Episode 124 — Defining Rewards, and the Morning Toaster

The kitchen was filled with the savory scent of browning bread and the sweet aroma of butter melting over heat.

I heated a frying pan on the induction cooktop and cracked two eggs into it. Next to me, the toaster let out a light "ping," popping up two slices of perfectly golden-brown bread.

"Here you go. Keeping it simple this morning: ham, eggs, and toast. Coffee alright with everyone?"

As I set the plates on the living room table, Gustav and Léonard, who were already seated, leaned forward to stare at the breakfast as if they were examining a rare artifact.

"Mr. Zect... what is this dish of eggs, white as snow and shining like gold? And this bread... the color is more uniform and beautiful than anything produced by the royal bakers who spend all night kneading dough."

Léonard poked the toast with his fingertip, his eyes widening at the springy texture.

"It’s just sunny-side-up eggs and ham. The bread was just popped in a machine. Come on, eat before it gets cold."

At my prompting, the two of them began to move their forks and knives with the caution of men performing a sacred ritual. The crisp, satisfying sound of biting into toast echoed through the room.

"...! What is this texture? The outside is light as a feather, but the inside is soft as a cloud. And this oil you call 'butter'... the depth of the fragrance is extraordinary. Brother, do you enjoy this kind of luxury every morning in Felsen?"

"No... only when I visit this house. The 'tools' in Mr. Zect’s home allow for the heat to be controlled with absolute precision."

Gustav nodded with deep emotion as he dipped his bread into the runny yolk. I set aside a small portion of plain, unseasoned egg for Tama.

"Meow. (The flavor is fine, but I would have preferred the bacon to be a bit crispier.)"

Tama swayed her tail elegantly as she licked her plate clean.

After we’d finished and were settling in with our coffee, Léonard straightened his posture and looked at me. His eyes held an intense ambition that surpassed the fear he’d felt the night before.

"Mr. Zect. Allow me to make a formal proposal once more. Your wisdom, and these incredible tools... wouldn't you like to exercise your talents in the Royal Capital of Valmeria?"

"This again? I told you yesterday, I’m not moving."

"I understand. I know you love this manor. But in the capital, anything you desire can be yours. The finest ingredients, the latest magical materials, and above all, I will provide hundreds of servants to support your 'lazy' lifestyle. To be honest, I’m prepared to pay you double... no, triple whatever my brother is giving you."

Léonard held up a finger, leaning in with total confidence. To him, this was an unprecedented offer—the equivalent of a First Prince handing over a blank check.

"Rewards, huh... Out of curiosity, how much do you think Gustav is paying me?"

"Well... considering the logic you’ve implemented here, I’d guess a thousand gold coins or a significant percentage of the territory’s tax revenue. Knowing my brother, he must be pushing himself to the limit to keep you here."

Léonard glanced at Gustav, who awkwardly avoided his gaze and took a long sip of coffee.

"Hate to break it to you, but I don't receive a single cent from Gustav."

A frozen silence filled the living room. The spoon Léonard was holding clattered onto his plate.

"I’m... I beg your pardon? What did you say?"

"My reward is zero. I don’t get paid. Call it volunteer work... or just a hobby."

"Ze-Zero?! Brother, are you insane?! You’re letting a sage of this caliber work for free?! That’s a level of exploitation that makes me question your royal pride!"

Léonard practically kicked his chair back as he stood up to confront Gustav.

"No, you’ve got it wrong, Léonard! I’ve offered to pay him countless times! But Mr. Zect stubbornly refuses, saying it creates 'unnecessary management costs'!"

"Management costs?"

Léonard turned back to me with a look of utter incomprehension.

"Even if I had money, I’d have no way to spend it. I don't leave this house, and Amazon—er, mail order doesn't deliver here. Carrying cash just increases the risk of theft and the effort of accounting. It’s basically just junk data taking up space in my wallet’s storage."

As I gave my flat explanation, Léonard sat back down, holding his head in his hands.

"I don't believe it. To think there exists a man who cannot be motivated by money... Then why? Why are you cooperating with my brother? Why are you rewriting Felsen?"

"I told you. I just want to create an environment where my naps aren't interrupted. If Gustav stabilizes this land as a competent lord, my own security increases. In short, he is simply a very effective 'firewall' for me."

Léonard began to laugh weakly at my words.

"Treating the lord who commands the Kingdom’s strongest knight captain as a mere 'firewall'... Hahaha, I give up. Royal authority and the glitter of gold are worthless in the face of your absolute defense: laziness."

(Well, thanks to the special features of this house, my lifestyle is self-contained anyway. But explaining that would be too much work. At least this should close the book on being scouted to the capital.)

"Mrrp. (Just give up already. This man has exactly zero ambition.)"

Tama jumped onto Léonard’s lap. Touching her soft fur, Léonard gazed out the window at the Felsen forest, looking as though he’d finally found some peace of mind.

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