NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23: Count Beaumont's Offer
Lukas was still stuck at E Rank divine farm, which meant that he still had to get past E+ before he could get to D.
With a soft sigh, he took a look at his skills that had changed.
[Divine Farm - E Rank]
Mana Density: E
Crops Per Plot: 16 Plants/2 Trees
Total Plots: 10
Empty Plots: 5
Inventory: 38 Potatoes (FFF), 352 Chillies (FFF), 960 Potatoes (F), 150 Onions (F), 1592 Tomatoes (F), 150 Garlic (F), 3200 Chillies (F).
[Mana Breathing (E)]
Passively circulate mana through your body by breathing, strengthening the body over time. Increases mana, mental and physical regeneration by 40%.
'This damn thing says that it increases mana but that only happens if I use up my mana and then use mana breathing. Tch, this is basically just trickery. I wonder how many people tried mana breathing while their mana was full, expecting that their mana would increase this way.' he thought and couldn't help but chuckle.
It was at this moment that he realised something. As someone who used to read a lot of webnovels during his free time, talking to the system was something he felt like he had to do. But was that a norm to the people of this world? That he had no answer for.
He turned to look at the servant who was still standing beside him and asked, "Hey, someone told me that you can talk to your systems. Is this true?"
The servant looked up at him with an annoyed look before frowning, "I've… never tried…" he said and then muttered, "Umm… hello?"
"Say something like, hey system tell me about my primary job."
"Okay sir." the man said as he repeated the same sentence before shaking his head, "No response, sir. It looks like the person who told you this was lying."
Lukas nodded, acting thoughtful, "Right… he might've been lying."
Then, he got the servant to help him fill up the steaming pot with water and above it, he placed the container with multiple holes before filling it up with uncooked dumplings to steam them.
Almost half an hour later, Lukas saw the count walking towards him and this time he was alone.
"What have you made this time, Chef Lukas?" he asked as he looked at the large steaming pot and then glanced at the bowl of chilli oil.
"Just some humble meat dumplings." Lukas said as he grabbed a small bowl and used a pair of tongs to transfer four dumplings into it. Then, he mixed up the contents in the bowl as the oil was floating on the top and all of the chillies was resting at the bottom.
Once the mixing was done, he scooped up a generous amount and drizzled it on top before handing the bowl over to the Count. As he did so, he checked the stat boosts of the dishes.
[Minced Chicken Dumpling]
A simple dumpling stuffed with minced chicken meat that was mixed with salt and pepper. The meat was cooked inside the dumpling, making it retain it's flavour and juices. Handle it with care as the wrap is thin and could tear.
Effects: Speed +1, Vitality +1
[Chilli Oil - Fresh]
A hot condiment in terms of flavour. Has a high concentration of garlic apart from hot chillies but thanks to the various spices, the overall flavour is quite complex. The sugar helps mask the heat slightly the help stops at the tongue.
Effects: Perception +7, Dexterity +5
Additional Effects: Longer Libido for Males and Increased sensitivity for Females.
As he watched the count scoop up a dumpling using his spoon, Lukas couldn't help but raise his hand up, "Wait!! Lord Beaumont!"
"Before you eat it, I would like to warn you that this chilli oil will give you the ability to last longer than normal in bed." he said as he lowered his voice while leaning forward, "For females… their sensitivity will be increased."
The count frowned as he looked at his bowl. Then, he looked at Lukas before asking, "It's not an aphrodisiac right? It won't make me lose control of myself?"
"Oh, no it won't." Lukas said as he shook his head and this time, the count grinned, "Then why are you warning me? It's not a bad thing to have longer stamina hehe. Looks like the guests will love this one." he said as he put the whole dumpling in his mouth.
He chewed for a few seconds and nodded, "Hmm… it's good in a weird way. The dumplings themselves are alright but they're perfectly salted. The chilli mixture gives it this weird punch to it and I must say, I absolutely love that."
Then he glanced around him before looking straight at Lukas, "I have an offer for you. Work for me and I'll pay you much more than what Baron Frascine is giving you. He also told me that you've managed to awaken your mana heart and I must say, I do not wish to let go of such a talent."
Lukas stared at the count for a generous amount of time before he glanced at the Baron who was roasting some meat by the fire.
"Lord Beaumont… I must respectfully decline your offer. I have no interest in getting involved in combat."
"Oh I'm not going to push you into a war, Chef Lukas." the count said as he ate another dumpling, "I want you to cook for my army. During their training, I want meals that will give them more stamina to keep going and during any conflict, I want meals that will help them survive. I do not wish to see my people perish and I will do anything do make that a reality."
Lukas exhaled as he leaned against the table, thinking to himself as he heard the Count's words, 'This… he's a man who can lead alright. He's got he aura and charisma of a leader. Baron Frascine has no army but the Count does? Hmm… looks like the nobility ranks aren't that simple.'
Before he could respond the count chuckled as he glanced at the baron who was still oblivious to the man who was trying to steal away one of his people.
"Feel free to think about it. I'll come visit your restaurant after a week or two."