El-Melloi II

"Artoria, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," Shirou replied.

"Aaaaaaahhhhhh~!!!" The sound waves penetrated the wall, making a squeaking sound, and cracks appeared in the wall. White powder fell to the ground, causing the cracks to widen.

"What should we do? If this continues, the house will eventually break down." Shirou looked at the cracked wall and quickly used Magecraft to repair it and strengthen its sturdiness.

"And what I'm most worried about is that people from other places will be disturbed and come to complain, which would be troublesome," Shirou said.

The domineering female CEO Artoria, waved her hand, snapped her fingers, and said, "It's alright. Have your renovation company send people over for emergency repairs to improve the soundproofing tenfold. If that's still not enough, have them buy up all the nearby residential buildings at a premium."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the attendant, who had heard the snap of his fingers, notified the company to begin preparing a plan for the acquisition of the housing.

Having fully absorbed the power and resources left behind by Moriarty, Artoria, after an initial period of learning and adaptation, is now a qualified and domineering female CEO. Of course, she punishes things like poison and unjust deeds with swift and decisive measures, and no one dares to defy her.

With the Olympics just three years away, the government was happy to see this happen, as someone could step in to suppress the dark and evil forces and restore harmony and civilization to Tokyo. As a result, Artoria's company gained significant exposure and received the green light to proceed smoothly.

However, as an altered Lancer, Artoria, the Storm King, was considered to have a ruthless and Hegemon-King style during the ancient times of constant warfare. Now, in modern society, judged by the standards of modern humans, the tyrant of that time is simply a murderous butcher and a demon king who brings calamity.

Shirou had always harbored some doubts, worried that Artoria might go berserk and do something dangerous. Although Merlin said he would keep an eye on the King and would find a way to handle things properly if anything happened, Gawain and Kai had also told him that the King was doing a good job.

"Huh? Isn't Artoria being a bit too rough?!" Shirou asked the woman with concern, his mind immediately turning to the dreaded forced demolitions and land sales schemes, all in collusion with the underworld.

For some, the demolished houses couldn't even be exchanged for one square meter of an apartment with an elevator, while others traded their old houses for BMWs and villas. Half the city was demolished, leaving behind dust, much like the bulletproof smog of Beijing.

The resettlement housing project has been delayed for a long time and is riddled with problems. The high-ranking officials who orchestrated everything and used the project to amass wealth have fallen from power. The appalling social phenomena, like a black hole, have swept up the entire city's population.

"No! No!" Shirou shook his head repeatedly, believing that Artoria wouldn't do such a thing.

"It's alright, Shirou. I'll send someone to handle it properly. For the female residents, I'll have Sir Lancelot and Tristan go over to discuss it. For the male residents, I'll have Merlin go over." Artoria said calmly as she walked outside with Shirou.

"Yes, I'm relieved then," Shirou replied with a smile.

"Oh, right, Shirou, I'll be staying tonight." Artoria suddenly turned around and looked at the man who always wore an apron and ran around the neighborhood with his sisters. The two of them hadn't been intimate in a long time.

"Is that so..." Shirou was about to agree when he heard the sound of hurried footsteps coming from outside.

"Shirou!!!" The braided kid ran over and shouted, "Come quick! Big Sister Marta is at school with her younger brothers and sisters, fighting with a gang of delinquent Bōsōzoku outside!"

"Artoria..." Shirou smiled apologetically at the female CEO.

"I understand, Shirou, you go ahead. I'll prepare the car for you; just go to the exit and catch it," Artoria replied considerately.

"I'll try to be back before dinner, thank you." Shirou said, waving as he ran off. "But! Marta, you're still in elementary school, how did you run into Bōsōzoku?!"

Since taking on the role of caring for his younger sister, this former male escort has lost the youthful energy he had when he was working as male host. He often frowns, and although he is undergoing trials and tribulations and seems to radiate Holy Light, his overall demeanor is more like that of an ascetic.

"..." Artoria watched Shirou leave, her smile gradually freezing. She tightened her grip, and with a crack, crushed the phone in her hand.

"Hmm!? This cool older sister is looking at me like that, so she really recognizes my strength. When I grow up, will she let me join the legendary Round Table management team in her company?" Little Mo, who hadn't left yet, covered his mouth and looked towards Artoria, thinking excitedly.

Meanwhile, Shirou is busy with various trivial matters, such as apologizing for his sisters' misdeeds, mediating conflicts, and suppressing villains.

These 20,000 sisters, each with a strong personality, are essentially weakened versions of Servant as androids, their minds still immature and childlike. In this dark and complex society, where humans are constantly deceiving and treacherous, even Servant can fall victim. As young girls, they are not strong enough to protect themselves.

Dominating the academy is one thing, but sometimes they even dare to act as messengers of justice, and they must lead their fellow students to take down criminals.

Every night, when Shirou collapses onto his bed, utterly exhausted, he looks like a wisp of white ash that could be blown away by a gust of wind. Sometimes, he also has to deal with Artoria coming home from work...

Shirou, with his deadpan expression, shuddered as he snapped back to reality. That kind of life! He absolutely didn't want it!

At this moment, in front of the Roman-style marble columns, the God of Cookery Cup competition is being broadcast live to the world via cameras that track every angle.

The girl in the red dress raised her arm, her red sleeves swaying, and with her fingers spread wide, she opened her palm to its largest extent and said with great confidence, "Gentlemen! A year has passed, and you've overcome countless difficulties. Your performance has been truly remarkable; I can't help but praise you. My heart is incredibly magnanimous. This time, the topic is 'nothingness'! Unleash your talents! Just put your mind to work and give it your all to satisfy my royal appetite!"

Shirou breathed a sigh of relief. As expected, this child wasn't Nero- type sister from some other world. There was no "uh-uh-uh" as she ran up to call him Anisama. It seemed his peaceful, laid-back life was still intact.

At this moment, Nero, in high spirits, spun around in circles and danced as he spoke.

"I accepted the invitation to come here. I heard that hundreds of millions of viewers will be watching this place. This is the ultimate stage that idols of the new era dream of! I'm so excited right now that I want to sing a song first!"

"Let's skip the singing and get to the competition," Shirou advised.

Nero nodded, accepting Shirou's suggestion, and said, "Hmm, that makes sense. Let's save this program for the closing ceremony of the awards ceremony."

Shirou suddenly lost interest in winning.

After finishing her conversation with Shirou, Nero skipped over to the center of the group, spread her arms wide, and danced on the spot, twirling gracefully and drawing circles in the air. She loudly announced, "The rule for this tournament is that there are no rules! Just make a dish that satisfies all five judges, and that's enough!"

Famous French chef questioned whether there are truly no rules, even in the event of injury.

Yes, the standard for judgment lies in the referee's mind, so as long as the referee doesn't think so, it's fine. Even if it's a brawl or a full-blown war, nobody cares. As for me, let's have some fun! I think the more lively the better!

"Heh, I understand." The famous French chef grinned maliciously as he agreed. He was waiting for a sure-fire solution. He was in contact with a businesswoman, and if the special medicine she mentioned really worked, then there would be no problem.

The moment the Elder Liu lifted the lid of the pot, a strong and dazzling white light emanated from it.

"That's..." People in front of the television stood up at this moment.

"That's it!" An elderly man in his 30s, leaning on a cane, opened his wide, aging eyes.

"It's... it's glowing!!!" Nero exclaimed, jumping up from his chair.

"So many years have passed without me realizing it. I first discovered the charm of Chinese cuisine when I saw his glowing dishes. I never imagined that after all these years, I would still be able to witness such a sight with my own eyes," an elderly man said, rubbing his eyes with deep emotion.

In fact, he wasn't the only one with this feeling. When the Elder Liu made the luminous dishes, many viewers from all over the world stopped and shed tears of nostalgia.

The dish was undoubtedly approved, but Nero was pondering it with curiosity.

Miss Nero, resting her chin on her hand, pondered and said, "If I ate this kind of food every day, would I one day gain the new skill of having a glowing body?"

Next, famous French chef Pablo walked up with an air of arrogance, carrying a plate of roasted peacock. He had arranged the meat in a display of its tail feathers before presenting it on the table, and it also received high praise.

Nakiri Senzaemon is a tempura master. He seems to have really put in a lot of effort, receiving assistance from several elderly people who are revered as 'gods' in Wa Province, and undergoing three months of secluded training.

"Oh my! Japanese fried food is so good! It's so hot! It smells so good! Mmm! It's delicious! Everything is so delicious!" Nero held up her knife and fork and blew on the freshly cooked tempura.

Shirou made roast suckling pig, which Nero praised. After all... in that intermittent memory from another world, there was a younger sister who looked exactly like her, with the same personality, preferences, and even the destructive power of her singing.

"Yu Chao loves the taste of this pork! It's sweet and delicious!" The blonde girl exclaimed happily, raising her head to the sky.

Just seeing the emperor's delicious and adorable eating manner through the camera lens has made everyone's mouths water, and some gentlemen could even eat three large bowls of white rice with it. The ratings are skyrocketing!

Chapter 439 Lord El-Melloi II

The venue for the Culinary God Competition, apart from the surrounding walls, had eighty percent of its floor occupied by a bizarre and enormous building. It seemed to be a chaotic mix of five architectural styles. Apart from the initial Roman and Greek styles which had some similarities, the others were quite different. First, there was a Roman-style temple, but the platform in front of it was an inverted pyramid, with each raised golden stone brick serving as a staircase, standing there inexplicably. Then there was a palace of ancient Chinese immortals, mainly in black, and at the very top was a magnificent golden pavilion.

A girl in red stands guard at the entrance.

The red dress, as vibrant as flames, cascaded down her back like a swallowtail coat, while the front was draped in white tulle that concealed her legs—perfect for dancing.

I love art, I love sports, I love all beautiful things, I do my best to do what I love, and I do my best to pursue the people I love.

Its vitality is like a rose frozen in summer, always in full bloom; its passion is like a torch of red flowers, seemingly burning with its will and enthusiasm, forever and ever, until the moment its entire life vanishes.

Similarly, she also admires those who use their passion and effort to achieve something.

When a person does this, seemingly mundane things will change, and they can always do things that those who only see this as work or a task cannot.

"I am very satisfied. You all showed your skills and presented me with dishes that were worthy of me. Whether it was the radiant dish or the piping hot tempura shrimp, the little piglet was as cute as me! I am really happy!" Nero smiled, her eyes narrowing and her mouth wide open.

The red emperor stopped his cute act, coughed, and revealed a serious expression. He scanned the five chefs in front of him and said, "Ahem, now I announce my decision! You—all of you have passed it!!!"

At this moment, the viewers in front of the television also exclaimed in surprise.

"All!"

"Well, that makes the rest even more exciting," someone said.

The internet is about to erupt in chaos.

"But will this lovely blonde beauty reappear? Does anyone have any information about her? She's so mysterious, I can't find anything about her."

"She claims to be Nero, but the only results I get from online searches are of a fat tyrant from two thousand years ago?"

"Is this a pseudonym? She even pulled out a flaming sword. Is she cosplaying Devil May Cry 4?"

"The betting has started! The international bookmakers are in charge, and the odds have been released. If you bet correctly, you'll become rich overnight!"

The five judges at the top of the clubhouse were also talking. Meanwhile, the dishes prepared by the five chefs below the stage were not wasted. They were sent to the top floor by the kitchen staff for the judges to taste.

"Wait! I was really looking forward to this emperor, who would be known as a tyrant like the First Emperor, but now she just seems like an easy-going, cute little girl! I can't accept this!" Consort Yu slammed her hand on the table in a fit of anger, making the dishes on the table jump. She said with great dissatisfaction, "Not a single human has been eliminated. Aren't these rules a bit too lenient?!"

Caesar used a knife and fork to cut open the roast suckling pig, then presented it to the chef with a smile, saying, "Well, fairy, don't rush me. I never intended to eliminate anyone in the first place. After all, they are all treasures of humanity. I want to observe them a little longer to see how they perform. Of course, you don't need to hold back either. Feel free to force these four to use their best skills!"

"Hahaha, you're right, that makes it even more interesting! Now it's my turn! My reliable strategist has already gone. Come on, let's eat!" said Iskandar, King of Conquerors, with a laugh.

"Yes, if all we have to do is have the gatekeepers you invited eliminate them, that would be great. Everyone, let's also sample the pinnacle of cuisine in this world," Boudica said, clapping her hands with a smile.

"Yu-chan, this glowing dish is delicious! You should try it." Enma-tei held the dish to Consort Yu's mouth.

"Enma-chan... thank you." Consort Yu opened her mouth. The dish prepared by Chef Liu melted in her mouth. The stunning beauty revealed a complicated expression and said, "Mmm... delicious, but I'm so unwilling!"

"Great!" In the lounge, Erina on TV. Luckily, no one was there. The young lady combed her long hair and resumed her usual proud and elegant queen persona.

"Hmph! Kid, you're lucky!" Pablo glanced at Shirou and said with a cold snort.

However, Shirou's mind was not on this at all. Ignoring the famous French chef, he walked towards Nero.

"Ugh! Damn it!!!" Pablo, trembling with rage at being ignored, exclaimed, "You hateful masked bastard, soon you'll have nothing left!"

"By the way... Nero... Blue Saber and Black Saber didn't come, did they...?" Shirou secretly ran over and whispered to Red Saber. Ever since he saw her, he had been puzzled, but he had suppressed his feelings for the sake of the competition. Now he looked around, and even at the palace itself.

"What? Chef Masked X? Are you acquaintances of theirs?" Nero, upon hearing the question, crossed his arms, once again highlighting his ample chest, and said smugly, "Hmm! I didn't see the blue-faced Wang Yu, but as for that cold-faced biker girl, she didn't come. Because that guy, although I completely disagree with her personality, her appearance is quite similar to mine."

"Artistic aesthetics are truly complex. Even a cold, icy beauty like that is popular these days. Considering that public attention would be diverted, and that Caesar only invited me, I used a little trick to get her away!" Nero raised her head, her nose twitching, and said with a hint of smugness.

"Is... is that so?" Shirou said, sounding both relieved and somewhat regretful. Human emotions are truly complex.

"Masked Man, thank you for the delicious food. Do you have any questions?" Nero asked with a smile, hands on his hips.

"No." Shirou waved his hand.

"Then!" At this moment, beneath the white marble columns in the Roman style, the red-clad imperial girl raised her hands and addressed the crowd, "My lords, my mission is complete. Now climb the stone steps behind me and proceed into the hall. The person in charge of the next stage awaits you."

The television camera turned to the presenter Cleopatra, who was holding a microphone and speaking loudly.

"The first stage is just the beginning. Although all five chefs have successfully passed the first trial, even more difficult trials await them! Will someone fall to the gatekeepers' tests and be eliminated, or will all five advance to the highest level to meet the five judges? Let's wait and see!"

Shirou and the others walked inside the white Roman marble columns, climbed the stairs, and found themselves in a hall with Ancient Greece style.

They entered the second stage.

What awaited them was a connection forged with Conqueror King the Alexander the Great, during the Holy Grail War —in their youthful days, they were recognized as his subjects. This tall man with long black hair, a sour face, and a weary look was sitting at a table covered with a white cloth, seemingly having been waiting for some time.

Shirou felt that Lord El-Melloi II at this moment looked very similar to his own face and expression in another world where he was on the verge of death from overwork.

"Wait, Master, are you alright?" Shirou asked with some concern. Although they were from different worlds, they had indeed shared a master-disciple relationship, and Shirou couldn't just abandon his second life.

"I don't think I've ever taught a student like you. I'm fine... just a headache from being dragged to play games all night and having a hangover." Lord El-Melloi II, his face ashen, slumped painfully on the table as he spoke, "Please, give me some medicine to restore my energy... no, cook something for me."

The dish that was prepared the fastest was still by the Elder Liu. This time, he only served a bowl of clear rice porridge with finely chopped leaves in it. The leaves sank calmly into the porridge, looking crystal clear and very beautiful.

"Come on, drink this bowl of 'healthy porridge,' and you'll be fine."

"Is that so? Thank you." Lord El-Melloi II accepted the bowl of clear porridge with some skepticism. Even the world-renowned chef, the old man, didn't think that a bowl of porridge as thin as soup could provide him with any help. The energy it provided was less than that of a glass of cola.

At this moment, the British man with long black hair smelled the fragrant aroma of the steaming porridge and tried taking a small sip.

The porridge flowed into his body through his mouth, and in that instant, he felt warm all over, his mind clear, and he felt indescribably comfortable. The serious man who had previously worn a sour expression completely relaxed after drinking the porridge, and he felt lightheaded and blissfully intoxicated.

Lord El-Melloi II then picked up the bowl and began to drink it in large gulps, quickly finishing the entire bowl of porridge. He looked at the smooth bowl with a lingering sense of satisfaction and said...

"How are you feeling?" the old man asked with a smile.

Lord El-Melloi II touched the area around his temples, which had been throbbing, and exclaimed in surprise, "Amazing! My headache is gone. So Eastern cuisine can cure hangovers? No, even... Zhuge Liang famous strategist in Chinese history) has never seen such extraordinary cuisine!"

"Young man, do you think the masked fellow says you're a teacher? You're clearly a Westerner, yet you know about my country's affairs," the Elder Liu said with a light laugh. "You flatter me. Speaking of Kongming, when I was young, I saw the steamed buns made by the army pastry chef who accompanied Zhuge Liang. If you'd like some, I can make them for you. Four-Flavor Seafood Eight-Treasure Steamed Buns, with sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy flavors."

"No, thank you, old man. But we still have to sample other people's dishes, so we'll have to give that up," Lord El-Melloi II said.

The Elder Liu, seemed quite satisfied with the response and said with a smile, "Is that so? No rush. Come find me Kikushita Restaurant next time, and I'll personally cook a feast for you."

"I am extremely grateful. I will definitely bring my students to China when I have the chance. Now, please go upstairs by yourself, sir. The next people..." Lord El-Melloi II shook hands with the old man and readily agreed.

"No problem." The Elder Liu, walked slowly up the steps with her hands behind her back.

After eating the porridge, Lord El-Melloi II regained his spirits and began to scrutinize the subsequent dishes with even greater rigor.

The second person to take the stage was Nakiri Senzaemon, who brought out a clay pot and prepared a dish called "medicinal cuisine"! In China, a country with a 5,000-year-old culinary culture, the yin and yang harmony between ingredients and medicine is emphasized, and ingredients are divided into three properties. "Warm, cool, and neutral".

This black chicken soup contains donkey-hide gelatin, polygonatum, longan, red dates, and goji berries, stewed with black chicken, which is warm in nature. It nourishes yin and promotes blood production, and is specifically used to treat liver and kidney deficiency.

"Young man, you look very weak. How about I cook you another bowl of frog soup to nourish your kidneys?" the Elder Nakiri said.

"No need, thank you, old man, you've passed." Lord El-Melloi II drank the soup and felt that his old aches and pains had eased considerably, and his stiff neck seemed to have relaxed as well. The effect was truly remarkable.

Next up was Shirou, who served an extremely ordinary daily set meal: chicken breast with minimal fat, cherry tomatoes and celery rich in vitamins, a slice of fried steak, a pork and ham sandwich, and a cup of garlic Mashed Potatoes.