LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 72
As spring approached and summer drew near, the once desolate Wizard’s Tower, which had been empty during autumn and winter, was gradually filled with bustling wizards day by day.
However, even then, it hardly comprised a quarter of the laboratories strewn across the tower.
Due to their formidable magic, many held misconceptions about wizards, but fundamentally, they were researchers delving into the study of magic.
Simply put, they were office workers.
If such office workers were wandering outside, there clearly had to be a reason for it.
Perhaps they lacked sponsors and had to procure materials and funding directly.
Or maybe they couldn’t trust their subordinates and had no choice but to step in themselves.
Or perhaps they just enjoyed the delightful chaos of monsters and flames.
There were various reasons, but generally, those who entered the Wizard’s Tower were all researchers and kept a low profile, except for the occasional explosive sounds and shattering noises from the laboratories, nothing much had changed from before.
What had changed was the daily life of Catherine and Olivier.
What good was a title that rivaled that of the Grand Magic Consultant?
What did it matter to be one of the few Grand Wizards on the continent of Europa?
In reality, due to the lack of personnel, these two Grand Wizards had to run around on foot, enchant, cast spells, craft tools, and inspect facilities.
But that was all coming to an end.
Now that adept magic users, not mere lowly subordinates, were here, they’d have the tasks properly distributed according to their abilities, granting the two Grand Wizards a rather spacious schedule.
Compared to previous days soaked in overtime and late-night work, it was a true breath of relaxation.
Truly enjoying a leisurely break, Catherine took a bite of a meringue cookie that Mary had brought home.
The pink, acorn-sized meringue shattered like ice as she pressed her tongue against it, scattering into dust.
A subtle sweetness and fruity aroma briefly swirled about, but soon after, like morning mist dispersing in sunlight, it vanished without a trace in her mouth.
Catherine, sprawled out on a couch she’d found out of nowhere, devoid of the book and scroll she had been reading whenever she found a moment, was making a valiant effort to be lazy.
Her determination to catch up on all the rest she’d missed out on.
Her expression resembled a blend of a sloth, a slacker, and a panda.
With limbs sprawled out as though they might melt into the couch, it was truly a pitiful sight, but her radiant beauty turned that sight into a painting, giving Karem an odd experience of simmering frustration that soon fizzled out.
“At this rate, you’ll melt right into the sofa, Your Grace Atanitas.”
“Well, there shouldn’t be any urgent matters now, should there?”
“Surely, you must have things to handle as well?”
Of course, Karem was right.
Catherine still had a multitude of tasks awaiting her.
After all, in the end, she was the one who’d verify the reports and outcomes reported by the people below her.
Yet that was also filtered through the magic consultant committees under Catherine, who had been forcibly appointed as the de facto second-in-command of the Mage Tower under Olivier.
“You know, handling reports is merely about confirming documents and stamping them, and welcoming guests is easy as long as they’re the right caliber, so I have plenty of time. Plenty of time.”
“Didn’t you also have personal research? Weren’t you complaining about not having time to study before?”
“…..Research is just about having abundant time to do it, so it can wait until later.”
It was important, but not urgent. Tomorrow’s self would handle it, right?
“Please take care of me, future me!”
Catherine said nothing, but Karem could discern the meaning behind her expression.
The very person was aware of how ridiculous her words sounded, wearing a sheepish look.
However, it was only a fleeting moment.
Stung by Karem’s insolent gaze, she abruptly snapped back.
“Hey, your gaze is rude!”
“I haven’t said anything.”
“Even without words, your eyes convey everything you want to say. Hey!”
“….Sigh.”
It wasn’t entirely untrue.
After all, Catherine was his employer, and thanks to his work at Obsidianberry, he could even enjoy bonuses. It wouldn’t hurt to abide by this at least until the upcoming salary negotiations in autumn.
“So, what’s for lunch today?”
“…You’re holding a snack, after all.”
“Yeah. What’s that got to do with lunch? Is there something new?”
“No… Ah.”
Karem momentarily lost his words but soon enough, he really didn’t like it, yet he found himself understanding Catherine’s feelings.
In general, after eating breakfast, one would ponder what to eat for lunch, then consider dinner at lunchtime, and finally, think about breakfast again after dinner.
But that was that, and this was this.
Seeing her stretched out like a lazy golden cocoon, how could he not sigh?
Of course, even amidst that, Karem’s mind was racing as he had learned Catherine’s spells.
“Fresh beef and pork just arrived, so how about we mix it with vegetables, add breadcrumbs, and make a baked meatloaf for the main dish with egg mayonnaise and a few side dishes?”
“Meatloaf? It’s been a while since I had a dish from Eisenwald.”
Though the name sounded appealing, when you broke it down, it was essentially a huge bread-like meatball given that ‘loaf’ was in the name.
The taste was similar to a meatball, and the ingredients were hardly different.
It was primarily based on ground meat and vegetables, with breadcrumbs being added according to personal preference.
However, the main difference was likely the size, necessitating smoking or an oven, and while meatballs simmer in sauce, meatloaf is often baked with multiple layers of sauce.
Due to that simple ingredient and cooking method, various variations exist across regions, making meatloaf quite flexible.
Catherine, who hadn’t thought much of the menu, accepted it with enthusiasm.
“But you plan to mix both beef and pork?”
“The flavor of beef, cooked as if fried in pork fat, and the tenderness lent by the pork—could you really resist that?”
“Ha, that’s something I absolutely can’t refuse.”
Even just a simple description made Catherine quietly marvel, as one could easily imagine that flavor.
After all, the combination of beef and pork was common and hard to go wrong.
Then suddenly, Catherine turned her head as if something had clicked.
“We won’t have time to smoke it, so we’ll bake it in the oven, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then make sure to bake thinly sliced bacon along with it.”
“Shall I crisp it up?”
“Make it crumbly as if it’s falling apart.”
“Streaky bacon?”
“That goes without saying.”
On the continent of Europa, bacon from pork loin and tenderloin was the norm.
Though Catherine took it for granted, Karem’s previous experience with the pork belly bacon shattered that notion completely.
It was bound to be shattered.
Because, frankly, chewy and dry bacon couldn’t compete with the crispy and crumbly texture of belly bacon.
At least for Catherine, she preferred the belly cuts a bit more.
If a few sides came with it, surely a warm soup would accompany as well; if sprinkled and eaten, it would… wait, warm?
The Grand Wizard, lost in thoughts of lunch, suddenly halted, then opened her mouth.
“Oh, right. I almost forgot about that.”
“Hmm? What? Did you forget something?”
“Ugh, that’s not it. Mary.”
“Ah, are you referring to that? Understood.”
Without needing a subject in the sentence, Mary seemed to know precisely what to say, swiftly placing another meringue cookie into Catherine’s mouth before rising from her seat.
If it wasn’t about a forgotten item or task, perhaps a sudden matter was rolling in just like during Prince Godwin’s meal before?
But it was none of that.
“I’ll congratulate you first.”
“What? Are you granting me an extra bonus?”
“Well, that part isn’t entirely wrong.”
“Hm? Really?”
“Not from me, but rather from our lord as a reward.”
Whispers spread like wildfire in the humid spring breeze, as interesting news and information permeated throughout Iceland.
In Coldon, a trend of eating poisonous herbs was going around.
Renowned Grand Wizards were hired in Winterhome.
And unsurprisingly, a diplomat from Adobice had visited Iceland and praised the cuisine.
And the rewards for Catherine and Karem were related to this.
The reason for the rewards was that the diplomat from Adobice had praised Icelandic culture, enhancing the reputation of Duke Alfred Felwinter, who hired Karem through Catherine.
The achievements of the subordinates directly related to the accomplishments of their lord.
And those in recognition of those duties required a reward.
After finishing her lunch, Catherine was summoned to Duke Alfred’s office, along with Karem and Mary, under the pretext of discussing the rewards.
“Moreover, Karem, your vision has greatly enriched the kitchen and table of Winterhome, and you unveiled that the Fire Witch Finger is not a poison, thereby discovering new resources for Iceland as well.”
“Wow…”
With heaps of stacked documents pile upon pile, Karem silently listened in that office, which hadn’t changed since his visit in winter.
For nobles, honor, fame, and reputation could sometimes outweigh even their very lives.
In that regard, the contributions of Karem and Catherine were certainly noteworthy.
The Fire Witch Finger, set to become a new import in Iceland.
The increased bounty on Felwinter’s table, thanks to Karem’s unreserved visions.
And successfully impressing the guest from Adobice, Nepakek.
As for Catherine? The achievements of her subordinates would naturally be ascribed to her.
Above all, the true merit of Catherine lay in having discovered and employed Karem.
And that was undeniably a substantial contribution.
Had she not discovered Karem, none of the three would have ever come to fruition.
After concluding his explanation, Alfred shook a small bell.
At that signal, Iona entered along with knights and soldiers, carrying a cushion adorned with a splendid silk scroll. Karem reflexively rose alongside Catherine and Mary, kneeling on one knee.
“Katherine Marigold Atanitas’ servant and cook Karem is granted the right to choose and possess one item from the treasure vault of the Felwinter family, as a reward for discovering new resources for Iceland and enhancing the reputation of the Felwinter family.”
Just as Karem thought it was over and glanced sideways, Iona’s voice continued, prompting him to quickly assume the original position.
“Additionally, the same right shall be granted to Catherine Marigold Atanitas, who discovered and enlisted the cook Karem, and along with accepting the previous budget increase request, one estate shall be assigned to the Mage Tower.”
And as Iona’s words continued, knights and soldiers, and though nobody could see it due to her bowed head, Catherine gasped silently in shock.
The treasure vault of the Felwinter family.
Even the poorest noble house would have a storage room for their assets, but the treasure vault of the Felwinter family was on another level.
In terms of family stature, it was comparable to that of a royal family, and in terms of history, they could be seen as having a legacy far longer than the Kingdom of Seophone.
Honestly, Karem felt a flicker of excitement too.
He was, after all, a man.
Mountains of gold coins, enchanted equipment and tools, relics imbued with a long history, and gold and silver bars piled high.
It would be strange for a man to hear the word treasure vault and not have his heart race.