"Boss, do you happen to have something that can cook automatically?"
After hesitating for a moment, Raiden Ei finally asked the question.
Ever since that sly fox had teased her last night, she had been in a bad mood.
So what if she couldn't cook?
Did she really need that skill?
That was what she kept telling herself.
Yet she still felt annoyed.
And because of that, she wanted to do something to prove herself.
Something that would thoroughly wipe that smug look off Yae Miko's face.
But there was a problem.
Hiring a chef was out of the question.
First, it would take too much time.
Second, if word got out, everyone in Inazuma would learn that the Almighty Narukami Ogosho herself couldn't cook.
After thinking it over, Ei concluded that the manga shop was her best option.
Since people could obtain all sorts of rewards from reading manga, perhaps there were culinary-related abilities as well.
If she got lucky and acquired something useful, she could instantly become a master chef.
Of course...
Something that cooked automatically would be even better.
No effort required.
"There are plenty of food-related rewards. What kind are you looking for?"
Han Feng raised an eyebrow slightly before smiling.
Good heavens.
The legendary "Cannot Cook Archon" actually wanted to learn cooking?
Just what kind of stimulation had she suffered?
"Many kinds? Could you tell me about them?"
Ei's eyes lit up.
There was more than one option?
Then she had definitely come to the right place.
"There are two culinary manga in the shop—Cooking Master Boy and Food Wars!."
"From those, there's a chance of obtaining cooking skills or special dishes."
"One features glowing food."
"The other contains dishes so delicious they make people's clothes explode."
Han Feng began by introducing the most common culinary manga.
These were already extremely popular among chefs from Mondstadt and Liyue.
"Glowing food? Clothes-exploding food?"
A hint of interest appeared in Ei's eyes.
Such dishes existed?
Although she couldn't cook, as the most honored person in Inazuma, she had tasted countless delicacies.
Yet she had never encountered either of those.
"Whatever they taste like, serving such dishes to that fox would definitely shock her."
Just imagining Yae Miko's expression instantly improved her mood.
"Boss, are there any other options?"
"Of course."
"Those cooking skills are impressive, but they still require you to prepare the food yourself. That's not very friendly for people who dislike trouble."
"So I happen to have a miraculous item designed specifically for lazy people."
"In other words—the kind of automatic cooking tool you're looking for."
Han Feng smiled knowingly.
At first, Ei nodded repeatedly.
She nearly wanted to call him a kindred spirit.
Exactly!
Cooking took time and effort.
Who had time for that?
Wouldn't it be better to spend that time meditating in the Plane of Euthymia... or playing games?
However, the moment she heard the phrase "designed specifically for lazy people," her expression stiffened.
Thanks.
She definitely felt targeted.
Still, she ignored that part.
The important thing was that such an item actually existed.
"What is it?"
"This."
Han Feng pointed at the tablecloth in front of him.
"The Gourmet Tablecloth."
"It can create any food you desire out of thin air."
"Simply name the dish you want, and it will appear instantly."
"The food is completely real, entirely free, and available in unlimited quantities."
This was the same tablecloth he used to produce his tea every day.
Convenient, efficient, and capable of creating countless varieties.
He enjoyed it immensely.
"Anything I want?"
"And unlimited?"
Ei was stunned.
Something this absurd existed?
In a certain sense, it was even more unbelievable than her sister and Yae Miko swapping bodies.
It wasn't that she doubted him.
The concept itself was simply outrageous.
"You can try it yourself."
Seeing her disbelief, Han Feng gestured toward the tablecloth.
"Alright."
Ei's interest was thoroughly piqued.
After thinking for a moment, she spoke to the tablecloth.
"I'd like a serving of Tri-Color Dango."
It was her favorite snack.
Whoosh!
A plate appeared instantly.
On it rested skewered dumplings in pink, white, and green.
Tri-Color Dango.
Exactly as requested.
"It actually worked!"
Ei's eyes widened again.
She had watched carefully.
There had been no trick.
No hidden mechanism.
The food had simply appeared.
But would it taste the same?
Curious, she picked up a dango and took a bite.
"Mm!"
Her eyes immediately brightened.
"It tastes exactly the same."
No.
It was even better than the version she usually bought.
The delicious sweetness filled her mouth.
At that point, all thoughts vanished.
She focused entirely on eating.
Within moments, the entire serving had disappeared.
"Well?"
Han Feng smiled at the look of satisfaction on her face.
"The items in your shop are truly miraculous."
"I've been far too narrow-minded."
Ei sighed sincerely.
The things found within this manga shop belonged to an entirely different level.
Trying to judge them with ordinary standards only made her, the Electro Archon, seem amateurish.
"If only I had one of these..."
Looking at the gray tablecloth, Ei's eyes practically sparkled.
Glowing dishes?
Exploding-clothes cuisine?
Compared to this, those hardly mattered.
What could be more convenient than this?
Anything she wanted could appear instantly.
It probably could create those dishes too.
Just imagine it.
Sitting in the Plane of Euthymia.
Eating endless Tri-Color Dango.
Playing games.
Absolute bliss.
And more importantly—
If she owned this thing, would that fox still dare mock her?
After all:
She owns a Gourmet Tablecloth = She can make food.
Perfect logic.
The more she imagined her future lifestyle, the more excited she became.
Finally, she couldn't sit still any longer.
Leaning forward across the counter with both hands planted firmly on its surface, she looked directly at Han Feng and spoke with complete confidence:
"Boss."
"Are you willing to sell this Gourmet Tablecloth?"
"Money isn't a problem."
—------------------------------
Pat reon Advance Chapters: patreon.com/YonkoSlayer