New friend

Rafael conversed with the chef and his helper about the kitchen, various foods, and other topics until a servant arrived. "Chef Brandyc, Baron Fr— What are you doing here?" The servant eyed Rafael suspiciously.

"Oh, I'm just waiting to pick up some soup for myself and the high priest," Rafael explained. The servant's displeasure was evident, but he refrained from commenting, likely due to the high priest's involvement.

"Again, Baron Frederic has informed us that he will be dining in an hour." With that, the servant turned and left with a serious expression.

"Oh no! Quick, bring me those ingredients!" Brandyc called to his helper. "Cleric Robert, I need to be alone to prepare everything for Frederic. Could you come back later to pick up your soup and discuss this incredible recipe further?"

"Of course, no problem." Rafael took a slice of the simple pizza they had made, topped with cheese, herbs, onions, and tomato pieces. 'Is this the first pizza ever created in this timeline?' He took a bite. 'Huh, it's not bad at all.'

He returned to his room connected to the church and waited there. 'Where's Julius?' Even after some time, the old man hadn't appeared. With nothing better to do, Rafael decided to head back to the kitchen. 'I think this is becoming my favorite place.'

He waited there for a few minutes until the chef finished preparing all the dishes for the Baron. They spent hours discussing pizza and brainstorming ways to refine the recipe. "Oh God! This is heavenly! Thank you, Cleric Robert, for teaching me how to make this."

"Hey, no need to thank me. What if we try to create something new based on this?" Rafael suggested, taking the last piece of pizza.

"Hmm, what could we do? Maybe if we put two slices together, like a sandwich?" the chef pondered.

"That's not a bad idea. What if we add some meat between the slices to enhance the flavor?" They spent the rest of the day discussing food, and Rafael used the opportunity to introduce Brandyc to new culinary ideas. "Goodbye, Robert. I hope you return soon to discuss more new ideas with me."

Rafael waved and left, heading back to his room. 'Maybe being a chef isn't such a bad idea. Should I consider it?... Nah. Becoming a priest will grant me more freedom, and I'll be able to enjoy his food every day, so there's no need.'

When he opened the door and stepped inside, he saw the high priest writing something on a parchment, with an empty plate of soup beside him. "Good evening, High Priest."

'I must have been so engrossed in my conversation with Brandyc that I didn't notice someone grabbing food for him.'

"Oh, good evening, my apprentice. I have good news for you. This morning and part of the afternoon, I spoke with all *cough* the priests, and the majority agreed to vote for you next month."

"Oh, that's great news! Thank you, Julius."

"It's nothing, it's nothing. Now, regarding the strange object from the south, we've decided to call it a relic for convenience, even though it's something sinister. We also decided to act swiftly, *cough* sending troops and a group of clerics to determine if the south is under the influence of this evil. And I want you to go with them."

'No good, what if someone recognizes me? But if I don't go, how will I retrieve my book?'

"Could you tell me more about the expedition?"

"It's straightforward. First, you'll meet with Baron Ine to see if he has been corrupted. Then, you'll visit Baron Floutt, and finally, inspect the object in that village. We considered bringing it here, but if that proves impossible, our only option will be to destroy it."

'Okay, they clearly won't be able to move or destroy it, so the best course of action might be to build a mausoleum or something around it. I can then offer my help and try to open the machine.'

'But what are the chances of someone recognizing me? I'll be in deep trouble if that happens.'

"So, what do you think?" Julius asked, awaiting his response. Rafael nodded. "Good. Now, let's continue your writing lessons. After I finish this message, go find a messenger to deliver this letter to Count Edwin."

After handing the parchment to the messenger and instructing him to depart at dawn, Rafael returned to 'learn' how to write. "Incredibly, Cleric Robert, tomorrow I will teach you math."

"I've heard there are some advanced mathematical concepts discovered by brilliant minds. Will you be teaching me such advanced topics?"

"Unfortunately, I only know the basics, maybe even less than you. But I know a group of scholars who might be able to teach you."

"Thank you, Julius!" Of course, the math of this period was still quite primitive, so it was all a ruse to cover his plans to introduce new ideas on the topic of mathematics and numbers.

The next day, Julius informed Rafael that he would check on the progress of the printing press. "Could you do me a favor and see how the construction is coming along?"

"... I'm sorry, could you be more specific, High Priest?" Rafael was a bit confused.

"The place where we'll produce liquid stone. Have you forgotten already?" *cough*

"Oh right, I'll visit and check on it." His days were improving steadily—good food, a place to sleep, a promotion to priest in just a month... Everything seemed to be going well. 'Well, except for the hygiene and the bathroom... If it can even be called that. Just a hole in the ground.'

A week passed without incident for Rafael. During that time, he "learned" math from Julius and a group of elderly men who were like philosophers, interested in studying calculus. 'Wow, they actually have some pretty advanced math here, but it's still in its infancy. Let's introduce some new ideas, shall we?'