In Fuyuki City, nearly ten years had passed since that Holy Grail War ended.
On a street near the church in Fuyuki City, a shop that had opened three years ago had frequently attracted challengers who came specifically because of its reputation.
"I don't believe it! There's no way I, a genuine person from Shuzhong, can't handle mapo tofu made by a Japanese person!"
A foreign challenger full of confidence walked into the shop. He looked at the burly owner in a chef's uniform, whose eyes lacked any highlights, and said, "Boss, one serving of the Special Mapo Tofu."
"Oh?"
The man, who originally had an indifferent expression and dull eyes, seemed to have a spark appear in his gaze, and a mysterious smile appeared on his face.
"You must be here for the challenge as well. I should state in advance, if you want to challenge the Special Mapo Tofu, you need to sign a liability waiver. Many previous customers couldn't handle the spiciness and fainted. You won't be allowed to try it without signing the waiver."
Hearing that he had to sign a waiver, the challenger swallowed hard, then asked suspiciously, "Is it really that exaggerated? You didn't put industrial capsaicin or prohibited substances in there, did you?"
"Rest assured, our food meets all requirements. There are no issues. The chili peppers used are all natural edible varieties. It's just that, through my personal secret blending techniques, the spiciness becomes extremely high, beyond what an average person can endure."
"If that's the case, then no problem! I've been eating spicy food since I was a kid. What you call 'insane devil spicy' might just be a slight sensation to me. Let me try this 'Special Mapo Tofu' of yours!"
The challenger confidently signed the waiver. After a short wait, he saw the bright red mapo tofu being served.
First, he took a sniff. He could smell the heat, but it wasn't pungent or overwhelming. He could even detect the scent of certain spices.
The color was exceptionally vivid. Anyone who couldn't handle spice would likely find this bright red appearance impossible to stomach.
However, the challenger looked at it and thought it seemed fine. He confidently scooped up a full spoonful, blew on it a few times to cool the piping hot tofu, and shoved it into his mouth.
Clang!
A few seconds after the tofu entered his mouth and was chewed and swallowed, the challenger's face went through several transformations before his eyes finally rolled back, and he collapsed onto the table.
Watching the unconscious challenger, the chef's smile became even more pleasant.
"It seems you've found your life's purpose."
A familiar voice spoke, and with it, distant memories began to resurface.
Kirei, dressed in a chef's uniform, saw Caelus walk in with a pink-haired girl by his side.
"Long time no see, Assassin."
"Long time no see."
Caelus looked curiously at the bright red mapo tofu, then picked up a spoon, scooped a portion from the plate, and put it in his mouth. After chewing for a moment and swallowing, he evaluated it, "The wonderful blending of various spices and chili peppers makes the spiciness and aroma fuse perfectly. At first, there is no strong irritation, but after savoring it, the pain and stimulation reach straight to the soul. It truly is hard for an average person to endure."
"Hmph! As expected of you, you immediately tasted the intent behind my cooking. However, congratulations on recovering your sense of taste and pain."
"My sense of taste has indeed recovered, but my sense of pain hasn't fully returned. I simply tasted the intent you put into this dish."
Caelus glanced at the unconscious young man on the table and said, "This cooking isn't meant for normal people. Only Casters with strong spirits or Heroic Spirit Servants could adapt to your cooking."
"However, if a normal person eats it, there won't be any severe side effects. Their body will even undergo intense perspiration to remove dampness. If someone with low spirits eats it, it can even help recuperate their mind. It's just a bit of a harsh method, and they might need some rest afterward."
"If there were no benefits at all, why would so many people come to my shop in an endless stream to taste these dishes?"
Kirei spoke, then looked at the pink-haired girl who had been following Caelus and asked, "Is she your Master for this Holy Grail War?"
"Huh? The Holy Grail War is happening again? I thought it was a ritual that occurs once every 60 years."
"In principle, yes. But you should know this better than us. In the last Holy Grail War, the Grail wasn't used at all. Although you took the manifested Grail away, the massive amount of mana stored in the leylines remained unused. Thus, the mana required for the ritual was replenished quickly. In just 10 years, which is now, the 5th Holy Grail War can be held."
Kirei walked out from behind the counter, picked up the mapo tofu from the table, and after finishing it himself, his face took on a slightly strange flush.
After chatting with his old friend for a while, Caelus left with Cyrene.
The two walked along the streets, passing through places Caelus had been before and reminiscing about what had happened back then.
"Shirou! Hurry up! If it weren't for you, how could I have missed the premiere of the new season of Magical Girl! Honestly, you've been a pushover since we were kids. You never say no if someone asks for help! Even if it's not your business, you still jump in to help!"
"Actually, if you were really in a hurry, you didn't have to wait for me at school."
"Hmph! I'm your older sister! If I went back alone and didn't go back with you, Mom and Dad would definitely scold me!"
"Uh, I think it's more likely they'd scold me. After all, Illya, you always act like you'll never grow up."
"Shirou, you big idiot!"
"Illya! Don't just run off!"
Caelus watched as a silver-haired girl in a school uniform ran past him, followed closely by a red-haired boy in the same uniform.
"Sakura! I'm begging you, don't send that photo to Uncle Kariya! If he finds out I was hitting on Tohsaka at school, I'll die!"
"Oh my! Then, my dear brother Shinji, you should know what to do, right?"
"...But Shirou is my brother! We're childhood friends who grew up together!"
"Oh. Does that mean Brother is going to sacrifice himself for his friend?"
"No, I mean, you have to pay more! Give me a bit more money, and I promise to help you get Shirou out this weekend!"
"Deal!"
"Shirou really is popular, even Tohsaka... ahem!"
"Even so, I won't give him up to Sister."
"My dear brother, I hope you have good luck! Amen!"
Caelus looked at Sakura, who had a smile full of mischief like a little devil, completely unlike the lifeless, doll-like state she had been in when she was first rescued.
This future was truly quite nice.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)