On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 224

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Organization Collapsed on My First Day of Infiltration Episode 224

 

In Search of the Greatest Chef (2)

 

Gilbert was flustered by how young he was, but Ziel was not at all.

 

“Theo, did you make this?”

 

“Yes, I did!”

 

“It was very delicious.”

 

“Th-thank you.”

 

As Theo bowed his head, unbelievable words reached his ears.

 

“The texture of the minced meat was good, but the sauce was very harmonious. The sweetness of onions, the sourness of lemon, and even a bit of spiciness was added, along with an unknown ingredient that was salty and full of umami. And the fried meat on top of the tartare also made the texture more diverse.”

 

He was correctly identifying all the ingredients used in making it.

 

“The meat on top seems different from the minced raw meat. I suspect it’s fried veal from the meat shop.”

 

“….”

 

Not only Theo but also Rohan beside him was surprised.

 

‘He can tell all of that?’

 

Rohan knew all the people who claimed to be gourmets within the Empire.

 

Because all of them had visited his restaurant at least once.

 

But none of them could identify things as accurately and calmly as Ziel did.

 

Most of them spoke while spitting and full of all kinds of knowledge and pretense.

 

Even then, they were wrong most of the time.

 

It was even rare for someone to critique an appetizer like this, not even a main dish.

 

‘He really ate it properly.’

 

Rohan felt joy.

 

So how must Theo, who actually made that food, be feeling?

 

Looking at his expression, he seemed unable to hide his joy at all.

 

“It was so good. So I’d like to make you a scouting offer.”

 

Ziel spoke straightforwardly.

 

Theo had also heard briefly from Rohan.

 

“Good salary, guaranteed rest, and we’ll even provide accommodation.”

 

Theo hesitated for a moment before speaking.

 

“Um, would it be okay if I give you an answer a little later instead of now?”

 

“Is there a reason?”

 

“The main course should be coming out soon, and I think talking with me might interfere with the customers enjoying their course meal….”

 

Gilbert was surprised.

 

To think someone who looked so young had such deep thoughts.

 

He thought how different this person was, trembling slightly but saying exactly what he needed to say.

 

Ziel also nodded.

 

He happened to want to try the next dish anyway.

 

“Let’s do that.”

 

“Thank you, sir. Then I’ll greet you again after the meal is finished.”

 

Seeing Theo bow his head, Rohan became slightly anxious.

 

‘He’s not going to leave, is he?’

 

Theo possessed genius-level cooking skills, already handling one dish in this kitchen at the age of 17.

 

So from Rohan’s perspective, he definitely wanted to keep him, but the other party happened to be someone who properly praised his cooking.

 

Chefs are naturally drawn to people who appreciate their cooking.

 

“Theo.”

 

“Yes, Head Chef.”

 

“Do you want to go?”

 

“….”

 

Returning to the kitchen, Theo hesitated for a moment before answering.

 

“…I’m not sure. I haven’t heard the conditions, and I don’t know what kind of place the Faculty Dormitory Kitchen is. I do want to learn more though….”

 

Rohan knew well what was hidden in those trailing words.

 

His family.

 

Theo had two young siblings, and his mother had been bedridden for a long time.

 

His father had left saying he would earn money and hadn’t been heard from since.

 

Theo was the breadwinner.

 

So honestly, if they offered more money, there was no justification to stop him.

 

“Think carefully and decide. Think only of yourself.”

 

Fortunately, Rohan wasn’t that bad of an adult, and Theo expressed his gratitude.

 

“Thank you, Head Chef.”

 

Theo began working again.

 

Rohan watched him with pitying eyes.

 

The attitude he had just shown to Ziel was too mature for a child.

 

While it was amazing to some, to someone like Rohan it was just pitiful.

 

‘If the treatment is good, it might actually be better for him.’

 

During the service time that followed, Theo concentrated only on work without saying anything.

 

Then finally, when the meal including dessert was finished.

 

‘There was no dish that pleased me more than that one.’

 

While all the dishes were delicious, what suited Ziel’s taste the most was the beef tartare made by Theo.

 

Despite being an overall cold dish, the fact that it beat the hot dishes was incredible.

 

‘Being cold, I think I could really taste and smell the ingredients, especially the sauce.’

 

“Boss, but isn’t he too young?”

 

“As long as he has the skills, anyone is fine. It would be great if we could bring him over.”

 

The Boss had never seemed this eager before.

 

And it felt very much like the Boss.

 

‘In terms of efficiency, having a chef stationed in the dormitory kitchen would be the best.’

 

Much more efficient than constantly going out to find restaurants!

 

Gilbert was honestly excited too.

 

‘It was really delicious. If I could eat something that tasty every day…’

 

It felt like happiness would explode.

 

“Good evening, Teacher Ziel Steelheart, Teaching Assistant Gilbert.”

 

Then Theo came over to their table.

 

“I hope the meal was to your liking.”

 

“It was excellent.”

 

“It was very good.”

 

Theo nodded and continued speaking.

 

“I’ve given Teacher Ziel Steelheart’s proposal careful thought. If it’s not too presumptuous, may I hear the working conditions?”

 

“Double your current salary, a separate room provided in the Faculty Dormitory, and we’ll supply whatever ingredients you want in whatever quantities you desire.”

 

“…!”

 

Theo’s eyes wavered at the exceptional conditions.

 

‘This is almost… like being a personal chef.’

 

A personal chef!

 

While some people like Rohan who ran Leganes opened their own restaurants, some chefs became personal chefs for individual nobles.

 

People who cooked only for that one noble, or their family!

 

The quantities to prepare weren’t that large, but the salary was high, so as long as you maintained and developed your skills well, it was a worry-free position.

 

It was also the position Theo wanted most.

 

“…”

 

But leaving Rohan, who had raised him, wasn’t an easy thing either.

 

It was then, while Theo was pondering.

 

“Theo.”

 

“H-Head Chef.”

 

“What are you doing not accepting?”

 

Theo flinched.

 

“I’m grateful for the kindness you showed in taking me in and raising me, Head Chef…”

 

“That gratitude is important, but your family isn’t?”

 

“…”

 

“Accept it. He properly recognizes your cooking and the conditions are even good – is there any reason not to go?”

 

Theo began to tear up.

 

“But don’t get complacent. Properly display what you learned from me and hone your skills. Since it’s a dormitory, there will be many people there.”

 

At most there were three.

 

With Theo added, it would be four.

 

‘But he’ll probably have to prepare food for dozens of people each time.’

 

Gilbert thought they’d probably need about two more chefs.

 

“…I understand, Head Chef. Thank you for everything.”

 

“Many people leave and enter this business anyway. You’re not special to me.”

 

At his deliberately cold words, Theo recognized the intention and teared up.

 

“The customers are watching. Don’t cry.”

 

“Yes…”

 

Theo quickly wiped his tears and asked Ziel.

 

“When should I start work?”

 

“We’re currently doing internal renovations. It should be finished in about a week, so please come to the Academy then.”

 

“I understand.”

 

Rohan watched this scene with lingering regret.

 

He had told him to go, but there was no one else like that kid.

 

‘I can’t provide him with that level of treatment…’

 

High-end restaurants like Leganes employed many staff for the highest quality and service.

 

No matter how expensive the food was, there wasn’t much profit left, so it couldn’t be helped.

 

‘I can only hope he does well.’

 

Imagining Theo’s name spreading widely throughout the culinary world someday seemed to make him feel a little better.

 

“In a week, I’ll be waiting at the Edelwein Academy Main Gate at 10 o’clock.”

 

“Yes, I understand. Teacher Ziel.”

 

Finally achieving their purpose, Ziel and Gilbert rose from their seats.

 

“It was a delightful meal.”

 

Having accomplished his goal at the last restaurant, Ziel was in an excellent mood.

 

And it was just as they were leaving the restaurant.

 

“Teacher Ziel!”

 

Rohan called out to the two, stopping them momentarily.

 

“Head Chef Rohan Leganes, what can I do for you?”

 

“Ah, well. I have a favor to ask.”

 

“A favor, you say?”

 

“That boy, when he goes there, please take good care of him.”

 

“Does it sound like the treatment will be inadequate?”

 

“Not at all. How could that be? It would be a dream offer that all chefs would want. What I mean is… I’m just asking you to take good care of him. He’s a boy I was fond of.”

 

Ziel nodded at Rohan’s heartfelt request.

 

“Understood. I will treat him well as a chef.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Gilbert’s heart was touched seeing the head chef of a restaurant like Leganes earnestly making such a request.

 

‘He learned cooking from a good person.’

 

After Rohan left, Gilbert asked.

 

“Boss, but considering how much we eat… will that friend be able to handle it alone?”

 

“We’ll have him try, and if it’s difficult, you guys will help.”

 

“…Us guys?”

 

“You and Kelvin.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Sudden kitchen assistant appointment!

 

“I’ll pay separate wages for that.”

 

Ziel was not an exploitative employer.

 

Perhaps his past of working without pay during his assassin days still bothered him deeply.

 

“If you assign work, you must pay money.”

 

“That’s… right.”

 

“Don’t worry. I’ll throw in a dagger too. For both you and Kelvin.”

 

“…”

 

But fortunately, Gilbert never had to work as a kitchen assistant.

 

About a week later.

 

With the start of the semester not far away.

 

The cooking facility renovation was finally complete, and Theo visited the Academy and set foot in the Faculty Dormitory for the first time.

 

“Wow…”

 

A kitchen so dazzling and magnificent it could make one’s eyes spin welcomed Theo.

 

“How is it?”

 

“It’s, it’s too wonderful… Teacher. Will I be using this entire kitchen by myself?”

 

“If needed, two other people will help you.”

 

“Huh? Two people, you mean…”

 

“Gilbert, and Kelvin.”

 

“Ah. The Teaching Assistant I met before, and the assistant instructor you mentioned.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Theo shook his head.

 

“No, I’ll try doing it by myself. I heard you eat a lot, but I’ll try to handle it all somehow.”

 

“Understood. But if you need help, please let me know.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Theo burned with motivation.

 

‘From today, I’m the head chef.’

 

He was alone in this kitchen.

 

So at least in this kitchen, he had to take responsibility for everything.

 

‘From then on, you’re the head chef, Theo. A head chef is someone who must take responsibility for everything that happens in the kitchen.’

 

Theo recalled the teachings of his master, Rohan.

 

“Well then, I’ll go buy some ingredients first.”

 

“I’ve already bought them.”

 

“What?”

 

Ziel opened the storage door.

 

The moment it opened, a whoosh of cold air rushed out.

 

“I sought some separate advice. One can store general ingredients, and one is a place where things can be stored frozen.”

 

Theo’s mouth fell wide open.

 

That was a place so expensive that even at Leganes they could only use it for a few hours a day.

 

It was a storage facility that controlled temperature with magical tools.

 

‘It’s cold.’

 

Could coldness ever be such a joyful thing?

 

And the amazing thing wasn’t just this refrigeration device.

 

“Good heavens….”

 

It seemed like all the ingredients in the world had been gathered here.

 

Vegetables.

 

Meat.

 

Fish.

 

And even various rare ingredients.

 

“All of this….”

 

“We didn’t know much, so we just put everything in one place. Head Chef Theo can use them as you please.”

 

Head Chef Theo.

 

The moment he heard those words, Theo’s eyes changed.

 

“From today on, I’ll take responsibility for Teacher’s meals.”

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