Ryu realized that she might have been taken to a very strange place.
Reluctantly following Xier, they arrived at the restaurant on the first floor. The space, though not spacious, was very quiet, with only Liu and the others present.
The boy's wish was granted by Boss Mia, who was busy in the kitchen. After a while, he and Boss Mia came over with steaming plates of food.
"Let's all have a taste, and thank you all for taking care of us during this time."
"It's Meat Cat, it has Anya's favorite meat~"
This is a dish with various spices, simmered chicken, scrambled eggs, and various vegetables chicken and egg rice bowl.
One of the most frequently prepared home-style dishes in Emiya's previous life, second only to curry rice.
"This kid's cooking skills..." Mia, the owner, who had been watching Emiya cook in the kitchen, looked shocked, then turned to Ryu, who was in a daze: "Hurry up and eat, are you going to wait until the food gets cold!"
Realizing she had no way to resist, Ryu resignedly picked up the spoon. Because Shirou had made a lot, Anya and Seele also got a share, and the cat girl was the most eager to get hers.
"Wow, this is delicious! It's even better than Mia's mom's cooking, meow!"
Ryu heard the sound of her fist clenching. She scooped up a spoonful of rice and put it into her cherry-like mouth.
First, the umami flavor of the chicken soup and the tenderness of the egg spread in your mouth, while the fragrant rice melts in your mouth, and the sweetness of the vegetables flows on your tongue.
Unlike the rustic nature of dwarven cuisine, which is a hodgepodge of ingredients stewed together with plenty of oil and salt, making it suitable for manual laborers or adventurers after a long day, or the overly delicate and bland nature of elven cuisine, this dish is delicate and gentle, taking into account both taste and nutrition.
It's like the home-cooked meals that mom would make.
"This dish brings warmth and is very delicious." Despite being a fairy with a very awkward personality, she would speak the truth when it came to food.
Mia laughed and spoke slowly.
"This dish is made with heartfelt intentions. Whether it's gratitude or longing, it's all the boy's feelings for you." She said, "Being able to enjoy such a delicious and heartfelt dish is enough to give me a reason to live."
Ryu fell silent, suddenly realizing what she meant to this boy.
Although Ryu believed she had disgraced justice and had no face or right to talk about justice or salvation, Emiya's existence still told her that she could still do the right thing.
At least, one child was saved.
So, what is the correct thing to do next...?
Liu didn't say a word, picked up the spoon again, and ate the food, spoonful after spoonful. Although the elf girl's mouth was small, she was quick and finished the whole plate of food in the blink of an eye.
"Hehe, I'm done eating."
"Thank you for your hospitality, I am very grateful."
Ryu's feelings were very complicated. Looking at Emiya, she subconsciously wondered: Did she deserve to be like Alicia, a savior and guide to others...?
"So you've finished eating?"
The flow has changed.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense, and Ryu immediately became alert.
What are you saying
"Just like paying back debts and paying for murder, it's only natural that if you eat at a tavern, you should be charged. That's only right."
Ryu's expression became very stiff, while Mia's lips curled up.
"Thank you for your patronage, fifty million in benefits."
Emiya: "Huh?"
"How...how could this be!"
The elven girl slammed her hand on the table and stood up: "This price is outright fraud."
"It's a normal price, considering the very precious ingredients added to the dish, such as... well... the meat of the Cannon Dragon, the egg of the Phoenix, the fruit of the Elven Tree, etc... How is fifty million Fali expensive?"
Emiya Shirou: "...No, it's just regular chicken, eggs, and potatoes."
Of course, under Mia's threatening gaze, he didn't say anything.
"Well, judging from your appearance, you probably can't pay. In that case, there's nothing I can do but stay here and work to pay off your debt."
"ha?!"
Liu was so shocked that she couldn't speak.
"That's too, too unreasonable. No, it's outright fraud, complete lies and sophistry."
In the past, Ryu would have already launched a powerful attack, but now she simply couldn't, because her opponent was far stronger than her. As a result, the elf girl was thrown into unprecedented panic, and her ears trembled with anger.
"This is a labyrinth city. Whether it's underground or on the surface, who knows what you'll encounter."
The dwarf boss's imposing aura surged forth like a giant wave, making it impossible for Ryu to confront his sharp edge directly.
She hurriedly looked at the others.
Seele: "In this shop, we have to obey everything Mia says... Waaah~"
The girl covered her face with both hands, crying very fakely. What a cunning girl!
Shirou: "Miss Ryu, I was also taken in to work..."
Anya: "Ania is asleep, meow. Anya knows nothing, meow."
"As Seele said, I represent the law here. If I say it's white, then even if it's black, everyone has to treat it as white." Mia revealed a villainous, wicked smile.
In fact, everyone else present understood that this series of farces was because Xier and the others knew that if they let this stubborn Liu leave, something bad would definitely happen, and she would most likely die outside. This time, she was on the verge of death.
Seele and Mia did this in order to cheer her up and at least keep her alive.
At this moment, Ryu, of course, couldn't understand this matter.
"You plotted against me!"
"That's decided then," Mia concluded.
And so, Ryu was forced to become a waitress at the tavern "The Abundant Mistress".
"Thank you, Boss Mia."
Seele and Anya dragged Ryu to try on the waitress uniforms, leaving only Emiya and Mia in the restaurant.
"We were already short-handed, so we were just going with the flow." Mia snorted. "The more stubborn the elves are, the better."
"Moreover, her words are worth saving." The dwarf's tone carried a hint of reminiscence.
It's clear that Mia knows Ryu, and for her, keeping Ryu, a "Level 1 wanted criminal," around isn't a big problem.
"Hey kid, want to be the head chef of this tavern? My policy is to hire only women, but with your skills, I can make an exception." Mia's lips curled into a smile: "All your colleagues are beautiful girls, are you tempted?"
Emiya Shirou remained unmoved; his expression, tone, and gaze were all incredibly resolute.
"I want to become an adventurer."
Mia turned around, her strong arms crossing over her chest: "What's the reason?"
"Why do you want to become an adventurer? 'Adventure' is not something you can just talk about." The dwarf female boss's voice was calm.
"Is it for money, fame, a desire to become a hero, or simply the pursuit of power?"
The boy took a deep breath and said softly, "I don't want to feel the helplessness of not being able to protect the people I care about anymore."