A Knight's Loyalty | Food Fantasy AU Fanfic

Chapter 32 - Caviar & Sanma

「これで何回だの。。。」Caviar trailed off in his sentence. Sanma perked up at the statement.

「何言ってる。」Sanma asked curiously. Caviar grew surprised.

"Ah, you heard me . . . ?" Caviar looked away.

"Well, it's kinda hard not to . . ." Sanma laughed a bit.

"Mm, I guess I'm not surprised you understood. Japanese should be your first language, am I correct?"

"Of course. Sanma shioyaki is native to Japan. How come you speak it?"

"Milt. Ah, I think the word was 「白子」, yup. That's the word. One particular style is made in Japanese cuisine, so she can speak the language really well."

"So you picked it up from her? That's nice. You have someone to speak to and practice with."

"I don't speak it often, just normally when I'm speaking to myself with others around."

"Well, that failed this time, didn't it?" Caviar nodded as Sanma said that.

The two approached the others, and Milt looked really relieved. Kuri appeared quite impressed, whilst the others didn't notice that Caviar had left in the first place.

Caviar was glad he succeeded this time. Last time, not having left ended up with Sanma captured - the story was different this time, yes, but scenarios from completely different settings can still occur. Caviar was glad he had remembered in time.

Once of Sanma's cats ran from Raindrop Cake's lap and towards Sanma, jumping straight into Sanma's arms. Caviar smiled, and then turned in time to catch Milt, who had ran towards him just as Sanma's cat had.

She is a bit like a cat, Caviar thought to himself. He accepted Milt's hug with open arms. In the background, Kuri appeared touched, but no one paid attention to her.

"Say, Sanma, how'd it go?" Kuri asked with curiosity. She tilted her head to the side.

"Ah, right!" Sanma said in realization. "Spaghetti's place is rather guarded, and he exited the building as soon as I arrived, so breaking in will be difficult."

"Mm, good. We'll put that into consideration for our strategizing," Kuri stated in response.

~

That Caviar was surely a problem. Spaghetti paced back and forth, thinking of how to deal with him. He wasn't like Huashang who could see the future in the timeline in which it occurs - Caviar experienced the problem so he wouldn't have wasted time in reacting the next time, like an instant-retry video game.

He knew too much - fooling him was practically impossible. If only he retried solely after he himself died - but if he had the desire to fix something (which was most of the time when he had the ability to) he would go back and fix it.

How did Spaghetti know this? Whiskey had told him.

Whiskey knew a lot of things. Perhaps that's why he so desperately sought dream energy? Of course, if that's why, Caviar must have a lot - but this isn't Und3rtale or something, where having enough determination allows you to back.

He needed B-52, but so long as Caviar was on B-52's side, it was impossible. The answer - turn Caviar against them.

Easier said than done. That meant changing Milt as well - removing her meant Caviar would go and stop him, possibly defeat him once.

Spaghetti gripped the medallion. With each passing hour it became more and more of a stress reliever. All he had to do was think, and he'd find a solution, right? He just had to focus and he would get his way.

First, the Attendants, Spaghetti thought. That would remove their tacticians, Cooking Talents, and respawn abilities. From there, picking them off - with Caviar on his side. Both him and Milt would help make the explosion.

Foie Gras would be the power source.  With the hole created, the whole wall would crumble - Food Soul and Attendant alike would fall. Maybe he could take the Attendants as well - if they do well enough against his army that is.

Spaghetti sat down on the throne - his throne. Yes, Foie Gras was under his control - thus, the battle was his. This time, timing would be crucial, but he had this. He had this. He had this.

~

The king was waking up, and Huashang Maofeng Tea let out a sigh of relief. Nevrai looked around, and he seemed to recognize Huashang for some reason.

"Oh, right. The king woke up!" Huashang exclaimed. "Don't worry, you'll be fine." The king knew better than to get up.

"Where . . . No . . . This is the clinic. How come I'm here?" Nevrai questioned.

"I brought you here after Spaghetti had attacked you," Huashang answered.

"You know him or something, Huashang?" Huashang was surprised to hear Nevrai remember him.

"No, but he's notorious by word of mouth amongst Food Souls. Him and Whiskey - I'm glad you didn't run into Whiskey actually. Word has it that the two are in leagues with each other the moment."

"Ah. It's been a while, hasn't it, Huashang?" King Nevrai said. Huashang nodded.

"It truly has been. I'm sorry we had to meet again in such a situation."

"It's fine. I'm glad it wasn't any later - like in the afterlife or something. You did save me after all."

"It's no problem at all really. I owe it to you after all."

The king smiled. Those were the last words spoken before a nurse entered, and more of the staff arrived, causing Huashang Maofeng Tea to have to leave.

~

"The view from the top of the castle is quite marvelous. Pizza, Cassata, and Cheese would certainly love it," Whiskey smiled to himself. He sat on the roof, kicking his legs back and forth dangerously.

"The final battle is soon. I already know the victor is clear - but both sides are edging for victory. I wonder if things will turn out as expected." He turned to face the blonde behind him. "What do you think?"

"I'm thinking it isn't safe atop The castle," she said with a Russian accent.

"Oh, but you're free now!" Whiskey smiled at her.

"Temporarily. I'll go back to grey once this wears off."

"Hmm, true," Whiskey spoke with a pout. "So enjoy yourself before it does."

". . ."