Chapter 362: There's No Soul Without New Year's

After thinking it over carefully, Takumi realized that it was almost New Year's in his world as well.

Without holidays like New Year's, a world would be soulless.

Moreover, there wasn't even any snow.

With that thought, Takumi came to a decision.

"Prometheus."

"Make some arrangements. Set up a calendar. We'll celebrate the New Year."

"Also, spread the word about the culinary competition."

"Let's hold it at the Gourmet City."

"Extend an invitation to chefs from around the world."

"The prize pool will be 10 million. First prize gets five million, second prize three million, third prize two million."

"You'll handle the rules."

"As for the judges, let the public vote."

"Make the competition work like a food market setup—whoever sells the best wins."

Takumi outlined all the arrangements to Prometheus.

Hearing this, the terminal flashed briefly before falling silent.

Takumi knew Prometheus had already begun handling everything.

Of course there would be a New Year. Prometheus would take care of all the planning.

Not long after Takumi gave those instructions, everyone's terminal received a message.

It included information about the New Year celebration and the culinary competition.

As the news spread, the robots at Gourmet City began organizing.

Prometheus' command execution was lightning-fast.

With one order, many robots activated, and numerous merchants were notified of the upcoming event.

Upon hearing this, the people became excited. This event promised big profits!

At the same time, people in Takumi's world also received the news.

Everyone was full of anticipation.

Takumi's world rarely hosted temple fairs or festive events.

Now, finally, something like this was happening.

How could people not be thrilled?

A single command from Takumi had stirred the whole world into excitement.

Elsewhere, Ningguang and the others also received the news.

After reading the message from Prometheus, they couldn't help but feel exasperated.

Takumi hadn't even consulted them before telling Prometheus to implement everything.

Still, after reading the details, they had no real objections.

After a moment of thought, Ningguang made a suggestion.

"Prometheus, ask Takumi if he wants to declare an official holiday."

"Since we're celebrating, we might as well arrange some days off."

Hearing this, Prometheus relayed the question to Takumi.

When Takumi saw the inquiry, he thought for a moment and didn't refuse.

"Give them time off. Let them decide the schedule."

"Don't do any of that compensatory work nonsense."

"Let them rest properly. Set this as a fixed annual holiday."

Prometheus nodded and disappeared.

"A holiday? Are we sure this is okay? Won't it disrupt work?"

The ever-diligent Keqing frowned.

A break? Really?

"Disrupt what? Nothing's getting delayed."

"With Prometheus around, would anything ever fall behind schedule?"

Takumi rolled his eyes at Keqing.

"Can you not be so obsessed with work?"

"The monthly salary isn't even that much. Why exhaust yourself?"

Keqing's mouth twitched.

Fine, fine, you're the boss of this world. You make the rules.

"Alright then."

She didn't argue further. A holiday it is.

"Fantastic! That means lots of delicious food!"

The happiest of all was Yuyuko.

After reading the message, she became visibly excited.

Soon, she'd have plenty of delicious food to enjoy.

Seeing her joy, Takumi and Keqing both chuckled.

They didn't stay in the underworld much longer.

After dinner, they left. Takumi walked Keqing home, then returned to his own house alone.

That night, Sima Weizhi and Lilia also came home.

Seeing Takumi, Sima Weizhi asked curiously,

"Where did you go today?"

"And what's with this culinary competition thing?"

She hadn't seen Takumi all day. Was he out chasing girls?

"I went with Keqing to the underworld. The cooking contest was just a spur-of-the-moment idea."

"Our world has everything, but it still feels like something's missing. That's why I planned it."

Hearing this, Sima Weizhi was speechless.

But—Keqing? All day together?

She looked at Takumi suspiciously.

"Are you two together now?"

An entire day spent with Keqing?

Takumi quickly denied it.

"Absolutely not!"

They were just friends. Nothing more.

Sima Weizhi didn't believe him but didn't press the issue.

Then Lilia spoke up.

"The army needs training. Esdeath has taken command."

"She says the troops need real combat experience."

"How should we arrange that? Should we send them to Aincrad?"

Lately, Lilia had been handling military affairs.

Today, she finally sorted things out. Takumi had delegated the task to her and Esdeath.

Since Esdeath wasn't back, she needed to ask Takumi what to do next.

The army was quite large, after all.

After a moment of thought, Takumi responded,

"Tomorrow, have Esdeath find Velvie."

"Get some spaceships from her, then head into space."

"Leave the task of unifying the universe to Esdeath."

Let the army gain real combat experience?

Simple—just send them into space.

With so many civilizations out there, Esdeath would have plenty to work with.

"Got it! I'll tell her."

Lilia nodded and took out her terminal to begin arrangements.

"Are we fighting? Let the Flügel join too!"

At that moment, Koshiki ran downstairs.

She'd overheard Takumi and was thrilled.

The Flügel had been bored for ages.

Now they had a chance to fight. Of course she wanted in!

"Talk to Esdeath. Even if you bring the entire Flügel, it's fine."

Takumi didn't object.

The Flügel were literally born for war.

Keeping them idle would just bore them to death.

If they wanted to fight, let them go to space.

"Yay!"

Koshiki lit up with joy and immediately sent messages to the Flügel, sharing the good news.