Chapter 89: A Chaotic Celebration Party
The Blackmore mansion was in an uproar, especially in the kitchen, where I had planned to cook for a victory feast to celebrate our conquest of the dungeon we had just cleared.
I carefully arranged the cooking utensils on the countertop, my mind drifting back to the recipes and cooking techniques I had learned back on Earth as a Japanese man. After some deliberation, I made my decision. I had already sent Mark and Nyssa to buy the ingredients we needed.
My personal maids—Elan, Vivin, and Mia—were quick to voice their disapproval.
"It’s inappropriate for the eldest son and heir of the Blackmore family, not to mention the future hero of the Braveheart Kingdom, to cook with his own hands," Elan said sternly.
"Especially if it’s for your friends and the maids, Master Naoki," Vivin added, folding her arms.
I let out a small sigh and explained my reasoning. "I’m not doing this as the heir of the Blackmore family, nor as the future hero of Braveheart. I’m doing this as Naoki, just another human being like all of you. I want to show my gratitude for the help you gave me in conquering the dungeon and defeating its boss, Garmr—a battle where we risked our lives together."
"But Master Naoki—" Mia started, but I raised my hand to stop her.
"Please, let me do this for all of you. I don’t know when I’ll get another chance like this. Soon, I’ll be graduating from the academy and preparing for the Hero Exam. Once I become a hero, my life will likely be filled with battlefields, and I may not even return to this mansion. So, let me do this, okay?"
My words hung in the air, and though they eventually nodded, the sadness on their faces was unmistakable. Suddenly, Milly, who had apparently been eavesdropping, stormed into the room, her face a mix of sorrow and anger.
"You’re such a hopeless brother!" she snapped. "You can’t even cook! When have you ever—"
Ah, that’s right. She didn’t know. She didn’t know that I was a reincarnator from Earth who now inhabited this body. Back on Earth, I used to cook for my family all the time, so I knew my way around the kitchen—especially Japanese dishes.