บท 98: Chapter 98 - Rindo's Cooking

"It's good to be back!" Leone said.

"I second that," Domino said.

After my call with Leone, I'd gone to bed then spent the next day making preparations and thinking over my plan, and then later afternoon, Leone and my other summons including my huntsman had arrived back at the palace. With the majority of the kingdom now completely safe, I could afford to bring them back and let them take a break, and I also needed them here to hear what I had to say and to meet their new fellow summons, which had led me to invite everyone, or at least everyone that could reasonably fit int a room, for dinner.

My dining room close to my quarters was too small so we needed up in one of the grand rooms. I had asked the cooks led by Rindo to create an amazing five-course meal for everyone.

"I've never had fancy food like this before," Twice said. "But if it's anything like what she usually makes then I cant wait."

"She is an amazing cook," Sebas said. "None of the cooks of Nazarick could compare. I've never seen someone integrate new ingredients with such ease and the sheer variety, she truly is worthy of being your cook, your majesty."

"Can we get some booze?" Leone asked. "The wine ain't bad, but I prefer something heavier."

"So do I," Morrigan purred, licking her lips. "And creamy."

"Not at the table!" Megumin said, blushing furiously. "Y-you sex fiend."

"Calm down, archwizard," Hector said with a chuckle.

"That's it, Hector!" Megumin shouted, standing and summoning her staff. "EXPLOOO-"

I shot her a warning look which caused her to stop and sit back down, a pout on her face.

"I promise I'll have Rath fly you out tomorrow to a remote part of Larrra to cast explosion, ok? and Hector you're going with her. After you see what she can do you won't be laughing"

"Ok," Megumin said with a sigh.

"Fine," Hector said. "I'm interested to see why your called archwizard."

"Ermm, Nathan," Asia said softly. "I wanted to ask how the healing houses are coming along."

"They're coming along fine, Asia," I replied, not surprised. Asia was a kind-hearted girl and she'd taken to caring for the kingdom and its people with ease. "The first few are already up and I'll have someone shoe you round to make sure they meet your standards."

"T-thank you," She said in a grateful tone.

Just then one of the side doors opened and Rindo walked out, a large smile on her face. She walked voe and sat in one of the seats. "Just you wait till you see what the girls and I have cooked up."

She raised a hand and snapped her fingers. All the doors on the right side of the room opened and maids with carts full of plates rolled into the room and went about setting them down and uncovering them. Smoke billowed as the topes were taken off and the smell that was released was heavenly. Rindo's cooking had already ruined normal cooking or foods for me, but this was on a whole new level.

Plate after plate was placed down and I didn't hesitate to dig in, manners be damned.

"Don't be shy and dig in," Rindo said, a proud look on her face.

"Oh my god, this is good," Domino said. "You have food powers or something?"

"She must have," Leone said around a mouthful.

"Gible!"

"No I'm just an amazing cook and the levels have been making me better. I couldn't have pulled this off when I was first summoned.

The table was full of congratulations and praise as everyone dug in with gusto, taking seconds and thirds. Luckily it seemed Rindo had known how much we'd love it as there was plenty to go around. An hour of nothing but eating passed and when I was done I leaned back and let out the content sight that I felt throughout my entire body. This had been the perfect meal to get everyone relaxed for what I was about to propose.

"I feel like I'm gonna burst, but I could go for some more," Leone said.

"I'm with you Blondy," Domino said.

"That was amazing," Blair said, purring and stretching her arms out.

"My stomach is so happy," Megumin said. "That was an explosive meal."

"Indeed," Knov said. "I don't think I've ever had anything even nearly as good as this. It puts everything else to shame."

"It was very good," Esdeath said.

"I must admit," Lelith said. "I never expected this."

"It normal food not always like this?" 2b asked.

"No, it's far blander," Danzo said. "Although compared to this, everything else is bland."

"Fit for a king," Lelouch said, sipping a glass of wine.

"Just wait till I'm even higher level," Rindo said. "I'll be able to make greater foods."

"Greater than this?" Twice said, his mouth open.

"All right now that the meal is out of the way, It's time to get down to business," I said.

Almost as if a switch had been flipped the aura around the table changed and all eyes locked onto me. If it had been the old me then I might have not been able to stand under all their gazes and remain calm, but after everything that had happened, I stood straight and smiling.

This meeting would decide a lot and I needed to make sure I said everything I wanted to.