Chapter 43
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: The First Mekardo Monster Meat Cooking Contest
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Noon on the day of the tournament.
The Kreya Trading Company had accomplished a great deal in just one day of preparation.
They hung up massive banners and decorated the square with all sorts of monster decorations. They set up not only a registration desk for the competing chefs but also the cooking stage, a large pantry for ingredients, and a huge scoreboard on one side of the square. This was no half-hearted event.
Mekardo Square was buzzing with an unexpected festival atmosphere. And what drew even greater cheers from the gathered crowd was the arrival of the Yadus trailer pulled by Dink.
Cheers and gasps rippled through the square, interspersed with screams verging on terror.
While Bankers fed Dink a huge armful of Engola mountain hay, the trailer took its position behind the area where the contest would be held.
With that, the stage was set.
Ridziev, the head manager of the Kreya Trading Company, stepped onto the stage. His mustache was styled especially sharply, pointing straight to the sky. He lightly stroked it before bringing his mouth to the conch-shaped megaphone curled like a smile.
“And now, we commence the 1st Mekardo Monster Meat Cooking Contest, hosted by Dane’s Butchery Squad and organized by the Kreya Trading Company. First, allow me to introduce the distinguished guests who have graced us with their presence today.”
Representatives from various merchant guilds, chairmen of Mekardo’s assorted committees, officials from different organizations, and even hunting party captains who happened to be in town—all were named by Ridziev, rising from the VIP seats to wave and greet the crowd.
“Heh, this is turning out to be quite the real deal.”
“Yeah, more than I expected.”
Bankers and Dane whispered to each other as they sent up thunderous applause.
“Next, despite this sudden event, the chairman of the Mekardo Merchant Alliance—who so splendidly oversaw the preparations—and representative of the Foldtown North District’s premier merchant guild, Kreya, will deliver the welcome address.”
Kreya responded to the flood of attention with a relaxed smile. She was dressed in an exceptionally white suit, meticulously checked for even the tiniest speck of dust, as she slowly ascended the stage.
Meeting the eyes of the audience, she spoke.
“Welcome to the 1st Mekardo Monster Meat Cooking Contest. Today’s event goes beyond simply whether monster meat can be eaten—it will determine if monster meat can become a staple for us Mekardo merchants moving forward…”
Her speech continued.
Despite her clear and lively voice, the crowd’s attention began to wane, yawns popping up here and there. Only then did she wrap it up.
“Now, Dane’s Butchery Squad leader and our judge, Dane, will give the opening remarks and declare the start of the contest.”
Kreya flashed a bright smile and beckoned him forward. Though the call was unexpected, Dane rose without hesitation and stepped up.
Bankers shot to his feet, slamming his massive palms together in enthusiastic cheers.
“Looking good!!!!”
And he was. Gasps of admiration poured in.
Dressed properly once more for the occasion, he had no trouble drawing all eyes to him in an instant.
Dane smiled as he took the podium. Kreya, who had stepped aside, stared blankly at his face for a moment before approaching to adjust the megaphone to his height. Dane subtly leaned back from her strong musk scent.
“Suited up nice!!!”
Bankers shouted again, caught up in the festive mood now that his captain was the center of attention, tossing out a playful jab.
River, whose heart had been heavy, unwittingly glared at the back of Bankers’ head and felt her tension ease.
“We’ve prepared plenty of fine monster meat. I trust the chefs will recognize its value. Please… trim it well and cook it deliciously.”
His confident demeanor, paired with eloquent words—nothing was lacking. Admiring sighs erupted from all around.
“Woooah!”
“Kyaaa!”
The women’s voices were predictably the loudest. Dane didn’t wait for the noise to die down before declaring the start.
“Now, let the 1st Mekardo Monster Meat Cooking Contest begin!”
* * *
Thirty chefs had entered the contest. For an event thrown together in a single day, that was a solid turnout—even after filtering out casual curiosity-seekers and accepting only those worthy of the title.
The chefs took their places at intervals along the long table. Their races, ages, and genders varied wildly.
“There’s Louis, head chef at Bortong, as expected.”
“Frankly… winning’s a given. They’re the only ones with an exclusive contract with Kreya Trading.”
“But there are rising stars too. Roden Ramni over there, and Amy Olive’s no slouch either.”
“Isn’t that old guy Rudelver?”
The audience’s predictions buzzed on until eyes converged on one spot.
“Huh? Rudelver Lake, head chef of Lakes? That’s him?”
“Yeah. Until a few months ago, he was Mekardo’s top chef.”
“The legendary chef, right? Even Bortong came out of Lakes.”
“No idea what wind blew him here. Word is he’s been a drunken wreck living off booze…”
“So, he showed up drunk today too?”
River steadied her trembling heart. She was just glad her efforts yesterday hadn’t been in vain. Dane was pleased at the added buzz.
The chefs’ attention was on Rudelver too. Sober for once today, he looked terribly nervous and uneasy.
But the one feeling even more uneasy was Bortong’s head chef, Louis.
After a major falling out with Rudelver and going independent, he’d secured an exclusive supply deal with Kreya. Seeing Rudelver close his restaurant and turn into a wreck, Louis had chalked it up to the old man’s own doing. No way he could feel at ease now.
His thoughts didn’t linger long. A roar of cheers announced the arrival of the monster meat.
“Woooah!”
“Uwa! All that’s monster meat?”
“Such strength!”
Bankers emerged from the Yadus trailer carrying two massive chunks of meat—enough for thirty people to debone and portion—whole.
They were Galaromotor haunches and torsos with only the front and rear legs and innards removed. As mid-sized monsters, their size was immense. Hauling two at once? True superhuman strength.
Dane divided the two chunks evenly among the participants.
His knife work was so fast and precise it silenced even the gasps. The chefs gulped, entranced. A skill worthy of the judge.
Bankers’ feat of strength followed by Dane’s knifeplay heated up the atmosphere. Dane announced,
“Pay attention to flavor, texture, and fat distribution as you portion by cut. I’ll decide passes and fails during the butchering.”
With that, the chefs dove into deboning and portioning.
Some were stumped from the start. Galaromotor tasted like pork, but its texture and cuts looked like beef and pork mashed together. They floundered, unsure how to approach it. Still, they had to begin.
“Fail!”
Dane strode the table, calling it out rapidly.
Entrants failed for missing the grain, failing to find division points, not knowing where to cut the membrane—or even in the brief moment they stabbed the knife wrong between bones.
Over half were out after five minutes of butchering; another half gone five minutes later. Applause and groans echoed everywhere.
Among the four remaining were the audience favorites and Rudelver.
Dane hadn’t realized until learning his full name why River reacted so sensitively to it. But he had no intention of going easy just because of blood ties. He was always serious about meat.
Even so, Rudelver’s skill was impressive. He portioned the unfamiliar meat accurately. His hands weren’t fast—likely the booze, as rumored.
‘That good with shaking hands…’
That could improve. The real issue was how well he understood the meat and his attitude toward it. In that, Rudelver was the most precise among the entrants.
“Pass!”
But the first to claim first-round honors was Bortong’s head chef, ‘Louis Bortong.’
He’d quickest cut the short ribs, fancy ribs, main ribs, skirt, chafer, and oyster blade. Accuracy wasn’t perfect, but remarkable for first contact.
Kreya gave a slight smile; River bit her lower lip to suppress her emotions.
Three remained. They seemed deaf to the world—nothing but meat and knife.
The audience held their breath watching the pros’ blade work. Tension hung heavy over the square.
“Urgh!”
Rudelver slammed his knife back against his left hand gripping the meat to steady the tremor. His groan made the crowd finally exhale. Everyone was that focused.
The portioning of the assigned chunks was nearly done.
Dane knew the moment had come.
Their speeds were even. It was a battle of precision. Judgment was straightforward.
“Pass!”
Rudelver.
* * *
Now, only two tables remained on the main stage.
Tools for various dishes lined the tables, portable braziers at the ready. The real cooking showdown was about to unfold.
“Now, introducing our finalists. Owner and head chef of Restaurant Bortong, Chef Louis Bortong.”
Ridziev’s call brought cheers and applause. His advancement was no surprise.
“Next, former owner and head chef of Restaurant Lakes, Chef Rudelver Lake.”
Rudelver Lake’s presence was beyond anyone’s expectations. Most thought his career was long over.
Dane, standing at the center between the two tables, beckoned to River. Come up to the podium.
She was set to judge the second round, so it was natural—but her heart was heavy as she ascended. Slowly removing her mask, she took her place beside Dane.
Having seen Dane debone monster meat with superhuman skill, the crowd craned to glimpse the woman he deemed a monster meat cooking authority.
Rudelver, confirming with his eyes that the woman who’d yelled at him yesterday was his granddaughter, let out another low groan.
Louis, recognizing the masked woman who’d visited his restaurant as familiar, tilted his head—then realized she was Rudelver’s granddaughter who’d left Mekardo five years ago, groaning deeper.
Her reappearance now, after long haunting his heels even after leaving, unnerved him.
He debated calling it out—declaring the matchup unfair, the judging compromised.
But first, River spoke calmly from the podium.
“I’m River Lake, vice captain of Dane’s Butchery Squad.”
Few knew her, but the name alone stirred an uproar.
“Lake?”
“Then… Rudelver’s kin?”
“Ah! He has a granddaughter! When’d she grow up like that?”
“Didn’t she leave Mekardo?”
Amid the commotion, River continued steadily.
“One is my grandfather, the other a senior I once worked with in the kitchen—so standing here is quite nerve-wracking. But as a member of Dane’s Butchery Squad, I’ll judge solely on taste, without personal bias. And the final winner will be decided by anonymous vote from the judges, so no need to worry about fairness.”
As River finished, Bankers hauled more cooking ingredients from the Yadus trailer.
Leg sections hit the two chefs’ tables, and River said,
“The dish for this final matchup is Epup shank stew.”