Traveling by night and resting by day… this desert journey is quite a fresh experience. Once we cross the desert region, the greenery becomes lush again.
Feeling the rapidly changing vegetation and climate, we continue driving for several more days… and the Camping Car’s engine comes to a stop at the foot of a gently sloping hill.
Even from here, I can see that massive tree piercing the clouds. That’s the Ancestral Tree!
“So this is the elven village!”
It seems as if they cleared a space surrounded by mountains and forests, and the village is full of greenery… or rather, honestly, except for a few roads, it looks like they’ve turned the giant trees themselves into living quarters.
“…Alright. What do we do now?”
“Mm? Aren’t we going to Xenon’s house?”
“Isn’t there a chance that his family is out preparing for the festival or something?”
“Alright, alright, everyone. Please calm down a bit. First, let me give you all a simple explanation of the village’s geography.”
Mr. Xenon claps his hands at us making a fuss at the village entrance and pulls us to a spot where we won’t be in the way.
What begins there is Professor Xenon’s lecture on the elven village.
“Right now, we’re around here… at the village entrance.”
Mr. Xenon picks up a branch and draws a simple diagram on the ground, showing us our current location.
According to his rough explanation, the original Ancestral Tree stands on top of a hill quite a walk from here, and branches from it grow in a plaza located halfway between the hill and the village.
The festival apparently takes place in that plaza.
“Usually, this would be a time when people often leave their homes to prepare for the festival, but since I told her I’d be returning home, I think she’s probably doing work that can be done at home.”
“Is your family home far from here, Mr. Xenon?”
“It’s a bit of a walk from the entrance, but… it’s not particularly far.”
When I asked Mr. Xenon, whose face clearly showed his reluctance, he gave me a weak smile. He has been like this for a while now.
“I see. Then let’s head to Xenon’s house first.”
“Mm! I’m excited to see Xenon’s house!”
“Going to a friend’s house is always kind of thrilling, isn’t it?”
In stark contrast to Mr. Xenon, who doesn’t hide his unwilling expression, Mr. Ed and Ms. Aria look terribly excited.
Watching these party members, Mr. Xenon lets out a deep, deep sigh…
“Haaaaah… this way…”
He must have realized he can’t escape. He starts walking toward the center of the village, leading us.
The houses of the elven village that are gradually appearing along the road are built on top of giant trees. The atmosphere is completely different from Ellarge, and I can’t help but feel overwhelmed. Every house has large windows designed to let in as much light as possible.
“Ehh… how did they build houses on top of those trees?”
“Most of them use ancestral homes passed down through generations, but when building new ones, we use magic to lift materials and such.”
“I see…! That’s so fantasy-like.”
A settlement of tree houses, huh. Long ago, I saw a TV special about a small tribe that lived in the treetops, but I don’t think their homes were as magnificent as this.
The tree houses in the elven village are large, and the trees themselves seem to be modified. I mean, normally, the tree trunks wouldn’t have stairs carved into them from the ground up to the houses, right?
I can’t stop observing my surroundings at this surreal scene spreading before me.
“We elves believe that our souls dwell in giant trees after death to watch over our descendants for generations. By building houses on top of trees where these souls reside, we can feel our ancestors close to us and constantly receive their protection… that’s why this architectural style is common.”
“Souls dwelling in trees… what a lovely way of thinking.”
“Sometimes there are eccentric people who say, ‘I want my tree to be newly built!’ and plant their own tree. Pretty interesting, don’t you think?”
“Hehe! A fresh tree counts as new construction, huh?”
I can’t help but laugh at Mr. Xenon’s story as he shrugs his shoulders. For me, it really feels like I’m immersing myself in a foreign culture. Given how inconvenient travel is, I guess that’s why traditions like this take root.
Listening to Mr. Xenon’s stories, I walk through the elven village looking like a complete tourist. There are moments when Mr. Ville, who seems completely accustomed to this, takes my hand as I’m enchanted by the scenery.
It feels like about twenty minutes have passed.
Mr. Xenon’s home is built on top of a fairly large tree. It’s a rather impressive log cabin-style house.
“My, my, welcome! I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival ever since I heard from Xenon! It’s a small house, but please come in!”
As soon as Mr. Xenon leads us to the entrance, a mature woman with long silver hair loosely braided greets us. While I’m overwhelmed by her enthusiastic welcome, before I know it, I’m ushered into what seems to be a living room, and a basket full of fruits is placed in front of me with a thud… and here we are.
“You must be tired from your long journey. Would you like some Lyukos tea? Or would you prefer Kuuko juice?”
“Mother! Just sit down for a moment!”
Mr. Xenon’s mother is a beautiful woman, taller than I, with a sharp, refined appearance. Yet, as she bustles around between what seems to be the kitchen and the living room where we are, she somehow gives off an almost small-animal-like atmosphere.
Well, how should I put it, she has an undeniable, powerful presence. Her pushiness is so strong that it makes Mr. Xenon, whose ear tips are turning red, raise his voice. With him reacting like that, the rest of us can only be completely overpowered by her energy.
I realize why she feels so familiar—it’s just like my mom back in the other world. When I gave her souvenirs, she said, "Oh my! You shouldn’t have! You didn’t need to bother! Next time, come empty-handed!" She struck the exact same pose and said the same kind of thing my mom said when my friends brought gifts.
I wonder… are mothers just alike, no matter the world?
“But… they came all this way just for you, Xenon, right? And even brought souvenirs—how could I possibly not offer your friends any hospitality?”
“It’s fine! Just forget about it!”
“That’s not acceptable! If you don’t want me moving around, then you go make the tea!”
Mr. Xenon half-forcibly makes his mother, who’s trying to take care of this and that, sit down. As if in exchange, Mr. Xenon now disappears into the kitchen.
“Really, thank you for coming from so far away. My son… I always hear about you from Xenon. He says you’re all such a fun group.”
“No, if anything, we’re always relying on your son’s help in both battles and exploration.”
“Oh my. Please don’t be so formal, make yourselves comfortable… just act as you normally do.”
Wow! I think this is the first time I’ve heard Mr. Ville use polite language! …Then again, that’s normal, I guess. Even though he’s the party leader, he can’t speak casually to a member’s family.
Almost at the same time that his mother pushes the fruit basket toward us, Mr. Xenon returns with a tea set. He smoothly sits down next to his mother, but… wow. You can tell they’re parent and child at a glance, they look so alike.
Still, his mother, smiling pleasantly, doesn’t seem to have much of an age gap even sitting next to Mr. Xenon. Rather than mother and son, they could pass for sister and brother…
“She didn’t cause you trouble while I was preparing tea, did she? Really… I apologize for my mother being so noisy.”
“Oh my! When did mother ever cause trouble? What a rude child!”
After glancing at his mother, Mr. Xenon sits in his seat with a wry smile and skillfully prepares the tea. While glaring at Mr. Xenon, his mother deftly peels fruit from the basket in the center of the table with a small knife.
Hmm. Their family relationship seems good enough that they can exchange light banter, but the tempo is so good that I can’t get a word in… Well, harmonious families are beautiful, so it’s a good thing.
“It’s good that we have Sherly tea. It’s made with flowers that only bloom this time of year, so there’s a limited period when you can drink it.”
Before putting it in the large teapot, Mr. Xenon shows us the tea leaves. Among the dull green leaves, several bright red and purple petals are mixed in. Mr. Xenon is sitting across from me, but even at this distance, the sweet, fragrant flower scent tickles my nose. Even though it’s dried, it smells this strong…!
When Mr. Xenon pours hot water over the tea leaves he generously put in the teapot, the smell becomes much stronger all at once. But it’s definitely not an unpleasant smell. Mixed with the sweetness is a fresh, green fragrance, and though it’s rich, it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
“Now, now. Please have some of this fruit too. These are Alue fruits at their peak ripeness.”
“Thank you. I’ll have some.”
Following the recommendation of his mother, who displays enchanting beauty, I reach for the fruit.
…Hmm, hmm. Alue fruit, huh. It looks like a fruit with yellowish skin with a slight green tint. When you peel the skin, translucent white flesh appears. According to Survival, the tree’s wood is firm yet holds both resilience and softness, and was once prized for building material. As it was incorporated into daily life, the fruit also became famous for being delicious, and they began planting it extensively. The flesh is very juicy and sweet, and it’s preferred as a fever reducer and for nutritional and hydration when you have a fever.
From Survival’s explanation, I thought it might be similar to an apple, but…
“Mmm, mmm! It’s delicious… this is really delicious!”
“As soon as you bite in… juicy!”
“It’s fruit, yet it’s so richly sweet with just the right firmness… I could eat this forever!”
I thought it would be like an apple, but it was like a cross between a peach and a fig! The parts near the skin have a sticky, soft, smooth texture, but there’s a soft seed in the center that goes crunch-pop!
Not just me, but Ms. Aria and Mr. Ed also let out excited voices. I can understand why this deliciousness makes you want to exclaim.
The fruit juice that overflows the more you chew has strong sweetness and flavor, but it has a smooth quality that’s completely free from being cloying, so you could eat as much as you want.
“I’ve had Alue fruit once before, but I don’t recall it tasting this good.”
“Hehe. I’m glad you like it. I picked these this morning from the forest behind the house. Freshness is everything with Alue fruit.”
Watching us reach for the Alue fruit while forgetting our restraint… but trying to be as well-mannered as possible, his mother laughs happily.
I see. Fresh-picked, ripe fruit from this morning! No wonder it’s delicious. Besides, from the way she talks, it sounds like his mother picked them herself. If someone praises something you picked yourself, of course, you’d be happy.
…Still, Mr. Xenon was insisting that the food in the elven village is terrible, but… the ingredients are incredibly delicious!
“Come on, Xenon. You eat some too. Oh yes! I don’t have much, but I do have some dried Kayu fruit chips I made the other day to go with tea…”
“Mother!”
After placing cut Alue fruit in front of Mr. Xenon, his mother starts to move again in a flowing motion. She apparently can’t sit still.
And really, is saying “I don’t have much” while bringing out all sorts of things just a universal family thing? I remember hearing this a lot when I visited my grandma in the countryside as a kid, or when I went home for New Year’s.
Mr. Xenon, who is pouring tea, lets out a cry-like voice to stop his mother, who is about to get up busily:
“The tea is ready now, so please sit quietly! Besides, you… You haven’t even introduced yourself, right?”
“Eh, ah… oh dear! I completely forgot!”
His mother rounds her young-leaf-colored eyes that resemble Mr. Xenon’s and covers her mouth with one palm. The gesture of waving her other hand as if to say "while I’m at it" is exactly like my mother when she realizes she’s done something wrong.
Hmm… It’s that comforting feeling, like being at home.
In front of me, swallowing a trace of nostalgia and sadness, his mother sits back down in her chair with a light laugh.
“I’m sorry for the late introduction. I’m Lusha, Xenon’s mother. My son is always in your care…”
“Oh, no, if anything, we’re always the ones being taken care of by Mr. Xenon…”
“Xenon’s healing magic is really effective…!”
“He gives us buffs and debuffs, and he’s always helping us!”
“He’s knowledgeable, can plan strategies… he handles both combat and exploration, he’s an indispensable member of our party.”
Meeting eyes with his mother, Ms. Lusha, who bows with a smile, I hurriedly bow my head too. Following that, Ms. Aria and Mr. Ed… and Mr. Ville also laugh while expressing their gratitude to Mr. Xenon.
“What’s this all of a sudden… it troubles me when you suddenly become formal just because you’re in front of my family.”
“Oh, honestly! There you go again with that sharp tongue!”
A loud smack echoes from Mr. Xenon’s back as he serves the tea with a shrug—Ms. Lusha has swung her hand straight into him.
Even if it were a parent-child comedy, I think that’s quite a harsh comeback. Well, Mr. Xenon doesn’t seem bothered by it at all, though. Ms. Lusha’s attack power is probably lower than Mr. Xenon’s defense, so no damage is getting through.
Catching sight of Mr. Xenon calmly sipping his tea with a nonchalant face, Ms. Lusha suddenly softens the corners of her eyes.
“Xenon has always had this kind of personality, so I was worried… but it seems there’s nothing to worry about, and I’m relieved.”
“I’ve sent letters many times saying I get along well with my companions… did you not trust me that much?”
“But… you know? Your personality is more twisted than you think it is, Xenon. Mother was so worried, so worried…”
Watching the heartwarming parent-child comedy unfold before me, I reach for the tea he made. Every time the transparent amber liquid sways in the cup, sweet flower fragrance rises and fills my lungs. It’s like drinking a flower field itself! But the tea itself isn’t sweet, so the aftertaste is incredibly refreshing. The rich flower fragrance also disappears smoothly with just a faint bluish trace once you swallow the tea.
“By the way, how long are you all staying in the village?”
“We plan to stay until the festival ends, at least…”
“Really? That’s wonderful. You know how the village chief just changed recently? Since it’s also serving as a celebration for that, they’re making it especially grand this year.”
Watching Ms. Lusha clap her hands together in front of her chest and giggle excitedly, Mr. Xenon’s face visibly clouds over. Just as I exchange glances with Mr. Ville, wondering what’s wrong. Mr. Xenon furrows his brow and opens his mouth with a sigh:
“Mother, whenever you start acting overly excited like that, nothing good ever follows…! Do you have something you want to ask us to do?”
“Oh, you figured it out? Actually, it’s good that they decided to make it grand, but the musicians seem to have gotten too enthusiastic… some hurt their backs and can’t move, others broke their instruments, it’s quite a mess!”
At Ms. Lusha’s words as she sighs with a troubled face, completely changing from her beaming smile, I suddenly think of something. Could it be… this is an event that happens in the elven village!? Like playing instruments in place of the musicians who can’t move, or going to gather materials to fix the broken instruments, together with the romance target… something like that!
The secret guide I got from Mr. Noah also mentioned there are CG collection events in the elven village.
However, if it is such an event, I wonder if a human with zero musical experience could become good enough to perform for others in such a short time. Besides, there’s magic, so couldn’t they just heal the injuries with healing magic? Realistically, it would be an event about gathering repair materials, but story-wise, a musical performance would be more exciting. Considering that, I wonder if things will progress somewhat conveniently?
“So the magic users are all busy with the healing, and the instrument repairs are eating up manpower too. That’s left no one available to clean or decorate the young trees in the plaza.”
Whoa—plot twist. It’s still got that “event” vibe, but it feels like things are steering in a more grounded, realistic direction. If it’s cleaning and such, we could probably do it even as festival amateurs if they give us instructions.
However, if there’s a problem…
“Um, excuse me. This might be an amateur question, but what kind of festival is the elven village festival like?”
I mean, we’re complete amateurs when it comes to elven festivals! I think I heard something about honoring ancestral spirits, but I don’t know anything else.
“Oh my! Here I am not even explaining the details! I’m sorry. This might take a while, so please listen while snacking on fruit.”
Ms. Lusha, still smiling, offers us some large grape-like fruits, and while sipping a refill of tea from Mr. Xenon, we listen to her story—one that turns out to be surprisingly captivating.
It begins with a bold and witty young ancestral elf setting out on an adventure around the world, sometimes fighting, sometimes befriending, steadily making more and more friends. Along the way, the elf met a divine bird, became friends after resting under its wings, and decided to settle near the tree where this divine bird lived, which became the beginning of the elven village…
The divine bird became a good friend of the ancestral elf, and though it rarely showed itself, a giant beast living in a hollow partway up the great tree would often come to the village to deliver messages, or so they say…
“Eventually, sensing the end of his life, the ancestor wished to rest beside his friend’s tree—and that’s where he was laid to rest. That tree is now the sacred Ancestor Tree the elves worship.”
“And then festivals began to be held at the base of the Ancestral Tree where the ancestor rest, and it’s continued to this day.”
“Ahh… I see. This is quite grand… But if that’s the case, setting aside Mr. Xenon, is it okay for outsiders like us to be involved in the festival?”
From the tradition Mr. Xenon and Ms. Lusha told us, I think the elven village festival has the meaning of honoring the ancestors. Wouldn’t some people be displeased if we, who have no connection to elves at all, got involved in such a festival?
“I don’t think it’s a problem at all. These days, the festival is more of a big gathering under the pretext of gratitude to the ancestral spirits.”
“Xenon’s right. Besides, the ancestor is said to have been a friendly person who loved festival celebrations with everyone across racial boundaries.”
“Our group has elves, draguls, spider-folk, humans… quite a mix. I think we’d rather be welcomed for coming.”
Such worries were laughed off by Mr. Xenon and Ms. Lusha. I can’t detect even a trace of them being considerate and lying from Ms. Lusha and Mr. Xenon, who laugh cheerfully.
So the ancestor loved having fun with everyone, huh? Should I imagine him as a cheerful, energetic party person, or as a festival enthusiast who’d look good in a traditional happi coat and twisted headband…? I’m a bit confused.
I feel like elves are often depicted as human-hating, closed-off, and exclusive. The fact that the people of this village accept us without resistance might be thanks to such anecdotes about their ancestor. Or maybe they’ve inherited their ancestor’s temperament through generations.
“By the way, the dishes served at the festival are said to be recipes that the ancestor himself created, passed down unchanged.”
“Wow! That’s some seriously traditional cooking!”
I’ve heard of ancient civilization reproduction cuisine, but isn’t this on the same grand scale? This makes my excitement unstoppable!
“…Well, putting aside the food matter. If that’s the case…”
Mr. Ville clears his throat lightly and looks around at all of us.
It seems like it’s okay for non-villagers to be involved, and we could probably handle cleaning and decorating. And above all, since we’re being taken care of by Mr. Xenon’s family, I’d like to repay the favor even a little if possible.
“If we can help, we’d be happy to!”
“I’ll do my best… to help out…!”
“We’ve got members who can handle the heavy lifting too, so don’t worry.”
“We’ll give it our all, so please show us what to do!”
Seeing us voice our determination, Ms. Lusha shows a melting smile.
“Thank you! That’s such a big help! Now that it’s decided… hey, Xenon. The sun is still high, so why don’t you show them the young trees in the plaza?”
“Ah. True, we saw them from afar, but we haven’t seen them up close yet.”
“Some eager stalls seem to be set up already, so take your time looking around the village… and in the meantime, mother will prepare the bedding.”
“I told you we’re prepared for outdoor camping, so just lending us the yard is fine. You’re getting on in years, so please don’t try to carry heavy things!”
“Oh my! Always treating me like an old person right away…! I’m still quite young in the village!”
Mother and son efficiently advance their discussion… but is it just me, or is the content gradually becoming more like a comedy routine?
In the end, Ms. Lusha declares, “I’m eternally one hundred seventy years old!” and Mr. Xenon dismisses her with a "Sure, sure" as he gently ushers us away from his family home.
“…Sorry about my mother… she got a little too excited after having guests for the first time in a while…”
“Please don’t worry about it. My mom is similar. Why do mothers become so talkative at times like that?”
“…Seriously… what’s with that level of energy…?”
While patting Mr. Xenon’s back as he is made to realize the strength of mothers, we head toward the young sprouts of the Ancestral Tree.
◆◇◆
The festival plaza we’re guided to is centered around an exceptionally tall and thick ancient tree, encircled on all sides by other equally magnificent trees. Some of them are in bloom, their bright blossoms standing out vividly against the sea of green.
Various stalls line different spots throughout the tree-enclosed space, each appearing to be thriving.
Children clutching cloth pouches that must be filled with small coins dash through the plaza, chattering and laughing together about things like "Let’s buy slime candy!" and "I want Kuuko juice!" The lively atmosphere makes my heart soar without me even realizing it. Special occasions are fun!
Most of all, the young tree that’s the star of the plaza is just so enormous. This is supposed to be a young tree? That’s what I can’t help thinking.
It’s so large that its top seems hidden by clouds, and the base of its trunk is so thick that I wonder how many adults it would take to encircle it. Ahhh! It truly has the dignity befitting something branched from the "Ancestral Tree"!
In front of this young tree sits an altar built from wood, with large barrels that probably contain alcohol piled up like mountains.
“Wow! The offerings are already prepared! They’re really going all out!”
“During the festival period, the alcohol brewed last year is just reaching completion. I guess they want to show it to the ancestor and his friend as quickly as possible.”
“I see. Like ‘Thanks to the ancestor, we’ve made delicious alcohol again this year’?”
“Hehe. That might be it… except…”
Mr. Xenon, who has been explaining the festival plaza and its history to us, places a finger to his lips while glancing at me sideways. Huh? What’s with that meaningful smile?! Are you plotting something?!
“This is one of the mysterious tales from the elven village. Sometimes, without anyone noticing, several alcohol barrels go missing… They say the divine bird and the ancestor are having a pre-celebration.”
“Ehh?! Is that really true?!”
Mr. Xenon’s hushed storytelling makes me respond with a much louder voice than expected. Thankfully, it doesn’t stand out too much since it blends with the festive atmosphere.
Shocked, I stare silently at Mr. Xenon, and he looks down at me just as quietly…
“…Just kidding. During my time in the village, the barrel disappearance incident never actually happened. This is just part of the folklore, too, it seems.”
“Is that so? Ugh… I feel like I got worked up over nothing!”
Mr. Xenon laughs heartily as he reveals the truth, then leads everyone around the young tree.
Right behind the altar… at the sturdy base, there’s a hole large enough for a person to easily enter. Since it’s pitch black inside, it’s probably not a tunnel going through to the other side, but rather a large hollow.
“You can enter the interior of the tree from here. Inside, it’s like a spiral staircase, and if you climb up, you can emerge about halfway up the trunk.”
Mr. Xenon points to the hole at the base, then his finger slowly traces a circle as it moves upward, stopping precisely at one point. There, several thick branches extend from the main trunk, and from below, it looks like it would be perfect for sitting and viewing the scenery.
“Hmm. So it also serves a role kind of like a tainai meguri?”
“Tainai… meguri?”
“Right. It’s when you walk through the inside of a large Buddha or deity statue. I’ve heard it was originally a kind of spiritual training, but these days it’s more of a tourist activity.”
Originally, you’d grope your way through in complete darkness… but the tainai meguri I’ve experienced had bright corridors inside the statue, lined with Buddhist images, and ended with a lookout point to enjoy the view.
I think there was a similar term called tainai kuguri, which had meanings related to rebirth and fulfilling wishes, right?
Hmm, I’m fuzzy on the details!
“So there’s something similar in your world, Rin. Here, entering the Ancestral Tree means becoming one with the spirit dwelling within it, and then being reborn.”
Mr. Xenon looks quietly pleased as he tells the elf legend. While he may not like the local cuisine, he probably doesn’t hate the elven village itself. That’s exactly why I hope he can return home more casually someday. If he learns to cook and can eat dishes that suit his taste, maybe the situation will change a little?
…Well, it’s not my place as an outsider to say such things, so I keep it to myself.
“…Even so, an elven festival held in an elven village…”
Just the sound of it feels incredibly fantasy-like! Coming here in person makes that feeling even stronger!
Since it’s a festival, there are quite a few non-elf races mixed in here and there, which also feels very fitting! Well, that’s probably why a mixed-race party like ours doesn’t get too many strange looks. Having an elf in our party probably also makes people think it’s not strange for us to be here.
While listening to Mr. Xenon’s explanation, I notice a group walking toward us from across the way.
“Huh? Ville?”
The one smiling and waving is the leader of the Azure Droplets, with whom we just parted ways in Ellarge.
“Arthur? Why are you in a place like this?”
“Ah. Well, you see, I’m an elf too. I wasn’t born in this village myself, but my great-grandfather was from here.”
Mr. Arthur’s smile deepens at Mr. Ville, who blinks in surprise at this unexpected reunion. I knew he was an elf, but I had no idea he was connected to this village!
With so many shocking events happening one after another, my mental HP is running low!
“Ah! You guys came here too! Who would have thought we’d run into each other again in a place like this!”
“…What a coincidence…”
As if to deliver the finishing blow, familiar faces pop out from behind Mr. Arthur. The full-armor little girl with pink vertical roll twin-tails and the refined beauty with impressive long jet-black hair! The unforgettable female members of the Azure Droplets!
“Hey! Hey! Are you sightseeing too? If so, we didn’t get much time to talk at the guild last time—think we could chat together now?”
The little girl runs toward me, completely unfazed by her obviously heavy armor, bouncing around the area. Each time she does, metallic sounds like "clank" and "clang" ring out, completely at odds with her light movements. Jumping around in full armor—just how much muscle strength does this little girl have?! Caught off guard by the unexpected energy and not knowing how to respond, I freeze, when the little girl gets chopped on the head.
“…Sasa. Brief pause. Need calm.”
“Eh! But but but but you’re curious too, right?! It’s the cook girl from the Gourmands!”
Unlike the high-energy little girl, the beauty seems incredibly taciturn.
The vibe is different, but she might be a bit like Ms. Aria. The clothes she’s wearing are also somehow… Chinese-style or Japanese-style… like hanfu and kimono blended together.
“I’m curious about that too!”
“That voice… Mr. Rolf! Right. You are the Azure Droplet’s cook!”
“Yeah! Haven’t seen you since the market, Rin!”
The last to appear is Mr. Rolf, who is in charge of food like me. He raises one hand casually and approaches with a broad smile.
“Yes! That’s right! Rol is a cook just like you! We might have common topics to discuss, so let’s chat together!”
“Right, right! We couldn’t talk last time, but I have lots of things I want to ask about, like specialty dishes and seasonings!”
From my right, the little girl. From my left, Mr. Rolf. Both smiling as they reach their hands toward me. T-This is unmistakably how extroverts close the distance!
But their hands never get to grasp mine.
“Rin is the Gourmands’ cook. It would be troublesome if she were touched carelessly.”
“Mm! Rin is our girl!”
Mr. Ville and Ms. Aria reach from behind and snatch away my hands respectively. Mmm! What a brilliant intercept!
The little girl and Mr. Rolf glare intently at the two behind me who have firmly secured me.
The illustration’s description: the little girl in armor with an axe and the beauty in Chinese-Japanese clothes.
“That’s not fair! Not fair at all! I want to chat with a fellow girl, too!”
“…Agreement.”
“Yeah! I want to talk about cook stuff and all that!”
The little girl pouts adorably with her cute face and voice, and Mr. Rolf puffs out his cheeks. And before I know it, even the black-haired beauty has joined them!
Mr. Ville and Ms. Aria pull me away from those two to keep a distance. Is it just my imagination that I can see sparks flying between them?
“Well, once my teammates get like this, they can be pretty stubborn. If you’ve got the time, would you mind keeping us company for some chatting?”
It’s Mr. Arthur’s leisurely voice that breaks the standoff. He looks around at both the Azure Droplets members’ faces and ours in turn, smiling with a slightly troubled expression.
“…Well, if it’s just that much…”
“Mm… will endure…”
Mr. Ville probably realizes deep down that this won’t get us anywhere at this rate. After quietly exhaling, he agrees, albeit unwillingly. Ms. Aria also gently separates herself from my back with a reluctant voice.
“Alright… if we’re going to have a conversation, that gazebo over there might be perfect.”
“Good idea. In that case, let’s buy some drinks while we’re at it. Chatting makes you thirsty.”
Mr. Xenon, who had been thinking about something, looks up at Mr. Arthur’s suggestion. He points to a spot set back a little in the plaza. Mr. Arthur, who smiles brightly, also seems to have figured out our destination. Along with this quite appealing additional proposal, he heads toward one of the lined-up stalls.
After buying fruit juice that’s apparently a local specialty for everyone, we’re guided to an elegant gazebo standing hidden in the shade of the surrounding trees. Vine-like carvings wind around each pillar, and flowers of the four seasons are carved into the ceiling.
We sit around the table placed in the center…
“Now then. Since I greeted you before, let me introduce my members today. Um, first…”
“Yes, yes! I’m Sasha, a priest-warrior! Everyone calls me ‘Sasa’! I may look small because I’m a dwarf, but I’m an adult!”
“…Ginsei… mage… pleased to meet you.”
“We already met at the market, but I’m Rolf, a grappler! I also serve as cook!”
Starting with the little girl who interrupted Mr. Arthur mid-sentence, the Azure Droplets members introduce themselves one after another. Whoaaa… elves and dwarves… I’m hearing names commonly found in fantasy!
…Wait, the little girl wasn’t actually a little girl. That’s what surprises me.
“Thank you very much. Let me reintroduce myself as well—I’m Rin from the Gourmands, serving as porter and cook.”
As I bow my head while looking at each distinctive but unfamiliar face in turn, the little girl… Ms. Sasa claps her hands excitedly. Ms. Ginsei also gives modest applause. And of course, Mr. Rolf does the same.
“Well then, now we know each other’s faces and names, right?”
“Yup, thanks. By the way, did you all come to see the elven festival too?”
“Yeah. Tori gave us time off, so I thought I’d go see my family’s faces for the first time in a while, but everyone wanted to come along. When we actually got here, we spotted you guys. I was really surprised.”
While listening to Mr. Arthur’s cheerful story, I take a sip of the juice made from a fruit called "Kuuko" that I received from Mr. Xenon. The moment the slightly thick fruit juice touches my tongue, refreshing sweet-and-sour flavors spread throughout my mouth. At the same time, a sweet aroma with a faint bluish tinge passes through my nose.
As for taste, it’s like something right between a peach and a plum. I’d only heard the name at Mr. Xenon’s house, but this is what kind of drink it was!
“It sounds like the complete opposite of us. We had to persuade Mr. Xenon, who didn’t want to come home, and got him to bring us.”
“Huh? Xenon, you didn’t want to come back?”
“…I don’t understand why you’re so surprised… The food in the elven village just doesn’t agree with me at all.”
Mr. Xenon sighs dramatically at Mr. Arthur, who sounds shocked. Yup, sorry. You’re still holding a grudge, aren’t you? Well, for Mr. Xenon, it’s a matter of life and death.
“I got curious about what kind of food Mr. Xenon dislikes so much… so I made an unreasonable request for him to bring us.”
“Good grief. Your curiosity really knows no bounds, Rin.”
“Hehehe, sorry! Once something catches my interest, I just can’t let it go.”
As I bow my head with a laugh, Mr. Xenon shrugs with an expression that says, "It can’t be helped.”
“But doesn’t food you’ve never eaten make you super curious?”
“I get it! I want to know the taste of all kinds of dishes.”
A voice of agreement comes from Mr. Rolf, my fellow cook. He leans forward with his hands on the table, eyes sparkling… Mr. Xenon is staring at him with an incredible expression, but the person himself doesn’t seem to mind that gaze at all.
“Hmm… sure, it’s not particularly tasty, but… is it really that bad?”
On the other hand, Mr. Arthur doesn’t seem to have that much aversion to the village meals. He just tilts his head while looking at Mr. Xenon.
Wow, total opposite poles. Can evaluations really differ this much, even among elves?
Watching our curiosity-fueled excitement, Mr. Xenon lets out yet another sigh—I’ve lost count of how many it’s been.
“If you insist that much, there’s a stall that serves traditional village cuisine… shall we try eating that?”
“Eh, is that okay?!”
Traditional elf cuisine! I want to try that so badly!
Mr. Xenon looks at me with a pitying expression as I nod vigorously with excitement, then quietly stands up.
“Arthur. Please help me select and carry the food.”
“Sure! Let’s see… which ones would be easiest to eat?”
“Any of it will be harsh on the palates of adventurers used to city food.”
Unlike Mr. Xenon, who doesn’t even try to hide his exasperation, Mr. Arthur stands up cheerfully. The two walk side by side toward a nearby stall.
“But when you put it like that, it really makes me curious about what it could be!”
“Mm. Like morbid… curiosity…?”
“I’ve traveled to all sorts of places, but this will be my first time trying authentic elf cuisine.”
“I can’t say it’s a great habit, but it does make you curious.”
While seeing off the elves to one of the stalls, the rest of us huddle together, whispering. Maybe it’s guilt from having somewhat improper conversations that makes us do this. …It’s really not great to talk freely about other people’s food culture without even eating it first. At least we should eat it before saying anything, right?
Mr. Xenon and Mr. Arthur return to us, waiting for the mysterious elf cuisine, sooner than expected.
On the wooden tray in their hands, there seem to be several dishes, but…
‘Hieee! Me, this smell, hate!’
“Nnn? W-What is this smell?!”
The first to react are Gomamiso and Mr. Rolf. Both persons—well, one person and one animal?—cover their noses and lean back to keep their distance.
While I’m wondering what’s happening, Mr. Xenon places the dishes on the table, and that’s when I learn about the smell of the food.
“…This is the smell of offal and tendons, mixed with spices…!”
The smell is like that of parboiling offal or beef tendons, but more intense, mixed with the fairly strong aroma of spices. For those who can’t stand organ meats, this alone would be enough to make them gag. I can handle it reasonably well, but… this is less a “fragrance” and more of an “odor.”
This is certainly cuisine that would divide opinions.
“Mr. Xenon, this is…?”
“It’s called Shienieri. It’s a special menu made only during festivals like this or celebratory occasions.”
“My father and his friends used to say ‘It’s delicious when eaten with strong liquor,’ but as a child, I didn’t find this tasty…”
“By the way, the ingredients are meat and organs from deer and wild boar caught nearby… It’s a sausage-like dish made by mixing in grains and crushed nuts.”
“I see?”
A dish using game meat that’s difficult to handle, and specifically the organs that require particularly careful handling. And since it’s made into sausage, that means the skin wrapping prevents the ingredients’ smell from evaporating outside…
“Mine is a local vegetable salad, fried salted fish, and grilled meat from the forest.”
What Mr. Arthur brings following Mr. Xenon looks relatively familiar in appearance.
The chunky fish fry and grilled meat skewer are fine, but I can’t figure out what the local vegetable salad actually is. Red, white, green, yellow… I can see that colorful ingredients cut into bite-sized pieces are mixed with some white something… but that’s about it.
This also has a complex smell that’s sweet yet sour.
“What kind of dish is this salad?”
“It’s a dish made by boiling potatoes and root vegetables from the forest, then mixing them with fermented squeezed juice from Coco… I think? I’ve heard they add lots of herbs too, but I’m not very knowledgeable about it, sorry!”
“By the way, ‘Coco’ is a kind of nut that grows around here. It’s shaped like a big ball… and for the salad, they squeeze out the contents of the seed inside.”
“No, just hearing the ingredients and preparation method is plenty. Thank you!”
…I see. Fermented foods and herbs. I understand the source of the smell. This is another lineup that would divide opinions.
“The dishes Arthur brought are menus often served in regular meals… they were staple dinner dishes at my house, too.”
“…I see! Well then, let’s eat while it’s still hot!”
“Y-Yeah…!”
In contrast to me reaching for the wooden cutlery they brought, Mr. Rolf is somewhat hesitant. The sparkle in his eyes that was so bright earlier has completely clouded over. The sausage’s opening punch really got to him. Still, seeing him pick up a skewer without running away, it seems his curiosity about unknown cuisine won out.
Mr. Arthur is smiling gently, giving nothing away, and Ms. Ginsei seems to be watching everyone else’s reactions while slightly frowning. On the Azure Droplets’ side, only Ms. Sasa is actively preparing to eat?
“Oh, that’s just cruel! If you tell me it goes well with alcohol, there’s no way I can resist!”
“Do you like alcohol, Ms. Sasa?”
“If possible, I’d like to drink it by the barrel!”
“By the barrel?! That’s quite bold!”
While distributing individual plates for serving—which turned out to be thick, flat leaves—I asked, and Ms. Sasa answered with a beaming smile! She looks like a little girl, but the words coming out are those of a drinker!
An alcohol-loving dwarf matches my expectations, so no problem there.
Meanwhile, on the Gourmands’ side…
“Elf cuisine… I was curious!”
“Time to actually try it!”
Probably because they’re used to eating the unfamiliar otherworld cuisine I make daily, they’re oddly fired up. However, there’s a combative atmosphere seeping through their words… could it be that it’s not just interest in the food, but also a competitive spirit toward Ms. Sasa?
For the record, the elf group doesn’t seem to intend to touch this meal. Mr. Arthur is smiling, and Mr. Xenon maintains his sullen expression as they watch us tackle elf cuisine.
“Well then, itadakimasu!”
Everyone offers their respective pre-meal prayers, and I clap my hands together… reaching for the sausage cut into portions for everyone. When I bring it close to my mouth, the distinctive smell feels even stronger.
Steeling my resolve, one bite…!
“Mm, mm… mmm…?”
…
…
…No. This is… what should I say about this?
The taste itself isn’t bad. It’s not bad, but…
“I can definitely see how this would divide opinions…”
The moment it enters my mouth, spices and herbs explode inside. Then the wild offal smell erupts. After somehow getting past that, the rich umami of meat and nuts begins spreading on my tongue… At this point, the meat juices that seep out mix with the intense aroma, and I can start to think this makes for a good harmony in its own way, but…
The texture is devastatingly bad!
Is it because of the mixed grains? It has this strong, crumbly, dry feeling that makes it hard to swallow… If I had to compare just the texture, it would be like a hamburger with too much breadcrumb binding, mixed with roughly cooked grain rice and then grilled…?
When I taste it carefully, there is also the sticky feeling of chopped liver and the crunch of nuts.
“But if I can overlook the texture, the flavor might be a type I like.”
“Seriously? I was out the moment I smelled it! Doesn’t it reek of blood?!”
“Hmm… a little crumbly, but fine!”
“For me… both the taste and the texture are kinda a no-go!”
“I like this! Doesn’t it seem like it would go well with strong, slightly quirky alcohol? Straight, undiluted! I want to nibble on this sausage while sipping shots in between!”
“Not… inedible… but it has a distinctive flavor.”
“…Impossible…!”
Mr. Ed, Mr. Rolf, and Ms. Ginsei are in the dislike camp. Ms. Aria, Mr. Ville, and I are in the tolerable camp, and Ms. Sasa is in the favorite camp… Hmm. A perfect split.
Among the dislike camp, Ms. Ginsei seems particularly unable to handle it, passing her barely touched sausage to Ms. Sasa.
“…So next up we’ve got the fried fish, the skewers, and the salad…”
“The fried fish should be eaten while it’s hot.”
There’s still sausage left, but as Mr. Ville says, this fried piece would be harder to tackle if it’s not hot. The batter is incredibly thick and greasy.
Cautiously, I bit into a piece of the fried fish, small enough for one bite.
“Ah! Under the condition of eating it while hot, isn’t this fish delicious?”
The deeply fried batter isn’t as heavy as I expected. It’s unexpectedly crispy with good texture. However, it’s absorbed quite a bit of oil, so it would probably become overwhelmingly greasy once it cools. I heard the fish inside is salted, but it’s not too salty or too sweet—just the right saltiness. There’s a slight fishy smell, but it becomes completely unnoticeable when I add what seems to be fruit vinegar served on the side.
“Ah! This would also go well with alcohol! Light wine… especially sparkling wine might be recommended!”
“Hey, Sasa! Don’t get carried away and eat too much! This is the type that hits your stomach like a rock later!”
Ms. Sasa gave accurate food commentary while happily finishing her fried fish, and Mr. Rolf, who managed to finish his portion, desperately tried to stop her. Combined with how they look, it looks like a very heartwarming scene. Like a caring big brother and little sister.
…Still, is Ms. Sasa really a priest-warrior? Isn’t her actual profession a sommelier?
Ms. Ginsei, who gave up on the sausage early, also went down after eating half of this. Her comment was "batter heavy, fishy…”
Meanwhile, on the Gourmands’ side… everyone ate it all up, with only Ms. Aria showing slight difficulty with the heavy batter. This might have inadvertently proven that the "theory that most things become edible if fried in oil" is somewhat correct.
However, on the flip side…
“Ah… ah… the salad is the real challenge… the flavors are all mixed up…”
“Really? I can eat it pretty well.”
The local vegetable salad is my strongest enemy!
You see, the dressing is both sour and salty, and inside it there are boiled potatoes, some rather grassy-tasting vegetables, and slices of sweet fruit… plus herbs I’m not used to eating!
“It’s such a completely new flavor that I don’t know how to interpret it… my brain is getting tangled up…”
“Hang in there, Rin! Stay with us!”
“…So this is what they call a baptism by foreign culture…”
It’s like moments where I think "oh, this is good!" and moments where I think "this might not work…" come alternately… like delicious and bad exist simultaneously in my mouth…
Looking around, Mr. Rolf and Ms. Ginsei are eating heartily. Surprisingly, Mr. Ville seems fine with this salad too. Mr. Ed & Ms. Aria, and Ms. Sasa are making decent progress.
Hmm. For this salad, I’m the only one who got knocked out.
Personally, if they reduced the herbs a bit or removed the fruit… it would become like a non-sweet yogurt salad that I’d probably like. Or take it in a fruit yogurt direction by removing the vegetables and saltiness.
“Ugh… the grilled meat skewers really sink in… each bite tastes different…”
“They stick different cuts of the meat they’ve caught all onto one skewer. That’s why each skewer has different flavors along its length.”
“I can tell this meat has been properly processed with blood draining and aging… but I feel like it could use a bit more punch in flavor!”
The grilled meat skewer I bite into as a palate cleanser lives up to the "anything goes" name, with various parts skewered together. I can’t identify the specific cuts, but there are tender, juicy parts, slightly tougher sections, and what seem like organ meat portions, too.
It appears to be simply grilled with salt and herbs, so I don’t really detect any gamey smell. I only notice a slight metallic scent when eating what looks like lean meat or liver.
As Mr. Rolf says, I think the ingredients themselves are good quality meat… but still.
“Well then, we’ve gone through quite a few traditional dishes from the elven village… what are your impressions, Rin?”
Yup. Now that I’ve actually eaten it, I think I understand why Mr. Xenon’s face looks like he’s chewing bitter bugs.
“…I kind of understand your feelings about disliking your hometown food, Mr. Xenon…”
“Hehe. I’m glad you understand.”
“Based on what I’ve eaten so far, it feels like there are many dishes that people who dislike them would really, really dislike.”
What strikes me after eating is that the elven village cuisine has a strong delicacy aspect to it. It feels more oriented toward connoisseurs. For example… like sea pineapple, salted fish guts, or strong-flavored cheese… People who can handle it are fine, but those who can’t really can’t stand it—that kind of thing.
“Apparently, the ancestor enjoyed making and serving these kinds of dishes… and that tradition has been passed down continuously.”
“Ah… I see…”
While gnawing on the grilled skewer and shaking his head, Mr. Xenon’s explanation gives me a glimpse of what’s behind the distinctive nature of elven village food.
Probably something like, "There’s no way the ancestor’s cooking could be bad! In fact, this is what ‘delicious’ truly means!" That’s how it became, and then that type of taste was passed down through generations…
“Well, regional cuisine develops based on the culture and living environment of that place, so I don’t intend to criticize it…”
“It’s fine, Rin. Feel free to trash it completely! Mealtime has been agony for me since I was little! I always thought that once I could stand on my own, I’d definitely leave this village!”
“The hometown food was so incompatible with you that it made you feel that desperate, huh?”
While pouring out his feelings, Mr. Xenon drains his Kuuko juice in one gulp.
Come to think of it, while he often eats appetizer-type foods, he’s even more delighted when eating standard meals. Considering that, elven cuisine, which falls into the delicacy category, probably doesn’t match Mr. Xenon’s preferences.
“And yet, not a single person in the party I joined could cook… that period was another dark age for me…!”
“Oh, right. I have heard a few stories about how none of you could make a proper meal…”
Whoops… Mr. Xenon’s complaining is getting dangerous. He’s starting to act like an annoying drunk. I’m pretty sure Kuuko juice doesn’t have alcohol in it… right?
“Ah… Mr. Xenon, aren’t you getting irritable because you’re hungry? I brought some leftovers, thinking I might use them for greetings or something, so please put something in your stomach.”
To stop Mr. Xenon from going out of control, I take out emergency food cookies from the body bag I’m carrying.
I baked them last night just in case—partly as souvenirs, but also thinking they might serve as a quick calorie boost or a palate cleanser.
“Hey! Xenon, that’s not fair… I want some too!”
“Me too! Me too, share some with me, Rin!”
…Well, of course, our party’s not the type to let that slide so easily.
Not just Mr. Xenon, but Ms. Aria and Mr. Ed quickly pounce on them, too. When this happens, I can feel the "I want to eat some too" aura emanating from Mr. Ville next to me… and beyond that, the gazes of the Azure Droplets members pierce right through me…!
“Um… if it’s okay with everyone, please help yourselves…”
All I could do was place the bag of cookies in the center of the table.
“Eh, we can have some too!? Thank you!”
“Awesome! I’ve been curious about the food you make!”
“I brought quite a lot, and I think it’s more delicious when everyone eats together.”
In contrast to Mr. Rolf and Ms. Sasa, whose eyes are sparkling, there’s a slightly sullen atmosphere coming from our side. I can kind of understand what everyone wants to say. If everyone here eats them, their own portions will decrease, right?
…That said, everyone probably understands that I can’t say "Gourmands is fine, but The Azure Droplets isn’t.”
“Our cook is too soft-hearted in situations like this…”
“Hehe. This kind of thing isn’t ‘soft-hearted’ but rather ‘kind,’ don’t you think?”
After letting out a big sigh, hands reach out from all directions following Mr. Ville, who was first to reach for the cookies. I thought I’d brought quite a lot, but with eight people, it’s truly like dust before the wind…
In famous war chronicles, they’d write lines like "When gazing upon distant dynasties…"—but in my case, should I say "When gazing upon yesterday’s dinner skirmish or that recent snack battle…"?
“Wow, this is amazing! What is this? It’s incredibly delicious! Amazing, Rin!”
“Amazing, amazing! It’s delicious! More delicious than store-bought!”
“…Super… delicious…!”
The faces of the Azure Droplets members who immediately stuffed the cookies in their cheeks light up. Following the excited Mr. Rolf and Ms. Sasa, even Ms. Ginsei speaks up. They say eyes speak louder than words, and seeing her quiet eyes like a midnight lakeside sparkling, it doesn’t seem like flattery.
While the Gourmands members do enjoy these snacks, I didn’t expect everyone to be this pleased, which makes me feel somewhat embarrassed.
This time, the cookies are inspired by the word “elf”: sweet, nut-filled cookies and savory cheese-mixed meal cookies. The kind that lets you go sweet, salty, sweet, salty—on an endless loop.
Meanwhile, my teammates nodding vigorously behind me—or rather, beside me?—as if to say "See? Told you so!" only adds fuel to the flames of my embarrassment.
“Amazing, Ms. Rin. You can make such delicious things! Where did you learn?”
“Uh, well… my mother… used to make them often…”
When Mr. Arthur asked with his friendly smile while holding a cookie, I almost answered "Back in my world, they’re fairly simple sweets to make…" and hurriedly gave a safe response instead. That was close…!
When I smile back at Mr. Arthur, he returns another gentle smile… I wonder if he noticed my secret or not… It’s a smile I can’t quite read.
The fact that I’m from another world is important classified information that I need to keep secret… I need to be careful not to let my guard down.
“Ah. So it’s a recipe passed down from your mother. Then this deliciousness makes sense.”
“Both my mother and grandmother were skilled cooks. They taught me various dishes.”
“How enviable. My mother wasn’t very good at cooking.”
“Oh, a recipe directly from your mother! What other recipes do you have?”
I chose my words carefully to avoid saying anything unnecessary, but Mr. Rolf latched onto it more than I expected.
Here, I need to skillfully select what information is okay to share and what isn’t… If you want to extract information from me, you’ll need to either outwit me or persuade me properly.
“See? Rin’s food is super tasty…!”
“Of course, we get to eat it all the time, though!”
“The other kinds of cookies are just as good!”
Whether they knew my intentions or not… Ms. Aria and Mr. Ed, cookies safely in hand, butted into the conversation with smug faces. For me—prone to letting things slip despite my caution—it’s a welcome interruption.
Well, that same old smug "I-told-you-so" look from them… yup, it’s still a bit embarrassing!
“True. I like these nut cookies, but I’m also fond of the ones with halberries.”
With Mr. Ville and Mr. Xenon joining in, the interrogation scene quickly transformed into a presentation of delicious things I’ve made.
As the person who made them, I feel more embarrassed than anything… but if I think of it as everyone being happy with the results… I guess I’m happy.
…Or something like that. Maybe it’s because I was getting a bit carried away. I didn’t notice that the atmosphere around the Azure Droplets, who had been munching on cookies just moments ago, had changed…
“Rolf’s… too!”
“Pardon?”
“Rolf’s cooking is delicious too! That seared meat from before was really amazing—if there had been ale, I definitely would have emptied a whole barrel!”
And so. The counterattack signal was raised from the mouth of the adorable priest-warrior.
Ms. Sasa, her pink cheeks puffed out, stood up with fierce momentum. She’s probably angry from her perspective, but somehow it lacks impact. It’s cute, or rather endearing… it just looks like a small child throwing a tantrum.
But responding to Ms. Sasa’s voice and Ms. Ginsei silently clenching her fists, Mr. Rolf stands up with enough force to send his chair flying.
“Yeah, that’s right! I have pride in having provided for our party’s stomachs! I don’t intend to lose so easily!”
“Eh… wait a minute! We’re not competing with each other, are we!?”
“Ah! True, we weren’t having a contest. We’re not—but this is a challenge to me!”
I managed to retort instinctively, but Mr. Rolf’s momentum doesn’t stop. If anything, he seems to be heating up even more! Eh, what’s this atmosphere? When did this become about winning and losing?
Mr. Ville and Mr. Arthur are trying to calm the situation, but the fired-up members from both sides won’t stop.
“Rin’s food is the best! We’ll definitely not lose!”
“Heh! I’ll make you cry soon enough!”
“We can’t acknowledge defeat so easily—we’ll teach you that!”
Contrary to my confusion, everyone around me keeps heating up more and more.
It seems like showing off "our kids"—though neither I nor Mr. Rolf are at an age to be called kids—has ignited their competitive spirit… This doesn’t look like it’ll settle down easily!?
The situation keeps progressing while leaving me, one of the parties involved, behind.
The only ones not joining the argument are Mr. Arthur, who maintains an unreadable smile, and Mr. Ville, who covers his furrowed brow with one hand and sighs. They probably understand that if the leaders get involved too, there’ll be no backing down.
Note that Gomamiso, still groggy and knocked out from the earlier sausage, doesn’t count as a combatant.
“Wait, wait, wait! I don’t want to fight over whose food is more delicious or anything like that!”
Seeing Mr. Rolf was far more hot-blooded than I’d thought, I raised a hand and stood up. While it’s difficult to stop everyone here, I at least want to calm down Mr. Rolf, who’s one of the focal points!
“In the first place, it’s natural in a way that our members say my food is delicious. After all, I cook to match everyone’s taste preferences.”
“Hmm… well, when you put it that way, maybe so…”
“But that’s the same for you too, isn’t it, Mr. Rolf? You cook meals to match your members’ preferences, which is why everyone insists your cooking is delicious.”
“…Yeah, well…”
“So I think it’s not ‘which is more delicious’ but rather ‘both are delicious.’”
Personally, I think, what’s the point of making something black and white when taste is largely a matter of individual subjectivity? "Both are delicious!" should be fine!
And besides… if by any chance there was a cooking contest and a clear winner was decided… think about the feelings of the losing team. They’d have to keep eating while thinking "so this is the losing side’s food…" right!? And the cook would have to keep making food while thinking "sorry for being on the losing side…" right!? That would crack the party’s bonds all over the place!!!
I absolutely hate contests that could lead to party dissolution!
“In the first place, I don’t know what kind of dishes you make or what kind of cooking you are good at, Mr. Rolf. So when you say ‘I won’t lose to your cooking,’ I’m a bit at a loss for how to respond.”
“Ah, right. Come to think of it, that’s true.”
“So please let me taste your cooking later. Then we can have food talks about what parts are delicious and what kind of seasoning we like!”
Maybe my barrage of logic worked. Mr. Rolf, who had been excited until just now, blinks as if coming to his senses. Has he regained some composure? If Mr. Rolf and I, who are the focal points of the dispute, can find common ground with each other, then I just need to convey that to everyone who’s excited and calm them down, and this commotion should settle… I hope!
Perhaps noticing my thinking, Mr. Rolf nods with a similar expression.
“Alright everyone, please calm down! Mr. Rolf and I have reached a kind of resolution, so the debate over which is more delicious is now closed!”
“I’m happy that you say my food is delicious, but Sasa, Ginsei, you need to calm down a bit too!”
When we both clapped our hands and intervened in the battlefield, silence spread almost comically fast.
Good! For now, this should calm things down to some degree! If things got any hotter, someone might start saying, "Let’s have a cooking contest!" If that happened, both sides would just become unable to back down…
Seeing the parties involved completely calmed down, everyone around reluctantly lowered their raised fists.
“Ugh… I never thought it would come to this…”
“Sorry, Rin… I couldn’t stop them…”
“Same here, sorry I couldn’t stop them either. We have a lot of hot-blooded members, and everyone loves competitions.”
“Oh, no… It’s not something for you to apologize for, Mr. Ville, Mr. Arthur…”
Mr. Ville gently pats my back as I slump into my chair with a truly apologetic expression. Mr. Arthur also bows his head with a troubled smile. It’s probably an apology for not being able to stop their members… but when everyone was that heated up, it couldn’t be helped that they couldn’t stop them. Besides, being hot-blooded isn’t necessarily a bad quality for adventurers…
“And… as the one in charge of meals, I’m also happy to think that you’re eating my food deliciously enough to become a topic of debate!”
That’s right! Sure, it’s a bit troublesome that it turned into a dispute, but the fact that they’re calling my cooking delicious is something I’m super happy about.
“Oh yeah, I know what you mean! When you realize everyone think your food is delicious, it makes you happy, right?!”
“All the preparation work, cooking fatigue… everything just blows away, doesn’t it?”
“I totally get that!”
Mr. Rolf nods with a deeply moved expression. Looks like this is something all cooks can relate to. I’m glad to have a kindred spirit! While watching us nod knowingly at each other with satisfied faces, Mr. Arthur stands up quietly with a gentle smile.
“Well then. Now that the dispute has settled, we should probably take our leave soon…”
“Eh… ah, has that much time passed already?!”
Looking up at the sky at Mr. Arthur’s regretful, apologetic expression, the sun that should have been at its zenith is starting to sink westward. It’s still bright, but I can clearly sense that we’ve passed the middle of the day.
Normally, this would be around the time I’d start thinking about preparing dinner. Even though I have the Camping Car, if I start after the sun sets, it’ll take too long.
“Mr. Rolf, will you be alright with dinner preparations?”
“Yeah! This time, Al pulled some strings to get us an inn, so during our stay, I should be free from cooking… supposedly…”
“…Ah… yes. I get it…”
If they’re staying at an inn, meals should come with it, but… the taste, you know. We just received those intense baptism moments ago. Maybe there’s a possibility they’ll change to a room-only plan and then have Mr. Rolf cook instead.
“We plan to stay in this village until the festival ends, so I’d be happy if we could meet again.”
“Yes. It feels like we didn’t talk enough somehow… when that time comes, please do!”
“Yes. Well then.”
Mr. Rolf and Ms. Sasa wave their hands, Ms. Ginsei gives a quiet nod before turning on her heels, and Mr. Arthur throws us a smile before departing. Seeing Mr. Arthur’s group off as they leave the plaza, I let out the breath I’d been holding.
Once things settle down, my whole body suddenly feels heavy. The sudden dispute seems to have exhausted me more than I expected. Hmm. My hand stroking the back of Gomamiso, who fell asleep on my lap, won’t stop… The fur between these wings… It’s so fluffy and smooth, it feels nice…
“There was a moment I wasn’t sure how it would end, but I’m glad it all wrapped up peacefully.”
“I never imagined such a thing would happen from talking about food… Mr. Rolf is really loved in the Azure Droplets, right?”
A sigh escapes me at Mr. Ville’s murmur as he sits back down in his chair.
“You know, Rin… I got heated and talked back… I’m sorry…”
“Yeah, I couldn’t stay completely calm either. Really sorry!”
“Ah, no. As I said earlier, I was really happy that you think it’s delicious! Things ended peacefully, so please don’t worry about it!”
I hurriedly offer reassurance to Ms. Aria and Mr. Ed, who bow their heads with dejected faces. Both seem to be reflecting on their actions, and there’s no point in blaming them for something that’s already passed.
Ms. Sasa, who talked back, probably felt the same way. She might have felt like only my cooking was being praised, and thought Mr. Rolf was getting hurt. This time, it feels like good intentions clashed with good intentions, and I don’t think anyone was in the wrong.
Perhaps realizing I’m not angry, Ms. Aria and Mr. Ed’s faces light up. While watching the two of them regain their spirits, I turn toward Mr. Xenon.
“Um, Mr. Xenon. I have something I’d like to consult you about…”
“What is it, Rin? Have you perhaps decided to return to Ellarge?”
“Eh, ah… no… since we’re here, I wanted to ask about souvenirs typical of the elven village that I could buy for Mr. Tori and the rest…”
Mr. Xenon, who has been tilting his head with a gentle smile, drops his shoulders in disappointment upon hearing my response, as if his expectations are dashed.
“Eh, ah… so that’s what it was… I thought it was a suggestion to turn around and go back because of how terrible the food was…”
“No no no no! Why did you think I’d say something like that?!”
I can’t help but retort with full force at Mr. Xenon’s slightly disappointed expression… but I’m not in the wrong here, right? Going back immediately because the food is terrible… what kind of inhuman behavior would that be?!
I was about to argue back, but…
“Because… I want to go back to Ellarge already!!!”
“Ah, ahh…”
“It was just as I said, wasn’t it!? Even though it’s been a while since I left, there’s no sign that the cuisine has evolved at all! There should be trade too, yet why are they so stubbornly refusing to change the traditional flavors…!”
Mr. Xenon collapses onto the table with the momentum of someone about to burst into tears. The sheer intensity makes my voice crack involuntarily. He seems utterly despairing after tasting local cuisine for the first time in a while. Having this reaction to his hometown flavors… I’m starting to feel sorry for him…
While I’m wondering how to comfort the deeply depressed Mr. Xenon, another blow strikes the rock-bottom elf…
“Xenon, and all of you as well… so this is where you’ve been.”
“M-Mother…! Did you come chasing after us!?”
“Well, you were so late coming back!”
Running over with her long silver hair dancing in the wind is Ms. Lusha. She wears a friendly, gentle smile, paying no mind to Mr. Xenon’s scream-like voice.
“I thought you’d be back soon, but you never came home… Mother was so worried!”
“We met acquaintances and got caught up in conversation. Besides, there’s nothing in the village that would attack us, so we’re fine.”
“…Oh my. Now that you mention it, that’s true…”
“Unlike me, you’re a native… You should know the village’s daily routine, shouldn’t you?”
Mr. Xenon shakes his head in exasperation at Ms. Lusha, who tilts her head in a leisurely manner. At her cold son’s attitude, Ms. Lusha puffs out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
…Somehow… I’ve thought this since we first met, but Ms. Lusha has quite a youthful spirit, right? Well, she looks plenty young too, but…
“Calling me a ‘native’ is such a cruel way to put it… just how uncivilized do you think this place is?”
“At least regarding food culture, it’s nothing but ‘uncivilized,’ isn’t it?”
“Good grief… You have always been picky about food… You must take after your late father.”
…Wait? Didn’t a sensitive and private topic just slip out casually? I pretended I didn’t hear it, but… is that something we should even know?
When I glance toward Mr. Xenon and Ms. Lusha, neither he nor she seems bothered at all…
“Hm? Oh my, I’m sorry! Did I make you feel awkward?”
“Father passed away quite a long time ago. Long enough that we can laugh about it now.”
“Oh, he was a man with no shortage of stories! Like the time he went out to play with Xenon and came back alone, leaving Xenon behind.”
Perhaps sensing the awkward atmosphere around us, Ms. Lusha laughs brightly while fanning the air with her palm to dispel it. Mr. Xenon also wears a complex smile that’s somehow nostalgic yet exasperated as he recalls the past.
I don’t know how far I should pry, but hearing something like that makes me incredibly curious!
“Hehe…! Remembering made me feel nostalgic. Shall we go home and chat about old times over tea?”
To Ms. Lusha’s cheerful invitation with her bright smile, everyone except Mr. Xenon immediately answered "Please!”
“Ah, right. The cooking in the elf village is… well… but the crafts and handicrafts are of quite good quality. Such stalls appear during festivals, so those would be good for souvenirs.”
“Oh? Looking for souvenirs? Dried fruits and blended teas using medicinal herbs gathered around the village are popular too!”
“Those are things that go in people’s mouths! Elven embroidered ribbons or carved wooden mugs would be more appreciated!”
On the way back, it goes without saying that I felt Mr. Xenon’s strong will in his stubborn recommendation of non-food souvenirs.
