The Big Eating Contest

“Lucille, perfect timing. There was something I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Mmph, whaff ifff it? Whaff did you wanna falk about?”

“Ah… never mind. It can wait until after you’re done eating.”

I couldn't understand a single word she was saying. I decided to just stand by and wait for Lucille to finish her meal.

Munch, munch, munch…

Munch, munch, munch…

The Meat Skewers were vanishing at a terrifying rate. Al and Lucille were trading sharp, measuring glances.

“You’re pretty good,” Al noted.

“Right back at you,” Lucille replied.

The two of them shared the fearless smiles of true rivals before kicking their pace into an even higher gear.

The shopkeeper was starting to look genuinely distressed by the sheer volume of consumption, so I stepped in and provided the raw ingredients myself, urging them to keep the skewers coming. Even then, the pace of eating far outstripped the speed of the Cooking. Neither of them showed any sign of slowing down.

Predictably, the spectacle began to draw a crowd. My territory citizens gathered one by one, watching the duel with growing excitement.

“Place your bets, everyone! Place your bets! Al is at 1.8, Lucille is at 2.6, and Lord Yuri is at a whopping 12.0!”

“Why am I even a target for the betting!?” I shouted.

I knew I didn't stand a chance, and I certainly didn't have the confidence to wedge myself between those two and the demonic intensity they were radiating.

“It’s more of a symbolic gesture, I suspect,” a voice said from the crowd. “I don't think anyone actually expects you to win, Lord Yuri.”

That stung. I’ve always been a bit of a sore loser.

“Fine. I’m in. Anyone else who wants a shot, step up now!”

The crowd erupted in cheers at my declaration.

◇　◇　◇

By the time we were ready to start, the roster had grown to five main participants.

Al, the Manager of the Meat Field. Lucille, the Gluttonous Demon. Yuri, the Ordinary Lord. Ram, who was technically the meat itself. Marina, the Child of the Refrigerator.

For the sake of fairness, we decided to count the massive amounts Al and Lucille had already consumed toward their final totals. I didn't have much confidence that I could exceed their current numbers, let alone their final ones, but when someone tells me I have no chance, I have to try and break my limits.

“Wait, Ram is a foul! That has to be cheating!”

“Why is it no good-me? You said anyone could join-me.”

“You have to stay in your small size, understand? If you go back to your original size, this won't even be a contest.”

“It can’t be helped-me. As long as I get to eat a lot, it’s fine-me.”

Ram shifted into a form no larger than the palm of my hand. Even so, the creature was a bottomless pit; I couldn't afford to let my guard down. Ram would likely be the one to beat for the championship.

“…Marina, why are you doing this?”

I was genuinely baffled. Marina didn't strike me as a heavy eater, yet she was standing there with a determined smile.

“Eh? Well, you said that if I win this showdown, Lord Yuri would grant me any wish, right?”

Clatter.

The audience stood up in unison, the air suddenly thick with tension.

“…I never said that.”

“Then say it now,” Marina replied, her eyes sparkling with a predatory light.

Knowing her, she probably just wants some specific Magic Tool. Aside from the Refrigerator and the Cooler, what else? A toilet? Or maybe a Rooma? We haven't set up the mass production lines for those yet, so they aren't for sale, but I suppose I wouldn't mind giving one to her.

“Fine. I won’t listen to anything unreasonable, but if it’s within my power, I’ll grant it.”

“Thank you so much. I’ll give it my all, then.”

Marina’s eyes practically glowed. Still, there’s no way she can out-eat Al, Lucille, or Ram. If the promise keeps her motivated, there’s no harm in it.

“I-I’ll do it too!!”

“Mmph. Me too.”

Elu and Luna suddenly threw their hats into the ring. They were both small eaters; they had absolutely no path to victory.

“I don't think you two can win this, you know?”

“E-Even so, there are some battles that a person just cannot lose!!” Elu declared.

“Mmph,” Luna agreed.

“I-If you’re that serious about it, I won't stop you…”

I buckled under the sheer pressure of Elu’s intensity. She gave a satisfied nod, looking pleased with herself.

“A battle, is it? Then I shall participate as well.”

First, the Former Empire's First, stepped forward. He was a man who lived for combat, and apparently, this qualified. He was dragging a protesting Lark and Gale by the scruffs of their necks.

“W-Wait, we don’t really want to—”

“…Do it.”

“Y-Yes, sir!!”

One glare from First was all it took to make Lark and Gale nod their heads in frantic, terrified agreement.

“This has turned into quite the event,” Sasha noted, stepping forward. “In that case, I will serve as the official referee.”

“Then Fee will prepare the Cooking!”

The moment Fee spoke, every single participant turned deathly pale.

I felt a chill run down my spine. Fee was already fired up; there was no stopping her now. If I didn't act, this eating contest was going to turn into a survival horror scenario.

“It’ll be a lot of work for you to do alone, Fee,” I said quickly, my voice steady despite the foreboding in my gut. “How about everyone helps out so we can get the food out faster?”

“Un! I understand!”

I had to minimize the casualties. By forcing her to work with others, I could at least limit the amount of ‘special’ dishes Fee contributed to the pile.