kscans

Chapter 48 - The Dragon Full-Course Meal and Our Evolution

"Now, let's begin. With love, with precision, with care... dragon, it is time to eat." So saying, Defray stood before the giant Rainbow Dragon.

Its scales glittered like jewels, repelling any blade, but what Defray took out was the Magic Forged Knife, Amatus. It was a masterpiece that read the structure of the meat with every cut, minutely adjusting to the optimal cutting angle.

"First, the tail, for a stew." When he severed the tail with a chop, white, fatty muscle was revealed, and a rich, sweet aroma rose with the steam.

Next came the shoulder muscle, thigh meat, back meat, liver, brain... as he carved each part without any waste, the surrounding monsters watched with bated breath.

"The dragon is a symbol of power. But you see... cooking is not about power, it's about love."

A Five-Course Rainbow Dragon Meal

First Course, Dragon Tail Soup.
From the tail bones and meat, simmered for a long time, a golden, shining soup was completed. By simmering it with aromatic vegetables and rare herbs, it became a masterpiece that had a refreshing quality within its richness.

"Though it's an appetizer, it has the double effect of nourishment and magic recovery."

Mamoru felt his muscles activate with every sip and couldn't help but groan in appreciation.

Second Course, Dragon Meat Stew.
The shoulder and arm sections were simmered for three hours, and the roux was a rich flavor seasoned with dark cacao, red wine, and spices. The moment a spoon was inserted, the fibers crumbled apart.

"Woooah, the meat... it's melting!" Defray shouted his love for the dragon.

Third Course, Dragon Hamburg Steak.
The thigh meat was finely minced and bound with secret mana salt and dragon eggs. When grilled, the surface of the hamburg steak became crisp, while juices overflowed from the inside.

At the juwaaa... sound, everyone's mouths watered.

"Hamburg steak... it's surprisingly good," said Amy, the meat-hater, as she gobbled it down.

Fourth Course, Dragon Fillet Steak.
The finest part of the back meat, the fillet, was grilled slightly rare and seasoned only with rock salt. When a knife was put to it, the meat naturally parted, melting on the tongue like butter.

"To savor... the power of the dragon," Koni-chan muttered, just that one phrase.

Fifth Course, Dragon Brain Dessert.
The essence extracted from the brain was cooled and fermented, creating a rich pudding-like dessert. It was topped with mana fruit jelly and star sugar. As everyone absorbed the magic, a sweet taste spread throughout their bodies.

"To the very last bite, with precision, with care, and deliciously, of course!" Defray smiled.

The monsters who ate the dragon's flesh began to tremble quietly.

It was a resonance of magic, no, a sign of "evolution."

Goblin Captain → Goblin Knight. Silver armor naturally formed on his body, and his skill with a sword became exceptionally sharp.

Orc Soldier → Orc Paladin. A sacred light rose from his back, and he gained a giant shield and healing magic.

Lizard Shaman → Lizard Sage. The scales on his body changed to a rainbow color, and his spell-casting speed doubled. He even became capable of mental manipulation.

Boss Troll → Flame Troll. With burning red skin, he awakened to the fire attribute, able to scorch the earth with a single punch.

"We've evolved... all of us, to the next level."

Mamoru was also at a loss for words. Everyone's appearance had changed dramatically.

With their newly evolved companions, the party headed for the Pantheon Temple where Tiris awaited. However, what they found there was only collapsed rubble, human corpses, and silence.

"...We were too late, huh."

Black smoke rose into the sky. And a faint, strange sound echoed. It seemed like a signal for a new battle.