There was no doubt now. The power of Genshin Cuisine had reached the point where it could shake the current potion market to its core.
It could even impact Orario's food industry as a whole.
Of course, for now, it wasn't enough to completely overturn both markets.
Because,
"Food is food. Its ingredients and finished form can only be stored for three to five days at most."
"And it's not exactly easy to carry around."
Obviously, the only reason I can stash away huge piles of Genshin dishes until the end of time… is because Paimon's space backpack is brokenly overpowered.
After all, in Teyvat, even the slightest bump during a delivery quest was enough to make the food go GG.
Dishes there had to be handled like fragile gemstones.
And more importantly,
"Cooking is just a hobby of mine. I don't plan on becoming a full-time chef."
Inside the Twilight Manor's kitchen, Lumine spread her hands and shrugged lightly, making her intentions clear.
Tione and the others nodded silently.
Indeed, if anyone else had this ability, their Familia's god would probably force them to specialize in it as a side business. After all, it was a talent that could bring enormous profit.
But Lumine was different.
The record-breaking speed at which the Twin Stars had leveled up was proof enough of her terrifying talent as an adventurer.
Honestly, whether it's her main skill in combat or her "side job" in market expansion, she's enviable on every front.
And right now, there was another practical point,
"Since Lumine is joining the expedition… doesn't that mean we'll get to eat her super-tasty meat in the Dungeon too?"
"Yay~!"
Tiona blurted out the obvious key point.
Of course, with her simple head and straightforward personality, she only cared about the deliciousness.
Tione, however,
"If we can replace some non-emergency elixirs with these dishes, we'll save a huge amount of expedition funds."
"And with the savings, we could even buy more magic swords to boost our combat strength."
Her thoughts were clearly much more thorough.
That's perfect. It indirectly pushes forward Renjiro's win-win plan.
So,
That very afternoon, with Lumine's approval, Tione and the others took her to meet Captain Finn.
Coincidentally, the Big Three and Loki herself were in the top-floor conference room, deep in discussions about the upcoming expedition three days later. None had eaten lunch yet.
Seizing the chance, the three leaders and one goddess set aside their work to join the group in the kitchen, where they tried Lumine's Genshin dishes for themselves.
The result,
"Wow, this is sooo yummy, kawaii little Lumine-tan, you should totally switch Familia and join, oof!"
DUANG~
Loki had barely launched herself into a flying tackle when Ais casually smacked her on the back of the head, knocking her face-first into the floor.
Her leg twitched like a frog hooked up to an electric current.
…Yeah, Ais was way too used to this.
Now at Level 5, she'd long since perfected the art of hitting Loki hard enough to stop her antics, but not enough to get her banished back to Heaven.
"So painful, Ais-tan~"
"That's your own fault."
Loki, teary-eyed, dragged herself upright, but Riveria was merciless, cutting her down with a cold remark.
Yep. Totally a goddess with zero dignity →_→
The truth was clear to everyone, including Lumine. Despite being a goddess, Loki was, at her core, a shameless SP veteran. She lived for skinship with pretty girls. That tackle had been a blatant attempt to grope Lumine.
Luckily, Ais's predator radar had been honed for years. She shut Loki down on instinct, saving Lumine from being pounced.
Meanwhile,
"Mhm. This steak really is top quality."
The dwarf Gareth gave Lumine a big thumbs up. "Perfect to pair with my treasured fire-wine."
And hearing that praise,
"Lumine sometimes makes a kind that glows! It tastes even better than this, like, way, way better!"
Tiona bounced in place, clutching Lumine's shoulders like a proud kid showing off her favorite toy.
"…Mm."
Even the perpetually stoic Ais nodded once, confirming it.
Lefiya said nothing, but the reflexive swallow in her throat spoke volumes.
Seeing even the normally indifferent elf maiden react that way only deepened Finn's curiosity.
Unfortunately,
"So it only appears by chance?"
"Then no. We can't waste ingredients just for novelty."
Riveria's strict verdict came as expected, dousing Loki and Tiona's excitement like a bucket of cold water.
Later…
After personally verifying the restorative effect of Lumine's Mushroom Chicken Skewers, comparable to elixirs, Finn made the call.
They would reduce their elixir stock slightly and formally commission Lumine to prepare special dishes during the expedition.
Of course, he had no intention of making her work for free. Afterward, the Twin Stars' share of loot would be raised accordingly.
Anyone who tasted and benefited from Lumine's cooking wouldn't object.
And so the matter was swiftly settled.
================
"Where should we go this afternoon?" asked Tiona.
"I want to train. Can't let my body grow dull," said Ais.
"In that case, how about a mock battle? I've always wanted to spar with the Sword Princess," Lumine suggested.
"…Mm. I'm fine with that."
"M-Me too!"
"Lefiya, you're a mage. Are you sure you won't be at a disadvantage?"
"Uuuh…"
And so, after lunch, the girls stayed at Twilight Manor, heading to the gardens for some light sparring.
Meanwhile, upstairs,
"Loki, what do you think about that special cooking?" Finn asked.
"You already made your decision. Just follow through," Loki waved dismissively, clearly unconcerned.
But Riveria cut in smoothly, "What Finn means is, could the food have been tampered with?"
She stood by the window, watching Lumine spar with Ais in the courtyard. Her tone was serious.
"The Dungeon's deeper floors are filled with lethal dangers. Even we could lose our lives at any moment. If most of us were incapacitated from within…"
"That possibility can't be ignored."
Gareth nodded. "Still, I doubt that little lass has such intentions."
"I feel the same."
Riveria's voice was steady. "Lumine truly does seem different from the others in Freya Familia. Still, for Ais's sake, we elders should remain vigilant."
"…You're right," Finn agreed softly. "As long as Ais and the others can make trustworthy friends, that's what matters most. Our role is to watch from the shadows and support them, without interfering in their own judgment."
At that,
"That flirtatious goddess Freya doesn't bother with subtle tricks," Loki interjected lazily.
"If she wanted to take us down, she'd crush us head-on instead."
Her eyes, usually half-closed, opened slightly, flashing sharp with rare seriousness.
"And with a talent like Lumine's? Throwing her away as a pawn would be sheer stupidity. Freya isn't that dumb."
What Loki didn't say outright was this:
Especially this time… Freya's attitude toward these two children is unprecedented. The odds of a hidden plot are even lower.
For all her antics and lack of dignity within her Familia, Loki was still one of the few deities in Orario who could stand on equal footing with Freya, without needing any special "soul-seeing" cheats.
To mistake her frivolous exterior for weakness…
That would be true arrogance, and a fatal mistake.
==========
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