[FGO]: 189

Having agreed to Lantoria's request and driven by his chef's soul, Ryou was determined to make the tea party perfect.

The tea party was set in the small garden at the center of the castle's courtyard, the preferred choice of many English aristocrats. With ample sunlight, guests could admire the flowers, savor the aroma of fragrant black tea, and enjoy delicious pastries—a true pleasure in life.

The only thing missing was a classical Greek-style stone gazebo. But with Ryou and Waver, who could also be called a master of civil engineering, the two easily solved the problem using magecraft.

Inside the gazebo, two sets of stone tables and chairs were arranged. One set was reserved for the three queens and empresses, who naturally took the lead seats at three corners of the table. The other table was for those who were merely spectators of the negotiations between the great figures—this included Irisviel, Medea, and Waver.

Ryou, of course, had taken over the castle's kitchen. Thanks to his strong physique and the preparations he had made in advance, it took him only an hour to get everything ready and bring out the pastries.

"You're too slow! I couldn't wait any longer~"

Medb complained instinctively.

Unexpectedly, the usually composed and calm Lantoria responded in a mild tone:

"Waiting is part of enjoying fine food. Moreover, showing respect to the chef who prepares the meal is a basic courtesy for a king."

To Ryou's surprise, the other Saber's face nodded in agreement.

"Indeed. An empty stomach is the warrior's enemy. Maintaining the strength of the soldiers is an unsung but vital task. The cook is truly a hero behind the scenes."

"Hmph, you two!"

Medb pouted, folding her arms and turning her head away as if she didn't want to talk to them.

When Ryou arrived with a cart full of carefully arranged pastries, he immediately noticed the awkward atmosphere. Lantoria was as calm as ever, sipping her tea with elegant movements, as though she were a figure from a serene and harmonious medieval painting.

Meanwhile, Saber, seated at another corner of the table, lit up the moment she saw the cart brimming with treats. Her expression resembled that of a puppy eagerly waiting to be fed.

As for Medb, the instigator of the tea party, she turned her head away with an air of arrogance. When Ryou approached, Medb glanced at him and then sniffed disdainfully, as if to say, I, Medb, would rather starve than eat your pastries!

Ryou was left completely baffled.

He began placing the pastries on the stone table one by one, and soon, a rich aroma filled the air, spreading like a storm in all directions. He noticed Medb's small nose twitch as she made a swallowing motion, her face betraying a hint of struggle. But her pride kept her from reaching out for the treats.

Sitting across from Medb, Saber had no such reservations. As soon as he placed the pastries on the table, she eagerly picked up the one closest to her and popped it into her mouth.

The first pastry she grabbed was a scone, a staple of traditional English afternoon tea. The ingredients were simple: flour, sugar, eggs, yeast, butter, and milk. The method wasn't too different from regular bread-making. But as the saying goes, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

The simpler the dish, the more it reflects the skill of the chef. Just as a basic dish like egg-fried rice can reveal a chef's foundational skills, the scones Ryou made demonstrated his expertise. They were perfectly sized and baked to near perfection, gleaming with a golden hue.

When Saber bit into one, the first sensation was its delightful crispness. The rich buttery and milky flavors mingled beautifully, enhanced by the sweetness of the raisins. Topped with mixed fruit jam, the scones had a sweet and tangy finish that elevated the taste even further.

Once she started, Saber couldn't stop herself. Her typically serious expression was replaced by a joyful smile. Her pale cheeks flushed slightly, and her eyes narrowed into contented slits.

At the other table, Irisviel looked on in shock, wondering if this was truly the same Saber she knew. Meanwhile, the colorful, fragrant pastries seemed like devilish temptations to her.

Medea, on the other hand, was completely unfazed. She immediately reached for an éclair shaped like a finger, topped with chocolate. Taking a bite, she savored the perfectly tempered chocolate as it melted in her mouth. Looking at the cross-section of the éclair, she saw the dark red chocolate slowly flow like molten lava.

This was a pastry technique known as lava. The trick was to fill the center of the pastry with chocolate so that it would melt during baking. When you bit into the pastry, the chocolate would ooze out like lava. This technique required precise control of heat. The internal temperature had to be just right—too high, and the chocolate would taste burnt; too low, and it wouldn't melt properly.

Ryou's lava éclairs were, of course, top-notch. The exterior and interior were perfectly balanced.

Medea was completely lost in the chocolate fantasy he had created. She felt as if she had fallen into a pool of molten chocolate that wrapped around her and refused to let her go. By the time she came back to her senses, the éclair had already disappeared from her hand.

Without hesitation, she reached for the next éclair on the tray, this time a green one with a matcha aroma. The moment she bit into it, she felt like she was standing in an endless green field. The top was coated with white chocolate, and the inside was filled with cream infused with sea salt.

Now Medea found herself at the edge of a vast blue ocean, feeling the salty sea breeze and the cool splash of waves.

Medea continued sampling éclairs with flavors like strawberry, blueberry, mango, caramel, and even ice cream. To her amazement, she realized that a completely natural landscape was unfolding before her eyes. Ice cream formed snowy mountains, cream created the sea, matcha powder covered the plains, and forests were filled with fruit trees.

These elements, which should never coexist in one place, were all perfectly presented through Ryou's éclairs.

However, just as Medea was about to reach for another éclair, she was horrified to find the tray empty. Where had all the éclairs gone? There had been so many just a moment ago!

The name "Éclair" (Lightning Puff) originates from two explanations.

The first is that the puff pastry has a delicate and smooth texture, and after taking the first bite, one becomes captivated, finishing it quickly—like lightning.

The second explanation refers to the éclairs when they are fresh out of the oven. The glaze on the surface shines brightly, resembling the brilliance of lightning, and the cracks on the surface mimic lightning streaks, hence the name.

Ryou's éclairs embodied both characteristics. After eating ten éclairs, Medea was still in a daze, while the éclairs' appearance also captured the essence of elegance in French desserts.

At that moment, Ryou, dressed in a white chef's uniform, personally poured a specially prepared cup of tea for Lantoria.

As the pure and clear crimson liquid formed a fine, red crystal-like stream into the cup, an elegant fragrance immediately filled the air.

"This is…!"

Lantoria's usually calm expression showed a rare hint of surprise. She gracefully picked up the teacup and gently sniffed it. A rich aroma of tea, mixed with a faint fruity scent, wafted into her nose.

Lantoria brought the teacup to her lips, took a small sip, and closed her eyes, showing an expression of lingering enjoyment. After a moment, she slowly opened her eyes, her gaze filled with curiosity.

"How did you do it?"

Though her question was vague, Ryou instantly understood her meaning.

He smiled and lifted the lid of the teapot, revealing its contents. Inside the teapot's filter was a dried orange with a small opening cut at the top, stuffed full of black tea leaves.

In a gentle tone, he began to explain.

"I hollowed out an Australian blood orange and filled it with Keemun black tea leaves. The fusion of the blood orange's fruity aroma with the tea's fragrance creates an exquisite, elegant scent, while the sweetness of the orange balances the bitterness of the tea leaves..."

The blood oranges Ryou used were from the tribute offered to the British royal family during the days of the British Empire. As for the Keemun black tea, it was of the highest grade, known as Golden Tips.

"Not bad," Lantoria said, a rare smile appearing on her calm face.

Ryou accepted her praise with ease. To ensure the perfection of this tea party, he experimented with hundreds of dessert recipes. In the end, he selected three desserts each from Japanese, French, and British cuisines and added one fusion dessert, making a total of ten.

It's worth noting that, perhaps due to the British love of afternoon tea, their desserts didn't lose out to those of France, despite Britain's reputation for dark cuisine. British desserts were quite the opposite.

For the British desserts, Ryou chose scones, Victoria sponge cake, and a cake called trifle. For the French desserts, he selected the famous macarons, éclairs, and the mille-feuille (also known as Napoleon). For the Japanese desserts, aside from mochi, the other two were the less common pastry and fried dough twists. The final dessert, however, Ryou kept a secret, placing it in a special container with a lid.

As the two Artorias indulged in both tea and desserts, the treats on the table quickly disappeared before everyone's eyes. Medb was getting restless. She wanted to try the food but was too proud to admit it. Her fingers drummed on the table impatiently, her expression filled with unease.

Even Irisviel and Waver couldn't resist the temptation and began tasting the desserts in front of them. Instantly, Medea found herself facing twice as many competitors, making her show an unhappy moe expression.

It wasn't until Ryou promised her telepathically that he would privately make a special batch for her that her mood brightened.

Some say that desserts can bring happiness and joy.

Irisviel never believed this before. But now, she did.

The moment she put the colorful macaron into her mouth, Irisviel felt as though she had traveled back a year in time. She and Kiritsugu were holding hands with Illya, strolling through a snow-covered forest. Back then, neither she nor Kiritsugu had any worries. Their only focus was on accompanying Illya and watching her grow. With a beloved husband and a precious daughter, the joy of these two combined created even more happiness…

That was the happiest time of Irisviel's life.

Beside her, Waver also showed a nostalgic expression. It was as if he was back on the back of Bucephalus, with his king standing behind him. The two of them galloped forward, facing the boundless ocean ahead—Oceanus!

Watching the others enjoy Ryou's desserts—some laughing, some crying, each showing a wide range of emotions—the only one who hadn't tasted anything yet was Medb. She looked at him suspiciously.

"Did you put some kind of hallucinogen in the desserts? Why are they all acting like this?"

Ryou's expression remained unchanged as he calmly replied, "Maybe it's because my desserts are so delicious that they resonate with their souls."

Medb's face immediately showed a "don't try to fool me, I'm not that gullible" expression.

Ryou shrugged.

As the saying goes, mastering the cooking techniques of the Food Wars is like mastering the art of medicine itself. No need for drugs; cooking alone can surpass the effects of any drug. Not to mention, he had enhanced the culinary techniques from the Food Wars with his expertise, like adding a special effect to an already powerful culinary skill. The result was overwhelmingly effective!

Seeing Medb's lingering doubt, Ryou "kindly" reminded her, "If you don't start eating soon, Saber will finish everything."

"Ugh…"

Medb wavered.

To deliver the final blow, Ryou revealed his ultimate trump card: the tenth dessert, sealed tightly. Surprisingly, the dish beneath the lid had countless runes carved into it, making it look more like a piece of magical equipment than a serving dish.

Ryou traced an "F" shape in the air with his finger. The runes beneath the dish began to glow. A wave of heat spread from the dish, and everyone who had been immersed in his culinary creation suddenly snapped back to reality.

Six pairs of eyes immediately focused on the sealed dish.