Chapter 96

I went to the general store and was utterly exhausted. I wanted to get back to the inn and rest.

...When I got back to the inn, Martha and Calk were bustling about. They looked busy. It must be because of the tomato sauce, but I wonder why it’s so popular. I’ll ask them tomorrow morning.

"Welcome back. Hold on a moment."

Martha saw me and called out. After setting the dishes on the table, she came over to me.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. What would you like for dinner? Today, I made the pasta with the meat sauce you taught me and some pizza toast."

"I was thinking of eating here, but it seems busy, doesn’t it?"

"I’m sorry, it’s a bit crowded, and since you have children, it might be difficult. How about I bring the food to your room?"

Hmm, it would be a big help if you could bring it to the room. If I order extra, I can share it with Bell and the others, which might be a good idea.

"That would be very helpful. The children’s room is a bit larger, so could you bring it there? Also, I’ll pay for it, but could you add enough for four more people?"

"That’s fine, but will you really eat that much?"

Martha looked surprised. I actually wanted to add for seven more, but that would be too much, so I gave up. Should I tell her that the spirits are eating? ...No, it’s better not to. They might come to watch out of curiosity.

"Well, they’re growing, you know. Hahaha."

Laughing it off, Martha also laughed, saying that Calk eats a lot too. It seems they’re not too concerned. After paying the extra charge, I went to Sara’s room.

I knocked, and Sara opened the door to welcome me.

"Master, welcome back," "Master, welcome back," "Welcome back."

"Yep, I’m back. Did everything go well?"

"Yes, there were no problems at all."

"That’s good to hear."

It hasn’t been that long, so I’m not sure if anything would have gone wrong.

"Welcome back," "Kyu," "Welcome back," "Ku."

While talking with Sara, Bell and the others floated in to greet me. It’s heartwarming. I can’t help but smile and pet Bell and the others. They’re almost like a mental health aid for me.

"Everyone, we’re having dinner in this room tonight."

There are only two beds and a small table, so it’s a bit cramped. When the food is brought, I’ll put away one of the beds and set up the table. It’s tough being a large family.

After talking for a while, Martha and Calk brought the food. They carried it all on a large tray.

Naturally, not everything fit on the small table, so some of it was left on the tray and placed on the bed.

"Thank you. What should we do with the dishes?"

"Well, I’ll send someone to pick them up later, so if you could gather them, that would be great."

"Understood."

They seemed busy, so I saw them off as they hurried out of the room. The children were fixated on the steaming food, so I asked them to move to the corner of the room and put away one of the beds with my magic bag.

Phew, there’s a bit of dust.

"Silphy, can you gather the dust with the wind?"

"Sure."

As Silphy replied, a gentle breeze blew through the room, gathering the dust in one spot. That’s impressive.

"Silphy, thank you."

I thanked Silphy, who waved her hand, and set up the table and chairs in the center of the now clean room. I took out the dishes from my magic bag and divided the food onto smaller plates. I should also bring out the street food I’ve been stockpiling. Grilled oak meat skewers should be good.

...Silphy aside, everyone’s gaze is a bit intimidating. They’re all focused on the food, especially the spirits, who don’t need to eat, should calm down a bit. Urged by the pressure of their gazes, I removed the skewers from Rain and the others and finally got everything ready.

"Everyone, you can eat now."

At my words, everyone except me, Silphy, and Sara dove into the food. It’s like a battlefield, I guess that’s what it’s like in a large family.

But it’s a heartwarming scene. Well, with a dolphin, a fox cub, a turtle, and an owl, it’s quite a diverse group, but this chaotic dining scene feels very otherworldly, and in a way, it’s a good feeling.

"Everyone, if you want more, just let me know. I have some street food."

Marco, with his mouth full, nodded. Sara and Kika are also eating well, and they seem to be putting on a bit of weight...?

Hmm, they do seem to have put on a bit of weight, but since they were so thin to begin with, it’s hard to tell. I’ll keep an eye on them for a bit.

"Silphy, how about some wine?"

"Oh, really?"

"Sure. You flew all the way to the Labyrinth City today, and it’s been a bit tough."

"Hehe, I’ll gladly accept."

At Silphy’s request, I took out a bottle of red wine and poured it into a glass made by Nomos. I’m also a bit tired today, so I’ll have a little wine.

***

After a light drink and a good night’s sleep, I was fully recovered. I’m still young. When I got up, Silphy and the others appeared.

"Good morning, everyone."

"Yuta, good morning," "Yuta, good morning," "Kyu-kyu," "Good morning," "Ku-ku."

After greeting Silphy and the others, I changed and cast a cleaning spell over my body. This cleaning spell is very convenient, but I’m starting to miss taking a bath. Maybe I should think about building a bath in the Land of Death.

...Hmm? ...If I ask Dine or Nomos, could they find a hot spring? It feels like it might be possible to dig one with the right tools... No, Nomos might just drill a hole right to the hot spring.

Imagining myself in a hot spring, I wonder if it would be comfortable in the scorching heat.

I feel like the comfort of a bath in the summer is largely due to air conditioning, but I’m not sure. Hmm, if Silphy cools me down right after I get out, it should be fine. I need to think about this more carefully.

"Yuta, is something wrong?"

"No, nothing. Let’s go to Sara’s room."

We went to Sara’s room and knocked.

"Good morning, Master," "Master, good morning," "Good morning," "Hoo," "Pgya."

After being invited in, I greeted Sara and the others. But every time I see Uri, I can’t help but think, shouldn’t a piglet go “Pgya”?

"Good morning, everyone. What would you like for breakfast?"

"Meat bread!"

The moment I asked, Bell quickly raised her hand. She’s talking about the thick oak meat sandwich. Bell loves to bite into that sandwich with a big crunch.

"Is it okay to have meat for breakfast?"

"It’s fine!"

It seems to be fine. They’re young. Rain and the others are also nodding, so the spirits’ breakfast will be the thick oak meat sandwich. I need to buy more soon, or Bell and the others will be disappointed.

"Then we’ll go to the dining room. Everyone, stay here and rest."

Leaving Bell and the others, who were already biting into the bread, I went to the dining room with Silphy, Sara, and the others.

"Good morning, Martha."

"Good morning. Breakfast?"

"Yes, four servings, please."

"Sure thing. Just a moment."

We sat at the assigned table and waited for the food while chatting with Sara and the others. However, the children, full of energy, kept asking questions about spirit magic, which was a bit challenging.

I don’t know much that would be useful, so I was in a bit of a bind as a teacher. I was relieved when Martha brought the food.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. This is a new dish. Give it a try."

Looking at the plate placed on the table, it’s chicken stewed in tomato sauce, right? She’s already developing new dishes.

"Tomato stew? I’m looking forward to it."

"You’re right. It’s the same dish, but this one is stewed with lafbird. If you notice anything strange, let me know."

"I’m not sure, but I’ll let you know if I notice anything."

"Thanks. I need to get back to work. See you later."

After Martha went back to work, we started eating. The chicken was cooked until it was tender, falling apart in my mouth, and the tomato sauce from the tender meat flowed out.

As always, Torque’s cooking is heavily seasoned with garlic. I love it, but I can see why some people might not.

The chicken is a bit dry, so it might be overcooked. But the chicken stew I’ve had in Japan was also a bit dry, so maybe it’s just the way it is. Hmm, the hard bread is quite delicious when dipped in the tomato sauce, so I don’t have any advice to give. By the way,

"Sara, Marco, Kika, how does it taste?"

"It’s delicious," "It’s good," "I like it."

Sara and the others seem to like it, but they don’t have any useful feedback. It’s hard to look cool. I’ll just enjoy the meal without overthinking it.

"Phew, that was delicious. I’ll talk to Martha for a bit, so Sara and the others, go back to the room and rest."

After sending Sara and the others back to the room, I relaxed, and Martha came over when she had a moment.

"How was it?"

"It was delicious. I couldn’t find any faults."

"Really? Your husband will be happy to hear that."

Martha patted my back happily. It’s strange that it still hurts even though my level has gone up.

"Still, there were a lot of customers at lunch and dinner, but not many in the morning."

"Yeah, in the morning, it’s only the guests staying here. It’s good to have a quiet morning, or I’d collapse."

I see. There are fewer guests staying here. Is that okay? And a frail person can’t really hurt me by just patting me, can they?

"Still, a lot of customers are coming, but is it really because of the recipes I taught you?"

"Well, at first, it was just a few curious customers. But there’s a receptionist at the Labyrinth City’s Merchant Guild who’s a food enthusiast. She heard about it and came to try it. She loved it and called it a new flavor. Since she’s influential, we’ve been doing great business ever since."

...I see. There’s a food guru in the city. It sounds like the effect of a TV show. The challenge will be to maintain the popularity.

"Is that so? I feel a bit bad because the inn has changed a bit due to my requests. If there’s anything, please let me know."

"Hehe, thanks to you, my husband is really motivated. It’s not a bother at all. But if you have more recipes, I’ll take them all."

Should I take her at her word? There are a lot of customers now, but if it gets tough, she might not want to bother me. I’ll request dishes I want to try at the right time. That way, I can be of some help.

"If I think of anything, I’ll let you know. Also, could you make a pot of lafbird stew for me?"

Silphy is interested, and I want Bell and the others to try it, so I need to buy it.

"Sure, but it’ll get busy soon, so I can only do it tomorrow morning. Is that okay?"

"Yes, please."

After parting ways with Martha, I went back to the room. I want to try oak meat cutlets, but the inn seems busy now, so I’ll wait a bit. Silphy said she’s never seen fried food, so it will probably become a hit.

Well, next, I’ll go to the adventurer’s guild alone, take on a quest, and then go to the labyrinth with everyone. I’m looking forward to seeing how the adventurer’s guild welcomes me after a while.

Thank you for reading.