DanMachi: The Epic of the Heroic Spirits of Emiya Shirou

"Yes, I tried it on at first, but Mia's mom said that a kimono suits me better..."

Before we knew it, we had gone upstairs.

Emiya's room was right next to Haruhime's. He walked to his own door, wanting to say goodbye to Haruhime.

However, at that moment, Chun Ji naturally opened the door to his room.

"Master, please come in."

"Mmm, ah, oh..."

Emiya sensed that something was amiss.

“Now, please allow me to serve you, sir…”

Chunji closed the door and spoke softly.

"Wait a minute... Chun Ji, you mean serving?"

Emiya's expression was somewhat puzzling.

"I am now the master's maid."

Chunji blushed and said, "Let's start with a bath, Master. Let me help you undress..."

Before anyone could stop her, the fox-girl leaned forward, gently resting beside Emiya. She reached out and unbuttoned the boy's shirt, and then—

"The master's collarbone and muscles, oh, oh ho..."

Steam billowed from Chun Ji's head as she spun around, then swayed and fainted.

At least, the goddess's blessing won't take effect immediately today.

112

Chapter 112: Cooking Exchange Meeting.

Good morning, Shirou.

"Good morning, Ryu, Lunova, and Demeter."

Early in the morning, Emiya woke up to the faint sunlight and the chirping of birds. After a quick wash, he went downstairs.

He heard the sounds of girls doing their morning exercises, so he also came to the courtyard behind the tavern.

As usual, Ryu and Lunova started their morning exercise early. Under Ryu's influence, Lunova, who had previously been somewhat lazy, also developed the habit of getting up early to practice boxing.

Runova nimbly leaped and bounced around a training dummy, throwing punches as she moved; both her fists were deadly weapons.

His body was as light as a swan, his fists as sharp as bee stings, and his hand guards struck the body of the copper dummy again and again, producing dull thuds.

Beads of sweat danced on her fair skin, and her chestnut hair swayed with the rhythm of her breath. Lunova's training intensity far exceeded that of Ryu. Clearly, Lunova believed that as the pursuer, she should put in more effort.

"After upgrading to Lv.5, the same level as the useless fairy, I'll just lie down and give up..."

This is what Lunova thinks now.

Liu maintained her training rhythm, steadily swinging her wooden sword, again and again—after acquiring the [Red Spider Lily] and [Return of the Swallow], the [Wooden Sword Spirit Flowing Light] became her dedicated training weapon.

The weapons and magic of the old era, along with the "Wind of Light," began a long period of being relegated to the sidelines.

Ryu and Lunova were doing their usual morning lessons, but this morning the courtyard was a little different from usual, because there was an additional goddess there.

The goddess Demeter is holding a blue water jug ​​and watering the plants in the courtyard.

Behind the "Abundant Mistress" is a flower shop, which Emiya only learned yesterday was originally owned by the Demeter Familia.

The main business of the Demeter family was crop cultivation. In addition to agricultural products such as wheat, vegetables and fruits, silk, flowers and tobacco were also important pillars of the Demeter family's economy.

With the guidance of Demeter, the goddess of harvest, the Demeter clan's farming techniques are among the best in the world.

Most of their agricultural products are supplied to the city, while other products are exported overseas, making them an important source of trade surplus for the Labyrinth City.

Unlike typical combat or production-oriented clans, the chief deity and members of the Demeter clan do not always live together.

The Demeter Familia's nominal "headquarters" is the [McGarden] in the north of Orario, but in fact their main bases are all outside Orario, and they also have a large number of businesses outside the headquarters in the city - all kinds of shops.

Because [Swiftwind] was unwilling to leave the [Abundant Mistress] tavern (and the guild staff didn't dare to make any requests to Boss Mia), for the sake of convenience for both parties, Demeter moved here on her own initiative.

It just so happens that it's harvest season right now, and most of the Demeter Familia members are busy in the fields outside the city. The [Wheat House] is empty, but the tavern is much more lively.

The tavern and the flower shop's courtyards were adjacent, and after watering her own garden, Demeter naturally came over there.

Coincidentally, besides Ryu, another important friend of the goddess Demeter from the [Fertile Mistress] tavern is also there.

"Shirou, do you know that Lunova is 'my' child?"

Demeter looked at the human girl sweating profusely and spoke in a somewhat smug tone.

Lunova paused for a moment, then said in a tone that was somewhat dissatisfied, yet also a little coquettish, "It's just a temporary affiliation."

Emiya seemed somewhat surprised, and Ryu's ears twitched as well.

Demeter is indeed the chief goddess of Lunova, but Lunova is not a member of Demeter's Familia.

Runova's contract with Demeter was purely by chance—to work as a bounty hunter in Orario, one must regularly update their [ability stats]. When Runova was searching for a suitable faction, she happened to meet Demeter on the road, and she immediately offered herself up.

Demeter was slow-paced and kind; even Runova could tell at a glance that she was a true goddess, and very easy to talk to.

Demeter agreed to Lunova's request and imprinted her divine blood on her back, but the two were only in a relationship of updating [ability values] - the contract Lunova made allowed her to convert to another religion at any time.

Although she intended to grant any request Demeter made in return, the goddess of abundance always treated Lunova with a smile and never made any demands.

However, today, Lunova witnessed the wicked side of the goddess Demeter.

"Just recently, I formally invited Lunova to join the Demeter Familia."

The goddess said, "Then, Lunova said—"

Runova's alarm bells rang, and she stopped moving: "Wait, wait! Lady Demeter?!"

“'I’m doing some turbulent work. I’m constantly fighting with people, bathed in blood…'”

The goddess repeated what Lunova had said.

"Goo," the girl made that sound instantly.

The goddess Demeter imitated Lunova's expression at that time, revealing a resolute look in her eyes:

"My hands are already completely dirty."

"Ugh..."

Runova crouched on the ground, covering her head, so ashamed she wanted to roll around on the floor.

Runova didn't feel anything was wrong with saying such things in front of Demeter, the goddess who had always lived a peaceful and tranquil life.

But right now, among those present is [Swift Wind].

In terms of kill count, battles experienced, and darkness traversed, Lunova is utterly insignificant compared to [Swift Wind].

It was like a greenhorn trying to act tough in front of a triad boss.

Lunova: "I killed twenty people, and my hands are stained with blood."

Ryu: "Oh, twenty? What about yesterday?"

What's even more awkward than the awkwardness itself is that Lunova, who once spoke those words as someone "stained with darkness and blood," is now peacefully washing dishes in a tavern...

Looking at the sunken Lunova, the goddess Demeter playfully stuck out her tongue: "Just a little revenge. I was very sad when Lunova rejected me."

Today is a day off, and the tavern is even busier than usual. Owner Mia is personally working in the kitchen.

The only people who were not busy were Emiya and the goddess Demeter—the flower shop didn't have many customers during the normal season, and members of Demeter's family were also minding the shop, so the goddess had nothing to do.

Like most of the gods in this labyrinthine city.

Since Emiya was off work today and could help look after the goddess, Ryu was also pulled into the shop by Mia's mother to help out.

"Shirou, I heard from Lunova that you are very good at cooking."

Demeter said, "Would you be interested in hosting a culinary exchange with me? My clan has many unique recipes..."

113

Chapter 113 The Emiya Family's Meal Today, Part Two.

Emiya had no intention of refusing the invitation from the goddess Demeter.

Demeter's suggestion of a "cooking exchange" struck a chord with him. Emiya didn't have many hobbies, and cooking was one of them.

Therefore, in the tavern 【The Abundant Mistress】, besides Ryu, Seele, Anya, Lunova, and Chloe, the cat-woman cook, Miss Mei, was the closest to him.

Emiya taught the other party how to make various Eastern dishes, and also learned some of the special dishes of the cat people.

Demeter is the goddess of harvest, and it can be said that in the current Orario, she is the deity most closely associated with the concept of "cooking".

After all, Hestia, the Goddess of the Hearth, has not yet been born—of course, Emiya doesn't know whether the Goddess of the Hearth is good at cooking or not.

However, Emiya quickly confirmed that the goddess Demeter was indeed very skilled at cooking.

"These are vegetable pies and cookies for appetizers, the only downside is that I had leftovers from last night."

Even without much exercise, and without gaining weight from eating sweets before dinner, these goddesses are the envy of ordinary women.

The two desserts were a tomato pie made with vegetables instead of apples, and wheat cookies.

The tomatoes in the sweet pie tasted as sweet as strawberries, while the wheat biscuits were infused with chopped herbs, which further enhanced their aroma.

"It was delicious."

Emiya said, "It's a wonderful 'home-cooked meal'."

Upon hearing the boy's assessment, Demeter's eyes lit up slightly: "Shirou, you really are able to appreciate this."

The goddess Demeter has a special pursuit when it comes to cooking. She doesn't deliberately make the exquisite, beautiful, delicious, and standard dishes found in taverns and restaurants, but rather prefers more "ordinary" home cooking.

"Because I live in a tavern, I'm more sensitive to this."

Emiya said:

“Even the exact same recipe can taste different when made in a pub, a food shop, or at home.”

"Just like the cookies made by the goddess Demeter, if they were to be sold, they would have to be baked drier so they could last longer; vanilla would have to be reduced, and sugar added directly, making the process simpler and lowering costs; the cookies would have a rougher exterior, but the nutritious whole wheat kernels would have to be removed; the shape would have to be standardized, and molds should be used..."

"Doing it this way will also bake very delicious cookies, but they will be completely different from what we have now."

"Most importantly, the food you make is a product, and the feeling is completely different from making food for your own family."

Demeter, beaming, brewed a cup of black tea. Emiya, accepting the tea, felt relaxed thanks to this warmth.

"Shirou, you really understand me. When you're making food, do you feel the same way I do?"

Demeter smiled gently.

"correct."

The goddess Demeter clapped her hands gently, thinking of that lovely elf girl. She looked at Emiya and blinked.

"Let me teach you a dish that the elves love the most~"

With the guidance and assistance of the goddess Demeter, Emiya completed the making of the "Forest Cake".

The cake's base is made with glutinous rice instead of regular bread, with less white sugar used and Demeter's homemade osmanthus liqueur added. Only a thin layer of cream is laid on top, followed by a generous amount of fruit.

Finally, spread a special jam with a fragrant herbal aroma and sprinkle with some sweet vanilla flakes.

This is the "Forest Cake" that elves love. Demeter's recipe comes from an elf girl in her kin who loves desserts.

"Everyone has their own tastes. Among the elves, there are those who like high-calorie meats, fried foods, and even spicy flavors. However, overall, elves prefer a light diet, especially 'sweet' flavors."

Thus spoke the goddess Demeter.

Emiya took a bite of the cake: "It's a bit bland for my taste."

As a dessert, the "Forest Cake" seems to have too little sugar. Its flavor mainly comes from the fragrance of glutinous rice, the subtle sweetness of osmanthus wine, and the delicate special jam.

For Emiya, this level of sweetness was a bit too subtle, but for those who like this gentle flavor, especially most elves, this "forest cake" is a rare delicacy.

"Take half of this back to the tavern and let Ryu-chan try it. She'll be very happy."

Demeter said.

"Hmm... speaking of which, elves really do like green."