Part 8
—[Underwood], Kitchen number 14.
Although it need not be mentioned at this point in time anymore.
Sakamaki Izayoi has a side that would stubbornly not concede defeat.
Although he was gifted with many congenital talents, it wasn’t as if he would always be victorious and not be defeated in any battles. Especially in the contest of culinary skills which was a very subjective matter, the times of defeat had been quite a number. He had also paid it no mind due to his assumption that the field of expertise was different for him.
However, the dinner for the previous night was slightly different.
Kasukabe Yō and Sakamaki Izayoi, the two who stood on the same ground as the main force of the Community. And it was in that contest with a person of the same position and of the same cooking style that the dishes were brought to the table for a judging between the superior and inferior of the dishes. Since Izayoi also concurred that those dishes were “better than mine”, then he must put in his utmost effort for the next time. Else it would not sit well with him.
“—okay. With this, it is done.”
With a look of satisfaction, he stood akimbo while confirming the dough.
The dish was the same as previously, a salty pumpkin pie. But the ingredients used for the pie was completely different from before. After all, the ingredients delivered to the Harvest Festival are of a superior quality that cannot be found on normal days.
Using the bacon smoked from the horned pig, cheese from the white cows, the Sakura Eggs and incorporated with the special margarine extracted from the pumpkins of [Will O’ Wisp] and many more.
In fact, there was this strong and intimidating presence in Izayoi’s shadow as he put his utmost effort into the preparation of the dish. Maybe and perhaps unfortunately, he might be more focused in this than in any normal Gift Games.
As one of the helpers for the dish preparation—Shirayuki gave a sigh in surprise.
“Hmph. My master, to go to this extent just for the dinner, it really shows the lack of magnanimity in you.”
“Well, it’s your mouth to say that. …… But come to think about it, I did ask you to slice the bacon into thin slices right? How did it become diced? This does not seem to be a problem with being just clumsy anymore.”
“This, this is the fault of the brat who asked a Divinity possessor to handle the kitchen knife!”
Shirayuki bared her teeth as her face was flushed red.
In the end, Izayoi concluded that she was of no help and only shrugged his shoulders.
He then placed the salty pie dough into the old-looking clay oven to be baked.
“Let’s test with one for now. It will be some time before it is done. Just in time Shirayuki, can you accompany me for a little?”
“Where to?”
“The Gift Game Riddle that I’ve mentioned earlier. Although I’ve given it much thought, it is highly possible to be a lure and trap type of Game and it is for the best to destroy it before anyone participates in it by accident.”
—Mhm? Shirayuki slightly tilted her head.
“That’s a really rare opinion from one who’s always so confident. Not to clear but to destroy?”[43]
“Aahh. It is the same conclusion that Garol oji-san and I came to after much discussion.”
Untying his apron, Izayoi made preparations to set out.
Shirayuki continued to frown in disapproval. For her, who have hosted many games as a Divinity possessor, this topic was definitely a bad one to hold.
—Gift Games can be broadly divided into two categories.
And they were for the purpose of commerce or the trails set by demigods and gods for Mankind.
Especially the latter, those kinds would mostly be difficult and arduous games. But the difficulty of the trial is also a way for the gods to show their confidence in their participants as well as their love. Although a trial might be made to be of a tough level, the game is hosted for the bestowing of their godly Gifts to others without any conditions attached. So there has to be some mercy attached to the game for the participants.
To say that the trial “should be destroyed because it is too dangerous”, would be a little hard to stomach.
“…… What an unpleasant topic. Isn’t there the method of restricting the participants instead of destroying the game?”
“I get what you are trying to say…… but that game will not do. That game does not have an established method to be cleared.”
—what? Shirayuki uttered her thoughts.
Izayoi supplemented the last portion as he pulled on his top.
“It’s also the first that I’ve heard from Garol Oji-san…… Shirayuki, have you heard of the [Game of Paradox]?”
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