Reborn as a Dark Lord (A cozy-adjacent isekai)

After Chef Darius stormed off, I gave his departure some thought. From the path he had taken, I suspected he was headed for Baron Swiftwood's estate at the edge of town.

Milo and Jessara walked around the Wandering Boar, with Jessara pointing out things to her brother, as she'd had experience working there. She talked with a few employees who poked their heads out from the kitchen.

I sighed and told them to get the measure of the tavern and its capabilities and to gather notes about what it needed, as well as how long it would take to get the place up to the level of The Shadow's Respite. They assured me they would do a good job, so I set out at a swift pace.

I walked through Everspring, enjoying the warmth of the sun on my face and the quiet village life after being surrounded by the crowds of Crownforge and its packed streets. Several villagers called out greetings as I passed. Old Man Guslan waved from his porch. The baker's apprentice nodded respectfully. Even Mrs. Tallow, who rarely spoke to anyone, offered a smile from her garden before returning her attention and gloved hands to a weed that was as tall as her. I was about to stop and ask if she needed help, but she grunted and yanked it from the ground.

"You got it out!" I told her.

Mrs. Tallow nodded and tossed the green and brown stalks aside. "No weed will get the best of me."

I laughed and kept walking. When I reached the town square, I spotted a young man struggling with a large wooden crate. His face turned red with effort as he tried to hoist it onto his father's wagon.

"Need a hand with that?" I asked, already moving toward him.

"Mr. Vel'Naris!" He looked up, relief washing over his face. "Yes, please. Father's delivery just arrived, but he hurt his back yesterday."

"Happy to help."

I grabbed one side of the crate while the boy took the other. Together, we lifted it onto the wagon bed.

"What's in here, anyway? Feels like rocks," I said as I dusted off my hands.

"New pottery for the shop. Father says it's from across the sea." He wiped the sweat from his brow. "Thank you for the help. You're always so kind to everyone."

"Just being neighborly." I patted him on the shoulder. "Tell your father I hope his back feels better soon."

"Will do, Mr. Vel'Naris."

As I continued walking to the edge of the village, the baron's estate came into view beyond the last row of cottages. The large stone mansion stood on a hill overlooking Everspring, its windows reflecting the afternoon sun. Several horses were tied up outside, their tails swishing at flies. The upstairs windows stood open with curtains fluttering in the light breeze.

I strode toward the main gate, taking note of how different the place looked compared to my last visit. Two gardeners worked near the entrance, trimming hedges and pulling weeds. When I had arrived on Frostfire's back, the grounds had been in disarray, but now they showed signs of renewal. Fresh mulch surrounded young plants, and the gravel path had been raked clean.

The front door opened before I reached it. Baron Swiftwood himself stood in the doorway, dressed in a crisp blue jacket with silver buttons. His beard had been neatly trimmed, and his hair combed back. The dark circles under his eyes had faded, and he looked like he had actually gotten some sleep.

"Ah, Mr. Vel'Naris!" he called out, stepping onto the porch. "What a pleasant surprise. Please, come in."

I climbed the steps, surprised by his warm welcome. "Baron. You're looking well. I'm so relieved."

"Yes, well, circumstances have improved dramatically. All thanks to you, my friend." He gestured inside. "Please, join me. I have news to share."

I followed him into the mansion, immediately struck by the changes that had taken place inside. The previously empty great room now contained several comfortable chairs and a polished table. A vase of fresh flowers sat near the window, and a fire crackled in the hearth despite the warm day outside.

But a surprise waited in the sitting room. Elixander Brightstar sat on a plush sofa, sipping tea from a delicate cup.

"Good morning, Elixander."

He rose to his feet, his silver-streaked hair catching the light. "Varix. I hoped our paths would cross today."

"What are you doing here?" I asked, moving forward to shake his offered hand.

"I stopped by to check on Mrs. Swiftwood." Elixander set down his cup. "The baron's wife had a fascinating condition. Quite rare, actually. I was able to complete the serum with the help of the Lumina Moss extract. Lady Churl came through. I shall have to stop by and thank her personally."

"That's amazing, Elixander. Lady Churl will be pleased."

He nodded and changed the subject. "Where is my daughter today?"

"She fell behind on orders during our trip to Crownforge. She's working swiftly to catch up. I hope to see her later tonight."

Elixander nodded. "My daughter is a hard worker."

A thought struck. "I'd like to host a welcome back party tomorrow night at the tavern. Would you be interested in attending?"

Elixander smiled. "I would love to. I assume my wife is invited."

"Of course. She's such a lovely woman."

He nodded in agreement.

"You too, Baron." I turned to him.

"I would be delighted, friend Varix." The baron gestured to an empty chair. "Please, sit. Would you care for refreshments?"

I was about to answer when a movement in the doorway caught my attention. I turned and froze in astonishment.

Mrs. Swiftwood stood there, but she looked nothing like the frail woman I had seen during my last visit. Her hair, though still thin, had been styled elegantly. She wore a lovely blue dress that matched her husband's jacket. The dress hung loosely on her frame, but she stood without support. Dark circles remained under her eyes, but they now gleamed with life.

"Mr. Vel'Naris," she said, her voice stronger than before. "I'm so pleased to meet you properly."

Before I could respond, she crossed the room and pulled me into a tight hug. I stiffened in surprise, then awkwardly returned the embrace.

She stepped back, keeping her hands on my arms. "My husband told me what you did for us. The coins, the introduction to Mr. Brightstar. I can never thank you enough."

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"I just carried the message," I said, my face growing warm. "I didn't have much to do with the cure."

"You've done much more than that," she insisted. "You helped a man who treated you poorly. You showed kindness when most would have sought revenge. You even took that dreadful tavern off our hands. I never cared for the place. It's lovely, but not the sort of business I would have chosen." She squeezed my arms once more before releasing me. "This all speaks volumes about your character."

The baron cleared his throat, looking slightly embarrassed. "Indeed. You've been most generous, especially considering our... previous disagreements."

I shrugged, uncomfortable with their praise. "Anyone would have done the same."

"I think we both know that isn't true," Elixander interjected quietly.

An awkward silence fell over the room. I shifted my weight, searching for something else to say, and then I remembered why I had come here in the first place.

"Has Chef Darius come by?" I asked. "I need to speak with him about the Wandering Boar."

The baron's face clouded. "Ah, yes. Goldenspoon arrived a few moments ago. I have not had a chance to talk with him, but he seemed quite upset. He's in my study."

"Is he a close friend?"

"Nephew. He seems to be a competent cook, if a little uppity. His father is my brother."

"Oh."

The baron sighed and lowered his voice. "I owed his father a favor. The man did attend school, and there was even talk of his attending Wisperleaf Culinary Academy, although he did not stay for more than a few months. I offered him the head chef job at the Wandering Boar. He has been…adequate."

The Wisperleaf Culinary Academy? I couldn't imagine the type of cooking skills old elves possessed. I would have to ask Elixander about that later.

"I see. Mind if I talk to him?"

"He is in my study." The baron led me down a hallway lined with bookshelves. "I must warn you, he seemed rather upset."

It was my turn to sigh and lower my voice. "I was not kind to him, and I regret my words. I would like to have him come back and help. I don't have enough staff to handle two taverns right now."

The baron smiled and clasped his hands together. "Yes. That would be wonderful, and it will keep my brother happy. He is younger than I and much more impetuous.

We reached a heavy wooden door, which Bertram pushed open.

The baron's study showed signs of recovery from the mansion's decline. A massive oak desk dominated the center, its surface still cluttered with papers, ledgers, and a half-empty bottle of amber liquid. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves held dozens of volumes, but they had clearly been full until the baron's troubles. Fresh varnish covered the faded rectangles where paintings had hung.

Darius Goldenspoon stood by the window, his back rigid with evident indignation, and hands clasped behind his back. His white chef's smock was immaculate, and his thin mustache twitched with irritation. As we stepped inside, Darius turned to us with a dramatic flourish.

"Hello there!" I said cheerfully and offered a little wave.

Darius's face turned into a mask of disgust. "You? What is the meaning of this intrusion? I will not remain in the same room as this... this... tavern keeper!"

"Good morning to you, too, Darius," I replied, keeping my tone light. "I wanted to speak with you about what happened at The Wandering Boar earlier."

"There is nothing to discuss." Darius sniffed and turned to the baron. "Bertram, I must insist that this man leave immediately."

The baron cleared his throat. "Darius, I believe you should hear what Mr. Vel'Naris has to say. And you should call him Lo-"

I cut off Bertram with a fierce head shake—no need to throw my new title around and scare the man away.

"What the baron means is that I can be a little hot-blooded, and I'm afraid I took that out on you."

Darius sniffed again.

I opened my hands in a gesture of peace. "Look, I was wrong to dismiss you so quickly at the tavern. That wasn't fair to you, and I apologize."

Darius blinked rapidly, caught off guard by my admission. His posture remained stiff, but his jaw unclenched slightly.

"Your techniques are impressive," I continued. "The presentation of your dishes at Market Day showed real skill. I should have acknowledged that. You put up some fierce competition."

"Well." Darius tugged at his smock. "At least you recognize quality when you see it, even if belatedly."

I moved toward one of the chairs opposite the desk. "May I?"

The baron nodded, and I sat down. Darius remained standing but shifted closer to the conversation.

"I understand you trained at Wisperleaf Culinary Academy," I said.

Darius puffed up his chest. "For a time. I studied under Master Fennel himself."

"That's impressive. I'm self-taught, mostly through trial and error. I bet you know techniques I've never even heard of."

"Naturally." A hint of pride crept into his voice. "The proper reduction of a sauce alone takes weeks, if not months, to master. The average cook simply boils liquid until it thickens. A true chef understands the complex interplay of flavors that develop during reduction."

I fought back a chuckle as I leaned forward. "What about your butter-based sauces? They looked incredible at Market Day. I wish I had tried them."

For the next several minutes, Darius explained the intricacies of creating the perfect white cheese sauce, what I believe is called beurre blanc back in my old world. His hands moved expressively as he described the precise temperature needed and how to prevent the sauce from breaking. Despite his arrogant delivery, his passion for cooking was evident.

"That's fascinating," I said. "I've been experimenting with a tomato-based sauce recently. It's simple but versatile."

"Tomato sauces are wonderful," Darius replied, his tone less dismissive now. "Though many fail to balance the acidity properly."

"Exactly! I've found that a pinch of sugar helps, along with slow cooking, to allow the sweetness to develop naturally. Ripe tomatoes also help."

Darius nodded thoughtfully. "A classic technique. However, I prefer to add a splash of aged red wine to my tomato reductions. It adds depth."

We continued exchanging cooking techniques, finding unexpected common ground. The baron stood to the side, watching our conversation with growing bewilderment.

After a comfortable pause, I asked, "Darius, would you consider staying on at The Wandering Boar?"

His eyebrows shot up. "What do you mean?"

"As you know, I'm taking over ownership of The Wandering Boar."

The baron nodded. "It is true, Darius. Financial circumstances have made this necessary. I would also like to point out that this fine gentleman is the reason your aunt is standing now. He connected me with Elixander, and the kind mage helped assemble a team capable of creating a cure."

"Anyone would have done the same," I said.

The baron laughed. "As Elixander stated. That simply is not true."

"I was honestly happy to help. Your wife seems a lovely woman."

The baron nodded and turned his head slightly toward the main room. "She truly is, and she is on the road to recovery. My gratitude can never be accurately expressed. Just know that you have it."

I turned my attention back to Darius before my face grew any redder. "Things are going to change, but only for the better. I want to keep both taverns running, each with its own character and clientele. The Wandering Boar will have a different menu than the Shadow's Respite, though some items will be shared."

"And where do I fit into this plan?" Darius asked, crossing his arms.

"You'd remain head chef. The Wandering Boar will continue to offer more refined dining than The Shadow's Respite. There is one catch. I will have two staff members join you at the Wandering Boar. They're good. Young, but good. I would like you to train them as cooks, but they will also be treated as equals. They have worked for me and have helped turn the Shadow's Respite into the tavern it is today."

Darius narrowed his eyes. "And you won't interfere with my kitchen?"

Don't push your luck, I didn't say.

"Look, I'll offer suggestions, not commands. We can trade recipes and techniques. We could learn from each other. But this will remain my tavern, and you'll have to abide by my rules. Otherwise, I'll give you free rein."

"Don't argue with the man, Darius. Just shake his hand and say thank you. If you don't stay in Everspring, you'll have to return to your father's ranch."

Darius blanched but quickly recovered. After a long moment, Darius gave a curt nod. "Very well. I shall consider your offer."

"Fair enough." I extended my hand. "I'm hosting a gathering at The Shadow's Respite tomorrow night. Why don't you join us in the kitchen? We can start collaborating right away."

Darius hesitated, then shook my hand firmly. "I shall bring my knives. And perhaps a bottle of Silverleaf wine. It pairs excellently with most dishes."

"Perfect." I smiled, relieved that we'd found a way forward. "I look forward to working with you, Chef Goldenspoon."

As I turned to leave, I caught the baron's surprised expression. He clearly hadn't expected this conversation to end in cooperation rather than confrontation.