The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL] novel Chapter 947

Chapter 947: The Perfect Moment

It was an exciting day for locals and visitors alike.

With the long-awaited competition—fueled by years of rivalry and an unholy amount of trash-talking—finally taking place, ISEC was bustling to a degree that could only be described as chaotic enthusiasm.

Inside DG’s booth, people were watching with intense interest despite not truly understanding what the hell the participants were actually doing. Outside wasn’t that much different.

Only, those outside had stopped and dropped everything they were doing for a completely different reason.

Snacks.

After several days of the Expo running at full capacity, people were already in permanent awe of snacks. If anything, the concept of such a food classification had become so popular that it was impossible not to hear the word mentioned every few seconds in a live setting.

Snack this.

Snack that.

Have you tried the snacks?

Now with DG’s daily offerings, it was as if the people of the Empire had learned dozens of new life lessons and raised their standard of living exponentially simply by knowing that such things existed.

However, much to their surprise, they still had so much more to learn.

Like popcorn.

Crunchy, buttery, airy popcorn.

Even before the competition properly began, there came a sharp, single sound that turned every head in the vicinity.

Pop!

"?!"

Then another followed, and another, until the rhythm built into a rapid series of explosive bursts that echoed strangely against the surrounding structures.

Pop!

Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop!

The noise was so unusual that people momentarily panicked, glancing around as though some unstable device had malfunctioned. But their alarm faded the moment they caught sight of the large transparent machine stationed near DG’s free sample booth.

Inside it, tiny golden buds trembled violently.

Then they exploded.

Not in fire.

But in bloom.

Small clouds burst open and multiplied rapidly, filling the chamber with fluffy white shapes that looked suspiciously like edible cumulonimbus.

There were so many speculations.

Was it a chemical reaction?

A new beast product?

A foam-based material demonstration?

For a brief second, the unusual popping sounds made the crowd uneasy.

Then the scent of melted butter drifted outward.

Warm.

Rich.

Irresistible.

Understanding dawned faster than lightning.

"!!!"

Whatever that was—

They had to have it.

However, wanting it as desperately as one wanted air didn’t mean they’d actually get it. With a line that stretched far beyond reasonable expectations and an unmistakable crowd forming by the second, how were they even supposed to get close?

Those at the back stared at the distance between themselves and the machine with visible despair. Some began calculating probabilities. Others considered abandoning dignity entirely.

The deeply distressed customers lamented their fates, especially those who had hesitated earlier and were now paying the price for it.

But just as hopelessness began to settle in, movement caught their attention.

From DG’s free sample stall emerged several drones in a shape no one had seen before.

Their frames were broader, their tops fitted with clear compartments that resembled miniature versions of the popping machine itself.

More importantly, mounted on each drone were boxes filled with the same fluffy white clouds.

And they were still popping!

Just what was happening?!

Before the crowd could devolve into organized chaos, an announcement rang out across the plaza.

In a tone that sounded suspiciously like a station broadcast, calm and clear, the voice declared:

"In light of the Polishing Competition and in cooperation with the Mecha Manufacturing Association, we invite everyone to tune in while enjoying refreshments on the house."

A brief pause.

"May you have a pleasant and enjoyable evening, and kindly watch out for our diligent service drones."

There was half a second of stunned silence.

Then—

The hall exploded into one hell of a giant cheer.

__

The excitement was palpable throughout the hall as multiple holographic monitors showcased the competition from every possible angle. Close-ups of polished components, slow-motion replays of finishing touches, and real-time reaction feeds floated above the crowd, bathing the spectators in shifting light.

And with more and more people crying in joy over receiving what were now officially called "tubs of popcorn," the fortunate people of the Empire were suddenly learning the optimal way to enjoy exciting shows.

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