The Forsaken Saintess and her Foodie Roadtrip in Another World (Light Novel), Volume 3 Prologue

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Hello, everyone. A kind reader shared the LN version of the "The Forsaken Saintess and her Foodie Roadtrip in Another World" with me (Thank you very much again).

I started translating from volume three, but I will eventually translate the first two volumes as well. It's when Gourmands were about to go to the capital.

Also, the chapters in the LN version are much longer (no, MUCH longer, like ten times longer) than in the web version. So I'll be translating in parts on Patreon, and then once I've translated the whole chapter, I'll post it immediately on the site.

Anyway, enjoy the Prologue of Volume Three.

PS. Dishes from the previous volume appeared in the prologue, but to translate everything harmoniously, I would have had to read at least the last chapter of the previous volume. But I decided it would be better to start translating now and not waste time reading the second volume, and make some changes to this chapter later.

Volume Three, Prologue

Our "Gourmands" are based in the port city of Ellarge.

We conquered the dungeon that suddenly appeared near the city—though calling it a "conquered" is somewhat questionable—and we held a grand celebration with Guildmaster Tori and Kobold receptionist Sheila!

We enjoyed barbecuing drop items like Giant Storm Eel meat, both grilled white-style without seasoning and kabayaki-style—broiled in a soy-based sauce, roasting orc spare ribs and savoring local game sausages. The guild courtyard barbeque ended successfully, with Mr. Tori and Ms. Sheila returning to their duties.

With the still-hungry members packed into the Camping Car, the after-party is about to begin. The table is spread with numerous Storm Eel dishes. Thanks to the sheer size of the fish, there was plenty left even after the barbeque feast!

The dishes are met with delighted exclamations—as the cook, there’s no greater joy than that.

Amid this, Mr. Ville, nibbling on an eel omelet roll made with Storm Eel kabayaki as its core ingredient, spoke up:

“If strange events like this are happening even in Ellarge, similar incidents are likely happening elsewhere.”

He was referring to the recent series of mysterious events—disturbances with monsters believed to have been triggered by the “Saint Summoning”. High-level monsters—oddly weakened ones at that—had appeared in beginner-level gathering zones. Then there was the sudden emergence of a mysterious dungeon near the city, and even a noisy orca claiming to be a messenger of the Sea Goddess being caught… Uh, okay, maybe not that last one!

…In any case, these aren’t events that can be dismissed as mere "coincidences".

Across from me, Mr. Xenon is quietly adding more uzaku—thinly sliced cucumber salted and mixed with Storm Eel in a sweet and sour sauce, which he is enjoying with satisfying crunches. I’m delighted he liked it!

The contrast between the crunchy cucumbers and the tender Storm Eel makes it so enjoyable to eat, and the sweet vinegar gives it a refreshing flavor—that’s what makes uzaku so delightful!

Mr. Xenon, having swallowed his portion with a hint of reluctance, seems to have some thoughts about Mr. Ville’s words. Nodding with a composed expression, he said:

“If that’s the case, guild information will be collected in the royal capital. So our plan is to go there and investigate thoroughly.”

“…Personally, I’m not too keen on it, but in the long run, it’s the most efficient approach.”

“So tomorrow’s for preparation then! Oh, Ville! Stop hogging all the eel rolls!”

It was Mr. Ed who raised a reproachful voice at Mr. Ville, who reached for the eel rolls with a sigh.

…Come to think of it, it’s become established as "eel rolls" now. Well, the name doesn’t really matter at this point.

There’s still white-style and kabayaki-style Storm Eel left, so if you tell me, I will make as many as you want!

As I am serving mixed rice, I suddenly make eye contact with Ms. Aria sitting next to me. Sensing something in her fixed gaze, I offer her the server spoon. Her ice-colored eyes softened into a smile.

“Thanks, Rin! I knew you’d notice!”

“Well, when you’re staring so intently at the mixed rice, how could I not!”

I served her mixed rice on her plate, and she hugged me tightly, deepening her smile.

…Well, this, um, scandalous chest sensation… I can feel Mr. Ed’s murderous glares!

Incidentally, the cat became sandwiched between us like a gomamiso sandwich—sandwich with miso paste and ground sesame seeds. Said cat is purring contentedly… though this Gomamiso was originally a dungeon boss…

There’s not a trace of a boss’s dignity or wild instincts! Where did they go?

Finally, Ms. Aria releases me, and while recommending the pepper mixture to her, I chew on the mixed rice.

The Storm Eel kabayaki crumbles softly on my tongue, with the rice absorbing the rich sauce. The harmony of sweet and spicy sauce, the eel’s umami, and the rice’s sweetness powerfully stimulate my instincts, making the spoon unstoppable!

Perhaps because the kabayaki is pre-mixed with small pieces of meat, it has a different texture than the kabayaki rice bowl! The mixed rice offers a more integrated experience with the rice. It’s a bit rude, but I want to gulp it down straight from the bowl!

The combination of soy sauce-based sweet and spicy flavor with rice is incredibly addictive.

As I savor the mixed rice, I make eye contact with Ms. Aria again.

“Rin, do you have anything to prepare?”

“Hmm… I’ve used quite a few eggs today, so I’ll restock those. I’ll also look for some seasoning to vary the flavors…”

Though it would be not a major shopping trip, I explained to her that I planned to look around the market during the preparation day. She nodded, listening attentively.

After eating uzaku and mixed rice, Ms. Aria blinked her ice-colored eyes.

“…Maybe you should pay attention to the prices.”

“Prices? Why…?”

Just as I was about to ask Ms. Aria, who seemed to enjoy sprinkling the pepper on her mixed rice, the world twisted around me.

The noisy voices of men competing for eel rolls become distant. Ms. Aria’s voice becomes distorted, growing loud and soft, unintelligible. And something fuzzy seems to be stroking my face…

What… what’s happening!?

Even as I am confused, the world begins stretching and contracting…

I suddenly awake.

Moving only my eyes, I find myself in a bedroom that I had already grown accustomed to. I am lying in a bunk bed, looking at the sky at dawn where the traces of night and morning mingled. Something warm is near my face—looking down, I see Gomamiso’s belly exposed, tail tickling my cheek.

…Ah, was that… a dream?

The fluffy thing that had been stroking my face was Gomamiso’s tail!

…Right, I remember getting excited about preparing for the royal capital trip during the after-party and falling asleep mid-meal due to exhaustion.

Someone must have carried me here. Sorry for the trouble…

I sit up on the bed, which is surprisingly comfortable for something in a vehicle, and stretch my arms wide, trying to shake off my slightly dejected mood. Rubbing my sleepy eyes and heading downstairs, everyone else seems still in the dream world. Understandable—the dungeon exploration was quite tough.

We investigated the dungeon that suddenly appeared near the town, picked up Gomamiso, solved puzzles, grilled meat, battled an incredibly huge Storm Eel, and then discovered Gomamiso was actually the dungeon boss who resigned for the lighthearted reason of "becoming Gomamiso"… Thinking back, a lot happened.

Thinking about how Gomamiso, who was in the midst of this whole commotion, is now lying on its back, soundly asleep—wasn’t it supposedly the boss? I poke at Gomamiso’s cheeks, which twitch slightly, but it just continues to purr contentedly.

In any case… I seem to have woken up early by chance, so maybe I’ll head to the morning market to look for some menu ideas.

I fell asleep mid-way last night and feel like I had a strange dream, but today is our preparation day for the royal capital trip. We’ll be departing for the royal capital tomorrow.

…With that in mind, I stick a note on the fridge saying "Going to the morning market" and slip out of the Camping Car, careful not to wake the still-sleeping members.

The world is still shrouded in darkness, though the edges of the eastern sky are becoming slightly brighter. I take a deep breath of the cool morning air and step onto the dew-wet ground, heading towards the morning market.

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