The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL]

Luca spoke calmly as he gestured to the mountain of supplies in the lounge.

”After Grakkar’s attempt to tamper with food,” he began, ”I thought this would be important for your safety, Your Majesty. I know I can’t feed all the Orcs, but I can at least make sure you’re taken care of. At least for a while, or until the threat of food-related attacks is gone. And if needed...” He glanced at the stacks. ”...these can also serve as emergency rations for the others.”

His words carried no arrogance, just quiet determination.

He pointed out what he’d chosen, carefully explaining his reasoning.

”These have a longer shelf life,” he said, showing the sacks of rice, rows of canned tomatoes, and bundles of dried fruits they already had in stock, which actually came from the Dungeon farms. Then he moved to the towering crates behind them. ”But since Orcs are mostly carnivores, I bought these specially.”

The room stilled as Luca revealed what he’d purchased.

Smoked beef jerky. Smoked pork. Salted sausages. Dried fish.

These were things they didn’t have, save for maybe the dried fish. And so these were all items he purchased from the trove in a bid to pick those that would last longer.

He paused briefly before adding almost sheepishly, ”And for emergencies...I also got these. They’re what I used to rely on before.”

He gestured to a neat stack of twenty boxes, each clearly labeled.

”Instant noodles,” he said.

As Lucas, he didn’t have it easy, and like many who barely had any money to spare for anything fancy, he’d been an instant noodle consumer for a good while, well, up until he got imprisoned and never managed to see it then.

But then yesterday, when he was looking around for consumables, he saw it and decided it would be a smart thing to buy, provided he could teach them how to prepare it.

The room went quiet for a beat.

”There should be two thousand packs of instant noodles that only require hot water. In fact, when in a desperate pinch, one could actually eat it as is.”

It was then that everyone truly noticed that the items Luca was showing were food they hadn’t really seen before. Especially those in those boxes with an odd design.

And then all at once, the room erupted into a frenzy.

Cadets surged forward, pointing and whispering.

”What is that?!”

As Luca went on to explain how to cook the rice, how to use the canned tomatoes, and even how to enjoy that thing called noodles properly, Butler Gary stood in the back, watching quietly.

And though he’d never say it out loud, his chest swelled with admiration.

Here was the heir of House Kyros, doing this out of his own free will. No one told him to. And as someone who had lived frugally for years, Butler Gary couldn’t even begin to guess how hard it probably was to part with these items. And yet here he was, giving it away to someone who had been an enemy just some years ago.

Just because he would’ve wanted someone to do the same for his own father.

Across the room, Duke Leander stood still.

Then he completely fell apart.

The man sniffled loudly, wiping his eyes and clutching his wife’s sleeve like he might collapse right there.

His son was really the best.

Absolutely, without question, the best.

And whatever that nice-smelling thing his son was making just now?

That was also the best.

The scent was irresistible. One by one, everyone started drifting closer, drawn by the rich aroma of something simmering.

Luca gave in with a sigh and finally let everyone have a taste.

It only took one bite to spark a whole new kind of addiction.

Eyes gleamed. Backs straightened. The air was suddenly charged with a fierce determination that hadn’t been there before.

Kira, now standing next to the boxes of instant noodles, crossed her arms with a mischievous glint in her eye.

”Maybe I ought to just come home with Father after all,” she said casually, eyeing the boxes like a predator.

Luca blinked and shook his head.

”You can have it here, once in a while,” he offered with a small smile.

”!!!”

The Princess retracted her words immediately and stepped back.

Her father looked at her like he very much wanted to flick her forehead.

Fickle. Absolutely fickle.

But who could really blame her?

Even that short blonde over there looked like he was ready to fight someone for another bite.

Everyone marveled at the ingenuity of the instant noodle. From something that looked so dry and squiggly, it turned into such a lovely bowl of food that smelled so good it made their mouths water.

They were a little surprised, though, when Luca gently reminded them.

”It’s not something you should eat every day,” he said softly. ”Because it’s not exactly the healthiest thing out there.”

The warning barely registered.

For people and Orcs who had only just recently learned what good food even was, none of them cared much about health warnings at that moment.

Luca just sighed and reminded them again, this time about something else.

”Be careful. It’s really hot, so don’t burn yourselves. And... wait for the right amount of time. Or it’ll come out undercooked or too soggy.”

Even King Garick listened as Luca explained, nodding faintly, still more stunned than anything else.

When the little heir finished his demonstrations, he looked up at the King.

”How would you like these stored, Your Majesty?” he asked.

And then, almost shyly, Luca offered him a small handful of space buttons.

”If I may suggest, Your Majesty, what about keeping the rations separate? In case of emergencies.”

The King finally found his voice again.

He took a breath and spoke.

”Thank you for the suggestion, Young Lord,” he said. His voice was quiet but steady now. ”I’ve got a way to store them safely, don’t worry. No one will be able to just take them. And...thank you. For all of this.”

The only thing he could offer to match the depth of his gratitude was a simple, heartfelt thanks. Not when he was certain that their riches wouldn’t be able to compare adequately to these.

But then, just as King Garick began packing the supplies, Luca’s soft voice cut in again.

”What about these, Your Majesty?”

The King froze.

”...Huh?”

He turned around.

And what he saw stopped him in his tracks.

Luca was standing there, holding what looked like kits.

Neatly arranged, polished cases.

Inside, shimmering vials of spiritual water caught the light.

Not drops.

Bottles.

Actual bottles of spiritual water.

The King stared.

Everyone stared.

Even Princess Kira’s jaw went slack.

”What the—”

The King, who prided himself on only swearing on the battlefield, very nearly swore right there in front of all the cadets.

Why... why were there bottles of spiritual water here?

Bottles.

And why was Luca holding them out to him like this?

Was he... was he trying to buy a planet? Or maybe his entire tribe?

His mind raced, already thinking about what it meant for the safety of this planet if they just... had this lying around.

But then Luca just smiled faintly.

”They’re part of the care package, Your Majesty,” he said simply.

And the rattled King didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or call for a council.

Because what kind of a care package could maybe buy out their tribe?!