"Can I ask what you are doing?" Aya asked, holding her nose and looking pained.

"This? Of course, I'm making a cake," Vivienne said nonchalantly, "After all, a handmade birthday cake from mom is sure to make the daughter happy, right?"

"No, no, I think this is definitely on the level of a fright? And a durian cake…" Aya glanced at the oven, where the metal lid was already closed, emitting a subtle aroma continuously, even with the elemental magic circle for air circulation in the kitchen, unable to completely dispel it.

Durian itself is a very controversial fruit, coupled with Vivienne's eccentric taste judgment, Aya seriously doubted what kind of monster the finished product would turn out to be.

By the way, Aya is the type who doesn't mind durian itself but finds it unbearable once it's processed into products like cakes or candies.

"Since you're here, Aya, help me taste it after it's done," Vivienne said.

Thinking back to the fear of the pancake disaster, Aya's stomach was already churning.

"More importantly, why choose durian? And what are those strange fruits and plant roots next to it?" Aya's eyes twitched at the sight of the unused ingredients on the countertop. If it were just eggs, flour, and durian, that would be fine, but those granular particles that look like chili and a bunch of bizarre-looking fruits, did you also put them in?

Of course, there are things in it that Aya recognizes, like the Salamander Grass, which she accidentally nibbled on as a child…She still remembers the spicy and stimulating taste to this day.

Is it really okay to use this stuff as a spice?

Last night's mixed-up pancake was the same, how did the queen's taste buds determine that mixing those flavors together would be palatable?

"Oh, because I wanted to make an impressive cake?" Vivienne pondered with her index finger on her chin before answering, "Little Tiran actually likes durian, and I felt that just making a regular durian cake from the recipe wouldn't convey a mother's love to little Tiran."

"I think just a regular durian cake would probably already be appreciated by Miss Tiran," Aya thought from the bottom of her heart, after all, this is the Queen-sama who can turn a simple task into a hellish mixed-up pancake.

"Eh… But Aya, you promised to help me, didn't you?"

The mother-in-law looked disappointed, her face smeared with cake batter as they worked on the cake base.

If she continues to refuse in this situation, wouldn't it be a bit awkward?

"Alright, I'll taste it."

Agreeing reluctantly, Aya didn't know where she found the courage to say such words.

---

Sullivan yanked on the vine in front of him and looked up with suspicion, "Is this thing really reliable?"

Above them stretched a cliff several dozen meters high, eroded by the sea breeze into irregular shapes, with only a few stubborn grass blades growing from the rock crevices, fluttering in the wind.

"And if we fall from here, it's like starting a new life, right?" Johannes ventured a bit outside the cliff edge, only to be scared off by the reef dimly visible in the sea below.

"Well, this place is one of the few castle areas outside the range of the surveillance barrier, so you only have a chance to infiltrate from where the designer didn't think you could climb. Of course, if you have Magic items that can fly, you can use those too," the girl explained with a helpless expression, though Johannes could see a hint of schadenfreude in her eyes.

Flying with Magic items, the most common being single-use levitation spell scrolls, wasn't something they couldn't afford, but it wasn't realistic to go buy one now...

Are they left with climbing?

Sullivan tugged the vine again, trying to confirm its reliability. It was a Magic plant that Vera had sent the seeds up with something similar to a dandelion, and it had grown and hung down a minute later. But still, trusting their lives on it required caution.

"Don't try it, I guarantee this vine can hold at least the weight of three people, you two will be fine," Vera urged as the two continued to doubt the vine's load-bearing capacity.

"Suddenly, do I have to climb too? I haven't trained in climbing!" Johannes pointed at himself, seeking confirmation.

"Of course, if we're going to kidnap the Queen, we definitely need manpower, and I think you, John, are reliable - at least based on the last mission," Vera patted Johannes on the shoulder, her words not quite consoling.

"Hey... Besides being betrayed by you guys, I have no good memories of that time. Can I take it as sarcasm if you say that?" Johannes retorted irritably, with his arms crossed, "And isn't sending someone with no climbing experience to climb several dozen meters high cliffs just a waste?"

"Are there more vines like this?"

After some consideration, Sullivan sighed and extended his hand towards Vera, "I'll tie Johannes to me and bring him up."

As an eighth-grade knight, although more talented in illusion magic, carrying an extra person was not an issue in terms of physical fitness and strength.

"You're going to carry me up? Hanging on a rope? Hey! Wait, what kind of posture is that going to be? Too embarrassing, isn't it?" Theurg protested loudly.

"Stop babbling, the mission is important."

"That's right, John, just accept your fate," Vera laughed triumphantly.

When did these two end up on the same side?!

Johannes, a fragile Theurg at this distance, had no way to resist the combined expertise of the elite knight and former Judicator, and soon found himself tied up securely. Vera controlled another vine that was tightly wrapped around Sullivan's waist.

Taking a deep breath, Sullivan stepped on a protruding rock on the cliff with his right foot and exerted force.

The climbing process was full of suspense, but Vera, who ensured the vine's resilience, didn't deceive them, and despite being battered by the sea wind, the two ultimately reached the top of the cliff.

"Hah…"

Severing the vine with a dagger, Sullivan's chest rose and fell like a bellows, slowly recovering from the expended energy, while Johannes sat on the side, looking somewhat stunned.

"You don't look too good, do you?"

"Of course not! Try being tied up like a lobster and suspended in mid-air!" Johannes snapped, then suddenly perked up and climbed to the edge of the cliff, "Where's Vera? She was climbing behind us just now, wasn't she?"

Hmph, this guy who said, "No way, are you asking me to climb first to see under her skirt?" Let me at least admire how hard you labor alone!

"If you're looking for me, I'm already up here,"

"What?!"

Turning back in response to the voice, Johannes saw a lightly cloaked girl in a bluish-gray cloak descending gracefully.

"Why didn't you mention you had flying tools?"

"Eh? What's the point of mentioning it? Besides, I didn't plan on letting you use it anyway," the girl seemed surprised, then her expression turned into a mocking smile, something that Johannes particularly disliked.

"I just went out for some fun, and helping you was just a whim. I have no obligation to make it easy for you to pass," the girl continued with a satisfied smirk.

"And, watching others struggle hard while you pass easily is super satisfying~"

Johannes and Sullivan fell silent, their expressions full of black lines. Oh, this person's personality is too awful, how did she develop such character?