Chapter 642: The Chocolate-Making Machine

I returned to my room and immediately began building the magic tool. Since it was based on the automatic magic-stone crusher, its foundations took almost no time.

All I had to do was add a kneading function. I would make it possible to switch between crushing and kneading at the press of a button.

I drew upon everything I had learnt about gears and experimented repeatedly. Although the work was difficult, I eventually produced a functioning design.

Roasted cacao could be placed inside and crushed automatically. Pressing the switch would then make the machine perform the laborious kneading by itself.

This would save a great deal of time, and with enough machines, mass production should be possible.

“My own talent frightens me.”

“As expected of Lord Julius. You created such an extraordinary magic tool in no time at all.”

“It did take a reasonable amount of time, you know. Make sure you write that properly in your notebook.”

I protested as Nero’s eyes shone and his pen raced across the page. At this rate, he would produce a biography of Julius overflowing with fiction. I had to prevent that, at least. It would hardly be healthy for children in the future to regard me as some sort of god.

“That’s enough for today. Let us prepare for tomorrow. Good night, Nero.”

“Good night, my lord. Please excuse me.”

The next morning, I dressed and immediately carried the freshly completed chocolate-making machine to the kitchen. Breakfast was approaching, and the cooks hurried about their work.

I felt guilty for interrupting them, but I was determined to deliver this tool.

“Sorry to disturb you. Head Chef, I’ve brought a new magic tool—the chocolate-making machine.”

“Lord Julius? What’s this…?”

Nero handed the device to him. The head chef accepted it in confusion, and I explained how to use it. He quickly recognised its usefulness, and his face brightened.

“Thank you. I can’t believe you built such a magnificent magic tool for us. As expected of Lord Julius.”

“It shakes rather violently, so secure it firmly with this before using it.”

I handed him the vice I had prepared. By fastening the machine securely to the table, the cooks should be able to operate it safely. Regardless of the magic tool, safety always came first.

“I shall collect some chocolate this afternoon. Please make some that’s slightly bitter too.”

“Certainly. Leave it to me.”

Excellent. That afternoon, I needed to bring chocolate to the knights and secure their cooperation.

They would likely help even without payment, but as someone in a position of authority, I had my pride. I wouldn’t make them work for nothing.

“Ghood morghning, Brother Julius.”

“You look sleepy, Rosalia. You haven’t been secretly building magic tools in your room, have you?”

At my question, Nero gave me a look that plainly said I had no right to talk.

It was fine when I did it. Father and Mother had probably realised that I built magic tools in my room, yet they tacitly permitted it.

The problem was Rosalia. If she learnt the truth, she would undoubtedly imitate me. Then our parents would have no choice but to stop me as well, leaving me with nothing to do at night.

“I wasn’t building anything. I was only thinking about patterns for the gramophone I’m giving Sister-in-law Fabienne’s parents.”

“I see. Rosalia, you’re already a fine magic-tool artisan. Still, don’t push yourself. If your ideas refuse to come together, sleeping can help. Your mind will organise them while you rest.”

“I see. I shall do that from today.”

I stroked Rosalia’s head at her obedient reply and began eating the breakfast that had arrived.

In addition to the honey we usually spread on bread, today’s meal included chocolate cream.

Head Chef, when did you invent this? I certainly hadn’t taught him.

Rosalia found it at once and spread it over her bread. I hurried to do the same.

It complemented the toasted bread perfectly. Cream had been thoroughly blended into the chocolate, producing an exquisite flavour. As expected of the head chef. Entrusting the chocolate to him had been the right decision.

“Kyuu.”

“Oh, does Mira want some too?”

“Kyuu!”

Before I could even decide what to do, Mira bit into my bread. Hey, that’s bad manners.

They fell in love with it after one bite and ate single-mindedly while gripping my arm with both small paws.

Ah! My breakfast!

After eating, I went to collect Lady Fabienne as usual. On the way, I told her I had built the chocolate-making machine, and she stared at me in exasperation.

“Lord Julius, you must sleep properly at night.”

“Of course I know that. I didn’t stay awake until late building it.”

“Is that true?”

She regarded me suspiciously. This was clearly a prelude to questioning Nero later.

I believed I was perfectly fine, but I appeared to have worried Lady Fabienne considerably. I would have to be careful.

“Mira, please keep a close watch on Lord Julius for me.”

“Kyuu!”

Mira answered Lady Fabienne’s request energetically.

It seemed they would visit my room every night for the next several days. The fact that Lady Fabienne hadn’t entrusted the task to Nero suggested that she regarded him as my accomplice. I thought Nero was fully entitled to cry.