Chapter 45: Countdown
"Are those apples...?" asked Rias, surprised to see Vahn produce several bushels of the reddest, most delicious-looking apples she had ever seen while everyone was gathered around to present their spoils.
"Oh, I recognize those!" exclaimed Issei, beaming as he gestured at his chest as if he were hefting something as he recounted, "They drop from these headless centaurs with—well, let's just say they're very top-heavy. As for these apples, they're insanely sweet and fill you up with just a few bites."
"That's not all," stated Vahn, tossing one of the apples into the air and catching it as he explained, "They're called Crimson Bapples, and along with tasting good and filling you up, they can increase your Power by up to ten points. And we discovered that if you bake them, they boost your Guts instead. That's why we brought so many back with us. I wanted to see if they would have different effects depending on the dishes they're made into."
"May I...?" asked Grayfia, her hand poised delicately over one of the bapples, waiting for Vahn to nod before picking up one up, inspecting it, and taking a small bite. At her level, a Power increase of one was utterly inconsequential, but by taking a small sample, she could grasp its flavor and picture dozens of different ways they could be prepared.
"With your and Lady Rias's permission, I would like to borrow one bushel of apples and Sir Kiba," stated Grayfia, offering Vahn and Rias a courteous bow as she made her request.
"It would be my pleasure," responded Kiba, offering a polite smile and bowing with his hand over his heart.
"Why don't we all try preparing dishes...?" proposed Rias, quickly adding, "Oh, and keep the seeds. If they're able to be grown outside, they could become a staple crop in the Underworld."
"Two excellent suggestions, my Lady..." confirmed Grayfia, her silver eyes sparkling slightly as she turned to Vahn, awaiting his response with a faint smile.
Hearing Rias suggest they all try preparing dishes, Vahn's eyes lit up, a broad smile developing across his face as he nodded, answering, "That sounds amazing. I've always wanted to learn how to cook, and after we discovered the bapple's properties, Asia offered to teach me how to bake an apple pie. Is that okay...?"
With Vahn directing the question to her, Asia's expression lit up, causing the interior of the Ending Zone to appear a little brighter as she happily replied, "Of course! I would be more than happy to teach whatever Vahn-sama wishes to know! Please permit me to do so~!"
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