Good Food Defeats the Nightmare

When the bottom layer is opened, steaming hot air immediately escapes, accompanied by a rich aroma. This is another common home-style dish, onion soup, a soup that has been popular since Roman times and has stood the test of time. The soup is made by simmering chopped onions over low heat, and is topped with a layer of cheese rind.

When it comes to cheese, the first place that comes to mind is France, the cheese capital. It is said that hundreds of varieties of cheese have been developed there, enough to eat a different one every day for a whole year without repeating a single one.

Shirou is just testing his skills by making a cheese dish. Of course, since his teacher is Japanese, he prefers a milder flavor.

The teacher leader changed his mind when he smelled the aroma, but he was already craving more. Without thinking twice, he decided to eat first, clasping his hands together and eagerly saying, "Let's dig in!"

When the team leader took the first sip of the onion soup, his eyes lit up. He then forked a piece of toast and ate it with ham, once again showing a look of surprise. He gave the boy a thumbs up, saying in a word, "It's so satisfying!" The toast was just the right firmness, crispy on the outside and soft and easy to eat on the inside, without being too dry.

Seeing the teacher smile, Shirou, Erina Shizuka Hiratsuka nodded with smiles.

As long as he can get the other guests to smile like that, then his plan will be absolutely fine.

The team leader turned out to be a foodie. After receiving a promise from Shirou that he would make him another dessert the next day, she immediately approved the activity plan.

Anyway, the school has money, so there's no need to bother the Paris Branch School. Because of his strange illness, many planned tourist attractions have been canceled. He's worried about how to spend all that money. If he returns to Chiba and other teachers find out that he took students abroad to broaden their horizons but stayed in his dorm doing nothing, thinking he wouldn't spend the money, he'll be laughed at.

'Why don't we have a proper discussion with the Paris Branch School and make this event as big as possible, so that the surrounding residents can also participate!' The team leader thought to himself, completely unaware that his idea would inadvertently Shirou a huge favor.

After saying goodbye to the team leader, Shirou and Erina began researching suitable ingredients for the food festival. They wanted to create dishes that were simple, delicious, visually appealing, and could bring joy to the guests.

Shizuka Hiratsuka began preparations for the subsequent publicity.

Life is often filled with disappointments, but humans are resilient creatures who can quickly adapt to harsh environments, adjust their mindset, vent their emotions, and relieve stress.

Sometimes, if the thoughts and feelings in your heart during the day are strong enough, they will manifest in your dreams. For example, a person you like may appear in your dream, or you may achieve something you've always wanted in your dream, or you may feel nostalgic when you return to your childhood, or you may feel triumphant when you beat up someone you dislike.

But besides dreaming, there are other ways in this world, such as:

After a busy day at work, order a small dish of snacks and a glass of wine; go to karaoke and belt out your heart until it's hoarse; have a long-awaited phone call with a good friend who's far away and pour out your heart that you can't tell anyone else; or simply bury yourself in the covers and cry it all out.

Some traumas and setbacks that pierce the depths of one's heart are often etched in one's mind and can never be forgotten.

But it's acceptable. As long as you can accept it, it can take anywhere from a few months to the time it takes to eat a meal to recover and re-engage in this imperfect world where you still want to strive for yourself.

If those who enter the dream can be roused, then the methods of the Black Mud monster in the dream world are not insurmountable. After all, it is a dream, a world of imagination, with infinite possibilities, and the same applies to humans.

Chapter 182 Food Triumphs Over Nightmares

After returning to the real world and calming down, Shirou considered the problem from the perspective of the real world outside the dream world, and finally found a breakthrough that he could never have thought of before.

Previously, because I was in the dream world, all I could think about was how to defeat those twisted, terrifying, and unreasonable monsters.

However, from the perspective of the real world, the monsters in nightmares are inherently irrational. The nightmares people have as children can be incredibly diverse, ranging from fear of vacuum cleaners, a bowl of Chinese medicine, or even a rag doll.

Perhaps, in a drowsy state or when feverish, one might imagine a bright spot or strange sound from a charger as a green-glowing python or monster.

These are somewhat related to psychological factors. Some people are afraid of caterpillars, spiders, and cockroaches, while others are afraid of rats. Most people are probably afraid of snakes and scorpions, but there are indeed people who like to keep these kinds of reptiles as pets.

Logically speaking, it's understandable that these people, despite having niche interests, are not immune to pain or invulnerable to all poisons.

It is precisely because of the existence of such diverse people that there are so many dreams. Therefore, the Black Mud monster, which combines these nightmares and beautiful dreams, is naturally a collection of all sorts of bizarre things.

But this also confirms that the Black Mud monster's abilities are not omnipotent. Even if she can create a collective dream world and set a script based on fairy tales, not all beings will act according to the script.

Not only are there characters like Merlin and Tamamo Cat who play two roles, but there are also characters like the overly individualistic and Reason Evaporation Softshell Turtle and the singing Mad Hatter. These characters act according to their own will and are not controlled by the Black Mud Monster.

Once inside the dream world, all physical and bodily limitations of reality are removed. Humans are not the ones who are completely subjugated.

In fact, among the classifications of dreams, there is a category called lucid dreaming. In this state, a person is clearly aware that they are dreaming. From that point on, nightmares are no longer scary, and one can even control the dream world at will.

In this state, humans are the masters of dreams. Even if Merlin, the nightmare demon, were to invade their dreams, he would be easily crushed with a single hand, and even the Black Mud monster would fare no better.

Dreams can be altered by our real-life experiences, and if we are encouraged, we can become more proactive in confronting certain things in our dreams.

What Shirou wants to do is to help people in reality have the courage and positivity to fight against dreams, to use fantasy to fight fantasy.

After dinner, the students were still sleepy and went back to their rooms to rest. Shirou made a call to Chaldea side, telling them that he wanted to contact Jeanne d'Arc, Tamamo Cat, and the others in the dream world.

"Well, it's fine for now. Merlin seemed to have considered the possibility of attack when he built the house, so it's protected," Da Vinci explained.

"Really? That's great. I'll have to thank him next time I see him," Shirou said with a sigh of relief.

"If you want to thank me, you can do it now." At that moment, a handsome man with silver hair and purple eyes appeared on the other side of Da Vinci's holographic screen as a 3D image.

"Ah! Merlin! You've finally appeared!" Da Vinci exclaimed.

"Merlin, is there anything you can teach me? How to break through in that dream world?" Shirou asked the silver-haired man.

Merlin said, "Do it the way you want, Shirou, but time is running out. All I can do is create a diversion so the Black Mud monster can't sense the castle."

"So, do you think my proposed method is also feasible?" Shirou asked.

"It is theoretically feasible, and with my assistance, the possibility is even greater. This is a method that only humans in another world could have come up with, Shirou. Well done! Just go for it," Merlin said with an approving smile.

"I understand! So, could you help me contact Jeanne d'Arc and the others this time?" Shirou nodded, then turned to Da Vinci and asked.

"Yes, yes, then I'll help you get inside the castle," Da Vinci readily agreed.

The 3D image before Shirou's eyes shifted, and a slender, pale figure flashed by—a girl with pinkish-cherry-red hair and braided pigtails, no... a boy—running around the castle's hall with an unprecedentedly unrestrained and carefree attitude, as if returning to nature.

"You bastard! Don't run around naked in other people's houses after taking a bath! By the way, were you originally a man?! You bastard! It's an eyesore! I'll set you on fire!" Jeanne d'Arc roared.

"Haha, Jeanne d'Arc is angry!" Astolfo chuckled and ran to hide behind his companion's cloak.

"Don't come any closer! People will think I'm like you!" the long-haired, golden-haired White Lily Knight said to the guy hiding behind her.

"Huh? How indifferent. To anyone else, we're all the same, aren't we?" Astolfo said, pointing at Chevalier d'Eon's soft, bouncy cheek from behind.

"At least put some clothes on before you talk! You're supposed to be a France knight, aren't you?" Chevalier d'Eon lectured, clearly annoyed.

"Eh... I may be Charlemagne's knight, but I'm actually from Britain. Okay, okay, I'll wear it then?" Astolfo pouted, put down the blue and white strip of cloth he was holding, and simply slipped it over the back of the cloak.

"Look! I'm not like Roland, who goes crazy after a breakup and dumps a scoundrel. I'm wearing proper underwear!" Astolfo said, showing off his striped underwear to Chevalier d'Eon.

"No, in some ways it's worse," Sanson retorted coldly.

"Great! Our 'freakish' group has gained a new member!" Mozart said with a rather happy smile.

Beside them sat Emperor Louis, drinking tea at a table, glancing subtly at the group without saying a word.

"Your Majesty! No, I have absolutely no connection with these people. Ugh... It's so shameful." Chevalier d'Eon was already ashamed enough just standing with these people.

"Hmm, it's boring staying here all the time, so I'll sing a song." Elizabeth the Dragon Girl was holding the microphone, ready to practice, when the cat girl opened her mouth wide and bit her tail.

"Hey! What are you trying to do, you little kitten?" Elizabeth exclaimed.

"Lizard Girl, come play, meow! The Princess said you sing because you're lonely, so meow's here to play with you, woof~!" Tamamo Cat said with a smile.

"It's not a lizard, it's a dragon!" Elizabeth corrected.

"A dragon is supposed to be the thick and long kind, right? Is it some new Western dish, woof?" Tamamo Cat exclaimed in surprise.

"Don't eat me!" Elizabeth cried, shaking off the Tamamo Cat that was clinging to her tail.

Meanwhile, the black-haired Princess with glasses who had instigated Tamamo Cat was sitting on the ground, wearing a pink bat hat, playing a game on a computer that had been connected from somewhere.

Seeing these farcical scenes, Shirou felt that his previous worries were probably unnecessary.

"Haha, that's great! As long as everyone is alright, that's the best thing." Shirou laughed from the bottom of his heart.

"Ah! Shirou! Are you alright over there? Why did it take you so long to contact us?!" Jeanne d'Arc complained.

"I'm sorry, Jeanne d'Arc, I made you worry." Shirou said apologetically, clasping his hands together.

Jeanne d'Arc of Arc grinned awkwardly, saying something she didn't mean, "Who's worried about you! There are probably only a handful of people as stubborn and strong as you in all of humanity. It doesn't matter if you don't come back; go eat baguettes with cheese in Paris! I can handle that monster all by myself."

Shirou nodded, looked at the silver-haired girl, and sincerely promised, "Yes, I will definitely come back. I won't keep you waiting long. I'll find a way right away, and then we'll fight side by side."

"Hmph... Hmph, whatever." Jeanne d'Arc turned her face away, pursing her lips, trying hard not to laugh.

"Master! Master!" Tamamo Cat used Elizabeth's support to jump directly in front of the holographic image and shouted happily.

"Meow, you've worked hard for your master, so remember to pat my head as a reward, meow," Tamamo Cat said with a smile, eager to claim credit.

"I know, and there are radishes too, right?" Shirou replied with a smile.

"As expected of my master~!" Tamamo Cat nods happily.

"Mr. Shirou, have you accepted my friend request?" At this moment, Hime no Toki walked up with her phone and asked in a low voice.

"Ah! I've already added you. But I've been so busy that I haven't been able to contact you yet, I'm so sorry." Shirou looked at...

"No... there's still a long road ahead, I look forward to it... Ah! No, I'm not very talented, please guide me in the future." Hime no Toki Xingbu held her phone to her heart with both hands, her face slightly flushed as she bowed.

"Please take care of me," Shirou replied with a smile. Hmm? Why does this feel a bit like a blind date?

"..."

"Please make way, everyone!" a clear, neutral voice called out.

Emperor Louis, supported by Chevalier d'Eon, stepped forward.

"Thank you, Chevalier d'Eon, that's enough." Emperor Louis seemed to have broken free from the limitations imposed by the established order after the collapse of the fairy tale world, though he appeared weakened by the shock of the Queen's murder. He looked up at the boy in the holographic Projection and smiled, saying:

"Shirou, so you're from another world. I always thought you were very talented and special, so that's how it is."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I'm so sorry for hiding this from you before," Shirou said, looking at the kind-hearted uncle.

"No, I thank you for taking us in, but have you come up with a plan to deal with that monster?" the emperor asked.

"Yes, I'm trying now. If I can free people from the control of the Black Mud Monster in this dream world, then the monster will definitely weaken as well," Shirou said.

"Is that so? Please, this is truly heartbreaking," Emperor Louis said, his eyes filled with tears.

"Okay." Shirou nodded in agreement. Indeed, for the emperor uncle who was not Servant, this world had nothing to do with him anymore. This situation was far too cruel. In his previous life, he had died before his wife and son, and this time he watched as his wife was swallowed by that twisted monster.

"Please, you must save France! This is an elegant and romantic city, it should not be so gloomy. Please free the poor people of Paris from this torment of nightmares, and I swear I will do everything in my power to assist you." Although Emperor Louis was physically weak, he spoke these words with great determination; it was a plea from the bottom of his heart.

"Your Majesty the Emperor..." Shirou looked at the kind-hearted uncle with some surprise. He hadn't expected that the man's thoughts were on the country at this moment. Yes, the man in front of him was indeed an Emperor, even if he was the ruler of a fallen kingdom, he still had the dignity he deserved.

The boy loudly reaffirmed, "I understand! This is something I'll do with all my might to achieve!"

"Jeanne d'Arc, Tamamo Cat, everyone, wait for me. I will definitely find a way to defeat the Black Mud Monster and then come to save you," Shirou vowed.

"Yeah, Shirou, come back soon, I'm looking forward to your cooking." Astolfo smiled brightly, revealing his tiger teeth, and waved his hands.

"You'd better go put your clothes on," Shirou retorted.

After the application was approved at the Paris Branch School, Shirou and Erina began preparing all the necessary ingredients in an empty kitchen in the Culinary Department.

Shizuka Hiratsuka was sitting at a small table to the side, typing on her laptop. She was in a good mood, humming a little tune as she worked on the application report that required the materials.

"Qui-se-lamentent-et-qui-ralent... I'm annoyed by those Issei people who always have a long face, I'm annoyed by those who are always complaining, those who have lost interest in life..."

A sweet, light, and cheerful melody was hummed from Shizuka Hiratsuka's lips.

"Hmm? Teacher, what are you singing? A French song?" Erina asked curiously.

"It's a song by the France alias," Shizuka Hiratsuka explained with a smile.

"Oh!" Shirou and Erina responded in surprise, then both fell silent, stunned. They hadn't expected Teacher Hiratsuka to be so knowledgeable; she could even sing French songs?

Shizuka Hiratsuka looked at the boy and girl with a puzzled expression and asked, "Huh? Don't you know her? Alizee? The European music queen of the 80s generation. Although she has faded out of the music scene now because of marriage and children, she was a world-class teen idol back then, the kind who could dance and sing."

"Huh... Does that mean that to you young people, singers born in the 80s are already outdated aunties? That their generation has been cut off...? For people of this age, they can't even recall their childhood memories, and they can't even say things like 'I grew up listening to your songs'?"

"Fine, let's find someone more popular right now... like Lena-ka? Huh? She seems a bit older... Well, how could I possibly know what you high school students like..." Shizuka Hiratsuka fell into deep self-doubt.

"Hey! Teacher Hiratsuka, what are you doing in the corner?" Erina called out irritably.

"That's right, teacher! Don't get discouraged! We know that, we know Jay Chou! We know Michael Jackson too," Shirou quickly reassured him.

Ultimately, classic music is timeless. As long as a song is beautiful and moving, it will not be forgotten even after hundreds of years. Among modern people, there are quite a few who listen to Mozart, Chopin, and Beethoven and find them beautiful.

"Really?" Shizuka Hiratsuka, who was squatting in the corner, turned around and asked pitifully.

"Yes, yes, and it's really good. People would fight to come to a concert to hear it," Shirou said, trying to comfort her.

"That's a great suggestion!" said the team leader who had come to inspect the area, walking in from outside.

"Hey, hey?" The three people in the classroom exclaimed at the same time.

"By the way, my eternal goddess is Sophie Marceau." The team leader pushed up his thick glasses that obscured his eyes, his smile revealing wrinkles, but he exuded the air of a die-hard fan.

"No, none of us asked you about your interests, teacher," Shirou said, waving his hand at Erina.

"No, teacher, I think I should probably skip singing," Shizuka Hiratsuka said hastily.

"No, Teacher Hiratsuka! The purpose of this food festival was to cheer up people who have been feeling listless lately, so in addition to the food, it would be great to have a performance that everyone can participate in. If our school could have a performance where they can sing French songs, it would definitely be a hit," the teacher in charge said.

"But... teacher!" Shizuka Hiratsuka still wanted to refuse.

The team leader interrupted her directly, continuing patiently, "No buts! The entire faculty and student body of Chiba School are counting on you, Teacher Hiratsuka! And if you succeed, I will submit an application for the highest possible bonus for you, and this year's staff performance evaluation will also..."

"Yes..." Shizuka Hiratsuka hesitated for a moment upon hearing this, then resolutely agreed. Yes! To help her lovely student! To help this dejected Paris! What did it matter if she sacrificed herself!