Trump Card

“Actually, that guy loves your cooking, Fee. If we can get him to eat some, it’ll definitely create an opening. Will you help me?”

When I had approached Fee with that request, she hadn't suspected a thing. She simply set to work preparing her Substance X—er, her "cooking"—exactly as I’d asked.

If she had stopped to think for even a second, she would have realized that no one stops for a meal in the middle of a life-or-death struggle, no matter how much they might like the food. But she didn't, and just as planned, she lay in wait, concealing her presence until the Empire’s First was finally restrained.

He didn't seem to notice her at all. She simply stepped out and fed him her latest creation.

At first, the situation seemed strange. The man’s expression flickered with surprise for a moment, but he quickly forced a fearless smirk.

“Poison? Hah. Status Ailments don't work on a man like me—” He stopped mid-sentence. “Gah!”

The Empire’s First turned pale instantly.

Because he was bound, he couldn't even drop to his knees properly. He clearly wanted to spit the stuff out, but my Earth Magic wouldn't even allow him to open his jaw. In the end, he had no choice but to swallow.

◇　◆　◇

Even against our ultimate trump card—a weapon that had once taken Ram down in a single hit—the Empire’s First was holding on. If he could still fight after that, then we truly were out of options.

“What on earth… did you do to me…?”

He finally managed to shake off the restraints, but he was on his knees now, his body clearly pushed to its limit. At the very least, it looked like we’d dealt some massive damage.

“Do you really think I’d tell you?” I replied. “This is my Ultimate Weapon specifically for dealing with the Empire’s First.”

“I see… You really are a man who cannot be underestimated.”

He gave a wry, almost enjoying smile, and sheathed his sword.

“It is my loss. Kill me and be done with it.”

“No, I have no reason to kill you. More importantly, does this mean you’ll let us through?”

“Of course. As the loser, I have no right to object. I shall follow your lead in all things.”

With that, the Empire’s First fell into step beside us as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

What is it with these people? I wondered. Is there some unspoken rule in the Empire that you have to join the party of whoever beats you?

If that was the case, then all the guys I’d defeated until now… I felt like there were some people who called themselves Double Digits or something back then, and there were plenty of others I’d knocked out without even realizing it. I didn't exactly want a growing entourage of people who go around attacking strangers; that sounded like a recipe for trouble.

Still, we had officially broken through the greatest barrier on the road to the Empire. I was ready to get moving again, but for some reason, Fee remained rooted to the spot.

“Fee? Is something wrong?”

“...It was.”

“Hmm? Did you say something?”

“You said he liked my cooking… That was a lie, wasn't it?”

“Ah…”

Even if it was the only way to stop the Empire’s First, I started to feel a pang of guilt for deceiving her.

“A-Ah, well, you see… it’s a matter of perspective? Or a figure of speech?”

“I know the truth now. My cooking is so bad that even Ram couldn't stomach it.”

“Food? I’ll eat, baaa!”

Enticed by the word “cooking,” Ram trotted over, drooling. Had she already forgotten that Fee’s food had literally put her in the hospital?

“What, you want some?” I asked. “Is there any left?”

“...There is,” Fee said softly.

“Yay, baaa! I’ll dig in!”

Fee pulled out the remaining Substance X, and Ram began to devour it with terrifying gusto.

“It’s a bit intense, but it’s very delicious, baaa!”

“I was forced to eat… that?” the Empire’s First muttered, his face turning several shades of green as he watched Ram eat.

“Ram… thank you,” Fee whispered. “I’ll work even harder to make it more and more delicious from now on!”

“Wait, what?!”

Ram’s enthusiasm had reignited Fee’s motivation, but that raised a terrifying question: were we going to be the ones forced to eat her “improved” recipes? I felt a cold chill of anxiety.

“Yuri-sama, Ram, and the white person… you all love Fee’s cooking.”

Fee made the declaration with absolute, terrifying certainty.

“Wait, me too?” the Empire’s First asked, his voice trembling.

I’m not letting you escape this alone. I flashed him a smile, making sure he could hear my inner voice loud and clear. “That’s right. First loves Fee’s cooking, doesn't he?”

“Kugh… Is this also a trial I must endure to become stronger?”

The Empire’s First hung his head in silence. I personally felt like strength had absolutely nothing to do with this, but I wasn't about to correct him.

“Oh, right! Emilina, Fritz, you guys should try some too—”

“Sorry,” Fritz cut in instantly. “I’ve always had a weak stomach for… intense flavors.”

“My diet is strictly regulated by the Church, unfortunately,” Luna added smoothly.

“I can’t handle anything with a strong smell…”

After everyone else turned her down, it was decided that only I, First, and Ram would be “enjoying” Fee’s culinary journey.

“So good, baaa… Thud.”

Ram, who had been mid-bite, suddenly collapsed onto the grass.

“There is still a little left. Yuri-sama should have some too.”

Fee slowly approached me. She was smiling, but I could practically see a demonic aura looming behind her.

“W-Wait! Let’s talk about thi— Mmph?!”

Substance X was shoved into my mouth.

In that instant, the world began to spin. My vision blurred, and I was swept away by a strangely pleasant sensation of floating into the abyss.