Sovell watched helplessly as the little mountain of food on the table grew ever higher, slowly squeezing his and the four children's portions into a corner.
So he took another table, leaving their original seats to Artoria.
Although the quantity of food was alarming, once Artoria actually picked up her knife and fork and began eating, the ravenous wolfing-down the café's other customers had imagined never materialized.
With a reserved, elegant air, the blonde girl swept away enough food to give more than ten grown men a hearty meal.
By the end, even Chef Ivan in the kitchen forgot about his still-trembling hands and insisted on taking a photo with this girl, an eating prodigy the likes of whom Yakutsk might see only once in a century.
After drinking the last sip of her black tea, Artoria unhurriedly picked up a napkin, wiped her mouth, and delivered her authoritative verdict:
"Substantial fare. Acceptable flavor."
Sovell rolled his eyes inwardly. No kidding. Over thirty thousand calories-how could it not be substantial?
The four children, seeing Artoria eat without restraint for the first time, stood to one side, dumbstruck. They had imagined that someone with the blood of a phantasmal species might have a large appetite, but not this large.
Sovell silently paid the bill, then hailed two taxis by the roadside and asked the drivers to take them to the nearest outskirts.
Although the two taxi drivers were somewhat bewildered, Sovell's sincere feelings-money-won them over.
"Master, what are we doing?"
"Didn't I tell you this morning? Once we get there, I'll show you what I can do."
After getting out, Sovell led everyone into a patch of wild woodland, following the direction of the wind.
The larch needles had long since been covered by snow, and last night's wind had polished