"I'll Catch Up Later, So Go On Ahead!" I Said, and Stayed Behind in the Dungeon for Five Years. When I Returned to the Royal Capital, for Some Reason, I Had Become a Great Criminal, So I Decided to Retire. But Outstanding People Keep Gathering Around Me Though... - Episode 3: Employment
Episode 3: Employment
“I’ll start by explaining the job.”
“Okay.”
“You wake up at 4 a.m., and prep begins at 4:30. Measuring flour, adjusting the yeast, checking the fermentation of the dough prepared the day before, and around 5:30 we begin shaping. After shaping and letting it rise a second time, we start baking around 7. Display starts at 7:30, and the shop opens at 8.”
Lisel spoke smoothly without hesitation.
“During business hours, it calms down a bit after the busy morning rush. But baking and restocking continue as needed. The shop closes at 4 p.m.. And after that, there’s cleaning, tool maintenance, and light prep for the next day. Usually everything’s done around 5. But on busy days, it may take a little longer.”
“I see.”
“And also, please serve customers with a smile!”
I wasn’t confident about smiling. But I nodded for now.
“That’s all. Does everything sound okay? Oh, and you don’t need to speak formally. You’re probably older than me, Haru-san.”
“Yes… I mean, ah. Seems fine. But as expected, I have no experience in baking. That part might be the hardest.”
“Ah…”
Lisel looked a bit awkward. Unlike how lively she’d been just a moment ago, she now hesitated with her words.
“Um… You probably noticed already, but my father is really strict. Of course, he’s not the kind of person who gets angry without reason. But he has more passion for baking than anyone. To be honest, many of the people before have quit… but we’re short on staff. That’s when you applied, Haru-san.”
“I see. So that’s how it was.”
“I’m sure he’ll say some harsh things. Will you be okay with that…?”
She looked at me worriedly. But that wasn’t a problem at all. From our earlier conversation, I already understood that the boss was someone with genuine passion.
“I used to be an adventurer. So I think I’m mentally tough. I’ll be fine.”
“Alright then. If anything troubling comes up, just let me know, okay?”
“Yeah. Once again, I’m counting on you, Lisel.”
“Yes! I’m looking forward to working with you, Haru-san!”
After that, I was shown the vacant house the boss owned. It was behind the bakery, past a narrow path along a stone wall. A small wooden house partially covered in ivy──or more like the remains of an old shack.
A single thin wool rug on the floor, a small desk and chair under the window. Beside them, a well-maintained iron stove stood proudly.
“My father used to use this place sometimes. But feel free to use it as you like.”
“Having a roof over my head is more than enough. Thank you.”
“Okay. Well, see you tomorrow. I’m counting on you.”
“Yeah.”
Everything went surprisingly smoothly. Taking action really is important. I felt that again.
“Time to sleep. Gotta wake up early.”
And with that, I went to sleep right away. Being able to lie down on a bed and sleep──what a happiness that is. I savored that simple joy as I drifted off to sleep.
Early morning. I woke up at 4 a.m. The sound of the clock’s ticking echoed through the room. I felt like I had finally slept peacefully for the first time in a long while. Back in Abyss Sanctum, I couldn’t afford even a second of carelessness, even while sleeping.
Then I headed straight to the bakery.
“Good morning!”
I greeted in a deliberately louder voice. And Lisel greeted me back.
“Good morning, Haru-san. Ready to go?”
“Yeah. Of course.”
“Then this way. My father is waiting.”
“Okay.”
She led me toward the back.
The moment the kitchen door opened, the air changed. Unlike the cold morning outside, the space was filled with heat, flour, and the scent of yeast.
The ceiling was low. The walls were made of stone and wood. Shelves lined with flour bags, dried herbs, and various jars──it looked almost like a wizard’s laboratory.
At the center stood a large workbench. On top of it were several kneaded doughs, each covered with cloth.
“Hey. You’re here.”
“Boss. Good morning.”
“Haru. I’m going to teach you how to make my bread from scratch. You better keep up. This is a battlefield. Don’t let your guard down.”
“Yes, sir!”
I was set to learn the basics of baking from the boss. And just as I’d heard, his instruction was strict.
“You’re too rough! Knead it more gently!”
“Did you check the measurement? I won’t allow even a 1-gram difference!”
“Hey! You’re too slow! Move faster!”
“──Yes, sir!!”
I desperately kept up. Just like he said, this was a battlefield. It was a constant race against time. And even while teaching me, the boss was making his own bread. Lisel too, calmly continued her work.
As for me, since it was my first time, I was slow. Damn…! I guess it doesn’t go perfectly from the start!
“Alright. That’s it for the morning prep. Next is baking. Take a break if you want, Haru.”
“If it’s okay, can I watch the baking process too?”
“Hmph. Do as you like.”
The boss silently watched the dough rise. He then gently placed them on heated baking stones. His movements were rough, yet wasted no effort.
The way he checked the surface with his fingers. The equal spacing between each dough. His eyes gauging the fire──this is what a true craftsman is like, I thought. I was impressed.
He knelt in front of the oven and stared into it. He was aligning his eyes with the bread. A slight sweat formed on his face. Yet, he didn’t even try to wipe it away.
“Alright. Lisel, line them up.”
“Okay! Ah, Haru-san, please just watch for now.”
“Got it.”
The finished bread was brought to the counter. And Lisel lined them up with practiced ease. So this is the start of a day at a bakery.
“So, that’s the morning routine. This is the busiest time. After that, it’s customer service and so on. Think you’ll be okay?”
“No problem.”
“I see. But I’m a bit surprised.”
“Hm? Surprised about what?”
“My father. He didn’t get very angry.”
“Huh?”
No, I think he was pretty harsh… as I thought that, the boss snorted through his nose.
“I don’t yell for no reason. But this guy’s got talent. Maybe it’s because he used to be an adventurer, but he’s got guts. I trust my instincts when it comes to people. I could tell right away he was serious.”
I’d been so focused on learning that I hadn’t noticed I was being observed that closely.
“Alright, Lisel. I’ll leave the rest to you. I’m going to start the next baking round, then get to my research.”
“Geez, you’re never straightforward…”
The boss went back into the kitchen, and Lisel just shrugged lightly.
“But I think you have talent too, Haru-san. Once something’s pointed out, you correct it right away. And even though it’s tough standing work, you seem totally fine.”
“Haha. I guess stamina is my only strong point.”
Evening came. The day’s work ended without a hitch, and I managed to fully absorb the job details.
My customer service was still awkward. And with how I currently looked, some people were startled. But I think I was able to manage the basics at least.
I’d taken the first step in my new life. Being a baker wasn’t so bad. The boss and Lisel were both good people. And I had no complaints about the working environment.
From now on, I’d live as <Haru the Baker>. I reaffirmed that decision.
“Haru-san, if you’d like, would you join us for dinner? We’ve got lots of stew left.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes! You worked so hard for your first day!”
I accepted Lisel’s offer.
The boss silently ate his stew and bread without a word. Lisel smiled cheerfully as she chatted with me.
“You know, sometimes really famous people come to our shop. My father’s bread is just that delicious!”
“Don’t make a fuss. Customers are all the same, no matter who they are.”
“Wow. That’s just like you, Boss. But really, this bread is amazing. I’ve never had anything like it before.”
“Hmph. Of course it is.”
The boss clearly had pride in his bread──and rightly so. Because it was genuinely that good. Even if a celebrity came here, it wouldn’t be surprising.
Though, I hadn’t thought much about who those “famous people” might be. I had no way of knowing that a surprising reunion awaited me down the line.
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