27 Sugar and Spice and Everything Diced (1/2)

In Alpacala's Cafe, a popular cafe for women or anybody with a sweet tooth in general, a slender youth with auburn hair relaxed in a seat near the window. His name was Noah Campbell, the leader of a mercenary team and son of a human chef who was remarkably well-recognized by the beastmen in spite of their high standards.

During his tour to the human-ruled countries, Ursear became friends with Noah's father. However, unlike his father, Noah's skills solely remained in his spear arts like his mother.

As Noah was on a rare break in Belkchroma, he was on a food tour together with several other members. During this period, he incidentally received a letter from Ursear regarding the children and their circumstances. Out of pure curiosity, Noah accepted the request.

Sipping a three-colored milk tea, Noah waited for the group.

”Welcome to Alpacala's Cafe! How many are with you, sir?”

”Hoho, eight. We're meeting up with someone. Oh, he's over there,” a wizened voice sounded.

Noah glanced toward the familiar old beastman and stood, ”Mr. Hunigulus!”

”Isn't it little Noah?” The beastman expected one of the mercenary's members rather than the leader.

”We're only a year apart! Don't treat me as a kid!”

”Hoho, you're right, but beastmen ultimately age faster.”

Sighing at the senile beastman, Noah gestured for the waiter to add chairs and tables to his. While he dropped a single sugar cube to his tea, they took a seat.

Raising an eyebrow, Noah noticed that the children covered their forms using the fairy's illusion. With his years of experience, he could easily sense when mana was being manipulated, especially by inexperienced youngsters like them. Except, he simply ignored it and greeted, ”Hello, Mr. Hunigulus's acquaintances. My name is Noah Campbell, the leader of the Onyx Crew. Please, feel free to order anything you wish.”

After the children introduced themselves, they ordered several desserts without hesitation.

Scarlett glimpsed thought the menu, ”Sweets! Sugar! It's been years, baby!”

”We ate parfaits and hotcakes back in Kalfrar, what are you talking about?” Bridget tilted her head that rested on her hand.

”Scarlett, remember your manners. Oh, I may I order number two, please,” Clara ordered from the menu.

”Crackle. Do you have anything like number two, but not sweet?” Even Layla missed the taste of desserts, albeit she disliked sugary foods.

As the waiters brought the desserts, Noah added two sugar cubes into his cup, ”I heard from Mr. Hunigulus that you were requesting some teachers. Since my group is on vacation, I figured we'd accept for fun.”

”Is it really fine to impose on you?” Jade inquired while she nodded to the waiter who laid a cake in front of her, ”Thank you.”

”Yes, I believe it would be interesting to teach children of different races, especially those who normally shouldn't be this far into the Central Continent,” he plopped another three sugar cubes into the cup.

”Thank you for taking up our offer-”

”Oh, don't get me wrong. We won't be doing this for free even if Mr. Hunigulus recommended you all. After all, we are mercenaries.”

Four blocks of sugar joined the pile as Noah stirred his cup. No one could recognize the original colors of the tea. Was adding tea to the sugar or sugar to the tea?

”How much would you like in return?” Jade asked.

”I would assume you wouldn't have much on you, nevertheless, I require about this much and to learn the reasons you all ended up here,” he pushed a parchment toward the demoness, ”If you currently don't have enough, you're free to pay in separate installments without interest, of course.”

”It's a nice offer, but we can't trust you.”

”Then, you can simply take your time. I understand your concerns but supposing you do find it in your hearts to trust me, you could tell me about the reasons at any time. For now, I'll just accept money for compensation.”

Jade complied as they shook hands. A contract was filled out by Noah and signed by the children.

”Well, then. Meet me and my companions tomorrow at noon, please take your time while I go consult my teammates,” Noah said his farewells and left.

”What the heck? He didn't even finish his cup of sugar!” Scarlett exclaimed, ”He's wasting precious food!”

”Hoho, don't mind him. He could be slightly eccentric at times,” Ursear chortled, ”Now that I have settled tabs with you, children, I will be taking my leave.”

Although Iris did not reveal her dryad status, she did trade a bottle of dryad's nectar. Albeit, the nectar itself was extracted from Jae's...vomit.

Since dryad nectar was actually a dryad's saliva or any liquid from their bodies. Their internal body structure was closer to a plant's than a human's, thus it was cleaner than human barf. It was the same difference as being able to eat fox excrement filled with nuts and berries instead of a human's, which was dirty.

”No! Don't leave Mr. Bear!” Scarlett hugged the grizzly bear, enjoying the fluffiness in one last embrace.

”Hoho. I have no idea why you're so attached to me, little lizard girl, but I was happy to meet all of you children. Alas, my life is fleeting and I still have a few more places and dishes to try before I pass away.”

”Scarlett~, it's time to say bye bye~.”

”Nooo!”

Wendy tore Scarlett away from the bear while the children waved goodbye.

When the children were about to abscond as well, Layla finally received her nearly forgotten shortcake. She nibbled on the pastry.

Spicy. With a hint of paprika.

------

”Bye bye my life,” Jae collapsed onto the ground. With his reserves completely depleted, he could not move an inch.

”It's great that you managed to keep up with us,” an elk beastwoman, who was one of the five other newbies, crouched at the boy.

”All of you, get off the training grounds! Another group reserved this place for the time slot after us, so scram,” Valorie, the cheetah teacher, commanded.

”I can't move,” Jae mumbled.

”Somebody drag that boy away,” Valorie aloofly ordered. One of the humans of the group dragged Jae to the nurse's office on the second floor.

”Back already? You don't seem hurt, only fatigued. Just go take a rest on one of the beds,” the human healer casually spoke.

Jae fell into a deep slumber and when he woke up, the sun had already set. Meanwhile, the human healer was still writing a couple of documents in the nearby desk. Black circles surrounded the healer's eyes.

”Groan. What time is it?” Muddleheaded, Jae sat up while rubbing his temples.