Ascendance of a Bookworm

I had a bad feeling about the invitation I received, so I tried seeking help from the high priest.

“Hi-high priest…”

“Considering your status, I know you can’t refuse this invitation, right?”

“Y-yes…”

After all, this is a dinner party attended only by the noble class. As a commoner, I have no right to refuse. I understand that. I was just asking, really.

“Come here, Myne.”

Despite the high priest having graciously moved away to make space, Sylvester lightly tapped the space between himself and Karlstedt, insisting that I sit there.

I was confused, wondering what I was supposed to do without a seat, when Karlstedt and Darmel stood up and began moving, saying, “Give up, Myne.”

“Myne, go around from that side like Darmel and sit next to Sylvester.”

I suppose I can’t refuse this seat change either; the high priest gently pushed my back with a pitying look.

“Ex-excuse me.”

Reluctantly, I circled around the large dining table and sat down next to Sylvester. On the opposite side was Karlstedt, so I slid my chair as close to him as possible.

Facing Sylvester was the high priest, and opposite me was Darmel.

“Myne, let’s swap chefs. I’m not taking them away, so it should be fine, right?”

There’s no way that’s fine. If they traded chefs without permission, Benno would be angry, and the leak of recipes would be a problem.

“They are chefs entrusted to us from other places. I cannot exchange them on my own accord.”

“In that case, I’ll negotiate with them. Who are they?”

Benno, commanded by the noble class, cannot refuse. The Italian restaurant they prepared all this way cannot open without a chef. Benno and Mark’s stomach aches, headaches, and financial losses would surely be unbearable.

“Sylvester-sama, when dealing with merchants, no one can oppose the noble class’s wishes. That’s no longer negotiation; it’s an unreasonable order.”

“I see. So it’s like that with merchants.”

Sylvester’s eyes gleamed with interest as he murmured. The high priest’s words that “he’s not rotten at the core” seem right—he didn’t get angry at my remarks or lash out but instead motioned for me to continue by lightly moving his chin.

Looking at the high priest, I saw him nod slightly as if to say, “It’s fine.” Darmel, sitting next to the high priest, was pale and trembling.

“My chef is to become the chef of a dining place that will open soon. It’s a training period, and both the chef’s training and the preparations require significant money and manpower. While the amount may not be much for nobles, for commoners, it’s a matter of life and death. Considering all that, do you intend to ruin the opening plan, Sylvester-sama? If you like their cooking that much, please become a customer rather than destroying the plan.”

“Hmm, a dining place? Commoners can eat that?”

Sylvester’s eyes widened as if he couldn’t believe it. Seizing the opportunity, I promoted it.

“It’s priced so that only those considered wealthy in the downtown can enter, and they refuse entry without an introduction. The restaurant is designed like a noble’s mansion, serving meals like those nobles eat—or rather, meals even nobles have never tasted.”

“Oh? Who gives the introductions?”

“…Well, if you’re interested, I can introduce you.”

Honestly, introducing Sylvester with his often incomprehensible behavior would be a big burden later on, but it’s better than having the plan ruined because the chefs are taken away.

“Alright. Then, introduce me. I’ll pay a visit.”

“I am very grateful… Karlstedt-sama and the high priest, won’t you accompany Sylvester-sama?”

I glanced at them, silently asking for someone to hold the reins if Sylvester got out of hand, and both of them hung their heads.

“Ah… we have no choice but to go.”

Sylvester-sama is also a noble customer, but I wonder if Benno would be delighted or hold his head in despair. Which is it?

Either way, I want to be praised for peacefully preventing the chef trade.