The girls wanted to learn how to cook at least a simple dish, so we went to visit the Wind Temple where Turbo-sama was.
Everyone had been working so hard helping with the reconstruction work lately, they could use a change of pace for once.
I hoped this would help them let loose a little.
And if, by chance, they even managed to learn how to cook, that'd be the cherry on top, but… well, that'd come later.
"I see. So you came seeking my teachings," Turbo-sama nodded, crossing her arms sagely.
As always, children were frolicking around her, seemingly having so much fun. They must love it here.
"Let me confirm it once again. None of you can cook, yes?" Turbo-sama asked.
"Well, not that we can't cook, or at least not all of us. I can at least roast meat and make stew, y'know? Though, that's all I can make," Ophir said dejectedly.
"I see." After a calm nod, Turbo-sama put her hand on Arca's shoulder and said, "Then I hereby announce that you, Spear Saintess, are demoted to be the third wife. It's been hard on you."
"—Wha?!" Naturally, Arca objected, "W-wait a minute, Goddess Turbo?! What are you saying all of a sudden?!"
"Hmm, it seems you won't understand unless I state it clearly. You are now deprived of the position of the legal wife. Henceforth, you must strive to better yourself as one of the many concubines."
"W-what did you say…?!"
As Arca froze with a shocked face, Turbo-sama folded her arms again and said, "Isn't it only natural? From what I've heard, I take it that not only you can't cook, but you also can't do any other housework satisfactorily. A woman like you can't be a legal wife. A legal wife must have the heart, technique, and physique, not a single factor missing. It is, by no means, something that is decided by only how fast you meet."
"Gh…" Arca vexedly bit her lips.
Wait, heart, technique, and physique? Those sound so much like what a warrior should possess…as I wondered to myself with mixed feelings, Turbo-sama continued, "As such, at least for now, you are unfit to call yourself a legal wife. If you find that unacceptable, polish yourself until you surpass me. Until then, I will keep the position of the legal wife."
"Kh, fine… In that case, I'll beat you as soon as possible and seize back the seat of the legal wife!" Arca proclaimed loudly, pointing at Turbo-sama.
After which, the other girls began to raise their voices one after another.
"Fufu, surely you jest. I will be the first to surpass her," Magmell said.
"Ha, that's my line. I'mma show the old hag who's the boss," Ophir said, grinning.
"Just to remind you, when it comes to knowledge, I'm far superior to any of you. If you all don't take this seriously, you're going to regret it, you know?" Zana declared.
"By the way, what does it mean that a legal wife must have the heart, technique, and physique?" Tirna tilted her head.
"Well, I wouldn't know even if you ask me… More importantly, why's everyone so into this…" Elma asked in wonder.
"I'm not completely sure what is going on, but the point is, if I can master housework, Exa-sama will love me the most, right? In that case, I will study with all my heart." Kaya-san was pumped up.
"Oh my, it's so nice to be young. Well, I'm still young myself, however." Shiva-sama chuckled.
"So, what do we start with…? Cooking…?" Phinis-sama asked, tilting her head.
In response, Turbo-sama gave a big nod. "Yes, of course. In the book possessed by the pigman, it also says, 'Grasp a man's stomach, and you grasp his everything', after all. As such, let's start right away. First, I'll give you a demonstration."
After saying that, Turbo-sama widened her eyes and roared, "Come forth, wind spirit!"
—Whoosh!
At that moment, from the swirling wind, a palm-sized cute stuffed animal—I mean, a spirit (wearing a chef-like hat, for some reason) appeared.
Then, Turbo-sama ordered the spirit. "Make me a simple one. ASAP."
"Mu~!" The spirit raised its hand in response to Turbo-sama's words, then it flew away.
After a while, the spirit returned, bringing a plate with a meat dish on it.
"Fufu, how is it?"
『...』
Turbo-sama puffed out her chest with a smug face. Of course, we were at a loss for words.
Seemingly satisfied with our reaction, Turbo-sama gestured toward us with her chin. "All right, now you try."
"No, 'try' what?! I mean, ya didn't even cook?!" Ophir screamed.
"What are you talking about? Didn't I show you how I do it just now? Right?"
"Mu~!"
"Don't 'Mu~!' me?! Or rather, I saw you before?! Yer the guy who always blew wind in the temple for no reason, ain'tcha?!"
"Oh, you must be talking about these guys." When Turbo-sama snapped her fingers, other spirits popped up, each blowing dust away with the wind.
In other words, they were 'dusting'.
Perhaps the laundry was done by the spirits too.
How do I put it? As expected of a god's home.
"All this time I'd been foolishly enjoying all the food you gave me, happy at the thought you especially made it for me, but turned out it was all made by that stuffed animal…? No~…"
But for Ophir, this fact apparently came as a great shock, and she held her head in her hands, unable to accept reality, for a long time.
"Mu~."
"Huh? You want me to give it a try? …It's good?!"
The hell, it was so delicious?!
Maybe I should hire this spirit at home…