Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 158

Elizabeth and Goethe devoured the Ultimate Sandwich with great relish.

Perhaps that sight stirred a significant change in Bishop’s heart.

“How about we discuss the details after we dismiss our guest?”

“That would be best.”

Then, the stagnant air began to move again.

Kainchel spoke to Goethe, who was patting his stomach with a satisfied look.

“Thanks to you, I was able to get what I wanted today. Thank you for accepting my invitation.”

“What did I even do? Goethe is always welcome at gatherings like this. By the way, I heard there’s a medium in the North that can weaken the curse. Is that true?”

It seemed the rumor spread by the Edelweiss Merchant Guild had reached Goethe’s ears.

“It’s all true.”

“If you know anything, please explain it in detail. It might help when I write my next book.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to go to the North and see for yourself if you’re curious?”

“Hmm, seeing it for myself is definitely better. Then, on a whim, shall I stay in the North for a while as a summer vacation?”

The works of the great writer Goethe enjoy nationwide popularity.

If the fact that Goethe is staying in the North becomes known, his numerous readers will show interest.

Naturally, the rumors about Kainchel’s curry will also gain momentum.

‘In the end, did I buy the fame of a great writer with a sandwich?’

Elizabeth yawned like a well-fed cat and went to take a nap.

Bishop led Kainchel to his study, the place where he spent most of his day.

“Certainly, what I said to Mr. Goethe just now is correct. Seeing is believing, after all.”

Bishop said, removing his iron mask.

@

Inside was a slippery, amorphous monster.

‘…A slime?’

The slime wriggled and transformed into the shape of a human mouth.

The outline that was vaguely visible beyond the iron mask was also created in the same way.

“You’re not surprised.”

“Even though I look like this, I’m incredibly surprised.”

“As you can see, this body is a slime.”

A homunculus [an artificially created being] is an artificial life form created through alchemy.

There isn’t a specific shape or form.

However, most are made to resemble humans or higher races.

It’s difficult to give them intelligence without a brain or an equivalent organ.

Bishop is a slime without even a nucleus, let alone a brain.

Yet, he possesses intelligence on par with a dragon.

The slime’s lips twisted grotesquely, and it spat out a truth that no one had heard for hundreds of years.

“This body was born quite by chance. No, it was created.”

Bishop’s creator wanted to make a chessboard that moved on its own when instructed.

To do that, he needed pieces with some level of intelligence.

“Chess pieces that move on their own. All that’s needed is the intelligence to understand simple commands like ‘one square forward.’ Moreover, they had to be able to take on the appearance of various chess pieces. The form couldn’t be fixed. So, the creator used the amorphous monster slime as the material for the homunculus.”

“Could it be that the reason you’re named Bishop is…”

“You’re quick to catch on. That’s right. The creator made me to be used as a bishop [a chess piece].”

Thus, a set of chess pieces with intelligence and the ability to move was completed.

“And the creator, whether he was bored after making them or not, left the chess pieces in the study and started other research. And a very long time passed.”

Among the chess pieces that moved according to instructions, the only one that captured other pieces was Bishop.

And Bishop realized that his purpose was to devour other pieces.

Starting with the initial eight pawns, then the rooks and knights…

Eventually, even the queen and the king.

Having devoured all 31 other chess pieces, Bishop gained intelligence beyond that of a human.

“And again, time passed. Before I knew it, I had devoured all the books in the creator’s study, and that knowledge also became part of what makes me up.”

And Bishop’s creator learned that the slime homunculus had gained enough intelligence to become an alchemist.

— Amazing! To think that a chess piece that only moves according to instructions would gain knowledge equivalent to an alchemist! And all of that is thanks to desire! If I were to create a chimera that embodies all seven deadly sins, it would be a being no different from a god!

“After that, the creator left the magic tower, leaving me with the mission to complete the Philosopher’s Stone in his stead.”

Thus, the chess piece Bishop, who moved according to instructions, became an alchemist.

“You probably know what happened after that. I researched the Philosopher’s Stone and created numerous magical tools. My appetite disappeared after devouring all of my kin, until I saw the Ultimate Sandwich you made.”

Bishop could transform the slime’s body to create a mouth to eat food.

He could also create a stomach to digest food.

However, he couldn’t taste anything.

“Appetite is the very meaning of my existence. And when I saw you cooking, I felt it being resolved for the first time. That satisfaction! And fulfillment…! It was something I had never felt before!”

Bishop doesn’t have a face.

However, it was clear from his voice that he was incredibly excited.

“Surely, you will continue to make such dishes in the future. I want to participate in that.”

“…Are you asking me to come here periodically and cook for you?”

“No, you must be busy, so it’s enough to use this body as a tool. If you allow it, I will provide the cola recipe and even all the glass bottles.”

“A tool?”

Then, Bishop wriggled and transformed into a large bowl.

It didn’t end there. He changed into various cooking tools, one after another: a bowl, a whisk, tongs.

Something only a homunculus made of chess pieces could do.

Kainchel’s eyes widened. Bishop was a nearly omnipotent cooking tool.

A part of the slime’s body fell off and wrapped around Kainchel’s arm.

The main body, reduced in size by about 30%, said,

“From now on, that body is yours. Once you get used to handling it, you can use it like another arm. Moreover, through shape transformation, it can have a strength close to that of a dragon’s scales.”

“…Why are you doing this for me?”

“Didn’t I say? I’m betting on your potential. You just need to cook as you have been, but using my body. Through that, I can satisfy my overflowing appetite. I think it’s a very good deal.”

Kainchel pondered.

Using a slime homunculus as a cooking tool.

It could be very useful since it can transform into any shape.

However, there were too many people who would be troubled if Bishop disappeared.

The magic tower was an essential place for the citizens.

“If that’s the concern, there’s no need to worry. Isn’t my main body still wearing the iron mask and staying here? I’ve simply provided a part of my body to you.”

Then there was no reason to refuse.

“…In the end, I made one dish and got cola, glass bottles, and an omnipotent cooking tool in return.”

“I don’t understand why you’re feeling uneasy when you’ve gained such a great opportunity. And handling my body requires a lot of practice. Train hard.”

“You don’t have to worry about that.”

Kainchel was confident that he wouldn’t lose to anyone when it came to perseverance.

Bishop’s mouth curved softly. It seemed he was pleased with the terms of the deal.

“By the way, who exactly is the creator who made you?”

“Hmm, the creator, you say. He has many names, but the most famous is Merlin. Merlin, the alchemist of life.”

@

While Bishop was making a prototype of the cola, Kainchel practiced using the newly acquired cooking tool.

As he concentrated his mind on his left hand, the slime that had been integrated with his arm stretched out smoothly.

Its appearance was exactly like a certain dessert.

“Jelly…. Yeah, I’ll call it Jelly.”

Then, small lips and eyes popped out from the Jelly.

“That’s tacky. Wouldn’t a slightly cooler name be better?”

“Bi, Bishop! You said to use you as a cooking tool, so stop making eyes and lips!”

To think he would have his naming sense criticized by a tool. It was a truly refreshing feeling.

“Hmm, I’ll try to refrain from doing so.”

Kainchel had to take a few deep breaths to calm his pounding heart.

However, Jelly’s abilities were too good to only be used as a cooking tool.

‘A homunculus’s body that can transform into any shape… Moreover, it can adjust its strength from steel to dragon scales. I could use this as a weapon?’

Of course, it would require a lot of practice, but it was worth it.

Kainchel started practicing moving Jelly first.

The basic technique was similar to handling aura. If he concentrated his mind on Jelly and gave it commands, it would move accordingly.

‘Then, let’s start by moving ingredients.’

The Jelly that popped out of his left arm flew towards a potato.

Now, he had to gently grab it and move it to the cutting board. But handling Jelly was more difficult than he thought.

Thud-!

The precariously moving potato shattered into pieces.

‘Could it be because I didn’t specify how much force to use when moving the potato?’

This time, he instructed it to move the potato with as little force as possible.

Then, Jelly picked up the potato that was 10 meters away and moved it very slowly.

And dropped it halfway.

“Ugh…! This time, the force is too weak?!

Thus, the practice of handling Jelly continued all night long.

Before he knew it, the clothes he was wearing were soaked with sweat. Handling Jelly was incredibly exhausting.

It felt like being a baby learning to walk.

“…Do, done!”

Finally, long after the morning sun had risen, he was able to move the potato to the desired location.

Then, a voice of admiration was heard from somewhere.

“Handling a third hand is difficult. It’s similar to moving wings that humans don’t have.”

Kainchel shouted at his left arm.

“I told you not to keep talking to me!”

“Who are you looking at to talk?”

“Ah.”

It wasn’t Jelly who was talking. When he turned his head, there was a large suit of armor standing near the entrance of the kitchen.

It was Bishop’s main body, the iron mask.

Embarrassed, Kainchel scratched the back of his head and said,

“I want to get used to handling Jelly as quickly as possible. Is there a good way to practice?”

“If that’s the case, try practicing placing an egg on a spoon and moving it without dropping it.”

“That sounds good.”

As Bishop shrugged his shoulders, watching Kainchel try to start practicing moving the egg right away.

“Practice is good, but wouldn’t you like to taste it first? The cola is finished.”

“Co, cola!”

While Kainchel was wrestling with potatoes all night, Bishop made a prototype of the cola.

It was finally completed.

A Taste You Can Tell Without Tasting #4