Rikka had made up her mind. She simply could not kick aside the hospitality prepared for them without tasting it. To do so would not merely be wrong; it would be utterly heartless.
—So that is your decision, Master. ...Understood.
Ea exchanged a quiet glance with the King of Heroes. In that case, the course of action was clear.
"Just to ask, do you happen to know which one is the Eli Pumpkin Pie?"
"I do not. If it were visually obvious, everyone would avoid it. It would be rather sad if an unsightly game of shifting blame broke out. Nobody wins. Cat would be sad."
"I see... Then I guess we just have to steel our resolve..."
Rikka's backup plan—taking the bullet herself by eating it—was shattered, leaving them with no choice but to brace themselves. It seemed inevitable that someone was bound for a trip to Venus.
"Come on, hurry up and let's eat~"
Arcueid, already seated with her napkin tucked in, gestured to them with a bright smile. Exchanging looks, the group realized—there was no choice but to eat.
"Fear not. I possess medicinal herbs to settle the stomach. If the worst comes to pass, leave it to me."
Believing in the subtle encouragement of the King of Heroes' words—the group took their seats.
"Unwittingly, this has turned into a game of Russian roulette. Forgive me, everyone. Are you ready?"
At the sound of Cat striking her ladle, everyone raised their forks.
"Then... let us receive this with gratitude!"
At the signal...
"""—Thank you for the meal!"""
They brought the food to their mouths all at once. A momentary silence fell, the fine line dividing heaven and hell...
"Hoh... You are quite skilled, aren't you..."
"Oh my! Isn't this delicious!"
"So good~! Sweet! And fluffy!"
"Yes! It's wonderful!"
Though their expressions varied, none showed rejection or misery. They happily dug in, making quick work of the pumpkin pie.
"Hmm~? Was it not mixed in after all? With obligation and guilt, I am certain..."
"—If no one is hurt, then nothing could be better. A peaceful gathering is a time where tragedy has no place."
"Umu, then so be it. Savor every bite. It is my special creation, after all."
Cat beamed with satisfaction that her homemade cooking was enjoyed, thanks to Master's choice. Deep down, the unmistakable truth was that she had wanted them to eat it all along.
"Delicious! Cat really is such a capable girl after all..."
"Yes! She's a true talent entrusted with Chaldea's kitchen!"
Rikka and Mash were also smacking their lips, fully savoring the delicious pumpkin pie. The relief of avoiding disaster served as its own extra seasoning. A sweet, happy moment had been brought forth by a courageous decision.
"So good~! Servants can cook too? That's not fair. The bar just keeps getting higher! Maybe I should ask Ciel to teach me how to cook... Whether it turns out a success or a failure, as long as Shiki eats all of it, it'll be perfect!"
Arcueid was no exception, her face beaming as she stuffed her cheeks with the house-made sweet baked with maximum domestic skill.
"The flavor and sweetness are totally different from Jeanne's sweets! Guess it really changes depending on who makes it!"
"That is the nature of cooking. The underlying principle is simply wanting the food to be enjoyed. That much is universal. Eat up, eat up—it's my treat."
"Hmm, I thought any class would be fine, but I'd hate being a Berserker... It must be tough not being able to enjoy stuff like this."
"I am a Berserker, you know? It is nothing to worry about, Phantasm Moon. I think, therefore I am. As long as you remain yourself, you can pull through most things regardless. Namu."
"Is that so? Is that how it works? Rikka told me something similar, too... The relationship between a Servant and a Master is way more casual than I thought."
As Arcueid tilted her head in wonder, Olga Marie chimed in to clarify.
"That's because of... no, it's our stance that is unorthodox, Arcueid-san. Normally, mages view Servants as nothing more than familiars. Their mindset goes no further than discarding them without hesitation once they've outlived their usefulness."
"Oh, really? Hmm... Then Chaldea really is a strange organization, isn't it? Right, Rikka?"
Arcueid playfully poked at Rikka in the neighboring seat, acting like a whimsical older sister teasing her younger sibling.
"How about it? Are you self-aware that you're an anomaly? Do you look at me as just a familiar?"
To that question, Rikka answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"If there's a will there, it should be respected. I basically view everyone as equals. After all, who's above or below doesn't really matter when push comes to shove. Ah! But I do hope Arcueid-nee-san stays close with me as Arcueid-nee-san!"
A Master and a Servant join forces as partners. There is no concept of higher or lower standing between them—only bonds, trust, and gratitude. She admitted it might sound hypocritical coming from someone holding Command Seals, but at the very least, she had never once viewed Gil, Jeanne, or Mash as mere familiars, and ordering self-destruction was completely out of the question. The same went for all the heroes. To her, they were all dependable companions who lent their strength, easygoing friends, and practically family.
That was precisely why she was able to fight this far. That was why she was able to save the world. If anyone were to ask why she of all people managed to save the world, she would surely answer like this:
"Because of the bonds I shared with everyone, and their reliable help. That is the only difference between you and me."
Without self-deprecation, she would declare it with utmost confidence, possessing firm belief in herself.
"Your straightforward values are an undeniable virtue, Senpai. So please don't lose sight of them, even as you refine yourself."
Mash, too, believed in Rikka's way of being. Because Rikka believed in her until the very end... Mash was able to fight.
"...Fufufu. I see, I see~. So that's your stance, Rikka-chan~. The Master of Chaldea rocks that kind of vibe, huh~"
Hearing a stance so thoroughly broken by a mage's standards, Arcueid brought a piece of pie to her mouth with a smirk. The group had yet to understand the meaning behind her high spirits. Just as one cannot read the mind of a fickle cat, her lighthearted whim remained a mystery.
"I'm starting to think it'd really be a shame now~"
"Arcueid-nee-san?"
"Fufu, it's nothing! Come on, let's finish eating! Let's build up our strength and clear this event, Master!"
Playfully leaning against Rikka, Arcueid fed her a piece of pie.
"Ah, no, Arcueid-san! Senpai is trying to avoid unnecessary nutrition! Body fat is the enemy, Senpai!"
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"