CHAPTER 522: CHAPTER 522 - EXPLORING CERYNEIA (PART 4 - COAL CITY)

I kept my cool even after seeing the current poor situation of the kitchen I am about to work in. I was at least glad that I have somewhere to cook.

I walked towards the stoves and looked into its mechanism. I was indeed correct about it being powered by magic since underneath the stove, instead of a place to put firewood, it was made of solid rock. The difference is that there was a small and round indentation right under the stove top. It was fitted with a clear crystal the size of a sugar cube melon where mana would be injected to create some sort of heat for cooking.

Lir was watching me closely as if expecting that I will complain about the place he brought me to. I looked at him while pointing on the stove instead, "Just to be sure, this crystal, I just need to inject mana inside it right? That’s for turning on right? How would I turn it off then?"

He walked towards me with an amused expression since instead of showing disgust on the area, all I showed was curiousity. While looking at the place I am pointing at, he explained patiently that the crystal was special and has the ability to store mana which means you can inject mana in it and then take it back whenever you need to. In this way, the stove can be turned on and off.

I stared at the crystal, clearly amazed on what it can do. My business-minded brain started churning on what wonders this crystal can do on tools and appliances that are being used on land.

As if understanding my reaction, Lir looked at me and murmured, "This crystal is very common here. The mines are full of it so you can get it for dirt cheap near the mines. I can help you get some if you really want it."

I looked up towards Lir and nodded enthusiastically. His indifferent face showed an almost imperceptible change as his eyes seemed to have softened its gaze and the corners of his lips turned upwards by just a tiny bit.

It did not escape my eyes but I did not comment on it. I have to bag this guy since he is number one on the list that Marius gave me. His real identity is an illegitimate child of a duchess with an unnamed slave. His current father picked him up and adopted him just like his little sister though I don’t exactly know how Marius found out about it.

I did not let my wandering thoughts show on my face as I started pulling pots, ladles, knives, chopping boards, plates and raw ingredients out of my storage space. I saw the exact moment that Marius’ face changed to that of shock, his mouth left agape as I continually pulled things out of thin air and place it on top of the preparation table.

As I was doing so, I told him that I plan to cook meaty vegetable stew, vegetable and squid stir fry, bread and some fruit juice. Upon hearing the details of the full menu, he looked at me in confusion and couldn’t help but ask, "Why are you preparing so much?"

I chuckled and responded nonchalantly, "You, me, your father and your sister will eat. We also have to include the people around this area who will smell the food we are making. It would be cruel not to give them any, don’t you think?"

He looked at me in surprise but I saw a glint of doubt in his eyes. He must be thinking why I am doing something that I really do not have to do. I smiled while washing the meat as I said in passing, "Why are you looking at me like that? I will have a taste of everyhing before serving it to others. You can watch me as I prepare it. I am not going to poison anyone, you know?"

His face turned red as if confirming that his thoughts were going into that direction. He coughed once and he changed the topic by asking me what he can do to help.

As we were preparing the ingredients, few people started to walk closer to where we are, curious of what we are doing. Upon seeing the pile of unfamiliar ingredients and the two gigantic pots that I have on the stove, they seemed to have made up their minds to approach us.

After staring for so long, a pair of lanky male merfolks timidly approached us. They asked if they can help out in the kitchen in exchange for a bowl of what we were about to make. As they said this, I saw them swallow nervously.

Lir was quietly waiting on the side, waiting for what I was about to say. I looked up at the two and smiled. I then responded, "Sure. We need all the help we can get since I think I will cook a lot today since I am in a good mood. Call for your other friends or relatives and make sure they bring their own bowl for the meat stew later."

The two boys looked at each other and murmured "meat?" together in surprise. They beamed at me then ran back to call for others that are willing to help out in exchange for food. They were quite energetic though they were very thin so at least I believe they are still lively and a bit healthy at least.

After about ten minutes, the duo came back with 8 other boys that are of varying ages. The oldest only looked like they were in their mid teens. Before the boys came near, Lir suddenly whispered, "I just want you to know that we look younger than our real age. Don’t be too nice to them because they might think you like them to be your lovers or husbands."

My head snapped to the side as I looked at Lir. He smirked at me and whispered, "I am already 50 in human years. I came of age when I was around 45. It varies per merfolk. It can be anytime after the age of 30, not that it matters since we always look the same anyways."

With the reminder from Lir, I remembered that a certain merfolk I know looked like he’s in his 20s but he is already about a hundred years old. I still smiled cordially at the 10 boys that are coming our way to help and immediately assigned them tasks in the kitchen.

With more helping hands, I was able to concentrate more on baking the loaves of bread while they prepare the other ingredients. I have already placed the two pot of water with meat on top of the stove so we can start softening the meat.

While everyone was busy I sent telepathic messages to Dimitri to put some extra unsold farm produce in our shared storage since I could sell for a higher profit in the place where I am. I also sent a separate message to Helios to check the value of white and colored pearls as well as merfolk-made items in the market since I will most likely get these things as payment for the farm produce.

It took about an hour to finish everything, just in time for brunch. As promised, I served myself, Lir and the 10 boys their meals and also gave some to their immediate families. I kept two servings so that Lir can bring it home to his family too. The rest were distributed to others living around the shared kitchen.

After the meal, I bid them goodbye as I simply used spells to clean everything I used and store my things. I also let Lir go quickly to his home to leave the meals for his family.

Now that our bellies and hearts are full, it is finally time to do what I came to Coal City for. Though I think there is some form of misunderstanding that we need to clear first as the man in front of me is asking if he needs to remove his clothes or do something. Where did this thinking come from?

I had to stop walking and pull him back to the side for a serious talk. He looked stunned and flustered from my sudden movements. I looked him in the eye and specifically told him that I am hiring him as a guide on my excursion within Coal and Cobalt cities.

Upon realizing that he misunderstood, he hurriedly bowed his head and apologized for being too presumptious. I laughed it off and told him that if I wasn’t busy, I would take his offer which successfully made the guy blush and shut up.

He explained that visitors in Coal City usually come here for only one reason and that is getting pleasure services that can easily be bought from desperate and hungry mermen. He apologised again for thinking of me the same way even after I fed him and his neighbors.

After clearing up the matters, he immediately went to work introducing me first to a broker for the clear crystals that I saw on the stove earlier. I immediately bought as many pieces as I can which made the store manager happy beyond measure.