Sweet Reincarnation (おかしな転生)

It's the second and last day

of the Patissier World Tournament,

and we've at last arrived at the grand finale!

Pure spectacle.

It's no wonder why they call him the Patissier Chosen One.

It's magnificent!

The challenge

for the final round

is candy sculpture.

He's almost guaranteed

to be named the world's greatest patissier!

Just look around.

It's a wonderland of sweets.

I will win this thing.

Then, I'll finally have achieved it,

my childhood dream!

The chefs are moving their finished pieces

to the judging area now.

This is it. On three.

One, two... three!

This feeling...

Huh, am I dying?

I wanted to make the world's greatest sweets

before I passed away.

I was going to create a land of sweets

that made everyone everywhere smile.

That dream is over now.

God, you are far too cruel.

Well, then, so be it.

I shall grant you one more chance.

Huh? Who's there?

Your new name shall be

Pastry Mille Morteln!

The Fief of Morteln.

My father, Casserole Mille Morteln,

is the suzerain lord of this place.

Before him, it was a barren land.

One that could barely grow wheat.

- Easy there, boy. - My father worked hard

alongside those who moved there with him

and the people already living there.

Together, they spent almost 20 years

diligently cultivating the soil.

That hard work paid off.

We've managed to grow to a fief of three villages.

They're about 40 people each

with harvests of both wheat and barley.

Come now! Give it your all!

I'm just getting warmed up!

- -

You're getting sloppy with your grip again.

Yes, sir.

It's been nine years since I was reincarnated

as the son of suzerain lord, Sir Casserole.

That's it!

Grip so firmly I'd have to tear off your hand

to get that blade.

Yes, sir!

I was raised by my father, a military hero,

my kind mother and my five older sisters.

It's been a relatively happy life.

Except, our fief can't grow sugar.

That means it's nearly impossible

to get sweet things here.

Gosh, how nice it would be to make sweets again!

- You're distracted! -

My lord! I have some news!

Still at it, I see.

I doubt you're even aware it's almost time for breakfast.

Right, then we'll end our lesson here.

Yes, sir. Thank you very much.

Now then, Feuille. Go on.

I have both good news and bad news for you.

Which do you want first?

Regardless, I'll have to listen to them each

in due course.

I suppose let's start with the good.

Right. The bean fields are absolutely thriving.

They should yield a significant harvest.

Seems like the kid's advice worked out.

Sprinkle lime on the soil.

That will improve the crop yield!

It appears I was right

to take your suggestion.

We'll have a bumper bean crop this year.

I may still be limited to simple bean dishes at first,

but caramelized roasted soybeans are a classic tea snack.

You can sprinkle on soybean flour for extra flavor.

Wherever did you learn about such things?

Oh!

They wouldn't believe it's because...

-Just more daydreams. - ...I was reincarnated.

Well, strange as it is,

you've always been prone to such flights of fancy.

That imagination of yours has produced a lot of great ideas,

and they've all resulted in good things for the fief

over the past few years.

It's like you're already a little shadow suzerain!

Now, it's time for the bad news, Feuille.

Regarding the County of Retes,

attempts to stop some bandits there have failed.

The bandits prevailed?

I'm told the stragglers escaped,

and are heading our way.

How many?

There's about 50.

If bandits come here, they'll ravage our fields.

Both the beans we worked so hard for

and our precious wheat.

At their current pace,

they should arrive in two months' time.

Only two months.

Our only chance is to rally the villagers.

We must try our best

to drive them off with pikes and slings.

Even if we pull from all three villages,

that's only 30 men at most.

We'll barely be able to slow them down.

And in a prolonged battle,

we're doomed for sure.

Perhaps we could use the village canal

to our advantage.

Hole up there to buy time

while I ask Count Retes for reinforcements.

If anyone could do it, it's you.

Just one problem.

That would be Count Retes's reputation.

If we were to defeat the bandits

that the county failed to stamp out,

it would subject the count to accusations of incompetence.

That means we cannot rely on them for reinforcements.

The ideal outcome for the count

would be for us to fail

so that the Margravate of Hubarek...

What will become of Father?

He has three resident retainers including Feuille.

It won't be an easy fight.

But the beans and most of all the wheat,

I need them all for making sweets!

They can't take that from me.

Huh?

I like that look, kid.

He's finally starting to feel his calling

as our fief's next suzerain lord.

I won't lose it again.

My precious dream to create a land of sweets.

I'll make them regret the day they were born!

No matter how you slice it,

the only way out of this situation

is going to be a big gamble, friend.

Mind that this is just my instinct talking.

I have an idea.

What if we use the kid here as our secret trump card?

How so?

If the gamble pays off,

your son may live up to your reputation after all.

You know I've always trusted your instinct,

but it would take magic to...

The Sanctification!

Exactly!

Uh?

Agnes, Josephine, listen to me.

I'm going to put Pas through the Sanctification Ceremony.

Darling, no!

Surely that is asking too much too soon of our sweet boy.

You know as well as I do

how bright our son is.

He's at the top of his age group in many things,

including the sword.

But still...

I've made my decision, Agnes.

He is accomplished with both pen and blade.

The Sanctification Ceremony

is this world's coming-of-age ritual.

I'm only nine,

so it is a bit early for me to take it,

but that's what I want!

Still, this must be a real shock for Mother.

Kids are usually between 13 and 15

when they participate.

Though, I had hoped for just a little longer

with our sweet boy as a child.

We set out in three days' time.

Make the preparations.

I will.

Josie, how would you like to help me with that?

-Certainly, Mother! I'd love to! -After all,

our little Pas must represent the entire family's reputation

before becoming a man.

That's correct. He must be perfect. Yes.

- - Not good.

It never bodes well when they smile like that!

Please help me, Father!

Sorry eating.

Father!

So cute!

Wait a minute!

How do you not see that you're traumatizing me?

Aw, doesn't he look so precious like that!