◆ Queemil Tavern, Zenbei ◆
“Did I just mishear that? I thought you said you were declining?”
“I’m going to have to decline yesterday’s offer…”
As Storulf entered, he arrogantly plopped down into a chair, fiddling with his mustache. Nearby, three older gentlemen stood, likely the top-tier chefs Storulf had mentioned yesterday. He had said he would be instructing them, so there was no doubt.
“This is my establishment, where I serve my own dishes.”
Pablo, who had been so timid before, now stood confidently before Storulf, looking down at him. The confidence he had gained was not solely thanks to Kurinka. The patrons who had been present at that time had supported him as well.
“I’m aware of your reputation, but what we want is Pablo’s cooking.”
“I don’t care if you’re a top chef or not; I’ve been coming to this tavern since I was a fledgling carpenter. Even my late father used to frequent this place.”
“Storulf, I have repeatedly accepted requests for ingredient procurement from Zenbei. It has become a source of my livelihood, and more than that, I look forward to having the ingredients I procure cooked here. Please don’t take this place from us with your selfish reasoning.”
Since yesterday, other regulars had joined Kurinka in supporting the tavern. Patrons who understood the situation had gathered until the tables were packed. In other words, Storulf and the three chefs were surrounded by everyone.
Yet, Storulf wore a bored expression, as if he had expected this, continuing to fiddle with his mustache. The three chefs stood there with sour faces.
“Ha, ha. Well, I expected as much. I’ve remodeled two other establishments before, and each time, I faced the same situation. The regulars all criticized me.”
“If you understand that, will you step aside?”
“Madame Kurinka, is that what you want to say? That there are many people who need even a small tavern like this? Such a trivial argument…”
Storulf leaned back in his chair as if he might break it, his demeanor so unpleasant it made me want to destroy the legs of the chair.
“Listen, Madame Kurinka. Some may say I have a reputation and a unique style. But such things are like dust that can be blown away in the face of the facts of being ‘top-tier’ and ‘popular.’ Your argument is merely the excuse of a loser who can never become top-tier. Anyone can be one-of-a-kind; only the number one is supreme.”
“…How sad. I thought being top-tier was something more impressive.”
“A filthy tavern that has abandoned the pursuit of excellence is unnecessary in the culinary culture. Is that all you wanted to say? Then let’s get started quickly.”
“Wait! If you insist, then let’s have a cooking duel between Pablo and you.”
As Storulf stood from his seat, he paused. The three chefs shot glares at Kurinka, perhaps wanting to say, “Don’t interfere.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“If your cooking is truly top-tier, then you should be able to convince everyone here, right? If you’re more needed than Pablo’s cooking, then I believe you should open a shop in this town. The ones eating the food are the townsfolk.”
“…Ha ha ha! So that’s how it is! I knew it!”
Did he really expect that response? He dramatically slapped his forehead, feigning surprise. It seemed less like he anticipated it and more like he had aimed for it. One of the three chefs even chuckled softly, covering his mouth.
“It was the same with the last two establishments. They all said, ‘Show us your cooking.’ The results are obvious, right? Everyone, including the customers who finished my dishes, said, ‘I can’t eat anything else now.'”
With that, he drew a knife from the sheath at his waist. It was a bizarre knife with a jagged blade. His attitude was one that said he was ready to accept the challenge. Storulf tossed the knife into the air and caught it without even looking. I didn’t understand the point of that, but it seemed he wanted to show off.
“Is it agreed that the customers here will be the judges?”
“Yes, that’s right. We’ll provide the ingredients.”
“I’ll prepare them. Hey.”
“Yes…”
At Storulf’s command, one of the chefs lowered a box he had been carrying. Inside were dried fish, meat, and vegetables.
“Preparing the best ingredients takes time, you know. But I always carry simple ones with me. I’ll be using these, and I trust you have no complaints?”
“Yes. Pablo, is that alright?”
“…Do as you wish.”
“Oh? You seem confident. Well, enjoy it while it lasts. It will soon be turned upside down… hehehe.”
Having steeled himself, Pablo began his preparations. He tightened his apron and stepped into the kitchen at the back of the counter. Several employees and a large number of customers watched him closely.
“Are there any conditions for the dishes?”
“Nope. But we can’t take too long, so please make something that can be done in about ten minutes.”
“Ten minutes?! Are you an idiot?! How can you make anything decent in that time?!”
“I can do it.”
As expected of Pablo. He had already set conditions that favored him. In response, Storulf seemed flustered, or rather, he looked like he was about to spit in anger, as if to say, “Don’t underestimate cooking.” He pointed that strange knife at Pablo, which was dangerous. If anything happened, I could stop it immediately, but still…
“Hmph! Is that the logic of instant, mediocre cooking?! Well, fine!”
“When everyone has finished eating both dishes, they will evaluate which was better. If they prefer Storulf’s dish, they will raise their knives. If they prefer Pablo’s, they will raise their forks.”
“If there are more customers who prefer Storulf’s cooking, I will comply. But if there are more who prefer my cooking… then I will withdraw from here.”
“Very well. It’s impossible for me to lose, not even by a million to one.”
Everyone gripped their knives and forks, watching the kitchen. As the two began cooking, some voiced their concerns, wondering if everything would be alright.
“I’ll definitely rate Pablo’s cooking, no matter what happens!”
“Me too!”
“So it seems I’m surrounded by enemies. As Azuma would say, it’s a situation of being besieged on all sides.”
“It was the same during the last two establishments.”
“Storulf’s skills are now known not just within Avangarde but even in other countries. Just between us, a certain royal family approached me recently.”
The three chefs smirked, casting glances at the anxious patrons. Despite having so many people against them, the three remained unfazed. In the kitchen, Storulf was dancing gracefully. He was frying something, simmering something else, and chopping away. In contrast to Pablo, who moved clumsily, Storulf appeared somewhat pretentious. But in reality, it was Pablo who was making progress. He had already prepared a large number of bowls and was starting to plate them. I wondered what they were; perhaps it was the Gyudon that Kurinka loved.
“Done! First, three bowls. I’ll serve them one by one!”
“That was fast! As expected of Pablo!”
“Wha-what?!”
Not “what a fool!” He was still simmering something, so how long would he take? It wasn’t the time to leisurely taste and say, “Hmm,” with satisfaction. In the meantime, Pablo was quickly preparing enough for everyone. The three chefs finally looked at Storulf in the kitchen, as if asking when he would be done.
The dishes being lined up before us were simple. It looked like meat wrapped in batter sitting atop rice. It was a dish I had never seen before.
“Mmm! Delicious! This isn’t on the menu, is it?”
“This is a new dish I plan to introduce, the Teri-Kara Bowl. I aimed to fuse teriyaki sauce with fried chicken.”
“The batter crumbles in my mouth without resisting the force of my bite, rather yielding to it. And the meat’s elasticity is incredible… It gives a sense of thickness with every chew. Following the flavor right after biting, the juices and sauce mix together, competing to spread across my palate… And finally, the flavors that have fulfilled their role burst out through my nose, creating an overwhelming satisfaction with each bite!”
“Ku-Kurinka… Is it really that good?”
“Lua-chan, isn’t it delicious?!”
“Well, it is delicious, but…”
It was delicious, but I couldn’t articulate my thoughts as smoothly as Kurinka. What happened to her? Was she worried about what Storulf had said about only being able to say “delicious”? But her efforts were paying off, as Storulf in the kitchen was glancing over at her.
“This has been marinated.”
“What? What do you mean, Platiu?”
“I marinated the meat in salt since the night before.”
“That’s right! It’s to make the meat tender!”
Platiu, munching away like a small animal, said something surprising. Could it be that Platiu could cook? If that were the case, I was falling further behind. No, I hadn’t even intended to catch up, but it felt strange that even such a small child could cook while I couldn’t do anything.
“You! You marinated it since the night before?”
“Wah! Y-you had ingredients prepared yourself too!”
“Tch… Just watch. I’ll show you a realm that such instant cooking can’t even touch.”
I opened the pot that was bubbling away and took a taste. After grinning proudly, I thought it was finally done, but then she started adding something else to the pot. Just how long is this going to take? I mean, Kurinka is already finishing her second bowl.
“It’s delicious! Pablo, you can definitely add this to the menu!”
“Well, I’m still not completely satisfied with it…”
“Come on, it’s good, it’s good!”
“Shut up! Can you not wait quietly?!”
Finally, Storulf shouted from the kitchen. He was just starting to plate something. His speed was impressive, but I was already full. Platiu was leaning against me, looking sleepy. And when I noticed my portion was suspiciously smaller, I realized it was being sucked into my item pouch. Someone inside was munching on the Teri-Kara Bowl.
“Serve it up.”
“Yes, sir!”
Storulf commanded the three chefs to distribute the dishes. Even in the midst of that, he wore a beaming smile, full of confidence. Just as I was wondering what was so great about it, the aroma wafted through the air, making me forget my previous fullness.
“W-What is this?”
“Ooh… what is this creamy sauce?”
Slurp…
Everyone who had just been devouring the Teri-Kara Bowl suddenly changed their expressions. The small pieces of chicken were elegantly drizzled with a white, thick sauce. The chicken itself was crispy and golden-brown, looking absolutely delicious. And this aroma—it was different from the usual savory scents. Unlike Pablo’s Teri-Kara Bowl, this one seemed to smoothly permeate deep into my senses.
“This is Fairy-Style Baked Carbo-Chicken. Normally, it’s a dish so exquisite that you could spend a lifetime trying to eat it. I barely had enough ingredients to make it; after all, this chicken is the breast meat of the rare Pepperbird.”
“Let’s eat!”
It wasn’t just Kurinka; no one was listening to Storulf’s explanation. Even I thought it was surprisingly simple considering how much he had been cooking and stirring.
“…!”
“W-What the?!”
“Mmm… ahh!”
Strange sounds erupted from all around the table. I, too, was left speechless after tasting the dish. The creamy sauce and chicken might seem odd at first, but it was similar to what I often had in stews. So the combination was good. On top of that, this dish was…
“The rich aroma of butter in the sauce… Even though it seems to have lost its original form, each ingredient seems to assert itself… And this chicken breast, combined with the crispy skin, reveals its true flavor when you bite into it!”
“Yes, this dish makes sure to showcase the skin properly! Moreover, it seems to skillfully incorporate textural accents! On its own, the sauce is heavy and assertive, overpowering the star of the dish, the chicken, but the texture counters it! You could say it’s like a Swordfighter supported by a Healer… This synergy allows it to stand up against the formidable sauce!”
Following Kurinka, someone launched into an incredible explanation. I felt like I was in a world I couldn’t keep up with anymore. Everyone was praising Storulf’s cooking, and the atmosphere was turning ominous. Storulf and the three chefs watched with an air of certainty, as if they were already convinced of their victory.
“I’ve never eaten anything this delicious!”
“What kind of magic did you use to create this?!”
“Even though it’s the same chicken dish, it’s nothing like Pablo’s!”
Everyone was becoming captivated by Storulf’s cooking. It was delicious—too delicious. As someone said, it might as well be magic. But something felt off. Sure, it was tasty, but…
“All the effort is in the sauce. The timing of ingredient addition, the simmering time… It’s a far cry from some common soldier’s cooking.”
“There are plenty of strong Adventurers out there. But when it comes to culinary skills, there’s no one better than this man.”
“If you understand that, then hurry up and hand over this establishment!”
One of the three chefs looked down with a smug expression. Why were these people acting so high and mighty? And telling us to hand over the place? They were definitely planning to take over.
“Well then, the result is as clear as day, but shall we begin? Monsieur Pablo, are you ready?”
“Sure thing!”
“Then let’s see it!”
I held my breath, watching for the outcome. If we lost, it would be over. I was half-prepared for defeat. At this point, I thought about flipping the conditions and just kicking Storulf out. Just as I was thinking of such a forceful measure, what was raised was…
“W-What?!”
The people filling the tables showed no hesitation. They raised their forks as if ready to charge into battle, a display of determination. I thought this was what a unanimous decision looked like. The sight was so overwhelming that even Storulf was left speechless.
“Pablo wins!”
The fork raised high seemed to reject and drive Storulf away. This left not just Storulf but the three chefs in disbelief. They rubbed their eyes repeatedly, as if trying to convince themselves it wasn’t real.
“…I see, so that’s why you’re so supportive of Monsieur Pablo. Even while acknowledging that my cooking is superior, you refuse to concede the competition. It seems you have quite the bond of trust. Heh, how foolish!”
“Absolutely! There was never any meaning in this competition from the start!”
“Storulf, don’t worry about them. Let’s kick these guys out and proceed with the renovations. They should be grateful we even entertained their farce.”
“Don’t you get it yet?”
It was Kurinka who finally intimidated Storulf and the others into silence. It was as if she was saying, “Enough already.” I could feel a strange aura, akin to a murderous intent, radiating from her. I could almost see golden wings behind her.
“W-What do you mean?! The taste and everything else was clearly superior in my dish! I’m a first-rate chef, that’s a fact! Your taste buds are just off!”
“The evaluation is a competition that includes who comes to this establishment and what kind of dishes they desire. I never said it was just about taste.”
“You lot with your ridiculous taste buds! Listen, fine dining is—”
“The chef must be beautiful, and the dishes served must be beautiful. That’s what I believe fine dining is. And as I said earlier, it doesn’t fall short in taste either. It’s merely settled into this position due to factors like recognition and the town’s population.”
I thought it was finally my turn to speak. Storulf had begun to reach for the large knife on his back. I wanted to charge at Kurinka, but I would break him in half before he could even swing.
“To be honest, if it were a serious taste competition, Storulf might win. But isn’t it too sad to think that only the dishes recognized and sold by a large number of people can be considered true cooking? Even if it’s small, there can be establishments that serve quality dishes. If they satisfy the visitors, then I believe that’s enough to be considered first-rate.”
“That’s just nonsense!”
I finally drew the massive knife from its sheath on my back. It resembled a giant version of a kitchen knife, sharp and glistening with potential. Unsurprisingly, those who couldn’t fight were taken aback. A collective scream erupted.
“Storulf! Are you serious? If you do that, it’ll put you at a disadvantage too! And we have… how many people here…”
“Shut up, third-rate. I won’t need even a minute to dismantle all of you.”
“We’re going to be killed!”
“Request reinforcements from the Adventurer’s Guild! A-Rank Storulf has barricaded himself in with Zenbei!”
“Most of us are C-Rank! Can we even stand a chance?!”
Storulf licked the blade of the knife, then swung it through the air menacingly. The effect was immediate; chairs toppled as everyone scrambled toward the exit. In their panic, they collided and blocked the entrance.
“Lord Storulf… what should we do?”
“Get out there with those rabble. I’ll finish this in a minute.”
“Y-yes…”
“You all better apologize! That man has never had his cooking criticized even once… he’s completely lost it! He’s serious! We’re going to die!”
The cooks, even while fleeing, offered their warnings. Only Pablo and the three of us remained. Lua and Kurinka sighed heavily. Platiu, on the other hand, was licking the sauce left on Storulf’s plate. What is she doing?
“Overcooked.”
“…Huh?”
“It’s overcooked and reduced. That’s why the sauce is overall too sweet.”
“Ahh…!?”
“Storulf, you’re still not a top-tier chef.”
“Y-you… Gah!”
Storulf reached out to grab Platiu, but she was darting around with her plate in hand. She deftly dodged his grasp while continuing to critique him for some reason. She was surprisingly fast. It’s easy to forget that she’s over Level 100.
【Storulf has appeared! HP 420】
“I’m telling you, I’ll take care of all of you myself!”
【Lua’s attack! Dealt 1344 damage to Storulf! Storulf has been defeated! HP 0/420】
“Baaahh…!”
With just a glancing blow, he spun several times before rolling away. If I had hit him a little harder, his neck might have twisted completely. With his tongue out, Storulf lay there, exhausted but not dead. Yeah.
“Ugh, cough, cough.”
“Storulf, wake up. You know, I don’t care about the finer details.”
“Eh, heh, oh, I feel like I’ve seen this before…”
“You called Kurinka a pig, didn’t you?”
“Kurinka… Huh?! Oh, oh no! If that’s the case…”
He seemed to barely retain consciousness, so I pressed the point. As he turned pale, it looked like he finally understood. We must have become somewhat famous by now.
“W-wait, Flame Princess…! Then, you’re… Madame Lua! Flash Strike…!”
“It’s not ‘Monsieur,’ it’s ‘Madame.’ I’m a girl.”
“What’s with ‘Monsieur’ and ‘Madame’…?”
“In just one night, you wiped out the Vandalsia army… they even whisper about you being the continent’s cleaner… why are you in this backwater town?! H-h-please, just spare my life…!”
His swollen face twisted in fear, a stark contrast to his earlier bravado. I wouldn’t press the point about the exaggeration. Instead, I reiterated.
“You called Kurinka a pig, didn’t you?”
“I-I-I apologize for my numerous indiscretions! I didn’t know, I didn’t know!”
“What should I do about that?”
“A-ahhh…”
“For now, let’s blow him away.”
“Ahhhhhh!”
I posed to punch, then unleashed my fist.
◆ Queemil, Outside Tavern Zenbei ◆
I handed the unconscious Storulf, who had even wet himself, over to the three cooks outside. Upon realizing our identities, they dragged Storulf away, disappearing deeper into Queemil. I hadn’t intended to torment him, just wanted him to regret his actions. I wouldn’t forgive anyone who belittled Kurinka.
“Just thinking about what would have happened if those two hadn’t shown up… I’m so relieved. I want to do something to thank you, but…”
“How about a Teri-Kara Bowl?”
“Is that all?”
“You just ate a ton earlier…”
Everyone in the tavern, including the adventurers who came to help, was watching us intently. They stared at us like we were some exotic animals. Platiu, who was usually shy, clung to Kurinka’s robe and wouldn’t let go. It seemed like Shin in my bag was in danger of being squished.
“Pablo, is it really okay not to hand Storulf over to the guards?”
“The tavern is safe now, so it’s fine. Besides, even if our aspirations differ, we’re all cooks. I hope he can bounce back and rise again.”
“Okay, that’s good then.”
“Thanks to Lua-chan, I doubt he’ll come back here again. But if he does anything, please send a letter to Ikana Village, okay?”
“Got it… everything’s so thorough, I really… I feel like I’ve woken up. I’m going to have confidence in my cooking. Yes, I will become the best cook in this town!”
Pablo’s eyes glistened with tears; I was truly glad the tavern was safe. Just as Kurinka said, if he tried anything again, I wouldn’t hold back this time.
“Is that the Flash Strike Girl…? When she came to this Guild, I couldn’t help but laugh…”
“I felt the same. She was almost in tears because she couldn’t write. If she’s strong, she should just say so…”
“Seems like it’s best to get out of here quickly.”
A few people hurriedly left. I had been sad back then, but I didn’t care anymore. Now I could write and read properly. Plus, that was how I got to reunite with Kurinka, who was once Roel. Yes, this town is where my journey began.
“Alright, Kurinka. Once we finish our second meal, let’s head to our room.”
“Sounds good. Let’s stay overnight for the first time in a while.”
“Yeah.”
Oh, and Platiu is with us now. I don’t mind, but I wonder if the three of us can fit in that room. Speaking of Platiu, I’m curious about her critiques of the cooking. Is that something she picked up from her unpleasant memories? I want to ask, but I can’t.
“Looks like we’ll have to sleep in a cramped bed together tonight.”
Kurinka stuck her tongue out playfully. She had become so lively, it was hard to believe how she was when we first met in this town. Tonight, I’ll savor the memories. I should be able to truly appreciate this precious time we’ve gained.
◆ Shin Report ◆
Being loved by many isn’t everything.
As long as I have the Demon Lord, that’s enough.
I don’t care if the other elephants hate me.
That’s just how it is, probably.
That Storulf had good skills, but he lost a precious opportunity.
Every time I remember Lua, I get scared and can’t focus on cooking.
Such a situation is conceivable.
Poor Kurinka, just because she was called a pig.
To put it another way, just because she met Lua.
My youth was rotten, but my skills are genuine.
I may have lost the battle, but I’ll overcome this trauma and surely rise again.
Teri-Kara Bowl, delicious.
I never knew there was such a good place.
Everything around is greasy.
Well, it can’t be helped; this is gourmet.
Keeping Shin, who understands flavor, locked up here forever.
It’s good medicine for those who don’t understand taste.