Are MZ Shamans In Trouble In Romance Novels? - Chapter 5

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

5.

End of the first floor corridor-.

“Joanna! Some broth over here!”

Through the open doorway, chefs and servants could be seen bustling about busily. The spacious kitchen was filled with well-maintained cooking utensils and all kinds of ingredients.

“The kitchen?”

Calisia, who had followed Isaac thinking she might as well give it a try, pressed her eye close to the narrow gap.

“Move quickly!”

A middle-aged man with a sturdy build and dull blonde hair shouted at the chefs. Head Chef Scott Anderson. He checked every cooking process with sharp eyes.

Coq au vin with tender chicken simmered in red wine, juicy steak with mashed potatoes, wild berry tart made with raspberries glazed in honey.

-Gulp.

Isaac drooled at the feast of appetizing dishes. Even though he no longer needed to eat or drink, his appetite remained. It was truly a tantalizing sight, like a picture of rice cakes.

Regardless, Calisia stared intently into the kitchen until her eyes nearly popped out. Servants carrying ingredients, chefs with their noses buried in pans and cutting boards. There were no hidden masters from her imagination or great mages breathing fire. She could only see tired office workers worn down by their duties.

-He’s right over there!

Then Isaac stretched out his arm. His translucent hand passed through the door, pointing to the left side of the kitchen. Calisia widened her eyes and gently pushed the door with her face.

-Slice it a bit thinner.

-Chop the shrimp meat a little more!

-You need to add a bit more pepper to bring out the flavor!

-None of them are doing it properly, tsk!

Gray hair neatly swept back and thick eyebrows. A stubborn-looking mouth and red eyes. Some ghost was hovering around the chefs. He went around giving advice on everything as if he were the head chef himself.

“What kind of ghost complains about side dishes like that. That ghost really has it made.”

-That’s him! The Previous Head of House. So he’s your great-great-grandfather, Miss.

“That ghost is the Previous Head of House?”

Calisia crossed her arms and looked the Previous Head of House up and down. Seeing that his appearance was young, it seemed he hadn’t died of old age.

‘Well… either way, that gentleman can teach me the Power of Fire, right.’

Calisia stuck out her tongue to moisten her dry lips.

“But would he teach me for free? Just looking at him, he seems too stubborn to teach anyone anything.”

Not all ancestors wished for their descendants’ well-being. The further back the generations went, the thinner the blood ties became, and in some cases, there were those who even harmed their descendants.

-He’s not usually like that. It’s around this time that marks the Previous Duchess’s death anniversary, so his nerves are a bit on edge. Though it’s true he’s not an easy-going person.

“The Duchess?”

-The Previous Head of House was famous for being extremely devoted to his wife. His love was so profound that the Previous Duchess came from the Eastern Region, and sometimes when she was homesick…

The Previous Duke agonized for days and nights for his wife who missed her home. After some time, he obtained Lafloria flowers that only bloomed in the Eastern Region and personally filled the garden with them.

-The sight of the two enjoying tea time in the flower garden was said to be like a painting. The Previous Head of House is famous as a war hero, but he’s also romantic like this. According to the Valus History Book…

“Enough, what do those flowers look like?”

-…Tch. Just a moment.

Isaac puffed his cheeks and snapped his fingers. Then a plump flower bud appeared in the air. Peach-colored petals bloomed as if stretching.

A lotus.

Lafloria looked exactly like a red lotus. After staring at the flower for quite a while, Calisia turned her gaze back to the doorway.

“What? Where did that man go!”

Calisia opened the door and looked around with wide eyes. The Previous Head of House who had been enthusiastically sweeping through the kitchen was nowhere to be seen.

-You! Can you see me!

Then, the Previous Head of House who had disappeared suddenly thrust his face right up to hers.

“Ahhh!”

Calisia reflexively threw a punch. It was because of the Previous Head of House who had suddenly popped out. Along with a solid impact sound, a tingling sensation rose from her fingertips.

“Ah, um.”

Calisia bit her upper lip and folded her hands neatly. The habit of throwing punches first when startled was a kind of occupational hazard.

To make an excuse, unlike people, ghosts had very free stealth abilities. The ceiling was nothing, and there were countless cases of them appearing from underfoot or attached to objects.

So she had to always stay alert and maintain an attack stance.

-…Huh.

The Previous Head of House grabbed his jaw that had turned to the side and let out a bitter laugh. He was speechless with disbelief.

Did I just get hit by that tiny thing? A frail young lady from a noble family. What was even more surprising was that those soft fists packed quite a punch.

His jaw was still aching, after all.

Wait.

-…My jaw is aching. Aching?

How,

could it be aching.

Deorik’s eyes suddenly gleamed sharply as he pondered the pain. Basically, the dead could not touch the living.

Because they belonged to different worlds, like the afterlife and this world.

But what about this little mouse? Not only could she see and hear him, but she could even touch him.

-You, what did you just do!

Then, a thick shout came from inside the kitchen.

“Who is it!”

The head chef who had been directing the cooking threw down his apron and moved forward. Snorting heavily, he roughly pulled open the half-open kitchen door.

“Who dares cause a commotion in front of the kitchen!”

The head chef was furious, saying he would teach whoever it was a lesson. But despite his anger, all he could see was some unfamiliar young girl.

“…By any chance, are you Lady Calisia?”

The head chef, who had been silent for a while, spoke with difficulty.

“You know me?”

“Yes. You still have traces of your childhood appearance. It’s been a long time since I’ve greeted you.”

The head chef bowed his head with joy. Old memories came flooding back. The cute little lady who was particularly fond of wild berry tarts.

“I am Scott Anderson, responsible for the Duke’s Castle kitchen.”

His sharp eyes softened and a gentle smile appeared on his lips.

-Mr. Anderson has worked in the kitchen for over 40 years. He’s also someone who hasn’t allied with any of the ladies, including the Second Wife.

Isaac quickly added. Even the mighty Second Wife couldn’t win over every servant.

“Then this might go faster. Could I possibly use the kitchen once you’re done preparing meals?”

Calisia raised an eyebrow and asked with delight. She had thought of a way to score points with the Previous Head of House.

“May I ask what this is for?”

It was extremely rare for high-ranking nobles to enter the kitchen. Even then, it was usually because young ladies threw tantrums about wanting to bake cookies.

“Ah… well, you see. Euijk. Pleasant story, heart, heart!”

At the head chef’s question, Calisia tried ventriloquism with all her might. Isaac, who cleverly understood the signal, stuck close to the Previous Head of House.

-This is Lady Calisia, the Duke’s great-granddaughter. The young lady lost her mother early and was mistreated by the evil Second Wife. Not only that, but she was even humiliated by being driven to the Castle of Ash…

A heartbreaking story and filial piety. Isaac began faithfully carrying out his assigned mission. Even the Previously Head of House, who had been raging, seemed much calmer.

“It’s around this time that marks my great-great-grandmother’s death anniversary. I heard she loved Lafloria flowers, but they can’t be found in the Western Region. I want to make cookies shaped like Lafloria flowers and place them at the gravesite.”

Calisia showed a lonely smile and gazed into the air. Please just let this slide.

-Miss! The Fourth Lady was also from the Eastern Region!

Isaac added a timely comment.

“And since my mother was also from the Eastern Region…”

Calisia pretended to choke up and trailed off.

“…I’ll have the kitchen cleared as soon as meal preparation is finished. Also, if you tell me what ingredients you need, I’ll prepare them in advance.”

Scott bowed his head and returned to the kitchen.

***

After the commotion passed, an awkward silence settled. One human and two ghosts. With such an unusual combination, no one could easily break the silence.

-How can you touch me… no, before that, why did you come looking for me.

The first to break the silence was Deorik.

“I who usually enjoyed reading the Valus History Book about my great-great-grandfather and great-great-grandmother who were like a pair of mandarin ducks…”

-The young lady, even while her life was in danger, for the sake of her great-great-grandmother, the Lafloria flowers…

Calisia and Isaac, who had been reading the room, seized the moment to pour out their prepared lines.

-Stop! Both of you, quit the act.

Deorik raised his hand to halt the situation. Whatever scheme they had, it was already giving him a headache.

-Calisia Valus. What do you want from me? I don’t like those with loose tongues.

“We have the same taste. I’m also of the belief that briefings should be as concise as possible.”

Calisia spouted words she didn’t mean, remarking how even this was similar. It was the effect of the passive skill ‘The boss is always right’ that every office worker possesses.

“Please teach me the Power of Fire. Within a month.”

-Now I see you’re a half-breed who hasn’t awakened a Special Ability yet. Valus doesn’t welcome those without talent. You know this well.

A clan raised on ruthlessness. That was the phrase that succinctly described Valus. Though there were unfair aspects, she had no desire to deny it either.

“Grandfather. The thing is…”

※ Office Worker Translator in use ※

[Embarrassed that your raw sincerity slipped out! Don’t worry anymore. The Office Worker Translator will paraphrase your rough charm into a more refined tone! Try it right now!]

Language Detection: Inner Thoughts

> How long do I have to cater to your whims? If you’re done checking, just approve it.

Translating…

> I hope to awaken even a meager talent.

-Meager talent. Sometimes such things become poison.

Deorik clicked his tongue inside his mouth. Even within Valus, there were those with humble talents. They were the secret assassination unit called The Scorched Ones.

Those who survived the ritual but lacked innate power, their entire bodies melted by fire. A lifetime of groaning in agony versus the joy of possessing even a trace of talent. Which of the two would truly weigh heavier?

“That may be so. But…”

※ Office Worker Translator in use ※

Language Detection: Inner Thoughts

> What do you care what happens to others? Just teach me already.

Translating…

> Whether to embrace that poison or not would be one’s own choice, wouldn’t it?

“And I’m not asking you to teach me for free. The closer the relationship, the more clear-cut and clean the transaction should be.”

-A transaction. Well, is there anything you could give me?

Deorik spoke with an indifferent expression.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————