Chapter 70: Cereal (2)

There are numerous taverns in the empire.

Recently the tavern street of the empire was bustling with more people than usual.

However not all of them had come to drink.

"Let's begin."

Gulp.

People swallowed their saliva watching the large crystal ball hanging in the center of the tavern with eager expressions.

Soon the crystal ball lit up and soon a video began to play.

Lilith on her tiptoes stretched her arms high into the sky elongating her limbs.

"Milk calisthenics…!"

"Is that related to milk?"

"Oh, don't be silly! Lilith is expressing that drinking milk makes you grow taller."

As they watched Lilith doing her 'milk calisthenics' people exchanged conversations.

While some raised questions about the connection between milk and calisthenics most reacted with admiration.

And rightly so.

"They say Lilith is a dairy farmer."

"…What? That child runs a dairy farm?"

"Yes. She started her dairy farm with the money she earned working hard in the tavern district from a young age."

"Oh, I see…!"

Those who heard Lilith's hidden story looked at her engrossed in her milk calisthenics with proud expressions.

"Go for it Lilith!"

"We will always support you!"

Voices cheering for Lilith echoed.

Watching Lilith work hard on her calisthenics, one couldn't help but feel a sense of pure innocence and bright passion that made them want to cheer her on.

On the other hand.

"Th-this side…"

"Ugh it's shaking."

"Phew!"

The healthy calisthenics of Bianca on the other hand reminded people of dairy cows which made the adults blush and swallow dryly.

There were even accidents where beer was sprayed onto the person in front but no one pointed out the mistake.

Everyone was too busy focusing on the milk song flowing from the crystal ball.

To the rhythm of the milk song an overwhelming presence swayed under the influence of gravity.

"Step aside I can't hear the song well."

Some people moved closer to the crystal ball to hear the song better.

"That was a good calisthenics routine."

"Miss Bianca sings well too."

"I've never sung."

After finishing their calisthenics Lilith and Bianca drank 'Lilith's Milk.'

The sight of the close-knit sisters drinking milk was warmly watched by the citizens of the empire.

[ Fresh milk is the most important for health. ]

"Fresh milk…!"

"Indeed, fresh milk looks much healthier than fermented milk."

"I'll start drinking milk from today."

At that moment the five characters 'fresh milk' were vividly etched in the minds of the citizens.

*

Right after the Lilith advertisement began, the tavern street of the empire entered a booming period.

A multitude of people flocked to the tavern street.

In cities where prohibition laws were enforced taverns were filled to capacity every day.

All of them were crowds gathered to see Lilith's milk calisthenics.

Thanks to that the shops had to scream with joy over sales that hit the ceiling.

"Wow Lilith looks cheerful and healthy."

"I wish my child could be as lively as Lilith."

Parents with children did not hesitate to buy Lilith's Milk enchanted by her bright and cheerful demeanor.

Lilith who became a dairy farmer at a young age also served as a good example for parents.

"If you want to grow like Miss Bianca you have to drink milk every day and not skip calisthenics."

"Ugh calisthenics is hard. Okay I got it."

Bianca visually convinced the children of the growth effects of milk.

As the consumption of Lilith Milk increased among families with children more women also began to seek out Lilith's Milk.

"I heard Miss Bianca drank milk with black tea since she was little."

"Is it true that drinking Lilith's Milk makes your breasts grow bigger?"

Out of the blue rumors spread among women that 'fresh milk' was good for breasts development.

Among the noble ladies' invisible rivalries surrounding Lilith's Milk even erupted.

"Since I started drinking Lilith's Milk, I feel like I've grown a bit."

"You don't need to be too envious. It's quite uncomfortable. It's heavy when I walk and it's hard to find clothes that fit. The gazes from others are burdensome too."

"Oh, dear that must have been very uncomfortable. How about trying to lose some weight? Then it wouldn't be heavy."

As subtle tensions exchanged interest in Lilith's Milk grew and the consumption of milk among the noble ladies skyrocketed.

Of course, Bianca's tavern which had become a holy place was filled with people every day.

With just one milk calisthenics Lilith and Bianca had become symbol in the dairy industry.

*

"Perfect."

"What's perfect?"

"The advertisement."

"You mean the advertisement is purely perfect?"

"Of course it's the advertisement what else could it be?"

What else could there be in a wholesome milk advertisement?

Aria who had been looking at me with suspicious eyes suddenly asked with a puzzled expression.

"By the way why did you include calisthenics in the milk advertisement?"

"Milk after sweating looks healthy, doesn't it?"

I can't deny that I had a personal desire to see Lilith's calisthenics but calisthenics was included solely to emphasize the freshness of the milk.

There's nothing better to highlight freshness than a glass of milk after exercise.

"…Hmm I'll let that slide."

Aria who had been staring at me seemed to not feel anything strange and moved on.

By the way.

"Aria, you have a huge hostility towards that group."

"…What group are you talking about? There's no such thing."

"You don't need to be too uncomfortable."

"I'm not uncomfortable!"

Aria strongly denied it as if to say not to push her but strong denial was soon affirmation.

Even when the 'Saint' visited the Magic Tower Aria couldn't hide her discomfort.

Bianca was the same but the saint was from the same department.

While being kind is Aria's front, she would secretly complain with "Why does that woman come here all the time?" at the back.

I knew well the two-faced nature of Aria.

Aria had an instinctive hostility towards that group.

But that group was just too gifted and Aria wouldn't be able to complain.

The comparison was just too big.

There seemed to be no need to be overly conscious of it.

"Have confidence. You're more than enough."

"W-what do you mean by enough?"

Startled Aria jumped up from her seat.

"Aren't you going to eat the cornflakes?"

"I'm fine."

Skipping the cornflakes she said she would eat Aria left the meeting room.

Seeing Aria hurriedly leave the meeting room, I tilted my head and soon shifted my thoughts to milk.

"I'm glad we did calisthenics."

As the milk calisthenics advertisement became a hit many people in the empire began doing milk calisthenics every morning.

Due to the calisthenics craze Lilith's Milk was spreading beyond the East to the entire empire.

The awareness that one must drink 'fresh milk' began to take root among the citizens.

Most importantly this incident prompted the empire to investigate the long-standing suspicions surrounding fermented milk.

"It's about time to launch the cornflakes."

I muttered while looking down at the official documents Aria had left behind.

The silent royal family had begun to move.

*

The Twelve Towers along with the Ministry of Magic had enjoyed many privileges under the protection of the royal family.

The emperor had tacitly allowed their privileges to some extent by using the Twelve Towers as a card to check against the Church.

However, with incidents occurring one after another from the 'prohibition law' to 'fermented milk' voices condemning the Ministry of Magic were growing among the citizens.

"Conduct an audit on the Ministry of Magic."

As suspicions surrounding fermented milk surfaced, the First Princess Luciela took action.

Being serious about 'cheese' she could not tolerate any tampering with milk which was the raw material for the production of cheese.

As public opinion about milk worsened the First Princess seized this opportunity to conduct an audit on the Ministry of Magic.

During the process several shocking truths emerged.

[Fermented milk is a false term created by the Ministry of Magic and dairy farmers and it is nothing more than spoiled milk.]

The fact that dairy farmers and the Ministry of Magic colluded in corruption was revealed to the citizens.

"Fermented milk was a lie?"

"I knew it! Have you ever seen the Ministry of Magic do anything properly?"

"I'm glad I only drank Lilith's Milk."

As the lies of the dairy farmers were exposed 'fermented milk' was ousted from the market overnight.

"I heard you should only consume milk that is refrigerated."

"You also have to check the expiration date."

As interest in milk grew the citizens began to seek fresh milk.

The expiration date labeling system which had only been implemented in the East was now applied throughout the empire and the overall quality of milk improved.

It took only three months for fresh milk to settle in the empire.

The citizens began their days by mixing grains with fresh milk every morning.

As fresh milk quickly settled in the empire a new processed food was released from the White Tower as if it had been waiting all this time.

[ It boosts your energy! ]

The original cornflakes created by John Harvey Kellogg the father of cereal.

'Frosted Flakes' began to be released in the empire.

And....

"Thank you for everything Bianca."

"Lilith are you really leaving?"

"Don't I need to become independent now? I can't keep relying on you forever."

Lilith was packing her things and saying goodbye to Bianca.

Lilith had achieved remarkable wealth.

Refrigerated delivery, expiration date labeling, fresh milk and all these systems were the result of Lilith's efforts.

"If you want to come feel free to visit anytime. You're always welcome Lilith."

Bianca though teary-eyed at Lilith's departure forced a bright smile.

"Let me know when you decide on your new house. I'll come for a housewarming."

"Understood."

Before leaving Lilith looked back at Bianca's house.

It was an old and shabby building that didn't match Lilith's status.

But still it was the first place Lilith had stayed when she entered human society.

The thought of leaving that cozy home, made Lilith's heart ache but she couldn't continue to settle down.

A luxurious mansion was waiting for Lilith.

For a new start Lilith turned her back on Bianca's house.

"Well then take care Bianca."

"Oh, right Lilith. Here's the official document that came for you this morning."

Bianca handed over a paper she had forgotten to mention to Lilith as she was leaving.

"Official document?"

"Yes. I haven't opened it so I don't know what it says."

Is there an official document for me?

Lilith wondered and opened the letter.

And upon reading its contents she froze in place.

"B-B-Bianca. I think I'll have to stay at your house a bit longer."

Bianca puzzled at first smiled happily at the fact that Lilith would continue to stay.

"Okay."

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