"Cooking competition, is it?　...... Yes!　I would love to help you, if I can!

So I told Mina about the situation and asked her to participate in the cooking battle at the Demon King's Castle, and she gladly agreed to help me out.

So, I guess that's it for the five of us, then, Kyou.

Yeah, I'm still trying to figure out if I should include my dad or not.

Don't talk like that. Dad, I'm sad.

It's clearly not what you're thinking.
But my father's abilities were proven during the big cooking competition, and he's the best among us if you simply think of him as an asset.
There's no reason to refuse, so of course he's going to help you out as well.

Now that the members have been chosen, we just need to hone our cooking skills and cultivate new monsters to prepare for the culinary battle in a month's time, right?

That's the thing, Keogh. Can we just leave Amarnes alone?

"Yeah, ...... she'll have her way. We'll just leave her alone.

Later, when we were going to pick up the rest of the team, Amarnes said that he would separate from us and get ready for the cooking battle in a month's time.

"Leave it to me. I'm going to hunt the finest demon now!　Yes, a thick, hard one that can take full advantage of my abilities!

I had a feeling that we were going in a different direction at that point.
Well, well, I decided to think positively that even if he lost, we could make it if we won three games.
Just as I was gathering my thoughts, the door of Mina's dining room opened and a familiar, cheeky voice could be heard.

Oh dear, this place is dusty as always. Why don't you rebuild it in a more swanky building?

It was Shin, the genius who competed against me at the big cook-off, and from behind him appeared Phytis's teacher, the wise and brave Kasarina.

Hey, I heard. Kyou, that's Mina. I heard you're having a cooking battle with the demon king, and you're still doing interesting things.

Where did you get that information from? Just when I was wondering where you got the information, Shin pulled something out of his pocket.
What's this?

A tarragon ingredient made by grinding tarragon scales on salamanders. Basil leaves with black and white pepper spices. Oh and I'll give you scorpion dragon meat, cactus ball flowers, and a burning crab for free. If there's anything else you want, I'll give it to you for a good price.

and put a bunch of spices and other things on the table.
I mean, where do you get all these ingredients from?

Well, can you help us?

Don't be silly. I just can't stand that you guys beat me in a cooking contest against a demon. I'm doing it for my honor. Don't get me wrong.

I wonder. I wonder if this guy is a tsundere.
But I'm sorry, Shin. It's just that no matter how much you look like a girl, I don't have boy-girl crushes: .......

Thank you, Shin. I'll use these ingredients carefully!

I'm thinking about this when Mina takes Shin's hands in hers and expresses her gratitude.
In response to Mina's gratitude, Shin slightly blushes and replies with a downcast look on his face.

It's also a good idea to have a good time with .......

I wonder if this is his way of reflecting on what happened before.
Well, at any rate, we're grateful for your help with foodstuffs.

So you're here to help us, Kasarina?

Well, as far as cooperation goes, it's a cooperation.

With that, Kasarina came to the front of Fitis

Phytis. Give up your seat in the cooking battle at the Demon King's Castle in a month.

At that word, all of us in the room stopped for a moment.
But soon after, Fitis replied clearly in front of her teacher, Kasarina.

I decline. It is my mission to contribute to the next culinary battle, even if it is a request from my teacher, for Kyou-sama.

"Phytis, you're certainly a good cook. But you know that, and you know it, you've yet to reach me. So wouldn't it be more beneficial to give up your seat to someone who has a better chance of winning?

Ms. Kasarina has a point.
Certainly, if you're simply looking for odds, you'd be better off giving up your seat to someone who's a better cook than you are. But...

"I appreciate the offer, Ms. Kasarina, but I have faith in Fitis' skills. I don't know if it was before, but I'm sure now that you've been around us, your values and your cooking skills have changed. Above all, in this kind of cooking, it's not always easy to measure who is better.

"Kyou-sama ......

I said in defense of Fitis, and Fitis let out a shrill cry of disgust.
But this is a fact of what I thought, and I don't think it's a matter of good cooking skills.
As was the case at the previous big cooking competition, everything in this world's cuisine, including the process, is a criterion for judging.
Then I want to choose a partner who is more up-and-coming and reliable.
Phitis, with whom I've spent the last few months, can sit next to me.
Kasarina smiles amusedly at my assurances.

All right. You'll just have to prove it to me.


Come on, Phytis, you must have a cooking contest with me. If you can beat me, I'll accept the challenge.
But when I win, I'll take my place. You are no match for me, no matter how much you trust me, because you are not strong enough.

In response to Kasarina's offer, Phytis assured her again without hesitation.

Okay. I'll take the bait.

Kasarina smiles at Phytis's answer, which is just what she wanted to hear.

The game will be played here in three days, and the subject of our discussion will be 'The Egg'.

Everyone present balked at Kasarina's offer and saw the sparks in their confrontation.