The Other World Dining Hall

Chapter 40

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Chapter 40

Katsudon

The first day of battle to fight for their lives, literally.

[Maa, don’t worry. I got you a special permission. You can use the weapon you used up until now.]

The elderly man with missing eye and chipped tooth… a survivor of the Evil G.o.d War, Lionel’s manager narrowed his eye while saying that.

[Iyaa, the current Maou-sama sure is kind. You were bought at 10,000 gold coins. You will be released if you can pay it back.

Besides, when it comes to newcomers, the prize money is also big. If you win a spectacular battle, you can be rewarded 100 gold coins a day.

I’m really jealous.]

(Well said. Those words, he doesn’t even have a speck of belief that I can survive today.)

Looking at himself, he pitied himself for death seemed to be looming over him, and Lionel became irritated.

[Jaa, good luck. The match is at noon… if possible, try not to die.]

Only then, the old man left the waiting room and Lionel was left alone inside.

――― How did this happen?

When the elderly manager left, with a faint scent of blood drifting in the dim and gloomy room while the metal collar around his neck made him felt unpleasant, Lionel asked that question to himself again and again.

Just half a month ago, Lionel was living a great life.

He enjoyed living like the demons of the good old days.

But now here he was in this dark room, with a cursed collar to prevent escape around his neck and waiting for the fate of death.

If Lionel was born 100 years, no, 50 years earlier, he who was born with strong blessing from the Demon G.o.d could even become one of the generals of the “Demon King”.

His whole body was covered with steel-like muscles and hard bristles, a lion’s face with its regal appearance.

His roars had enough power to even kill small animals; his strength was great enough to throw boulders larger than him.

His weapon was a custom made sword manufactured by a blacksmith; it was huge, durable and had blunt edges, if Lionel swung it, the weapon could even bisect a steel-armored knight in half.

Lionel was a man born to fight.

Precisely because he was such a man, Lionel threw himself into battles.

As a mercenary, he could even turn the tides of a conflict.

Without war occurring, he wielded his sword intently against bandits who feared their fated death fighting against him.

He was fawned by many female demons, day-by-day many demons and humans admired Lionel’s strength.

――― Such days continued, until one day it ended.

[Hehe… what do you think? My prided one-hit strike? You can’t move, right?

Even if I look like this, I have confidence in my sword. Both my arm sword and lower sword.] {TN: I don’t want my translation to be above T rating so I censored it.}

In a beautiful bell-like voice, a vulgar language was spat at Lionel who fell down to the ground.

He did not know the reason.

Indeed he could not land even a single blow, but on the contrary a thin needle-like sword landed only one attack.

With just that, Lionel fell down to the ground, his body from neck to toe was paralyzed.

[Don’t worry, you won’t die. You’ll be back to normal in 3 days. The same for your subordinates too.

…I stabbed it that way.]

At the former battlefield where no one moved, he talked to Lionel endlessly.

[It’s a contract with my employer. The agreement is 3% of the money obtained by selling you and your belongings.

If you die, the amount will be reduced by half. That’s why it’s unlucky to do so

Lionel raised his movable head and asked him.

…A half-elf in form only, a monster.

[Still, you are born in the correct era. Your power is just like what the rumors said.

If you were born 50 years earlier you could even become the demon king. Though Yomi would kill you.]

His appearance was a male teenager still too young to be called an adult, with well-rounded appearance distinct from humans, and it was like a young girl that had not blossomed into a woman yet.

And the expression of his eyes was a mixture of children’s cruelty and the ruthlessness of a veteran.

[You should brag about it later, the fact that “I survived fighting against that Alexander long ago.”.

…While you’re still alive, I want you to know my name before you die.]

Before, he went around killing demons in various places, and finally got to witness the monster who claimed to be one of the four heroes that killed the Evil G.o.d, who urged the mules that were stunned seeing the one-sided fight to carry Lionel and his subordinates.

[Mo, monster…]

Though his voice managed to squeeze out from his throat, Lionel was terrified.

Ever since he was born, this was the first time he felt fear.

To spend more than 100 years on the battlefield with that unique sword, his existence was more terrifying than anything.

[――― Me? A monster?]

To those words, that monster laughed lightly and said.

[I don’t think I can be called a monster. I’m not as strong as Yomi after all.]

After that, he went to Lionel’s treasury where he stashed all of his acc.u.mulated treasures while Lionel was loaded into a horse-drawn carriage by several people.

From that point, Lionel’s life had drastically changed.

At the Demon Capital, Lionel was sold as a slave at a tremendous price of 10,000 gold coins.

The one who bought Lionel was a family of the Demon King that ruled the only demonic city in the world.

Rather than the position won by force, they were descendants of the Demon King who managed to escape the ma.s.sacre by the 4 heroes back during the war, they didn’t have battle experience.

After the war, for the young new country to catch up… high-ranking aristocrats had chosen to secure the land for the demon tribe to live under the Empire.

Those who chose to lead the country with law and wisdom, not power, decided to use Lionel as an “example” to those who committed treacherous acts in their territories.

It was the remnant of the era when demons valued power the most, now fighting slaves were sold to the arena where people could enjoy b.l.o.o.d.y entertainment.

Of course, there was a way for Lionel to survive.

There was no human or demon who could win against Lionel.

The problem was beyond there however.

(A Manticore, huh…)

The opponent had magical power on par with the Demon King, part of the fighting force during the war when the demons were using special magic…

A high ranking monster with the ability to destroy an adventurer party or a small country’s knight group.

It was nearly impossible for Lionel to defeat it alone even in normal condition.

In addition…

(… Winning, huh? It’s impossible for me to win against that thing.)

The cause of that thought… Lionel’s mouth could once again taste the bitterness of absolute defeat.

Once, Lionel believed that he was strong. Even if the opponent was the 4 heroes that killed the Demon King, they couldn’t win against him.

But now… he couldn’t believe so.

He clasped his hands. To lose, to abandon the fear of dying.

(…Tch. I have to go…)

He stood up, lifting his sword with the face of a sinner facing his execution.

[…What is that?]

There was a hidden door of human height.

In a crude stone room, there was an out-of-place well-made black wooden door.

The cat picture painted on the door stared at Lionel.

[Why is there such a door in this place?]

Lionel looked behind him… he saw the st.u.r.dy iron door that the old man used.

In order to prevent fighting slaves like Lionel from escaping, the walls of the stadium were constructed with stone while all the doors were made from steel.

Obviously, such a door was abnormal.

[…Oh well. I won’t live much longer.]

With a sigh, Lionel turned the bra.s.s handle of the door.

‘Chirinchirin’, the unlocked door opened.

[Ou. Welcome…]

He entered a bright room and Lionel unexpectedly closed his eyes.

[That’s rare. There’re 2 new customers coming today.]

Hearing that voice, he opened his eyes.

[Oi, old man, what kind of place is this?]

Standing before him was a human.

Short and trimmed hair with neat beard, but his body was built for his age.

[Why? This time’s guest sure has an extreme greeting.]

To Lionel’s words, the man laughed without minding his appearance.

[This is the Western Restaurant Nekoya. From your perspective, you’re currently in a different world.]

As usual, the owner told him the ident.i.ty of the restaurant.

[…A restaurant?]

Lionel looked inside the restaurant, disbelieving that there was such a place inside the stadium.

The restaurant was deserted.

What he was doing now was eating some brown food cooked by the middle-aged man with high speed while drinking water from a gla.s.s cup.

[…It doesn’t seem to be popular.]

[Isn’t that true.]

Lionel’s frank manner of speaking didn’t perturbed the owner, he just laughed.

[Ma, it doesn’t seem that there’re a lot of entrances on the other side.]

[Entrance? …That door.]

He looked back to the door where he came from.

If he looked closely to the top of the black door, there was a cat-shaped bell attached to the door.

Perhaps it was the one that connected this restaurant to the stadium.

[So, what do you think? What would you like to eat? If you can’t pay the money, I can just put it on your tab.]

The owner asked him in a friendly manner.

[I see… I understand. Feed me something. I don’t have any money though.]

Lionel decided to take the owner’s favour.

Thinking about it, he hadn’t eaten anything yet since he was defeated, so he remembered that he was currently hungry.

[So, what’s delicious in this restaurant?]

It might be his last meal. He would like to eat at least a decent food. It would be perfect it there’s meat.

He asked while thinking such.

[Oh yeah, every food here is delicious.

…If there’s anything you want to eat, don’t hesitate to say something. It’s a little difficult to explain the food here to you.]

The owner said with a smile.

[…I see.]

To those words, Lionel saw other customers eating their food at their tables with great speed.

[Owner, give me another plate of curry rice!]

The man who emptied the plate at astounding rate called for a dish named “curry rice”.

Seeing the white mound with brown stuff poured over it, Lionel had no clue what kind of dish that was.

[Okay, wait a moment! I’ll start cooking after I finish taking this person’s order.]

Even though he’s a demon, the owner showed no signs of fear and turned back facing Lionel.

He may be a human, but he’s not a bad person.

While thinking so, Lionel told the owner what he wanted to eat.

[For the time being, I want meat… that and,]

He swallowed his spit and said his idea.

[Something that can help me win my battle… no, never mind.]

Withdrawing his timid words that managed to leak out, he withdrew his order.

[Ou, leave it to me.]

However, the owner nodded while lightly laughing.

[…You’re serious?]

[Technically, it’s quite far-fetched.]

Lionel showed a surprised face, but the owner replied nonchalantly.

[Then wait for a minute. I’ll make it after I serve the curry.]

Those words raised his spirit from the bottom of his heart.

[…What is this restaurant?]

Later, Lionel left after stuffing his face with food.

After a while.

Finally, the owner placed the plate of finished food on the tray and brought it over.

[Okay, it’s finished.]

On the tray were brown soup, slices of yellow vegetable placed on a small brown plate, and a large blue and white striped pottery bowl.

He did not know what’s inside the bowl as it was closed with a lid with the same pattern.

[…This is?]

[Ou, it’s Katsudon.]

To Lionel’s question, a name of a foreign food was his answer.

[Katsudon?]

[Yep, Katsudon.]

When the owner once again said the name of the food, he explained the meaning.

[In my country, the word “Katsu”… it means “victory”. This food is full of nutritious meat and eggs. I guess this is a fitting food for a man before a battle.]

The owner gently lifted the lid.

[Ou…]

Lionel unintentionally leaked his voice smelling the fragrant sweet scent.

After the lid was taken off, a tantalizing vivid brown food could be seen with the yolk and the white of eggs intertwined together.

His stomach which was empty ever since he was made into a slave roared loudly.

[Well, enjoy.]

With that said, the owner collected empty plates from other tables and retreated to the kitchen.

[…Yosh, let’s eat.]

Swallowing his spit, Lionel grabbed a fork.

[First off… the meat.]

Lionel’s fork gently pierced the meat and he got excited.

The smell of “Katsudon” which was already fragrant became even stronger when he brought the food closer to his nose.

[Yosh…]

He carried the meat with eggs to his mouth… and unintentionally roared to the taste.

It was delicious. More than anything he had ever eaten.

The first thing he tasted was the sweet taste of Oranie beneath the meat, which he didn’t notice until he picked up the meat that was seasoned with unknown sauce.

It mixed with the meat juice that seeped out of meat’s coating and spread sweetly inside his mouth.

The taste of the meat was delicious.

From the meat’s texture when he chewed eat and its juice leaking out inside his mouth, it seemed that high-quality pork was used. The meat slowly unraveled inside his mouth.

Overflowing in his mouth, the combination of sauce and meat fat.

When combined with the coating, it was irresistible.

[Un? Underneath…]

Lionel who was greatly urged by the taste proceeded to pierce another cut when he noticed that there was something beneath the meat.

[What is this?]

It was something the Lionel had never seen before.

They were small grains which were originally white, dyed light brown by the sauce.

Apparently most of the bowl was packed with it and placed underneath the meat.

[That’s right, the old man said something like this… cooked rice wasn’t it.]

He scooped it with his fork, remembering the owner’s words.

The rice showed a mixed appearance of white and brown, illuminated by magic light of another world that did not use fire.

He carried it to his mouth.

(I see… it’s so-so.)

While chewing it, he judged the taste.

Apparently it had little to no taste.

While it was delicious since it absorbed the meat sauce… it was unsatisfactory.

(Maybe it’s there just for padding? …Wait.)

Suddenly, he noticed it when he observed the other customer.

The middle aged man that was eating “curry rice” with great speed.

Although his clothing looked as if it was damaged by a storm, but from its original tailoring it seemed expensive…

Just by looking at his shaped body, he could see that he had considerable skills in combat.

The curry rice that he was eating also had cooked rice.

The man seemed to be eating it deliciously by scooping it to his mouth along with the sauce.

Looking at it, Lionel decided to follow the man’s example.

The meat on top and the rice underneath.

He scooped both at the same time… and threw them to his mouth.

[Ooooo!]

He roared unexpectedly again this time.

It was a success. By eating both the meat and the rice at the same time created a great combination.

(No, this is the original form of this dish!)

He did not notice it when he first ate, but the meat alone had a strong taste.

On the contrary, the rice had little taste.

And when he ate both of the meat and rice at the same time, this dish showed its best flavor.

Lionel no longer hesitated.

Even if it was rude, he lifted the bowl near his mouth.

And he used his fork to shovel the food to his mouth.

(Delicioussssss!)

He shoveled the food to his mouth in raging speed.

It was regrettable that he had to swallow in between of chewing the food in his mouth.

The Katsudon was warm and sweet, it filled his stomach comfortably.

At that moment in his head, he did not think of his misfortune and future battle.

He was delighted by the delicacy and taste of Katsudon.

This was a very happy time for him.

But the end came for everything.

[…Fuu.]

After he ate the salty vegetables and drank the soup, Lionel sighed.

[It’s not enough.]

Yes, just one bowl of Katsudon was not enough for a giant like Lionel.

Not even a single grain of rice remained inside the empty bowl.

The hunger was not as bad as before… but it was still unsatisfactory.

[Kuso! I wish I have money…]

Lionel murmured regrettably.

When he was made a fighting slave, all of his belongings were confiscated, leaving no money behind for Lionel, and his future prospect seemed bleak.

He could not enjoy this wonderful taste anymore.

…Lionel could probably threaten the owner to make him additional food, but he couldn’t afford to do so.

He may be a human, but even though Lionel was a fearsome demon, that old man treated him as a customer without being afraid of him.

[There’s no helping it…]

He was about to stand when it happened.

[Here’s another serving of Katsudon. Thank you for waiting.]

The same rice bowl was placed in front of him.

[…I thought that just one bowl is not enough for you.

If you don’t want it, I’ll just eat it for lunch. What will you do?]

[Of course I want to eat it!]

He nodded his confirmation to the owner and sat firmly.

[Ou. Do you want another bowl? You could pay me back later when you have money.]

[…Of course! Thank you!]

While graciously appreciating the owner’s favour, he picked up his fork again.

And on that day, Lionel finished five bowls of Katsudon.

He left the restaurant, once again entering the room where the scent of blood lingered.

[Fuu… I’ve been cared considerably.]

He patted his belly that was packed full with Katsudon.

It was the first satisfactory meal in a while. And it was more delicious than anything he had ever eaten.

[Well, I have to go… I have to earn the money to pay for Katsudon after all.]

He felt content with his situation and exited the room triumphantly.

Before he knew it, the fear of losing left him.

Even though his opponent was a Manticore, he would crush it. That’s it.

Together with that simple conclusion… he entered the arena.

There was no hesitancy in his footsteps. Lionel no longer believed that he would be defeated, not even a bit.

…Lionel did not know yet.

He slaughtered the Manticore in just 3 blows and won 10,000 gold coins in just one year; it was the spectacular debut battle of the gladiator who reigned as the strongest warrior in the arena for over 20 years as the “Lion King”.

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