Chapter 31

"Monster's Gem………"

Muttering the name, information surfaced from the depths of my mind.

"A beautiful purple fruit like a gem"

"Yet, it contains poison, and eating it brings pain"

"Through concoction, a pinch can become a deadly poison"

"Though its appearance is beautiful, its true nature is the same as a monster that harms people"

"―――――――Therefore, this purple fruit is called the Monster's Gem"

As a raw material for beautiful poisons, it often appears in historical books and classics. It should have been eradicated as a dangerous plant in my homeland several decades ago. I had never seen the real thing, but this fruit, which resembles a strawberry, seems to be it.

"………Poison?"

My blood ran cold.

The cook in front of me turned pale.

Just as the shock was about to turn into fear, a bright red fruit caught my eye.

"It's different!! This fruit is red!! The Monster's Gem is supposed to be purple!!"

"Ahh!!"

The cook's eyes widened, and he stared intently at the bright red fruit.

"………I can't see any color other than red……… The shape is exactly the same as the Monster's Gem I saw during my training………"

"That's true……… But it must not be the Monster's Gem. The color is different, and if it were the Monster's Gem, eating it in its fruit form would cause immediate illness, right?"

"Yes, that's correct. Lady Letizia, you are very knowledgeable. I apologize for my hasty reaction……"

The cook bowed deeply, repeating his apologies. As I was calming him down, a voice came from behind.

"The 'Pauper's Gem' is quite a rare ingredient, isn't it?"

"'Pauper's Gem'?"

The voice belonged to Gilbert.

He entered the kitchen and was peering at the red fruit.

"Do you know this fruit, Gilbert?"

"Yes. I've eaten it several times. I like the taste, but its appearance is a bit problematic, so it doesn't circulate much. I think it's natural that Lady Letizia doesn't know it."

According to Gilbert's explanation:

Several decades ago, when trade with the Southern Continent became active, the 'Pauper's Gem' was brought to this continent. In the Southern Continent, it was appreciated as a food, but the situation was different in this Western Continent. There had long existed a plant called the 'Monster's Gem' that was despised.

The 'Pauper's Gem,' which looked like a different color version of the 'Monster's Gem,' was not accepted in this continent. New ingredients often evoke resistance, and the fact that its appearance resembled an existing poisonous plant made the rejection even stronger.

………This situation might be similar to the history of tomatoes on Earth.

In my previous life, tomatoes had become a staple ingredient in Italian and Western cuisine, but their history as a food in Europe was surprisingly short.

The era was the Age of Exploration.

Tomatoes were brought from South America, but the reaction of the people at the time was not favorable. Despite being delicious and nutritious, the shape of the tomato was a problem.

At that time, in Europe, the fruit of the belladonna plant was feared as poisonous. I have seen photos of belladonna, which has black, shiny, spherical fruits that resemble tomatoes. This led to tomatoes being considered poisonous, and it took a long time for them to become widely accepted as food.

"………I see. So this red fruit is called the 'Pauper's Gem'?"

The cook looked puzzled.

"It's a matter of necessity. Even if you dislike it because it resembles the 'Monster's Gem,' if it's the only thing to eat, you have no choice but to eat it to avoid starvation. For people who are starving and living in poverty, it must be a precious existence, hence the ironic name 'Pauper's Gem,' don't you think?"

"Correct. As expected of you."

Gilbert praised me, and I felt happy.

"This 'Pauper's Gem' is usually eradicated on sight because it is easily confused with the poisonous 'Monster's Gem.' However, it seems to grow wild in our country's soil. During famines, the poor used it as food, which is why it got its nickname."

"Is it a nickname, then? Is there an official name?"

"Jilviryugimavina-gabun."

Why did he suddenly say a spell?

I thought for a moment, but it seemed to be the official name of the fruit.

"Jilviryugimavina-gabun……… Quite a difficult name to pronounce, isn't it?"

"That's true. Hardly anyone can remember it as quickly as Lady Letizia."

This is the result of the Spartan education my brothers received, memorizing the names of hundreds of nobles.

"I've heard that in the Southern Continent's language, it means 'red gift,' but no one calls it that here. The nickname 'Pauper's Gem' is more commonly used."

"Is that so……… Then I want to call this fruit a strawberry."

"Strawberry?"

"Yes, a strawberry. I remember reading in a book that this fruit is sometimes called a strawberry. The long name Jilviryugimavina-gabun is difficult to pronounce, and the nickname 'Pauper's Gem' doesn't have a good connotation. Can I call it a strawberry from now on?"

"Yes, the sound of 'strawberry' is unfamiliar, but it's not difficult to pronounce, so I will call it a strawberry."

Strawberry, strawberry, strawberry.

It was a bit funny to hear the middle-aged Gilbert say it seriously.

"Still, where did you find this strawberry, Lady Letizia? It shouldn't grow in the forest within the castle………"

"I found it by following a cat."

"Cat?"

"Look, there. The gray-striped cat peeking through the kitchen door, right?"

The cat with light green eyes was observing the humans. As I approached, it moved away. Gilbert nodded in understanding.

"I see……… Lady Letizia, may I borrow one of these strawberries?"

"Sure. Are you trying to lure the cat with a strawberry?"

The tabby cat seemed to have a strong sense of caution.

I wondered if it would be so easily lured.

"Perfectly lured………"

Lucian muttered.

As Gilbert held the strawberry and bent down, the cat's whiskers twitched. It didn't run away even as Gilbert approached, its gaze fixed on the strawberry.

The tabby cat wobbled toward the strawberry.

However, just as it was about to bite it, Gilbert lifted the strawberry and walked away. The cat stretched out its body, standing on its hind legs.

"Huh………?"

Tiptoe, tiptoe.

The tabby cat followed Gilbert, who held the strawberry, walking on its hind legs. It moved its two legs like a human, without wobbling.

"Is it……… not a cat?"

Cats don't walk on their hind legs.

Even if they do, it's only for a short distance.

This should be true in this world as well.

"It must be a gardener cat."

"Gardener cat……… A type of mythical creature?"

Mythical creatures.

Rare beings that are neither animals nor monsters, possessing magic and mysterious powers.

It's rare to encounter them, but in this world, dragons and griffins exist.

I had always wanted to see them in real life since I was reincarnated into this world………

I was surprised to encounter a mythical creature here.

"Gardener cats are rare mythical creatures in this country, with the ability to promote plant growth. They can make plants that usually take over a year to bloom flower in just a few days."

"Small body, but powerful."

"Even though they look like cats, they are indeed mythical creatures. However, due to their abilities and adorable appearance, they were overhunted several hundred years ago. Now, they rarely appear except in front of certain beastmen."

………A common story.

Mythical creatures, which often have useful abilities and beautiful appearances, are frequently driven to extinction by humans.

As a result, the ones that survive today are those with powerful abilities that humans can't easily handle, those that live in remote areas, and those skilled in camouflage.

Gardener cats, which look like cats except for walking on their hind legs, might have blended in with cats to avoid being hunted and quietly survived.

"………But why did this gardener cat appear before me?"

"Maybe it wanted to eat the strawberry?"

"What do you mean? This gardener cat was eating strawberries just now."

"Some gardener cats are gourmet, providing plants they grow with their magic to humans in exchange for dishes made from those plants."

"Dishes………"

In other words, this gardener cat wants strawberry dishes.

However, the people in this country generally dislike strawberries and don't think of eating them.

It must have been wandering, unable to find anyone to make strawberry dishes for it.

Perhaps it didn't want to miss the opportunity to meet someone who would eat strawberries without hesitation.

"Did it follow me just for strawberry dishes………?"

The fear of being hunted by humans < The desire to eat strawberry dishes?

………This two-legged cat-like mythical creature might be a die-hard gourmet.