Chapter 63

The captain was holding in one hand a creature with white fur, round ears, and a long body—a weasel?

The fur of a weasel is highly insulating, soft, and beautiful, making it a top-quality fur.

The current commotion, it seems, was caused by this white weasel (?).

Is this a mythical creature?

I glanced sideways at Rieselotte, who was glaring at the wriggling weasel with a look of disgust. It was clear without asking that this was not a mythical creature.

"Captain, what is that?"

"A high-ranking fairy, apparently."

"Really?"

From any angle, it just looked like a regular animal.

Perhaps the deep green eyes held some intelligence—?

"Let go, let go, you bandit scum!"

The weasel spoke in a high-pitched voice. This was a fairy. Hmm.

Still, for the captain to be called a bandit even by a fairy—. After all, he was born into a noble family with a high social status.

Incidentally, it seems that the weasel was initially stuffed into a leather bag, but it tried to escape by magically untying the string, so the captain had to capture it by holding it.

Upon hearing the story, it turned out there was a surprising development.

While searching for laughing vines, a small green ball of light approached Gal. It turned out to be a forest fairy.

The forest fairy asked Gal for help. It was being threatened by a bad fairy and needed assistance.

The bad fairy, in the form of a weasel, had arrived in this area a few months ago, claiming to be a high-ranking fairy, and quickly became the ruler.

The forest fairies submitted to it, offering the nectar of trees and flowers. However, it soon became unsatisfied with just that.

"So, this one ordered the forest fairies to steal from humans and bring back delicious things."

"I see. That's why I was attacked."

The vines were being manipulated by the threatened forest fairies. I had been wondering about the tickling attack, which had no lethal power, but now it made sense.

Being the food gatherer, it was inevitable that I would be targeted.

The problem-causing bad fairy, the weasel (※temporary name), was captured, and the matter seemed to be resolved.

The captain let out a long sigh and gave me an order.

"I'm hungry. Ries, make something."

"Didn't you have time to eat?"

"No."

"I see. Good work."

I was thinking about making a warm soup and using tree sap to create something when Gal offered me something wrapped in leaves. It seemed to be a thank-you gift from the forest fairy.

"Wow, this is heavy. I wonder what's inside."

More importantly, the high moral character of Gal, who was trusted by the forest fairies. Amelia also trusted him, and he had a great capacity for acceptance. I should learn from him.

I immediately opened the gift. The vine tying the leaves was the same material that had restrained me, which was a bit concerning.

When I untied the vine, the leaves revealed a variety of forest bounty, including mushrooms and nuts.

I decided to use these to make a dish.

I filled a pot with water, sliced the mushrooms with a knife, and added them. I also added smoked and dried pork, dried sweet potatoes, and seasoned with salt, pepper, and spices.

I crushed the nuts, peeled them, and ground them into a powder using a mortar.

I mixed the powdered nuts with water, flour, a little sugar, and a pinch of salt.

I made a makeshift stove and placed a shallow pot over the fire to bake the batter. I made three small, bite-sized pancakes.

Once they were golden brown, the mini nut pancakes were ready. I drizzled them with tree sap honey and added some sweet and sour winter strawberries that Gal had picked earlier.

Thus, a simple but complete meal was ready.

The pancakes were to be served as a dessert, two each. I wanted everyone to eat the soup with bread.

We laid out a mat on the snow and had our meal under the cold sky.

"How is the captain going to eat?"

Urgas's simple question. The captain was holding the weasel in his right hand, making it difficult to eat.

More importantly—

"Hey, bandit! Give me that sweet-smelling thing you just baked!"

The weasel, wriggling and squirming, demanded the pancake. The captain ignored it.

"It's always like this. So, I can't let go of this one."

It would be difficult to eat with his non-dominant hand.

"Then I'll feed you—"

"Captain! As an apology, I'll feed you."

I raised my hand to suggest it, but someone more enthusiastic than me had already done so.

Zara sat next to the captain, lifted a bowl of soup, and brought a spoonful to his mouth.

"Should I blow on it first?"

"Stop it. It's creepy."

Zara brought the hot soup to the captain's mouth.

I remembered that he had a sensitive palate—

"Hot!!"

The hot soup touched the captain's lips, and he flinched. The soup spilled from the spoon.

The captain wasn't the only one affected.

"Ouch, the hot soup is on my head!!"

The soup also splashed onto the weasel.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Let's have the soup later. Give me the bread first."

"Sure, sure."

Zara coated the bread with tree sap honey and offered it to the captain, but he turned his head away, disliking sweet things.

"Oh?"

"I thought you knew I don't like sweet things."

"Preferences are not good."

"I like sweet things!"

"You won't get any."

"So cruel..."

What a funny interaction between the captain, Zara, and the weasel.

"Mel, it's getting cold."

"Oh, right."

Rieselotte pointed out that I was spacing out. I decided to enjoy the soup while it was still warm. Rieselotte and I had just eaten bread, so we only had a small taste of the soup.

The mushrooms given by the fairy were snow mushrooms, which grow in winter and are hard to find, often called phantom mushrooms.

They had a crunchy texture, a rich aroma, and a deep, flavorful broth. They were very delicious.

The nut pancakes were fluffy and chewy, with a pleasant nutty flavor. They went perfectly with the maple syrup.

"Ries, this is delicious."

"It's the quality of the ingredients."

Everyone seemed satisfied.

I went to reheat Zara's cold soup.

"Thanks, Mel."

"You're welcome."

Incidentally, the captain drank the cold soup and commented, "It's okay."

Well, a delicious soup would taste okay when cold. I felt a bit frustrated.

The captain finished the pancakes and ate everything.

"I'm going to die, I'm so hungry, I'm going to die—"

I felt a bit sorry for it.

I asked Rieselotte if it would really die.

"It won't die. It's a fairy."

Fairies live by absorbing magic from the air, so they don't need to eat like humans.

"Well, they can absorb magic from food, but I don't think they would do such an inefficient thing."

The magic in food is apparently very minimal. I learned something new.

I felt a bit sorry, but I shouldn't be deceived. The captain's response was correct.

Thus, we successfully captured the bad fairy that caused the laughing vines.

The weasel would be handed over to the knights.

"But, who will take it?"

Urgas looked at Rieselotte, thinking the Mythical Creature Protection Bureau would be appropriate.

"This isn't a mythical creature, so no!"

"But it looks like one?"

"It's completely different!"

Urgas tilted his head. I also couldn't tell the difference between a mythical creature and a fairy.

"Mythical creatures are proud and gentle beings. They don't cause trouble or plan evil deeds!"

Hearing this, one can understand the difference between mythical creatures and fairies.

Indeed, even if they look the same, their attitudes and actions are quite different.

"Hey, stop talking and let's go back."

"Okay."

"Understood."

We wanted to return before sunset. I was cold and wanted to soak in the warm bath at the dormitory.

After reporting to the manager, he was surprised and thanked us. As a gift, we received a jar of maple syrup.

We returned home feeling satisfied.

On the way back, Gal and Deputy Captain Berry drove safely.

We arrived in the capital as the evening bell rang.

People on the streets were busy.

"Damn, bandits, I won't forgive you!"

The weasel was still being held by the captain, resisting.

I wonder who will take it.

It's a bit concerning.