Chapter 34

As dinner time began, the crowd started to gather again.

However, the number of people for dinner is less compared to breakfast and lunch. It seems that about a third of the people live in the surrounding villages or go out of the castle to eat. According to Radastor and Diogas, who were peeling potatoes, there are roughly 3,000 meals for breakfast and lunch, and about 2,000 for dinner. Apparently, there's hardly any food left over. People who want to eat more come just before the cafeteria closes and finish off the leftovers. ...So, even the standard portion isn't enough for some.

Incidentally, the cooking team members sometimes go to the nearby villages for drinks after work, and they apparently report in advance when they do.

"Done... Here it is."

The case of tashi potatoes I had been sitting with finally emptied. Unlike the orions, it took a lot of effort.

While I was peeling slowly, Radastor and Diogas had already finished peeling five cases each. They were now cleaning up the peeled potatoes and moving on to cutting vegetables for the next day. The difference in speed was quite a shock.

"Good job, Yurichan."

"Done. Be careful, put the knives away."

"Okay."

Ordim and Schnas, who had been peeling belmons, also finished quickly and moved on to cutting vegetables. The three brothers of the "Three Idiots" team, who had joined the preparation late, were also working efficiently, despite their foolishness. They were fun to watch and listen to.

Alf had been helping with the preparation until halfway through but was now serving dinner.

Dilnan and Oji were the only ones who continued cooking until the end, frying omelets to serve fresh for dinner.

Following the instructions, I put away the paring knife. Ordim checked the barrel of tashi potatoes I had peeled, changed the water, and carried it to the storage room with ease. ...Really, where does he get such strength from that slim body? He doesn't even change his expression.

"Yurichan, are you there?"

"Karaf-oneesama."

As I turned my head, Karaf's voice came from the cafeteria. When I looked back, there she was, wearing her usual outfit with a perfect balance of red and blue, making it hard to tell her gender.

"Go ahead."

As soon as they saw Karaf, Dilnan and Schnas called out with slightly strained faces. They both seemed to struggle with Karaf. These two are quite a pair.

Since I had finished putting away the paring knife, I quickly left the kitchen. Karaf greeted me with a smile and a "Good job."

...This person really has a sparkly aura. Beneath her eccentric outfit, she's quite beautiful. She seems to hide her true self, unlike Elies.

"Good job."

"Really, such a cute cook. Making a uniform for someone like Yurichan would be so much fun."

Her hand on my head and her eyes were incredibly gentle. I think Karaf is actually a very calm person. Maybe hiding her true self is her way of protecting herself.

"Here's your change of clothes for today. The robes for the paperwork team will be ready by tomorrow."

"Wow, thank you so much."

I took the paper bag with my change of clothes and thanked her, and she patted my head again.

- The deputy leader of the blacksmith team is a drag queen.

- For a deputy leader like that, the blacksmith team must be pitiful.

- Is he trying to ingratiate himself with that outfit?

- No way, that's not possible.

- Besides, the blacksmith team's fashion department is basically useless.

They were trying to keep their voices down, but it was clearly audible. Some people were also looking at Karaf with mocking expressions. Despite her unchanged expression, the hand that had been patting my head stopped.

- Besides, it's not just the drag queen deputy leader.

- ...What's with that kid?

- This isn't a daycare.

- A cook's uniform, in the cooking team. The cooking team has really fallen.

...Now it's my turn. I can handle being talked about, but why does it have to affect the entire cooking team? I don't want others to be mocked because of me. I was really angry.

...Yeah, I decided. I'll get so strong that they can't complain.

"You guys..."

So, I tried to stop Karaf, who was getting angry on my behalf. This is all I can do right now.

If Karaf gets angry, it would just play into the hands of those fools. Why should Karaf stoop to their level and fight?

"Oneesama, have you eaten?"

"..."

"Tonight, the captain and grandpa are making omelets. They're fresh, soft, and creamy."

I held onto the hem of Karaf's dress and spoke. She couldn't ignore me. Indeed, her gaze was on me.

Some fool called the fashion department "useless" earlier, but a department that can make a cook's uniform in a short time can't be useless or incompetent. They must have handled various difficult tasks quietly. Anyone who can say such things must have never sewn anything. They should try sewing with Karaf; they'd understand how amazing her work is.

Karaf doesn't need to be swayed by such fools.

"- Oneesama's job is really amazing. I know it's not something anyone can do."

"Yurichan."

"Enjoy your meal."

I smiled. After confirming that Karaf's anger had subsided, I looked at Alf, knowing that the kitchen was now filled with everyone's gazes.

"Brother, one more plate of food, please."

"Deputy leader Karaf, welcome."

I said it with a pose, and Alf followed with a bright smile. I pushed Karaf to the serving counter from behind.

"...I'm so embarrassed. To be cared for by such young people, I have no standing."

"The omelets are delicious."

"They're so good, your cheeks will fall off."

"...Dilnan, where have you been hiding these cute kids?"

"I haven't been hiding them. That guy over there is finally becoming normal because he has a cute junior. Yurichan starts today."

Dilnan, who had just finished frying the omelets, greeted Karaf as usual.

"Yurichan, if you ever get tired of the cooking team, come to the blacksmith team's fashion department."

"Huh?"

"It's the same as cooking, processing materials into works. You'll do great... but, scary! Don't give me that serious death glare, all of you!!"

There's a lot of sympathetic recruitment. And what is Karaf afraid of? I can't see from down here at the serving counter.

After parting ways with Karaf, who had a tray of food, and returning to the kitchen, I was suddenly picked up by Schnas.

"Kid, your omelet will have extra cheese."

"Wow."

"...You're really cute. Let's go prepare the food for us."

"Okay."

I couldn't help but raise my hands in excitement at the long-awaited meal. ...I dropped the paper bag.

After that, Schnas threw the paper bag to Dilnan. It seems Dilnan had been holding the morning bag as well.

Schnas threw it with perfect control, and Dilnan caught it without even looking at the bag while frying omelets. They're so cool, even though they're doing something wrong in this setting. I could never do that.

But Oji was glaring at them intensely. Sorry.

Dinner was with people I hadn't eaten with at lunch: Schnas, Oji, Radastor, and Diogas.

The main dish was a supreme omelet that melted in your mouth and sauerkraut-like side dishes.

The side dish was a chicken (or something) salad loaded with chicken (or something). The meat was steamed to perfection, and the dressing with colorful, shiny chopped vegetables was beautiful. ...But the meat made up 80% of the dish, giving it a strong punch.

And a simple vegetable soup. Simple, but it smelled delicious and whet the appetite.

It might sound simple, but the portion size was quite substantial. After all, it's a workplace full of men. The balance is definitely volume-focused.

Ah, in front of such a delicious meal, the unpleasant events from earlier are like dust.

"Delicious."

"Can you eat without being picky? That's what it means to be part of the cooking team."

The omelets were even better than I imagined. Soft, creamy, and juicy. Unbearable.

The sauerkraut was a bit too sour for a child's taste, but not unbearable. It's refreshing after the rich, cheesy omelet. It also balances the acidity when eaten with the chicken salad.

But for a child's taste, the sourness might be tolerable, but spicy food might be too much.

The dinner group was quiet, but we finished the meal in a warm atmosphere.

After the meal and work teams switched, I worked with Schnas.

Cleaning and tidying up the finished cooking stations. The pomul boxes I had placed under the sink with Alf in the morning were a big help.

Diogas took over serving the food from Alf, and Radastor did the dishes. ...The dishwashing was amazing. It was like a magic show with water and wind magic, making the dishes and utensils fly around. It was worth watching.

Vincent and Bax came in for their meal and greeted us, so I waved back.

"Deputy leader, I'm done with this station."

"...Good job."

"Next, this one?"

"Right."

After getting confirmation, I moved to the next station. Since the cooking stations were used properly, there was no extra work in cleaning up.

While cleaning, I also checked the storage locations of utensils and small items, and the locations of seasonings. This is something I can only do calmly during this quiet time when there's almost no work.

I also didn't miss the opportunity to observe Oji making omelets. I will definitely make a fluffy, creamy omelet myself one day!

For that, the materials and their approximate quantities are the basics. The taste is learned by eating. The rest is the cooking technique and the sense of application. That can only be honed by myself. And I need tools my size.

I'm checking various things, but I'm also doing the cleaning properly.

"Old man, you're getting a lot of hot gazes."

"...Hmph."

"Grandpa's omelets are delicious. I want to learn to make them too."

Schnas was teasing me, but I don't care as long as he doesn't interfere.

Oji is a veteran. There's no waste or gaps in his work.

It looks simple, but there's a lot of fine-tuning. Every movement, the balance of ingredients and seasonings, the heat, the plating, everything is a lesson just by watching.

"...Skills aren't taught, they're stolen. Take what you want."

"Okay!"

"You're a good kid for being greedy."

Of course. I won't miss such an opportunity! Oji even gave me permission.

...I want a notebook to write down all the things I learn.

When the cleaning was almost done, the meal team came back.

"How far is the cleaning?"

"The stations are almost done. The prep for tomorrow is going smoothly, and we just need to set out what we'll use tomorrow."

"......What?"

When Schnas answered Dilnan's question, the meal team was all ears. I'll put away the pomul boxes we won't use anymore.

"The kid did a great job with the station cleaning. She remembers the storage locations after one teaching, and checks if she doesn't know. She also replenished the missing items while cleaning. That helped with other tasks."

"Deputy leader, I'm done."

I approached Schnas for confirmation and tugged on his apron.

"...That's what he says. Check it, captain."

Schnas handed the cleaning check to Dilnan, who picked me up. For some reason, everyone else joined in the check, making me nervous.

"How is it?"

"Good. It's clean, and the cleaning and replenishment are done properly."

"Right. And while cleaning, she was giving the old man hot gazes, trying to learn how to make omelets."

"How far beyond my expectations. ...Why are you holding Yurichan?"

"Her feet were getting in the way, and I almost kicked her."

Kicked!? That's scary!!

"Deputy leader, why are you scaring Yurichan?"

"Ordim, you're taking advantage of the chaos!"

I ended up in Ordim's arms and got my head patted.

"Ordim-san"

"Hehe, what is it, Yurichan?"

Ordim is very soothing. I couldn't help but smile with him.

"Yurichan, come to my arms!"

"What are you saying? It's obviously mine!"

"Idiot! It's mine!!"

"Ahaha, why do the Three Idiots have to hold Yurichan?"

"Yaaah!"

It seems the Three Idiots brothers also tried to join, but Ordim repelled them with a bright smile. "Yaaah!" is so outdated.

"Then, by force!!"

Just as I thought, they charged!? They don't give up!!?

"Let's see you try."

As I clung to Ordim, Dilnan, Schnas, and Alf's voices rang out, and a loud