Volume Four, Chapter One
After driving for a while, we come to a fork in the road.
According to the navigation, the right path leads to another town, while the left path continues toward the royal capital. I feel a certain someone in the cabin radiating a "maybe we should go right" aura, but I pretend not to notice and turn the steering wheel to the left.
“What should we do for lunch today…? I think processed meats like ham or bacon, along with cheese and eggs, will be the main ingredients. Is there anything in particular you’d like to eat, Mr. Xenon?”
“…Usually, we could only manage to gnaw on bacon by itself, but now to have someone cook for us… It feels quite luxurious.”
“…The dark past continues to run deep…!”
Someone might ask, "You just finished breakfast and you’re already planning lunch?" But what can I do!? We’re the Gourmands after all! We’re a party of food lovers! Long live gluttony!
As Mr. Xenon faintly smiled and nodded with a nostalgic air, I couldn’t help but sense the lingering shadow behind him. Meanwhile, in the back of my mind, I start recalling what is left in the fridge.
Just as I recall the key ingredients I had, a sudden menu idea struck me.
…Oh, that’s it! Let’s make cheese fondue!
The cheese in this world has such a rich, milky taste—it’s delicious! If I add the umami from that bacon, wouldn’t that be perfect!? We have some white wine left, and I bought milk too. I also got that cornstarch-like stuff the other day… I can definitely make this!
“Well then, shall we have cheese fondue for lunch? It’ll be delicious with both meat and vegetables!”
“That sounds wonderful! I’m looking forward to it, Rin!”
“Y-Yes! I’ll do my best!”
I’m quite proud of myself for not being overwhelmed by the radiant smile beaming from Mr. Xenon’s face with almost divine intensity. Really proud. I tried so hard!
Ah. Since the main road connecting the blacksmith town and the royal capital is quite busy, I’m driving on the unpaved section beside the road! It’s pretty interesting to see horse-drawn carriages, dinosaur-drawn dragon carts, and people traveling on foot.
Occasionally, someone zooms past at incredible speed—apparently, they’re like express couriers. It’s a prestigious job popular among races with high speed or endurance. Well, they dash down the Highway so impressively that they attract attention, and I’m sure some people urgently need their deliveries made. It makes sense there’s demand for it.
As per the prior information about a mild mountain crossing, the scenery is gradually becoming more forested. Watching the changing view through the window is enjoyable too.
I decided to end this semi-sightseeing drive at a convenient spot, parking the Camping Car in a pleasant shady area a bit away from the Highway, out of sight.
“Well then, we’ll go take a look around!”
“We’ll be back soon!”
“Looking forward to lunch!”
“Yes, take care, everyone!”
With more trees around, visibility becomes worse… So while I prepare lunch, Ms. Aria, Mr. Ed, and Mr. Xenon are going to patrol the surroundings.
Perhaps because I told Mr. Xenon about the lunch menu, his refined face is beaming with a smile that seems 30% brighter than usual! But then again, Mr. Ed is a charming pretty boy type, Ms. Aria is a cute beauty, and Mr. Ville has that rugged handsome look…
Hmm. Everyone in our party is good-looking—except me, of course.
Huh? Gomamiso? Well… let’s say it’s annoyingly cute?
Mr. Ville and Gomamiso are on house-sitting duty, doubling as guards if needed. Quite the luxurious bodyguards, I’d say.
“Alright! Shall I start preparing the meal?”
‘Food! This me demand food as well!’
“Eek! Miso, wait! My legs hurt! I might accidentally kick you!”
As I stood in the kitchen, one person and one cat trailed after me. Gomamiso rushed to my feet and immediately started wrapping around my legs. The cat probably thinks it’s just rubbing affectionately, but from my perspective, it feels more like headbutting my shins. Is this what they call showing affection…?
Besides, if this continues, I might accidentally kick Gomamiso while it’s wandering around my feet…
“Need any help, Rin?”
While I was playing with Miso, Mr. Ville peered over my shoulder. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I quickly scoop up Gomamiso from my feet. Following the family motto "If someone stands, put them to work—even if they are your parent," I may as well put our party leader to work!
As Mr. Ville blinks his strawberry-colored eyes with a puzzled look, I decide to hand him Gomamiso I have just picked up.
“Mr. Ville, your job is to pet Gomamiso! If it stays at my feet, I might accidentally kick it…”
“I-Is that okay!? Once I start petting, it’s hard to stop…”
Mr. Ville’s eyes widen for a moment… but he soon softens his gaze and accepts Gomamiso into his arms. He starts gently stroking its fluffy throat. Seeing Gomamiso purring contentedly with half-closed eyes, it seems the cat doesn’t mind at all.
Well, Miso generally loves attention.
Mr. Ville mentioned that he had felt a bit envious since Ms. Aria had been constantly holding Gomamiso during our journey. Hmm. Come to think of it, whether in the passenger seat or the cabin, Gomamiso was always clinging to Ms. Aria… And that murderous aura emanating from Mr. Ed could be felt all the way to the driver’s seat…!
“So, what are you making today?”
“I thought I’d keep it simple with cheese fondue. I’ll melt cheese and we’ll dip vegetables and bacon in it!”
I mimic scooping cheese with a fork in front of Mr. Ville. His strawberry-colored eyes immediately light up. Seeing this reaction, I feel a bit relieved thinking it isn’t such a bad suggestion. Mr. Ville is pretty easy to read at times like this. It’s quite helpful for someone in charge of meals.
“That sounds delicious just hearing about it!”
“The cheese is from that shop you recommended the other day, Mr. Ville, so I think even the cheese alone will be tasty!”
Mr. Ville’s strawberry-colored eyes sparkled at hearing the menu, while Gomamiso’s ears perked up, probably hoping for some leftovers.
I better do my best to meet their expectations! Rolling up my sleeves, I open the fridge to get out the cheese first.
Preparing cheese fondue is simple. First, rub a pot with garlic and pour in just a splash of white wine. Bring it to a boil to evaporate the alcohol. Then, add cheese that’s been dusted with potato starch or cornstarch to prevent separation, along with some warmed milk. Mix it all together until the cheese melts, and it’s ready!
The traditional method apparently uses a lot of white wine to melt the cheese, but considering I’ll be driving, I’ve kept it to just a hint for flavoring this time.
Just need to be careful not to burn it!
“Hmm… I feel like I’ve cut some corners today… I’m a bit sorry about that…”
Everyone’s looking forward to dinner, but is such a simple menu really okay? Well, the taste itself, I think, is definitely great. I’ve said it a bunch of times, but the cheese, meat, and vegetables… the ingredients themselves are delicious!
Especially the cheese—it’s from the same shop that sold the one everyone loved in this morning’s grilled rice balls. Plus, it was Mr. Ville’s recommendation, so the quality and flavor are guaranteed!
But in that case, if we’re just enjoying the ingredients as they are… does the party really need a cook? That’s the kind of self-doubt I’m having…
As I am questioning my role as a cook in the face of such delicious and appealing ingredients, a large palm gently pats my shoulder.
“…You seem troubled, Rin… but in the old days, we used to just bite straight into blocks of cheese, you know?”
“Ville is right. Having you prepare it as a proper ‘dish’ for us means more than you know…!”
Mr. Xenon, who had apparently returned silently at some point, stood alongside Mr. Ville, both looking down at me with serious expressions. Faced with those red and blue eyes that hold hints of darkness in their depths, all I can do is nod…
…I see… Compared to just biting into cheese, melting it and adding various things to it is proper cooking!
Yup. I am actually cooking properly!
“Hehe… hearing that makes me feel better! I’ll keep making meals that everyone will enjoy!”
Seeing me clench my fist with renewed determination, both Mr. Ville’s and Mr. Xenon’s faces relax with relief. Mr. Ed and Ms. Aria, who are spreading out their souvenirs from the patrolling on the cabin table, are also looking at me kindly.
Ah… maybe I made them worry a bit? But I’m fine now!
Seeing how everyone cares makes me want to put even more effort into tonight’s dinner.
“For ingredients, I’ll use bacon, sausages, two types of potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, rye bread, and spiral ferns from the souvenirs right away!”
The spiral fern is what Mr. Xenon, Mr. Ed, and Ms. Aria have brought back with their arms full. Come to think of it, Survival mentioned that it grows pretty much everywhere.
“Dipping sausage in cheese… just thinking about it makes my mouth water…”
“When you pick something and it becomes a meal right away, it makes you feel glad you collected it, right?!”
“Mm… It’s a vegetable, though…”
“It’s light and refreshing, so it should work well as a palate cleanser. I think the slight bitterness will pair nicely with the cheese!”
I have softened the sliced carrots, bite-sized sweet potato, and pumpkin chunks in the microwave. As for the regular potatoes, I boil them in a pot and then gently shake them, making the potatoes a bit powdery on the surface. I figured the rough texture might help the cheese stick better.
The spiral fern is quickly blanched in salted water and placed on the table. We ate this mountain vegetable in the first dungeon I entered too, and both its slightly bitter taste and crispy texture are just like fiddlehead fern. If asparagus and bell peppers go well with fondue, this spiral fern will definitely be delicious too!
I also put out some crispy fried bacon cut into cubes and boiled sausages…
“And of course, when it comes to cheese, tomatoes are a must!”
As I take out the tomatoes, which I had kept in a colander to prevent them from rolling away, Mr. Ville tilts his head curiously.
“…They’re quite a bit smaller than the ones you bought before…”
“There was a bargain set of smaller ones. They’re supposed to be delicious in their own way!”
Oh! He remembered about the tomatoes—I’m so happy!
The shopkeeper said that although they were small, the flavor was more concentrated and delicious… so I couldn’t resist buying them! They’re larger than the cherry tomatoes from back home, but a bit smaller than a ping-pong ball… I think they’re just the right size for fondue.
I set up the portable camping stove on the table and place the pot of cheese sauce firmly on it.
Then I arrange the plates of ingredients and forks around it…
“Alright then. Everyone, please dip into the melted cheese and eat whatever you like!”
“Mm! Thanks, Rin!”
As soon as I hear Ms. Aria’s cheerful voice and everyone’s pre-meal prayers, hands rush toward the ingredients. The first choice: bacon. Or sausage. Hmm… seems like meat is popular. I should eat some meat too before it’s gone…!
I stab a nearby sausage with my fork and dip it into the sea of bubbling cheese. As I lift it up, the stretchy cheese forms strings, which I twirl around to break…
“Mmm…! Ah, delicious! This combination is amazing!”
“I totally agree! Sausage and cheese is a perfect match.”
“The bacon is excellent too! Meat and cheese truly go well together…!”
“Sweet potatoes are delicious too! The salty cheese melts perfectly with the sweet potatoes… it’s surprisingly good!”
While listening to cheers from around the table, I bite through the skin of the sausage that’s taut with meat juices, and rich, fatty juices flood my mouth. The sausage, which they say was made by thoroughly kneading in a special herb mix with the meat, has a subtle herbal aroma that’s delicious on its own. But when you add the richness of the cheese… oh my… it’s an explosion of flavor. It’s like an assault of umami. The amino acids are running wild, almost making my tongue go numb…!
To calm things down, I immediately dip a cherry tomato deep into the cheese. The cheese sauce, which has achieved divine perfection of being "rich but not overwhelming" thanks to mixing several types of cheese, coats the bright red tomato beautifully. The contrast between the red tomato and white cheese is quite pleasing to the eye.
After appreciating the visual appeal, I pop it into my mouth in one bite. What? You’re wondering if it’s normal to eat it in one bite? Don’t sweat the small stuff!
“Ah, ahhh… tomatoes and cheese go so well together…! It refreshes my mouth, making the next bite seem even more delicious…!”
As I bite through the thin skin, it pops open, releasing a flood of sweet and tangy tomato juice.
The illustration’s description: The bottom half has plates of vegetables, sausages, bacon, and so on, with the pot of melted cheese on the portable stove in the middle of the table, and the top half has Xenon, Ville, and Rin eat fondue, and Rin has a particularly joyful smile.
I know some people dislike tomatoes because of the grassy bitterness of the seeds, but these tomatoes have almost none of that. It’s there, but just barely noticeable, and I think that actually complements the cheese’s flavor…! The flesh melts in my mouth, and the umami from the meat juices and cheese lingering on my tongue join hands as they disappear down my throat. After swallowing, a refreshing tomato aftertaste remains in my mouth… I think I’ll be able to enjoy the next piece of meat even more.
“Mm. Tomatoes and cheese… delicious… I can eat this…!”
“Aria’s eating vegetables so eagerly now. Rin’s influence is amazing…!”
Following my example, Ms. Aria seems to have discovered the deliciousness of the cheese and tomato combo, her eyes sparkling.
Mr. Ed looks quite surprised to see Ms. Aria eating vegetables, but I think she showed potential for becoming a tomato-cheese combo fan since she also liked the grilled tomatoes with cheese at the seafood barbeque the other day.
“Ah! The spiral ferns go well with cheese too!”
“Indeed I thought it was just grass, but this makes me want to eat more.”
I dip a spiral fern, now an even more vibrant green after being boiled with salt, into the sea of cheese. As I take a bite, it has a crisp, fibrous texture. But it’s not an unpleasant toughness—if anything, it’s easy to chew, doesn’t get stuck in my teeth, and tastes amazing! There’s a slight bitterness, but when combined with the saltiness of the cheese and the subtle sweetness and richness unique to dairy products, it leaves an oddly addictive flavor in your mouth.
Mr. Ville’s eyes are also sparkling with surprise at the unexpected taste as he cautiously tries a spiral fern.
“Still, meat, cheese, and vegetables… this makes me crave some alcohol.”
“Ah, I get it, I totally get it, but you know…”
“If we could drink, I definitely would, but we’re in the middle of a journey.”
“Mm… don’t know what might happen… unfortunately…”
Well, that’s exactly the kind of response you’d expect from drinkers.
Following Mr. Ville, everyone else has slightly disappointed looks on their faces as they continue dipping various ingredients into the sea of cheese before eating them.
…Ah… cheese and alcohol are indeed perfect companions…
While coating some fluffy pumpkin with cheese, I’m thinking in the back of my mind that I might make this again as a celebration meal when this journey is over.
I should also note that bacon & cheese and potato & cheese were undeniably delicious too.
Personally, I think fluffy potatoes work better for fondue than firmer ones. The cheese’s butterfat seeps into the slightly dry texture, making the potato wonderfully moist…!
“Mmm! Cheese and bread… still delicious…!”
“Coming full circle, this might be the best after all.”
I’d like to note that in the end, plain bread turned out to be the most popular.
Well, cheese and bread are soulmates after all.
I’m just glad everyone enjoyed it…
‘Meow! My! My food!!!’
“Yes, yes. There’s food for you too, Gomamiso.”
As the kitten jumps onto my lap, I stroke its head and decide to enjoy the feast just a little longer.
◆◇◆
The cheese fondue was completely devoured, down to the last crispy bit clinging to the pot’s sides. It was fragrant and absolutely delicious!
Gomamiso, who had eaten its fill of cheese-covered bread and leftover sausages, is now contentedly snoring away on Mr. Ville’s lap.
I am sorting through the drop items that Mr. Ed, Ms. Aria, and Mr. Xenon had brought before lunch, which also serve as a way to help digest the meal… and the amount is incredible. Not just meat, but green wild vegetables, brown mushrooms, and even eggs, albeit small ones… looks like we won’t have to worry about ingredients for a while.
“Wow, you got quite a lot of drops this time too…!”
Overwhelmed by the sheer amount, I muttered in disbelief, and before I knew it, everyone had gathered around to explain what each find was… Of course, I could check Survival, but I really enjoy learning about these things while chatting with everyone. It reminds me of when I used to help my grandpa process mountain edible plants and mushrooms in early spring and fall, while he taught me about them.
“Today, we happened to encounter a flock of fungbirds. We managed to catch quite a few.”
“Fungbirds?”
“You know those round mushrooms? Imagine them much bigger, with legs and a beak. It’s a bird with a mushroom-like shape, hence the name fungbird.”
Mr. Ed explained what fungbirds were, using gestures as I tilted my head at the unfamiliar term.
Hmm, I see… I can’t picture what they looked like when alive, but they must be rather round birds? In my mind, I’m imagining something like a kiwi bird but a rounder.
“Mm. Can’t fly, but… very quick… The meat is… light… and delicious!”
Ms. Aria settles beside me, holding some meat wrapped in a wooden sheet as usual.
So this must be the fungbird meat. I check Survival, and it says it’s "extremely delicious," I tell you!
It’s about palm-sized and has a slight pink tinge. While it looks moist, true to Ms. Aria’s words about it being "light," it seems to have little fat.
Hmm… I bet this is the type of meat that gets dry if overcooked! Like the cockatrice breast meat from before, it probably would be best to either cook it quickly at high heat or slowly at a low temperature…
And since we have mushrooms and wild vegetables, and the weather looks good tonight…
“How about using this meat and mushrooms for a skewered frying party for supper? We should reach our destination tomorrow, so it could be a little send-off celebration!”
“Agree! Fried food, sounds delicious!”
“Skewered fungbird… yes, that sounds wonderful. I’m sure it will be excellent.”
“That’s a really great idea. Especially since a certain someone seems to be brooding a bit lately!”
“…Be quiet… I told you I’ve made up my mind…”
As the mere mention of a fried food party sent excitement through the vehicle, everyone’s gaze turned to Mr. Ville at Mr. Ed’s words. Caught in the spotlight, the leader awkwardly averted his gaze.
…Yup. Everyone had noticed after all.
Mr. Ville probably thinks he’s hiding it, but the closer we get to our destination, the more his mood seems to dip… He really doesn’t want to go to the royal capital… Or rather, he dreads meeting his half-brother there.
Right now, he’s prioritizing solving the problem over his personal feelings, but I think all those suppressed emotions are starting to surface as we get closer to the royal capital.
Actually, I suggested this fried party hoping it might help lift Mr. Ville’s spirits, even just a little.
“I’ll make that special sauce again…! It’ll be perfect for the fried food!”
“W-Wait! We can have THAT again…!?”
“…That… That special sauce… We’re having it again…!?”
After all, I want our leader to stay energetic, and even if he made this decision himself, facing problems takes energy. I hope this can help a little.
“I’m going to get more ingredients! Want to eat lots with that sauce!”
“If that sauce is coming out, we’ve got no choice but to go hunt for more ingredients!”
“Hey, wait! Both of you, stop right there!”
Hmm. Since I already have the ingredients and this is a special occasion, I thought I’d suggest making tartar sauce—the golden companion to fried food—and the effect was beyond my expectations.
…On Ms. Aria and Mr. Ed, that is…
The two of them, their eyes gleaming past the point of just sparkling to blazing brilliance, grabbed their weapons and dashed outside. Mr. Xenon’s desperate attempts to stop them seem to have fallen on deaf ears.
“Ville, Rin, I’ll bring those two back! Please don’t leave without us!”
“O-Okay…”
Mr. Xenon, unusually flustered and rushing in a way that made his typical calmness seem like a lie, darts out after them.
In such a mini-chaos, what can I do besides simply nod? Nothing, really.
“…Sorry, Rin… I ended up making you worry…”
“Ah… I simply wanted to eat it myself. Plus, I already bought ingredients for tartar sauce, and when I saw such nice meat, I couldn’t resist!”
In the now-quiet car, Mr. Ville let out those words in a murmur. His face carried a mix of embarrassment and helplessness, forming a smile that was hard to describe. I deliberately gave him a meaningful smile as I slid the eggs with shells into the boiling water using a ladle. I’m not confident I responded well on the spot, but it seemed sufficient.
“…I see… You’re right. Just imagining the taste of fried fungbird makes me feel hungry already. I assume you’ll be using some of that frozen stuff you froze the other day too, right?”
“Yes! It pairs well not only with meat but also with seafood like blue catfish, so please look forward to it!”
“That sounds exciting! Everything you cook is delicious!”
The tension disappears from Mr. Ville’s face, replaced by his usual carefree smile. I just hope I was able to give him even a little strength to face what’s ahead. After all, family issues have aspects that only those involved can understand, and outsiders’ meddling doesn’t really help matters.
“Well then, in the meantime, I’ll start the preparations while we wait for everyone to come back!”
“Should I help you peel the eggs again?”
“Hehehe… Yes, I’d appreciate that!”
Thinking one more boost, I hold up the jar of premium mayonnaise from the fridge, and Mr. Ville’s face instantly brightens.
Though mayonnaise is something I’d never seen in this world before, the Gourmands members who tried it once seem completely captivated. Mr. Ville peers excitedly at my hands as I take out the tartar sauce ingredients one after another.
As I watch Mr. Ville gazing at me with expectant eyes, I realize it has been a while since we cooked together like this. Glancing up at “Mr. Oni” standing beside me, I find him looking back with a puzzled expression, tilting his head slightly. I’m completely used to it now, but when we first met, I remember being struck by the gap between his intimidating yet undeniably handsome face and the occasional glimpses of cuteness.
As a wave of nostalgia hit me, I absentmindedly roll the eggs around in the pot with my chopsticks. That’s when Mr. Ville suddenly spoke:
“…By the way, do you have siblings, Rin?”
The casually muttered question contained no malice whatsoever. It felt more like… he was simply curious about what "siblings" were like outside of his own experience.
From what little I’ve heard, it doesn’t seem like Mr. Ville and his half-brother had a bad relationship on a personal level. Mr. Ville never really looked that upset when talking about him. But it seems like they got caught up in all that drama about legitimate and illegitimate children… and that’s where things got complicated.
Rather than disliking meeting his half-brother, I got the impression he’s reluctant to get involved in all the tangled relationships and schemes surrounding the two of them. Well, from what I heard from Mr. Ville previously, it seems like he left home without saying anything, so maybe he doesn’t know what face to show when they meet again.
With that thought in mind, the only thing I can do is give him a straightforward example of a sibling relationship. Besides, I’m not good at being indirect anyway.
“Ah, yes. I have one younger brother and one younger sister!”
“I see. So you are in the older sister position… I see…”
While the sound of chopping vegetables for tartar sauce echoes, Mr. Ville nods to himself.
…Huh… what’s with that reaction!? Do I not seem like a proper "older sister"!? Do I not look like an "onee-chan" at all!?
…Well, okay, I admit I’ve been told my brother is more responsible than me…
With mixed feelings, I finish dicing the pickles—only to find a pair of strawberry-colored eyes staring down at me. I almost get lost in those eyes, which hold an unusually serious color.
“…Hey, Rin… um… If a runaway younger brother suddenly came back home… would you be angry…?”
Stopping what I am doing and looking up, I see Mr. Ville watching me with a hesitant gaze. With his eyebrows slightly drooping, he somehow gave off a "little brother" vibe.
I see. So that’s the direction he wanted to ask about.
I try to imagine what I would do in the situation Mr. Ville described.
Let’s say, regardless of other people’s opinions, I believed I had a pretty good relationship with my brother. Then suddenly this brother ran away from home. And after a while of no contact, he let me know he was coming back…
“Hmm… Well, I’d definitely be angry and would probably yell ‘Where have you been all this time?!’”
“Ugh… that’s… probably true…”
Mr. Ville’s shoulders droop at my straightforward, unvarnished response.
“But I’d be really happy if he came back!”
At my immediate follow-up, he blinks rapidly. His expression seems to brighten, if only slightly.
If my guess about Mr. Ville’s relationship with his brother is correct, I think his half-brother would also be happy if Mr. Ville came back. That’s assuming we put aside all the complicated stuff like inheritance and family succession, of course.
The conversation naturally comes to a pause. The quiet bubbling of boiling eggs fills the silence.
“…If seeing your family makes you happy, don’t you want to return to your original world?”
“Eh, we’re going in that direction now?!”
I couldn’t help but blurt that out in response to the cautiously introduced topic, but can you blame me?! I thought this was just a casual survey question, but it turns out it was actually a personal inquiry too…!?
I feel bad for Mr. Ville who asked so hesitantly, but hmm… regarding this issue…
“Honestly, I haven’t seriously considered going back yet…”
“R-Really…? Don’t you miss your family?”
“Well… it’s not that I don’t think about my family, but… right now, solving the mystery of the saint summoning takes priority…”
Of course, it’s not like I don’t want to go back to my original world, but I’m having so much fun in this world! I’ve grown attached enough that I can’t easily abandon it. While there’s not a day I don’t think about my original world, I don’t think I could just say "goodbye" to this one.
“ If I went back feeling like this, I’d probably regret it… so instead, I think I’ll enjoy myself to the fullest here before considering it.”
“…I see. That’s just like you, Rin…”
As I transfer the boiled eggs to a bowl of ice water, I candidly express my current state of mind. After a brief moment, I sense Mr. Ville’s tense presence somehow softening. Mr. Ville must have so many thoughts swirling in his head—about his half-brother, my situation… he’s probably overthinking everything. He’s actually quite considerate, despite appearances.
…Hmm. All the more reason for today’s special menu to help restore his spirits…
“This time, I’m making a deluxe tartar sauce—with pickles and herbs added in.”
With Mr. Ville’s help, I begin peeling the eggshells. He’s gotten much better at peeling them cleanly compared to last time—his learning ability is truly impressive!
In front of us is a bowl filled with onions, cucumbers, parsley, and pickles… all the chopped condiments are eagerly waiting to become tartar sauce.
Hehehe… I anticipated this and bought extra ingredients in Melnoa!
The tartar sauce I made before only had onions and cucumbers, but you really need pickles in tartar sauce! I believe the unique tanginess and crunchy texture of pickles, combined with the crisp freshness of raw cucumbers, are essential.
I couldn’t find anything that looked like capers, but I did come across something labeled as “salted buds of a volcanic plant,” so I bought that instead. If I add in some herbs for extra aroma, I bet it’ll chase away any gloominess!
“…Are you saying this will taste even better than the previous one?!”
“I can’t promise anything since taste preferences vary. But personally, I prefer this version!”
Mr. Ville seems to catch my meaning and stares at me as if he has just witnessed something terrifying. No need to look at me like that…! All I want is for everyone to enjoy delicious food…! Well, I know it’s all just playful banter, so I’m not particularly bothered. More importantly, I should focus on continuing the preparation.
I mash the mountain of eggs sitting in the bowl with a fork, add the chopped vegetables, and scoop in plenty of mayonnaise, folding it in repeatedly… As the tartar sauce becomes creamy before my eyes, I add parsley for color and aroma, giving it one final stir.
“Mr. Ville, would you like to taste it?”
“…Gh…! Rin, you really know how to shake me up…!”
As usual, I offer him a fork with a bit of the mixture, and he looks at me with eyes like a cornered knight.
But in the end, as if unable to withstand his own words and expression, Mr. Ville bursts out laughing before finally taking the fork with a smile. Seeing his eyes melt at the corners as he fills his cheeks, I can tell he’s satisfied.
Just as Mr. Ville, apparently not wanting to miss even the aftertaste, is about to open his mouth while looking down at me with sparkling eyes and tightly drawn lips…
“We’re back! Rin! Rin! Come here!”
Ms. Aria’s bouncy, cheerful voice accompanies the opening of the cabin door, letting a rush of fresh air into the vehicle.
As I put the bowl with plastic wrap into the fridge and turn my gaze toward the cabin entrance, I see Ms. Aria leaning in from outside with a face half-excited, half-flustered, motioning for me to come. I wonder what’s happening, but judging from Ms. Aria’s face, it doesn’t seem to be an emergency.
Since I’ve finished the preliminary preparations anyway… I follow Ms. Aria’s invitation and chase after her lightly running figure. I didn’t notice while inside the vehicle, but the sunlight is unexpectedly bright, burning the back of my eyes.
“This is… quite a sight in its own way…!”
Following Ms. Aria, I dashed out of the camping car. And there, in a small clearing, it was waiting.
Two massive somethings, wrapped in wooden sheets, are resting atop layers of broad, large leaves! Indeed, these are certainly too large to casually bring into the kitchen…! Standing behind what are presumably huge pieces of meat, Mr. Xenon and Mr. Ed are smiling without a drop of blood on their clean equipment, not even breathing heavily.
“We couldn’t get a fungbird, but we managed to hunt a fairly large specimen of a monster boar called a forest boar…!”
“This one was also just all appearance and no substance… but since it was big, it dropped multiple parts!”
As they speak, Mr. Xenon and Mr. Ed unwrap the wooden sheets. From the light brown wood, white and pink chunks roll out. One is a thick, stubby piece of meat thicker than my thigh. The other is a thick, wide piece of meat with beautiful layers of lean meat and fat…
Checking them with Survival, I learned that the long thick one is shoulder loin meat, and the other is a chunk of belly meat. The loin meat has fine marbling within the firm meat, so you can enjoy both the flavor of the meat and the fat, while the belly meat offers rich umami and juices!
This is seriously great meat!
“—Oh! That’s it! I need to get a little something, so I’ll go back to the car for a moment!”
‘Ah! Me too! This me go too!’
Following the impulse that descended like divine inspiration, I turn on my heel, and Gomamiso’s small footsteps and a voice like a scream follow behind.
…Well… It’s just a short distance so it should be fine… but its trauma runs deep. While stroking Gomamiso’s forehead as it rubs its head against my face, I reach for my target item.
“Heh… heh heh heh…! Finally… finally it’s time for this!”
‘Huhhh? My face is reflecting! So shiny!’
“It’s the butcher knife I received from the blacksmith in Melnoa!”
The blade gleams dully in the light entering the vehicle—it is a brand-new butcher knife, a reward for resolving the incident in Melnoa. Thick, sturdy, with a perfect balance when gripped—this butcher knife radiates absolute confidence that it will be easy to use!
“When such large meat drops, it’s basically destiny telling me to use this!”
‘Hmm? I don’t really get it, but I do wanna eat the meat!’
“Hmph. Not understanding this romance means you’re still just a kitten, Miso.”
Tilting my head playfully toward Gomamiso, who’s happily wagging its tail and wings, I dash back outside into the sunlight.
To be blessed with an opportunity to cook such chunks of meat right after getting a new tool! The laughter that I can’t completely suppress escapes through the gaps in my lips.
“He… hehehe! I just remembered a recipe I can make, so I’ll use the shoulder loin for that, and as for the pork belly—let’s make some salted pork!”
This is definitely going to be delicious meat! Ah, I’m so excited!
“What do you plan to make with the forest boar, Rin?”
“Hehehe! There’s a sandwich called a Cuban sandwich where you put roast pork in and grill it—I’m thinking we’ll have that tomorrow!”
“Hmm… so it’s not something we can eat right away.”
As I held up my butcher knife, enhancing my imagination with shadow practice of meat cutting, I noticed Mr. Ville beside me, looking slightly disappointed, his shoulders drooping just a bit.
“Remember, today is a fried food party! The meat needs some preparation, so I’d like to save it for another day.”
“Oh, right! Today is the day we get to eat that tartar sauce!”
As my response reminds him of tonight’s dinner menu, light returns to Mr. Ville’s eyes.
Ms. Aria, Mr. Ed, and Mr. Xenon, who had gone hunting for another fungbird for the tartar sauce, also seem to remember their original goal and their faces brighten.
Sensing that tonight’s dinner will likely turn into another battle, I steel myself and bring down the butcher knife to cut the meat. The blade sinks into the meat as if being absorbed, then drops all the way through with a pleasant elasticity remaining in my arm. Not only is the sharpness excellent, but the weight of the knife itself enhances the cutting edge. The meat cuts smoothly with surprisingly little effort.
I cut the shoulder loin in half. The thick, plank-like belly meat I divide roughly into three equal parts. After dividing each, I’ll prepare them for the dishes I have in mind! Half of the shoulder loin will become roast pork for Cuban sandwiches. As for the belly meat, one piece will be salt-cured for soup or something similar. I’ll use the rest for another dish. Or maybe I’ll freeze it for storage… Either way, I’m sure I can make delicious meals!
“Salted pork is quite convenient because once you make it, you can use it for almost anything.”
“Judging from the name, is it some kind of salt-preserved meat?”
“Yup, exactly! Though, since it’s forest boar meat, I suppose it should be called ‘salted boar.’”
The one watching me as I evenly poke the surface with a fork is Mr. Xenon. Since he is a big meat lover, I bet he’s curious about what kind of dish this will turn into.
…Though honestly, making salted pork—or rather, salted boar—isn’t that complicated. After poking it all over with a fork so the flavor can penetrate easily, I just rub salt all over it, wrap it tightly in kitchen paper and plastic wrap, and let it rest! When prepared this way, it becomes versatile meat that’s good for boiling, simmering, or grilling!
“On cold days, you can just simmer salted pork with vegetables to make a delicious pot-au-feu. Or you can slice the salted meat thinly, grill it until crispy, wrap it in vegetables, and it’s absolutely delicious.”
“Hmm. So it’s an ingredient that’s handy to have around?”
“Yes! This size has quite a volume to it, so I’m sure everyone will be satisfied.”
Once I finish the barely-even-a-prep step for the belly meat, it’s time to move on to the much-anticipated shoulder loin! For this one, although I only have a vague memory of how it’s made, I’m going to try my best to get as close to the authentic flavor as possible.
“Let’s see… orange, lemon, and… spices too!”
“Oh? You’re using fruits to prepare the meat?”
“Yes. The enzymes tenderize the meat while adding flavor at the same time.”
Working under Mr. Xenon’s undisguised curious gaze is making even me nervous…! Although, all I’m really doing is grating orange zest and squeezing out the juice. The recipe apparently calls for lime juice, but I’ll substitute it with lemon juice instead. At this point, the bowl is already giving off a sweet-sour refreshing aroma. I add spices like cumin and coriander, season with salt and pepper, and make a marinade.
“Just the smell alone makes me think it’s going to be delicious…!”
“I agree. It’s an appetizing aroma…”
Both Mr. Xenon and I breathe in deeply, filling our lungs with the air mixed with orange and lemon scents and stimulating spices. How should I put it… it’s such a refreshing smell that it feels like just the aroma could make your blood flow more smoothly!
Now, I just have to marinate the boar meat in this, and then grill it once the flavors have penetrated.
“Won’t this make it sweet from the fruit juice?”
“I’ve eaten it once before, and I don’t remember it being particularly sweet. Probably because of all the spices and salt.”
I pour the prepared marinade into a cooking plastic bag, throw in the chunks of forest boar meat I had cut earlier, and gently massage the bag to make sure the marinade coats everything evenly. Just picturing the tender meat absorbing all that delicious marinade is enough to get me excited. Now, all that is left is to let it rest in the fridge and soak up the flavors!
“Well then! The preparation is complete! Shall we have some tea and then depart?”
I take out a bottle of barley tea from the fridge where the meat and tartar sauce are sleeping, and gently close the door, wishing the ingredients a peaceful rest.
Oh my! I’m really looking forward to our future meals!
I place glasses in front of everyone who, like me, seems to be eagerly anticipating our upcoming meals, and fill them with cold barley tea.
◆◇◆
After finishing the processing of the hunting team’s catch and taking a breather with some cold tea… the Camping Car speeds along the road toward the royal capital.
Despite some delays, we encounter no monsters, accidents, or obstacles blocking our path… Thanks to our relatively smooth progress, by sunset we’ve covered the distance I aimed for. Having made it this far, we should be able to reach our destination—the royal capital, Schulbrand—before nightfall tomorrow.
As usual, I park the Camping Car a short distance from the main road and we set up our camp for the night. By the way, regarding what foot travelers do… apparently, they stay in post towns along the road. So, they plan their journey to leave early in the morning and reach such places before nightfall. For those traveling by horse-drawn carriage, sleeping in the carriage is a common practice. Come to think of it, I feel like I might have seen some settlements, like a town or village… along the road…?
It’s not that I’m not curious, but dinner preparations take priority right now!
“Well then! Next, I’ll start frying everything!”
“Rin! Rin! Cut lemon?!”
“Yes, please!”
I coated fungbird, spiral ferns… and those edible mushrooms that often grow near fungbird flocks with batter, grabbed some blue catfish from the freezer… and since we have it, let’s also fry some forest boar shoulder loin too! Just as I was about to start frying, Mr. Aria brought out a lemon from the vegetable compartment.
I nod to Mr. Aria, who can barely hide her excited expression, and she slices it with threads.
As I watch her carry the lemon to the table, I slide the battered ingredients into the oil. Immediately, the sound of sizzling moisture fills the air, and tiny droplets of hot oil splash onto my arms and hands. It stings a bit, but compared to the pleasure of biting into hot, freshly fried food, this is nothing…! Note that if you mess with the food right after putting it in the oil, the batter will come off, so it’s important to resist the urge to touch it and let it fry thoroughly.
Meanwhile, I prepare plates and bring out the sauce. The coating seems to have firmed up nicely. I flip the pieces carefully to avoid burning them, then go back to preparing the rest of the meal… I’m pretty good at this kind of multitasking… I guess it’s true that practice makes perfect when you enjoy something.
I take out the golden brown fried pieces onto a tray and slide the next batch into the oil. The oil temperature seems just right, as the second batch sizzles with a lively sound. As I carefully adjust the heat and watch over it, the batter gradually turns a beautiful golden color.
Yup. This looks just about perfect.
“Alright, here we go! Let’s eat them fresh from the fryer!”
“Yay! Fried food! Fried food!”
“Aria, don’t get in Rin’s way, okay? Rin, is there anything else you need to prepare?”
Mr. Ed smiles at me while pulling in Ms. Aria, who’s hopping excitedly behind me.
I’m extremely grateful that he’s keeping Ms. Aria away since the oil is dangerous, and I appreciate his offer to help. After all, when you’re frying food, you can’t take your eyes off it for too long.
“There are various sauces and seasonings in the fridge—grab whatever you like!”
“I see, so we season it to our own tastes. Got it.”
Before Mr. Ed, who still has his arm around Ms. Aria, can react, Mr. Xenon has already opened the fridge and pulled out an assortment of bottled seasonings.
It’s really helpful how easily we communicate when united by the common principle of "appetite." Well, I can easily imagine that everyone just wants to eat fried food quickly… so I’ll try to make it swiftly!
I carefully slide the third batch into the oil, trying not to disturb the gently swaying surface. Once again, the sound of sizzling moisture echoes around us, and breadcrumbs scatter across the bubbling oil surface.
“…That smell and sound really make you hungry…”
“I know. At this point, fried food already smells delicious, isn’t it?”
Just as I sensed someone standing behind me, I noticed it was Mr. Ville, pressing his hand against his stomach area while peering at the tray of finished fried food.
You can eat soon, so please wait just a little longer! The pieces aren’t too big, so they’ll fry quickly.
“OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK… OK! There, it’s done!”
“Alright! I’ll take it!”
By the time I transferred the last piece to the tray, Mr. Ville had already finished plating everything onto a large serving dish and lifted it triumphantly. Looks like he was looking forward to it so much that he volunteered to plate everything!
Following behind Mr. Ville as he carries the plate loaded with beautifully golden-fried food to the table, I see that the drinks, individual plates, and condiments are all ready.
It seems Ms. Aria has taken over from Mr. Ville in looking after Gomamiso, who’s been startled by the sound of frying. She’s holding Gomamiso against her scandalous chest, gently rocking back and forth while purring contentedly with narrowed eyes. The melody softly audible might be a lullaby?
It’s truly a gentle world… though… Mr. Ed is looking at Gomamiso with a strained expression…
Aiyeeee… a disaster?! Why is this a disaster?!
“A-Anyway, the fried food is ready!”
“Awesome! Fried food! Goma, sorry, okay?”
‘Why?! Which is more important, fried food or this me?!’
“Well, if I had to choose between Gomamiso and freshly fried food, the fried food wins, obviously.”
The face that was full of affection just moments ago changes completely to that of a child excited about fried food. Still, I think Ms. Aria’s kindness shows in how she speaks to Gomamiso before gently placing it on the floor. However, Gomamiso seems quite displeased about being suddenly put down on the floor after experiencing the paradise of her unfairly soft embrace. This cat really likes being held and petted, doesn’t it?
Now it has set its sights on me, rubbing—or rather, headbutting—against my shins.
But I don’t have time to deal with Gomamiso right now!
I dodge Gomamiso who’s trying to rub its entire body against me, and take a seat in the chair.
“Here you go. Perishable fried food, enjoy while it’s hot! The first batch is just meat and fish—no veggies!”
No sooner have I said that than a flurry of utensils shoot forward. With the certainty that it is either meat or fish inside, there is no reason for our protein-loving group to hesitate.
Of course, I too reach out with my chopsticks, careful not to knock off Gomamiso who has climbed onto my lap. I’ve finally become able to join these food scrambles without losing out! Although the batter concealed the contents, the golden-brown, crispy fried food looks delicious regardless of what is inside!
I squeeze a slice of the lemon that Mr. Aria cut, sprinkle a bit of that special good salt, and take a bite!
“Hmmph! Hot!”
The contents are shoulder loin meat from the forest boar. When I bite into it, I’m hit with both the pleasantly crispy texture of the perfectly fried coating and the feeling of muscular meat sinking into my teeth. When I apply pressure to my jaw against the firm meat, it tears apart easily with a juicy fullness. It must be because the residual heat cooked it through to the center. The meat juices ooze out from the cross-section, dripping onto the plate.
It seems that Survival’s explanation about the marbled fat within the meat wasn’t a lie—this is exactly what created the abundance of delicious juices.
“Rin! It’s delicious! Whatever I… whatever sauce I use, it’s delicious!”
“This is the best, seriously! If we weren’t in the middle of a journey, I’d want some ale!”
Lemon, salt, soy sauce, other sauces… With the middle of the table surrounded by condiments, Ms. Aria’s exclamation of joy brings my consciousness back to reality.
At some point, I realize the air is filled with odd sounds—part groans, part satisfied sighs. Mr. Xenon and Mr. Ville are just silently focusing on the task of moving their jaws and forks.
“I’m glad you like it! Next, I’ll fry some spiral ferns and mushrooms, but if that’s not enough… well, I can make other fried vegetables too, so just let me know.”
I don’t want to waste any more of this delicious meat juice on the plate, so I propose some vegetable fritters while tossing the remaining fried meat into my mouth.
“Eh… vegetables…? But, fried vegetables… hmm…”
While watching Ms. Aria struggle with her conflicting feelings, I chew the meat thoroughly. The fat inside the coating, steamed and heated, melts and releases sweetness and umami throughout my mouth.
The meat flavor is intense.
It’s like pork umami but stronger… yet without any gaminess or greasiness. Maybe it’s thanks to the lemon’s acidity, but it doesn’t feel heavy at all, which is scary… I could probably eat this forever!
Even after swallowing, the aftertaste of the meat’s umami lingers in my mouth. I feel like if I open my mouth, it’ll escape, so I… kept my mouth closed for a while.
But while I’m distracted, the mountain of fried food and the tartar sauce are disappearing.
Yup! We definitely need more, and fast!
I hurry back to the kitchen, frying up some spiral ferns and mushrooms that weren’t in the first batch, along with some extra meat. By the time I returned to the table, most of the fried food had already been devoured.
And even the additional portions I brought are disappearing rapidly—though at least everyone keeps thanking me between bites!
If I hesitate now, I’ll miss out on dinner entirely!
I hastily dive my chopsticks into the pile of fried food and secure a few pieces on my plate. I squeeze some of the lemon that Ms. Aria—despite being utterly absorbed in eating, she still occasionally looks my way with shining eyes and nods vigorously—had cut and drizzle a thick layer of tartar sauce on top.
“Huff! Hot! Fungbird fry with tartar sauce is perfect!”
As I bite into the hot, fragrant coating and the cool tartar sauce, experiencing their temperature contrast, I discover it’s the much-discussed fungbird meat. The quick high-temperature frying method must have worked well. The moment I bite through the coating and meat, juices gush from the cross-section. I can feel the meat’s moist, supple muscle fibers, but it’s not tough at all. Rather, it has just the right amount of chewiness, making me want it to stay in my mouth forever. And the more I chew, the more umami seeps out from within the fibers!
This meat is so delicious, no less than the Cockatrice, which has a similar texture! That said, compared to the Cockatrice, it has a lighter taste—but that just makes it pair even better with the tartar sauce! With herbs, pickles, fresh cucumber, and onions… this is my ultimate, extra-indulgent version of tartar sauce, packed with everything I consider essential.
The light-tasting meat, the rich but not heavy tartar sauce thanks to all the vegetables, and the vivid sourness of freshly squeezed lemon added to it…
My mouth is in heaven!
“…This is beyond just ‘pairing well,’ Rin…! What is this sauce?! It goes well not only with fungbird but also with blue catfish!”
Mr. Ville, who has been single-mindedly attacking the fried food with melting eyes as if in a dream, finally returns to the real world. Wiping the sauce from the corner of his mouth with his fingertip, he stares at me intently with strawberry-colored eyes that are finally coming into focus.
…Ah… he’s discovered it now… the pleasure of eating not just fried meat but also fried fish with tartar sauce…!
Personally, I find that putting a drop of Worcestershire sauce on fried fish, then topping it with tartar sauce—it really makes you want to eat more rice… but if I teach this to our party of Gourmands, I don’t think any amount of rice would be enough…
“By the way, Mr. Ville. I believe this sauce goes well with lighter-flavored ingredients, so I think it would be delicious with the fried mushrooms too.”
“What… did you say…?!”
In front of Mr. Ville, who has frozen in the face of this new temptation, I top tartar sauce over a freshly fried mushroom and take a bite. The mushroom, which looks like a giant version of a closed-cap mushroom, has a crisp, easy-to-bite texture. It’s thick and meaty, and with each chew, flavorful juices burst from its fibers into my mouth. And with the tang of mayonnaise and the richness of egg added to the mix… isn’t this sheer perfection…?
The Illustration’s description: Ville with a fork in his hand, on which is poked a piece of fry in a sauce. In his background are plates of food and sauces.
“…Rin… the sauce… it’s all gone…”
As I watched Mr. Ville reach for a fried mushroom, I heard a tiny voice from beside me. Ms. Aria, with drooping eyebrows and shoulders, was tugging at the hem of my clothes, holding the now-empty bowl in hand.
“Huh?! Oh, that was faster than I expected. Then, could you help me peel some eggs? I’ll make a second batch of tartar sauce!”
“Mm! Leave it to me!”
But well, this was somewhat expected, so as I’d promised earlier, I bring a mountain of boiled eggs to the table… and everyone helps peel them with incredible enthusiasm! As I mash the quickly peeled eggs with a fork, I’m deeply impressed by the power of mayonnaise.
At this rate, both the fried food and tartar sauce will disappear in an instant…
As I generously scoop mayonnaise into the bowl again and again, I decide to keep tartar sauce sealed away for a while…
Around the time the big commotion over tartar sauce had finally settled… I find myself subjected to Gomamiso’s "pay attention to me" attacks as it sulks from being completely ignored. The cat, huffing on my lap, refuses to unbend its stubborn attitude even when I try to appease it with leftover fungbird meat and boiled eggs…
I’m currently serving my sentence of continuously stroking its throat while holding its heavily weighted body. If I stop, its front paws demand, "pet me more"!
“Speaking of which, what’s our plan when we reach the royal capital tomorrow? Are we booking an inn?”
“No. I’ve already contacted… my brother to let him know I’m coming… There will probably be contact from their side… I think…”
“Oh, you contacted him! After all that reluctance, that’s pretty proactive for you, Ville!”
“Even I know that showing up without an appointment would just get us turned away at the gate.”
Mr. Ville gulps down his barley tea in one go and exhales with a slightly disgruntled face.
It’s rare to see our usually calm leader so reluctant… but he still does the proper things like making appointments. I think he is really quite conscientious at heart.
According to Mr. Ville, his brother is apparently in a busy position, and will likely make contact in some form when he has time available.
“Wait… you need an appointment just to meet him? Could it be that your brother is quite an important person…?”
“Ah… well… it would be a lie to say he’s not important… but I don’t think you need to worry about it too much.”
“Really? Are you sure it’s okay? I don’t know the proper etiquette for formal settings…!”
No, seriously! I only know basic common courtesy!
While I continue stroking Gomamiso’s throat, Mr. Ville looks at me as if trying to reassure me, but… something that’s worrying is still worrying!
“Also, they’ve already been informed that you are an ordinary person who was summoned here. I doubt anyone would be picky about etiquette and all that.”
“Exactly! Just follow our lead and bow when we do, and you’ll be fine!”
“Well, from what you’ve told me, Mr. Ville, I don’t think your brother’s the type to punish someone from another world over manners, but…!”
From what I’ve heard, he seems like a reasonable person, but I still need mental preparation…! But since Mr. Ed is also saying this, maybe I’ll be fine if I just stay quiet and don’t draw attention? I should be okay if I just answer questions concisely… yup.
I’ll choose to believe I’ll be fine!
As I steel myself, Mr. Ville also seems to have finally accepted the situation. With a half-defeated laugh, he suggests we grab some street food while waiting to meet his brother.
“Ooh, so there are street stalls! Is it like the City of Ellarge?”
“The downtown area has a similar vibe. But you won’t see many stalls or street vendors in the upscale residential district.”
“Oh, uptown… so there are such distinctions…”
“The royal castle is in the center, surrounded by administrative districts, uptown, downtown… that’s how it’s laid out.”
From the diagram Mr. Ed is drawing on the table with his finger, it seems the city spreads out in concentric circles from the castle. There’s the administrative and business district, the upscale residential area with fancy shops and mansions, and the casual, lively downtown… each with different types of residents.
In contrast, Ellarge is a port town where goods from other regions gather, making it a "commercial city" for better or worse. The whole Ellarge feels like one big shopping district, with shops everywhere and everyone working energetically regardless of social status…
Well, since their origins are different, it makes sense that the atmosphere of the cities would be too.
“If Ellarge is a city of brick and plaster, Schulbrand could be described as a city of stone and flowers.”
“Oh! It sounds like a beautiful place from what you’re saying!”
“Mm! The downtown food stalls have lots of delicious things too!”
Mr. Xenon added this information with a smile. A city of stone and flowers… Does that mean there are many stone buildings? And perhaps flowers planted on windowsills and balconies? Imagining it, it seems like a beautiful, bright city. Seeing Mr. Aria clench her fist with sparkling eyes, the food must be delicious too.
“By the way, Rin. That rainbow long-tailed fowl we ate in Melnoa, you can get it as street food in the royal capital too.”
“That bird can be fried, grilled, boiled, steamed… each shop has its own unique preparation!”
“Wow, that sounds amazing!”
“It’s enough of a famous ingredient that people debate about which place serves it best.”
Remembering that rich flavor, I unconsciously swallow, and Mr. Ed laughs while listing his recommended menus on his fingers.
At Mr. Ed’s words, Mr. Ville pours more barley tea into his cup with a faint smile.
Yup. Maybe inspired by Mr. Ed’s words, Mr. Xenon and Ms. Aria have started quietly discussing "that shop" and "this shop"… talking about their favorite places. If our party is like this, I can imagine the debates that must happen among the city’s larger population.
…Wait a minute, everyone seems surprisingly knowledgeable about the royal capital?
“Um… have you all been to the royal capital before, by any chance?”
“Hm? Oh, did we not mention it? We originally based our activities out of Schulbrand.”
“Well, after Ville made his grand escape from home, we moved our base to Ellarge.”
“…The journey… was tough… you know…”
“Mainly in terms of food, though.”
“What?!”
Amid the favorite shop debate that Mr. Ville had now joined, I timidly asked… and discovered an amazing new fact!
Everyone used to be locals there!
No wonder they know so much about the city’s structure, atmosphere, and various shops!
Thinking calmly, it’s better that everyone knows the city well rather than none of the party members knew anything about the royal capital’s streets or information.
It’s just that I have this image that big cities have places you shouldn’t casually visit… though that might be my prejudice…
“I completely forgot to mention it. I’m sorry…”
Mr. Ville, with "I forgot" clearly written on his face, hurriedly bowed his head.
“No, it’s fine. If everyone knows the royal capital so well, I can rest assured that if I get lost, you’ll find me quickly!”
I clench my fist to show Mr. Ville that I’m not concerned, but…
“…Ah… Why is it that I can only imagine you getting accidentally separated from us while looking away absentmindedly…?”
For some reason, he presses his brow with a furrowed expression…
…I don’t understand…
After spending a night at that spot, we were able to travel near the royal capital in the Camping Car, but there were far more people on the Highway than I expected. We got out of the car somewhere less noticeable and walked for about two hours, I think…
Seeing the ramparts—or rather, the massive city walls—surrounding the capital come into view is such a relief.
“That’s quite a friendly familiar you have there. You must be a great tamer!”
“Th-thank you very much… I’m happy to hear that…”
The lizardman guard in heavy armor was ruffling Gomamiso’s fur. He was the one who checked the familiar identification ribbon around its neck and the magic stamp pressed on its front paw. According to the lizardman, beast-type monster familiars rarely allow themselves to be held or ride on shoulders.
…Well, this is Gomamiso we’re talking about… The guard is praising me so much, but I feel quite awkward about it… I ended up speaking in broken language, yup. By the way, the magic stamp works in such a way that when you shine a light-like magical tool on it, the stamp mark glows and becomes visible… It’s kind of like… those re-entry stamps you get at events. They look transparent at first glance but react purple when you shine a UV light on them… Even if the identification ribbon gets lost, this apparently lets people distinguish whether it’s a familiar or not.
“Woooooow…!”
‘There are so many people!’
“Are you alright, Rin? Please don’t get lost as you declared yesterday, okay?”
Schulbrand, the royal capital I’m visiting for the first time, is truly a beautiful city. White stone pavements lined with orderly white stone buildings. Not only the windows and entrances, but even the roadsides had stone planters filled with colorful flowers. Every time the wind blew down from the mountains, the sweet scent of flowers wafts around. The bright hustle and bustle of the city matches this elegant atmosphere well.
I found myself gaping like a total tourist at the sight, so different from Ellarge. Gomamiso on my shoulder is also excitedly looking around, wagging its tail and fluttering its wings.
Just like when I first arrived in Ellarge, I’m being led by Mr. Ville, who’s pressing his fingers between his eyebrows and groaning, as we make our way into Schulbrand. According to him, there are entrances to the city in all four directions—east, west, south, and north… four in total, and main streets extend from each to connect to the large plaza in front of the royal castle. The roads are divided into main and back streets centered around this crossroads, with the main streets having more shops and the back streets being more residential areas.
Where we’re heading now is somewhere in between the back and main streets… A place full of everyday life with both residences and shops mixed together…
As Mr. Ville led me by the hand, we turned onto a narrow street off the main road. It’s neat and orderly, but has a lived-in feel with belongings placed in front of shops, and laundry fluttering on ropes strung between neighboring houses… quite a lively residential area. But there’s no trash on the ground, nor any foul smells lingering. It’s clean but gives the feeling that people are actually living here… I like this kind of atmosphere.
“My favorite place for rainbow long-tailed fowl is ‘Walking Trent Inn’! Their skewers are so delicious!”
“Mm. I like the whole roast at ‘Jade Maiden’… It’s stuffed full and tasty…!”
“I would recommend the stew at ‘Silver Stardust,’ but it’s on the opposite side from here…”
I walk down a street with a mix of shops and houses, almost like a Showa-era shopping district, listening to everyone’s recommendations. Mr. Ed, Ms. Aria, and Mr. Xenon… they all seem to have their own favorite shops. As we pass by, I glance at the storefronts. The prices seem… not that different from other cities. Though, rare spices do seem a bit pricey.
Well, compared to Ellarge which is directly connected to a port, it’s natural for prices to be higher here with added transportation costs, labor costs, and middleman margins. But the quality doesn’t seem poor, and it doesn’t feel like shops are ripping people off… Vegetables, meat, and herbs that seem to be produced nearby are almost the same price as in Ellarge…
“By the way, Mr. Ville, do you have any recommended places?”
“Me? Well… I’d say the stew at ‘Big Bear’s Tail’ near here. They use unique herbs that give it a distinctive flavor.”
Wondering if Mr. Ville had a favorite restaurant too, I asked him. He turned back to me with a grin and pointed ahead.
In that direction is… a small sign with what I assume is the shop’s name written on it. That must be ‘Big Bear’s Tail’. Though I can’t read it!
“Ville… Were you aiming for this place from the start?”
“This is the closest one from the north entrance, isn’t it? It’s the privilege of being the guide.”
Mr. Ville smirks, raising the corner of his lips while avoiding Mr. Xenon’s somewhat resentful gaze.
…When a slightly rugged handsome guy like Mr. Ville smiles like that, it somehow makes him look a bit roguish despite being a good person.
“Let’s begin by eating here!”
“It smells so good…! I can’t wait!”
With that slightly bad-boy smile still on his face, Mr. Ville’s eyes meet mine. Along with the sweet and gentle smell of meat and vegetables simmering around us, my stomach growls with hunger. After walking for two hours, of course, I’m hungry!
Grinning back at those strawberry-colored eyes, I start to loosen the strings of my wallet tucked away in my pocket… Though since we’re all eating together, I guess the bill will be paid from the party’s shared funds? In that case, I don’t need to worry about the budget!
Relieved about not having to worry about the cost, I felt more at ease.
Led by Mr. Ville, we all enter "The Big Bear’s Tail." Despite its stone exterior, the inside is surprisingly warm, with walls neatly plastered and wooden floors and tables. The place is bustling with customers of various races, creating a lively and cozy atmosphere. Most importantly, they allowed familiars inside, which was a huge plus for me as both the party’s cook and beast tamer.
What we’re ordering here is Mr. Ville’s recommended rainbow long-tailed fowl stew. It is a delicacy stuffed with medicinal herbs and medicinal plants from around the royal capital and stewed slowly over a long period of time.
The rainbow long-tailed fowl here was quite large, so half a portion per person should have been enough… but, well, our party is full of big eaters. In the end, everyone except me ordered a whole bird for themselves.
“Stuffing it with herbs and simmering it… I’m not familiar with this cooking method, so I’m really excited!”
“Is that so? I thought someone like you, Rin, would make this kind of dish…”
Is it something like chicken ginseng soup from Korea? That’s kind of exciting!
Mr. Ville handed me cutlery while I could barely contain my excitement, tilting his head curiously. His strawberry-colored eyes reflected pure puzzlement.
Hmm… I wonder what kind of food-obsessed, high-spec cook I am in Mr. Ville’s mind…
…That said, I can’t exactly deny it. I mean, it’s not like I can’t make a whole chicken stew. I just don’t, because I’d never finish it all while it’s still delicious.
“Well, I do know several recipes, but… don’t you want to try restaurant flavors too?”
“I see… Someday, I’d love to try your stew too, Rin.”
“With our party, I don’t have to worry about leftover meat, so I could definitely try making it when we have the ingredients!”
I clench my fist enthusiastically while looking at Mr. Ville, whose eyes soften at the sight of me. If it can be eaten fresh and hot, there’s no reason not to make it! Besides, I’ve always wanted to try making a big, hearty dish like that!
Yup, this is what you call a win-win situation, right…? Or maybe not exactly?
As I mull over my thoughts, I spot a staff member wearing a triangle bandana pushing a cart toward us. The two-tiered cart is loaded with several deep plates and glasses.
Even though our table is still some distance away, the delicious aroma is already wafting over.
“Sorry for the wait! Here’s your rainbow long-tailed fowl stew! I’ll serve your drinks right away too!”
Despite her droopy-eyed and seemingly calm appearance, the staff member has an unexpectedly energetic and bright voice. She efficiently set out the dishes from the cart, followed by our drinks.
Finally, she bows politely and… swaying her fluffy, thick tail, returns to the kitchen.
After we all put our hands together, I peer into the still-steaming bowl.
Inside a deep, round ceramic dish resembling a gratin plate, the white soup is still bubbling, with a large chunk of meat submerged within. A golden layer of fat and collagen, likely rendered from the skin and cartilage, floats on the surface. The aroma that tickles my nose is a mixture of meat and herbs, carrying an unmistakable depth of flavor.
“Wow… it looks so rich and smells amazing! It’s already delicious just from the aroma!”
“There’s absolutely no gamey smell! No other restaurant can compete with this stew.”
Mr. Ed, who picked up on my excited voice, had already scooped up some soup with his spoon. Not wanting to be left behind, I dipped my spoon in as well, feeling its thick, viscous texture.
Because of that thickness, it doesn’t cool down easily no matter how much you blow on it. Even when I thought I’d cooled it enough and put it in my mouth, it was still hot enough to make my tongue tingle.
But the flavor is worth it!
Every ounce of umami is packed into the broth, and the moment it touches my tongue, the flavor bursts forth in an explosion of richness. There is no gamey taste at all, and though it is rich, the herbs and medicinal plants kept it from being too heavy.
As for the meat, I had thought the flavor might have leached out, but that isn’t the case at all. When I bite into the meat, which is so tender it can be broken apart with a spoon… rich meat juices immediately drip into my mouth.
“Mmmmmmm!”
“Ah, yes. I understand how you feel, Rin. I made that same face the first time I ate this.”
Overwhelmed by the impact, I looked up at Mr. Ville, and our party leader, skillfully separating meat with just a spoon, gave me a knowing grin. Apparently, he had anticipated my reaction.
“I mean…! The soup itself is delicious, but the meat still holds so much flavor… rainbow long-tailed fowl is seriously amazing!”
I knew they were terrifying monsters that could cause forest fires. But who would have thought such a scary monster could be this delicious…! If we encounter one during our journey, I’ll definitely ask everyone to hunt it down! Then I want to try making a different kind of stew with it!
…Hmm. I keep finding more things I want to do in this world.
“The essence must come from the bones. It’s incredibly rich, yet not as heavy as I expected.”
“I could eat this forever… it’s so good…!”
“That final hint of herbs lingers in your nose… It’s so refreshing that it makes the next bite taste even better.”
The meat’s umami, the essence from the bones, the fat from the skin, the collagen from the cartilage. The soup where all these flavors meld together is creamy and rich… but thanks to the herbs, it’s not at all heavy or cloying, sliding down your throat without any stickiness or lingering heaviness.
Making eye contact with Ms. Aria, I can’t stop myself from taking one spoonful after another.
Thanks to the collagen film covering the surface, the soup stays piping hot as I blow on it, and the fruit water I drink as a chaser is incredibly delicious…!
And the juicy meat I bite into between sips is just amazing.
I can totally understand why Mr. Ville is hooked on this…!
While I am moving my spoon in a trance-like state, I hear a small tapping sound right beside me. Looking over, I see Mr. Ville tapping the table with his fingertip.
“…Rin. You can keep eating, but listen. We’ll depart once this is finished.”
“…!”
“It seems our contact is already waiting for us.”
Just as I was lost in this heaven on earth, Mr. Ville’s hushed voice shook my eardrums. Fighting the urge to ask him to repeat himself, I quietly swallowed the meat in my mouth.
…Though I’m not sure when it was passed to him… in Mr. Ville’s lightly closed palm is a crumpled piece of paper.
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