The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL] Chapter 840: A Willing Corner

"Sir, as you ordered, I am here to report on the complaints raised by the elites."

Rhys Corvan placed a hand over his chest as he spoke, posture straight and formal. His superior stood with his back to him, hands clasped behind him as he gazed through the wide window. Beyond the glass lay the sprawling structure of the ISEC, still bustling despite the ti.

The Federation delegation had already returned to their accommodations earlier that evening. The official reason had been simple. Rest was required after the grueling interstellar travel.

The young elites who had accompanied them had understandably wanted to protest passionately. Right up until they rembered whose order it was.

After all, who would dare defy Cassian Veyra?

Rhys cleared his throat and continued.

"Sir, just as you expected, they were displeased. They initially wished to remain behind and could not understand why we were returning instead, especially when the primary purpose of our visit was for the Federation to gain access to those highly coveted goods."

A pause.

"They are also asking about the plan of action so they can prepare accordingly."

Silence followed.

Then Cassian spoke.

"And you?"

Rhys blinked.

"...Sir?"

Cassian didn’t turn around. His gaze remained fixed on the distant lights of the ISEC.

"What do you think about my decision to return instead of pushing to visit that booth?"

Rhys stiffened instantly.

He had wondered about the sa thing. Of course he had. Anyone with eyes would have wondered. But wondering and voicing doubt were very different things.

"I apologize, Sir," Rhys said quickly, bowing his head. "I did have concerns about it. However, as your adjutant, I am well aware that you do nothing without reason."

A quiet sound left Cassian’s throat.

"Mn."

The respectful adjutant waited.

"The only way to see the full picture," Cassian said calmly, "is to avoid spooking the prey."

Rhys’s eyes widened slightly.

"Do you truly believe we would have learned even half of what we did today if their schedule had been dedicated to managing foreign pressure?" Cassian continued.

"And those children... So much for complaining when they had been watching the broadcast the whole tour."

He slightly turned from the window.

"Did they want to stand inside the hall for everyone to see? People wouldn’t even need to see what they were watching when those kids seed incapable of schooling their own expressions."

Rhys swallowed.

"Then, Sir," he asked carefully, "what should we prepare for?"

Cassian’s lips curved faintly.

"You should practice how to smile."

"Huh?"

The adjutant stared, montarily forgetting his composure.

"We ca here searching for the source," the heir said evenly. "For the technology behind it. But now it’s clear that it’s not a what."

He turned fully, eyes sharp and amused.

"But a who."

Rhys’s breath caught.

"Then... Sir?"

"Wouldn’t it be better to receive the elusive group willingly?"

"...Willingly?"

Cassian looked once more at the ISEC before turning his back to look at Rhys with a relaxed smile.

"Why not be the corner they run to when everyone starts turning against them?"

"!"

__

A valid idea, really.

If not for the inconvenient fact that even the most adorable critters were known to scratch, bite, and fight viciously when cornered.

And for one particular chipmunk, a threat to his loved ones was no different from a declaration of war.

Bam!

The sound detonated through the demo kitchen.

Several people flinched so hard that a few nearly dropped their utensils.

A massive crate now sat squarely on the counter in front of Luca.

"Oh!" Luca yelped, eyes widening. "Oops! I’m so sorry! I didn’t think that would be so loud!"

He bowed quickly, hands clasped together in apology, before imdiately turning his attention back to the crate with bright curiosity. He popped it open and began lifting out item after item.

Cans.

Neatly stacked. Uniform. Pristine.

Heads craned forward from every direction.

People leaned. Tiptoes rose. Even the orcs bent slightly just to get a better look.

Luca inhaled deeply, visibly steadying himself.

"Earlier," he began earnestly, "we talked about the wonders of tomatoes."

The room quieted.

"How they can be eaten raw, roasted, stewed, baked, stir-fried, blended into food, or cooked into sauces, soups, and even jams," he continued as people licked their lips in anticipation.

"There are really so many things you can do with them that it would take a very long ti to go through everything. And while I wanted to go through as many of them as possible, I don’t think we’d have enough ti. Sorry!"

A few people nodded in a daze as their chins trembled over the thoughtfulness of the young lord.

"Originally, I thought about teaching everyone how to can their own tomatoes," Luca admitted. "But I realized that might not be the best approach because of the ti and steps involved."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"But," he added, eyes lighting up, "I was reminded that we already have a version you can enjoy right away. So I thought it would be better to teach you how to use one item in many different ways!"

Xavier, standing just off to the side, pursed his lips a bit to contain his expression.

He couldn’t help but smile at the barely contained excitent radiating off Luca. The little chipmunk looked like he might actually bounce off the walls

Clearly, his little wife loved this thing.

"And what is it?" Luca announced brightly.

He spread his arms wide.

"Marinara sauce!"

"Ta-da!"

The participants stared.

So blinked.

The Imperial Crown Prince’s mouth curved upward as he waited by the side, just glad that the participants seed as excited as his wife. Many of them had absolutely no idea what that was but they definitely made up for it with enthusiasm.

"Oh!" Luca added suddenly. "And to really appreciate how versatile this sauce is, why don’t we try it with the cheesy potato balls you just made?"

"!!!"

Collective shock exploded across the room as so of them realized that they had, in fact, heard about that sauce when they received their first ever free sample!

But their surprise over the realization was nothing compared to what ca next.

The glass containers began to float.

Gasps erupted.

For so, it was just surprising.

For others, it felt like an awakening.

Those with visual resonance saw it clearly. Tendrils. Countless threads of spiritual energy extending outward, each moving independently. Anyone with battle experience would freak out because of the sheer number before them.

As expected, so of them couldn’t help but brace themselves, but to their surprise, the tendrils didn’t proceed to lash out at everyone. Instead, they were out there lifting containers with careful precision.

They flowed through the air like living things.

Every single participant received a container.

Delivered gently.

Placed perfectly.

Strangled noises escaped throats as people swallowed down their reactions. They had seen a domineering display during the parade. But this was different.

Unlike that massive spread that could be attained with imnse spiritual energy, this was control.

Absolute finesse.

And it was happening right in front of the Empire’s leaders, who didn’t even blink.

The realization hit hard. The orcs in particular had to look at their king for confirmation.

But no one got it as Luca clapped his hands together, eyes shining.

"Alright," he said happily. "Let’s begin!"

Now, only an idiot would say otherwise. If he says begin, they all better begin.