The Unaware Atelier Meister

Full Moon Buns

I'll do my best to help them again today!

Huh?!

Huh?

What's the matter?

Our lord has requested the hot-springs buns from here.

If you would please prepare around 100 with haste.

What's more,

they also said they want us to bring our chef to the castle.

It's almost time to open the shop,

so I can't afford to leave here.

I see.

In that case, I'll make them now,

and then go to the castle with them,

so you won't need to worry!

Ohh!

Oh, right, everyone!

If you're okay with the test samples I just made,

then while you're waiting,

help yourselves!

We're grateful.

Now to dig in.

Sorry for the wait!

Wait, huh?

A-Are you all right?

What were we just doing?!

You must have been seriously worn out to fall asleep while standing!

No, actually,

I'm shocked that all the fatigue from guarding the festival is gone in a flash.

That makes sense!

It's common to hear about feeling refreshed after eating something sweet!

Kurt,

take care!

They're incredible, getting an order from the castle.

Huh? But isn't the lord here...

Open the gates!

Margrave Taicone's castle?

This is the castle where Hildegarde is being held prisoner!

The Unaware

ATELIER MEISTER

~A Common Tale About the Former Head of Chores for a Party of Heroes That Turned Out to be SSS-Rank in Everything Except Combat Skills~

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The Margrave's Secret

Huh?!

The sweets are meant to be served to the Princess?!

I made them since I heard it was an urgent order,

but I won't get arrested for disrespect if they're served, right?

You needn't worry.

Though could you remain here until their meeting is over?

Huh?

Because the Margrave or Her Majesty might call for the chef.

I understand.

Well, I'll see you later then.

Bye-bye!

Ahem.

I only recently heard about it,

but it seems that one of the chefs in town was terribly rude to you yesterday.

Oh no, you don't need to worry about it.

It's not as if you sent him after me.

H-Heaven's no!

It sounds like Lise's handling things well.

Either way, I can't afford to leave this space.

I guess I can't meet up with Kurt.

Please, don't do anything uncalled for, Kurt!

That looks yummy!

I'm going to eat it!

I won't let bad kids eat any!

Roar! I'll be a good kid!

I wonder if things are going well for Yulishia and the others?

I feel like I could go past that door right now.

But I shouldn't do anything uncalled for.

Hmm, It's bugging me.

Papa, what's wrong?

Oh, well,

one of Papa's friends might be beyond that door.

Friends?

Yeah.

But it's currently locked and keeping me out.

I just hope they're all right.

Then I'll take you to them!

Where are we?

Are we...

We're past the door!

Let's search for your friend!

Does that mean I can teleport with Akuri when touching her?

But we shouldn't be in here.

Akuri, take us back where we were!

Huh?

I can't.

You can't?

This happened before, too.

Maybe she's not able to teleport again right away?

I said we'd look for your friend.

Oh, sorry, Akuri.

It's all right.

Is there someone there?

A grown woman's voice?

It can't be...

Who are you?

Is it Hildegarde?

I know I shouldn't,

but if she's right there, then I want to save her!

I heard it was a complicated lock,

but I can handle this!

Hey? What are you doing over there?

I'll have it open soon, so wait!

It's open.

Hildegarde!

You're not her?

I'd like to get right down to business.

Sir Rikuto, I'd like to appoint you as viceroy.

Before I give you my answer, may I ask you a few questions?

Alone, if possible.

I'll step outside for a while then.

Just as I suspected,

that sly fox has some secret he doesn't want me to hear about.

So what are your questions?

I'm not very good at negotiations like Princess Liselotte,

so I'll get straight to the point.

What are you seeking from me?

Well now, I'd say you're quite understanding, not bad at negotiations.

Sir Rikuto,

do you have any interest in eternal youth?

My, what an unusual guest.

Please, come on in, young boy.

Huh?

It's not Hildegarde?

She doesn't have horns either.

So who is she?

Cute young lady, you and your stuffed animal can come closer too.

Are you sick, old lady?

Yes.

I haven't had much of an appetite lately.

You'll feel better if you eat this!

My! And what is this?

A hot spring bun!

Papa made them!

It's good.

I shouldn't be able to taste anything anymore...

I can't believe I found something so delicious.

Oh, this woman!

Thank you, young boy.

Is it possible?

Umm, why do you have the appearance of an old woman?

I'm surprised you could tell.

You were able to open this lock, too.

Plus you made this mysterious bun.

Are you some manner of celebrated mage or something?

No, of course not!

I'm just in charge of chores at an atelier!

Chores?

It doesn't seem that way to me.

Well, still,

perhaps you'll be able to save her.

Save her?

The demon held captive directly beneath this room, Hildegarde.

Hildegarde is directly beneath here?!

Yes.

You know who Hildegarde is?

Yes!

She visited my village roughly ten years ago.

Then I must ask you,

will you help me?

Of course!

Uhh, I need something to dig with...

I'll use a knife to shave this hardened bread into a shovel!

Bread?

P-Please wait!

Huh?

You can reach the basement where she's being held through here.

Oh, we can?

Now, follow me.

Yes.

He's after eternal youth?

One could certainly say that is the greatest goal of our research as atelier meisters.

Of course, I know it's not easy to realize eternal youth.

However, it's also true that there are races which live far longer than humans ever do.

For example, elves,

and demons.

In the past, there were experiments to extend a person's lifespan by

transplanting cells from those races into humans.

I'm aware.

However, those experiments failed,

and due to the gruesome side effects they caused,

such cell transplants have been banned by national law.

But Sir Rikuto, given your skill,

couldn't you create a drug for eternal youth that had no side effects?

I've already received reports that the medicine created in your atelier

produces tremendous effects.

I see.

So he was planning to use Hildegarde's cells for his eternal youth experiments?

I could generate the illusion of a thief

and lead this sly fox into her prison chambers now,

but before I do...

Why are you in such hurry?

What are you talking about?

You're in a rush.

The handling of demons' cells

goes against both the teachings of the Polan Church and the policies of the nation,

so you already understood I wouldn't agree to such an atrocious thing that easily.