I Became a Food Developer in Another World-Chapter 118 - : Warming Cabinet (2)

"You must be Yuri Grail."

"That's correct."

Lucas Sterion—the Tower Master of the Red Tower—was an old man with a stubborn and rigid demeanor.

A typical authoritarian, filled with pride and self-importance.

It was obvious why the Red Tower Master had come all the way to the White Tower in person.

"No doubt he's here to protest."

After all, our White Tower had been raking in massive profits thanks to the use of Pyrostones.

Not just with the air fryer—but even the rumor that the warmer box was the decisive reason for the Three Northern Kingdoms forming an alliance with the Empire had spread far and wide.

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From the Red Tower's perspective, they had been robbed of Pyrostones right under their noses.

And naturally, that stung.

As expected, Lucas got straight to the point without wasting time.

"I'm not one for beating around the bush, so I'll be direct."

Even from his tone, it was clear he hadn't come with goodwill.

But then—

"I will permit the White Tower to use the Red Tower's magic."

"...?"

That was completely unexpected.

Allowing us access to Red Tower magic was an incredible concession.

The Red Tower controlled all patents related to fire magic, from simple heating spells to large-scale combustion techniques.

That was why our White Tower had been forced to develop the air fryer and warmer box using roundabout methods—just to avoid infringing on their patents.

Yet now, the Red Tower Master himself was saying we didn't need to anymore?

This was unprecedented in the history of the magic towers.

A magic tower relinquishing its authority over its own magic was unthinkable.

Even Lucas seemed bitter as he spoke.

I had expected a fight—but now, he was handing us his magic?

This was a deal I couldn't refuse.

Avoiding the Red Tower's patents had been a constant struggle.

The offer was so tempting that a grin naturally crept onto my lips.

In fact, I had prepared in advance, just in case something like this happened.

However—

"I appreciate the offer, but that won't be necessary."

The words that came out of my mouth were entirely different from what anyone expected.

"W-What do you mean it's not necessary?"

Lucas was visibly flustered.

*

Lucas was a man of stubbornness and urgency.

Many saw him as hot-tempered or even cantankerous, but he was also someone who knew when to lower his head when necessary.

Had he not possessed that ability, he never would have become the Red Tower Master in the first place.

So even after being blindsided by the White Tower, Lucas didn't let his pride cloud his judgment.

He had held firm when it came to the air fryer—but after seeing the warmer box, he realized that stubbornness alone wouldn't cut it.

If things continued as they were, the Red Tower's position within the Empire would only continue to diminish.

Lucas had personally visited the White Tower despite the protests of his disciples because he understood this reality.

For the Tower Master of one of the Twelve Great Magic Towers to visit another tower was a monumental decision.

It could seriously damage the Red Tower's image.

And yet, he hadn't come empty-handed.

"I will permit the White Tower to use the Red Tower's magic."

Lucas had even offered to share the Red Tower's exclusive magic—a groundbreaking gesture.

It stung his pride, but he didn't retract his words.

'Pride alone isn't enough.'

In a way, finally letting go of that pride felt refreshing.

But then—

"I appreciate the offer, but that won't be necessary."

"W-What do you mean?"

"We will continue using our own methods as we have so far."

"Without the Red Tower's magic?"

"Yes."

"Do you realize how difficult it is to make heating devices without fire magic?"

"It will be challenging, but with Pyrostones, we'll manage."

Lucas was so stunned he couldn't even speak.

He had humbled himself, made a huge concession—only to be rejected outright.

'What kind of nonsense...?'

Storming out in frustration would have been the natural reaction.

But Lucas couldn't do that.

Because if he let go of Yuri now, the Red Tower's decline would only accelerate.

This Yuri Grail—he was constantly creating things beyond Lucas's wildest imagination.

At times, Lucas even wondered if Yuri really had received a divine revelation.

While Lucas hesitated, Yuri stood up from his seat.

"If that's all you wanted to say, I'll be taking my leave."

"W-Wait."

Lucas hurriedly grabbed his arm and took a moment to think.

"...What do you want, then?"

"I don't really want anything. Your offer is appreciated, but I'll just take it as a kind gesture."

Yuri's indifferent attitude made Lucas even more anxious.

"I'm willing to help with anything."

Perhaps sensing Lucas's desperation—

"Hmm... well, if you insist..."

Yuri finally showed interest.

After persistent negotiations, Lucas managed to convince Yuri to collaborate with the Red Tower.

When he returned to the Red Tower with a formal partnership agreement, his expression was triumphant.

"Ahem. We've successfully secured a collaboration with the White Tower for the launch of the warmer box!"

"As expected of our Tower Master!"

"I'm sure the White Tower was honored by your personal visit, Lord Lucas!"

"Haha, it was nothing."

Of course, he left out the part where he had practically begged for the deal.

All that mattered was the result.

Just as he was celebrating with his disciples, a messenger approached.

"Tower Master, the White Tower has sent over the collaboration documents."

"Already? That was fast."

Lucas frowned slightly and took the thick stack of documents from the messenger.

'This is... quite a lot.'

It was far too detailed to have been prepared overnight.

A bad feeling crept up his spine as he began reading.

◎ Request to add adjustable temperature controls to the warmer box.

"That's quite tricky."

Adjustable temperatures required complex magic circles.

Even for the Red Tower, it was a difficult challenge.

Still, it wasn't impossible.

"Fine, I can deal with that."

Lucas flipped to the next page—

◎ Request to develop new insulation materials resistant to prolonged high heat.

"Wait, they don't even have proper insulation yet?"

The current warmer box materials apparently melted under prolonged exposure to high heat.

So, Yuri was asking the Red Tower to develop a new material—cheap, durable, and heat-resistant.

Lucas rubbed his temples.

"This is getting complicated..."

Then he turned to yet another page.

◎ Request to reduce Pyrostone's heating time.

◎ Request to equip the air fryer with a stable 200°C+ high-temperature magic circle.

◎ Request to reduce Pyrostones consumption in the warmer box.

◎ Request to shrink the warmer box's overall size.

Every single page was filled with requests.

Lucas suddenly remembered Yuri's attitude during their negotiations.

How he had acted indifferent at first, only to become meticulously demanding once the contract was finalized.

That's when it hit him.

"I... I was tricked!"

Lucas's face turned pale as he realized what he had just agreed to.

He had willingly handed over the Red Tower's expertise to a man who planned to exploit it.

"Ugh...!"

"Tower Master!"

"Someone call a healer!"

Lucas collapsed on the spot.

*

[ Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth: Acquiring an Air Fryer! & The Arrival of the Warming Cabinet in the North! ]

Under the leadership of the Second Princess, the goddess's performance featuring the air fryer began to spread across northern theaters.

For the northerners, who spent more time indoors due to the cold, performances were a major form of entertainment.

Naturally, performances from the Empire drew significant attention.

"An air fryer, huh? I definitely want to try using one."

"When will the warming cabinet be released?"

Just as anticipation for heating appliances was reaching its peak in the North...

Boxes from the goddess, filled with hot coffee and Let's Be, began to arrive.

"T-This... is the warming cabinet?"

"I-It's hot!"

"Look at this! It even has a temperature control function!"

"Oh wow, it really does!"

With the cooperation of the Red Tower, the enhanced air fryer and warming cabinet were officially released in the North.

***

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