Iron Chicken Chef (after battle)
……
Nay, what manner of foul trickery is this?! The number has gone down whilst the judge has yet to even touch his dish!
<He says it's not even worth evaluating since what you said of it scared away his appetite…>
That's a few more syllables than what the owner spoke, isn't it?
Right he is! May this rejection be revoked!!
<H-Hold it! Let me ask you guys this first!>
<Have any of you even tasted this thing?>
……
……
……
……
<You can't just feed others things you haven't tried yourselves, we're trying to please someone here!>
Mggrrr… Clockface's got a point, I have to admit. Who wants to try this?
The tension was thicker than when we were preparing for battle.
…I urge you not to look at me with such eyes…
Permit me! If my sacrifice helpeth to unfurl the wickedness of the world…!
Don Quixote shut her eyes tight.
Bugger all! Someone just get the damn stuff in their jaw!
Heathcliff grabbed a lump out of the serving and shoved it into the nearest person's mouth…
……
Meursault stood completely still at the unexpected taste test.
<Did that kill him on the spot?>
I swear upon mine honor that I have done nothing to cause troubles this time. If Sir Vergilius is ever to ask who was responsible…
Meursault turned to Heathcliff, very slowly.
The…
The… What?
The dressing is erroneous overall; failure to properly cook the chicken has resulted in a residual stench of blood and other unpleasant odors; the sauce is too thick to bring out a deep flavor; the inconsistent cuts of the meat contribute to the serving's inability to rouse one's appetite.
I… Have you gone loony? That what you have to say?
Non.
I have not finished.
The seasons and spices are a complete disaster, and the taste in my mouth is even worse than plaster. Lacking sugar, you tossed two and a half spoons of butter, and the end result simply belongs right in the gutter.
I… I am… quite sorry…
Yi Sang. I must ask if you aim to throng my teeth and prong my tongue by cooking wrong - seeing as this plate's a headstrong lens to ding-dong notions of what food is to you all along.
…I have not one excuse.
One bloody moment, is he… possessed by something or?
Most people were unable to accept my point when I elaborated on my statements in detail.
Because of that, I have not bothered to expand upon them until now.
Additionally…
I know, why don't we let Meursault take charge this time!
Hong Lu swiftly made a suggestion with a shower of claps to break the frigid tension before his turn to be condemned came around.
We'll help you with everything you need!
…I do not prefer to have assistants around.
Fret not! We shan't disappoint you!
Don Quixote bravely exclaimed, rolling up her sleeves.
Hmm… Cooking is not my specialty, but if you so insist, I will readily attempt it.
<L - Let's have a look at Ryōshū's team, then.>
While there was a spectacle occurring on Gregor's team, the air had grown tense among Ryōshū's crew.
B - But…
How in the Wings' names am I supposed to make food that's both salty and clean, sweet but not too sugary, and lightly cooked but somehow also crispy!
Sinclair yelled, throwing the apron he had been wearing to the floor.
I can't do this anymore! I guess Ishmael was right, beating Heathcliff at arm wrestling is gonna be easier than this!
That - That was a joke…
Statistically speaking, it is as likely as Sinclair's height increasing by five centimeters in just one week; in other words, a nigh impossib -
Shut up already! It's all the same!!!
How weak, you cannot withstand a few criticisms and come whining like the pathetic soldier you are.
If you're so darn sure of yourself, Outis… W-Why don't you do it yourself then?
As courageous as his rebuttal was, his eyes were shut tight.
…You leave me no choice.
Out of my way, stragglers. It's about time someone led this troop.
In a series of turbulent events I didn't fully catch, Meursault took up Gregor's culinary antennae and toque blanche.
The kitchen grew busy as Gregor's Sinners moved according to Meursault's order.
Behold, Meursault! I have carved this one into the adorable shape of a star…
Potatoes should be cut into square pieces so that they may be evenly cooked on all sides.
Nevertheless…!!
Square shapes. Five centimeters.
……
Meursault looked more charismatic than ever with the mantle of head chef upon his shoulders.
Eh, whatever. A chicken's a chicken, it can only be so special.
Who knows, that lost recipe of his might've been all superficial stuff like "one spoon of earnestness and three scoops of effort", 'ne?
Oho~ So this is how you cook potatoes~
What the… Ya thought they harvested baked potatoes out in the fields?
Taking me for a fool, aren't you…!
Obviously, ripe potatoes fall from their trees when the time is right.
……
Pft, I was just kidding, Heathcliff.
Oh? What are you planning to do with that tenderizer -
A serene flower has blossomed on this yam. Ah, so a bud can indeed bloom even upon this barren ground.
That is a sign that the potato is poisonous; it must be disposed of immediately. Don Quixote, confiscate it.
Righty-ho!!!
Ah… Please do not do such…
Burnt things are significant in their own ways. In truth, the state of being "burnt" may as well be an imaginary concept defined by man when the essence of an object has remained unchanged.
"Burnt" refers to the condition in which a food item is discolored beyond a certain degree and produces an acrid smell after prolonged exposure to high heat.
And this one has burnt to its core. It is only right to discard it as long-term consumption of burnt food can negatively impact the body.
How regrettable…
Meursault became a ruthless chef, while Yi Sang remained mostly unhelpful.
Heathcliff was peeling ingredients at a surprisingly brisk pace.
Don't gab at me. It'll ruin my focus.
Knives are a luxury. A real pauper can peel any spud with nothing more than a metal spoon.
……
This gets a pass. You are rewarded extra points for the expertise displayed in your aslant strokes.
That's class!!!!
Watch closely. You need to employ a wide variety of ingredients. Being a picky eater is what's stunted your growth.
I… I can still get taller from here…!
…I think.
Also, an unbalanced diet is the reason why your hair's turned all grey.
Faust has… always had…
Your hands in particular have become coarse and rough for the same reason.
Excuse me? This is because of all the work I did aboard the ship!
Me next, Outis! What about me? What's the diagnosis?
Don't yell frivolously like that! You're being a distraction!