Chapter 6 - Black-Grail Mud (Soup of Sins)
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Shirou headed with Tohsaka Rin to the local but very much so out-of-the-way church, hidden deep within the forest.
Archer came with them, though waited outside for them to finish their business with Kotomine, as he leaned his back against the church doors.
"Ah," Kotomine said, upon seeing them "Welcome, lost lambs, to the House of God."
He smirked knowingly, as if he knew already what they were here for. "And just what can I help you with, today?"
"I, I want to know." Shirou said, "I want to know more about this "Holy Food War" event I keep hearing about. Just what exactly is it?"
Kotomine's face and smirk broadened, as though that were exactly what he had wanted to hear.
"Well, sit." He said, "this might take a little while to explain." He said.
Shirou complied, and sat in one of the front church pews, intent of listening to Kotomine's explanation.
"To start off with," Kotomine began, "Perhaps it would be best to first pose a question." He said.
"Just what exactly is it, that chefs desire most?"
Shirou though on that for a bit...
"Well, to make people happier, I suppose. And to make delicious dishes, right?"
Kotomine chuckled. "A naive answer." He replied, "But not one I dislike."
"However," He continued, "That's only half-correct."
"Chefs," Kotomine declared, "Are always seeking out new heights, new peaks of flavor with which to create even better, and even more delicious dishes and recipes."
"To that end, chefs are always seeking out new ingredients, as well. Many, in fact, are constantly wishing and desiring for some method or means of expanding themselves and what they're capable of."
"Even if it means," Kotomine paused ominously, "...Using less than savory ingredients."
"?" Shirou didn't quite seem to understand what Kotomine was getting at, so he continued.
"Many chefs among us, not only at Totsuki, but also at many other culinary institutions, seek the "Holy Grail" of forbidden ingredients, and every year, a competition is held to determine the best of chefs, capable of making use of it."
"That, in a nutshell, is the "Holy Food War" you are so curious about."
"Alright..." Shirou said, "But then, what exactly is this "Holy Grail" you've mentioned, and why are people so intent on getting their hands on it?"
Tohsaka turned away, as if not eager to hear the answer, and regretful that Shirou would soon learn about it as well.
Replying to his question cheerfully, Kotomine answered. "The Holy Grail is just that, the wish-granting vessel from which chefs can have their desires fulfilled. It is, in other words, the world's greatest hidden exchange bazaar of forbidden ingredients, for any who would seek them out. Narcotic and poisonous ingredients, extremely addictive spices..."
Kotomine paused dramatically, as he took a moment to look upon Shirou's face, "...Even," He continued, "...Human flesh."
Shirou winced at the emphasis Kotomine put on that ingredient, and paled as he realized the implications of that.
Kotomine laughed. "Indeed, the Grail is a veritable maelstrom of the evils of humanity. A cumulation, if you will, of the distorted desires of the chefs who take part in it."
Tohsaka, having had enough of Kotomine's speech, also interrupted, "But, Emiya-kun, it's not just as bad as he makes it sounds."
"There are also ingredients which, while for some reason are either illegal or restricted, aren't necessarily harmful or addictive or unethical - things like raw unpasteurized milk and maggot cheese, or rare ingredients like genuine truffles."
"Maggot cheese?!" Shirou asked, incredulous.
"Okay, maybe that's not the best example," Tohsaka admitted, "But my point is, it's not as bad as Kotomine makes it sound."
"Yes," Kotomine conceded, "Certainly, the grail does not contain only ingredients of an "evil" nature."
"But," He said, smugly, "They certainly do seem to be the most popular choices of ingredients used among chefs, including the flesh of the chefs who fail to survive the challenge."
Shirou paled even further, "Just what kind of inhuman ritual is this..."
"That's not what it was intended for!" Tohsaka interrupted, rebuking Kotomine's words, as though she had some personal stake in the matter, "It was originally just meant to be a process for chefs to meet and exchange ideas and rare ingredients for low prices! It was meant to be an event a process for chefs to help each other, and the culinary world, as a whole! But, it's just been..."
"Yes," Kotomine said, mirth still present in his voice, "It was corrupted, by the evils of humanity. Like a reflection of people's hearts and desires. What have once been a pure collection of hopeful wishes has now become nothing more than black mud and filth that pours out the Grail, in the form of greedy chefs and taboo ingredients."
"..." Tohsaka had nothing to say. She couldn't refute that. Even though her family and her ancestors had played their part in starting the whole thing, she didn't think any of them ever could ever expected that their "Holy Grail" would've become corrupted in such a way, by the twisted desires of ever hungry and greedy and malicious chefs.
"Well, it's not all bad." Kotomine continued, "In fact, just 10 years ago, my friend and I found the answers we were looking for, having relieved our boredom by being "baptized" in the mud of this underground world."
"After being killed by Emiya Kiritsugu, no less."
"What?!" Shirou was stunned, by Kotomine's sudden comment. "My old man also involved as well?"
"He killed you, as an assassin?!" Shirou asked, stunned, "How are you still alive, then?!"
For once, Kotomine actually paused, and gave him a confused look, "No, I meant figuratively, as a chef, of course."
"Oh, right, of course." Shirou let a breath of relief. He didn't know why he suspected otherwise, for a moment.
Kotomine was surprised at the boy's density. Truly, any girl that liked him would certainly have a hard time getting through to him. Though, that might be fun to watch, in and of itself. To sadistically watch on and even manipulate them into continuously and embarrassingly failing to catch his attention.
"In any case, it was certainly a fierce match." Kotomine continued, "Emiya Kiritsugu certainly deserved his title of "Gourmet-Killer", even back then. He tried to put a stop to the whole war with his skills, in fact, but failed."
Shirou's eyes widened, as now things were beginning to click in place for him, now starting to realize his true mission.
'Ah, so that's why he sent me.'
"Can it be stopped, though?" Shirou asked, "What exactly was my old man trying to do back then, to stop it?"
Kotomine grinned. "Well, as to that, you would have to ask the Administer of the War. But, they are rather whimsical, you see, and only after defeating the designated "Seven Servants" of this war and all other competitors, would you even have the chance to even meet and ask your request."
"I see." Shirou said, "Then, that's exactly what I'll do!" He declared. "Someone has to put in an end to all this nonsense, after all!"
And for Shirou, this was certainly the chance he was looking, the chance for him to prove himself as an "ally of cuisine", by putting an end to these sorts of things that violated the honor and integrity of chefs and ingredients, everywhere.
"Are you serious?!" Tohsaka asked incredulously, "It's not going to be easy, you know."
Shirou nodded, affirming his resolve to Tohsaka, much to her dismay.
"I hope this means you realize we'll be enemies from this point onwards, Emiya-kun."
Shirou could've guess as much, that she was also a participant in the war (though probably one of the more ethical ones) based on what she had said earlier, but now her words only confirmed his suspicions.
"Even so," He said, "This is something I have to do."
Tohsaka sighed, but seemed to understand his resolve. "Fine!" She said, "But don't expect me to help you out if you get into any trouble."
"Well, it's better that he has ideals broken and how to fend for himself sooner rather than later." Archer added.
Tohsaka just huffed, in response.
"Let's go, Archer!"
Archer left with Tohsaka, but not before shooting a hardened glare at Shirou.
Shirou himself also set off back to Totsuki, with a new resolve and a new determination in hand.
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Chapter 6 - Black-Grail Mud (Soup of Sins) END
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Author's Notes:
Hmmm...
If Kotomine had orphan batteries in the original, wonder what he has in his basement, this time...?
Just sayin'
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Artoria didn't participate in the last "Holy Food War", as she was only a child at the time, but you can bet she's hiding some secrets about it, too...