Chapter 98

Since we need to let the artificial dragon rest, the captain gave us permission to cook, saying, "Do as you like."

The ingredients were the knight squad's rations: hard biscuits, salty vegetables, greasy pork, crumbly cheese, smoked meat with a cloth-like texture, and powdery chocolate.

Just listing them makes me think they're not really food.

When I thought about how the expedition team members eat these things every day, tears welled up naturally.

I think they should improve the rations a bit.

Just eating the biscuits seems exhausting.

"Mel, do you want to help?"

"Thank you! I appreciate it!"

Everyone seems willing to help with the cooking, even Gar, who had just finished eating.

The captain folded his arms, watching from a distance to see if we could make something truly delicious.

What a privileged position.

Amelia lay on the ground, watching over us.

When our eyes met, she cheered me on with a "Quu~."

Thank you, Mom, I'll do my best.

Putting that aside, we started cooking.

"Zara and Gar, can you grind the biscuits in a mortar?"

It's a tough job, but it's the main ingredient, so I hope you can do your best.

I entrusted all the biscuits to everyone.

I asked Urgas and Vice-Captain Berrie to build a makeshift stove.

Then, Rizelotte and I cut the stick-like vegetables into bite-sized pieces. We also chopped the smoked meat, which would be used for the soup.

"Hey, pancake girl, I picked some mushrooms!"

"What!?"

Albume opened the patterned furoshiki she was carrying.

Inside were pepper mushrooms and some unfamiliar mushrooms.

It seems Albume had ventured into the forest to gather ingredients.

"Albume, what are these?"

"They're delicious mushrooms."

The caps were thick and had a rich aroma. The stems were also thick and looked delicious.

However, I was wary of the unfamiliar mushrooms because they might be poisonous.

"Oh, those are chestnut mushrooms, aren't they?"

Rizelotte reacted. Apparently, they are a rare and expensive delicacy that rarely appear on noble tables.

When I let her smell them, she confirmed they were the real deal.

They grow at the base of chestnut trees, hence the name.

"These have been called a myth for the past two or three years due to weather conditions."

"Wow, that's amazing!"

While praising Albume, I patted her head.

"Well, it's not a big deal~"

She seemed pleased to be praised.

However, upon closer inspection, her nose and hands were covered in mud. I wiped them with a towel.

"Let's add the mushrooms Albume picked to the soup."

"Sure. Do you need any more help?"

"If you could, could you bring some large leaves?"

"Got it."

Large leaves could serve as plates. Since they would be useful, I asked for them.

After sending Albume off, we resumed cooking.

The broth should be rich enough with the smoked meat and mushrooms.

I checked the surroundings. The Monster Research Bureau staff were focused on the artificial dragon and didn't pay any attention to us.

I took the opportunity to ask Sura for help.

"Sura, can you make some hot water?"

Sura made an agreement circle in the bottle.

I asked Gar if it was okay to use Sura's power, and he gave his permission, so I opened the bottle and let her out.

Sura extended two hands and generated hot water, filling the pot.

"Thank you, Sura."

Sura placed her hands on her hips (or what I assume are her hips) and looked proud. Her every gesture was adorable.

I placed the pot on the makeshift stove built by Urgas and Vice-Captain Berrie.

I added the chopped smoked meat, pepper mushrooms, and chestnut mushrooms, and let it simmer. I added the vegetables halfway through and adjusted the seasoning, completing the "Expedition Squad Rations Soup."

Next, I made another dish using the biscuits ground by Zara and Gar.

First, I finely chopped the cheese and mixed it with the powdered biscuits. I coated the seasoned meat with this mixture.

After frying it, the "Expedition Squad-Style Pork Cutlet with Cheese" was complete.

For the last dish, I used the powdered biscuits and chocolate.

The method was simple: I chopped and melted the chocolate, mixed it with the powdered biscuits, and baked it.

In no time, the "Expedition Squad Chocolate Pancake" was ready.

We arranged the dishes on individual plates and the large leaves Albume had brought.

Urgas held the soup bowl and gazed at it with sparkling eyes.

"Risris medic, that's amazing. It looks delicious."

"The soup also has the mythical chestnut mushrooms Albume picked, so it should be delicious."

"Ah, I'm looking forward to it."

I shared the soup with the captain and the Monster Research Bureau staff. The mushrooms made it quite a large amount.

After the pre-meal prayer, we started eating.

First, the "Expedition Squad Rations Soup."

"---Mmm!?"

I was surprised by the rich broth from the chestnut mushrooms. It had a refined taste and a good aroma.

The texture was chewy, and when I bit into it, a rich flavor spread in my mouth.

The smoked meat had absorbed the soup and become juicy. The vegetables had lost their saltiness and were easier to eat.

"Mel, this soup could be served in a noble's house."

"Really?"

...That evaluation might be more gratifying than the taste itself.

Of course, I know the ingredients played a big role.

Next, I tried the "Expedition Squad-Style Pork Cutlet with Cheese."

On its own, the meat would have been too greasy to eat.

How would this turn out?

Usually, cutlets are fried in oil. However, since this meat had been marinated in oil, I thought frying it would make it too heavy, so I baked it instead. I cooked it until it was crispy, but would it work?

I bit into it without any additional seasoning.

The texture was crispy. The savory aroma of the cheese and the refreshing scent of herbs wafted through my mouth. The meat was tender and not greasy or heavy.

"Mel, this is amazing. It's delicious."

"I'm glad you like it."

Zara also seemed to enjoy it.

I never thought the greasy meat could transform so much.

I'm glad I didn't force myself to eat it as it was.

For the last dish, I combined the rock-hard biscuits and the disappointing powdery chocolate to make a pancake.

I nervously took a bite.

The outside was crispy, and the inside was fluffy.

The worst ingredients had been transformed beautifully.

The original ingredients were good, and the gentle sweetness brought out the rich flavor of the chocolate.

It was delicious, very delicious.

The dish made from disappointing ingredients was a huge success.

Even the captain praised me.

"To make such a dish from those rations, you have quite a talent."

"Thank you."

I couldn't help but smile.

It seemed the Monster Research Bureau staff also enjoyed it.

"Indeed, we would love to have someone like you in our team."

The captain immediately reacted, glaring at the Monster Research Bureau staff.

Perhaps out of fear, the staff member shuddered and teared up.

It's nice to be appreciated, but the captain is sensitive about poaching team members. I hope they can understand.

If I had said I wanted to poach someone, the captain would have glared at me with all his might.

Everyone is a precious teammate.

Urgas, who had finished eating, was smiling contentedly.

Just as I thought he was doing well, he suddenly clutched his head and shouted.

"Uwaa~!!"

"Urgas, what's wrong!?"

"No Risris medic on the desert mission~!!"

I see, that's what it was about.

The mission would be split into two groups.

The captain's team: Urgas, Zara, Rizelotte.

Vice-Captain Berrie's team: Gar, me, Amelia, Sura, and Albume.

"I can't eat those rations after such a delicious meal."

Urgas, lying on the ground with teary eyes, looked pitiful.

"Don't worry, Jun."

"Art!"

Zara helped the sprawled-out Urgas up.

"Will you cook for us?"

"No, I don't have the space to carry pots and pans. Let's all do our best and eat together."

That's right. Zara and Urgas are combatants and can't carry extra baggage.

"Uwaa~, just encouraging me!!"

Hang in there, Urgas. Don't give up, Urgas.

I cheered for him in my heart.