Chapter 5

Today ended with cleaning and making dried meat.

It takes about ten days for the dried meat to be ready, so I sincerely hope that no expedition is decided until then.

It seems that there is some variation in external missions.

Sometimes you are ordered to fight monsters without time to rest after returning, or you might not have any missions for a whole month.

I plan to bake sourdough bread tomorrow. I want to borrow the kitchen stove, but I wonder if anyone will lend it to me. The cafeteria would be difficult, I guess.

Also, I want to increase the variety of preserved foods. Just bread and dried meat won't be enough.

Dried fruit cakes and biscuits also last a long time. Jam and liver pâté would be delicious spread on bread. However, jars might be too much baggage. If there were pickled vegetables in oil, it would help prevent malnutrition during expeditions.

Oh, and pickled clams in oil would be great too! They are delicious.

For the forest elves, seafood is a luxury. I wonder if I can get it cheaply at the market. I should investigate next time.

Preserving fruits in honey or making dried fruits. It's starting to sound fun. It's not like a school trip, but it feels that way.

I can only think about food so carefree because everyone in the second expedition team is strong.

When the sun turns crimson, it's time to finish work.

I returned to the captain's office and did the closing ceremony.

"There's nothing particular to say. I'd like to dismiss you, but... Berry."

"Ah. On behalf of the captain, I have an announcement. We are having a welcome party for the new medic, Risris, today."

I was surprised, and my ears perked up.

Looking around, everyone seemed calm. It seems I was the only one who didn't know.

"Is the schedule okay for the new medic, Risris?"

"Yes, no problem! I'm, well, happy!"

I didn't expect they would throw a welcome party for me. My eyelids felt hot.

Until I came here, I was turned down for jobs because I was a forest elf. There were days when I thought it was impossible to work in the capital, but now I have a place where I am warmly welcomed. I really want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

"Then let's go. I've reserved a good restaurant."

"Oh, thank you. For me...!"

"Don't worry, sometimes you just want to have a good time."

We set out into the city in our knight uniforms.

There were more people in the evening than when we came in the afternoon. Everyone was carrying large bags and moving busily.

Still, there were so many different shops, and it was fun just to look around.

Deputy Captain Berry told me about delicious pastry shops and cafes.

"Risris, is there anything you can't eat?"

"No, not at all."

I love all kinds of meat, vegetables, and fish.

I grew up in a large family, so I was very competitive about food. I ate vegetable peels and roots, and even made candy from tree sap.

When I grew up, I had to give my smaller sisters and brothers the forest fruits, so I would crush them coarsely and make bulked-up biscuits. I would give them to my hungry siblings, so not much ended up in my mouth.

"Risris, eat a lot today."

"Risris, you can eat my meat too!"

After a brief chat about my background, Deputy Captain Berry and Urgas sympathized with me.

I thought it was a common story, but it seems not in the capital.

While talking, we arrived at the venue for the welcome party.

It seemed to be a very popular and crowded place.

Most of the customers inside were knights.

"Welcome! Ah, Crow!"

A beautiful blonde woman with blue eyes greeted us. Her long hair was tied up high, and the mole under her lip was very alluring.

She hugged the captain's arm and said it had been a while. It seems the second expedition team members are regulars here.

However, it's impressive that the captain can remain expressionless even when hugged by such a beautiful woman. Is he actually very popular? Maybe rugged men are popular in the capital.

"Gal, it's been a while too!"

She hugged Gal, Urgas, Deputy Captain Berry, and the others one after another. It seems she is very affectionate.

Deputy Captain Berry introduced me.

"Zara, this is the new team member, Medic Mel Risris."

"Oh, a forest elf! How rare."

"Nice to meet you."

"I'm Zara Art."

"Zara, then."

When I extended my hand, it was grabbed and I was pulled in.

"Whoa!"

For some reason, I received a warm hug too.

"…Huh?"

Her body felt hard for a woman…

"You're so cute…"

A low, raspy voice whispered. I've never been called cute before, so I blushed.

Thinking it was time to let go, I tried to move, but I was firmly held. What should I do?

"Zara, that's enough."

The captain stopped her. Zara said, "Sorry, I couldn't help it…" and let me go.

"This one always hugs people. Be careful."

"Crow, to call my hug a disaster is cruel."

"What else could it be! If there's a man who enjoys a man's hug, I'd like to meet him."

"The customers here enjoy my hugs…"

I heard something that didn't sound right…

I glanced at her. She winked at me. Not knowing what to do, I smiled awkwardly.

"This one is a man."

"Really? Zara is a man!?"

"Yes. A former knight, known as the 'Fierce Battle Axe Prince'."

"Wow!"

I don't know where to start being surprised.

She looks like a beautiful woman, but she is indeed tall and has a low voice. Her chest was hard.

She is now a former knight and works as a waitress (or something) here.

"If there were a girl like Mel, I might consider rejoining."

Deputy Captain Berry reacted to this.

"Really? If Zara is there, it would help me. Our team is unbalanced, and I'm having trouble."

"Ah, but I might not like expeditions. No baths and the food isn't good."

Incidentally, Zara used to be in the royal guard. There were no expeditions, but she had various reasons for quitting.

"Well, the bath is unavoidable. But the food is improving thanks to Medic Risris. The helmet soup I had last time was delicious."

"Hmm."

Zara glanced at me.

Unexpectedly, she said something.

"If you can make preserved food that satisfies me, I might join the expedition team."

What is this, a challenge?

Only Deputy Captain Berry jumped up in joy.

"If Zara joins, it would be a great help! Medic Risris, let's do our best!"

"Eh, ah, yes…"

I don't really understand, but I decided to make food to aim for Zara's enlistment. It will be a while since I still need to gather more preserved foods.

"Sorry, I got carried away talking. I've prepared a seat for you in the back!"

We moved from the noisy area to a relatively quiet room.

The meal is apparently a recommended course.

"Let's start with a toast."

Since I can't drink alcohol, I was given fruit juice.

Urgas took the lead in the toast.

"Then, let's celebrate the new member, Medic Risris!"

We raised our wooden cups and toasted.

The grape juice was sweet and sour, and very delicious.

After that, dishes were brought one after another.

Zara brought a large pie on a round plate.

The surface was fluffy and the dough had a delicious brown color.

"Mel, this is our shop's specialty."

It's called a triangular beef pie. It's for five people, so it's bigger than my face.

When Zara cut it with a knife, meat juice oozed out.

I was given a serving on a plate and handed a knife and fork.

Later, mashed potatoes were added. They were mixed with herbs and looked delicious.

I wanted to eat it right away, but I had to pray first.

-- God, thank you for this wonderful meal! May this food nourish both my body and my soul!

After the prayer, I started eating the triangular beef pie.

When I cut it with the knife, the dough crumbled. The minced meat inside was cooked until it was soft. I cut it into bite-sized pieces and ate it.

"Hot...!"

It was piping hot since it was just baked.

I blew to cool it in my mouth and chewed carefully.

First, I was surprised by the rich flavor of butter. It was not only in the pie dough but also used as a seasoning for the meat. Then, the meat, which was seasoned with spices, was incredibly delicious. There was no gamey taste, just pure deliciousness.

The top layer of the pie was crispy, but the bottom was soft and soaked in meat juice. The difference in texture was also good. When eaten with the mashed potatoes, the flavor changed due to the mixed herbs. The richness was even more pronounced. It was delicious.

Deputy Captain Berry asked me kindly as I was engrossed in eating the pie.

"Medic Risris, is it delicious?"

"Delicious...!"

My tongue was melting, so I couldn't speak properly.

The soup, the stir-fried nuts and meat, and the steamed fish that followed were all delicious.

I truly felt that coming to the capital was a good decision.

When I get paid, I want to come back.