Chapter 341: Maximum Overbusiness (1/2)

“Should I do it in Ravenhall?” Iana asked after noting down some measurements.

“No, I think Claire can get you when she comes to talk to Balduur. I’ll inform her. When do you think you’re done? I think it would also be good to bring all this stuff.” Ilea said, gesturing widely around her.

The enchantress looked around, “That… will be a little longer then. Just getting it up. Most of it was built to stay.”

Ilea thought on it and summoned the Band of Infinity. “I think this should solve the problem. Consider it a gift, to make sure your work is the best it can be.”

The girl stared at the storage ring, back at Ilea and then once again at the ring. “I can’t…,”

Ilea stopped her immediately, grabbing her hand with a quick but gentle motion before she put the ring on, its size automatically changing to fit Iana’s finger. “Oh wow, you just could. Great.”

Balduur laughed and shook his head, heading for his own space in the smithy, “I’ll see you around then, Ilea. Do send your friend over.” He said, leaving them.

She gave him a nod and patted the speechless girl on her back, “Come on, you’ve got work to do. Maybe you’ll figure out how to mass produce these as well.”

Iana looked at her, “Three days… I need three days for the armor and to pack everything up. With this. If it’s really alright. They’re exceptionally rare, random magical proportions evolved over centuries, I don’t think I could replicate it…,”

“We’ll see, Iana.” Ilea commented with a smirk, “I’ll be back in a couple days then. Have fun you two.”

“Don’t forget to check for a taleen machine!” Aki said from the table.

Ilea waved him off, “Yea, yea. If we don’t have anything, I’ll get you one in a couple weeks.”

“I’ve waited a thousand years, Ilea!” Aki commented.

“Then be happy if it’s not going to be another thousand.” She replied with a smile.

“So this is the place?” Ilea asked, back in Ravenhall.

Keyla gave off more heat than normal, her eyes burning bright, “It is.”

Ilea looked at the line of people waiting outside, the establishment more just a store, people going in and out quickly. Some with a slice of cake, others with crepes or a croissant filled with chocolate. The business took up a whole house, not nearly as big as Keyla’s restaurant though. Big pink lettering above the entrance informed her about the name. Big ass Pastries… whoever this is, I can’t exactly fault them, I’m sorry Keyla.

“They’re the most successful food business next to the Golden Drake.” The woman informed her.

“Did you ask Claire about it? And why are you so pissed off?” Ilea asked, “Your restaurant is still booked out for months to come.”

Keyla looked at her, Ilea feeling the hairs on her back stand up, her instincts moving the ashen armor on her back forward before she could consciously interfere. Bright yellow reptile eyes looked into her very soul, flames of hatred and power burning within.

“This is about honor. About my name as a cook. About my restaurant. I won’t have some… baker, steal my glory of having the best food related business in the city. I will not.” The cook said and turned away, her scorching sight aimed at the show window, a dozen beautifully made and decorated cakes presenting the capabilities of the baker.

Ilea was surprised the cakes didn’t melt, “And what do you want me to do about it?”

The yellow eyes focused on her again, “Burn it down, kill them all.” Keyla said, “Or hire the baker for the golden drake, I don’t want to seem extreme.”

Had me going there in the first half. “I’ll check it out. Maybe I own it already.”

“Claire wouldn’t tell me.” Keyla hissed.

The two waited in line for a couple minutes, Ilea watching the two women rushing back and forth between the back room and the counter, taking orders and bringing whatever the people demanded. She could see where the name of the store had come from, Good for them. Not so much for their backs. Ilea noted, thinking on the invention of sports bras. Didn’t I think about that before? Now I could actually fund it. She smiled, looking at the third woman working the cash register and handling the money. Her eyebrows rose at the lack of big ass, pastries.

The worker squinted her eyes at her, “Can I help you miss?” The voice professional and nice, with an icy undertone.

“Yea, is this store owned by Lilith?” Ilea asked, stepping closer.

“May I know who is asking?” The woman said, eyes going wide at the mention.

Ilea spread her ashen wings behind her and smirked, “Potentially, the owner.” She replied.

“Yes, ma’am.” The woman said, saluting her vigorously, indicating her possible past in a military unit. The icy eyes had turned into admiration. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, what can I do for you?”

“Hey, I do own the place. Keyla?” Ilea looked back at the pacing woman.

“That complicates things.” She said, “I wouldn’t want to mistreat someone under your protection.”

“You shouldn’t mistreat anybody, Keyla.”

The woman waved her off, “Ah, come on. A little is fine sometimes.”

Ilea squinted at her, “I’d like to meet the head baker.” She said to the woman who quickly nodded and led them towards the back.

There was a room with a variety of pastries, baked goods, cakes as well as literal tons of ingredients. “He is through that door, it is very, very hot in there. I cannot enter without damage to my body myself.”

“I think I’ll be fine. How’s your heat resistance, Keyla?” Ilea asked.

The woman rolled her eyes and opened the door, “They tried to make me a dragon Ilea, how do you think it is?”

Ilea chuckled and stepped through the opened door, a wave of intense heat immediately washing over her. Nothing dangerous for her but she could tell this wasn’t your average baker. Dozens of ovens were lining the walls, timers and magical lights added to them. In the middle of the room, sitting on a tiny chair was a man in red heavy full plate armor.

He turned his head when he heard the noise, the helmet looked wicked and dangerous. “Oh. Hello Ilea!”

She smiled brightly, “Hey Popi, fancy meeting you here. I already suspected it.”

“Do you know this hideous creature?” Keyla asked, the heat making her scales glisten.

“Don’t talk about him that way, he’s a kind and nice guy.” Ilea said, pointing at Keyla and looking at her with icy eyes, the woman shutting up immediately, “How are you Popi? Where’s Maurice?”

The man walked over and hugged her, “Thank you! Thank you! I have my own shop! Look!” He let go, the force he had used enough to crush a lesser woman. The baker gestured around himself with such joy and pride, Ilea couldn’t help but feel happy for him. “You gave me all this! The boom woman said it was you. Hahahaha.”

Boom woman? Claire? “Well it makes me happy that you have all this. Do you have a place to live as well? And you didn’t tell me where Maurice is, is he ok?”

He pointed up, “I live up. But I like it more here. Maurice said the war is too dangerous for me, traveled here with me and talked to the boom woman.” He nodded, “Maurice said to do a good job and become the best baker. The best baker of all.”

“That’s great.” Ilea said and laughed, “Do you know where he is now?”

He touched his chin, “Hmm, I think. He said he wanted to work with the angry girls. Yellow eyes, like hers.” He said and pointed at Keyla, “And purple eyes.”

Ilea thought for a second, “Felicia and Maria? The ones who came to kill your boss?”

“Arthur? Yes, he’s dead.” The man said and sat down on his little chair made of steel.