Heading back to the White Dragon Nation as soon as the second day dawned.
That was Naoki's plan, but before that—
Watching Artoria seated at the dining table, swiftly devouring the food with utmost elegance, Naoki, sitting across from her, couldn't help but ask, "Lia, how long has it been since you last ate?"
Artoria's ability to eat a lot was something Naoki had long known and grown accustomed to. After all, having lived together in Camelot Villa for so long, Naoki knew how to tend to this king's stomach.
But even so, Artoria's current eating speed still surprised him—she looked like she hadn't eaten in a week.
"Ngh… chomp!"
Chewing and swallowing a large piece of steak, Artoria licked the sauce off her hand and the corner of her mouth. "No, Master, I eat three meals a day as usual, and I'm full each time."
"Then why do you look like you've been starving for so long? When you eat normally, even though your appetite is huge, your speed is still reasonable, right?"
"Because there's no delicious food in Avalon or here. After tasting Master and Gray's cooking again after so long, I couldn't help myself a little."
"…"
Though Artoria wasn't picky about her three meals and would eat anything prepared, pursuing deliciousness was still human nature. Naturally, one would have a hearty appetite when eating tasty food.
That was Artoria's current situation.
She had been in Avalon for over half a year. During that time, the ones responsible for her meals there were Sajyou Ayaka and Ciel. Riddell and Aozaki Touko occasionally cooked as well, but compared to Naoki and Gray's culinary skills, their food could only be described as average.
Especially Ciel—since she could only make katsu curry, almost every meal included curry, which now made Artoria feel a bit psychologically uncomfortable whenever she saw it.
And after arriving here, the one responsible for her meals became Gawain.
One could easily imagine what Artoria had been eating these past few days. Mashed potatoes three times a day until she was full—or even overstuffed. While the taste wasn't bad, just like curry, eating it every day made Artoria almost unable to stomach mashed potatoes anymore.
So, after tasting Naoki and Gray's cooking again after more than half a year, Artoria looked like she hadn't been full in ages, sweeping through the dining table like a storm.
(This kid has really been suffering.)
Naoki gave a helpless smile. "Then you should've told Merlin to let me know. I could've picked you up to come to Chaldea."
"No, that would've been too much trouble for Master—please add another bowl."
"You're not hesitating at all on that front."
Taking the rice bowl and filling it to the brim for Artoria, Naoki said, "Then come to our place for dinner after this. After all, it's just me and Gray here. Eating with more people is more fun. And it's fine if you call Gawain, Lancelot, and Tristan too. I'd love to chat with them."
"I understand. Then, Master, please wait a moment."
After quickly finishing her tenth bowl of rice, Artoria stood up and dashed out. Naoki and Gray were a bit puzzled.
And then, after about one or two minutes—
"Sorry to intrude, Lord Natsukawa."
"Is this really okay, my lord? All of us gathering like this for a meal."
"My lord said it's fine since they invited us, so it should be alright."
Seeing Gawain, Lancelot, and Tristan enter with Artoria, Naoki froze in place.
(I didn't tell you to come now!)
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Because the three Knights of the Round Table joined in the middle, the dinner ended up lasting nearly an hour and a half.
For the first time, Naoki felt how exhausting cooking could be. It was already tough enough to satisfy a king like Artoria's stomach on his own, let alone with himself and Gawain, who also had huge appetites…
"We're terribly sorry, Lord Natsukawa. It seems our arrival has worn you out."
Placing a cup of tea in front of Naoki, Tristan smiled and apologized.
"But that was truly a delicious dinner. Your cooking skills are exceptional. To master various culinary styles so skillfully, did you specifically study cooking around the world?"
"Ah, it's not a big deal. I just traveled to a lot of places, so I naturally picked up a bit, plus there are a few stomachs to feed at home. Though I don't cook often, there are times I have to. I need to satisfy everyone's appetites."
Naoki took the tea and sipped it.
Hearing his explanation, Gawain and Lancelot, also seated at the table, leaned closer.
"Speaking of which… though I heard from my lord, I don't know the specifics—does Lord Natsukawa have a lot of people at home?"
"Yeah, besides me, Gray, and Lia, there's also Merry, Okita, Rei, Tohsaka, Crane, Riddell who comes over to eat occasionally, and Aoko who returns irregularly… that's about it."
The three Knights of the Round Table exchanged glances, their expressions turning serious, as if discussing a critical matter. With both hands supporting their chins, Lancelot asked in a deep voice, "May I ask, are all the people you mentioned women?"
"Yeah. Is there a problem?"
(According to my lord, she used to live in a villa called Camelot… In an apartment, everyone is a woman except Lord Natsukawa…)
Tristan slightly widened his eyes. "It seems Lord Natsukawa has a very good relationship with women?"
Naoki gave a wry smile. "Rather than good, it's more like it just happened this way without me noticing. I always end up connecting with women wherever I go. There was a time when Rei and Merry called me [the fool who brings a woman back every time he goes out]. That hasn't happened in the last few years, though."
Unknowingly having great relationships with women?
Bringing women home every time he went out?
The three Knights of the Round Table exchanged glances again, then without a word, they patted Naoki's shoulder, giving him a meaningful and peculiar look.
At their sudden actions, Naoki roughly understood what they were thinking. "Do you guys have some misunderstanding about me?"
"No, just sympathy." Lancelot smiled. "By the way, Lord Natsukawa, my lord mentioned earlier that you had something to discuss with us? May I know what it is?"
"Oh, that. It's actually about the Knights of the Round Table from the parallel world you encountered."
"Tomorrow, I plan to head to the White Dragon Nation. I might face them, so I want to know as much as possible about them. You've all fought them, right? So I'd like to ask for your advice."
The Knights of the Round Table from the parallel world?
Lancelot and the others nodded.
"First, allow me to explain, about my parallel world self… This might sound strange coming from me, but I think she's a very charming woman."
Naoki: "?"