Kazuya descended the last steps slowly, hands in his pockets, his expression carrying that mix of disguised exhaustion and boredom he had mastered. The conversation with Valerie had been... intense. In both good and bad ways. He still wasn't sure if he had done himself a favor or just poured more gasoline on the fire that was his life.
When he reached the kitchen, the first thing he saw was the most absurdly predictable scene since he had brought that woman to the mansion.
Artoria Pendragon, the Lancer version, was seated on the white marble counter, devouring a hamburger with the same seriousness a medieval general would command a battle. Her greenish eyes gleamed with every bite, and if there was anything in the world capable of making the legendary King of Britain relax, it was food.
Especially meat.
He sighed and walked straight into the kitchen.
"Yo..." He greeted the girls casually.
Artoria Lancer didn't take her eyes off the hamburger in front of her, chewing with the solemnity of someone savoring a divine delicacy.
"Good morning, Kazuya... The hamburgers you made yesterday for stock are gone. This is the last one... They were delicious. As your King, I would love for you to make more..."
"There were over a hundred... How did you eat them all...? You know what, forget I asked. Salter has the same appetite..."
"Do not underestimate a King..." Artoria nodded.
Kazuya sighed and turned to Asia, greeting her: "Good morning, Asia. How's everything around here?"
Asia smiled upon seeing him.
"G-good morning, Kazuya! Miss Artoria has been eating since she woke up, and Jeanne-san is trying to cook something, but..."
Asia's gaze went straight to the pot on the stove, where a stubborn cloud of smoke was forming. The little nun gave a nervous chuckle.
"...it's not going very well."
"What do you mean 'not going very well'?" Kazuya muttered, raising an eyebrow.
Jeanne d'Arc was a few meters away, standing by the stove, trying to focus on a pot as suspicious smoke rose from it. She bit her lower lip, furrowing her brow in worry, trying not to panic. She was so focused she didn't even notice him...
She was adorable!
"Jeanne..." Kazuya said, approaching and peeking at the contents of the pot.
The Maid of Orleans jumped slightly, as if caught committing a crime.
"Ah! Master, when did you get here?"
"Just now..." Kazuya gave an ironic smile and asked: "What exactly are you trying to make there?"
"I-It's a stew... I think..." She scratched her cheek, smiling nervously: "I wanted to try making something French, but... it's harder than it looks..."
Kazuya examined the mixture in the pot. It looked like a cross between cement mortar and a medieval soup used to punish traitors. Well, no one could blame her. Jeanne could cook a little, but she had only been a simple farmer's daughter before being sent by God to war. She had pretended to be a man in the army and spent years serving France in battle, losing her domestic skills because of it.
Besides, different eras meant different foods.
Back then, meals were quite different from what we know today. During the 15th century, when Jeanne d'Arc walked the fields of medieval France, food reflected the limitations and beliefs of an era marked by war, faith, and scarcity.
Peasants, responsible for feeding the country, lived on a simple and repetitive diet. Bread was the staple food, but nothing like the soft, white loaves of modern bakeries. They were dark, coarse, and made from barley or rye, as refined wheat flour was a luxury reserved for nobles and the court. Meals were accompanied by easy-to-grow vegetables like turnips, onions, and cabbage, almost always cooked in thick broths, without the variety of spices known today.
Spices, when available, came from distant lands, brought by merchants on perilous journeys, and were worth more than gold. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper were used sparingly, more as a status symbol than to enhance flavor. For common folk, the only options were local herbs like rosemary, thyme, and parsley, gathered from fields or gardens.
Meat was rare. When available, it came mainly from pigs, which were easy to raise and provided both meat and lard, the latter essential in cooking. Domestic poultry like chickens and ducks supplemented the diet, but in tough times, even dogs and cats could end up in the pot. River and lake fish were more accessible, their importance growing during the frequent fasting periods imposed by the Church, when meat consumption was forbidden.
Desserts, as we understand them today, were practically nonexistent. Honey replaced refined sugar, still a rare commodity, and dried or cooked fruits sweetened dishes on special occasions. Fresh cheeses were common in rural areas, made from cow or goat milk.
Water, often unsafe, was avoided. Thus, wine and weak beer, almost like fermented water, were daily drinks, even for children. Not for pleasure, but for safety.
Compared to that, the modern world is a culinary paradise. Thanks to globalization and advances in the food industry, anyone, in any season, can enjoy foods once reserved for royal tables. Tropical fruits, fresh standardized cuts of meat, imported rice, oriental spices, and elaborate desserts are within reach of nearly everyone.
Moreover, control over food preservation, refrigeration, transportation methods, and product standardization have made contemporary cuisine a rich experience of options and combinations. What once would have been a feast fit for a count—spiced meat, soft bread, sweet wine, and fruit tarts—can now be found in an ordinary restaurant or even a frozen supermarket meal.
So, it was no surprise that Jeanne wasn't a great cook. Different eras, different foods, different cooking methods... When summoned, she learned everything needed about the era she was in, but she didn't become a modern person capable of cooking well...
Even in Chaldea, Emiya and Tamamo Cat handled the cooking. The only time he remembered Jeanne using the kitchen was to make Valentine's Day chocolate for him...
She was adorable!
Especially when he recalled how much she tried for him. When she was summoned and he prepared their first meal together, Jeanne simply couldn't stand still without helping him. So, he accepted her help and taught her a bit about cooking, but she didn't have much "talent" for it...
He sighed and asked:
"Want help with that?"
"I-If it's not too much trouble... Master... I'm sorry about this... I still don't understand how to make a proper stew, and it turned out like this... shouldn't it smell better and look nicer? Thanks to my Lord, I also didn't set the house on fire..." Jeanne sounded disappointed as she spoke.
Kazuya gave her a pat on the head and said gently: "No worries, Jeanne. Relax, no one's born knowing everything. You're still learning and already doing pretty well. I'll just help you out..."
Jeanne blushed slightly and nodded, thanking him: "Thank you, Kazuya..."
Kazuya smiled and took his hand off her head before starting to assist Jeanne, teaching her step by step.
Meanwhile, Artoria Lancer, still chewing impassively as if nothing in the world could disturb her sacred moment with that hamburger, had a slight hint of jealousy in her eyes but didn't interrupt because Asia, the little blonde nun beside her, was trying to start a conversation.
"Um, so... Lady Artoria... About what you said about Kazuya. Did he really do that on Halloween? It must have been fun..."
Artoria glanced at Asia for a moment, finished chewing, and replied:
"Yes. It was the first time he got drunk in his life... Fun is a good word to sum it up. There was good food, good music, and everyone was caught up in the celebration that lasted a whole day. Everyone was in costume, and Kazuya went as Dracula..."
Asia blinked, a bit shyly, and smiled.
"Amazing... I've always wanted to go to a costume party."
"A shame there weren't any hamburgers..."
"You really love them, don't you, Lady Artoria..."
"Yes, but not as much as my corrupted version..."
"If you want, I can make more. Kazuya taught me how..."
"Don't fill her head with ideas..." Kazuya grumbled, heading to the fridge to grab a juice. Jeanne was chopping the green herbs he'd asked for while humming at the kitchen sink. After pouring his juice, he leaned against the counter and sighed: "If I let her, this woman will clear out the kitchen stock by the end of the week..."
"It's a possibility. As a King, I must always be the best..." Artoria Lancer murmured, the corner of her mouth curling into a rare smirk.
"That doesn't mean you have to eat the entire pantry..." Kazuya shot her a deadpan look, adding: "Luckily, I'm rich enough to keep you all fed..."
"Speaking of which, Master..." Jeanne stopped chopping onions, her eyes teary, and said: "I need to go buy more groceries in town later. I was thinking of going with Asia..."
"Hm?" Kazuya looked at Jeanne, noticing her watery eyes from the onions. He walked over, wiped her tears with an intimate gesture, and said: "No problem. Here..."
At the end of his words, he handed her his Black Card to buy whatever she wanted. Jeanne, slightly flushed from the intimate gesture, accepted and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you..."
Asia, who had been quiet, also thanked him: "Thank you, Kazuya..."
"No need to thank me. Buy whatever you want too..."
Kazuya shrugged and continued sipping his juice.
The atmosphere, despite the natural eccentricity of the place, was pleasant. The mansion, which once carried an almost oppressive air of a military headquarters, had become something more... human. Of course, there was the fact that it housed historical Servants, a nun who could heal any wound, and a traumatized dhampir who had sworn loyalty to him just minutes ago. But details.
The kitchen quickly became lively with the four continuing their conversation. Jeanne added the chopped herbs to the pot, and a pleasant aroma began to fill the air...
Asia brought up another topic, a bit shyly.
"Um... I saw on TV yesterday that there's going to be a meteor shower viewing event at the park near the station tomorrow night."
Kazuya raised an eyebrow. "Meteor shower?"
"Yes. They'll have telescopes and everything. I thought it sounded nice... I've never seen a real shooting star."
"I have," said Artoria Lancer: "Once, during a campaign in northern Britain. It was summer, the sky was so clear it looked like a mirrored lake. In the middle of the night, more than twenty of them crossed the sky at once. My knights thought it was an omen of victory."
Jeanne smiled warmly. "And was it?"
"Of course," she replied simply, as if it were obvious.
"So... can we go tomorrow?" Asia asked hopefully.
"If the weather's good and you're not busy wrecking the kitchen, sure," Kazuya replied, shrugging. "A bit of peace now and then doesn't hurt."
"Should we bring food?" Jeanne suggested. "Like a nighttime picnic."
"I've never been to a picnic," Asia said shyly.
Artoria Lancer crossed her arms, thoughtful. "If there's hamburgers..."
Kazuya sighed. "It won't just be hamburgers. But I'll make some."
"You're all starting to adapt pretty well to modern life."
Artoria Lancer gave a faint smile. "With you around, Master... we can get used to any era."
Jeanne nodded, wiping her hands on her apron. "And it's fun... even the little things. Like going to the market, watching TV, or learning to use the microwave without blowing anything up."
"You almost blew up the microwave?" Kazuya frowned.
"It was just a spark!" she defended, blushing.
"Jeanne-san... If I'm not mistaken, you put aluminum foil in the mug cake, right?" Asia asked quietly, already knowing the answer.
"...I thought it would help it bake faster."
"Even I didn't do that one. You're a real genius..." Kazuya muttered, but he was smiling.
"...Master!" Jeanne shot him a stern look before turning to the one who ratted her out. Was this how sisters felt when their younger sibling snitched on them?
Asia laughed nervously at Jeanne's pouting stare and tried to change the subject: "Kazuya, have you ever been to a matsuri? I always see them in the anime you watch, with food stalls and games. It looks interesting..."
Artoria Lancer looked up, intrigued. "Matsuri?"
"Japanese summer festival," Kazuya explained. "Takoyaki stalls, goldfish-catching games, people wearing yukata, fireworks... classic. Yes, Asia, I've been to one... It'd be nice to take you all sometime. I heard there's one in Kyoto in three days, just when I'm traveling there. We could go check it out... By then, the rest of the girls should be back."
Jeanne clapped her hands, excited. "Oh, I'd love to wear a yukata! Those dresses are beautiful."
"You'd look great," Kazuya said, watching her blush.
Artoria Lancer shrugged. "If there's good food, I'm in."
"Of course you are," Kazuya teased. "I doubt you'd resist fresh karaage or stall yakisoba."
Artoria Lancer smirked. "Challenge accepted."
Asia, thrilled, was already picturing the scene. "We could even try catching those goldfish! I've never managed at a festival."
"If you want, I'll teach you," Kazuya said casually. "There's a trick to moving your hand so the net doesn't tear."
Jeanne put her hands on her hips. "Great! So it's settled. First the meteor shower, then the festival."
"And on Sunday," Artoria added, "you make me more hamburgers."
"You don't give up, do you?"
"A King never retreats."
"Fine..." Kazuya said calmly, then gave a slight smile: "Deal. One step at a time. And someone please take the pot off the fire before it actually turns to charcoal."
"Ah! I forgot!" Jeanne rushed to the stove in a panic: "W-where's the switch?!"
Kazuya sighed and grabbed the pot before its contents became an archaeological relic. He turned off the heat and carefully poured the "stew" down the sink while Jeanne made a face of pure dismay.
"Easy, Jeanne." He put a clean pot on the stove and said in a lighter tone: "Let's start from scratch. I'll show you how to make a real one."
She adjusted her apron, determined again, and smiled. "Yes, Master!"
Asia approached with a bag of fresh vegetables. "Can I help too? I can cut the carrots."
"Sure, Asia. Grab a cutting board and a small knife. Just be careful not to cut yourself." Kazuya positioned himself between the two and began organizing the ingredients on the marble counter.
Meanwhile, Artoria Lancer watched the scene with a calm expression.
Kazuya diced the meat while explaining: "First, the meat needs to sear. No rush, no drowning the pot in water. This way it browns and adds flavor to the broth later."
Jeanne watched closely, her face almost too close to the pot, nearly dipping her nose in the smell of sizzling meat.
"Careful not to burn your face," he warned, nudging her lightly with his elbow.
She gave a shy giggle. "S-sorry..."
Asia brought the carrots, sliced thinly, a bit uneven but with clear effort.
"Great job, Asia. Pass them here." He took the carrots and added them to the pot. "Now onions, garlic, some fresh herbs... none of that medieval witch's brew stuff."
"It was just one time..." Jeanne muttered, pouting.
Kazuya laughed and gave her another light pat on the head. "You're doing fine."
As they stirred the pot, Artoria Lancer approached, leaning casually against the counter.
"I must admit, your mastery of modern cooking is worthy of a troop commander."
"Someone's gotta keep you all fed," he teased.
"And good food is an effective weapon to maintain loyalty," she shot back, taking another bite of her hamburger.
"Tell me about it..." Jeanne murmured softly, her cheeks pink.
Asia tried not to giggle.
In a few minutes, the aroma of seared meat, herbs, and vegetables filled the kitchen, a far cry from the suspicious smoke from before. Jeanne stared at the pot as if it were magic.
"Now," Kazuya grabbed a bottle of white wine and poured a splash. The scent rose immediately, drawing sighs from the girls. "This is the trick. The alcohol evaporates, leaving just the flavor."
"Got it!" Jeanne mentally noted each step.
"Done. Let it simmer slowly now. Meanwhile, anyone want to make a salad or...?"
Asia raised her hand. "I'll do it! I know how to cut tomatoes!"
"Great." He smiled.
Artoria Lancer crossed her arms and gave a rare smirk. For a moment, she recalled the time they all spent together in Chaldea.
Kazuya leaned against the counter and glanced at her. "Prefer this or the days when all you could hear were ghosts and my complaints?"
"I prefer the smell of hamburgers," she replied without hesitation, her eyes teasing.
He let out a short laugh.
And so, the kitchen remained busy with the sound of pots, the sizzle of meat, the chopping of knives, and light conversation. Jeanne softly hummed an old French melody, Asia focused on the salad with the concentration of someone building a house of cards, and Artoria... just watched, as always, but this time with a softer gaze.
Soon after, the stew was ready, and this time, for real. The entire kitchen was filled with the comforting aroma of tender meat simmering with vegetables and herbs. Jeanne looked at the pot as if it were a sacred relic, while Asia smiled, pleased with the colorful salad she had prepared.
Kazuya gave one last stir, tasted the broth with a wooden spoon, and nodded.
"Perfect. Jeanne, grab the plates. Asia, help with the glasses and cutlery. Let's eat on the veranda today."
"Yes, Master!" Jeanne replied, excited.
"Sure!" Asia rushed to the cabinet.
While the two began setting everything up, Kazuya let the stew rest before serving. He pushed his hair back, took a deep breath, and muttered to himself: "What kind of general am I if I don't feed my troops..."
He let a faint smile slip before turning to Artoria, who was still impassively chewing her hamburger.
"Artoria, do me a favor."
"If it's not about sharing this, go ahead," she replied without taking her eyes off the burger.
"Go call Karna to eat."
Artoria sighed and glanced at him.
"What's in it for me?"
Kazuya thought for a moment, opened the fridge, and pulled out a tray of raw hamburgers. He held up one of the patties.
"Do this, and I'll make you three more later."
Artoria's eyes gleamed like a sword being unsheathed on the battlefield.
"Deal."
She stood, adjusted her blue cape, and left the kitchen with determined steps.
Asia, balancing a tray of glasses and cutlery, giggled softly. "Lady Artoria really takes food seriously, doesn't she?"
"You have no idea."
Kazuya then turned to Asia. "Go call Edmond and Valerie on the veranda. They're probably in their usual spot."
"Yes!" Asia hurried off, smiling.
Jeanne returned with the plates and began helping set the table on the terrace, under the shade of a large tree, where a gentle breeze carried the scent of garden flowers.
Minutes later, everyone was gathered.
Karna arrived with his calm, silent demeanor, Artoria resumed her second hamburger, Edmond showed up with a book in hand and a half-sarcastic smile, and Valerie... well, Valerie just gave Kazuya a subtle nod, still exuding that fatalistic dhampir aura.
The food was served, and conversations started slowly, revolving around trivialities and memories of Chaldea. Karna, as usual, didn't say much but listened to everything. Edmond, ever the joker, recounted exaggerated tales, and Asia laughed at it all. Valerie didn't touch much of the stew, preferring wine and bread, while Artoria and Jeanne practically competed to see who could go back for seconds the most.
Kazuya just watched it all with a certain satisfaction, leaning back in his chair, sipping cold juice.
It was strange how an environment that should be chaotic felt... right.
The hours passed without them noticing. As the sun began to set, the meal came to an end. Jeanne and Asia, volunteering, started collecting the plates and pots.
"Let us handle it, Master. You can rest a bit," Jeanne said with a soft smile.
"If you drop anything, it'll be on me," he joked but nodded.
With Asia's help, they took everything back to the kitchen, where Kazuya soon appeared, putting away the remaining drinks and wiping down the counter.
"Thanks for today, Kazuya," Jeanne said, stopping beside him while Asia dried the glasses.
"You guys did a good job." He glanced at her. "Best stew you've made yet."
Jeanne smiled, a bit embarrassed but visibly happy with the compliment.
"Well... we're going to town now to buy the groceries, as we planned."
"Cool. Take Asia and don't forget the card."
"Yes, sir," she said, playfully saluting.
Asia laughed and slung her bag over her shoulder.
"Take care," Kazuya said, tossing the dish towel over his shoulder and leaning against the sink.
The two left through the back door, chatting excitedly, leaving the kitchen quiet for the first time that day.
Kazuya looked around. Clean pots, spotless counter, the lingering aroma of food in the air.
He let out a long sigh and picked up his juice again.
Alone.
As strange as it was... he kind of liked that domestic chaos.
But the silence had its value too.
He sat at the table, propped his feet on another chair, and stayed there, listening to the distant chirping of birds in the garden and smelling the dampაზ
System: damp earth from the early evening.
Just a few more days like this.
Then... Kyoto.
___________________
(A/N: Author's Note
Good afternoon, everyone! 🙌
Here's another chapter for you, with 4,000 words. I'm thinking of releasing the next one later today — I'm almost done with it. Or, if you prefer, I could leave it for tomorrow and make it a bit longer, around 6,000 words. That next chapter will focus on Ishtar, Ereshkigal, and Skadi's group, and you can expect some pretty interesting plot twists there!
This chapter has more of a Slice of Life vibe, to give everyone a breather before the next round of action. Oh — and I'm considering adding a lemon scene between Kazuya and Artoria Lancer before they head off to Kyoto. What do you think? To keep it from being a chapter solely about that, I'll include a dream cycle where the Servants get to witness a bit more of the protagonist's past.
If you like the idea, let me know in the comments!
Also — Scáthach will be making her return soon, and as for the new summons you're all waiting for, I'm going to hold off a little longer so I can properly develop the characters already present in the story. That way, everyone gets their chance to shine.
Jeanne Alter and Saber Alter will also be causing some trouble for the Heroic Faction, and they'll be showing up in the upcoming chapters to do just that.
This arc is going to be a bit longer than usual because, besides the Youkai, I'll be diving deeper into Kazuya's past, the mystery behind his unique ability, and exploring more of the Fate Gacha system.
Thank you all so much for the support and patience! ❤️ Stay tuned — some good stuff is coming your way soon.
_____
💬 And hey — want to just read ahead a bit?
📚 For $2.99, you can read up to 5 chapters ahead, perfect for avoiding spoilers or just bingeing.
📚 For $5.99, you get full access to ALL content, no holding back.