Chapter 220: True Calling

Words : 1211 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Chapter 220: True Calling There were many careers, but right now, everyone wanted to change theirs. Maybe they were meant to be chefs? Or fishermen? Because, if not, then how could they produce such a delightful thing?! An absolute masterpiece! How was it possible that those questionable-looking fishes would end up like this?! Even Jax, who had beef with those unusually large bass fish, could suddenly see them in a different light! Suddenly, their beady eyes just looked a little more beautiful. It was a sudden change in outlook. That was further strengthened when the newbies’ own dishes were cooked in the ovens, which suddenly looked shinier. Time ticked by so slowly, and it was only alleviated by having to prepare their own garlic butter dill sauces. *DING!* So when the ovens started chiming, everyone almost flew to the wall. And one Duke even decided to hold the pan with his bare hands! "Papa! Your hands!" Shouted the worried son, who panicked when he saw his over-eager father just grabbing onto the pan like that. "Oh, son! This much? This is what our bloodline ability is good for!" Laughed the proud father who stuck out his non-existent gut as he held a hot tray to show everyone! "I may not be able to do other things with it, but in the absence of an oven or that pot holder, I should suffice!" Grinned the Duke, who beamed at his personal work of art. And what art it was! For the Duke actually managed to make an edible dish, although just how edible it was could only be answered by the one son who had the right to eat from his pan. Though it really looked more like the Father of the Year would cry if his good son didn’t try out his dish. So, Luca had to. Which was apparently a treat in itself. And while it did taste just like the fish he had made, Luca’s heart was actually warmed by the thought that someone had cooked with him in mind. Only to realize that it wasn’t just his father, as everyone practically lined up to get Luca to taste the first bite. It looked awkward. For each pan had one area carved out by the embarrassed chipmunk’s fork. But it was the kind of embarrassment that made him feel extremely happy. And definitely touched. However, it wasn’t just Luca who felt this way; the aspirants were more than happy to get a seal of approval! And only after this did they demolish their second (or even third) fish for the day. Who would’ve thought that was possible??? "Papa, what about the food for the other people of the Duchy?" Now, that was a valid question, as even Steward Han was embarrassed as he burped off to the side. They obviously cared about their brothers and sisters, too, but there really were dire times when it was impossible to remember that others existed. "Oh." Muttered the Duke. "..." "..." "Son, uh, about that, can we still fish tomorrow? And maybe buy some ingredients?" Said the father, who was now reddening like a tomato. He also forgot. But how could he not when he barely even remembered his name and life’s purpose? In fact, for a moment, he had imagined himself as a fisherman, living for the rivers and living with the gifts of these gracious bodies of water. But that was earlier, and now, the Duke could only ask for forgiveness in mortification as they basically ate the food that was meant to be for tomorrow. However, Luca only found all of it amusing and started giggling at the problem before them. His eyes nearly glowed as he answered his father’s pleas. "Of course, Papa. We can just do this again tomorrow." "And maybe add a few more things like roasted potatoes, tomatoes, and maybe Brussels sprouts!" The people’s ears twitched at the mention of other possible dishes. They weren’t exactly familiar with what those would taste like, but after their very positive experience, there was no way anyone was going to miss out on this. And this time, they were even willing to watch just how they were prepared. But while everyone was curious about such things, one lad was thinking greater thoughts. "Luca. About the oil and the butter. Is there a way for us to get those without buying them from the Trove?" Jax asked, a hand raised as if in class. And the Dungeon owner’s eyes widened. Yes. Yes, of course. Oil from olives or lard and butter from milk. In fact, they have recently started looking for ways to create a steady supply of salt and sugar. So, why not these as well, right?! "Oil and butter should be possible," he exclaimed, the lingering warmth from the earlier meal still making him giddy. "We can start by raising cows for milk and planting olive trees for oil! And we can also use lard from pigs to make that, " Luca mumbled, starting to think about these possibilities he had forgotten about. Now, if there was anything useful that he probably learned from that secluded school, it was surviving in something like a homestead. The teachers would say it was because the goods from the stores were tainted by those awakened people. But if others were asked, they’d say it was because they wanted free labor. For why exactly would they allow an awakened to work in the farms if contamination was their actual concern?! And Luca was as free as it could get. While he wasn’t allowed to really touch many of the things for appearances, they surely made him do the other things. But even then, he’d hear things or see how. Who would’ve thought that would come in handy? Now, if only they could get the actual animals. "Let me check," Luca mumbled, already pulling up his interface. "Host! Are these what you’re looking for?" [Dairy Cattle: 15,000 CP] [Beef Cattle: 15,000 CP] [Heritage Pig: 15,000 CP] [Multipurpose Barn Facility: 150,000 CP] [Olive Sapling: 2,500 CP] Luca blinked at the neatly displayed Trove prices, the numbers glowing ominously on the transparent screen. "Well, it’s definitely possible," he murmured, though the cost of establishing even a simple barn and getting a few cows and pigs made him sweat a little. Or maybe it wasn’t just a little, for his feet also felt wobbly and slippery. "It’ll take... a lot of corruption points." Jax, however, had no such hesitation. His eyes were gleaming with something fierce—something bordering on reverence. It was the look of a man reborn with purpose. That was nothing. What was running back and forth for a week if it meant unlimited butter on everything?! Nothing. For butter was everything. And so, in a very rare display of eagerness to participate, Jax risked his neck. "Captain!" But Jax didn’t need to voice it out. Xavier, the Imperial Crown Prince, understood. And if these would improve the space and help alleviate Luca’s constant costs, then they ought to invest in them. It was an odd case of consensus among everyone, save for Luca, who could not believe that people were willing to go on corruption runs for condiments. "..." Seriously? Seriously.

Chapter 220: True Calling

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