There were no contestants in front of the judges' table now. I took a deep breath and walked forward, trying to steady my nerves.
I was really nervous. What if I stuttered? I hated speaking in front of a crowd—especially when introducing something. A simple Q&A would've been fine, but this?
Just then, the host spotted me and raised the microphone to his mouth.
"Well, well—our next challenger steps right up after the previous one leaves. What a slender, handsome young man!"
Slender?
Wait… was someone else walking up beside me?
I turned my head left and right. No one.
…Me?
If I counted as "slender," then what were the people skinnier than me—paper cutouts?
Seems like the standard for body types in this country was a bit different.
Also… why was there still a mountain of food in front of Queen Ainasse and the general? It even looked like the dishes had changed. Meanwhile, I could finally see the faces of the young viscount, the duke, and the duchess clearly.
I stepped up to the judges' table. A staff member approached me and held out both hands—so he'd be the one distributing the drinks, I guess.
I handed him the tray, then quickly removed my duckbill cap. I didn't want to get disqualified over something like that.
"Please introduce yourself to the judges."
At the host's prompt, another staff member handed me a microphone. I took it politely.
"Thank you."
Then I began.
"Greetings, esteemed judges. My name is Karen, and I come from Amebisalon."
"Oh? A foreign guest! That's quite a unique name. Did you come here specifically to participate in the Food King Tournament?"
"Uh… no. I came to this country for other reasons and happened to run into the monthly tournament. After learning the theme, I happened to get inspired, so I decided to participate while experiencing the local culture."
I shouldn't have said "uh," but I panicked for a second. Thankfully, I managed to recover smoothly.
"I see. Then how confident are you in this spur-of-the-moment inspiration?"
"Fifty-fifty, I'd say."
I answered hesitantly. Even though I felt like I had a good shot, I couldn't say it with absolute certainty. The thought of bragging and then failing would be way too embarrassing.
"Such humility, Mr. Karen. I already found your drink quite intriguing earlier. Please, go ahead and introduce it."
Finally.
My heart was pounding. I really wasn't cut out for public speaking. I just wanted to get this over with and leave.
I took a deep breath—then began.
"This drink is called bubble milk tea. The small black spheres inside are made from tapioca starch, and I—"
"Wait a moment. There's no opening on the cup. How are we supposed to drink it?"
I was speaking a bit too fast from nervousness, and before I could even finish half my explanation, the young viscount interrupted.
Right… they didn't know what a straw was.
I quickly explained, adding a warning.
"You should see a glass straw. Please sip gently through it—if you suck too hard, the pearls might choke you."
"Preposterous! How can one drink in such an unrefined manner?!"
The duchess suddenly stood up and pointed at me in outrage. Fortunately, she hadn't picked up the microphone, so no one beyond the judges could hear her.
I had no idea what was so improper about using a straw. It was just a tube.
Meanwhile, the viscount and the duke had already started sipping.
Then Queen Ainasse spoke calmly.
"Duchess, compose yourself."
"My deepest apologies, Your Majesty. I overstepped."
The duchess sat down obediently, still looking at me with clear distaste. Strangely, that actually made me less nervous.
"Servants, clear the food."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Finally, I could see Queen Ainasse and the general clearly up close.
As the attendants cleared the mountain of dishes, the queen suddenly spoke into the microphone, voicing her deduction.
"Karen… a feminine name, yet a black-haired man from Aimebisalon… You are the hero who hunted down Samidoride, are you not?"
"Yes."
I answered without hesitation. I wasn't trying to hide it—I just preferred not to bring it up unless necessary.
The host immediately cut in, visibly shocked and thrilled.
"W-What?! The hero himself?! I never imagined I'd have such an honor as a host!"
He was exaggerating… how was I supposed to respond to that?
The audience started murmuring excitedly. I just smiled and let it pass.
The attendants, briefly stunned by my identity, finally finished clearing the table.
Queen Ainasse had brown hair and looked young—but her figure… was that real?
Compared to everyone else here, she was incredibly slim. Her arms were slender too. She must've eaten a lot, right? So how was she still this thin?
That kind of body should be illegal.
"Heh…!?"
While I was lost in thought, I heard a rough, aged voice of surprise.
It came from the general.
I looked over—and saw him sipping my bubble milk tea while staring at me. His expression wasn't anger or sadness… it was something like nostalgia.
"Silence."
Before I could process it, Queen Ainasse commanded the entire arena.
In an instant, everything fell quiet. Only the sound of the wind remained.
As expected of a queen.
Then she addressed me.
"Karen, do you have Samidoride's magic core with you?"
So she wanted proof.
"I do."
After my reply, she set down the microphone and instructed an attendant behind her.
"Bring the age-measuring device."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
She then picked the microphone back up.
"Until it arrives, let us first taste your drink."
"Please."
Finally, back to the main point.
This was taking way too long.