bluep

How much longer?

Be patient.

It smells really good, though.

This is the most enjoyable moment in baking. Watching the batter slowly turn golden and puff up in the oven, until it turns into a soft, fluffy cake...

Desserts taste best when you let your imagination run wild, Glau.

I'd rather have one I can put in my mouth. So what's our flavor of the day?

Hm... It's a new formula. Fresh cream mixed with a jam made from various kinds of berries. That gives it a sort of tropical flavor.

Sure, but its color is as terrifying as ever. Your fashion sense is pretty decent, so how the heck did your sense for food aesthetics end up downright rotten?

Hm? But I heard brighter colors can help increase appetites.

I think most people would disagree with your definition of bright colors.

You say that, but you'll still eat it in the end.

That's 'cause it tastes good.

Too bad all those self-proclaimed dessert lovers will never know the kind of lusciousness they're missing out on.

Not everyone's special like you.

It's not like you poison your cakes.

*Sigh*... Normally, this break room would be pretty packed around now, but it feels like there have been way less people ever since we arrived.

Don't say that. I'm not being ostracized or anything. I'm actually very happy with my life here.

But the best way to get along with something 'toxic' is to stay away from it. I know that, you know that, everyone knows that.

On the bright side, how often do you get the whole break room to yourself? Let's try to enjoy this before we head out for our field mission.

I suppose we won't get much of a chance to enjoy a cake in the Sargon Barrenlands anyway.

I hope the mission goes well.

You say that like you have nothing to do with it. Aren't you the leader of the guerrilla team? True, all we're doing is building a safe house, but we can't let our guard down.

I heard it's way off the beaten track. Who knows what we'll run into out there. What was it called again...?

Kerthun.

Right, Kerthun Valley. Have you ever been there?

No, never.

Hm, then I guess I'll read over the mission briefing while we eat. First I need to confirm the supply point...

Oh, sounds like it's done.

Alright, now to put the cream on it...

Adnachiel, are you baking another cake behind my back again?!

Oh.

Ambriel?

Sorry, I smelled cake, so I just...

You want some too? It's straight out of the oven.

No, I think I'll...

(Gulps)

Did Blue Poison make this...? Why can't it ever be easy?

Please, go ahead and try some if you don't mind. We have tea, too.

Hmm, well, not like I have anything better to do... Guess I can kill some time here.

As for the cake, let me prepare myself mentally first.

Um, if you're worried about poison, you don't need to force yourself...

Nah, that's not it.

Isn't, like, the color of that jam kinda creepy?

Phew—

Tasty, right?

I've heard about your baking from Gummy, but this is something else. You could drive half of Laterano's dessert shops out of business.

The two-bit ones always just load up on sugar, with no idea how to balance flavors. Sweet doesn't have to mean unbearably sweet!

...Wow. It's an honor to hear that from a bona fide Lateran.

You should feel even prouder then, 'cause praise from an expert like me is worth its weight in gold.

If only more people were willing to give them a shot. I always feel guilty getting the whole cake to myself.

Well, I, for one, am willing to put my life on the line for an exquisite dessert.

...So you were worried, after all?

If so, Medical has an antidote specifically for my toxins. It's kind of embarrassing to say this myself, but if you need it—

Shoot, sorry, I didn't mean it like that!

Watch out, your bag!

These are...

Ahaha, I had the antidote prepared in advance. I mean, we *are* going on a field op together in a couple days.

Oh, right, you're part of our team this mission.

Yeah, so we're gonna be fighting side by side, right? It's just a precaution, a precaution. Y'know what they say, better safe than...

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!

No, please don't apologize. I actually prepared enough antidote for everyone too. It's my responsibility for being toxic.

If everyone else is uncomfortable with me being there, then I should be the one apologizing.

Blue Poison...

Then, like, can I have another slice?

Ambriel?

Please, I know you're trying to be kind, but you don't have to—

C'mon, what of self-respecting Lateran would force themselves to eat cake? Just gimme another slice.

Huh. I think I'm starting to see you in a new light. Here you go.

Thanks.

But man, I wish I could just have complete trust in my friends like you, Glaucus.

Oh, that's because her toxins don't work on me.

*Cough* *cough*!

Slow down! Here, have some antidote.

*Cough*! No, no that, tea, tea—

You sure? This is fruit juice-flavored. I had Dr. Warfarin come up with the formula.

Who cares, just give it!

Pfff... Hahahaha!

Thanks, Ambriel.

If only... all my days here at Rhodes Island could be like this.

Pwah—That hits the spot! Sorry, what was that?

Oh, nothing.

Anyway, since you're here, let's read over the mission briefing while we're eating.

Huh? We're really gonna start working, just like that? This is the break room! I came here to slack off!

But fine, fine, I'll work overtime, just for you, Bloop. Like, I have to thank you for the cake.

The Kerthun Valley is situated in a vast rainforest within Sargon's borders. Since time immemorial, it has never been under the direct control of the Sargonian lords ameer.

This was the most important factor in Rhodes Island's decision to build a safe house there.

There are many reasons for its unique geopolitical position. Data show that the area is abundant with natural resources, and many lords ameer have tried to expand their influence into the region.

Yet their efforts were all in vain.

The specific reasons require further investigation, but according to a local guide, it very likely has to do with the indigenous people.

Those natives are also the biggest variable in our mission. The guide said they aren't too hard to get along with, but also warned that they possess a terrifying ability.

We only have vague descriptions of the phenomenon in question, but based on our analysis, their ability might be an application of some kind of toxic chemical compound...

Whoa, sounds like a huge pain.

Relax. The mission's difficulty rating isn't all that high. We aren't there to pick a fight.

Blue Poison?

Oh, don't mind me. Go on.

Okay, where was I...

We're going to build a safe house there. It will also be used as both a Catastrophe monitoring station and a temporary medical post. Our job will be over once the local employees have moved in.

Yep, about as standard as it gets.

In other words, if all goes well, we'll be back on the landship baking cakes in a couple of months.

What do you mean, 'if all goes well'? You trying to jinx us?!