Stigma Space, Yae Village.
To lure out Higo-maru, Qian Yi and the others prepared several hundred pounds of fried tofu. But just fried tofu wasn't enough. After all, fried tofu was just an ingredient; it had to be paired with other things to create a delicious dish.
Qian Yi grinned. "In other words, we need to create a super delicious fried tofu dish that's so fragrant, Higo-maru can smell it from miles away!"
"A cooking competition? I want to participate!!" Artoria was full of anticipation.
"Perfect. I brought pots, pans, and a gas stove," Raiden Mei said, showing off her arsenal.
"It's a rare chance to improvise. Watch me show you my skills." Talulah confidently stepped forward. "In the snowplains, I used leftovers and captured canned food to make several hearty meals for everyone in the Reunion Movement. Alina, FrostNova, Patriot, and the members of the shield guard squad were so moved by my cooking they were in tears, devouring everything."
"That's great then."
Under the expectant gazes of the group members, the dragon girl named Talulah planned to make a borscht-stewed fried tofu.
Everyone was looking forward to the skills of this Reunion Movement leader, until she gave up on using the gas stove and instead started a fire with her Arts, grilling fish and mushrooms. And the heat was clearly not right.
Kiana's eyelids twitched.
If Higo-maru ate this, forget about making her feel love, she would probably turn evil on the spot and want to destroy humanity just to make this abominable thing disappear from the world forever.
"Our mission is to move Higo-maru, not assassinate her!" Kiana protested on behalf of Higo-maru, interrupting Talulah's cooking.
"I think it's clear you just don't know how to cook!" Being stopped mid-cooking and having her food suspected of being poison, Talulah was furious!
"Talulah, admitting your mistakes and shortcomings is not shameful. But being stubborn is your fault."
"Heh, I was cooking for people in the snowplains before you were even born."
"Don't underestimate me. I've been cooking for myself since I was very young. As for you, are you sure everyone wasn't just afraid to speak up because of your position as leader?"
"Very good. I'm starting to get angry. You, a rookie chef, dare to question my cooking skills. It's time for you to witness the true power of a red dragon."
Talulah's face twitched non-stop. Her cooking was unanimously approved by the Reunion Movement. It was one thing for Kiana not to understand, but to mock her like this was absolutely hateful!
Kiana was equally unwilling to back down. "On the honor of the Kaslana cooking world, watch me completely crush you!"
What are you two, who are equally bad, getting so fired up about?
And you, Kiana, what honor does the Kaslana family have in the cooking world? Are you sure it's not the shame of the cooking world?
Qian Yi silently mocked them in his heart. He had no doubt that the food made by these two would be inedible. But if he said it out loud, the two would probably team up against him next. So, watching the show was the best choice.
With this in mind, he stood behind Talulah. "I'm on Team Talulah."
"Hey! Qian Yi, aren't we best friends?! Why are you supporting Talulah!! Have you really betrayed me!!!" Kiana was furious.
"Calm down, my dear Kiana-bao. People need a little distance from each other sometimes. In that case, why can't that 'sometimes' be today?" Qian Yi smiled, deciding to watch the show from the best seat.
Talulah was smug. "Kiana, I don't remember you two being best friends. Don't forget, I was the first one in the group to interact with Qian Yi."
"Then I'll be on Team Kiana," Seele said after some thought, standing behind Kiana.
"Hey! Seele, you!" Talulah was in disbelief. As fellow members of the "Snowplains Beggar Duo," Seele actually betrayed her!
"Mmm, how should I put it? Although I've never eaten your food, I think I have a good idea of what it tastes like, so I don't really want to support you." Seele knew very well what food made by someone who had lived in the snowplains tasted like.
"So childish." Shoko shook her head. These people could actually argue over something like this and split into two teams. They must be really bored.
"I actually find it quite interesting. Shoko, you carry too much burden. Relax a bit." Raiden Mei stood behind Kiana.
"You're so condescending." Toyokawa Shoko chose to side with Talulah. She said it was childish, but she actually found it quite fun.
The remaining Utena and Artoria naturally chose a team each, and so, the number of people on both sides came to 4 vs 4.
Kiana put on a cool face. "It's a tie."
Talulah was full of fighting spirit. "In that case, we can only decide who is stronger through cooking."
Thirty minutes later, looking at the army stew and a pile of black mush of unknown origin on the table, everyone smiled with resignation.
A military survivalist feast versus Kaslana cuisine. Truly a well-matched opponent.
How could something like this possibly attract Higo-maru?
...
In the Tenshukaku, Higo-maru, who had smelled the 'scent of death' from far away, was filled with rage. She could tell it was the smell of fried tofu, but... that smell couldn't be called food!
Originally, she had planned to observe this strange group that had suddenly intruded into her space, or send Yae Sakura to deal with them, to make Yae Sakura fall into depravity by killing. But who would have thought that these people would start making fried tofu. This made her decide to observe a little longer. If it was delicious, it wouldn't be too late to kill them last. But she never, ever expected...
F* you! You're wasting fried tofu! I'm going to kill you!
The humiliated and enraged Higo-maru now had only one thought in her mind—kill, kill, kill! Kill all these bastards who are wasting fried tofu!
A giant fox, wreathed in ghost fire, descended from the sky, smashing the group's dishes with one paw and letting out a furious roar.
"Do you people even know how to cook?! If you don't, then don't waste food! Bastards!!!" the giant fox roared, its滔天 malice bursting forth.
"My... my painstakingly made dish... You! Do you know how much time and effort I spent on this pot for you!!" Talulah lost her usual composure and suddenly flew into a rage.
"You naturally evil little Corrosion demon! What have you done to the honor of the Kaslana cooking world!" Kiana was so angry she turned into a Herrscher on the spot.
At this moment, the two of them tacitly formed a united front, deciding to give this fox a good beating and teach her what it means to respect the fruits of others' labor.
As for Qian Yi and the others, they silently gave Higo-maru a thumbs-up from behind.
Naturally kind Herrscher of Corruption, well done. If it weren't for you, we might have been the ones tasting that stuff.
Thinking that Rin had gone to such lengths for them, Qian Yi was incredibly moved and immediately tried to stop Kiana and Talulah. "You two, please be gentle. Our goal is to move her, not to vaporize her on the spot."
"Don't worry, we know our limits."
Two hours passed.
Higo-maru, after a sound beating, woke up to find herself tied up on the ground. Kiana and Talulah, who had beaten her up earlier, were now holding what was possibly their assassination weapon, their faces full of gentleness. "Rin, you're awake. Come, it's time to eat."
"Don't you come near me!!!"
Higo-maru let out a desperate roar.
-------
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