Chapter 299: Hot Cookies

The next day, after finishing breakfast, I immediately started preparing. Today’s magic training and classes are canceled. There’s no time for that.

At breakfast, Father talked again about the current situation and asked for our cooperation. It seems Alex-niisan had been discussing things with Father since then.

“Julius-sama, where are you headed?”

“I’m going to the kitchen. I need some ingredients.”

“Understood. I will accompany you.”

Nero has completely become my loyal butler. Seeing him writing in his notebook, it might still be more about keeping an eye on me.

Arriving at the kitchen, it seemed busy with cleaning up after breakfast, but most of the dishes were handled by the dishwasher. The chefs still had a relaxed expression.

“Julius-sama, what can I do for you?”

“I need some ingredients. Middle-grade flour, chili peppers, milk, eggs, and sugar. If you don’t have sugar, honey is fine too.”

“Understood. I will prepare them immediately.”

They prepared the ingredients without asking for details. Does this mean I’m trusted? Or do they think, “He’s planning to make something strange again”?

With the ingredients obtained from the kitchen, I headed to the alchemy room. I had been spending a lot of time in the workshop lately, so it was a bit dusty.

“Julius-sama, I will clean up immediately, so please wait a moment.”

“No, there’s no need for that. I’m the one who asked not to clean this room. It’s a clean room.”

Using magic, I quickly cleaned the room. This magic is specialized for cleaning rooms. It’s excellent for tidying up a neglected and dirty space. If you install an automatic cleaning broom in the room, it can always stay clean, but it stops working over time.

Oh, Nero’s eyes are wide open. I need to keep him quiet.

“Nero, you didn’t see anything. Got it?”

“Yes, understood. So, what are you making this time?”

“I’m making hot cookies. Eating these will protect you from a certain degree of cold.”

“There’s such a magical potion?”

That was an exclamation of admiration. I’m glad it wasn’t an exasperated tone.

I immediately began making the hot cookies. Since I wasn’t sure how large the expedition would be, I decided to use all the ingredients I had gathered.

The problem ingredient is the chili peppers. They are essential, but they add spiciness and a distinctive flavor. To counteract this, I mixed in herbs that I had been growing in the greenhouse. This part relies on my sense of balance. The taste might change every time I make them, but that’s part of the charm.

I put the ingredients into a large pot. Then I mixed in an extract from antidote herbs and blended it well. I didn’t forget to add milk and eggs—after all, they’re cookies. I combined all the ingredients and mixed them together. To ensure the cookies provide some stamina, I added maxim garlic as well. I hope there aren’t any female team members.

I shaped the mixture into sticks and cut them into coin-sized pieces. I placed them on a baking sheet and baked them in the oven. Gradually, a delicious smell began to fill the alchemy room. If Mira detects this smell, she’ll probably come flying over.

The chime of the alchemy room rang. From behind the door, I heard “Kyu, kyu!” That’s Mira for you—quick to act.

“Mira~? This is an important magical potion, so don’t eat too much, okay?”

“Kyu!”

I wonder if she really understands. Nevertheless, I let Mira taste the hot cookies. It seems she likes them, as she flutters her hands.

Not only Mira, but I also taste them. As the creator, I need to. To get another opinion, I let Nero try them as well.

“These are easy to eat and delicious. They’d surely sell well if put on the market. Oh, and it feels like my core is warming up.”

“That’s because it’s a magical potion. Selling them is a bit… after all, this is a magical potion.”

They look just like cookies. If I made cookies for cold prevention, they might become very popular with children and parents. It could revolutionize magical potions in a different way. … It’s worth considering. Alex-niisan might have more work to do, though.

In the afternoon, I went to the knights’ quarters to hear about the progress of the expedition. Normally, I would ask Father or Alex-niisan, but they both seem busy, so I want to minimize the burden on them.

“Giles, Christopher, and Lionel—have you seen them?”

“Well, they went to the mansion, and they haven’t returned yet.”

“I see. Maybe the discussions are going poorly.”

“Is something wrong?”

Oops, it seems Giles and the others haven’t heard yet. Just as I was wondering whether I should say something, Lionel returned. He looked a bit dejected. It’s understandable—being told to head to the snowy mountains would make anyone look that way. It’s going to be a life-threatening climb.

“Lionel, you’re just in time. It seems the plan has been decided.”

“Yes, it has. Where should I begin…”

“Lionel, let’s hear it together with everyone else. You’re going to report to everyone, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Then let’s go together.”

Lionel instructed Giles and Christopher to gather everyone at the training ground. Meanwhile, I shared the story of the hot cookies I had made earlier. Lionel was surprised, but his expression brightened.

“As expected of Julius-sama! I didn’t know there was such a magical potion. This should significantly lighten the burden on the knights. The problem is how to maintain body temperature.”

That’s certainly true. Hot cookies alone won’t be enough. It would be better to also prepare magic stone hand warmers. They can’t be made in large quantities like the hot cookies. I’ll make the necessary amount after hearing the number of expedition members.

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