After Chihiro and his group arrived in Trifas, they rented a small building with the funds he had on hand. However, Gilgamesh was visibly displeased with their accommodations.
"This place is beneath me," Gilgamesh scoffed, crossing his arms as he surveyed the modest structure.
"Trifas is just a small town. Did you think you'd find a palace here?" Chihiro rolled his eyes at him. "And stop complaining, I'm the one paying the rent."
"Providing for your king is your duty," Gilgamesh retorted arrogantly. "Now, hand over that so-called artifact of yours."
He was clearly still fixated on Chihiro's Qillin Seal of Divine Authority.
"Don't even think about it," Chihiro replied flatly. "I'm not about to let you take it and turn it into part of your treasure vault."
"Hmph. Insolent mongrel…"
"Alright, Gilgamesh, enough of that." Qin Shi Huang stepped in to diffuse the tension. He reached into his belongings and pulled out a handheld game console.
"How about a game to pass the time?" the First Emperor offered with a faint smile. "I got this as a reward during one of the Q&A sessions. It's been my only entertainment in the Throne of Heroes."
He held the device up proudly. "It's surprisingly addictive. Want me to lend it to you?"
Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow but quickly retrieved his own console with a smug grin. "I've had this for ages," he said dismissively.
"Oh? You've played this too?" Qin Shi Huang looked momentarily stunned before his expression turned competitive. "In that case, let's see who's better."
"You dare to challenge me at a game? Foolish," Gilgamesh declared confidently. "Whether in battle or leisure, I am the strongest."
"We'll see about that," the First Emperor replied with a sly grin, and the two of them quickly dove into their game.
Finally, Chihiro felt like he could breathe again.
---
As he leaned back to relax, Jeanne d'Arc approached him.
"Thank you for your assistance," she said sincerely.
Chihiro shrugged. "I'm not helping for free, you know. This is a transaction for me, too."
"A… transaction?" Jeanne's brow furrowed in confusion.
Leaticia quickly stepped in, explaining the situation.
Jeanne's expression turned serious as she listened. "No," she said firmly when Leaticia finished. "I cannot agree to this."
"Why not?" Chihiro asked, though he already anticipated her response.
"As Ruler, I must remain impartial," Jeanne explained. "I won't stop you from participating in the war, but I cannot help you either. My duty is to ensure fairness."
With that, she picked up her belongings and bid them farewell.
"Wait, Master, are you just going to let her leave like that?" Diarmuid asked, frowning.
"Don't worry," Chihiro replied calmly. "She'll come around to my way of thinking soon enough."
---
"Jeanne!!!"
Before anyone could stop him, Bluebeard attempted to chase after her. However, Diarmuid and Hundred-Faced Hassan stepped in, blocking his path.
"You stay here," Chihiro ordered, his voice cold. "You're not allowed to go anywhere unsupervised."
Bluebeard bristled, but Chihiro wasn't finished. Raising his hand, he invoked one of his Command Seals.
"I order you, Caster Bluebeard, to never harm children."
"You dare to restrict my art?!" Bluebeard bellowed, trembling with rage.
"If you've chosen to respond to my summons, then you'll obey my orders," Chihiro said without hesitation.
Bluebeard stomped off to his room, slamming the door behind him in frustration.
---
As the tension settled, Chihiro's stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence.
"Chihiro, isn't it time for dinner?" Qin Shi Huang remarked, putting down his console.
The mention of food immediately caught Artoria's attention. Her eyes lit up as she turned toward Chihiro expectantly.
"I guess it is time to eat," Chihiro muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. He turned to Hassan of the Hundred-Faces. "I'm counting on you."
Hassan sighed in resignation. She hadn't expected her Master to turn her into a delivery person, but she complied without protest. Taking the funds Chihiro handed her, she dispatched several of her clones to buy food.
As Chihiro waited, he glanced over at Gilgamesh and Qin Shi Huang, only to freeze in surprise.
The two were completely absorbed in a game of Super Mario, racing to see who could clear the levels faster.
They had even established rules, no skipping levels and no taking shortcuts.
Their skills were shockingly refined, to the point that even professional gamers might have admitted defeat. It was hard to imagine the King of Heroes and the First Emperor competing so seriously over something so trivial.
---
Soon, the clones returned with bags of food, but Chihiro frowned when he saw the contents.
"Why is it all sweet bread?" he asked, baffled.
"Most restaurants are closed in the morning," one of the clones explained. "This was all I could find."
Chihiro sighed. "Guess I didn't think about that…"
Gilgamesh sniffed disdainfully. "You don't expect us to eat this, do you?"
"What's wrong with bread?" Chihiro retorted. "It's better than nothing. People in famine times would kill for this."
Artoria, meanwhile, had already started eating. "This is much better than the bread from my time," she said between bites, quickly stuffing more into her mouth.
Chihiro pinched the bridge of his nose. It was clear that the bread wouldn't be enough to satisfy Artoria, let alone the others.
"Fine, I'll make something myself," he said, rolling up his sleeves. "Soy sauce noodles should do the trick. Simple, but filling."
---
With help from Hassan's clones, who went out to purchase ingredients and equipment, Chihiro began cooking.
The clones worked efficiently, kneading dough, pressing noodles, chopping meat, and cutting vegetables. Chihiro focused on preparing the sauce while the clones handled boiling the noodles.
Soon, steaming bowls of soy sauce noodles were placed on the table.
"Oh, this is excellent," Qin Shi Huang remarked after slurping down half a bowl. He gave Chihiro an approving nod.
Artoria, meanwhile, was too focused on eating to comment, quickly devouring her portion and signaling for more.
"Hmph," Gilgamesh said as he took a bite. "Not bad. I suppose even a mongrel like you can be of some use."
"I made plenty," Chihiro replied, smirking. "Eat as much as you want." The comment was clearly directed at Artoria, who nodded enthusiastically and raised her bowl for another serving.
By the time everyone had eaten their fill, the several bags of flour Chihiro had purchased were nearly gone.
---
"Haha! Kid, have you considered becoming my personal chef?" Iskandar asked, clapping Chihiro on the shoulder.
"Watch your words, King of Conquerors," Qin Shi Huang said coolly. "He is one of my subjects."
"Don't be so stingy," Iskandar replied with a grin.
Chihiro sighed, feeling mentally drained from dealing with the group. "It's exhausting trying to keep up with you lot."
---
Suddenly, a familiar notification echoed in Chihiro's mind.
[Ding! The Q&A session will begin in ten minutes. Please be prepared.]
"Oh? A new question is coming up," Iskandar said, pulling Chihiro closer. "Boy, you're my Master now. Don't forget to guide me properly."
"Just trust me and follow my lead," Chihiro replied confidently.
Meanwhile, chaos erupted in the group chat.
Tohsaka Rin: "Chihiro! So you really traveled to that world?"
Chihiro: "Word spreads fast."
Tohsaka Rin: "Red Faction mentioned it earlier, but I didn't believe it was true."
Kayneth: "Boy, how did you manage that? Have you mastered the Second Magic?"
Chihiro: "Sorry, I can't reveal my secrets."
Emiya Kiritsugu: "You're a hard man to figure out, Chihiro."
Chihiro: "Thanks for the compliment."
Waver: "Iskandar! You've descended into that world too?"
Iskandar: "Yes. I fought Achilles, but unfortunately, our duel was interrupted before we could determine a winner."
***
Support me on patreon to read 50+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Blownleaves.