Chapter 225: The Power of the Night-Blade God

Even after completing his self-introduction, Zepaul’s evaluating, appraising gaze toward us didn’t change.

Milagros was visibly irritated by it.

“Zepaul, are you hungry?”

“Hm? ’Course I am. Ain’t a time when I ain’t hungry.”

I knew the Demon Lord’s territory had poor soil and that crop failures had worsened their food shortages these past years. But “there’s never a time I’m not hungry” was honestly shocking.

I’d meant to bring up the topic to soften the mood, but this might actually be a great chance to get closer to him.

I’ll treat Zepaul to Japanese cooking too.

“In that case, perfect timing. I’m about to cook. Would you like to eat with us?”

“Food, huh? I only came here to meet the Night-Blade God—”

“Then meet her and go home right away if you want. You’re annoying.”

“Milagros, what’s with that attitude? And I never said I wouldn’t eat!”

“Then say it properly—‘I want to eat.’ If you’re on guard because you think this is enemy territory, fine, but right now you just look like a spoiled child.”

“Ghh…! I ain’t no spoiled child!”

Looks like she hit a nerve.

His tone and attitude are awful, but I completely understand why he’s cautious. And since he’s Milagros’s older brother, I don’t think he’s a bad person deep down.

“Enough arguing. Let’s eat. You cooked today, Milagros, so you must be hungry too, right?”

“…Yeah. I had a little while tasting, but I’m hungry.”

“I’m hungry too! Are we really getting to eat Sato’s cooking again?”

“You all helped make today fun, so I’ll help cook this time. Let’s head to the villa.”

It looks like everyone’s hungry, so now it’s my turn to cook.

In the cooking competition, we were limited to ingredients from this world, but this time I’m using all the Japanese ingredients I want. Maybe that’s cheating a little, but everyone wants delicious food—and I want to win over Zepaul’s stomach too.

I planned to head straight to the villa and start cooking with Norman and Jakob, but…

In front of the villa stood a very cheerful-looking Yato and Velvet.

They were still praising each other, radiating a happiness completely opposite the tense air behind us.

Zepaul clearly had no idea that the small person was the Night-Blade God, and almost walked past without noticing.

“…Brother. That’s Yato-sama.”

“Huh? …What? Which one’s the Night-Blade God?”

“The small one in front is Yato. I’ll introduce you.”

I want to get the introductions done before cooking. Once we’re cooking together, we’ll have time to talk. And even if something flares up, good food can smooth things out.

“Yato, do you have a minute?”

“Hm? Sato, what is it?”

She came skipping toward me, smiling brightly.

“Someone came wanting to meet you. This is Milagros’s older brother, Zepaul.”

“Wanting to meet me, eh? Brother and sister, the both of you are strange indeed! I am Yato! Pleasure to meet thee!”

“…You’re really… the Night-Blade God? You don’t look like a legendary dragon at all.”

“You need not believe me if you don’t wish to! I am busy now that my talent as a chef hath awakened! I must continue my culinary discussion with Velvet. Farewell!”

Just as Yato tried to leave, Zepaul grabbed her.

Milagros recognized her instantly, but Zepaul still couldn’t believe it.

“Hold up. I ain’t leaving until I confirm you’re the real thing. You can hit me once if you want—just prove it.”

“How troublesome! But… I am in a good mood today, so I shall indulge thee! I will attack thee for real!”

With that, Yato raised both hands and formed a circle with them.

Even I could tell enormous power was gathering in the center, the air shimmering like heat haze.

The shimmer twisted, then condensed into a pitch-black mass.

It looked like a ki-blast, but so sinister it felt like “death” itself had taken shape. Sweat poured down my back.

“I shall fire one shot only! Do your best not to die!”

“H-Hey, wait—just wai—!”

Zepaul realized the danger too and tried to call it off, but panic had tied his tongue.

Yato grinned and prepared to fire the black sphere.

“Fly away—!! Just kidding! ’Twas but a jest! If I fired the Black Dragon Shot here, the whole area would be blown to smithereens!”

The sphere dissipated, and everyone exhaled from the bottom of their lungs.

That joke was way too extreme; I nearly had a heart attack.

Zepaul, who’d had the blast pointed directly at him, completely collapsed. His proud expression was gone—Yato had utterly broken his spirit.

I was terrified too, but Yato really did a great job.

Now Zepaul should finally calm down a little.