【The Old Man of the Expelled Inn Unwittingly Dominates Today Too】Although I Want to Lead a Slow Life, for Some Reason the Strongest Beauties Who Hold Important Positions in the Country, and Were Once My Disciples, Gather Around Me Asking to Be Hired – Even Though I Only Taught Them a Little～ - Chapter 54: Old Man Gets Awed by Nobles in the Anpan Bakery

Woah!

Incredible!

I am currently in awe. I’m at a famous Anpan store in the capital of the Natol Kingdom.

Ah, of course, this is just in my mind. It would be a nuisance if I shouted in the store.

I finally get to use the Anpan discount coupon (permanent) I received from the king before.

—The time has finally come.

I’ve been too busy to use it, but the time has finally arrived.

I couldn’t even sleep last night. I was too excited.

Everyone else plans to join me at the store later. By the way, I’ve asked Sera to take care of the inn.

I couldn’t wait any longer and ended up coming ahead of everyone.

Now… I’ll check out all the products before everyone arrives~~

The store is a treasure trove.

Even the regular Anpan, depending on the store, has its characteristics.

From the bread dough to the shape, the An (sweet bean paste) used inside, and the aroma. Each store has its unique features.

First, I want to secure the regular Anpan.

And then—

Huh! What’s this yellow one!?

Lemon Anpan, you say…

I must try this! I’ve never had it before!

How does the sourness of the lemon combine with the sweetness of the An to create a delicious taste!

As I’m getting excited, the door of the store opens.

“Ara Ara~~ So this is the place.”

It seems a new customer has arrived. But… my interest is solely on the Anpan.

“Excuse me, Lady Countess Nalkin has graced your store with her presence. Won’t you even bow to me?”

“O-Oh, Countess, welcome to our store.”

It seems a lady is hassling the shopkeeper. I can’t hear the conversation well, but it looks like she’s being given a variety of explanations about Anpan.

However… dealing with customers is a part of the service industry. There’s no need for me to step in.

Besides, I’m more interested in the Anpan!

“Anpan, huh… It is a food for the lower classes, isn’t it? It doesn’t seem fitting for someone as noble as myself. Don’t you have anything more expensive?”

“No, what you see here is all we have… Our store wishes for as many customers as possible to enjoy Anpan…”

The lady… is being too aggressive.

—Can’t be helped.

“Lady! Anpan is something you choose in silence!”

Ah, I ended up stepping in.

But if I don’t, this noise will ruin my excitement.

“L-Lady!? How rude! To allow such a filthy older man into your store! What is the meaning of this!”

“Oh… Perhaps you’re fussing because you can’t afford it? What a troublesome lady~~”

I see, so She wants to eat Anpan but is making a fuss because she can’t hold back.

I understand the feeling of wanting to eat so badly, but it’s not right to cause trouble for others.

The lady continues to make a scene.

—Can’t be helped.

I take a card from my pocket and hand it to the shopkeeper.

“Can you use this to give the lady a discount too?”

“This… This is! The royal crest!? Are you, perhaps…”

Huh? The shopkeeper seems to be panicking.

Using a discount coupon for someone else might be against the rules. I’ll leave that to the store’s judgment.

I’m sorry if it’s not allowed, but you’ll have to give up, lady.

“What did you say? Let me see that! …!? It’s unmistakably the royal crest! And even a signature directly from His Majesty the King!? Who are you!”

Just an older man.

Then the door of the store opens.

“Sensei~~ Oh, there you are~~”

“Baldo-sensei, rushing ahead as usual, your obsession with Anpan hasn’t changed at all, huh, Fufu.”

It’s Alesia and Milene.

“Whaaat! Aren’t you the Sword Saint and the Holy Maiden over there!? I saw you at the royal celebration party!”

And then…

“Baldo-sama~~ sorry to keep you waiting~~”

Liena also arrived.

“Wh-wh-whaaaat!! P-Princess!!”

“Oh? Lady Countess Nalkin, it’s been a while. How do you do? Do you have some business with Baldo-sama? Your loud voice was echoing outside the store, I see.”

“Eeeek! G-G-Good day~~. I-I was just having a small talk with this gentleman… Oh, I just remembered an urgent matter. Please excuse me!”

The lady hastily made her exit from the store with incredible speed.

What was that all about?

Well, no matter. More importantly—Anpan!

“Ah~~ which one to choose~~ I’m torn…”

My tray for the Anpan is still empty.

Because I can’t decide.

Glancing over at them…

“I’ll take this one!”

“I will have this Earl Grey Anpan.”

Two Anpans were promptly placed on my tray.

—Aren’t they deciding too quickly?

Did they think it over?

While I’m worried about whether these kids are alright, Liena also placed an Anpan on my tray.

“Baldo-sama, you’re thinking too much.”

“No, this is something to ponder over… give me a little more time…”

“You charge at dragons without a second thought… but you love Anpan, huh?”

“Ah, Liena. When Sensei gets like this, all we can do is wait.”

“Indeed, according to my estimate, it will take another hour at least.”

“Alesia, Milene… You’re kidding, right? Can’t be helped, Baldo-sama.”

“Hmm? What is it, Liena?”

“Please feel free to choose as much as you like.”

“Wha—what did you say!!”

Ah, my voice accidentally rose in the store. My apologies.

“But, Liena. Didn’t you say the budget was for two pieces per person? Is it really okay for the inn’s budget to go over?”

“Our inn is hardly going to go bankrupt over Anpan. I handle the finances, so if I declare it’s fine, it indeed is fine.”

My golden-haired angel whispered this as her locks fluttered.

Really!?

This is bad, bad, bad.

That means—

“First, the Lemon Anpan.”

And then—

“Calut shall opt for this Salt Anpan.”

“Alright then, Calut has chosen the Salt Anpan…”

Hmm?

That voice sounds incredibly familiar…

The next moment—

Something jumped at me. A small something.

I have a memory of this small something…

“Bal~~ long time no see~~~”

Indeed, one of the three gods is the great mage Calut Mage.

My former apprentice.