The Supreme Overlord (Multicross)

The herring from the Baltic Sea and grilled eel had unique flavors, while the sea bass and rainbow trout were juicy and rich in taste.

The salmon and cod, caught from the confluence of ocean currents, made for a soup that was both fresh and savory. The freshly pickled herring, seasoned with spices and a touch of onion, was simply irresistible.

Adding to this seafood feast were the legs of emperor crab, abalone marinated in white wine, and strawberries and blueberries, a specialty of the Kingdom of Aldegia. Together, they created a sumptuous banquet of flavors.

"This is absolutely delicious! I've never tasted anything so divine. I'm quite pleased with the tribute you've offered to someone as noble as I am!"

Avrora's face was smeared with the rich oils of the feast as she ate with gusto.

With her pale, delicate hands, she effortlessly cracked open the legs of the emperor crab, her immense strength making it unnecessary to use any tools.

She sucked the sweet crab meat from the shell, her flame-colored eyes shimmering with satisfaction as if she were genuinely moved by the rare delicacy.

"You've already forgotten how to properly address me, haven't you, Avrora?"

Saigou calmly enjoyed the abalone marinated in white wine, savoring it before swallowing. Then, he glanced across the table at Avrora, his tone composed.

"My deepest apologies, Lord Zarathustra! I—I've grown too accustomed to it!"

Flustered, Avrora waved her small hands nervously, clutching her knife and fork, her expression filled with panic.

She wasn't afraid that Saigou might punish her or strike her. As a Kaleid Blood, such things hardly mattered to her.

What concerned Avrora more was the fear of angering Saigou to the point where he would never bring her to enjoy such grand meals again.

Seeing her panicked state, Saigou couldn't help but feel exasperated. More and more, it felt like he was caring for a pet.

Though Avrora, as the 12th Kaleid Blood, was obedient and followed his every command without hesitation, there were moments when she seemed utterly defiant. She often forgot what she was told, never bothering to correct her behavior—much like a stubborn, self-willed cat.

"Avrora, you said you've never eaten something this good before. So, what did you used to eat?"

Saigou pondered for a moment, then decided to probe a bit, hoping to uncover some secrets from Avrora's past.

He didn't ask her directly, fearing there might be some limitations on what she could reveal. Instead, he employed a more subtle approach.

"In the past, I ate nothing at all. I've always been asleep on that island."

"I was the watcher of the Primogenitor, the medium sealing the Primogenitor. It wasn't until I awoke to aid in the Blazing Banquet that I came to help resurrect the Fourth Primogenitor."

"Now, since you are the Primogenitor, Lord Zarathustra, I am your watcher as well!"

Her belly full and round, Avrora still refused to give up, stuffing more salmon into her mouth.

She answered Saigou's question without much thought, her response direct and straightforward.

"You've never eaten anything before?"

Saigou furrowed his brow.

"That's right. As I said, I've been asleep the whole time. This is my first time waking."

"…I'm fortunate to have met you right after waking, Lord Zarathustra. You've offered such precious tributes, and I'm truly happy."

Avrora's flame-colored eyes narrowed in contentment, and she shook her iridescent hair, revealing a pure and innocent smile.

That smile was so transparent, like a crystal of ice—clear and beautiful.

"Lord Zarathustra, you really are such a kind and gentle person!"

Avrora's voice was filled with sincerity.

Saigou remained noncommittal, unfazed by her over-the-top praise.

Yet her words intrigued him. From what Avrora had said, it was clear that she had been in a deep slumber since her creation.

Although there had been incidents of other Kaleid Blood awakenings in the past—tales of the legendary Cleansing sparked by the rampage of familiars—Avrora had not been among those who awoke.

"What do you know about the Devas?"

This time, Saigou asked outright. In this world, aside from the legends of the Cleansing and the Sinful God Cain, the Devas was what fascinated him most.

"The Devas? I don't know."

Avrora's eyes showed confusion as she shook her head.

"You don't know? Weren't you created by the Devas?"

Saigou pressed her again.

According to the information provided by Natsuki Minamiya and the Island of Itogami, the Fourth Primogenitor had once rebelled against the Devas, only to be defeated and split into twelve parts.

That's the story most people know about the Fourth Primogenitor's past.

"I don't know if I was made by the Devas. The only thing I know is that my mission is to seal the Primogenitor and complete the Blazing Banquet."

"…As for anything else, I know nothing."

Avrora shook her head, her mouth busy with food, her speech muttering and half-hearted.

"You really are useless, Avrora." 

Saigou disappointed.

"I'm sorry… I really am this useless. I can't even offer you a blessing."

"…You've given me such a precious gift, and I can't return the favor. That makes me very sad."

Avrora's tone grew despondent. She wracked her brain, trying to figure out how to repay Saigou for the meal he had treated her to.

But her empty mind offered no solutions, leaving her clueless about what to do.

"Forget it, Avrora. Just be a good pet for me."

"…Since you don't know anything about the Devas, fine. But do you know where the other Kaleid Blood is?"

"Since all twelve of you are meant to complete the Blazing Banquet, surely you must have some idea of where the others are located."

Saigou asked again, his other goal becoming clear: to gather the remaining vessels like completing a quest in a game.

"I don't know where the others are either. But once enough of us awaken, the Blazing Banquet will naturally begin, and we'll be drawn together."

"…So, for now, there's nothing to do but wait."

Saigou was tempted to call Avrora useless again, but he reconsidered. Scolding her wouldn't bring him much satisfaction anyway.

However, sitting around and waiting wasn't Saigou's style. He wasn't one to wait for things to happen—he preferred to take action, to seize control.

Ideally, he would even take command of this so-called Blazing Banquet.

As Saigou pondered where to find more information on the location of the other vessels, a sudden commotion broke out in the restaurant.

He looked up and saw the First Princess of the Kingdom, La Folia Rihavein, walking into the restaurant with her chest proudly held high.

"Is that Her Highness, the Princess?"

"It's the Princess! That silver hair is unmistakable. She's really the First Princess—I've seen her on TV!"

"Why would the Princess come here?"

"…"

The surrounding diners whispered excitedly, their faces filled with awe and admiration, with some even looking reverent.

In the Kingdom of Aldegia, La Folia was as famous as any idol or celebrity, holding immense popularity among the people.

But after seeing La Folia, Saigou raised his eyebrows. He always felt that there was something wrong with La Folia in front of him.

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