The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL]-Chapter 497: Ideal Distraction

Ha.

Who was he kidding?

This wasn’t just "more than he assumed." Because that would have been the understatement of the century.

Because the so-called VIP Lounge he was standing in now didn’t look like a lounge at all. Not even close.

It looked like a battlefield.

But definitely not in the way he was used to. No fists were flying, no blades clashing, no blood on the ground. But anyone with even a shred of instinct could feel it.

That low hum of energy.

That electric tension.

The way every single person in the room seemed to be just barely restraining themselves, like wolves circling prey and waiting for the right moment to pounce.

People were sizing each other up, but why?

He narrowed his eyes, letting the sensation roll over him.

Even he had to admit it sent a small shiver down his back. But he was fairly certain that it wasn’t due to fear, but to excitement.

But stars above, was it always this crowded?

He wasn’t about to voice the thought, but his aide apparently had no such restraint. The old orc leaned closer and muttered just loud enough for the King to hear:

"Is is this the usual scenario here, Your Majesty?"

Garick kept his face neutral, though he too was quietly scanning the packed room, where nobles mingled under the shimmering lights of the daycare’s VIP space.

Before he could even decide how to answer, his daughter beat him to it.

Princess Kira turned, grinning widely, her eyes bright with amusement as though she’d been waiting for the question all along.

"Of course it is," she said cheerfully, as though the thrumming spiritual pressure and barely suppressed competitive bloodlust were the most natural things in the world.

Her grin widened another fraction, and she added with no small amount of pride: 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"This is even a slow day compared to when it opened."

Technically, she wasn’t kidding, because the daycare was always crowded and had been exceptionally busy when it opened.

But today...today was actually something else entirely.

It felt like half the Empire had crammed itself into the modest VIP Lounge. The air was thick with spiritual energy and something else—anticipation, almost frantic.

It was all part of the plan.

The Nox brothers’ plan.

Today, DG was rolling out a major update to the Sponsorship Store, as well as introducing this month’s second meal for the Top 500 VIP members.

Sure, they could still technically claim these meals before the month ended, but what if they missed out on other important announcements or experiences? Also, what if they missed their chance at some limited items, which were something these cadets were known for?

So, as expected, that thought alone had driven hundreds to crowd the daycare this morning.

But why today of all days?

Kira smiled faintly to herself as she watched her father, who sat in front of her. He was sitting still in the middle of the chaos, his massive arms crossed, his dark gaze sharp as he scanned every corner of the bustling hall.

For one, she was seriously trying to buy time. She wasn’t actually ready to explain just what had happened to her. And while this looked like she was running away from the issue, at least she was running with purpose.

Like showing her father that she was out here doing great work. And maybe, if he ended up interested in these, it would become easier to persuade him to let her stay.

But because hard selling would never work on him, it was better if he saw all of it for himself.

And what better way to persuade the most stubborn orc in the galaxy than to let him witness firsthand what this so-called "craze" was all about?

Because today, the Empire would finally be introduced to the majestic pizza and the mythical ice cream.

And if this didn’t work to at least pique his interest, then she wasn’t sure what else they could do.

The King was still observing silently, brow furrowed as though trying to solve some kind of riddle, when a uniformed redhead strode confidently toward the podium.

From what little Garick knew, this boy was supposedly just another member of the guild, like his daughter.

But the moment the boy opened his mouth, the room fell quiet.

Jax spoke with formal precision, his tone and posture polished to perfection as he delivered the morning’s announcement. Even Kira raised her brows slightly at how well-rehearsed he sounded. But then again, it was always as if the guy was possessed whenever he talked about food and his children.

The King, meanwhile, was stunned into stillness as he listened.

The rest here already knew about the store’s update. They’d all come because of it. But they hadn’t expected Jax to casually drop the bomb that a few of the featured store items would actually be available to taste today.

"...Taste?!" someone in the crowd muttered, shocked, and the murmurs began in earnest.

The members of DG actually expected this, as the earlier meals weren’t this elaborate. But then again, they had scheduled it to coincide with the arrival of the Orc King.

Jax raised his hand, quieting them, and continued.

He explained that for purchases made today, members would have the option to claim their orders immediately or schedule pickup later, depending on when they were ready.

More murmurs. Someone in the back called out, "Ready for what?"

The first thing that came to mind was theft. And frankly, that was why most of them used battleships to get here. And those who felt uneasy decided to come together.

But the presenter only smiled faintly. He understood the feeling, after all. "Today’s event will be slightly different. Some of the products sold will be raw ingredients, for you to prepare yourselves at home."

Gasps rippled through the room like a wave.

Some nobles actually clutched their symbolic pearls.

The redhead, unfazed, motioned to the wall behind him.

A massive projection bloomed to life, showing a recorded livestream of Dylan, the popular streamer, who once "cheerfully" demonstrated how to prepare the drinks sold by Luca.

"This," Jax said evenly, "is one example of what we’re offering today. To make preparation easier, essential kitchen equipment and utensils will also be available for purchase."

That did it.

The crowd erupted into barely suppressed chaos, and people started using their terminals to call home for backup.

Even Garick could feel the ripple of hunger and urgency moving through the room like a living thing.

For the first time in years, the King felt out of place.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t heard of this strange phenomenon before. Even in the far reaches of the galaxy, whispers of these relic-like foods had reached him. He’d even caught wind of how much his daughter had already spent on them.

But he had dismissed it all as just another silly fad.

Until now.

Until he stood here, surrounded by these people, who looked this invested.

Was it really that good?

A sensible question. But one taste later, and he’d know the answer.

Beyond good.

Good enough to make even a respected leader, a conqueror of worlds, and a feared warrior king forget, just for a moment, who and what he was.