Chapter 23

To confirm whether there has been any change in the reward, I head towards the building of the Adventurers' Guild.

I check the request slips and confirm that the reward for Vaz grass has not changed.

If I am to live in the village for a while, I will need to take care of various tasks and get to know the residents, but securing a living base is the priority for now.

Since it is still early in the day, I can see a few of my colleagues here and there. Perhaps because I am a newcomer, I feel their gazes on me.

To be honest, there is not much a middle-aged man like me can do, so I do not think they need to be so concerned.

There are no particularly efficient requests on the slips I am looking at. I decide to leave the building before any trouble starts.

As I walk along the path to the northern forest, I start thinking about the future, or rather, about Rizathia.

The fact that we can potentially form a family together is a big step forward.

In reality, if I were asked if she is my type, she would be a perfect match.

My PC's folder of Nordic beauties is on fire. She is not a cute girl, and I do not have a Lolicon fetish. I prefer if she has a bit of a chest.

The only thing left to consider is how to talk about the past and my return. I think I have to be honest. It is not something I can hide from close people forever.

"Haa... I guess I need to steel myself..."

I turn back and head to Ast's house.

"Oh? Welcome back. Did you forget something?"

I tell Tishia that I will be making dinner tonight.

"That's fine, but... Is something the matter?"

"Having a delicious meal made by your wife is wonderful, but isn't it also interesting to have a delicious meal made by your husband?"

"Oh? Oh, I see. I understand."

She grins like a Cheshire cat.

"I will buy some ingredients, but could you tell me which ones I can use?"

"Yes, feel free to use them."

Flour, goat butter, salt, pepper, vinegar, and dried rosemary were available.

"Can you eat fish?"

"Since our main source of food is from hunting, we do not have many opportunities to eat fish, but everyone likes it."

I have decided on a plan. Since there is no sugar, I will buy it.

"Then, I will be on my way."

"Sure. I look forward to dinner."

She sends me off with a cheerful smile.

Well, I need to get into the right mindset.

I arrive at the swamp I visited yesterday.

Checking the goblin remains, they have been picked clean and are almost skeletonized.

"Covering up is done."

I immediately start gathering Vaz grass, using the 'Recognition' skill.

While silently plucking the grass, I think about tonight. To be honest, I have not thought about marriage since my divorce.

The reason for the divorce was my erectile dysfunction.

It was psychogenic, and I started to think that I should not defile my wife with my ugly self, and I could no longer get an erection.

In the end, my wife proposed the divorce, and I agreed.

I lack confidence in myself. I worry that I might end up in the same situation again, so I have not felt any desire to get married.

However, I also have a part of me that wants to change. It is the first time someone has shown me such straightforward affection.

While thinking aimlessly, I have already gathered 150 stems.

I have been working for three hours straight, but I do not feel much fatigue.

I put 30 bundles into a burlap bag and leave the forest.

I head south, keeping an eye on my surroundings. I reach the road without any incidents.

I eat the lunch Tishia gave me and take a break.

"There were no goblins today."

I did not sense any monsters or animals. I head back to the village.

I enter the guild building and go to the appraisal counter. The man from yesterday is on duty today.

"Vaz grass. I will check it. Please wait a moment."

It takes about 15 minutes to complete the check.

"The reward for Vaz grass is 24,000 wahl for 30 bundles. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes, please."

"Then, please provide your card."

He processes it with the reader.

"Registration is complete. There is no change in your rank. Your total achievements are now 51, so you are halfway to the next rank."

It seems you need 100 achievements to rank up.

"Like yesterday, I am impressed. I look forward to working with you in the future."

I receive four 5,000 wahl coins and four 1,000 wahl coins.

I leave the guild with a bow.

I head to the tavern, which also seems to sell wine.

"Welcome. Are you here for a meal?"

A sturdy man in his 50s appears to be the owner.

"No, I want to buy a bottle to take away. Do you have any decent white wine?"

"We don't have any white wine in stock. Would red be okay?"

"Can I taste it first?"

The owner pours a small amount into a clay cup.

When I taste it, it is quite thin. It's a piquet. However, the taste itself is decent.

"I'll take this bottle. I also want a glass of a stronger one."

"Then, this one."

The red wine poured into the glass is clear and robust.

"I'll take this. I want it in a small bottle."

"3,000 wahl in total."

I hand over a 5,000 wahl coin and receive two 1,000 wahl coins in change.

"Thank you. Please come again."

I move from the tavern to the fishmonger.

There are rainbow trouts...

"Can I have three of those rainbow trouts?"

"That will be 600 wahl."

"I want them filleted. Is that possible?"

"Sure. Please wait a moment."

He scales and debones the trouts for me.

"Here you go."

I hand over a 1,000 wahl coin and receive four 100 wahl coins in change.

"Thank you."

I move from the fishmonger to the greengrocer.

There are carrots and cauliflower.

"Can I have one carrot and one cauliflower?"

"That will be 400 wahl."

I hand over four 100 wahl coins.

"Thank you."

Finally, I head to the general store. For some reason, they sell sugar.

"I want to buy sugar."

"How much do you need?"

"What is the minimum amount?"

"Here it is."

The sugar pot he showed me was about half the size of a sugar pot you would see in a cafe.

"How much is it?"

"It's 5,000 wahl."

Sugar is expensive, as expected.

I hand over a 5,000 wahl coin.

"Thank you. Please come again."

I finish shopping and return to Ast's house.

"I'm back."

"Welcome back. You must be tired."

"I will use the kitchen."

I light the stove.

I fill a pot with plenty of water and bring it to a boil.

While waiting, I prepare the carrot and cauliflower.

When the water boils, I add the carrot.

I pierce the carrot with a skewer and add the cauliflower when there is still some resistance.

Meanwhile, I season the rainbow trout with salt, pepper, and rosemary, and coat it with flour.

I put butter in a frying pan and start frying the trout from the skin side.

I sear the skin over high heat, then reduce the heat and flip it, basting the flesh side with melted butter using a wooden spoon.

When the cauliflower turns a vivid color, I discard the water and add salt, sugar, and butter, stirring over low heat to prevent burning.

By the time the trout is done, the two of them have returned.

It seems a wild boar was caught in the trap, and from the looks of it, it is larger than the one from the other day.

"This time, it's a big catch."

Ast says with a smile.

"Mmm. It smells great. Mom, are you already making dinner?"

Rizathia sniffs the air.

"Hehe. Akihiro is making dinner today."

Tishia is still grinning.

"Really? Akihiro is going to cook!?"

She is clearly surprised.

Ah, it seems the culture here does not involve men cooking.

I plate the trout.

I pour red wine into the empty frying pan, boil off the alcohol over high heat, and add salt and vinegar, bringing it to a boil.

When the liquid is reduced to about a third, I pour it over the trout.

I add the glazed carrots and cauliflower as side dishes.

Since there was some Roggenbrot left, I arrange it on the plate.

I pour the piquet into the glasses, and the table is set.

I confirm that everyone is seated and speak up.

"I have something to say before we eat."

I take a breath, make a serious face, and look at Ast.

"I have found a solution to the recent problems. I believe there will be no issues with income. I would like to consider a relationship with the young lady, with the intention of marriage. Do you give your permission?"

Ast looks slightly dazed and smiles.

"I have no objections. I look forward to working with you from now on."

Rizathia is blushing and looking down.

"Let's celebrate. Akihiro's cooking is a special treat. Let's eat before it gets cold."

Dinner starts with Tishia's encouragement.

"What is this? The carrot and cauliflower are so sweet... and when you bite into them, the umami just bursts out... What is this?"

Rizathia is eating with a big smile.

"More importantly, this... is it trout? The crispy texture of the skin is so satisfying. And the sauce, the aroma of butter with a hint of acidity..."

Ast continues to eat, looking surprised.

"Isn't it amazing? I have never had such a meal. Riz, you will be able to eat such meals from now on, how envious."

Tishia grins and nudges Rizathia.

The surprise dinner seems to have been a success.

As I sit at the warm table, I feel a warm sense of comfort, thinking that these people will become my family.

I am determined to build a happy home. I have made up my mind.