GUARDIAN OF THE MARVEL REALM

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The grandeur of this castle still amazed Erina Nagiri.

As the heir to a prestigious culinary family, accustomed to the finest establishments and elite circles, she had never encountered a place like this. The sheer opulence of the building, from the polished marble floors to the intricate tapestries adorning the walls, reflected an elegance beyond her experience. Even the maids, moving gracefully through the corridors, seemed to possess an otherworldly poise, embodying a nobility that transcended mere wealth.

"What is this place?" Erina thought, her mind racing.

She followed closely behind Joan of Arc, her footsteps faltering slightly as she tried to keep pace. Despite her unease, being in Joan's presence provided her a modicum of comfort. There was a strength in the way Joan moved, a quiet confidence that seemed to assure her that this surreal experience might yet yield something extraordinary.

"Arrived."

Shen He's voice cut through the silence. He stopped in front of an imposing six-meter-high black double door.

Before Erina could even think to ask what lay beyond, the two maids stationed at the door bowed before opening it slowly, revealing a sight that defied all expectations.

Inside was a scene that contrasted with the aristocratic refinement of the hall outside.

The space was vast—more akin to a high-end kitchen than anything Erina had encountered in the world of fine dining. Dozens of maids moved about efficiently, handling ingredients with precision. The towering figures of a giant bison and a wild boar, both brought in from an unknown realm, dominated the center of the room. A cacophony of knives and cleavers echoed as the maids expertly butchered the creatures, the air thick with the scent of raw meat.

"The timing of your arrival is impeccable," Shen He said, approaching a wild boar. He patted the creature's massive side affectionately. "We've just harvested these from a world untouched for millennia—mutant creatures from the Neil Mechanical Age."

Erina blinked, absorbing the surreal sight before her. These beasts—this game—were unlike anything she had seen before. The scale of these animals was mind-boggling.

"Wait," she murmured. "These are from another world?"

Shen He nodded, his gaze distant. "Indeed. Not only did plants evolve to extraordinary sizes in that world, but animals did as well. The creatures we've captured here are remnants of that world. When I encountered them, I decided to bring a few back."

Her heart raced. Erina could almost taste the thrill of such exotic ingredients, ingredients she could only dream of working with. But something about Shen He's nonchalant demeanor raised the hairs on the back of her neck.

"These ingredients…" Erina began, but her excitement quickly morphed into suspicion. "What makes them different? What's the catch?"

"They're unpredictable," Shen He explained, glancing over at the towering carcasses. "What's edible and what isn't, we can't always be sure. I didn't want to risk it, so I brought only a small amount. But that's not the point. What I really wanted to show you…"

He gestured to a set of kitchen tools on a nearby counter, where old-fashioned, yet remarkably polished instruments lay arranged.

Erina's gaze shifted to the set, but her expression hardened almost immediately. "Who still uses such archaic tools?"

"They're not just old," Shen He said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Try them, and you'll understand."

He handed her a gleaming kitchen knife, the blade curved in a way she hadn't seen in years. Her fingers brushed the handle, and an unexpected surge of energy coursed through her. The sensation was unmistakable—this was not an ordinary knife.

As her grip tightened, memories flashed across her mind—visions of culinary mastery passed down through generations. It was as if her body instinctively knew how to wield this blade, and it was accompanied by an overwhelming feeling of connection to the great chefs of the past.

Her breath caught. "This… this is an artifact!"

"Yes," Shen He confirmed with a smile. "This set is known as the 'Legendary Kitchenware.' It's a relic from a world where culinary arts were revered above all else. Although that world is lost to time, I managed to preserve this set of tools."

Erina's heart raced, her desire unmistakable. "I need this. I can't just leave it here."

Shen He shook his head. "It's not for sale. However, I'll make you a deal. If you can impress me with your cooking, I'll let you use these tools. Only once a week, though. But if your food meets my standards, you'll have earned the privilege."

"Deal!" Erina exclaimed without hesitation. "I'll show you a dish you've never tasted before."

Shen He raised a finger, a teasing glint in his eye. "But there's one more thing. Let's make it interesting. How about a food halberd? You prepare your best dish, I prepare mine, and we'll see who earns the right to use these tools."

"Food halberd?" Erina's eyes narrowed in determination. "If you dare to challenge me, I'll make sure you regret it."

Shen He's grin widened. "No restrictions, of course. But we'll need a referee. How about Violet?"

The moment he snapped his fingers, Violet appeared beside him, her expression as unreadable as ever. The atmosphere shifted, the space around them morphing into a set fit for a cooking competition. Two identical counters appeared, laden with ingredients, and the referees, including Joan of Arc, took their seats, ready to observe.

Erina took a deep breath and began assessing her ingredients. She knew she had the advantage here. There was no theme restriction, no time limit. Shen He wasn't using his legendary kitchenware. Victory seemed inevitable.

On the other side, Shen He was already cracking eggs, his actions precise and calculated. There was no doubt in her mind that he was a serious competitor, but he was clearly out of his league.

Time flew by, and Erina worked swiftly, putting together her dish with a focus that could rival even the most seasoned professionals. But as she glanced over at Shen He's side, her stomach dropped.

He had prepared a simple strawberry cream cake.

Erina's jaw clenched. "Are you trying to insult me?" she demanded, her voice sharp with disbelief. "You think you can win with this?"

Shen He looked at her with an expression of quiet determination. "This is my best dish. I've put everything into it."

Her frustration was palpable. "This is ridiculous. But fine. If this is how you want it, I'll show you the true meaning of a food halberd."

The moment was almost surreal. Erina's hands were steady as she placed her own dish—a lavish caviar dish—onto the counter, while Shen He's strawberry cream cake sat innocently beside her.

Joan picked up the spoon and sampled Shen He's dish first. She paused, her eyes widening as she savored the cake's taste.

"This is remarkable. You've improved so much, Master," Joan said, her voice soft but genuine.

Then, she turned her attention to Erina's caviar. The moment the delicate morsel hit her tongue, a moan of pleasure escaped her lips. The sea-like taste lingered long after, filling her senses with warmth and tranquility.

Erina's gaze flickered to Shen He. He was watching with an intense focus, though he couldn't help but notice something odd—the lavender lace of Joan's dress seemed to shimmer, drawing his attention away from the competition for a brief moment.

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