Shot 10: The Feet of Those Who've Been Through Hell

Oh! We finally made it somewhere other than a corridor!

This is the cafeteria.

Fortunately, it looks like the forest hasn't bled into this area as much as it has in the corridors.

Which means

It's so crowded. Is it always this noisy in here?

Hmm. Trees are destroying civilization. Then...was Chaldea bad civilization all along?

Oh, hi, Master. I'm not sure why, but I hear you're going around taking everyone's picture?

And by the look in your eye...I'm guessing you want to take mine, too?

Is this one of those situations where I cannot refuse, but then things escalate until I'm in nothing but a bikini...with a string of shells...

Aaah! I'm sorry, but I can't! You'll have to go through my manager!

I'm not her manager, but I'm going to say something anyway.

You should be ashamed of yourselves, trying to force an unwilling woman into being photographed.

Exactly. I know there are sacred images of me around. And since I'm the pope, I can't just go making new ones willy-nilly, right?

Besides, my circumstances are unusual. Having an image of me that's admired in every household might SOUND good...

...but as a figure at the top of the hierarchy, preserving a degree of mystery is important for

Huh? It's nothing like that? You just want to photograph my heels?

...S-so you're trying to make an incredibly deviant foot fetish photo book!?

Absolutely not! The minute it comes out, I'm adding it to my banned book list!

Phew, so busy! But it's so gratifying to be of service!

Okay, um, who ordered the rice ball set?

Ooh, ooh! Over here!

Okay, but I have two orders here. Who's the other one for?

Me! They're both for me! Oh, and while you're here, could we make it three!?

Just smelling that delicious rice is making me hungry!

Uh... O-of course! It would be our pleasure!

It looks like everyone here is generally having a meal while taking a break from their duties.

Why is the cafeteria even open with everything going on?

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Let's try speaking with the kitchen staff, see what they have to say.

They look busy, but since they've probably been here this whole time, they're bound to know more than anyone else in here.

Oh, for the record, I don't have any more information than you do.

I don't know how the various parts of the Border are connected or which path leads where...

...so I won't be any help to you there.

Some chaperone you are. You're no help at all.

Teehee, I'm so sorry. Although...

That cold stare... That fabulous figure... Forgive me for asking, but are you interested in becoming one of those cool, aloof idols?

No.

Oh my, talk about a cold shutdown! You really do have the makings of a perfect ice queen!

Depending on the persona you adopt, that could actually end up making you more popular, so I have very high hopes!

Okay, let's forget about the highly distractible, overexcited chaperone and get back on task.

We have so little information right now, so we want to gather as much as we can, even if it only pertains to the cafeteria and its immediate surroundings.

Of course, if we can also get some photos while we're at it, that'll save us a good deal of time, too.

I mean, we basically HAVE to take photos of every Servant we meet along the way if we're going to get through this.

I'm not so sure. As you can see, this is the cafeteria's busiest time of day.

I doubt anyone here will have time to talk with you, let alone have their picture taken.

Hm? Overseer? Me?

I suppose, as a priest, it's possible I could have been named overseer of a Holy Grail War... Hmm.

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Um...may I ask what it is you're doing here?

What do you mean? I'm a Chaldean Servant of faith.

I came to the cafeteria to refuel, just like the others.

I ordered a dish with extra spice, but it seems it's taking a while to prepare. I'm just waiting for it to be done.

If you don't believe me, take a look at the kitchen.

Hmm. Hmmm...

What can I do to make this even spicier...?

Aha! I've got it!

How's that!?

Damn, it's still not enough. The priest requested a much higher Scoville rating than this!

I wonder if it's even possible to achieve that level of spiciness with the ingredients we have on hand...

No, I can't lose heart. There must still be things I haven't tried! All right, time for a fifth trial run!

Hahaha! It's a little different from making curry, but that's what makes it a worthy challenge!

Madam! Archer! It's going to take me some time to take down this formidable foe! Do either of you need backup!?

We're doing okay for now, chirp!

Yeah. We're all right like this for the time being.

We only have so much in the way of ingredients, stoves, and workspace anyway. More cooks isn't necessarily better.

Liver and chives stir-fry set, order up! Can one of you Daikokuten take it!?

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Hm? Oh, hey, Master. Hey, Mash. (Said while cutting daikon strips)

Nice of you to stop by! Sit down and have a bite before you go! (Said while furiously stirring a pot)

Then again, I'm afraid you'll have to wait a while. We're really backed up right now.

Huh? You want to talk? And take pictures? Sorry, but I'm way too busy for either right now! And I don't see that changing for a while!

I'm very sorry, but I have to ask that you refrain from taking pictures of the kitchen, chirp.

Hospitality is a tradition passed down through generations. We've always declined magazine interviews, and that's not about to change now, chirp. (Said while plating with cooking chopsticks).

We don't care about your hands. We just need pictures of your feet.

And you think our only secrets to our food are in our hands? Well, you think wrong, chirp!

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Well, I suppose it shouldn't be a problem if you're just taking pictures and not recording video.

But we still don't have time to pose for you, so I don't think you'll get anything more than blurry images, chirp.

See what I mean? I think you'll just have to wait until the chaos has died downor rather, until my mapo tofu is ready.

If I have to wait much longer, even I could end up with autotoxemia from the spice of sheer hunger.

Unfortunately, we're kind of short on time ourselves.

Indeed.

Oh!

Master, I think I see what Beni-Enma was talking about now.

Take a look at their feet.

They have limited space to work with, so they're all doing their best to avoid stepping on each other's toes while moving as efficiently as possible.

They're also barely making any sound, and I'm sure they're keeping their energy use to a minimum, as well.

Seeing these chefs move about with such intense concentration reminds me of an experienced martial artist's footwork.

And, I think this means...they're already producing the kind of magical energy flow we need for the photographs!

？！

Take pictures without their permission.

Whether we end up with blurry, unfocused photos or not will be down to our photography skills. That should work.

No, that will not be fine. There's a chance your photography could interfere with their cooking.

In which case, I have no choice but to stop you.

So you're going to try and stop us?

I will fight for the best possible flavor. You will fight for your photos. That's all there is to it.

But it's okay. There's nothing to worry about.

If you win, I'll share some of my meal with you. Then you'll see for yourselves how wonderful the highest-quality spicy food can be.

Now come, and let us celebrate the birth of this dish!

I'll treat you to mapo tofu hotter than the flames of hell!

Thanks for the pics!

Emiya's boots: tough, rugged, and well-suited for any number of environments.

Bhīma's shoes: simple, clean design married to sheer elegance!

And finally, the lovely madam's adorable geta footwear: perfect for moving around a kitchen lightly and efficiently!

Neeheehee. I never paid the idea of clothes and shoes that shine brightest while you work much attention before, but...

...I think this could be a whole new theme to explore! Inspiration surges within me! Sweet!

Huh? You were taking pictures?

Well, if that's all you wanted, I don't have a problem.

I swear, this is not the turn I was expecting my life to take when I left the Enma-tei.

Still, I must admit that your dedication to your craft is admirable, even if you are using it for more deviant ends.

I suppose the secrets of our hospitality won't be stolen with a single picture, so I'll let it go this once.

Now, what else did you want? Info? Sorry, don't got any of that! We've been too busy cooking up a storm!

Sorry, I don't have any insight into where you should go next, either.

I haven't even seen Baobhan Sith today.

Hmm, gotcha.

Well, at least we got heel portraits of everyone here, so I guess that's good enough for now!

Indeed. We even managed to get one for KoFather K. in the confusion.

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Over there.

(Huff... Huff... Gasp...!)

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One word: creepy.

He seems to be enjoying his order very much.

Hahaha, he does, right!?

By the way, I wouldn't go near that table if I were you.

If even a drop of that mapo gets in your eyes, you'll go blind. I don't even know what'll happen if it gets on your skin.

It was a close call while I was cooking, even for me. Let's just say it's a good thing I have the poison resistance I got from fighting the naga.

Whup, looks like we got more customers.

Well, at least their orders shouldn't be anywhere near as tough as that last one. Welcome, ladies!

Okay, let's discuss our next steps.

Once you've taken pictures of all the other Servants in the cafeteria...

...I'd like you to go back to investigating the Border and searching for more Servants.

Oh, right. Now that we have a clear route to the cafeteria...

...I think it'd be a good place to use as another rest spot for Servants who get exhausted from shooting photos.

Good idea. Especially now that things have calmed down around here.

I'm sorry it may make more work for the kitchen staff...

...but I agree that we can and should use the cafeteria as a rest spot.

Excuse us, Bosses, but we have a gift for you!

We wanted you to at least have some home cooking before you left, so we made you some salted rice balls!

Oh wow, they're freshly made and still piping hot! This is great! Thank you so much!

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... ...

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Huh?

Oh, sorry. I was just a little lost in thought.

Snakes may be carnivores, but I'm an omnivore now, so it's fine.

If I have to eat, I'll eat anything.

That's just how monsters are.

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Don't worry. I'll do what I need to.

...And I'll take a rice ball.

I didn't know home cooking was so hot it feels like you're scalding your tongue when you eat it.

Hehe, what is it? Why did you want to speak to me in secret?

Actually, don't answer. I know what it is you're worried about.

Don't worry. I'll guide them down the right path. They won't end up anywhere you don't want them to go.

I've been given enough forest intervention privileges that I can make sure of that.

Hehe, hehehe. All right, until next time. All we do, we do for beautiful boot lines...

What do you think? I tried to come up with a catchphrase suitable for a masked crauh, mystery woman like myself.

You don't get it? Hmm. Maybe I need to workshop it a little more...