Chapter 8

Before entering the forest, I placed the horses in the square and set out to look for the horned lizards. Since I would only be a hindrance, I stayed behind with the horses.

The area around us was sprinkled with diluted holy water. This would keep monsters from coming near, as the deputy squad leader Berry reminded me.

"If any monsters come, douse yourself in holy water and crouch down."

"Understood."

The holy water in the vial. The price was enough to make me faint. It seemed to cost about a month's salary. However, it was irreplaceable when it came to life.

Garu lent me a spare spear. He was very kind.

Everyone went off with good smiles to hunt the horned lizards. Left alone, I decided to take a stroll nearby since waiting in one spot would be boring.

The horses were not tied up, but they were well-behaved and would return when I whistled. They would be fine even if left alone.

I set off for a leisurely walk in the forest.

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The forest was overflowing with rich nature. I discovered pepper mushrooms right away. A good start. Then, a bit further along, I found chestnuts. I stepped on the spiky outer shells with my boots to remove them and collected the nuts. Chestnuts were also growing on trees, so I used Garu's spear to knock them down. When I tried to be greedy, the spiky shells fell on my head, making me scream. It was a punishment for being greedy.

I collected leaves that could be used as plates and gathered branches for firewood. Before I knew it, the bag I was carrying was bulging.

I returned to the square where the horses were and prepared dinner. First, I boiled the chestnuts. Once they were cooked, I peeled off the bitter skin. I didn't throw the bitter skin away but used it. Boiling it with sugar in hot water made bitter tea. Although it was quite bitter, my grandmother once said it would make your blood thinner. I didn't like it much, but I wanted the squad members to drink it for their health. I cooked the chestnuts with honey. They were delicious on their own but also good on bread.

Next, I made a dish by simmering the pepper mushrooms, medicinal garlic, and chili peppers in olive oil. This was also good when soaked in bread.

The main dish was the head of the giant fish we caught in the afternoon! I would make a soup with it.

First, I rubbed spices into the head of the giant fish to eliminate the fishy smell. Then, I finely chopped the pepper mushrooms, medicinal garlic, and flowering mint and sautéed them before removing them from the pot. Next, I placed the head of the giant fish in boiling water and let it come to a boil. I scooped out the excess scum with a spoon. When the water turned milky, I removed the fish. Using a spoon, I scooped out the flesh from the head and added it to the soup! The eyes were also delicious. I scooped them out and added them. I also didn't forget the flesh from the cheeks. If this were home, I would dry the flesh and turn it into powder to use as fertilizer for the flowers. However, here, I couldn't do such processing, so I buried the leftover bones in the ground. I added the vegetables from earlier to the soup and poured in the captain's white wine. Finally, I added the chili peppers, and the main dish of the day, "Giant Fish Head Soup," was complete.

I felt proud of myself. When it got dark, the horses would return to the fire. They were good horses.

Before the sun set, the squad members also returned.

"I'm so tired~"

Urgas, looking exhausted,

"I don't even want to move a step."

Deputy squad leader Berry, showing signs of fatigue.

"..."

Garu, as usual, was silent, but his tail drooped, indicating he was tired.

"I'm hungry."

The captain muttered, and I replied, "I've been waiting for you."

We gathered around the pot for dinner. I poured the soup into wooden bowls. I had started carrying the minimum amount of tableware.

Everyone, please use the tableware and eat elegantly. I am currently aiming to transform the Second Expeditionary Unit into a non-bandit group.

We offered a prayer before the meal and began eating.

First, the soup. The giant fish broth was delicious. The soup was light and mild but had a spicy kick that warmed the body. I was happy to see everyone enjoying it. However, one person had a different reaction.

"Whoa, why are there fish eyes in here!!"

It was the captain. He scooped out the fish eyes with a spoon and made a face.

He had a delicate side.

"Fish eyes are jiggly and delicious. They also make your skin smooth."

"Are you crazy!!"

"Ugh~"

"How can you eat such a creepy thing?"

"Try it once."

"No way!"

The others also said they wouldn't eat the fish eyes. It seemed to be a cultural difference.

The fish eyes, which the captain said he didn't want, were delicious. They were large because they were from a giant fish, and they might indeed be a bit creepy. I tried to persuade Urgas and Deputy Squad Leader Berry, but they refused. Finally, I asked Garu.

I thought he would refuse, but he nodded.

I brought the spoon with the giant fish eye to his mouth, and he ate it. He chewed it slowly. I watched his tail to see how he liked it. His tail, which had been tense, gradually started to sway. When our eyes met, he nodded, and I knew he enjoyed it. I was relieved.

Everyone's skeptical gazes didn't soften, but I resolved to enjoy the fish eyes with Garu from now on.

The pepper mushrooms simmered in olive oil were eaten with bread. The aroma of the medicinal garlic and the concentrated flavor of the pepper mushrooms were perfect. The saltiness was just right.

For dessert, I served the chestnuts cooked with honey. They were sweet and fluffy and delicious.

After the meal, I served the bitter tea. Everyone drank it with furrowed brows. Although it wasn't well-received, they endured it when I told them it was good for their health. After the meal, everyone went their own way. Garu started meditating, Urgas and Deputy Squad Leader Berry began cleaning their weapons, and the captain started drinking. Urgas apparently couldn't drink, and Deputy Squad Leader Berry didn't drink during missions. I couldn't drink either, and Garu was a mystery.

The captain, lifting the wine bottle, noticed something.

"The wine seems to be missing."

"I used it in the soup."

"What!?"

I had been carrying the heavy wine bottle. I thought it was okay to use a little. Deputy Squad Leader Berry said it was fine, but the captain seemed unconvinced.

"In that case, I'll make honey wine to make up for it."

"You can make wine?"

"Yes. Honey wine is especially easy."

Honey wine was the main drink in my family. It was consumed by my father, brother, and grandfather. To make it, you just add honey to water in a bottle and add natural yeast. Sometimes, during cold seasons, you add spices. It was a cheap drink, making it friendly for the poor.

"Do you prefer sweet or dry?"

"Dry."

"Understood. I'll make it next time."

I managed to cover up the use of the wine. I sighed in relief and wiped the sweat from my forehead. The captain's wine was a high-quality brand, and I had been quietly panicking. The soup should be delicious.

"By the way, how did the horned lizard hunt go?"

"It's done."

"Huh?"

"We encountered a group and eliminated them all at once."

"Wow~ Was it good or bad...?"

The reason everyone was so tired became clear.

"That must have been very tiring."

"Thanks to you, we can return in the morning."

With that, the captain rolled over. I rolled over next to Deputy Squad Leader Berry. A yawn escaped me. I would sleep well tonight. The stars were beautiful tonight.

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Morning. I slowly woke up. Urgas, who had been on watch from dawn to morning, greeted me with a raised hand and a yawn.

For breakfast, we had bread and grilled dried meat. The dried meat became a bit softer when heated, making it delicious.

"Wow~ The dried meat from the health soldier is so delicious~"

"Thank you~"

I mimicked Urgas's drawn-out, grateful speech.

"The more you chew, the more the flavor seeps out."

"Yes, that's what dried meat is."

We finished breakfast by eating the leftover soup. We washed the pot and tableware in a nearby river. Thus, the Second Expeditionary Unit, having completed their mission, returned to the capital with high spirits.