Chapter 1

Pervellum Street has been the Empire’s representative workshop alley for centuries, but in recent years, two things have become its famous attractions.

One is the ‘Lanelli Candy Workshop’ run by Pyria, and the other is the vegetarian painter ‘Reinhardt Pendale Baristan’, whose name has begun to spread across the continent beyond the Empire.

Both were already renowned in their own fields.

Pyria Lanelli was famous for her magical desserts that ordinary patissiers could never make, and Reinhardt Pendale Baristan was highly acclaimed as a vegetarian artist recognized by the Holy Federation.

The two, who had worked diligently in their respective fields, became even more famous after settling in Pervellum Street.

More precisely, it was after they began their infamous ‘battle of spear and shield.’

Actually, they weren’t rivals from the start. Or, can their relationship even be called rivalry?

It was always Reinhardt Baristan’s one-sided attacks.

However, anyone who saw Pyria deflect Reinhardt’s attacks with her bright face and ironclad defense would say,

‘Defense is also a fine method of warfare.’

That day was no different. It was an ordinary day, similar to any other.

As the early afternoon began, the sound of explosions erupted from Pyria’s workshop, like fireworks.

The people on the street welcomed the noise with smiling faces.

No one seemed startled or annoyed.

“Hmm, such a sweet smell.”

“I wonder what it is today?”

People kept peeking into the shop with cheerful faces.

Their anticipation for a new dessert was bubbling over.

The children were even more excited.

They ran through clouds of star-shaped cotton candy that spilled out from the chimney and windows of the second-floor workshop, spreading across the street. Their laughter brightened the atmosphere even more.

But only for a moment. As soon as a pitch-black man appeared from head to toe, the street fell silent.

The shopkeepers quickly dashed into their stores. Children who were running around were swiftly snatched by their parents and hidden in the alleyways.

Suddenly, a woman who had come outside to bow met the black-clad man.

Like cherry blossoms in spring, the bright pink woman greeted the dark man with a radiant smile.

“Hello, Reinhardt!”

“…It’s Baristan, actually.”

“Oh, I made a mistake again.”

“That’s fine. But I believe I asked you, Lady Lanelli.”

“Oh, was it a little noisy again today?”

“…….”

A little? Did she just say a little?

The black-clad man, Reinhardt, had veins bulging on his forehead.

Yet, he suppressed his rising anger with infinite patience and spoke calmly.

“Do you remember the promise you made with me?”

“Ah? Ah, yes… I promised not to do experiments in the morning, right…?”

“So you do remember. The explosion sounded again, so I thought you’d forgotten.”

“But it’s not morning right now…”

But when she met his sharp gaze, Pyria’s courage shrank immediately.

She fidgeted with her fingers, busy watching his expression.

Yet her blushing cheeks, blinking pink eyelashes, and sparkling eyes looking up at him didn’t quite match someone who was nervous.

Reinhardt looked away, as if he was a bit overwhelmed.

With a voice colder than midwinter frost, he left a command-like request and turned his back to Pyria.

“Then, please. Do. It.”

“Yes, I’m sorry…”

It seemed like their daily workshop encounter had ended.

People on the street felt a bit disappointed with the bland ending, but also relieved, patting their chests.

But that wasn’t the end.

Not long after Reinhardt left, even louder fireworks exploded throughout the street.

Bang! Boom, bang! Pop, pop, pop! Shhh~ Bang!

People laughed it off again, but soon, no one could laugh anymore.

It was because Reinhardt was charging toward the Lanelli Candy Workshop with terrifying energy.

He arrived at the workshop and knocked on the door fiercely.

But the door was open, so he almost stumbled forward.

He quickly straightened himself, but his clenched fist trembled.

He strode inside the workshop, slammed the door, and climbed the stairs to the second floor.

Bang, bang, bang! With each step, people on the street flinched.

Soon, his loud voice echoed through the building.

“You…!!”

But then, the storm-like explosions swallowed up his voice entirely.

Bang~ Boom! Bang!

For a moment, a suffocating silence swept the street, so quiet that not even an ant dared to move.

Even the sight of colorful candy clouds spreading from the chimney didn’t bring the children out to watch.

But only for a moment, as delivery wagons began to pass by, the street regained its usual liveliness.

Neighbors of the Lanelli Candy Workshop peeked in a few times, but the workshop remained quiet.

People busy with their lives soon lost interest.

Meanwhile, the fact that Reinhardt had visited the workshop was quickly forgotten.

Those who realized shrugged it off, saying, “He must have left quietly while it was calm.”

But until the sun set and night fell, Reinhardt remained inside the Lanelli Candy Workshop.

Or, more precisely, he ‘could not escape.’

As the sun set, the two inside the workshop were tense and frozen in place.

With every shallow breath, the hair on their necks stood up, and their hands, exploring each other’s bodies, made them avert their gazes in embarrassment.

“Uh, could you move your hand…”

“Sorry. But, could you breathe a little softer, huh…”

“I can’t control it… huh!”

“Ugh… That wasn’t intentional, ah, sorry…”

Despite the suggestive nature of their conversation, both were extremely cautious.

It was as if they were careful not to touch someone they shouldn’t, creating a precarious tension.

Hands wrapped under the chest, lips almost touching the nape, tangled legs, and even closer bodies.

They were entwined in a position more intimate than secret lovers, and far messier than couples who had seen everything.

All this, atop a giant pink marshmallow balloon.

But after hours in this strange standoff, Reinhardt’s discomfort and irritation grew unbearable.

At the same time, an indescribable sensation sharpened his nerves to their limit.

Fortunately—or unfortunately—he wasn’t the only one feeling it.

And the fact that they both knew made him feel insane.

Bloodshot eyes, flushed cheeks. Every bit of exposed skin was tinted peach, and their hands trembled as they touched each other.

The excessive closeness made their racing heartbeats painfully obvious.

Their fast-beating hearts sent blood rushing to every part of their bodies.

Reinhardt couldn’t take it anymore and growled low.

“Are you sure it wasn’t intentional?”

“Ah—no, ahh…!”

“This is driving me mad. Please don’t make those sounds.”

“Mm… th-this is me holding it in…!”

Pyria twisted her body uncomfortably.

But even that small friction was an intense stimulus for both.

For a moment, they bit their lips, struggling to endure.

A groan from deep in their throats vibrated in their chests.

Reinhardt bit his lip until it bled, barely holding onto his reason.

It was a short moment, but he quickly analyzed the situation.

“…This is an aphrodisiac.”

“N-no, it’s not!”

“It’s not?”

Pyria immediately protested, but Reinhardt’s muttered words made her lips seal shut.

His usual sharp gaze was replaced by a low, unfocused look that was almost frightening.

Pyria’s lips trembled unconsciously.

“N-no… Well, yes and no…”

“Is it or isn’t it?”

Reinhardt’s voice scraped the floor like a wild beast.

Pyria gulped dryly.

“Yes, it is. But it’s not that dangerous… eek!”