『The 24th Ultimate Cooking Battle! Introducing the participants of the Saragrim Cuuuup!』
TN: From Saracrim(サラクリム) to Saragrim(サラグリム).
The high-energy host, 『Chou Hi』, holding a microphone, introduced the contestants on stage one after another. And I was also on that stage.
…How did it come to this?
Let me see… I certainly went to the Adventurer’s Guild. I was gathering information there.
Then, somehow, it became known that I was a drifter from Einzheil, and I was made to talk about being decent at cooking. Before I knew it, I was swiftly pushed onto the stage.
Well, as the tournament name suggests, from what I heard, the winner of this tournament gets to have their cuisine tasted by King Saragrim, so the result is favorable.
However, I wanted to see more of the town and gather various information…
No, well, I am not here for fun, and it is better to tour slowly after resolving various issues. Since I barely managed to enter the tournament leading to King Saragrim, let us consider it good.
『Next is this person! A mysterious drifter from Einzheil! Some say his cooking is the best! (By Shiro) Some say his sweets made royalty fall in love! Um, his name is… Huh? Since he is a last-minute entry, it is not written… Einzheil AAAAAA!』
Well, since I was brought here in a hurry saying, “Hurry, hurry, it is starting”, my name was not written down.
And the reason I was called A…
『Next is this person! Her nice body is obvious! With such beauty and skill in cooking, what does heaven intend to give her! She is the slave and lover of the aforementioned Einzheil A! Naturally, she will be his wife in the future! She must have captured her master’s stomach, how enviable! Einzheil BBBBB!』
「Um… I-I will do my best! …Ufufu, wife. Nfufufu.」
Wendy was also participating in a separate team.
Initially, I thought we would enter together and have her help, but we decided that entering as separate teams would increase the probability of winning.
『Note! As you know, since this is the 24th time, if you win this tournament, you can offer your cuisine to the current King, Saragrim! And if it is recognized as delicious, she will grant you one wish! By the way, we failed 23 times, so please, seriously. Get our 『Ryuubi』-sama back!』
Huh? Get Ryuubi-sama back? If that is the case, would not our objective be unfulfilled?
Our purpose is to ask them to reconsider withdrawing from the alliance with Einzheil…
「Um… Regarding that wish, is it not allowed to ask for anything other than helping Ryuubi-sama?」
『Hmm? No, no, that is not the case. This is our problem, and we cannot ask someone from another country to do such a thing. Since it is the winner’s right, if you win and are recognized, you can ask for whatever you like! Well, after doing this 24 times, it has become routine. We wanted some spice in the form of a chef from another country, a drifter at that. By the way, are you already thinking about winning? Today’s participants are filled with the top chefs of Shoku! Nice, nice, you are confident!』
Ah, no, that is not what I meant…
I just thought that if I won, I could continue gathering information, assuming there were no other restrictions on the wish. Wow… All the participants are looking at me.
It is different.
I do not think I can beat professional chefs. Please stop sending me looks that say, 『Quite confident. The cooking of a drifter… Interesting. Let us see your skills.』
『Before we start, let me explain the rules! We have prepared some ingredients, but you must gather the rest yourself or with the help of collaborators! Of course, no interference is allowed! The time limit is three days! Since it is 『Ultimate』, take your time! We expect ultimate cuisine from each of you! By the way, judging will proceed in the order of completion! Now, the match begins!』
Three days… That is quite a long time.
Well, some dishes take several days to prepare. Does this mean we should take as many days as needed to make delicious food to satisfy the King?
「Master. I will not lose!」
「…You are motivated, Wendy.」
「Of course! Master! If I win, we will tour the Republic’s clothing shops all day!」
「I-I understand. All day…」
When we split into separate teams, Shion suggested that it would be more interesting if we made a bet.
Wendy had Aina and the others assisting her as collaborators, while my assistants were Shiro and Shion…
『I will side with Wendy. In terms of cooking skills, my lord’s are delicious, but Wendy’s are superior.』
『I will bet on the winning horsessu!』
『I want to support my liege… but I heard that if he wins, we will have a date of my choosing for a whole day… Apologies, my liege. I also wish to have a date with my liege alone.』
『Hmm. Shiro bets on lord.』
『Hmm, what should I do? If aiming for a safe win, I should choose Wendy, but betting on the underdog is more fun, so I will bet on m’lord too!』
That is how it stands.
Whether I win or lose, having a date with someone for a day is fine, but I think there should be a reward where the loser wears clothes of my choosing for a day if I win.
And Shion? Although I also think Wendy is a better cook, calling me an underdog shows good nerve.
I will make you work hard, so look forward to it.
「Well then, Master. Let us both do our best!」
「See you later, my lord.」
「Wendy! Tell us what you need, and we will get anythingssu!」
「Hmm. It would be good to ask at the Adventurer’s Guild about what can be obtained in this area.」
And the four of them left.
Other participants also seemed to have started moving, so shall we move as well?
For now, let us go see the ingredients prepared by the organizers.
「Ultimate cuisine… Shiro-san, what do you think is the ultimate cuisine?」
「Hmm. Meals eaten with lord.」
Shiro…
I also think meals eaten with Shiro are the ultimate!
Let us just do that.
Shall I confidently declare that meals eaten with Shiro are the ultimate cuisine?
…Since the premise is cuisine that satisfies Saragrim, that would surely not work.
「N-No, I mean cuisine as in cooking.」
「Hmmm. Meat. Big meat. When meat is big, everyone is happy.」
「Ahaha. Shiro-san likes meat, doesn’t she～? For me, cuisine using abundant high-class ingredients is the ultimate. I believe the more expensive meat and vegetables used, the more ultimate it becomes!」
…Well, ultimately, the definition of ultimate cuisine varies from person to person.
I plan to use meat, of course, but there are various types such as beef, pork, and chicken, each with different characteristics.
Since Saragrim is a woman, should I go for a healthy route? No, since she seems greedy, perhaps something hearty? There are many things to consider.
And high-class goods.
Indeed, high-class goods in this world are delicious.
Although it is not always “cheap and bad” in this world, it is almost certain that “expensive means delicious”.
However, even if I pack it with high-class items, the umami might be strong, but the harmony… Ah… Putting in various meats and vegetables, I suppose.
I have an idea.
When I ate authentic versions in my previous world, I was surprised by the depth of flavor despite the simple appearance, and enjoyed it so much that I stared blankly until the aftertaste of the first bite faded.
Afterward, I looked up the recipe out of curiosity, but although I could not remember it clearly, I thought I could manage.
Besides, if I remembered it, I wanted to eat the version made with this world’s ingredients, so I decided on this.
「Alright. For now, I will start making it with what the organizers have prepared, but can Shiro and Shion gather all the delicious things available in the surrounding area?」
「Hmm. Leave it to me.」
「Yes! It seems you have decided what to make, but what are you planning to make?」
「That is still a secret. If possible, I want you to taste the finished product.」
「Eeh! I am curious!」
「Well, well, I plan to ask you to taste it when it is done, so look forward to that.」
…Well, since my memory is vague, I do not know how it will turn out, but I think it will not be bad.
At worst, whether I can win depends on the result, but according to manga knowledge, visual impact and taste are important in these cooking battles, so I think there is a chance.
Besides, I cannot beat professionals without being innovative, so I have no choice but to do it.
「Hmm. lord, will you use meat?」
「Ah. Of course. Can you get some delicious beef and chicken?」
「Understood. Then Shiro will go get the meat!」
「Then I will handle the vegetables. If you need any herbs or other items, please let me know, and I will get them.」
「Oh. For now, just bring various things. I will decide whether to use them after seeing them.」
Since there are many special vegetables in this world, and many require judgment on whether they can be used after seeing them.
Since the world is different, I do not know if it will be exactly the same as what I intend to make, but I will adapt as I go.
「Hmm? Are the ingredients not decided? What are you making? Ahh! I am curious! You could tell me a little bit!」
Hahaha.
I could tell you, but I think you would say, “Eh?”
The appearance is incredibly simple, so you will be surprised, and you will surely be surprised by the taste as well.
Therefore, I want to surprise you even more.
So, it is a secret. Still a secret.
「Well, I can give you a hint. I am making soup.」
「Ooh! Soup! Indeed, that allows for using various ingredients!」
Well, yes.
Indeed, I will use various ingredients.
And it takes an incredibly long time to make, so be prepared.
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