#1027 Defending Yakiniku’s Local Authority

The yakiniku party is only getting started.

After all the effort that went into preparing this, I was determined to savor every moment of the main event.

“Uryaaaaaah!!! From here to here, all this meat is mineeeeeee! Anyone who tries to snatch it away, I don’t care who you are—I’ll take you down!”

“Who are you to decide that?! The grill is a public area! Down with the tyrant!”

And so, the battle for the meat begins.

The most eye-catching clash is between my wife, Platy, and the Mermaid Queen Puffer.

They’ve got that classic sister-in-law rivalry going on, and on top of that, their personalities just naturally clash.

Neither of them knows the meaning of the word “back down.”

“Oh my, Puffer, even after becoming the mermaid queen, you’re still that same rebellious spirit, huh? Should I be worried about my brother’s reign with you by his side?”

“Shuddup! My husband doesn’t need to impose any bad laws, so there’s no problem. If the people rebel, it’s obviously the people who are wrong!”

Puffer used to work on our farm before she got married, so she and Platy know each other pretty well.

That’s why their meat-grabbing battle is so intense—there’s no holding back between these two.

“Lady Platy! Queen Puffer! Please, you mustn’t behave like this! As royalty of the Mermaid Kingdom, you should be setting an example for the people, not causing a ruckus and shaking the table…!!!”

Trying to stop them is Teacher Carp, who’s also pregnant.

She’s a teacher at a prestigious school in the Mermaid Kingdom, but I hear she’s been more eager than ever to stand at the front of the classroom ever since she got pregnant.

Isn’t it usually the opposite?

I thought pregnancy was the time to take it easy and maybe cut down on work, but it seems like she’s making up for lost time from when she was slacking off as a newlywed.

Today is her first day off in a while, I guess.

She really has been in her own little honeymoon bubble recently.

It’s been ages since I’ve seen her act like this, trying to keep the peace.

“But let’s get one thing straight—this meat is mine! I need it to give birth to a healthy, strong baby for Gobukichi! I’m not giving it up to anyone!!!”

And just like that, her facade crumbles.

Carp is all about family now. She couldn’t care less about other people’s kids—her own is what matters most.

So, she’s making sure to secure her fair share of the meat.

That’s some teacher-level diligence right there.

And then…

It’s actually surprisingly calm around here.

I thought there’d be more chaos, considering there are a few other characters who seem like they’d join the meat battle, but they’re all grilling quietly, almost peacefully.

Maybe they’ve mellowed out since becoming mothers?!

Take Lampeye, for example. She’s also a mermaid, like Platy and Puffer, but she hasn’t said a word. She’s just focusing on the meat.

“...This yakiniku… It resonates with me on a deep level.”

?

“The secret to success lies in the grilling. It’s all about the heat, the time, and the fire. The fire decides everything in this dish… that’s yakiniku!”

She’s muttering to herself.

Is this some kind of solitary gourmet moment?

“If that’s the case, this is the perfect stage for me, once known as the Witch of Hellfire...! With my mastery of the Mermaid Kingdom’s potions and my precise control over countless flames, creating the ultimate yakiniku is child’s play! Oh, it’s been so long since I felt this fire in my veins…”

And with that, Lampeye sprinkles some mysterious liquid onto the grill.

Judging by her muttering, I’m guessing it’s some kind of flame-related magic potion?

Whoa, whoa, slow down there!

We don’t allow custom fuel!

It seems like out of everyone, Lampeye might have gone even more off the deep end since getting married than Platy or Puffer.

That’s the mermaid side of things, but on the demon side...

There’s Mrs. Astres and Mrs. Glasya.

They’re the Demon King’s wives.

The Demon King is the ruler of all demons and the conqueror of the surface world, so of course, he’s got a harem.

As two of his favored wives, neither can afford to give an inch.

Their rivalry is even more intense than Platy and Puffer’s.

They’ve butted heads plenty of times before, so I expected this meat battle to be the most intense, yet…

“...”

Huh?

They’re both just sitting there quietly.

What’s going on? I thought for sure they’d be the first to start a full-on war over the meat, but they’re surprisingly calm.

“Hey... that side’s already done grilling, you know...!”

“Thanks...!”

Quiet!

Too quiet!

What in the world is going on here? I’m totally confused.

Could it be that these two finally realized their roles as Demon Queens and decided to avoid unnecessary clashes? Is that what’s happening?!

I mean, it’s a bit late for that... but still!

Has becoming mothers changed their outlook on life?

But then again, both of them already have kids. Mrs. Astres, in particular, is a mother of two.

It’s a bit of a stretch to think motherhood suddenly gave them perfect timing, though...

“This one’s done grilling too, hon.”

...Huh?

Looking closer, there’s a tiny girl wedged between them.

She’s so small that she’s been hidden in the shadows of these two Demon Queens.

But now that I see her, I recognize that little girl...

It’s Marine, the demon princess.

“You know, the queens need to get along, hon. Especially at a meal like this. It’s the perfect time to show off how well you get along and prove to everyone inside and outside that there’s no discord in the Demon King’s family, hon.”

“Yes...!” “That’s right...!”

“When someone gives you something nice, you should accept it with gratitude and enjoy it, hon. Showing your appreciation by savoring the food is the best way to thank them, hooon.”

Faced with pure logic coming from a little girl, the adults are left with no choice but to quietly comply.

It seems the Demon King’s complicated household is being kept in check thanks to the cushioning effect of Marine.

Even Mrs. Astres and the others can’t argue back when a child lectures them, so what would usually have turned into a heated exchange of words—and possibly fists—ends up being a peaceful dinner.

...To think that this little girl can handle the two Demon Queens, who even the Demon King struggles to manage, so effortlessly.

Marine might just be destined for greatness.

“Lord Saint! Lord Saint, Lord Saint!!!”

Meanwhile, someone’s on cloud nine. It’s Batemy, our old farm buddy.

Having worked on the farm longer than Puffer or Lampeye, she still has a strong connection to the place.

“What’s got you so excited?”

If I remember right, you’re not the type to get this hyped over food, are you?

You usually get more excited about something related to your craft, don’t you...?

“Yes! Well, this grilled meat is delicious, of course, but there’s something that’s been bugging me as we eat...!”

Oh?

Now you’ve got my attention. Go on, spill it.

“Yes, you see, when grilling meat, the oil tends to splatter everywhere. And if it gets on a favorite dress, it’s nearly impossible to get out, which would totally ruin the mood...”

I have to say, I can’t quite picture a scene where someone’s eating grilled meat in a fancy dress.

Just bringing grilled meat into this world already feels like a cultural mismatch.

“So, I came up with an idea! If we wear a simple apron while eating, we can block the oil splatters! That way, everyone can enjoy their meal without worrying! The apron would be disposable and made of paper, so anyone can use it comfortably without it being heavy or cumbersome! I think it would make grilling meat even more enjoyable!”

Even in a moment like this, Batemy’s got that craftsman spirit burning bright.

But let’s focus on the eating part first. We haven’t decided whether to start a yakiniku business yet.

And remember, you’ve got to have that baby too. Don’t you have enough on your plate with your in-laws and the heir situation?

Meanwhile, Black Cat...

“Myaaa, it’s hot...! I need to cool it down, meow!”

...Yep, she’s got a cat’s tongue, all right.

Her husband, Silver Wolf, helps cool her meat down and feeds it to her by hand.

Even if the meat cools, the two of them stay hot and spicy.

Are they newlyweds? Yeah, they’re newlyweds.

It looks like everyone’s enjoying the yakiniku, which is great.

It’s high in protein and calories, perfect for moms-to-be who need that extra energy!!!

“The dishes Dear makes are always the best! Yakiniku is the best!”

Oh, Platy.

Looks like you managed to enjoy the yakiniku without getting into your usual ugly spat with Puffer?

“I made a great discovery! Yakiniku is obviously delicious, but it can get a bit repetitive and heavy. But if you eat it with plain white rice, it’s even more amazing! The change in texture is refreshing, as is the way the sauce and fat mix with the rice. It’s just incredible!!!”

As expected of my wife.

To think you’ve already discovered the magic of pairing grilled meat with white rice.

You truly are a genius, as they say, one of the best the mermaid race has to offer.

“And if you add beer to this... Ahh! Just imagining it makes me drool! Someone! Bring me a beer!”

No, no, no, that’s not happening.

Beer is strictly off-limits during pregnancy.

Sure, yakiniku and beer are a match made in heaven, but you’ll have to wait for that.