In the Demon King’s Castle, there were a number of dining halls set up for different purposes.
The one I went to was what is known as the “Villainous Phoenix Room”.
It was a room of moderate size, but with dazzlingly gorgeous interiors for the Demon Lord to dine-in with their seven great demon generals.
There,
Bellno was already present, waiting for me.
Or rather, she had already started eating…
While getting several food items piled up in front of her at the dining table, she continued on to chewing them. [sfx: mofu mofu (chewing sounds)]
She was a girl with a large physique but a baby face. The very imbalance between them made her look maniacal.
If she stands up, she is tall enough to look like a giant. Thus, her b*****s were also proportionally heavy …and extremely large.
“Good morning, Bellno.”
“…… My stomach hurts.”
“IS THAT SUPPOSED TO BE YOUR GREETING? RATHER, ARENT YOU ARE EATING RIGHT NOW TOO! IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR GREETING!”
I was made to retort loudly right this early in the morning.
But Bellno, with a blank look on her face, continues to chew and squirm. [sfx:mobu mobu]
I can’t help but have the prejudice that she must have grown up without ever needing to use her brain or worry about anything. Every day, just eating and sleeping and eating and sleeping —— growing up as a real spoiled brat.
“Rather, wasn’t it like, I was to have my breakfast taken together with her……?”
“…… yes.”
“Then why are you already eating before I arrived! At least wait for me! Ahh really!”
“This is not a breakfast …….”
“- THEN WHAT THE HECK IS THAT!?”
I retorted while pointed towards those dozens of empty plates already piled up in front of Bellno.
“…… this is just light snacks before breakfast.”
“What is even light about this?”
“…… I’m going to eat ten times as much for breakfast.”
“The Devil castle will go bankrupt!”
“Don’t worry about this, My Majesty ♥.”
“His Majesty’s assets are not so insignificant to be shaken by just this ♥.”
“Heika ♥!”
“Right now, I don’t need your sober advice!”
“I am fully aware of what I’m talking about!”
As the number of people retorting increased, Kengo was now breathing heavily with his shoulders moving to and fro. [sfx: zee zee]
“…… Hurry up and let’s eat our breakfast, Your Majesty. My stomach is painfully hungry.
(Oh man, I can’t keep up with the RETORTS.)
He slumped his shoulders and gave up, deciding to start breakfast as she wished for.
The kitchen staff from the next room brought in the food and served it swiftly.
In front of Kengo, who was seated at the top of the table, there was an ideal morning menu of fresh salad, Spanish mackerel cooked in oil, potage soup of spring cabbage and freshly baked bread.
On the other hand, in front of me sitting face-to-face with Bellno, there is a monstrous doka-like dish, and other witch-like dishes including a whole loaf of bread that has not been baked and whole veal fish un-grilled!
All lined up.
“How do I say this… I am already full just by looking at them.”
“……If you’re not going to eat, then pass it on to me, Your Majesty”
“……? I will be eating yours with mine too if possible. Also, I am planning to eat some light snacks which will be given after the breakfast-food too though?”
“Just how many meals do you have every day!?”
“Does your majesty ever count the number of times you have your meal in a day?”
“I do! Normally anyone would count them!”
Perhaps it was because of the continuous retorting to her, that the bugs in the stomach of Kengo grumbled loudly.
(Because of you, my appetite just blossomed up! Thank you mate!)
With a dejected face, he picked up his knife and fork and proceeded on to the food..
He cut the Spanish mackerel into pieces and took a bite. Along with the texture of that moist white meat, the delicate taste of the Spanish mackerel and the aftertaste of walnut oil spreads into his mouth.
In his previous life, Kengo loved sashimi and sushi, but hated grilled fish.
Why would you still eat fish burned on the fire? He could not think it to be delicious to eat the burned up crispy fish.
He thought that it was an old-fashioned way to eat fish, used when there was no refrigeration technology developed. A method which damages the fish and its texture.
However, after being reincarnated and eating the dishes prepared by the chefs at the Demon King’s Castle on a daily basis, his perception took a drastic change.
In the end, The way of using the fire was just too poor and unprofessional. When a good chef roasts or boils fish, the flesh is moist, fluffy or melted, and the texture itself is wonderful!
“Was the new chef’s cooking to your liking, My Majesty ♥.”
“Well, it’s Delicious. “Well, it’s delicious, as expected.”
“Well then! I’ll be sure tell them later then ♥.”
“I’m sure they’ll shed tears of joy ♥.”
“What are your impressions, Miss Bellno?”
“…… It’s tasty.”
“Thank you for those words.”
With the court ladies serving them food, Kengo and Bellno continue with their meal.
“So, was there any need to check their skills in the first place, Bellno?”
“…… There was, I am Glad.”
“By the way, what were your impressions about the food from the previous chef?”
“…… It was tasty.”
“And the one before that?”
“…… It was tasty.”
“Have you ever considered cooked food to be bad in the first place?”
“…………”
Bellno fell silent
(Though not stopping eating and chewing.)
With a serious expression he had never ever seen on her face, she began to think/ponder.
And eventually, there was now steam coming out of her head.
“If you can’t remember, then forget it. Stop before your circuits short out!”
“…… it was a really terrifying question.”
“Is that so I presume?.”
Laughing bitterly, he took a sip of the soup.
After the rich taste, like a potage, the flavor of spring cabbage starts to spread quickly. Not letting you feel even a bit of hardness, this was really first class.
And although, even if unconsciously, Kengo had now started to enjoy the meal he a was taking with Bellno at the dinner table. And somehow, the conversation, the food was proceeding on.