"True," Yan Huan nodded.
"When things are going badly, anything is fine to eat, as long as it fills your stomach and that's the end of it."
Phainon smiled at that, swallowed the food in his mouth, and dusted off his hands:
"Don't you find it interesting?"
He looked at Mydei, his eyes carrying a hint of admiration.
"As a warrior of Castrum Kremnos, the very incarnation of iron and blood, Mydei is actually the most proficient cook among all of us Chrysos Heirs."
He gestured, "No matter how simple the ingredients, in his hands they always turn into food worthy of being called delicious. Isn't that amazing?"
"Although there aren't many words in Castrum Kremnos's dictionary, it's quite the opposite when it comes to recipes."
Mydei's gaze fell on Phainon with a sharp, appraising intensity.
"Here's some advice for you, Phainon of Aedes Elysiae,"
His voice was low and direct.
"Since you've acquired recipes from beyond the sky, you should abandon that impractical salad business as soon as possible."
He raised his chin, pointing toward the distant, mountain-like piles of giant fruits and vegetables.
"An excellent chef is not picky about ingredients; utilizing every available material at hand and preparing each dish with care is the most basic respect one can show them."
His tone carried a warrior's pragmatism, "Rather than simply chopping things up, tossing them together, and calling it a day..."
Phainon shook his head. There was no anger on his face, only a gentle persistence:
"Perhaps my cooking skills can't match yours at the moment, but the choice of salad itself is not wrong."
His gaze swept across the banquet, looking at the fairies happily enjoying their food.
"I only take responsibility for the ingredients I can handle, bringing out the ultimate flavor of each one.