Black Summoner – Chapter 330

The land of volcanoes was suddenly covered by a shadow. Those who were slow-witted might mistake it for the increased black smoke spewing from the volcanoes. However, those who lived in the wild would never make such a foolish mistake. This is because exposing oneself to that shadow is tantamount to committing suicide. In fact, all the strong monsters that claimed the volcanic region as their territory hid, masked their presence, held their breath, and waited for the threat from the sky to pass.

“Guaaaaooo!”

When the threat let out a roar, the air vibrated, and the earth shook. As the threat advanced, the black smoke that had covered the sky was cut off, and brilliant sunlight poured down radiantly. Its form, which claimed the majestic sky as its own without doubt, was truly that of the king of the sky and a symbol of awe.

Its deep crimson dragon scales, covering its entire body, were untouched by wounds and diminished the power of any physical or magical attack. Its sharp fangs and claws could tear through steel as if it were butter, and its mighty tail crushed everything. When the infernal breath generated within its body was unleashed, small countries would turn into hell with just one breath. Everything that made up its body was a weapon, and it was the embodiment of fire, a threat to all life.

—The Fire Dragon King. The great dragon, having finished its hunt, returned to its lair, an active volcano.

“…?”

Suddenly, the Fire Dragon King sensed something amiss. The land, dominated by nothing but aggressive flames, had a smell that utterly did not suit it. It wasn’t the acrid, burnt odor that assailed the nostrils, created by the scorching flames that mercilessly burned to death even monsters that preferred fire. It was the fragrant aroma produced when intelligent beings cooked meat, one that would attract anyone. Unconsciously, the Fire Dragon King’s mouth began to drool.

“The source of this smell is—over there.”

His gaze, which could kill a target with its mere intensity, fell upon an unfamiliar structure built at the foot of the volcano, his lair. Its obsidian blackness, shrouded in ice thorns that contrasted with the volcanic region, was incomprehensible from a distance. However, judging by the faint wisps of smoke emanating from gaps in the building, he was certain it was the origin of this rich aroma. Concluding this, the Fire Dragon King threw away the prey he had just captured with his powerful legs and dived towards his new target.

***

“A-aren’t you cutting it too thick? Are you sure it’s okay? Will it cook through to the center properly?”

Melfina repeatedly confirmed with Efil, even though she likely understood it was fine. Drool leaked from the corners of her pink, adorable lips, and as usual, she showed no trace of her dignity as a goddess.

“Don’t worry. I’m in top form today.”

Efil, grilling various ingredients one after another on a lava plate, was full of confidence. She cut a thick slice from the giant dragon’s tail prepared for Melfina and grilled it as a steak. The lava plate allowed the heat to penetrate to the inside, cooking the meat thoroughly even when thick, without burning it. It seemed like something Efil could do even without my help, but I wanted to attribute some of that to my own efforts. However, considering the number of people involved and the fact that she was preparing each dish tailored to individual preferences for taste and doneness, her divine skill was mesmerizing. It also gave off the intensity of something from a cooking manga.

“Older Sister Efil, the hotcakes are looking good.”
“Just five more seconds.”
“Understood.”

However, I couldn’t help but wonder if grilling Mudo’s hotcakes in a corner of the plate was the right direction for a barbecue. But then again, if Mudo was happy, then it was fine. Like Dahak, he eats selectively yet is remarkably healthy. Dragons’ bodies are truly mysterious!

“?” “?”
“What’s up?”

Sera and Ange, who were eating yakisoba, looked up. There’s some food on their cheeks. It’s noodles, not rice.

“I sense something approaching from over there.”
“Yeah. Well, I think we already know what it is, don’t we?”

A large red circle appeared on the map from the subordinate network. We couldn’t see it with the naked eye yet, but it was heading directly towards us. This volcano is the ruler’s lair. No monster would approach such a dangerous area, especially since we had annihilated most of them during the race. Thus, there was only one possibility.

“Efil.”

The moment I called Efil’s name, the flame heating the lava plate blazed brilliantly. The flames levitated the plate and the ingredients, and then all the food being cooked floated up. In that instant, the magnificent Perfect Maid quickly applied the finishing touches to everything with the cooking utensils in her hands and, with eye-dazzling speed, served each dish. Like shooting arrows at a target, the dishes accurately landed on their respective plates, a feat resembling acrobatics. Mudo’s hotcakes, complete with honey and butter, were stacked three high. Such perfection is usually only seen on the packaging of hotcake mix. Mel’s large plate also had a perfectly finished dragon steak. And it was already about a third gone.

“Master, I’m going.”
“Ah, go knock yourself out.”

With her usual smile and her beloved bow, Efil climbed onto the roof of the barbecue area.

“Older Kel, is it okay to let Older Sister Efil go alone?”
Lyon said, already seemingly indulging in dessert time while stuffing her face with the same hotcakes as Mudo.

“It’s fine. Honestly, I’d like to handle it myself. But it’s fine. This is something Efil needs to settle.”

“?” “?”
Dahak and Shutra, who didn’t know the background, tilted their heads, but it wasn’t something I needed to explain. It wasn’t a story that would be enjoyable to know.

“Watch carefully. You don’t get to see Efil fight seriously very often.”

I bit into the spare ribs Efil had made for me and looked up at the sky.

***

“Delicious. A delicious smell. To captivate me with scent alone, it must be an exquisite offering. I shall consume it. I shall devour it. Both the exquisite offering and the exquisite prey that created it.”

The Fire Dragon King’s mind was completely focused on that location. Its vision reflected only the blue thorns, and it rushed towards that single point. It bared the wildness of a proud dragon king. The drifting scent held such power.

“So, rare, medium, well-done—how would you like it cooked?”
“Naturally, fully cooked. Heat is supreme—!?”

The moment it reflexively answered the words suddenly spoken, an intense shock struck it from above. A deafening explosion echoed. As if colliding with a meteor, the Fire Dragon King plummeted downwards.

“Understood. It’s rare to prefer very well-done, but I vow to cook it with all my heart.”
“You—!”

Just before crashing onto the bubbling magma and earth, the Fire Dragon King, having regained its posture in mid-air, unleashed its breath towards the source of the voice. As a crimson mass sped towards it, a second explosion erupted from the other side. Immediately after, countless explosions occurred at the boundary between the two, completely drowning out the sound of the volcanic eruption.

“Charring is unacceptable. For a cook, destroying the ingredients is a sign of being half-baked. Fire Dragon King, I will prepare you, the ingredient, as the finest sustenance for my Master.”
“I… an ingredient…?”

The Fire Dragon King looked up. A beautiful maid riding a flame-wreathed dragon was drawing a bow at it.

(With such a diminutive weapon, you dare challenge me, the King of Dragons?)

It was being challenged. The Fire Dragon King was bewildered by this sensation, which it had long forgotten. Such reckless individuals should have disappeared long ago. Yet, Efil, the head maid of Kelvin’s Mansion, renowned as a demon realm, declared:

“I shall begin cooking.”