Chapter 855: Koko-late Trouble ( 855 )
Liana nodded slowly, clearly intrigued.
"So we’re really making this thing you call... err... koko-late?"
Javier chuckled, switching off the magic stove with a tap of his mana. He picked up a large crystal-glass mixing bowl, added a generous scoop of the shimmering white sugar, and poured the warm coconut oil into it. The mixture glistened as the oil hit the crystals, releasing a soft, sweet aroma.
"Liana... stir it with this." He handed her the whisk, flashing a confident grin.
She took it, hesitant at first. "Like this?" she asked, beginning to stir with slow, graceful movements.
"Oops~ gently, gently. Good... now once the sugar dissolves well, add in the cocoa powder. Don’t rush. Mix it smoothly."
Liana followed his instructions, her expression focused. "L... like this?" she asked again, her slender arms moving with a dancer’s rhythm as the mixture began to darken into a thick, glossy paste.
"Yep. That’s it," Javier nodded, watching like a proud instructor.
"Mou! Young master!" Gloria suddenly pouted from behind, brows furrowed. "Why is it always Liana?"
Javier blinked, caught off guard. "Eh? What do you mean?"
"Every time there’s something interesting, you always let her do it first," Gloria huffed, puffing her cheeks.
"Aha... ahaha..." Javier laughed awkwardly, scratching his cheek. "That’s not true... probably... maybe..."
He quickly turned back to the stove, placing the pan back in position and lighting the magic stone with another mana tap.
"Alright, alright! I’m making another batch now," he declared, pulling out a second bottle of coconut oil and wagging it teasingly at Gloria. "Get ready. Your turn’s coming~"
Once Gloria’s batch was ready, she stepped forward and began stirring with calm, practiced grace. Each movement of her wrist was deliberate, smooth and elegant.
Meanwhile, Liana was finishing up hers. The mixture in her bowl had turned into a glossy, rich chocolate paste that shimmered under the warehouse lights.
"Good," Javier nodded approvingly. "Very good."
He reached his magic storage and pulled out a large soft mold, its surface filled with cute little cavities shaped like squares, stars, and hearts.
"For now, use this spoon and pour the chocolate into these molds," he said, setting them down gently.
Liana nodded and took the mold with great care. She began spooning the warm chocolate into each cavity, her fingers moving with the steady precision of someone handling delicate glass.
While both girls were focused on their tasks, Javier folded his arms and began pacing behind them with a grin on his face, like a mad scientist turned kitchen maestro.
"You can also use honey instead of sugar for a different taste," he said brightly, striking a lecture tone. "Or add dried fruit. Raisins. Strawberries. Maybe figs! For crunch, almonds, cashews, crushed nuts. If you want it creamier, we can even add milk."
He clapped once, satisfied with his culinary wisdom. "Chocolate is science and art combined!"
But before he could continue his triumphant walk.
Two soft hands grabbed his sleeves from either side.
"Eh? W-What?"
He looked over his shoulder.
Liana on one side. Gloria on the other.
Both smiling. Sweetly. Too sweetly.
"Young master~" they said in eerie harmony.
Javier froze. That tone. That smile. Danger.
"I-Is there something wrong?" he asked nervously, tugging his sleeves.
Gloria leaned closer, her smile still flawless. "We’re sure... you stored those expensive dried fruits, didn’t you?"
Liana tilted her head, still smiling, but her grip tightened slightly. "And the fresh milk, too, right?"
"Y-Yes?" Javier replied, sweat forming on his brow.
"Then~" Liana said, her voice sugar-sweet, "Take. Those. Out."
"Eekkk!!! Wait!! W-Wait!! Don’t pull so hard! My pants!! MY PANT’S GOING TO SLIP!!"
The warehouse erupted into laughter. One of the farmers dropped a ladle. Fringal discreetly turned away, pretending not to see.
And amidst the chaos, Javier flailed, struggling to keep both his balance and his dignity.
"Alright! I’ll take it out! I’ll take everything out! JUST STOP PULLING!!"
Javier lay flat on the warehouse floor, limbs spread out dramatically, still sobbing with exaggerated sniffles.
"These two... are demons in maid uniforms..."
Liana crouched beside him, smiling sweetly.
"Now now, young master. Teach us how to use the honey, the milk, and that crunchy thing you mentioned earlier."
Gloria leaned over with a smug grin. "Or shall we pull your pants again?"
"NO! NO NEED! I’M UP! I’M UP!!" Javier sprang to his feet in an instant, patting down his rumpled clothes and regaining what little was left of his dignity.
With a sigh, he pulled out another portable magic stove from his magic storage, followed by a compact, beautifully designed magical grinder with glowing blue glyphs on its side.
Both maids blinked.
"Your new invention?" Gloria asked, adjusting her glasses.
Javier chuckled awkwardly. "Y-Yeah..."
Inside his mind.
Well... I did craft this with magic, sure. But the idea’s totally from my old world. Instead of electricity, I just powered it with mana crystals.
He opened a cloth bag and scooped out a handful of almonds into a small glass bowl.
"This part’s easy. First, we dry cook the almonds, no oil, no water. Just heat," he explained, placing a clean pan onto the stove and pouring the almonds in.
He stirred gently, letting the nuts roast until the aroma turned rich and nutty.
"You need to keep stirring it until it smells roasted and the skin darkens just a little. Like this."
Once done, he carefully poured the almonds into a ceramic bowl to let them cool.
"After cooling, we use this to grind them." He motioned to the magic grinder, tapping the side as the mana crystal inside gave a soft hum.
Liana tilted her head. "And after that?"
"Once it’s ground, you can mix it directly into the chocolate with the whisk. It adds texture and a slight nutty flavor. But," he added with a sly grin, "if you want it crunchy, you can also skip grinding."
He plucked a single roasted almond and, without warning, gently pushed it into one of the still-soft chocolate molds Liana had filled earlier.
"See? Just like this. Before the chocolate hardens."
Liana blinked. "Ah... cute..."
Gloria squinted. "That mold was shaped like a heart. You picked that one on purpose, didn’t you?"
"Huh? W-What? Of course not!! I....I just grabbed whichever was closest!!"
"Hmph! Not fair. Always Liana and Liana," Gloria pouted, crossing her arms as her cheeks puffed slightly in mock indignation.
Behind her, Liana giggled softly, clearly enjoying her quiet victory once again. Her eyes sparkled with smug satisfaction as she leaned slightly closer to the bowl.
( End Of Chapter )