Ner's Story

Master, Master. You have completed everything for today, right?

I have something important to take care of. You will help me, right?

Thank you. I am planning on organizing The Master's Diary today.

The thing that the First Master wrote?

Yes, it is a record our Order finds precious.

Regardless of its content, it is still precious! It's one of a kind!

Therefore, even the one that you are writing is precious, Master.

Oh my! You don't look so well, Master.

What ails you? I don't suppose... You have forgotten to write in The Master's Diary, have you...?

I believe I have emphasized many times that recording in The Master's Diary is your most important responsibility...

Again, it is what you are thinking that is important.

It is okay. I will have a look, so please show me what you have.

I believe I asked you to show me what you have...

Ugh, stop being so annoying!!

Here, Ner! The Master's diary!

You'll have to hand it over anyway. Why fight a losing battle?

Let us see what you have written.

'Date: XX/XX. Erpin ate 30 baked goods. It was mind-blowing.'

Hmm, seems like a routine thing to write about. Good. Let us see what else you have here.

'Date: XX/XX. Lazed about with Gabia all day. It was a lot of fun.' Hmm...

'Date: XX/XX... The elves destroyed an asteroid flying towards Elias using a railgun.'

No food went wasted. The production crew ate the destroyed asteroid...'

...Master...? What is this...?

How could you fabricate events in The Master's Diary?!

Ahaha! You're such a dork, Master!

Shush! Shuush!! Quiet, you idiot!!

That's a lie, Ner. The bonehead is lying to you!

...Diary. Now.

Urgh... Here...

'An Isekai Baked Goods Journey With Max-Level Baking Skills'...? Chapter 256...?

You see... I started writing it and then got inspired... Ehe...

Please do not laugh!

I cannot believe you both!! How could you write works of fiction in these important diaries?!

If this is how you'll be, there's no point in me being your advisor.

Still, my stories are quite popular...

Master! You will not be going out today, right?

It is almost time for prayer. Would you care to have a look around with me?

You have not had the time to observe the worshippers pray yet, have you?

Yes, you remember!

We nap in the shade of the tree. While giving thanks to Yggdrasil's grace, of course.

Yes! Let us pray together, and get you an axe as well!

Ah, have you forgotten the significance of the axe, Master...?

Wow, you really do remember! I am impressed, Master!

That will hurt them!! You must not strike others with an axe, Master!!

The axe is one of the main symbols of our Order.

Although we use them as bread knives usually.

Since everybody carries around a bread knife, getting you fitted with one of ours will be perfect.

Ahaha, you are amusing, Master. Such fantasies do not exist.

Blessings like that would put all of our hospitals out of business.

Hmm, still, our health does improve.

No, it is because we pray every day.

Supplementing some much-needed sleep does help improve one's health, after all.

However, think about it. We pray at a designated time every day.

You can legally rest even during the busiest periods.

That is an understatement, Master.

Our Order encourages our worshippers to nap—No, pray—blissfully!

To that end, we also sell fluffy pillows that have been certified by the Order.

Yes, outside the prayer room? Did you not see them?

We also sell blindfolds and pajamas as well. They are very soft.

We even provide a 5% discount if you buy them as a set with our sleep-enhancing fragrance.

Umm, there are many expenses to cover when managing the Order.

That is all you need to know, Master. Okay?

Oh my! The Master asking me something first? The sky must be falling.

What would you like to know?

Sigh... I knew you would eventually catch on, Master.

I see you are now old enough to show interest in our kingdom's darkest secret, Master.

Hmm, you should be able to handle this, Master. I will let you in on it.

However, this is a secret that involves our kingdom and our Order, so you must not reveal this to anyone, understood?

Very well. As you may already know, Master, our Order does not discriminate based on race.

Anyone, regardless of race, can become one of our worshippers as long as they follow the teachings of Yggdrasil.

However, most of our worshippers are sprites. This much, you're aware of, right?

Exactly. That is why the targets of our evangelism are mostly werebeasts or elves.

These two races are extremely wary of each other, so we are running a "Kingdom Stay" program.

Yes, it offers an immersive glimpse into the lifestyle of our Order.

It is quite popular as it allows others to experience our religion with no strings attached.

Also—and this is the most important part—this Kingdom Stay is very beneficial for us as well.

We get a steady supply of free labor that we can easily take advantage of.

Actually, it is not even free! They pay US to come and get exploited!

They will do anything if we say it is an exercise to cleanse the body and mind!

They absolutely love it when we whisper about things such as the virtues of labor or forsaking material possessions while they pray.

This is where we are able to clear out our vile stock of Bean Logs.

Think about it rationally, Master.

Without free labor, how else would we be able to pay for Her Majesty's insatiable hunger?

The kingdom would probably go bankrupt in less than a month.

Yes. Would you like to see the numbers?

Right? I'm glad you agree, Master!

We are already brainstorming methods.

Ahaha, hahahaha...!!

Ah, Master. You heard that, did you? It is nothing of importance.

Ashur had a fight with Her Majesty.

I see that you share the same sentiment, Master.

We have made every effort to urge her to switch careers, yet Ashur remains resolute.

The baked goods that Ashur creates are truly exquisite, though.

Baked goods of that quality are impossible to find anywhere in Elias.

Hmm... you have a point. It did sound as if they were really going at it today.

If we run out of those delightful baked goods, the queen's motivation will fall, and that is something we cannot allow.

We must go and settle this without delay, Master.

Yes, trust me, and let us be on our way.

Yes. She should be around here somewhere.

Ah, found her! Ashur is right over here.

Mmm... I'm going to become the magic queen... and then... I'll crush everyone...

This!

Just watch. A little bit of this...

How could you say such a thing, Master?! It's Yggdrasil's divine message.

Ashur is simple-minded, so if we do this and add a touch of drama, she will embrace it entirely.

Yggdrasil would wish for Ashur to make baked goods, too.

The quality of her baked goods is simply that remarkable.

I get along well with Ashur. It is Her Majesty who quarrels with her.

I am the only one who actually looks after Ashur.

Anyway, since we've come this far, would you like to add anything, Master?

Ashur! Wake up! A divine revelation has been bestowed upon you!

I am the magic queen... Hmm? Huh? What did you say?

Your face! I have a mirror. You must look at your face!

Offer baked goods to Her Majesty as tribute... the Master, too?

Another revelation?!

Urgh, why does Yggdrasil always deliver messages in permanent marker?!

Last time, it said "Giant Chestnut Bread" on my forehead!

Ashur? How long are you going to complain? Do you not have baked goods to prepare?

R-Right! I have to hurry and get to work!

See you again, Yggdrasil!

...See? I told you it would work.

Marie, Mayo. I have summoned you both because something of great importance has occurred.

The Master... has escaped without cleaning the Holy Chamber!

This is the seventh time! I can no longer bear it!

Hahaha, so we just have to find the Master, right?

It sounds like a treasure hunt! How fun!

The Master... amusing. I'll gladly help.

Thank you. This time, I shall truly give the Master a proper scolding!

The real concern is uncovering where the Master has scurried off to...

Ner. Something weird... on the desk...

My, you are right. What could this be? It resembles cream...

Let me have a taste... nom, nom... this is no ordinary cream. It appears to be strawberry cream.

Ah, I know what that is! It's from a strawberry cream pastry!

I saw some being baked at the bakery this morning!

Splendid work, both of you! Let us make our way to that bakery immediately.

We have come to Ashur's Bakery. Are we in the right place?

No doubt. Ashur sells it. A limited morning special.

Yes, I heard they definitely made strawberry cream pastries this morning.

But there's a problem...

All the strawberry cream pastries made today were delivered to the palace.

Special order... by Queen Erpin.

How did the cream from the baked goods sent to the palace end up in the holy chamber?

Maybe Her Majesty knows something?

You have a point. Let us make our way to the palace.

Your Majesty, I have a question for you...

Master?!

Speak of the devil!

What are you doing here, Master?

Master...! It appears you did not run away after all...!

I was so certain of it... I am deeply moved that I was mistaken!

But every time I ask something of you, you vanish in an instant...

Just yesterday, you neglected to write in The Master's Diary and chose to go out and have fun, did you not?

But a diary is supposed to be written in daily, Master.

Ah, no can do.

Exactly. Baked goods theft. A serious crime.

Consider yourself fortunate that Her Majesty has been gracious enough to punish you with just cleaning duties.

I, Sprite Queen Erpin, have a major announcement to make today.

With the future of our kingdom at stake, I declare war on chestnut trees!

I will ensure no chestnut tree ever takes root in this land!

Your Majesty! Please, calm down!

Argh! I hate chestnut trees!

I'll burn them all down and make them extinct!!!

W-Well... Her Majesty is extremely picky about what she eats...

We incorporated a tiny portion of Chestnut Bean Log into her Chestnut Bread, and she completely flew off the handle after trying it.

Urgh...! Please, just help calm Her Majesty down!

Chestnut trees must go! They must go extinct!!!

Do something, please!

The Yggdrasil Order exists to ensure the protection of all trees.

A bad tree is still a tree! Do you get it?!

H-Hurry, Master!

What, you don't think I can?! I can do whatever I want! I'm the queen!

Mont Blanc...!!

No... I wouldn't...!

E-Exactly! There is nothing wrong with chestnuts!

Also, as Queen, your duty is to preserve the forests and nature!

Only barbaric races like elves would dare to destroy them!

No... I can't be compared to elves...!

But... But... chestnut trees make me so mad...!!

If none of this will work... I apologize, Your Majesty!!

Huh? Mmph...!!!

It is just some cheap factory-made baked goods from Monatium.

It is the thing she despises most, right after the Chestnut Bean Log.

Absolutely. Once a forest is destroyed, it takes considerable time to restore it.

Anything made by Yggdrasil is precious and must be protected.

Going forward, Master, you must also work harder while keeping this in mind.

Should you fail to do so, I will feed you something equally unpleasant.