Raised in Dungeon

The Boldenville residence was abuzz with excitement as a new occupant took up residence. This person, known to be a guest and a knight of Lady Felicia, commanded and was supposed to be in a position of high status within the manor, but…

"That looks heavy, let me help carry it," what truly surprised everyone was the person's humble nature and willingness to lend a helping hand to the maid whenever he crossed their paths. Despite his esteemed position, this individual embodied humility and compassion, earning the mix of shock and admiration of all who encountered him in the Boldenville residence.

"Today I'll do the shopping at the market; you guys can continue doing other tasks," going to the peasant market.

"Today's meal is on me," cooking like a servant, and not only that, his dishes were also distributed to all the servants and soldiers in the manor.

"Eh? What's this?" asked one of the soldiers guarding the gate, the maid gave him a small bowl of soup.

"It's a blessing given by Lady Ayde," replied the maid.

"Really? I don't think Lady Ayde has ever done anything like this. In fact, she was the one who opposed our raise because we weren't working that much, right? Then why all of a sudden?"

The maid brought her face closer and whispered, "Actually this is from Allen; it's just that since these ingredients belong to Lady Ayde, he asked us to tell everyone that this is from Lady's."

"Allen? Which Allen?"

"Lady Felicia's knight! Don't you remember? He was dismissed three years ago. Three days ago, he came back to his manor as Miss Rachel's wish."

"I know that too! What I'm surprised about is, is it really Allen was the one who cooked?""

"I saw it with my very own eyes!"

"I wonder what lightning struck him to make him become like that."

The soldier ate his soup.

"You kidding me? This is too delicious! No way Allen made this! You're really not lying, are you?!"

"Whatever! The old Allen is gone now; he is changed as he has switched bodies with someone!"

The rumor about Allen being completely different spread to every maid and soldier. And it was no longer just a rumor when they saw firsthand that Allen was always helping others. And the fact that he gave the soup to everyone secretly made others believe he had no hidden intentions when doing so.

"Allen… doing good is fine, but you really need to restrain yourself this time," Rachel said as she touched her headache's head.

"Sorry, Master Rodion often scolds me for this too."

"Maybe it would be fine if it was all yours, but how many ingredients did you spend-" Rachel walked over to open the kitchen cupboards, but she realized there were still many food ingredients left.

"Eh? No way. Even though the trash can was that full?"

"I only used the ingredients I brought with Bedell, and then some of them I created with my god's blessing," Allen said as he showed Rachel Reig's ability.

Rachel shockedly tried to hold the apple created by his hand.

"S-so this is your god's blessing? Amazing, it's really a real apple."

"Just it taste bland, so it might only help a to reduce the use of ingredients."

Rachel looked at the apple carefully, and at that moment, she had an idea.

"We can use this ability!"

"On what?"

...

On the seventh day, Lord Reynold returned from the capital, looking tired. Greeted by the seven maids, he walked straight to his wife's room and relaxed his weary body on the sofa.

"Good work, sweetheart," Lady Ayde said as she kissed Lord Reynold and handed him a glass of water.

"The kingdom is in turmoil at the moment. Relations between the nobles are getting awkward because of the throne war," Reynold lamented.

"Have you decided on your king yet?"

"Not yet, or I probably won't be able to."

"Why is that?"

"I'm the only earl who has remained neutral until now. If I choose one of them, the people who want to use me will definitely choose the same, and others who feel threatened by us will start targeting us."

"That's... a little too dangerous, isn't it?"

"I've already said in front of all the nobles that I won't favor anyone. And with the advancement of the House of Felicia's clothing company, they definitely have no intention of making a move… just yet.

Besides, if a noble is actually killed in an obvious manner, it only worsens their vote count."

Reynold then looked at his son, who was hiding behind Ayde. It was obvious that his son was still afraid of him.

"Has this boy been studying?"

"Yes, he has."

"Good."

Ayde then whispered something to Michael. Michael immediately ran to one of the tables and picked up the soup bowl on it.

Slowly, carefully, and step by step, he walked up to his tired father.

"Fa-father, you look tired… so, here it is," he said.

"What is it?" At the sound of Reynold's voice, Michael was immediately half-frightened.

"Michael," his mother called with a smile, signaling him to be braver. Michael continued walking and handed the soup to Reynold.

"You're tired, I thought this leek soup would take the fatigue off your shoulders. Michael was helping the cook make this," said Ayde.

Taking the bowl from Michael, Reynold tried the soup.

"How was it?"

"This is the last time Michael uses his hand to cook; I won't make him work like a servant." Reynold replied, more or less in line with Ayde's expectations.

"I'm… sorry," said Michael with a sad face, along with Ayde rubbing his head gently.

"But it's delicious, though," Reynold said, without looking into Michael's eyes.

"Th-thank you," Michael said with a slight joy.

Staring at the soup, Reynold said,

Do peasants always eat this kind of soup?"

"I think so, but Rachel said the ingredients used here are a little too fancy for commoners."

"Rachel made it?"

"No, there's a cook who just came here. I'd like you to meet him today, can you?"

"What?! Aren't you... moving on your own again?

I told you we have to be wary of outsiders in these sensitive times, right? What if this soup is poisonous? What if the cook was a spy from another family?!"

"I understand, but especially for this one, the safety is guaranteed. Because the cook is someone we know very well."

Ayde then called out from inside, "Rachel, come in."

"Excuse us," Rachel answered from outside.

The door opened,

Rachel walked in, along with someone Reynold knew very well. And upon seeing him, Reynold's face was instantly annoyed and filled with anger.

"Allen..." Reynold grumbled.