"Ah, it is a pleasure for me to welcome you here today. I am Demon Lord Rimuru. I would prefer for this night to be free of serious topics, and instead, I would like to direct you toward our nation's dishes that I hope you will enjoy. Long speeches are not my strength, so please excuse me for cutting it short. I wish you all a grand time; let the party begin!"
After finishing his greeting, Rimuru called for a toast.
Beautiful elven ladies were roaming around the banquet hall carrying various kinds of alcoholic beverages. I wanted to give Rimuru a thumbs up but got kicked in the leg by Ultima, who was sitting beside me and looking at me with a smile.
"Aren't you looking at the elves a little too much?" She asked in a low voice.
"I wasn't looking at them, but at all the kinds of alcohol they were serving..."
"As if I would believe you," She deadpanned.
I enjoyed the different dishes being served, like smoked chicken-duck meat and sandwiches filled with vegetables, cow-deer steak, fried vegetables marinated in sauce, fried chicken, and roast beef salad.
I could easily identify that they were made by Shuna and Yoshida.
Ultima always enjoyed the food Yoshida made during our trips to Ingrassia, so she, of course, loved the food made by Shuna, whose food was even better than Yoshida's.
I even recognized some of the dishes as being the ones served during the Walpurgis Banquet.
...
..
.
I didn't even notice how quiet it became all of a sudden when two people sat down at the table.
"I have to agree with you. This country is just like you said it was," The male said.
"Rudra, good to see you again. How is everything going on your end?" I asked with a smile.
"It's good now, but let's not talk about it. Today is my day off, and I want to enjoy it."
"Oh, I haven't introduced you last time you met. This is my partner Ultima. Ultima, this is Rudra and Velgrynd."
We talked for a while before a large fish was carted in, a Spear Tuna if I remember correctly.
Hakurou began his performance as his kitchen knife flew to and from, avoiding the hard exoskeleton armor of the Spear Tuna.
The Spear Tuna was dismembered in a beautiful display of artistic skill.
It didn't take long before it was divided and then sliced up as the plates were loaded with sashimi.
Hakurou also started making sushi. I always wanted to eat sushi after coming to this world but didn't know how to make it, and it seemed I wasn't the only one who wanted to eat it.
Rudra, who was sitting at the same table, looked like he would start salivating seeing it. It could be because of his life as a Japanese student.
As the other participants were skeptical of it, Rudra didn't waste any time and asked Hakurou to prepare some for him.
I also took the initiative to get some for myself as I knew that after people saw Rudra eating it, they would try it too, and the tuna would disappear quickly.
...
..
.
It was really good, just like I expected it to be, and just like I expected after everyone saw Rudra enjoying it, they tried it.
I also saw Yuuki, who I didn't know how to exactly deal with.
As long as he doesn't want to destroy the world and doesn't mess with me, I'm not going to kill him. I will stop him from gaining the [Greed] skill, of course, but as long as he doesn't do anything to get my attention, I will leave him for the time being.
Rimuru also looked more on guard around him. It could be because he met Kagali. I did tell him about her, so he must know she used to be the Demon Lord Kazalim.
I never actually interacted with her, but I would say we are on neutral terms.
I shrugged while enjoying the food and Japanese alcohol. I'll deal with it when the time comes.
The banquet continued until a soldier rushed in and shouted, "B-Big trouble!"
I guess it's time for her entrance.
Elmesia El-Ru Sarion, the Emperor of Sorcerer's Dynasty Sarion, isn't she technically my cousin if I think about it?
She is the daughter of Sylvia El Ru. Sylvia was an elemental that Twilight Valentine incarnated into a physical body using his flesh as a base. My mother is his daughter, so while Sylvia was created from an Elemental, they could still be considered siblings.
[Does that even matter?] Persephone asked.
'Not really, but it just came to my mind...' I replied.
...
..
.
After Elmesia's arrival, it didn't take long for the other Demon Lords to arrive.
Milim, Carrion, and Frey arrived, and Milim seemed excited for some reason.
Managing to overhear what she said, I understood why that was. She wants Mildey to learn how to make good food and not what he calls good food, mainly raw vegetables.
Oh, this is not going to be easy for Rimuru.
After Rimuru welcomed them and compared Frey to a bird, I decided to say hello to my fellow Demon Lords.
"Wa-wait! Ow, ow-ow-ow, that hurts, really!" Carrion cried as Frey's transformed fingernails dug deeper into his head. "Dangerous! If this gets any worse, it will really be dangerous! I was wrong. I'm sorry, so please forgive me, Frey!"
"Carrion, you really learn when to stay silent," I said with a shake of my head.
"I agree with Ashborn," Frey said with a smile and decided to spare Carrion for now.
Milim observed me and had a big smile. "You have become much stronger! We need to fight!" She shuddered slightly and quickly glanced at Frey, "Of course, after the festival..."
"Of course, we can fight after the festival. I heard Ramiris is here in Tempest, so she can open the door to our fighting area. But I think there is something more important you have to get done now." I said.
Milim nodded, and that's how Rimuru's mission of making Mildey learn what good food is began. It was also the first time I saw Shuna angry, but it worked out in the end.
The rest of the banquet went by without any problems, and the founding festival will start tomorrow.
---
Author's Note:
Thank you for reading this chapter.
If you enjoy this story, remember to vote and leave a review if you haven't.