The Einzbern Castle, a sanctuary personally crafted by Ryuya. This domain, layered with various defensive barriers, could effectively block attacks from most Servants and serve as an early warning system.
Not only that, the territory was quite extensive, equipped with comprehensive facilities and numerous homunculus maids.
The kitchen area, located in a specific part of the castle, was a space dedicated to the maids, capable of producing meals for over a hundred people at any time.
And this was the final venue chosen by Haruno.
"Mmm.... hmm..... Sigh....."
Having chosen a cooking station, Female Gil was fighting alone this time. She had been brimming with confidence before the competition started, but now, her face was full of worry.
"Gil, what are you planning to make?"
Ryuya, acting as a judge, walked up behind the King of Heroes. Watching Gilgamesh deep in thought, he asked curiously.
"Ah? Isn't it almost done?"
Pointing at a single... potato strip in front of her, Gilgamesh's face reddened slightly as she spoke.
"What dish is this? French fries?"
Looking at the rather peculiarly shaped fry... if it could even be called that, Ryuya inquired.
"This is a cold dish."
Kicking the trash bin at her feet, moving it out of Ryuya's line of sight, Gilgamesh, of course, did not know how to cook.
She had planned to bluff her way through with a simple stir-fried shredded potatoes but was defeated at the peeling stage.
Inside the trash bin lay all her failed peeling attempts: chunks of potato skin, oddly shaped potatoes, and several scorched pots nearby. This competition category was truly a headache for Gilgamesh.
"A cold dish... Well, good luck then, Gil."
Nodding, Ryuya didn't recall Gilgamesh having learned to cook before he left, 'But so many years had passed, so perhaps she had picked it up?'
Turning to inspect the next contestant's work, he was unaware that after he left, Gilgamesh pulled out Ea.
"Ea, my most favored weapon. Surely, after such a long slumber, you must be feeling a bit restless, right?"
"But fear not, this king has found a most challenging task for you: peeling potatoes!"
Ea: "???"
'Are you even listening to yourself? You want me, a holy weapon, to peel potatoes?'
"Ea, you are a mature weapon now. For this king's future, it is time to reveal your true power!"
Patting her chest, Gilgamesh shamelessly placed all her hopes on Ea.
Ea: 'Heh, ha... ha... hilarious!'
If it could speak, or rather, Ea could only verbally communicate with Ryuya… it could at best convey emotions to Gilgamesh mentally.
It sent a wave of disdain towards Gilgamesh.
How could the Noble Phantasm, the Star of Creation that Split Heaven and Earth, stoop to such a disgraceful act? Would it have any dignity left? How could it face other Noble Phantasms? Introducing itself as 'Ea, owned by the oldest King Gilgamesh, expert potato peeler'?
Flatly refusing Gilgamesh, Ea retreated back into the Gate of Babylon on its own.
'Who cares about you!'
"Enkidu, Ishtar, what are you two planning to make?"
Moving on from Gilgamesh, Ryuya arrived before the next team: Enkidu and Ishtar.
"Ryu? Ishtar and I want to make a fruit salad."
As one who revered nature, the pure white Enkidu had poor compatibility with most humans, aside from a select few.
As for Babylon and Uruk, what Enkidu loved was the land and the nation itself, not necessarily the humans.
Her concept of humanity had always been somewhat vague and conflicted, even after all these years.
Her diet reflected this, as Enkidu typically ate fruits and rarely touched meat.
Watching her work, Ryuya saw a pile of well-prepared fruits. Ishtar was to the side adding condiments like salad dressing and sugar.
It's simple, yet practical, certainly better than a certain King's attempt.
"OK, carry on then. I'll check the next team."
Nodding again, Ryuya moved to Morgan and Artoria's station.
"Huh? Lily, where are Merlin and Iri? Aren't they with you?"
Finding only the Witch and the King here, Ryuya asked curiously.
"Merlin? She dragged Irisviel off to do something crazy. I think when it's time for judging... Ryu, you'd better not eat what they make."
Morgan answered, frowning slightly.
Her cooking skills were passable, after all, before Ryuya arrived in Camelot, the witch had cooked for herself.
As for Artoria, while she had a hearty appetite and high standards for food, she only knew basic cooking methods like roasting meat.
However, she was capable of assisting Morgan.
The Pendragon Sisters working together had produced several decent side dishes.
"Dragged Iri off to do something crazy?"
Not quite understanding Morgan's meaning, Ryuya scanned the competition area and found Merlin and Irisviel's team.
"Iri, what do you think about adding some instant noodles?"
"Sure! I also want to add ice cream."
"Candied fruits would be nice too."
"Some nicely baked cookies."
"Sausages, sausages!"
"I also like pizza."
In front of the cooking station belonging to the nightmare Merlin and Irisviel, the two utterly unreliable individuals were creating a work called 'hot pot'.
But unlike the hot pot Ryuya knew, Merlin and Irisviel weren't adding common ingredients like meat, or vegetables.
They were simply throwing in anything they felt like eating. The contents of that pot were... indescribable, making Ryuya lose his appetite just by looking.
"This... never mind, better move on."
Wisely deciding not to interfere with Merlin and Irisviel, Ryuya felt it best not to disrupt their fun.
'No wonder Morgan said they were acting crazy. They've completely let loose, haven't they?'
A slight smile touched Ryuya's lips. He was actually quite happy for Merlin and Irisviel. One was a shameless troublemaker, the other a naive princess unversed in the ways of the world.
Frankly, if you added Enkidu, the Chain of Heaven who loved stirring up trouble, these three could create quite a spectacle.
Wasn't his long efforts and sacrifices all for the sake of seeing them enjoy such simple joy and laughter?
Feeling comforted by this thought, Ryuya headed to the next contestants' station… the final group in the competition, the only trio alliance.
It was none other than the Master Team of Yukino, Souji, and Kaguya!