Matou Mansion!
Dining Room!
"Irisviel, are you sure your cooking skills are good?"
Medusa looked at the black substance before her, her eyelids twitching.
After dealing with Gilles,
Ayato and Medusa had returned to the mansion, just in time for Irisviel wanting to showcase her culinary skills.
At first, they had some expectations.
After all, Irisviel was full of confidence.
And although her driving was a bit scary, no accident had actually happened.
Overall, she seemed quite reliable.
But looking at the dark cuisine before them, even Artoria fell silent.
Sakura's face paled. "No way. Eating that will definitely kill us."
Artoria agreed. "Irisviel, you should probably stay out of the kitchen from now on."
"Huh?"
Irisviel couldn't believe it. On the verge of tears, she said, "Ayato-sama, what do you think?"
"Well, you need more practice."
Ayato said tactfully. "So, for dinner tonight, Medusa should cook."
Artoria and Sakura's eyes immediately lit up.
Compared to Irisviel, Medusa's cooking was at the level of a master chef.
Especially in contrast, it was elevated to divine-level cuisine.
Irisviel said crossly, "How can even Ayato-sama say that? I was so confident."
'Having confidence and being a culinary idiot were not mutually exclusive.'
Taking one look at the black smoke rising from the dish, everyone silently complained in their hearts.
Being able to make such dark cuisine was, in a way, also a talent.
"I can cook."
Medusa suddenly stood up from her seat and leaned close to Ayato.
"But the battle earlier used up quite a bit of my magical energy."
Her tone was very serious.
"Replenishing. I need replenishing."
Though her face was flushed, she was incredibly determined.
Powerful, handsome, appreciative of her… She felt Ayato was the perfect Master.
"Okay."
Hearing this, Ayato did not hesitate.
When someone was so forward, there was no reason to refuse.
He cupped Medusa's pretty face in his hands and leaned down slightly.
"Mmm..."
Medusa's pupils contracted.
'Master's magical energy was so warm.'
"H-How shameless."
Artoria quickly covered Sakura's eyes with both hands, her own eyes wide open.
Replenishing was just too bold.
For some reason, Artoria felt her face burning.
"You're surprisingly innocent."
Irisviel's expression was gentle. "You are also Ayato-sama's Servant. If you're low on magical energy, you can request replenishing too."
"I-I would never."
Artoria refused firmly, but her eyes were fixed on Ayato's lips.
"What are you talking about?"
Sakura said innocently. "Artoria-nee, can you let go now?"
"No, wait a bit longer."
"Okay."
A moment later,
Medusa stepped back.
She breathed softly, as if out of breath, her skin taking on a faint pink hue.
'The legendary monster was indeed different.'
Ayato looked at her dazed expression and gave an internal thumbs-up.
Finally, Medusa came back to her senses. Feeling the surrounding gazes, her body trembled.
'I... I was so bold.'
'What happened to my reserve?'
'How did I inexplicably make such a request?'
'And this guy, couldn't he refuse?'
'But if he had refused, wouldn't that have been even more embarrassing?'
"Since Master has replenished me, I'll prepare the meal for you all."
Tilting her head up in feigned composure, Medusa walked toward the kitchen with a somewhat stiff body.
Ayato watched her back and smiled. "If you need it again, feel free to ask me anytime."
"After all, replenishing servants is a Master's duty."
Medusa stumbled, but walked even faster.
"Oh my, Medusa is quite innocent too."
Watching this, Irisviel showed a knowing smile.
On the other side, Artoria finally lowered her hands with stiff movements.
For her, that had been quite an impactful scene.
Replenishing...
Of course she knew what it meant.
'If I was low on magical energy, would Master do the same?'
'But if that happened, what should I do?'
'Refuse?'
'That wouldn't be good – it would be for my own benefit.'
'But if I didn't refuse...'
Remembering Ayato's earlier words about wanting to date, her face grew even redder.
"What happened?"
Sakura raised an eyebrow, her expression confused.
'Why did the atmosphere feel strange?'
"Sakura, you'll understand when you're older."
Irisviel patted Sakura's hair, smiling.
"Sakura is not a child."
Sakura pouted. "Soon, I will also become Devil Uncle's wife, just like you sisters."
Artoria: "..."
Irisviel: "..."
'What kind of nonsense were children thinking these days?'
"Hmph, Sakura is serious."
Sakura said crossly, then pushed aside Irisviel's hand and turned to walk toward her room.
Elsewhere,
Ayato was also stunned for a moment, then thoughtfully stroked his chin.
'As expected of you, Sakura. That's a very ambitious goal. I approve.'
"Master, don't you think your sins are heavy?"
Artoria turned her head, her expression very complicated. "You should probably talk to Sakura sometime."
"Sakura doesn't understand anything. She's just talking nonsense."
"Master, your expression clearly shows you're humoring me."
"Oh, you caught that."
"You actually admitted it! Master, can't you be reasonable?"
Artoria covered her forehead.
'This Master of mine wasn't just a Devil.'
'He was a thorough, utter bastard.'
'Medusa was right about everything.'
'Wait!'
'He had never actually denied it, had he?'
Seeing Artoria like this, Ayato couldn't help but find it amusing.
'Teasing Saber like this was quite fun.'
Suddenly, Ayato's expression sharpened.
"Master, someone is coming."
Artoria's body straightened up. "One, two, no, many. How can there be so many Servants?"
A flicker of confusion appeared in her eyes.
"Regardless, tonight is certainly lively."
Ayato smiled. "It seems the commotion I caused earlier has made many people restless."