Section 8: 2nd Lap A/The First Helper

All right, we're back at the first checkpoint.

But let's not go through that door just yet.

It looks like Kazuradrop is probably waiting for us inside this time...

...so this is our chance to strategize.

？！

Well, now that we have it, we might as well use it.

Besides, it's our first time interacting with this system, so I don't see much point in hoarding these right out of the gate.

Let's see... Our score here for our first run was seventy-two points, right?

That's not especially high, even compared to our other scores.

Hey, I did the best I could!

I know! It was very gratifying to watch! If it were up to me, I'd have given you a hundred and twenty!

But sadly, Kazuradrop and I aren't using the same scoring criteria.

This isn't like figure skating, where the rules are clear to everyone.

So don't worry about the low score you got last time. The good news is, we have plenty of chances to try again.

So why don't we start by building up some momentum? I know I, for one, just want to take it easy.

R-right... I can't quite tell if that was supposed to be praise or you consoling me, but I appreciate it nonetheless.

？！

I'll leave that to you, since you know Chaldea's Servants better than anyone. Make sure you think this through though.

We can only use one card per checkpoint, and we can only get three cards per run.

So we won't be able to ask for advice at every trial.

Ideally, the best Servant to ask would be someone who could offer advice for future challenges, too.

Hmm, good point. Even if we can't always get their guidance in real time...

...hearing their advice ahead of the tests we know we'll be facing should certainly make a difference.

This father check was about cooking, right? So

Indeed. We should summon someone who specializes in cooking...and who has many fatherly attributes into the bargain.

Hmm. What about Bhīma, the great hero from India?

？！

I don't know, I think he might be a little TOO specialized in cooking.

Remember, we need to consider how much help whoever we summon will be for future trials, too.

Granted, I might be a little biased by my impressions of him, so I guess it's possible Bhīma's also actually really good at cleaning too...

Damn, this is tough.

？！

？！

Great. Then try performing a simple summon right on top of the card itself.

Don't worry about the exact positioning. It should make fine adjustments automatically.

Oho! Emiya!

Good choice! He definitely seems like he'll have some good general advice for us in addition to his cooking tips!

Yeah, I've got no objections to this choice, either. He seems like he should meet all our needs here.

Hang on. Just hang on a second.

Hm? Do you need an explanation? You've been special summoned before, right?

No, it's not that. Maybe it's because of this card's frame...

...but it looks like I've been automatically installed with knowledge of the situation, like in a Holy Grail War.

But before we get into it, there's something I need to get out there.

？！

I'm not a father. I never had any kids when I was alive. At least, as far as I know.

You whaaat!?

... ...!?

Hold up. Now that you mention it... Aw, crap.

I didn't think anything of it at first, since he's one of the oldest of Chaldea's old guard.

But thinking back to his database entry now...

...we don't really know anything about his past life or achievements, do we?

？！

Ghn... I had no idea that was how I've been coming across!

？！

It's not your fault. I don't tend to talk about my past much.

And I don't plan on changing that now.

But, that same lack of communication is responsible for this.

I doubt we can do it over, either.

D-does this mean we failed right out of the gate?

Not necessarily. He may not have any experience as a father...

...but he's still an expert at all the fatherly skills we need, right?

？！

Of course. Now that I've been summoned, I'll do everything in my power to aid you, Master.

Chaldea won't function unless you all make it out of here safely. That goes for you too, Goredolf.

Right? Right? Please don't leave me to fend for myself.

Now then, what exactly do you need me to do?

...A cooking challenge, huh. And one that should show you to be the perfect father?

It's hard to tell what you need from that description alone, but... Hmm...

So the eggs Benedict you made last time only scored seventy-two points. I see...

I did the best I could, you know.

And I think they turned out quite delicious, if I do say so myself.

... ...

？！

I don't know. I can't say I've figured out a clear answer, but I at least want to help you all move forward.

So I've decided on what to do to accomplish that.

That's great, but we need to get a full hundred points to pass.

I know. I wish I could say for sure that this would get you there, but I can't. I'm too much of a realist.

But I will do what I can to help you find the information you need to get closer to that goal.

Let's start by gathering ingredients.

There are animals in this weird Kitchen Forest, right? Then we should be okay.

This isn't an especially difficult dish, and it doesn't use any special ingredients. It shouldn't take long to get everything we need.

(Huff, huff...) Were those chickens friends of the ones whose eggs we stole last time or something?

They seemed furious with us right from the start! It was like they wanted to kill us all!

Who knows?

I hate that I can't do anything to help you in battle right now.

But anyway, you got some fresh eggs, yeah? Then let's head in.

Oh? You're using a help card already?

Aha, interesting. I've seen him around Chaldea's cafeteria.

Apparently he makes an excellent butler.

I see. So you're counting on those very skills to see you through this checkpoint.

I'm not a butler... But, never mind that now.

All right, go ahead and start cooking, just like I told you.

It's nothing difficult. You'll be fine as long as you keep a cool head.

Understood. I'll take point. Fujimaru and Kadoc, I'm counting on you to back me up.

？！

I'll just watch from over here.

(Sniff, sniff)

Mmm, that smells good...

There are many ways to interpret "a perfect father's cooking," but one thing they all have in common is preparing food for kids.

And in that case, a dish that is both easy and enjoyable for kids to eat should be the best choice.

Since you got a decent score with your eggs Benedict last time...

...this time, I decided it would be best to try one of the classics, without trying to put any original spin on it.

And that means

？！

Pancakes.

Enjoy them with as much or as little butter, maple syrup, and honey as you like.

Oooh.

Hehehe, that's a child, all right. Look how those little eyes sparkle.

I'm surprised a sweet dessert option didn't occur to me before.

Ahem. Now then, let me get my mustache in order, and...

Go on, my girl. Eat as much as you like. Daddy worked hard to make this for you.

？！

I almost feel bad cutting into them, but... Okay!

... ...

Wooow. They're so soft, and sweet, and warm... This is sooo good...

？！

(Nodding as if to say "Right? Right!? And don't forget the difference having an expert chef makes.")

(Does this mean that, from a kid's perspective, a perfect papa makes them sweets?)

(You know, now that I think of it...)

(...this could be a really hard question for an average mage like me to answer...)

Pancakes ARE pretty great, aren't they? I like them, too. They've got just the right amount of fairy taleness to them.

？！

No, no, that's okay. We don't have time for that.

I just wanted to give her a casual reminder that the rest of us exist, too.

I mean, it's great that she's so caught up in eating...

...but we don't want her getting SO caught up that she forgets why we're all here and asks for seconds.

(Gulp)

Hmph. Don't be ridiculous. I'd never say something so disgraceful.

Anyway, thank you for that.

Now, let's check your score as we move on to the next venue.

Oho, ninety-two points! A new high score!

Heh. Looks like I did the bare minimum expected of your adviser.

Although...

I couldn't help but notice that it's still not a hundred, even as happy as you were with them.

How can we make up the missing eight points?

The perfect papa state of mind is something you have to arrive at for yourself.

Fine scoring criteria like that are extra top secret.

But I can swear to you on my honor that the evaluations are fair and impartial.

Besides, this system basically runs automatically.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we got a higher score, but we still won't pass unless we can get a hundred.

So, I have to wonder: Does the score even matter if we don't get a perfect hundred?

？！

That's quite the positive mindset you've got there.

But, I suppose that's also the only one we can use right now.

...I feel as though I might have failed to be a perfect judge myself this time around...

...so I'll reflect on how I can do better next time as I make my way out.

Bye for now, everyone. See you at the next checkpoint.

I think we were on the right track...

...but I still wish I could have helped you get a hundred here. I'm sorry I couldn't.

？！

Thanks for saying that. I feel better now.

Anyway, if this check is over, I guess that means my time here is, too.

If you have any more questions for me, now's the time to ask.

？！

I wish we could have you help us out for the whole race, but there's nothing we can do about that.

Hmm... What could we ask that would help us make up those last eight points...

I can't think of any good questions off the top of my head, either. But we should still ask something.

What do you think is the most important thing about cooking?

Always remembering who you're making it for. No question.

？！

Anything else?

If you called on me for general help as well as cooking...

...then I'm hoping I can give you some advice for the trials to come, too.

What do the other ones involve? ...Hmm. An outing...and cleaning?

Got it. Then I'll teach you how to make the ultimate weapon. You don't need to be able to project for this. Just a few simple materials will do.

This Emiya Stick will help you clean any nook and cranny, no matter how

What's that? You've already got a Zemlupus Stick?

I see...