Chapter 8 - Taste Trials and Team Tempest
The drunken designing session had been a roaring success—and Shiro was still riding the high of mana-infused inspiration. The prototype for the Mana Distillery Unit was underway, brewing excitement and experimental liquor in equal measure. But as he wobbled through the starlit streets of Tempest, slightly tipsy from mana exposure, he was intercepted.
"Shiro."
Rimuru stood with arms crossed, his slime form shifting subtly, tone half-teasing, half-annoyed. "You threw a booze-fueled invention party with the dwarves and didn't invite *me*?"
Shiro halted mid-bounce. "It wasn't planned! The sake summoned itself!"
Rimuru narrowed his eyes. "Uh-huh. You owe me a cask. And schematics."
Shiro jiggled sheepishly. "Deal."
They shared a chuckle, but Rimuru's tone shifted as he continued. "Come by City Hall tomorrow. Something important came up."
—
By morning, Shiro found himself in Tempest's central council chamber, sitting near the end of a long table packed with familiar and unfamiliar faces. Rimuru sat at the head, flanked by Benimaru, Shuna, Rigurd—and yes, Shion, dutifully taking notes at his side, throwing the occasional glare at Shiro for reasons unknown.
Rimuru opened with a floating display of flags: Blumund, Dwargon, Thalion, Eurazania, and others—including territories affiliated with Milim and Frey.
"A Continental Food and Craft Fair," he announced. "Hosted in neutral territory near the Eastern Empire's southern border. Each nation will present a showcase of their culinary and artisan achievements. There'll be judges, booths, and a bit of friendly competition."
Benimaru raised a brow. "And *we're* joining?"
"We were invited," Rimuru said. "This could be our biggest soft-power move yet. Recognition through taste."
Shuna smiled. "It's a way to show the world what Tempest can build—not just in strength, but in flavor and harmony."
Rimuru turned to Shiro. "That's where *you* come in. I want you to lead Tempest's culinary team."
Shiro blinked. "Wait. Me?"
Benimaru gave a wry grin. "You already fed the entire city during the dumpling test, designed a magical booze machine, and inspired half the dwarves into culinary enchantment. Who else?"
Rimuru nodded. "You're not just our best option—you're the flavor face of Tempest now."
Shiro processed this. Then pulsed with resolve. "Then we'll go full-throttle. I'll need a team."
Shion suddenly slammed her notebook shut and stood up. "Wait, hold on! Why is *he* the head cook? I make Rimuru-sama's lunch every day!"
Rimuru glanced at her with the expression of a man who had eaten one too many of her 'surprise curry bombs.' "Exactly."
Shion sat back down, grumbling while scribbling angry doodles of knives chasing slime blobs.
Rimuru gestured to a side group who stepped forward:
- Kaijin, the forge master turned flavor engineer.
- Garm, outfitting the team with heat-proof, rune-sealed kitchenwear.
- Yuki, passionate ramen lover and stress-tester for extreme dishes.
- Myrna, merchant-turned-herbalist with connections in the spice trade.
- Gobchi, an unhinged goblin chef with seven knives and no fear.
"This is your squad," Rimuru said. "*Team Tempest Gourmet.*"
Shuna added, "We've prepared a wing of the Community Kitchen just for your prep. A mobile pavilion's also under enchantment for field deployment."
[System Notification: Continental Food Fair Questline Initiated — Tempest Culinary Team Selected]
[Objective: Represent Tempest at the Fair. Theme: Harmony Through Taste.]
[Time Until Event: 28 Days]
As the meeting adjourned and Shiro floated out of City Hall, he could feel the weight of expectation—and the thrill of potential.
Back in his lab, he opened his freshly rebound logbook, silver thread glinting across the cover's rune-inscribed seal.
[System Update: Festival Mode Active — Planning Subroutines Unlocked]
He inked the first page:
[Project: Taste Trials — Tempest Continental Prep]
[Goal: Win hearts (and treaties) through flavor diplomacy.]
[Tasks: Menu development, enchantment layering, team synergy trials, logistics.]
[ Notes: Shion is to be kept away from recipe testing. Unless deploying a distraction dish.]
[Milestone Achieved: Tempest Culinary Taskforce Assembled]
This wasn't just about food anymore.
This was Tempest's debut on the world stage—and Shiro would make sure it was unforgettable, bite by enchanted bite.