Book 2: Chapter 7: Using Cooking to Subdue Chaldea
As Chen Heng cooked, the other three, who were exchanging information, occasionally glanced over, as the aroma of his cooking was extremely enticing. Not to mention them, even Chen Heng felt hungry from the smell.
“Mash, Jeanne, may I trouble you with something?” Chen Heng suddenly interjected while cooking as the two Servants exchanged information.
“What’s wrong, Mister Ruler? Do you need help? Just say the word.”
“It’s like this. I’m currently cooking and can’t leave. However, there’re some biological reactions less than one kilometer southeast. Can you go check them out? If they’re hostile, just eliminate them.”
“Does Mister Ruler have some sort of detection skill?”
“This is just a variation of my attraction personal skill. I laid a web of attraction force over the area within one kilometer of us. As long as a living creature steps in, I will immediately receive a reaction.”The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
“Attraction? Web?” This was Jeanne’s reaction to Chen Heng’s words. Clearly, this village girl saint did not understand modern science.
“It is just a skill. Can I trouble you to check?” Explaining would be problematic, so Chen Heng decided to avoid doing so. He might explain it to Mash while traveling later. Mash was a good student.
“Alright, Mister Ruler.”
Mash and Jeanne headed to the southeast to check while Fujimaru Ritsuka remained.
Fujimaru Ritsuka started to speak, “Ruler—”
Chen Heng interrupted her, “There’s no need to address me as Ruler. Just call me Chen Heng. This is my true name. You can also address me as He Who Knows Fate.”
“Chen Heng...I’d better call you He Who Knows Fate. After all, it is not good to use the true name in front of an enemy.”
“Sure. Whichever you prefer. What did you want to ask earlier?”
“We can finally eat. He Who Knows Fate’s cooking is the best I have ever smelled. I just don’t know how it tastes.” When Fujimaru Ritsuka, who had been staring at Chen Heng cooking, heard that the food was ready, she immediately leaped to her feet. She had been waiting for very long already.
Chen Heng took out a large table, a few chairs, and some cutlery from his spatial storage.
“This time, I prepared Chinese food. Chinese food is not portioned individually or served in courses. We will eat from common dishes. Speaking of which, do you know how to use chopsticks?” Aside from Fujimaru Ritsuka and himself, the rest were not Asians, so Chen Heng asked.
“I do. The doctor has taught me.” Although Mash had been living in Chaldea, Doctor Roman had been good to her, teaching her all sorts of strange things, including how to use chopsticks.
“When we get summoned, the Holy Grail will give us such knowledge.” Although Jeanne had been living in France, the Holy Grail would shove some information into her, as she was a Servant; for example, French, English, Japanese, Chinese, and various other languages, and also how to use chopsticks.
“Since that is the case, let’s start eating.” At Chen Heng’s command, 10,000 retired commandoes—Er...When Chen Heng said let’s start eating, the other three orderly extended their chopsticks. Even Fou, who was on the table, started eating. Chen Heng had specially prepared food for it. After all, Fou was an ally.
[TL Note: Fou is a squirrel-like pet that follows Mash. Here is more information on it: /wiki/Fou.]
This time Chen Heng cooked braised ribs, chopped bell pepper fish head, mapo tofu, stir-fried spring onions and mutton, sour and spicy shredded potato, sweet and sour pork cutlets, and chives fried egg. He prepared so many dishes mainly because three out of the four here were Servants. Servants could convert food into mana, so he did not worry about having leftovers.
“The braised ribs are very delicious! Sempai, you should try some,” Mash said.
“Yes, yes! Mash, try the sweet and sour pork cutlets,” Fujimaru Ritsuka said.
“Another bowl!” said Jeanne.
While Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka picked food out for each other, Jeanne had her head down while shoveling food into her mouth.
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“Seeing that, I suddenly feel that the sesame bun in my hand no longer tastes good.” Doctor Roman, who was sitting in Chaldea, looked at the sesame bun he held before looking back at Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others eating. This comment came from deep within his soul.