Chapter 24: The Scale and the Fried Shrimp Set Meal 

The one who came to visit us after we had finally finished cleaning out the storehouse was a beautiful young girl with pink-blonde hair who introduced herself as Mikaela.

Raphiel stepped forward to greet her. As always, her face remained expressionless, but there was a subtle brightness about her that suggested she was genuinely happy.

“It’s been a long time, Mikaela.”

“Waaah!! Rafi-chan, it’s been forever!! I’ve missed you so much!!”

“I have missed you as well.”

The moment Mikaela spotted Raphiel, she broke into a run and threw her arms around her in a tight embrace.

“Huh?”

“What is it?”

“Rafi-chan… did you get a little chubbier?”

“!?”

Without warning, Raphiel spun around and dashed away.

A few moments later, she came racing back from the bath area carrying a weighing scale.

She stepped onto it, stared at the reading, then pointed emphatically at the number with a trembling finger.

“I! Am not fat!! My BMI is perfectly normal!!”

“B-B-M-I? I don’t really know what that means, but could you calm down?”

“Because you said I got fat! Besides, I’ve been exercising lately. And even if I gain weight temporarily, the nutrients immediately go to my chest, so there is no problem.”

…The exercise she was talking about was probably those all-out battles with Eve.

“Man, I’m still jealous of that body type. Anyway, Rafi-chan, is that man over there the famous Eight?”

“He is indeed Eight. But what do you mean by famous?”

“Haven’t you heard? They’re talking about him all over the royal capital and the temples. The man who corrupted Rafi-chan—the girl who’s practically the embodiment of the ideal saint walking around in human form!”

“I have not been corrupted.”

“Hahaha, I know, I know. You don’t look softened at all. If anything, haven’t you gotten stronger?”

Hmm.

I’d suspected something like this might happen eventually, but I hadn’t expected rumors to spread this quickly.

And from the sound of it, they weren’t particularly flattering rumors either.

Still, with the village chief around and Cardinal Larsa backing us, I doubted anyone would try anything reckless.

“Nice to meet you, Eight!! I’m Mikaela!! Looking forward to getting along with you!!”

“Ah… yes. Likewise.”

Her overwhelming friendliness actually made me more cautious.

It was probably because Cardinal Larsa had warned me that saintesses who viewed Raphiel as a rival would eventually come knocking.

And after dealing with someone like Zeresia, I couldn’t help wondering if Mikaela might turn out to be another dangerous eccentric.

“Come on, let’s shake hands!!”

Mikaela enthusiastically held out her hand.

After a brief hesitation, I reached for it.

The instant our hands met, however, she grabbed mine with both of hers and squeezed tightly.

Then, for some reason, her cheeks turned bright red.

“…W-when I think about it, this might actually be the first time I’ve ever touched a man… Suddenly I’m getting embarrassed!!”

“S-Sorry? I guess?”

“Eight, just because Mikaela is cute doesn’t mean you’re allowed to make a move on her.”

“I wasn’t planning to!?”

Well…

I couldn’t deny that I’d thought she was cute.

“Anyway, Mikaela, where are you planning to stay tonight?”

“I was just going to camp outside. Doesn’t look like this village has an inn.”

“Then please stay at our house. I’d like to spend some time talking with you. It’s been far too long.”

“Eh? B-but wouldn’t that be imposing on Eight?”

“I don’t mind.”

Seeing how genuinely happy Raphiel looked after being reunited with an old friend, there was no way I could refuse.

But Mikaela shook her head.

“I can’t just stay somewhere comfortable while all the Holy Knights sleep outside…”

“There are plenty of spare rooms here. I believe the escorts can stay as well. That’s fine, right, Eight?”

“Sure, but maybe ask me before volunteering my house next time?”

The moment I agreed, the accompanying Holy Knights broke into grateful murmurs.

“Oh, that’s wonderful.”

“So the rumors were nonsense. He’s simply a kind gentleman.”

“No, stay vigilant. Perhaps this is how he plans to corrupt us.”

“Then you can sleep outside by yourself.”

“…The scriptures teach us to graciously accept acts of kindness! I shall stay here as well!”

The Holy Knights had been accompanying Mikaela on her pilgrimage.

After such a long journey, they were probably exhausted.

In that case, I had to give them a proper welcome.

Anything less would be an insult to the Japanese spirit of hospitality.

“Eight, I am hungry. Please prepare dinner quickly.”

“Understood.”

Since we had unexpected guests and Raphiel had worked hard purifying all the cursed objects from the storehouse, tonight called for something special.

I opened the online shop and spent some points.

The item I ordered wasn’t just shrimp.

It was Black Tiger shrimp—huge ones.

Buying in bulk had been cheaper anyway, and since there were so many Holy Knights, I might as well make enough for everyone.

“First, the prep work.”

Leaving the heads attached for appearance’s sake, I peeled the shells.

To prevent oil splatter during frying, I cut off the tips of the tails and used the back of a knife to squeeze out the trapped moisture inside.

Next, I inserted bamboo skewers between the heads and bodies and carefully removed the digestive veins.

Pinching the vein gently between the skewer and my thumb, I slowly drew it out in one piece.

Perfect.

“Might as well get rid of any lingering odor too.”

I sprinkled the shrimp with a little salt and potato starch, massaged it in thoroughly, then rinsed everything off with water.

That should eliminate any impurities and fishiness.

To keep the shrimp from curling when fried, I made several shallow cuts along the belly side and stretched the muscles.

I also carefully patted them dry with paper towels to prevent oil splatter and keep the coating from falling off.

Finally, I seasoned them with salt and pepper before coating them in flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs.

Then I lowered them into oil heated to 170 degrees Celsius and fried them until they turned a beautiful golden brown.

“And there we have it—fried shrimp.”

I piled shredded cabbage and towering stacks of crispy shrimp onto large plates.

The main dish was complete.

All that remained was serving it with steaming white rice and a simple miso soup made from tofu, fried tofu, and wakame seaweed.

A classic fried shrimp set meal.

“Ah, crap. I forgot something important.”

I hurriedly diced an onion and tossed it into a bowl with several soft-boiled eggs.

Then came an absurd amount of mayonnaise.

After that, I mixed everything thoroughly before seasoning it with pickles, parsley, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

The result was a rich, creamy tartar sauce.

“Now it’s complete! Tartar Shrimp Fry Set Meal!”

Sniff, sniff…

“The aroma of freshly fried food is irresistible.”

The meal was an overwhelming success.

“Oh! What is this incredible crunch!?”

“The meat bursts in your mouth the moment you bite into it!”

“Hey!! Try dipping it in this ‘tartar’ sauce!! It’s ridiculously delicious!!”

“This soup called ‘miso soup’ is wonderful too. I’ve never tasted it before, yet somehow it reminds me of home…”

“After eating travel rations for so long, getting a hot meal this good feels almost like torture.”

Seeing everyone so satisfied was rewarding in itself.

Then Mikaela looked at me hesitantly.

“But… are you really sure this is okay? Not only are you letting us stay here, but you’re treating us to food this amazing. And you won’t even take payment…”

“There’s no need to hold back.”

“Raphiel, that was supposed to be my line. But yes, no payment is necessary.”

The truth was, I actually earned a small amount of points whenever guests stayed at my house.

Granted, after subtracting the cost of ingredients, it wasn’t a huge profit.

Still, it ended up in the black.

And every little bit helped.

Especially when it came to household finances!

“Hey, hey, Oniichan!! I was sharpening my katana in the yard when I started smelling something amazing! If dinner’s ready, you should’ve told me too!!”

At that moment, Eve appeared.

And one very important fact must never be forgotten.

Eve was the Demon King.

The ruler of monsters.

“…Hey, Rafi-chan.”

Mikaela’s smile twitched slightly.

“Who exactly is that girl radiating such an overwhelmingly sinister aura?”

“I’m Demon King Eve-chan☆”

“Oh, really?”

Mikaela slowly turned toward Raphiel, still smiling.

“Rafi-chan?”

“…Would you mind explaining what exactly is going on here?”

Oh no.

OH NO.

A disaster was unfolding.

This was a full-blown battlefield.