Casual Heroing

Chapter 149: Arrangements

Well, I didnt get mobbed when I asked Camilla and Clodia to work with me.

Thats something.

As Im arranging stuff for my departure to the academy, I hear someone shout from downstairs.

You flat-eared idiot! What is that?!

Thats how you attract foot traffic, you fat bastard! Camillas shrill voice reaches upstairs.

Oh, yeah? Do you want me to snap you in two like a twig of dry wood? Clodia shouts back.

I offered them 20% each of whatever joint we were working on. They are free to divide it again among themselves and their employees. I suspect Flaminia will want a cut from Clodia and the same goes for Camillas sister, the youngest member of the family.

I finish packing my stuff in my new bag of holding while Princess Bianca sleeps soundly in my bed, letting out little squeals from time to time. Yeah, in the past four weeks, I could only bed one Princess. Thankfully, I had expanded my bed. The Wallorian Treasurer loves to occupy the majority of the space. The first time she came to sleep in my bed instead of her room, I was up, conferring with Lord Juler about our problems. I heard the little pig cry and didnt ask any questions; I just left my door open. The morning after, I found her sleeping with me.

I mean, I wish it were the other Princess but lets give it a bit more time. And lets not mention this wish of mine to said Princess.

After double-checking my personal belongings, I make my way downstairs. Master Lakaris immediately looks up at me, eyeing the two women that are bothering him right after. I think he didnt appreciate me leaving him at their mercy.

I have already given the guy my indications, and I have no intention of repeating myself. It was exhausting enough to think about everything. I told him that if I missed something, I would simply make peace with it. Im not going to go crazy about this stuff. I have one priority in my life at the moment, and thats

I look at Princess Laura sharpening a blade in her form-fitting armor. It was probably custom fitted to make space for her

Magic.

Thats the priority.

Magic. Alright.

My eyes roam, and they land on the two people I need to talk to.

Stan and Domitilla.

The girl has had some unspecified problems that delayed the start of our training. Now, Stanimal is reviewing the contract I had drafted, following Lord Julers orders. Looking at the expression of my favorite manager, hes taken aback.

Whatever.

Quintus, Tiberius! I shout. I hear Tiberiuss prothesis clack on the ground as he comes out of the kitchen. Following my future head-chef, the other head-chef.

I dont know whether its because they are veterans or just over-enthusiastic people, but they both spend an unhealthy amount of time working.

Chef! they both report to me.

Both of you, the place will keep running on auxiliary kitchens while Master Lakaris starts working on the bakery. Remember, dont let Clodia and Camilla bully you. You represent my direct authority.

Tiberius takes the puffy white hat that I introduced to this world and tightens his grip on it. He nods nervously. Quintus, instead, sniffs and, after a quick look at the bickering women, simply turns back toward the kitchen.

I have a preparation in the oven, Chef, he says while scuttling back.

Go, dont worry.

Tiberius follows shortly after.

Joey, I see Flaminia gesturing at me from a table.

Everyones busy making arrangements for the following days. The fact that Home-Bakery, our place, is renewing shop will change many things. And these people are professionals. As I move to my friend, Im glad I made this decision. I can already see she has notebooks full of stuff, including all the recipes I gave her.

If there was one thing that really tipped the conversation about joining Home-Bakery in my favor was the fact that I had shared all the recipes I was using with them. Clodia and Camilla are fighting about that right now. One of them wants to start producing fast-food stuff as soon as possible; the other wants to focus on the richer clientele.

Whats up, lady?

Im checking your books. Everything is in order. As we already said, we are moving in as soon as Master Lakaris is done with the first floor. Mixing Happys and the Three Roses employees will be hard but doable. As long as Clodia and Camilla dont stab each other, we are in the clear, Id say.

I give her my signature wink and raise a thumb in approval.

But she lowers her voice, looking around. Im worried about Antoninus, Joey. You promised him you would cure his mother? Are you sure you can do that?

Here we go.

Thats been my main concern over the last four weeks. I have prepared some stuff for my duels at the academy, but mostly as a hobby while doing real magical research. Lord Juler says that we could plunder a magical library. After the little progress we have made, thats pretty much the only reason I want to visit the academy. I dont give a rats ass about the duels, nor Lauras brothers. Nor am I in any particular mood to see Lucinda again. Im not against the idea of seeing my pal Augustus and sharing a steak with him, but Im afraid that the two come as a package.

I really hope that Lucinda didnt get a boyfriend. I mean, if she did, Lady Luck, let it be a person with some brains at least. Please, just please. Dont let it be a person whos insecure and jealous of past boyfriends. I already have enough problems.

Shes better now, isnt she? I smile. Juler and I overlapped so many spells on the woman that if she didnt at least feel better, it would be inexplicable. She could now walk without her bones breaking at every turn. However, we only earned more time. The disease will continue to advance. And the more we wait, the more shes likely to die.

Thats a little miracle in itself, Flaminia nods. I thought she was terribly sick. You really did something, didnt you? And this

You dont want to be a [Baker], Joey, do you?

I smile and shrug.

Not really, no, I admit.

Flaminia looks around the big bakery I built in a few months and then back at our books, stating the outrageous amount of cash Ive made. Shaking her head, she shoots me an understanding smile. Her squarish jaw would look out of place on any other woman, I swear. On her, though, it gives off a feeling of maturity and strong femininity.

And you are really going to marry the Princess?

If I beat the [Mages] at the academy and stop the war.

I stop to think for a second.

Wait a moment, I say, turning to Stanimal. Stanimal! Do I marry the Princess after the academy and then resolve the war during our marriage, or do I first have to resolve the war to get married?!

It is a fair question. Ending a war is a big commitment, and it will probably take some time. I cant wait forever to get laidiscover the wonders of marriage and fatherhood.

How did you draft this contract? Stans deep voice reaches me, not answering my question, though.

Research, I wink at him. So, when is the marriage happening?

If you beat all the [Mages] in a duel, Ill personally escort you to the royal court and make a case for your union. Of course, you will need to swear many things officially, in blood, on your magic. But if everything goes smoothly, you shall marry the Princess before ending the actual war.

Oh, yeah, baby.

Thats what I like to hear.

I raise a thumb to Princess Laura, who looks at me with a smirk.