Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 48: Slowly Luring into the Abyss of Culinary Temptation
“Stacie, you did an excellent job. I didn’t expect you to actually secure the milk contract—and at such a low price, too.” Merlin’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he examined the contract in his hands, freshly signed with the Beast Taming Academy.
Merlin hadn’t chosen Stacie to handle the contract lightly; his decision was deliberate. First of all, Stacie was a first-year student specializing in dairy cows at the Academy, giving her a natural advantage in this line of work.
Second, her mentor was a highly esteemed professor at the Academy. With such a connection, securing a favorable milk purchase contract should have been effortless.
Merlin sat in the makeshift office he had set up, reaching into his desk for a bag of coins. “This is your reward,” he said.
The clinking of gold echoed as the coins tumbled in the bag, spilling across the table in a dazzling cascade. Merlin deliberately left the bag open, wanting Stacie to feel the full impact of her reward.
He wanted her to understand one simple truth: following him meant abundance.
Stacie’s eyes widened as she took in the enormous bag of coins before her. Trembling slightly, she hefted the heavy sack in her hands, disbelief written all over her face. “Boss Merlin… all of this… it’s really mine?”
“Exactly,” Merlin replied with a grin. “A thousand gold coins, all your bonus. I told you, sticking with me is the right choice!” He gestured for her to take the bag.
Why not transfer via a magic crystal card? Merlin chuckled inwardly. “A digital transaction just doesn’t have the same impact as cash,” he thought.
“Thank you, boss!” Stacie exclaimed, almost trembling with excitement as she clutched the bag to her chest. Merlin studied the half-elf girl before him, smiling softly to himself. Silly child, he thought. This is just a thousand gold coins. Once my business expands, the contracts she’s signed will save me at least a million gold coins a year.
Then, noticing her weary expression and the faint aura of depleted magic around her, Merlin’s brow furrowed. “Stacie, you look exhausted. Did you go chopping wood again?”
Recently, the construction of workshops in the back hills had increased the demand for hardwood.
“I… I feel uneasy taking so much gold without working for it,” Stacie admitted.
Merlin sighed. “Stacie, don’t overwork yourself. Chopping wood isn’t your job. You could just handle some of the accounting work for Jean. Don’t do this again.”
He softened, a gentle command hidden beneath his warmth. “You’re the talented one I’ve got my eye on. Listen to me—go get a lotus-leaf Beggar’s Chicken, and some spicy-sour passionfruit lemon chicken feet. Treat yourself properly. Trust me, good food will make you forget your worries.”
Stacie was deeply moved by his concern, but she hesitated. “But… lotus-leaf Beggar’s Chicken and the spicy-sour passionfruit lemon chicken feet are so expensive…”
“Expensive? Not at all. As an insider, you don’t need to buy a mystery box. Three gold coins and it’s yours. And the chicken feet—one gold coin each—is already cheap. You’ve earned over a thousand coins today. Why not splurge a little?”
Stacie faltered, unsure.
“No buts! Consider this a treat from me.” Merlin placed ten gold coins gently into her palm. His voice was tender, his gaze soft and fluid, making Stacie momentarily dazed.
“Boss… you’ve already given me so much. I… I can’t take more.” She blushed, shyness warming her face as Merlin held her small hand.
“Take them. You’re my excellent employee. This is a boss’s order!” Merlin’s tone transformed in an instant—commanding, unyielding. Stacie’s heart raced, the sudden authority making her cheeks burn.
“O-okay… I’ll go now!” Stacie stammered, her face aflame. She bolted away like a startled rabbit, leaving Merlin behind with a subtle, almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips.
He chuckled to himself. “Heh. I give them money so they’ll spend it—and eventually, all the gold they earn will flow back to me.”
Indeed, the lotus-leaf Beggar’s Chicken and spicy-sour passionfruit lemon chicken feet were luxuries. Students who had never tasted them would resist spending their money, enduring deprivation patiently. But once they’d had a bite, the deliciousness would cling to their hearts like a tempting demon, drawing them back for more.
Over time, as their earnings grew, their desire to indulge would only intensify.
Evil? Perhaps. Merlin laughed in delight at his little scheme.
Meanwhile, by the riverside, Stacie’s eyes sparkled as she bit into the spicy-sour passionfruit lemon chicken feet, savoring every burst of flavor. She glanced longingly at the lotus-leaf Beggar’s Chicken nearby. The aroma alone was tantalizing.
“Heavenly… how can something taste this good? I’m addicted already!”
With the ten gold coins Merlin had given her, she bought both the chicken feet and the Beggar’s Chicken. One bite and she was hooked, unable to stop.
“It’s too good… wait, it’s all gone?” She stared at the empty leaves, only a trace of sauce left behind, rubbing her belly in frustration.
“Not enough… maybe I should get some more? One gold coin per chicken foot… it’s a bit pricey, but I earned over a thousand today. One splurge won’t hurt, right?” She resolved to go for it—but just as she prepared to head to the workshop, a few figures emerged from the forest.
Who were they? Stacie’s face immediately paled, fear overtaking her features.
That night, Merlin pondered whether to recruit some alchemists. The profession was perfect for product development, but alchemists across Aize were hardly penniless—they always had ways to earn, making them difficult to employ.
“Hmm? Stacie?” Merlin looked at her as she trudged toward him, noticing her forlorn demeanor. Something was off; she looked more despondent than usual.
“Stacie!”
Startled by his call, she froze. Merlin approached, scrutinizing her closely. “What happened to you? Your clothes are filthy and covered in mud. Did you go chopping wood again?”
“N-no… I… I just got it dirty by accident,” Stacie stammered, flustered.
“Really?” Merlin raised an eyebrow, doubtful, tilting his chin to study her.
“Your hair’s all messy, and you have bruises on your face. Are you really okay? Maybe you should rest. I can give you some time off.” His voice was full of genuine concern.
Stacie could feel his care. “Boss, I’m really fine. Don’t worry—I don’t need time off.”
Merlin nodded, accepting her words silently. “Alright, good. But if anything happens, tell me. I’ll help however I can.”
Stacie’s heart swelled with gratitude at his concern. She made a silent vow to work even harder, to repay Merlin’s kindness in every way she could