A mid-level (middle-aged) office worker's laid-back industrial revolution in another world - Chapter 41

Translator: Darling | Editor: Coming soon…

Takeo and Fredrick were headed to the kitchen.

Alice also followed along.

“This is the kitchen.”

It was a relatively big kitchen.

Surprisingly, it was at the center of the mansion.

“Ummm……….”

Fredrick was looking for someone.

A person seemed to have noticed Fredrick, as he came towards us.

“Oh, Fredrick? Dinner will be ready soon.”

He called out.

“As expected George, you’re always on time.

By the way Sir Takeo, this is George, the chief cook of the Elvis mansion.

George, this is Sir Takeo. I told you about him right?”

“I’m Takeo Kitamizato.

You can call me Takeo.

There were various twists and turns but now I’m in their care.

I’m Lady Alice’s subordinate.

Nice to meet you.”

“Ah, I’m George Glenville.

You can call me chef.

So, what happened?

If it’s about the food, it will be ready shortly?”

“That’s right, actually……….”

“Mr. Fredrick, I’ll explain.

Chef, I want to make pudding.”

“Hoo, I haven’t heard of it before.

Is it a main dish?”

“No. It’s a dessert. It can be eaten during tea time after dinner or when guests are visiting.”

“Hmm, it’s important to keep making new items. Alright.

What ingredients do you need? How much do you need?”

“The ingredients I need are; eggs, sugar, and milk. How many ceramic cups do you have?

If possible, I would like for everyone in this mansion to taste it.”

“Nnn……..eggs are expensive but we probably have enough of them.

However, we don’t have enough sugar. Can you substitute it with something else instead?”

“I see……..do you have honey?”

“Yes, we have lots of it.

We also have several small ceramic cups. Do you need anything else?”

“Do you have a frying pan or something to steam in?”

“We don’t have anything to steam in.”

“Then please prepare a frying pan and a fitting lid for it.”

“And…..”

Takeo and the chef continued with their meeting.

The chef instructed his subordinates to gather the items that Takeo asked for. From the ingredients to the ceramic cups, to the pan; they were asked to prepare everything.

“Lady Alice, Mr. Fredrick, please return to the living room for now.

I’ll finish making this by tea time so please eat your dinner without me as well.”

“Certainly.”

“I would like to stay here and watch but it seems that I will only be in the way………so I’ll leave as well.”

The two of them left the kitchen.

“Sorry for asking for something so difficult.”

Takeo told the chef after he saw Fredrick and Alice off.

“I don’t mind. It’s important to try out new things.

And then after eliminating the unnecessary ones, you can produce more delicious food.”

“If we fail, please send the entire bill to me.

I’ll pay for it.”

“If that happens, I’ll pay for half so please relax.”

“I’m sorry.”

“By the way Takeo, what you think of cooking?”

“It’s difficult to answer such a vague question.

Even so……….”

He looked at the surroundings.

The arrangement of food would soon be complete.

The guys who were free were also listening to our conversation.

“I think that cooking is magic.”

“Hoo, what is the reason?”

The chef asked with interest.

“Magic is solely looked at from a perspective for use during war.

However, if you can say that magic is used as a powerful force for war then even food is used as a powerful force.

Of course, you cannot save people, save the town, or defeat the enemy.

However, food has the power to bring smiles to people.

This is the best kind of magic.”

The chef nodded as he heard that.

“…………I’m a chef.

No matter how good you are at cooking, even if you use the best quality ingredients, if you cannot bring smiles to people then I think that it has no value.

Moreover, a person who cooks certain dishes when the specified ingredients are available isn’t really a cook according to me.

A true chef is one that has the power to bring smiles to people no matter the circumstance.

The ones that we have here are the top class chefs of this town.

Everyone, what was the first item that you cooked? 

Was it delicious? Did you fail to make it?……….

Even so, wasn’t the person who you cooked for with all your heart really happy with the food?

Don’t you feel that……….you want to cook delicious food for those smiles?

Don’t you think that a person can hold on to that original intent can become a good chef?

That’s why I think that a chef is a magician.”

When I looked around once again, the chef had his arms folded and eyes closed as he listened.

The others had stopped whatever work they were doing and were listening intently.

Ah?………Did I make a mistake? Takeo wondered as he felt a cold sweat.

Very soon- 

“Yes. That’s how it is.”

The chef patted Takeo’s back…………although it hurt…………

“Haha, I think I heard a good speech.”

“I didn’t intend to make a speech though? I only expressed my feelings.”

Takeo said but the chef wasn’t listening.

“Now then, shall we make that pudding?

Takeo, will you be able to make us smile?”

“Haha. I think it will be good if it captures your interest.”

With that, he began to make the pudding.