Okashi na Tensei (Sweet Reincarnation)

Well, it's second and last day of the Patissier World Tournament,

and we've come to the grand finale!

Incredible.

It's no wonder they call him the Patissier Chosen One.

It's magnificent!

The final round is "candy sculpture."

He'll be named the world's greatest patissier for sure!

It's like a land of sweets.

I'm going to win this and achieve the dream I've had since I was a child!

They're moving their finished pieces to the judging area now.

Let's go.

One, two, three!

Wait, am I...

Ah, am I dying?

I wanted to create the world's greatest sweets before I died...

I wanted to use them to create a land of sweets,

and bring smiles to the faces of everyone in the world.

Now, I never will.

God... you are far too cruel.

Then allow me to grant you one more chance!

Huh? Who's there?

Your new name shall be...

Pastry Mille Morteln!

Sweet Reincarnation

The Fief of Morteln.

Dreaming of a Land of Sweets

I heard that when my father, Casserole Mille Morteln, first became its suzerain lord,

it was a barren land that could barely grow wheat.

My father worked hard beside those who moved there with him,

and those already living there.

Together, they spent almost twenty years cultivating the soil.

That hard work paid off,

and we've managed to grow to a fief of three villages of about forty people each,

capable of growing both wheat and barley.

C'mon! You'll need to do better than that!

I haven't gotten started!

Pastry Mille Morteln

You're getting sloppy with your grip again.

Yes, sir...

It's been nine years since I was reincarnated as the son of the fief's suzerain lord,

Father Casserole

Lord Casserole.

Yes! Hold it so tight, I could tear off your hands before you'd let go!

Yes, sir!

I was raised by my father— a military hero—my kind mother,

and my five older sisters.

It's basically been a happy life, but...

But...

Our fief can't grow sugar, and it's hard to get sweet things here.

Gosh, I sure do wanna make sweets!

Don't get distracted!

Head Retainer Feuille

There you are! Hey, Boss!

Hard at work, I see.

It'll be time for breakfast soon, you know.

Right. We'll end here for now.

Yes, sir.

Thank you... very much.

How can I help you, Feuille?

I've got good news and bad news for you.

Which do you want first?

Since I'll have to hear both either way,

let's start with the good.

Well, then...

It's looking like the bean fields will yield a significant harvest this year.

It all worked out like the kid said.

Sprinkling lime on the soil improves the crop yield!

Looks like I was right to take your advice.

We'll have a bumper bean crop this year...

talk talk

We'll be limited to simple bean dishes for now,

but caramelized roasted soybeans are a classic tea snack,

and you can sprinkle soybean flour on them for extra flavor.

How do you know all that?

Oh! Just more daydreams.

I can't exactly tell them it's because I was reincarnated.

Well, it certainly wouldn't be your first flight of fancy.

But the ideas you pull from that imagination of yours

have made good policy for the fief these past few years.

Like a little shadow suzerain!

So, what's the bad news?

It seems that attempts to stamp out bandits in the County of Retes have failed.

Bandits?!

I'm told the stragglers have escaped and are heading our way.

How many?

About fifty.

If bandits come here, they'll ravage our fields.

Both the beans we worked so hard for, and the precious wheat...

They'll likely arrive in two months' time.

Two months, eh?

Our only chance is to round up the villagers

and drive the bandits off with pikes and slings.

Even if we pull from all three villages,

we'll get thirty men at most.

We'll barely be able to slow the bandits down.

And in a prolonged battle, we're doomed for sure.

This village has the canal.

What if we hole up here to buy time,

while I ask Count Retes for reinforcements?

Knowing you, you could do it.

The only issue is...

Count Retes's reputation.

If we were to defeat bandits that the County failed to stamp out completely,

it would subject the Count to accusations of incompetence.

We won't be getting reinforcements from there, then.

The ideal outcome for the Count

would be for us to fail so that the Margravate of Hubarek has to clean up for us...

Father has three resident retainers, including Feuille.

It won't be an easy fight.

But the beans... and most of all, the wheat...

I need them all for making sweets!

Anyone who'd try to take that from me...

Looking good, kid!

He's starting to feel his calling as this fief's next suzerain lord.

Anyone who gets in the way of my dream... My plan to create a land of sweets...

I'll make them regret it!

One way or another, we're gonna have to make a big gamble.

This is just my instinct talking,

but how's about we wager on the kid as our trump card?

Pas, a trump card?

If the gamble pays off, he might be as useful as you are, Boss.

I'd never dare question your instinct,

but you're effectively hoping for magi—

The Sanctification Ceremony!

Exactly!

Agnes, Josephine. Listen to me.

I'm going to put Pas through the Sanctification Ceremony.

Dear?!

Surely it's much too soon for Pas.

Mother Agnes

You know as well as I do how bright the boy is.

He's at the top of his age group with a sword, as well.

But...

I deem him accomplished with both the pen and the sword.

The Sanctification Ceremony is this world's coming-of-age ritual.

Big Sister Josephine

I'm only nine, so it is a bit early for me, but...

It's just what I want!

Still... it's a real shock for Mother.

If you deem him worthy, I cannot argue.

The ritual is usually for those between thirteen and fifteen years old.

I'd hoped for more time with him as a child, but...

We set out in three days' time.

Make the preparations.

All right.

Josie! Help me out with that, would you?

Why, certainly, Mother!

He's got to represent the family perfectly, after all...

That's right. He's got to be perfect

Heh heh heh...

Not good... Nothing goes well when they smile like that!

F-Father!

I'm eating.

Father!

So cute!

W-Wait a minute!

Don't you see how wrong this is?!

It looks lovely on you, Pas!

These shoes might be perfect!

Josie, aren't those your precious shoes—

No big deal!

Only the best for my sweet little brother!

Are you two listening to me at all?!

Now let's do his makeup!

Skin like yours takes to makeup so well!

I guess they're not...

Ever since I was little, my mother and sister have treated me like a dress-up doll.

Back when my other older sisters were around,

Eldest Sister

Second Sister

Third Sister

it was even worse!

Fourth Sister

Fifth Sister

Eldest Brother

It looks best on him out of everyone here!

Father!

I want to be an adult ASAP!

What's the matter, son of mine?

How are you so exhausted on the day of our departure?

It's been a busy three days.

Pas...

Take care.

Give it your best!

I will!

Hey, Pas!

Marc! Lumi! Guys!

You lucky duck! The capital, huh?

Luminito

Marcarullo