Tenshukaku, kitchen.
"Your Excellency Shogun, Lady Mei, can I not go in?"
Having arrived at the kitchen entrance, Mikoshi Chiyo swallowed. She sensed danger. The normally forthright Oni Clan woman was now hesitating like a Slime.
"Chiyo, you can't leave. Stay and help!"
Ei grabbed Mikoshi Chiyo. They had come this far—how could she possibly let Chiyo run off alone?
"..."
With Ei holding her back, Mikoshi Chiyo had no choice. She could only enter the kitchen with them.
"Let's divide the work first. Chiyo, wash the vegetables. Ei, you'll chop them. I'll handle the steaming and cooking..."
Having a beginner handle the steaming and cooking right away would undoubtedly be difficult, so she should start with chopping vegetables instead. For a warrior of exceptional skill, this ought to be simple, right?
"Ei, take these... Slice the carrots and shred the potatoes. No problem, right?"
Mei tossed the carrots and potatoes to Ei. In her eyes... it could not have been simpler. Ei would definitely be fine.
"Slice them? Shred them? No problem."
Ei answered confidently without thinking.
"Mm."
Mei trusted her. She began preparing the seasonings, then lit the fire and started simmering the soup. Some dishes needed quite a bit of time. Since Mikoshi Chiyo was here too, she would make a little extra.
Yet very soon, Raiden Mei realized something was wrong. She turned toward Ei and saw that, despite holding a kitchen knife and a potato, Ei had not made a move for a long time.
"Ei, what are you hesitating for? Chop it! You don't know how to do something as simple as chopping vegetables? Weren't you so confident just now?"
"Well... how do I chop it?"
Ei had been confident moments earlier, but once the potato was in her hands, her mind went blank.