach me!'
By the time they're done eating, Maine took the cake out, sliced it in the middle, took out the layered cream with fruit chunk that she turned chilly and spread it evenly and sandwiched the cake halves together, and coated the cake with chilly frosting, before cutting up pieces.
It. Was. Delicious.
'And you still want to apprentice?' Gilvester asked wryly. 'You may as well be Head Chef right away.' he deadpanned. 'Heck, your existence is legendary already! I've been to Kingdoms with my cousin and even other royal tables cannot compare even if they have delicacies money can't buy!'
'That'd be nice but I need to be literate...I might be asked to make a cookbook.' said Maine sheepishly. 'I'd be asked how I made them.'
'Mm...there's that...' Gilvester looked thoughtful. 'Why not have Benno's subordinates write as you dictate?'
'There's one problem...what are all their names known to society?' Maine squeaked awkwardly. 'I know their true names because they told me but what did society call them? I have to go with that and I got no choice.'
xxx
After having a Knight take Maine back to the Commoner's District...
'Benno, that girl...' Gilvester chuckled. 'She's something else.'
'She's one precocious brat but being educated by useful things can do that to anybody I guess.' said Benno. 'Literacy and Arithmetic are her only problems. She's saving up money so she and her sister can get a complete education. What do you think of her for your brother?'
'She definitely passes my test but the hurdle is him.' said Gilvester. 'I will inform him of his fiancee but I'll have him meet her when she's a little bit older.'
'Erm, is there a problem with your brother sire?'
'He's...a difficult personality with good reason, but he will be good to Maine if he sees what I see in her.' Gilvester told him. 'So I will be giving him a mission. Maine produces paper and her parents' soap so I can get him to get to know her by working in her workshop. It's clean I hope?'
Benno's face is quite the picture.
'Her workshop is in a dirty district, we should relocate her and Lutz first.'
'Lutz?'
'Her sister's friend and Maine's only employee.'
