Chapter 35: Count Francisco's Backstab

After Elizabeth left the kitchen, a serene silence enveloped the space. Max couldn't help but feel a slight sense of longing for the new companion he had just met.

However, he quickly reminded himself that his primary goal lay ahead. With renewed focus, he turned his attention back to the final touches needed to complete the dishes.

It took Max a full two hours to prepare all the food that had been demanded by the count. Yet, despite his culinary expertise and skill, he felt a tinge of dissatisfaction.

This type of culinary journey, laden with expectation and formality, wasn't truly where his heart lay.

In his previous life, Max had been a fresh graduate, unsure of his path until he met his godfather. The godfather, a renowned chef in the culinary world, had instilled in Max the importance of following one's dreams and passions.

With this inspiration, Max embarked on his own culinary journey, setting his sights on opening a chain of restaurants. In these establishments, he envisioned creating an environment where he could share happiness through his food and culinary skills.

But life took an unexpected turn, and Max's dreams were tragically cut short when he was killed by a colleague at the 5-star hotel where he worked.

Now, in this new world with its magic and mana-infused cuisine, Max found himself once again on a culinary path. Yet, it was a far cry from the dream he had carried in his previous life.

Max cherished the act of cooking and the joy of serving others. However, he yearned for the kind of establishment where he could feed anyone who walked through the doors, regardless of their social status or background. He longed for a place where the distinctions between rich and poor, powerful and weak, would fade away beneath the shared experience of a good meal.

As Max continued to perfect the dishes in the count's kitchen, the memory of his previous dreams and ambitions lingered in the background.

He couldn't help but wonder if this magical world held opportunities for him to fulfill those dreams once again.

As Max was lost in his thoughts, the kitchen door swung open, snapping him back to reality. In walked eight guards, two chefs, and the head butler, Nois. His presence in the kitchen brought an air of seriousness.

Nois cast a discerning eye over the preparations and asked, "Oh, young boy, is everything prepared?"

Max felt a slightly ominous atmosphere when his gaze landed on the two chefs. They wore smiles that Max couldn't help but find suspicious. He quickly brushed off his concerns and turned to Nois, responding with confidence, "Yes, Head Butler Nois, everything has been prepared exactly as the count specified. It can be served at any time."

The preparations had been executed meticulously, and Max was ready to deliver the dishes to the guests. Now, all that remained was to serve the culinary delights to the count and his guests at the wedding reception.

"Good, good," Nois acknowledged. He gestured towards the two chefs who had accompanied him, introducing them as Chef Frank and Chef Kite, both personal chefs of the count's family. They were there to oversee the final stages of meal service.

Nois continued, "They can take it from here. You've done well. You have the choice now, my young friend. You can rest in the guest room for the next four hours until the event concludes, or if you prefer, the guards are ready to accompany you back to your inn. As for your payment..." Nois tossed a small pouch filled with a jingling sound, "Here it is: 100 gold coins."

Max's smile didn't quite reach his eyes as he caught the pouch of gold coins. The weight of the pouch hinted at the sum it contained, and it was far from what he had expected.

Max knew from Edward that each 1st-tier mana-infused dish prepared by a mana chef could fetch more than 20 gold coins in the capital city. Here, he had received a mere 100 gold coins for all 50 dishes he had meticulously crafted. It felt like the count was exploiting his skills and undervaluing his efforts.

In the Lionheart Kingdom, the currency system was based on bronze, copper, gold, and platinum. One hundred bronze coins equaled one copper coin, 100 copper coins made one gold coin, and 100 gold coins added up to one platinum coin. While some magicians and swordsmen used mana stones as a form of currency, it was primarily in the capital city and the middle continent.

The value of a single gold coin was substantial; it could sustain an average family of four in the Lionheart Kingdom for three months.

One hundred gold coins were a considerable sum for a regular person, but for a mana chef, it was a pittance. Each of Max's dishes could easily fetch a minimum of 50 gold coins in the market.

The presence of the two chefs Nois had brought along had further exacerbated the situation. They could take credit for what Max had cooked, and the count's favoritism was evident.

Max's heart brimmed with anger and frustration, emotions simmering beneath the surface as he grappled with a profound sense of powerlessness. In the face of blatant injustice, he felt his own impotence acutely. The count, someone he had trusted, had callously betrayed him, and it cut deeper because this was the first instance of such treachery since his rebirth.

Chef Edward had been Max's voice of caution, fervently warning him against any negotiations with the count.

He had foreseen the potential dangers, the lurking shadows of deceit and manipulation that surrounded the count. He was afraid for Max, knowing that the count's motives were far from pure.

However, the count's backstabbing actions left Max shaken and doubting himself. He couldn't help but feel partly responsible for his own predicament, as if he had let himself be led astray despite the warnings.

In the face of such an unfair and unexpected betrayal, Max's heart was a battleground of emotions, but his lack of power and authority left him with no recourse but to endure the injustice and plot his own path toward redemption and justice.

The weight of this self-blame compounded his frustration, deepening the turmoil in his heart. Before Max had arrived at his current situation, he should have made arrangements or informed someone about his payment, but now, in the midst of the betrayal and injustice he faces, he finds himself in a difficult predicament.

He is left with a sense of helplessness and uncertainty, wondering how to navigate this unexpected and challenging situation. Max clenched his fists, struggling to contain his anger.

He took a deep breath and forced a fake smile as he addressed Nois. "I appreciate the opportunity, Head Butler Nois. Please convey my gratitude to Count Francisco for the chance to serve. I shall take my leave now."

It was abundantly clear that Max wasn't permitted to attend the marriage party due to his low-born status. He understood that he needed to acquire power and authority to create his own restaurant, a place where people would line up to taste his extraordinary creations. With this thought in mind, Max made his exit, leaving behind the extravagant world of the count's mansion.