Chapter 31

Holding the knife, I paid attention to my surroundings as I returned to the preparation area. Just as Dillnan gave the signal, people flooded into the hall. The kitchen instantly came alive.

I closed the lid of one of the leek cases and rearranged the tools on top, then sat down. Opening the case, I found three knives of different shapes, small ones just for me. I smiled in delight as I took out the paring knife, washed it in the water in the prepared bowl, and dried it with a towel. Then I picked up a leek and started peeling it. Since it was too big for me to hold with just one hand, I placed it on the apron and worked with assistance. This time, I didn't remove the core. Depending on the cutting method, having the core made it easier to cut. After peeling the leeks, I placed them in the designated case.

"Yuri, be careful not to hurt yourself."

"Okay."

In response to Dillnan's warning as he returned to the kitchen, I picked up the next leek.

Alright, let's aim to peel all the leeks in these two cases by lunchtime.

As I silently peeled the leeks, I gradually got the hang of it. My speed wasn't bad, even by my own standards. During this time, variously dressed people came for breakfast. Even though the work uniforms were the same shape, they came in different colors, so maybe the color varied by unit? If so, the blacksmith unit must be red.

Alf, the young boy, served breakfast, while Ordima assisted Dillnan with the preparations. I also noticed that others were starting to prepare for lunch and dinner. Dillnan, Schnas, and Oji were at the center of the kitchen, and the others were assisting based on the situation. There was no wasted movement, and each person was doing the work of at least three or four people.

Honestly, seeing the breakfast service and the remaining quantity, it was abnormal that the kitchen was run by just ten people. Given the size of the kitchen and the service situation, there should have been three times as many people. ...Well, that's just my feeling.

I won't be able to cook properly with this body for a while, and there's so much I don't understand, so let's start with what I can do. Observing is also a good way to learn.

"Yuri"

In the midst of this, I heard my name called from the hall and turned around. There was Elies, looking as beautiful as ever today.

"Come here," she beckoned. I put down the partially peeled leek, washed my hands and the paring knife, dried them, and put them away before approaching Dillnan, who was a bit away.

"Commander"

"Hmm? What is it, Yuri?"

"Commander Elies is calling me. Can I go?"

When I asked Dillnan, he noticed Elies.

"Go ahead."

I turned to head for the exit to the hall.

"Wait a moment, Yuri. What about the knife?"

"It's dangerous, so I put it away."

"...Good."

Just as I was about to leave, Dillnan stopped me, and I reported that I had put everything away properly. Dillnan nodded and gestured for me to go. I then ran to Elies in the hall.

"Commander Elies, good morning."

"Good morning, Yuri."

"Hehehe~"

Meeting a beautiful person like Elies in the morning is so nice. And to get a pat on the head from such a beautiful person is the best. Everyone is looking at us, but I won't give up this position. They must be jealous. If they want, they can ask Elies themselves.

"Commander Elies, what's up?"

"Yesterday, when I returned to my office, I received a lot of sweets. I came to share them with you."

You brought sweets just for me!? Elies is so kind. No matter how scary people say she is, she's so kind. I'll follow you, sir!

"Hehehe... You look so cute with those sparkling eyes."

"Elies, I'm so happy you came."

When a beautiful person like her says "cute" with such a lovely smile, I can't help but blush. Alright, I'll give her a full dose of flattery.

...But then she switched to a super smile! I can't compete. Gah.

"Ah, I'd like to take you to my office, but the cooking team is all busy with 'work,' so that's not possible."

"? ...I'm working too."

I don't understand, Elies. The cooking team is currently working full-time.

The smile you're showing now is beautiful but mysterious. Hmm?

"Here, have some sweets. You can put them in this pouch."

"Wow, so many. ...Is it okay?"

"Of course."

"Thank you so much."

Even though I was confused, all my thoughts vanished when I saw the sweets. I took a bunch of mini cakes, beautifully wrapped, in both hands. How many did I get from Elies? They smell so sweet. Sniff, sniff.

"Then, I'll be going back."

"Commander Elies, good luck."

"...With your support, I'll have the strength of a hundred men. I'll be back."

"See you later~"

I saw Elies off as she left the cafeteria and then returned to my spot in the kitchen, humming a tune as I put the sweets in my pouch. I'll share them with the cooking team at lunchtime.

Except for a break at ten o'clock when Schnas gave me a fruit called Citri, which was a cross between an orange and a grapefruit, I spent the morning peeling leeks.

As I was peeling the second case of leeks, I watched the lunch service start.

"Yuri, how's it going... What's with that face?"

Just as I was about to finish a quarter of my goal, Dillnan came to check on me. Behind him were Ordima, Alf, and the three brothers of the "Three Idiots" team. I must have looked pretty shocked.

"...Is this one case finished?"

"Nope. This is all of it..."

"Aah, you finished one case?"

"Yup."

"Wait, you finished one case... This is the second case?!"

"Yup."

I rolled the peeled leek into the case, and Dillnan examined it closely.

"...You really exceed my expectations."

"Huh?"

"Well, it's fine. The rest should be easy for this team."

As Dillnan said, he and the five others behind him took out their knives and joined in the peeling. As he said, it was finished in five minutes. They were all incredibly fast!

I used the magic I had gotten used to in the morning to change the water in the bowl and wash the towel, then handed the knives to be wiped. Ordima smiled and wrung out the towel for me. The amount of water that came out was shocking!

I washed and dried my paring knife with the returned towel and put it away properly.

"Alright, let's have lunch."

Gurgle

My stomach answered before I could, and I only raised my hand. Everyone burst out laughing. So embarrassing!

Just like breakfast, lunch was prepared on the back counter...

"Where are the others?"

Four people still haven't come.

"We only eat together for breakfast. The rest of the time, we eat in shifts based on the situation."

I see. Indeed, it would be too difficult to eat together with this busy schedule. It's amazing that the meals are even prepared on time. It's a bit disappointing, but I'll get over it. Looking at the counter, the lunch was meat sauce pasta, a salad with plenty of vegetables and Citri yogurt dressing, and bread. However, I didn't get the bread. Instead, I got some fruit juice. I can't finish it all, but the pasta was made with macaroni for me, which is easier to eat. They gave me special treatment despite being so busy...

"Oji is melting!"

"Gross!"

"Who is Yuri!?"

"Three Idiots!"

"Sorry!!"

Just as I was feeling touched, the Three Idiots brothers screamed in horror-movie-like terror, and Oji's angry voice echoed. I want my touched feelings back, Three Idiots brothers and Oji.

The perfectly cooked macaroni, the sweetness and slight acidity of fresh tomatoes, and the rich flavor of the meat harmonize beautifully with the other vegetables, making