Please play Fate/Go with me.

When the bottom layer was opened, steaming hot air immediately billowed out, accompanied by a rich aroma. This is another common home-style dish, onion soup, a soup that has been popular since Roman times and has stood the test of time. The soup is made by simmering chopped onions over low heat, and is topped with a layer of cheese rind.

When it comes to cheese, the first place that comes to mind is France, the cheese capital. It is said that hundreds of types of cheese have been developed here, and you could eat a different kind every day for a whole year without repeating a single cheese.

Shirou is just trying his hand at making cheese dishes, and of course, since his teacher is Japanese, he prefers a milder flavor.

The team leader changed his mind when he smelled the aroma. However, he was already craving food, so he decided to eat first and put his hands together in anticipation, saying, "I'm starting!"

When the team leader took the first sip of the onion soup, his eyes lit up. He then forked a piece of toast and ate it with ham, once again showing a look of surprise. He gave the boy a thumbs up, saying in short, it was incredibly satisfying. The toast was just the right firmness, crispy on the outside and soft and easy to eat on the inside, without being too dry.

Seeing the teacher smile, Shirou, Erina, and Hiratsuka Shizuka nodded with smiles.

As long as he can get the other guests to smile like that, then his plan will be absolutely fine.

The team leader turned out to be a foodie. After receiving a promise from Shirou that he would make him another dessert the next day, she immediately agreed to the activity plan.

Anyway, the school has money, so there's no need to bother the Paris branch. Because of his strange illness, many planned tourist attractions have been canceled. He's worried about how to spend all that money. If he returns to Chiba and other teachers find out that he took students abroad to broaden their horizons but stayed in his dorm doing nothing, thinking he wouldn't spend the money, he'll be laughed at.

'Why don't we have a good discussion with the Paris branch and make this event as big as possible, so that the surrounding residents can also participate!' The team leader thought to himself. He never expected that his idea would inadvertently do Shirou a great favor.

After saying goodbye to the team leader, Shirou and Erina began to research ingredients suitable for this food festival. They wanted to create dishes that were simple, delicious, and visually appealing, and that would bring joy to the guests.

Hiratsuka Shizunori began preparations for the subsequent publicity.

Life is often filled with disappointments, but humans are resilient creatures who can quickly adapt to harsh environments, adjust their mindset, vent their emotions, and relieve stress.

Sometimes, if the thoughts and feelings in your heart during the day are strong enough, they will manifest in your dreams. For example, a person you like may appear in your dream, or you may achieve something you've always wanted in your dream, or you may feel nostalgic when you return to your childhood, or you may feel triumphant when you beat up someone you dislike.

But besides dreaming, there are other ways in this world, such as:

After a busy day at work, order a small dish of snacks and a glass of wine; go to karaoke and sing your heart out until you're hoarse; have a long-awaited phone call with a good friend who is far away and pour out your heart that you can't tell anyone else; or simply bury yourself in the blanket and cry it all out.

Some traumas and setbacks that pierce the depths of one's heart are often etched in one's mind and can never be forgotten.

But it's acceptable. As long as you can accept it, it can take anywhere from a few months to the time it takes to eat a meal to recover and get back into this imperfect world where you still want to strive for yourself.

If those who enter the dream can be roused, then the methods of the black mud monster in the dream world are not insurmountable. After all, it is a dream, a world of imagination, with infinite possibilities, and this applies to humans as well.

Chapter 182 Food Triumphs Over Nightmare

After returning to the real world and calming down, Shirou considered the problem from the perspective of the real world outside the dream world, and finally found a breakthrough that he could never have thought of before.

Previously, because I was in the dream world, all I could think about was how to defeat those twisted, terrifying, and unreasonable monsters.

However, from the perspective of the real world, the monsters in nightmares are inherently irrational. The nightmares that people have when they are young can be incredibly varied, such as being afraid of a vacuum cleaner, a bowl of Chinese medicine, or even a rag doll.

Perhaps when you're half asleep or have a fever, you might imagine a bright spot or strange sound from a charger as a green-glowing python or monster.

These are somewhat related to psychological factors. Some people are afraid of caterpillars, spiders, and cockroaches, while others are afraid of rats. Most people are probably afraid of snakes and scorpions, but there are indeed people who like to keep these kinds of reptiles as pets.

Logically speaking, it's understandable that these people, despite having niche interests, are not immune to pain or poison.

It is precisely because of the existence of such diverse people that there are so many dreams. Therefore, the black mud monster, which combines these nightmares and beautiful dreams, is naturally a collection of all kinds of freaks.

But this also confirms that the black mud monster's abilities are not omnipotent. Even if she can create a collective dream world and set a script based on fairy tales, not all beings will act according to the script.

Not only are there characters like Merlin and Tamamo Cat who play two roles, but there are also characters like the overly individualistic and rationally evaporating Soso Turtle and the singing Mad Hatter. These characters act according to their own will and are not controlled by the Black Mud Monster.

Once inside the dream world, all physical and bodily limitations of reality are removed. Humans are not entirely at the mercy of others.

In fact, among the classifications of human dreams, there is a category called lucid dreaming. In this state, a person is clearly aware that they are dreaming. From that point on, nightmares are no longer scary, and one can even control the dream world at will.

In this state, humans are the masters of dreams. Even if Merlin, the nightmare demon, were to invade their dreams, he would be easily crushed with a single hand, and even the black mud monster would fare no better.

Dreams can be altered by our feelings in reality, and if we are encouraged, we can become more proactive in confronting certain things in our dreams.

What Shirou wants to do is to help people in reality have the courage and positivity to fight against dreams, and to use fantasy to fight fantasy.

After dinner, the students were still sleepy and went back to their rooms to rest. Shirou made a call to Chaldea, telling them that he wanted to contact Jeanne d'Arc, Tamamo Cat, and the others in the dream world.

"Well, it's fine for now. Merlin seemed to have considered the possibility of attack when he built the house, so it's protected," Da Vinci explained.

"Really? That's great. I'll have to thank him next time I see him," Shirou said with a sigh of relief.

"If you want to thank me, you can do it now." At this moment, the handsome man with silver hair and purple eyes appeared on the other side of Da Vinci's holographic screen without permission.

"Ah! Merlin! You've finally appeared!" said Leonardo da Vinci.

"Merlin, is there anything you can teach me? How to break through in that dream world?" Shirou asked the silver-haired man.

Merlin said, "Do it the way you want, Shirou, but time is running out. All I can do is create an illusion so the black mud monster can't sense the castle."

"So, do you think my proposed method is also feasible?" Shirou asked.

"It is theoretically feasible, and with my assistance, the possibility is even greater. This is a method that only humans in another world could have come up with. Shirou, well done. Just go for it," Merlin said with an approving smile.

“I understand! So, could you help me contact Jeanne and the others this time?” Shirou nodded, then turned to Leonardo da Vinci and asked.

“Yes, yes, then I’ll help you get inside the castle,” Leonardo da Vinci readily agreed.

The 3D image before Shirou's eyes shifted, and a slender, white figure flashed by. A girl with pink cherry blossom hair and braided pigtails—no… a boy—was running around in the castle's hall with an unprecedentedly unrestrained attitude, as if he had returned to nature.

"You bastard! Don't run around naked in other people's houses after taking a bath! By the way, were you originally a man?! You bastard! This is an eyesore! I'll set you on fire!" Joan of Arc roared.

"Haha, Joan of Arc is angry~!" Astolfo chuckled and ran to hide behind his companion's cloak.

"Don't come any closer, or people will think I'm like you!" the long-haired white lily knight said to the guy hiding behind her.

"Huh? How indifferent. To anyone else, we're all the same, aren't we?" Astolfo said, pointing at Dion's soft, bouncy cheek from behind.

"At least put some clothes on before you talk! You're supposed to be a French knight, aren't you?" Dion lectured, clearly annoyed.

"Eh... Although I am Charlemagne's knight, I am actually from Britain. Okay, okay, I'll wear it then?" Astolfo pouted, put down the blue and white strip of cloth he was holding in his hand, and put it directly on the back of the cloak.

“Look! I’m not like Roland, who goes crazy after a breakup and dumps a scoundrel. I’m wearing proper underwear!” Astolfo said, showing off his striped underwear to Dion.

“No, in some ways it’s worse,” Sanson retorted coldly.

"Great! Our 'freakish' group has gained a new member!" Mozart said with a happy smile.

Beside them sat Emperor Louis, drinking tea at a table, glancing at the group with a subtle expression, remaining silent.

"Your Majesty! No, I have absolutely no connection with these people. Ugh... It's so shameful." Dion was already ashamed enough just standing with these people.

"Hmm, it's boring to stay here all the time, so I'll sing a song." Elizabeth the dragon girl was holding the microphone and preparing to practice when the cat girl opened her mouth wide and bit her tail.

"Hey! What are you trying to do, you little kitten?" Elizabeth exclaimed.

"Lizard Girl, come play, meow! The princess said you sing because you're lonely, so meow will play with you, woof~!" Tamamo Cat said with a smile.

“It’s not a lizard, it’s a dragon!” Elizabeth corrected.

"A dragon is supposed to be the thick and long kind, right? Is it some new Western dish, woof?" Tamamo Cat exclaimed in surprise.

"Don't eat me!" Elizabeth said, shaking off the Tamamo cat that was clinging to her tail.

Meanwhile, the black-haired princess with glasses who had instigated Tamamo-no-Mae was sitting on the ground, wearing a pink bat hat, playing a game on a computer that had been connected from somewhere.

Seeing these farcical scenes, Shirou felt that his previous worries were unnecessary.

"Haha, that's great! As long as everyone is alright, that's the best thing." Shirou laughed from the bottom of his heart.

"Ah! Shirou! Are you alright over there? Why did it take you so long to contact us?!" Jeanne asked, complaining.

"I'm sorry, Jeanne, I made you worry." Shirou said apologetically, clasping his hands together.

Joan of Arc grinned awkwardly, saying something she didn't mean: "Who's worried about you! There are probably only a handful of people as stubborn and strong as you in all of humanity. It doesn't matter if you don't come back, just go eat baguettes with cheese in Paris! I can handle that monster all by myself."

Shirou nodded and looked at the silver-haired girl, sincerely promising, "Yes, I will definitely come back. I won't keep you waiting long. I'll find a way right away, and then we'll fight side by side."

"Hmph... Hmph, whatever." Joan of Arc turned her face away, pursed her lips, and tried hard not to laugh.

"Master! Master!" Tamamo Cat used Elizabeth's support to jump directly in front of the holographic image and shouted happily.

"Meow, I've worked hard for my master, so remember to pat my head as a reward, meow," Tamamo Cat said with a smile, eager to take credit.

"I know, and there are radishes too, right?" Shirou replied with a smile.

"As expected of a cat's master~!" Tamamo nods happily.

"Mr. Shirou, have you accepted my friend request?" At this moment, Himeko Osakabe walked up with her phone and asked in a low voice.

"Ah! I've already added you. But I've been so busy that I haven't been able to contact you yet, I'm so sorry." Shirou looked at...

"No... there are still many days ahead, I look forward to it... Ah! No, I'm not very talented, please guide me in the future." Princess Xingbu held the phone to her heart with both hands, her face slightly flushed as she bowed.

"Please take care of me," Shirou replied with a smile. Hmm? This feels a bit like a blind date...

"..."

"Please make way, everyone!" came a clear, neutral voice.

Emperor Louis, supported by Dürer, stepped forward.

"Thank you, Dion, that's enough." Emperor Louis seemed to have broken free from the limitations of the established order after the collapse of the fairy tale world, though he appeared weakened by the shock of the Queen's murder. He looked up at the boy in the holographic projection and smiled, saying:

"Shirou, so you're from another world. I always thought you were very outstanding and special. I see."

“Yes, Your Majesty, I’m so sorry for hiding this from you before,” Shirou said, looking at the kind old man.

"No, I thank you for taking us in, but have you come up with a plan to deal with that monster?" the emperor asked.

“Yes, I’m trying now. If I can free people from the control of the Black Mud Monster in this dream world, then the monster will definitely weaken as well,” Shirou said.

"Is that so? Please, this is truly heartbreaking," said Emperor Louis, his eyes filled with tears.

"Okay." Shirou nodded in agreement. Indeed, for the emperor uncle who was not a Heroic Spirit, this world had nothing to do with him anymore. This situation was far too cruel. In his previous life, he had died before his wife and son, and this time he watched as his wife was swallowed by that twisted monster.

"Please, you must save France! This is an elegant and romantic city, it should not be so gloomy. Please free the poor people of Paris from this torment of nightmares, and I swear I will do everything in my power to assist you." Although Emperor Louis was physically weak, he spoke these words with great determination; it was a plea from the bottom of his heart.

"Your Majesty the Emperor..." Shirou looked at the kind-hearted uncle with some surprise. He didn't expect that at this moment, the man's thoughts were on the country. Yes, the man in front of him was indeed an emperor, even if he was the ruler of a fallen country, he still had the dignity he deserved.

The boy loudly reaffirmed, "I understand! This is something I will do with all my might to achieve!"

"Jeanne, Tamamo Cat, everyone, wait for me. I will definitely find a way to defeat the Black Mud Monster and then come to save you," Shirou vowed.

"Yeah, Shirou, come back soon, I'm looking forward to your cooking." Astolfo smiled brightly, revealing his tiger teeth, and waved his hands.

"You should go put your clothes on," Shirou retorted.

After the application was approved at the Paris branch, Shirou and Erina began preparing all the necessary materials in an empty kitchen in the culinary department.

Hiratsuka Shizuka was sitting at a small table to the side, typing on her laptop. She was in a good mood, humming a little tune as she worked on the application report that required the materials.

“Qui-se-lamentent-et-qui-ralent… I’m annoyed by those unchanging people who always have a long face, I’m annoyed by those who are always complaining, those who have lost interest in life…”

A sweet, light, and cheerful tune was hummed from Hiratsuka Shizuka's lips.

"Hmm? Teacher, what are you singing? A French song?" Erina asked curiously.

“It’s a song by the French alias,” Hiratsuka Shizuka explained with a smile.

"Oh!" Shirou and Erina responded in surprise, then paused and fell silent. They hadn't expected Hiratsuka-sensei to be so knowledgeable, even knowing how to sing French songs.

Hiratsuka Shizuka looked at the boy and girl in confusion and asked, "Huh? Don't you know her? Alizee? The European music queen born in the 80s. Although she has faded out of the music scene now because of marriage and children, she was a world-class teen idol back then. She could dance and sing."

"Huh... Does that mean that singers born in the 80s are already outdated aunties to you young people? Is there a generational gap? For people of this age, they can't even recall their childhood memories, and they can't even say things like 'I grew up listening to your songs'?"

"Fine, let's find someone more popular right now... like Lena-ka? Huh? She seems a bit older... Well, how could I possibly know what you high school students like..." Hiratsuka Shizuka fell into deep self-doubt.

"Hey! Hiratsuka-sensei, what are you doing in the corner?" Erina called out irritably.

“That’s right, teacher! Don’t get discouraged! We know that, we know Jay Chou! We know Michael Jackson too,” Shirou quickly advised.

Ultimately, classic music is timeless. As long as a song is beautiful and moving, it will not be forgotten even after hundreds of years. Among modern people, there are quite a few who listen to Mozart, Chopin, and Beethoven and find them beautiful.

"Really?" Hiratsuka Shizuka, who was squatting in the corner, turned around and asked pitifully.

"Yes, yes, and it's really good. People would fight to come to a concert to hear it," Shirou said, comforting her.

"That's a great suggestion!" said the team leader who had come to inspect the area as he walked in from outside.

"Hey, hey?" The three people in the classroom exclaimed at the same time.

"By the way, my eternal goddess is Sophie Marceau." The team leader pushed up his thick glasses that obscured his eyes, his smile revealing wrinkles, but he had the air of a die-hard fan.

"No, none of us asked you about your interests, teacher," Shirou said, waving his hand at Erina.

"No, teacher, I think I should probably skip singing," Hiratsuka Shizuka said hastily.

“No, Ms. Hiratsuka! The purpose of this food festival was to cheer up people who have been feeling listless lately, so in addition to the food, it would be great to have a performance that everyone can participate in. If our school could have a performance where they can sing French songs, it would definitely be a hit,” the teacher in charge said.

“But… teacher!” Hiratsuka Shizuka still wanted to refuse.

The team leader interrupted her directly, continuing patiently, "No buts! The entire faculty and student body of Chiba School are counting on you, Mr. Hiratsuka! And if you succeed, I will apply for the highest possible bonus for you, and this year's staff performance review will also be..."

“Yes…” Hiratsuka Shizuka hesitated for a moment upon hearing this, then resolutely agreed. Yes! To help her lovely students! To help this dejected Paris! What did it matter if she sacrificed herself!