Chapter 856: Chocolate for the People ( 856 )
"A-Ah... come on... don’t sulk like that," Javier said, scratching his cheek nervously. He stepped toward Gloria, his tone softening, almost coaxing, a clumsy attempt at courting comfort from someone clearly jealous.
His hand reached out slightly, as if to pat her shoulder or give a small peace offering.
But before he could get any closer.
Liana reached out and yanked Javier back by the collar, her face serene but her grip dangerously firm.
"Now," she said with a calm smile, "teach us how to use the milk."
"Eehhh!? C-Come on! I was in the middle of...."
"No distractions, young master," Liana added sweetly, still holding him in place.
After a while.
The table was covered with a beautiful spread of finished chocolate. An array of shapes and forms, from delicate squares and heart molds to flower patterns and small animal figures.
Some had a glossy dark finish, others were dusted with cocoa powder, while a few glistened with dried fruits or nut toppings. The flavors varied, bittersweet, milky, fruity, and nutty, each piece a small masterpiece.
Javier slumped heavily onto a nearby chair, his shoulders sagging. His hair was slightly messy, his sleeves pushed up, and a tired look was plastered on his face.
"...I’m not a toy, you know..." he muttered.
His hands rested limply on his knees, still trembling slightly from being tugged and pulled left and right like a rope in a tug-of-war. Liana wanted attention. Gloria wanted more instructions. Then Liana again. Then Gloria again.
Back and forth.
Again and again.
I’m going to get muscle pain in both shoulders, Javier thought bitterly.
Meanwhile, the farm staff stood frozen, staring at the table.
Before them was something none had ever seen before. Not just sweets, but an elegant dessert arrangement worthy of nobility.
Each chocolate piece had been carefully placed on polished wooden trays.
Liana had added small flower petals around the edges for color, and Gloria had arranged the colors by gradient, darkest to lightest. The result was stunning.
Fringal stepped forward slowly, unable to hide the awe in his expression.
"T-This..." he whispered. "This looks like something only the royal palace would serve..."
Javier let out a long sigh and slouched further into his chair. His gaze shifted lazily toward Liana and Gloria, who were still adjusting the final touches of the display like proud artists at an exhibition.
"...Why would the two of you arrange it like it was meant for some high-ranking noble banquet?" he muttered, exasperated. "This is just a test batch. For everyone here to taste. Farm staff. Commoners. Not for the nobles or royals."
He gestured vaguely at the table as if the overly elegant arrangement offended his simple inventor soul.
Liana merely tilted her head, brushing her hair behind her ear, while Gloria hummed softly, both clearly ignoring his protest.
They didn’t need to answer. Their satisfied smiles said everything.
They enjoyed it.
This was fun for them.
Decorating. Arranging. Beautifying.
Even if the target audience was a bunch of farmers in mud-covered boots, they would still prepare it like it was for the Grand Ball of the Human Kingdom.
Javier sighed again, one hand dragging down his cheek. "I should’ve known... these two really love turning everything into a fancy tea party..."
Behind him, a few farmers awkwardly straightened their backs and wiped their hands on their pants, unsure if they were even allowed to touch something that looked so divine.
Javier leaned back, one leg lazily crossed over the other, and waved his hand dismissively. "Just go on. Try it."
The farmers exchanged hesitant glances.
"A-Are you sure, Young Master?" one of them asked, eyes still locked onto the neatly arranged trays like sacred relics.
Javier tilted his head slightly. "Hmm? Of course. This is a test batch. And more importantly, this isn’t meant to be some luxury for nobles."
He smiled faintly, voice gaining clarity and conviction. "Once we launch it, the recipe will be shared openly with all the pastry shops, sweets vendors, and food stalls across Armand. No hidden techniques. No elite monopoly."
He tapped the side of his head with a sly grin. "The goal is simple: chocolate for everyone. Not just nobles. Not just gifts. Even a child with a single coin should be able to taste this."
The farmers blinked in disbelief.
"For real...?" one muttered.
Javier nodded. "There’ll be different levels, of course. We’ll make basic versions for daily enjoyment, and premium types for gifts or special occasions. But the core idea stays the same. Chocolate for the people."
A still silence lingered for a moment.
Then, young man finally reached forward. Picked up one of the chocolate squares. Bit into it.
His eyes widened instantly.
"...It’s... sweet... rich... and smooth...!"
His hands trembled slightly as he took another bite, slower this time.
Everyone held their breath.
But when the young man dared reach for a third piece.
The crowd surged.
Dozens of hands reached out all at once, at first cautious, then desperate.
And the moment the chocolate touched their tongues.
Silence.
Then....
Gasps.
Sighs.
Dreamy groans.
The kind of faces usually seen at harvest festivals or royal feasts.
"...By the God..."
"This is amazing..."
"You’re serious? We can buy this in town!?"
Fringal, who had been watching silently, looked up, eyes twitching.
"...Wait. They’re going to finish it all?!"
He shoved the scroll aside and bolted forward. "Out of the way, Let me have some!!"
Liana and Gloria exchanged puzzled glances from the side.
"...Is it really that good?" Liana murmured.
Javier leaned back in his chair, arms folded behind his head, grin stretched across his face.
"Heh... glad everyone loves it."
Liana looked at him with a slight frown of concern.
"Young master... are you sure you want to make the recipe public?"
Javier blinked. "Hmm? Of course. Why?"
Liana hesitated, then said softly, "Wouldn’t it be better to keep it exclusive? Just for nobles and the wealthy? Like... a luxury brand?"
Gloria nodded in agreement. "If you made it rare and expensive, wouldn’t that make it more desirable? And the profit margin would be higher, wouldn’t it?"
Javier grinned and raised a finger dramatically.
"Chi chi chi~ You’re thinking short-term," he said, wagging his finger with a sly glint in his eye.
"Making it exclusive looks profitable, yes. Say we sell one luxury box of chocolate, 12 pieces, at 50 silver coins. The production cost? Maybe just 1 or 2 silver coins."
He paused and tapped his finger against his chin.
"One silver coin is 100 copper. One gold coin is 100 silver, or 10,000 copper. So sure, it sounds like a massive profit. But that’s only if you find enough buyers."
He turned and began pacing.
"At that high price, maybe you get 100 to 200 noble customers per month across the world. Maybe less."
Gloria tilted her head. "But... that’s still thousands of coin in profit?"
( End Of Chapter )