Chapter 637: Chocolate

At long last, the making of chocolate began. We removed the contents of the cacao fruit and roasted them. The roasting time affected the flavour, making this an important step. I didn’t know the details myself, but my Cooking skill filled in the gaps. Thank goodness I possessed it.

The rest of the process went smoothly, and we reached the cooling and setting stage. Once the mixture hardened, it would be complete.

Before me lay a mouth-watering slab of chocolate!

“Mira, not yet, all right? Look, you’re drooling.”

“…Lord Julius, you’re drooling as well.”

As I wiped Mira’s mouth, Lady Fabienne wiped mine. Apparently, I was in no position to criticise Mira. Lady Fabienne naturally wore a troubled expression. Just you wait. You would only be able to look so composed for a little longer.

Mira hadn’t tasted a single bite, yet they had evidently already concluded that chocolate was delicious. Was that their extraordinary sense of smell, or were they simply greedy? It was difficult to say.

Unable to wait any longer, I used magic to chill and set the chocolate. Even the head chef smiled wryly at my impatience. He would become a captive of chocolate too. I was certain of it.

“There. It has set properly. The chocolate is complete.”

“Thank you for your hard work. Then allow me to taste it first and ensure that there are no problems…”

“No, I shall do it. I was the one who taught you the recipe, so I must accept responsibility and take the first bite.”

“Kyuu.”

Mira assumed a solemn expression and looked directly at me, as though insisting that they should be first. But no. This was my duty. Hardening my heart, I shook my head.

“What are the two of you doing? If you’re going to behave like that, I shall taste it first.”

“Ah!”

While Mira and I engaged in our pointless exchange, Lady Fabienne popped a bite-sized piece of chocolate into her mouth. Her eyes instantly became round, and she covered her lips with one hand. She looked utterly astonished.

“I-It’s sweet and delicious! It melts so smoothly. What in the world is this?”

“Kyuu!”

“Wait, Mira! Leave some for me…”

“If I may try some as well… This is incredible!”

Everyone’s expression melted the moment they ate the chocolate. Well, of course it did. Tears came to my eyes as I tasted chocolate for the first time in years. Delicious. This was it. Why had I never searched for cacao fruit sooner?

Naturally, I gave some to Nero, who had been watching us with restraint. His eyes nearly popped out of his head!

The cooks observing us from a distance had also become intensely curious. Little by little, they drew closer, staring at us with faces that plainly begged for a taste.

Judging from the head chef’s reaction, we would be making more chocolate from now on. We would need allies for that.

The only sensible choice was to let everyone try some. It would reduce my own share, but I would regard it as an investment in the future.

“Everyone, please taste it. I think you’ll like it.”

The cooks bowed gratefully at my suggestion. Mira, on the other hand, stared at me in shock.

They must have realised that their own share would shrink. Still, I expected the cooks to make plenty more in the future, so Mira would have to endure it just for today.

No, allowing them to eat a great deal would be unhealthy in any case. I would make sure to impose a proper limit.

Cries of delight rose from the cooks. If only sugar were cheaper. Then sweet treats could be distributed among the common people too.

As I considered that problem, an idea struck me. I would surprise the entire family.

“Head Chef, could you use this chocolate to make a chocolate cake for today’s dessert?”

“Kyuu?!”

“I think that’s a splendid idea. I’m certain everyone will be delighted.”

“Here is how to make it.”

Since the opportunity had presented itself, I asked him to make a Sachertorte. Naturally, it would be a small one. Leaving everyone wishing for just a little more was the perfect amount.

Mira reacted sharply, but there would be a portion for them too. I stroked Mira as I conveyed that reassurance, and they appeared satisfied. Their tail wagged as they gazed at me with shining, expectant eyes. Good.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“I would very much like Baron and Baroness Ambert to taste it too.”

“Thank you. I’m certain they’ll be delighted.”

“Head Chef, I shall return for some chocolate this evening, so please have it ready.”

“Of course. Leave it to me.”

The head chef bowed deeply, radiating boundless respect towards me. Though he said nothing, he plainly had some powerful opinion of me. Surely he didn’t regard me as a god of food?

No, perhaps a god of sweets would be more accurate. Mira would probably find that title rather fitting.

The chocolate had been created without any problems. All that remained was to establish a method of mass production, which would require some degree of automation.

Excellent. I would modify the magic-stone crusher and evolve it into a cacao-crushing and kneading machine. Thank goodness I had built that magic-stone crusher. I never imagined it would find a use like this.

“Lord Julius, you look rather pleased.”

“Oh, you noticed? As expected of my fiancée, Lady Fabienne.”

“Well, I think… anyone would have noticed.”

Lady Fabienne gave me an ambiguous look, but I wouldn’t be discouraged. Chocolate would dramatically expand the range of sweets we could make. It would undoubtedly become a new flagship product for the Heine Trading Company.

“Ah…”

“Is something wrong?”

“I may have created yet more work for Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela.”

“Then we shall help them manage the company as well.”

“You’re right. Let us do that—and apologise to them later.”