In this tournament, judging was conducted in the order of completion, but since we had the chance, we decided to present our dishes at the same time as Wendy.
Since many chefs had already had their dishes judged, we were actually the last ones.
Perhaps because of that, or perhaps not, the chefs who had been staring at me during the introduction gathered around… I felt their eyes appraising me.
Was it because I (who did not boast) had made such bold claims, and they wanted to see what I had made?
Well, it was my masterpiece, so I could be proud, but the numerous gazes made me nervous.
「Hohoho! Delicious! It is unfamiliar, but it has a heartwarming taste.」
「Indeed. It is a delicious stew that conveys gentleness.」
「Hmm! Knowing that such a beautiful woman made such delicious food makes it taste several times better!」
There were three male judges… Let me see, Kochu-san, Bacho-san, and Chouhi-san, who was the host.
Huang Zhong and Ma Chao…?
Surely, drifters were involved in the founding of this country.
And these three were likely warriors… Did Kochu-san use a bow, perhaps?
Putting that aside, the dish Wendy made was one I knew well, but it was unexpected since I had never eaten it in this world.
「It has a reassuring feeling, like home cooking…」
「Yes. Especially this Moi that has absorbed the flavor is delicious. And this thread-like Nyakkon with its chewy texture is a good accent.」
「As expected, meat! Although thinly sliced, the umami of the meat has dissolved well into the broth, making the ingredients that absorbed it even more delicious!」
…To think that Wendy’s ultimate cuisine was 『Nikujaga』 (meat and potato stew).
When did she learn to make it?
And of course, there was a portion for me too… It was delicious.
It was a heartwarming taste, one that conveyed gentleness.
When I broke the Moi with chopsticks, the flavor had soaked in thoroughly, making it fluffy and delicious, and the meat was tasty as well.
And Nyakkon… There was even konjac.
Did she perhaps find konjac in the Republic? I thought I had never seen it in Einzheil… Hmm, the texture was good.
「How is it, Master?」
「It is incredibly delicious. It makes me feel very calm. I never thought Wendy could make Nikujaga.」
「Nfufu. I heard about it from Mika-san and Misa-san. They said Nikujaga is the taste of home, and that Master would surely fall for it, so I practiced in secret. How was it? Did you fall for it?」
「I fell, I fell. I can predict that I will miss this Nikujaga from now on.」
「Yay!」
Wendy jumped slightly in joy, shaking her breasts.
It was very cute, and I could say it was truly the ultimate cuisine for me, but…
Hey, judges. These are my oppais, so do not look at them shaking.
「Gnununu… It is frustrating to know that the love put into this dish is for him!」
「Indeed. But even considering that, it was quite delicious. I am envious. Yes.」
「Nice… Having a beautiful wife with big breasts who cooks well is nice…」
Hahaha! I will absolutely not let you have her. Absolutely not!
However, Wendy’s cooking seemed to be highly rated.
I could not afford to lose either, but…
「L.o.r.d.! L.o.r.d.!!」
「M’lord! M’loooordd!」
…The two grabbed my clothes and would not let go.
They seemed concerned about spilling, so they did not pull or shake it, but they absolutely would not let go of my clothes.
「Lord! Less is fine! It is a waste to use such a large bowl!」
Um… It is about the size of a miso soup bowl?
Since it was a soup without ingredients, I originally intended to serve it stylishly in a deeper dish, but because you two complained so much, I made it smaller?
「That is right, m’lord! Something smaller… Ah, I have something good! The kind used for drinking sake in Amatsukuni… Here! This size is sufficient!」
What she took out was an ochoko (a small sake cup)…
No, how could one drink consommé soup from an ochoko?
There was only enough for one mouthful, no matter how you looked at it. Had these two forgotten their purpose?
「Listen… If we win this tournament, we can have an audience with Saragrim. What if we lose because we were stingy with the serving…」
「Hmm. It is fine. Wendy’s cooking was highly rated.」
「That is right! If Wendy-san wins, we can go with that!」
Well, it would be best if Wendy won, but there were judging criteria we did not know, and the other participants were professional chefs, so we did not know if Wendy’s dish would win, right?
Therefore, I thought we should be thorough… Surely they would understand that winning with just one ochoko of soup was impossible.
「Muu? Why are you making such a fuss?」
「Really. Everyone is watching. It is embarrassing.」
Yes. Could you not say that to the two of them instead of me?
Eh? You think I am the cause? No way!?
「Ahahaha. Well, I understand the feeling. After tasting that… Master. Would not something even smaller be finessu?」
「Renge-san has already tasted Master’s soup… That is unfair. I want to drink it soon too. Master’s soup…」
When she looked up at me with pleading eyes, I wanted her to taste it before the judges, but since we could not get excited here before the judging, I asked her to wait a little longer.
「…Why does it feel lewd when Wendy talks about my lord’s soup?」
「Mu? What is lewd about it? She just wants to drink the soup my liege made soon, right? I also want to drink my liege’s soup soon.」
「…………Yes. That is all it is.」
「Sorte-tan…」
「W-What is with that face! If you have something to say, say it clearly!」
「Eh? Can I say it?」
「Sorry… Could you please stop?」
「…You have become a lewd girl.」
「I told you to stop!?」
Hey. Stop it around there, okay?
Everyone is watching. Also, the judges are getting veins on their foreheads, thinking you are being lovey-dovey.
「Sigh… It is because of guys like that that the number of single men increases! Shoot? Shall I shoot?」
「Now, now. Please calm down, old man. There is no need for you to lay a hand on them. I will pierce them.」
「Wait, wait. Those girls are incredibly strong, you know? We are probably the ones who will get beaten. Let us just focus on judging quietly.」
「「Gnununu!」」
…Unexpectedly, Chouhi, who looked bold and aggressive, was the sensible one.
I had the image of Zhang Fei as having high martial prowess, loving alcohol, and being a troublemaker…
Well, he was not the actual Zhang Fei, so it was natural for expectations to differ.
…Besides, did this situation not put us at a significant disadvantage for judging?
The two were glaring at me fiercely while I was serving…
It seemed like mediocre cooking would not be accepted, but… well, it was not mediocre cooking, so it should be fine.
「Muu? The lid is on, so I cannot see the contents.」
「Does this mean we should enjoy the aroma as well?」
「Well, let us open it? It is ready, right?」
「Yes. Please enjoy.」
Of course, I put a lid on it.
After all, my cuisine was literally glowing…
I wanted to surprise them if possible.
「「「!?」」」
The three displayed expressions of astonishment simultaneously as they opened the lid. Hmm, I was satisfied.
「A glowing soup!? What is this!?」
「This is surprising… I have never seen anything like this.」
The reaction from the surroundings was as expected, with murmurs of surprise, confirming that glowing food was not normal.
Shiro and Shion were surprised, but it seemed it was not actually common in the Republic.
Now. Shall I explain the soup soon?
「Ahem. As you can see, it is a glowing soup. It is truly worthy of being called a golden soup, but I believe the taste is also impactful, so please taste it. The name of this soup is Con—」
「T-This is surely…! Absurd! I cannot believe it!」
「You know it, Kochu!?」
Huh? Did Kochu-san unexpectedly know this dish?
That… meant my victory was in jeopardy… Seriously…
「Yes. This is the legendary soup 『Buddha Jumps Over the Wall』, passed down in a small town in the coastal nation of Go. It is a soup made over several days, primarily using dried seafood and other ingredients. Its aroma is said to cross miles, and even clans who do not take from the sea due to earth worship are said to jump over walls to get it. It is a recipe kept strictly within the family! Is that not so, young one?」
Kochu-san, excited, asked me, but… B-Buddha Jumps Over the Wall? What is that…?
Eh? I did not use any dried ingredients, did I?
I intended to make just a consommé soup, right?
The surrounding chefs seemed even more surprised than when they saw it glowing, and I was also surprised.
Should I go with the flow here?
The recipe was said to be secret… No, I felt I would definitely slip up somewhere, so I answered honestly.
「…No. It is consommé soup.」
「Eh? C-Cons… somme? What is that…?」
「Yes. It is a soup without ingredients, using meat and bones, without any dried goods.」
「Meat and bones… I-I see. Apologies. Was it my mistake…?」
「Old man…」
「N-No… I do not know what 『Buddha Jumps Over the Wall』 tastes like, but I believe this is equally delicious…」
「Y-Yes! Then let us taste it!」
And so, we proceeded to the tasting. Although the atmosphere was awkward because it was not Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, they seemed satisfied.
「Muhoho! This is delicious! And although it is hard to notice because it is glowing, the fact that not a single drop of oil floats shows it is a very elaborate soup!」
「Yes! I was surprised by the impact that made me bite down, but furthermore, what presence it has even after falling into the stomach…! I feel a volume unbelievable for a soup without ingredients!」
「Meat, meat! My mouth is in a festival of meat! As expected, meat is good! It gives strength! Feed me more!」
Thus, it was a great success.
And we successfully won the tournament, but… from the middle, I could not help but wonder what Buddha Jumps Over the Wall tasted like.
He said it was from a small town near the sea in Go.
When everything is over and I have time, perhaps I will go visit.
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