Chapter 428: Gurefia, and the New World Yakumo Yukari Discovered
When Yuuka Kazami watched Yakumo Yukari emerge from the kitchen, the corner of her mouth lifted into a faint, knowing smile. She had a fairly good idea of what had just transpired. It seemed the mischievous youkai had been put in her place. The dazed, almost vacant look on her face was, admittedly, quite amusing.
After Yakumo Yukari drifted back to her seat, she stared at the still-impassive Yuuka, an involuntary twitch at the corner of her eye. "Yuuka," she began, her voice a low murmur, "did you already know about the Shopkeeper's true strength?"
Yukari had expected a coy denial, a playful sidestep. Instead, Yuuka simply nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. A long, weary sigh escaped Yukari's lips. "Goodness... that is a truly terrifying level of power."
Yuuka's brow furrowed slightly. "Did you attempt to fight Ren?"
"No! Of course not! Am I that sort of person?" Yukari protested, a little too quickly. "I merely wanted to... cool down your flower tea. But I was caught, and then... well, after a series of events, the Shopkeeper offered me a drink."
Yuuka's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint within them. "Cool down my flower tea?"
"Uh... yes. Well, this Mojito looks absolutely delicious," Yukari deflected, quickly grabbing the glass. She took a sip, and her eyes immediately lit up. The crisp, cool wave of mint and lime washed over her, a refreshing shock to her senses. "Oh my," she said, genuinely surprised, "it really is exquisite!"
"Then be quiet."
"I'm now truly looking forward to the Owner's cooking!"
For once, at Yuuka's command, Yakumo Yukari actually fell silent. She settled back in her chair, sipping her drink and observing her surroundings with a newfound caution. When she wasn't actively plotting some mischief, Yukari was an undeniably beautiful woman, a picture of grace and elegance. But only a fool would dare approach her based on appearances alone.
"Hmm? What is that aroma...?"
Just then, a rich, savory fragrance wafted from the kitchen. A moment later, Ren appeared, pushing a dining cart before him. Yuuka nodded to herself, recognizing the familiar, comforting scent.
"For you, Miss Kazami," Ren announced, his voice smooth and professional. "Your flower tea, the botamochi, and the sunflower seed cake. The salted cherry blossoms are on the tea tray."
Yuuka acknowledged him with a slight nod. Yakumo Yukari, however, watched Ren with a look of keen anticipation.
Ren smiled. "Thank you for your patience, Miss Yakumo. Here is your Beef Wellington, served with a side of asparagus. It's ready to be enjoyed. And to accompany it, a Château Lafite. Please, enjoy your meal."
Yukari's gaze fell upon the plate before her. The Beef Wellington was a masterpiece, its golden-brown pastry shell steaming gently. Beside it lay a vibrant green bundle of perfectly cooked asparagus. She took a deep breath, and the enticing aroma filled her senses, a complex display of baked pastry, savory meat, and rich herbs.
She watched as Yuuka began her ritual, skillfully scalding her cup with hot water before pouring the flower tea. Yukari found it curious—why go through such a complicated process for a tea that was already so fragrant? But her question was answered the moment the floral scent bloomed from the cup, far richer and more deep than before. She was momentarily stunned by the sheer aromatic intensity.
Yuuka took a delicate sip and nodded, her expression one of quiet satisfaction. It was as mellow and delicious as ever. She then uncovered the exquisite sunflower cake and botamochi, beginning to eat at an unhurried, graceful pace.
For a moment, Yukari found herself captivated by the sheer artistry of Yuuka's meal. It was almost too beautiful to eat, a perfect arrangement of color and form that promised an equally perfect taste.
However, she quickly shook herself from her reverie. Her own meal was waiting. Turning her attention to the Beef Wellington, which emitted a completely different but no less alluring aroma, she picked up her knife and fork. With an elegant motion, she sliced into the pastry.
The cross-section revealed a masterful construction. She could see the distinct, perfect layers: a delicate, flaky crust giving way to a dark, savory layer of prosciutto and mushroom duxelles, all encasing a core of perfectly medium-rare beef. The center was a beautiful, tender pink, glistening with juices that began to seep into the rich sauce as she cut. The crispy crust curled upwards ever so slightly where the knife had passed. Yukari couldn't help but swallow.
The baked pastry had a rich, buttery flavor, its golden crust giving way to the dark brown, earthy layer of ham and mushrooms. Inside, the pink steak was tender and succulent. The colors were as vibrant as the taste was complex.
The texture was a revelation. The mushroom duxelles were surprisingly smooth and delicate, a perfect counterpoint to the impossibly tender steak and the crisp, shattering pastry. Each element combined to create an astonishingly dynamic experience in her mouth.
A wave of flavor washed over her palate—the rich, umami depth of the mushrooms, the saltiness of the ham, the buttery pastry, and the deep, beefy essence of the tenderloin, all harmonizing into a single, perfect chord. The meat juices, the sauce, the warmth—it all mingled into an experience that swept through her senses. One bite was all it took to fall completely in love.
Yukari was stunned. She had never, in her long existence, tasted anything so utterly delicious.
She didn't know why, but instead of immediately taking another bite, her hand moved on its own, lifting the glass of red wine to her lips. She took a small sip. The top-tier Lafite, with its own complex notes, met the exquisite flavor of the Wellington. It wasn't a clash, but a perfect collaboration, each one elevating the other. In her heart, only one word remained: enjoyment.
This was the ultimate luxury for the palate. It could be nothing else.
Yakumo Yukari let out a soft breath. "Mr. Owner," she said, her voice filled with genuine awe, "your culinary skill is every bit as remarkable as your strength."
From across the table, Yuuka spoke softly. "Yakumo Yukari, you have rarely said something with which I so thoroughly agree."
Yukari started, looking at her with surprise. "Yuuka, is this the first time I've ever heard you praise someone?"
"Ren is the first human male to earn my admiration. That is all," Yuuka stated simply. "And Yakumo Yukari, you talk too much."
A playful smile returned to Yukari's face. She turned back to Ren and grinned. "Mr. Owner, this dish is magnificent. I finally understand why Yuuka insists on coming here every single night."
"Thank you for the compliment," Ren replied. "If you like, try a piece of the asparagus with the steak. It creates another layer of flavor."
"Oh? I look forward to it."
Following his advice, Yukari cut a small piece of asparagus and paired it with a bite of the Wellington. It was as if she had discovered a new world all over again. The already rich and fragrant dish was suddenly lifted by a fresh, clean note from the vegetable, cutting through the richness and brightening the entire experience. It was truly wonderful.
Seeing both youkai gradually fall into a comfortable silence, focused solely on their food, Ren let out a quiet sigh of relief. For a moment there, he genuinely thought a fight might break out at the dinner table.
He leaned back against the counter, speaking into the quiet air of the shop. "Looks like Tony is busy again today."
A disembodied voice, that of Lucifer, sighed in response. "If Tony didn't have Potts, I can't imagine what state he'd be in."
Ren considered this for a moment. "Tony and Potts are like two halves of a whole, just responsible for different domains. Potts is probably the only person in the world truly suited for him."
"I agree with that," Lucifer's voice replied. "By the way, Esdeath said she'll be stopping by later. She mentioned she might go catch a couple of Danger Beasts for you to use as ingredients."
Ren nodded. "That's a good idea. But Azazel really hasn't been here in a long time, has he? I was hoping to visit your world again. To see you, of course, and all those Sacred Gears... they must be fascinating!"
"You just want to collect them like toys, don't you?"
"Would it kill you not to know me so well! Still, no one from your world has come through in a while... Did something big happen?"
"Perhaps..."
...
In another world, a beautiful, silver-haired woman dressed in a maid's combat uniform frowned, the distant shouts of battle echoing from outside her room. The next moment, another maid entered, bowing her head. "Lady Gurefia," she said softly, "fighting has broken out on the front line again."
"Understood."
The maid nodded, retrieved her lady's weapon, and departed. Gurefia stared at the cold stone floor and sighed, a deep weariness in her eyes. 'Endless war... when will it ever end...?'
With that thought, she rose and walked out of the room. The Silver-Haired Queen of Annihilation—a name that inspired equal parts reverence and terror in the armies of both the Old Satan Faction and the reformers—once again descended upon the battlefield.
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