Chapter 5

Gurgling…

…Huh? Weren’t I supposed to be dead, sandwiched between those dinosaur-like creatures?

This is quite a magnificent growl from my stomach. I can definitely feel the hunger.

Also, this smell. It’s similar to Fon Blanc (beef bone soup). It’s an incredibly rich scent of soup.

Gurgling…

No good. Stimulated by the memory of food, my stomach is growling even more.

“Kukuk. Kid, wake up. Your stomach is demanding food.”

“Food…”

I reacted without hesitation to the word “food” that reached my ears.

Huh? A low, deep voice…

“You’ve got some serious hunger pangs for such a small body. They were growling the whole time I was preparing the food.”

A man, who laughed skillfully in the back of his throat, was serving something from a pot into a wooden bowl at a makeshift kitchen. He had short-cropped blonde hair, green slanted eyes, and a Caucasian appearance. He looked to be around 30 years old, but it’s hard to tell the age of foreigners, and his scruffy beard made it even more difficult. But he’s a wild type of handsome guy.

Still, why is this guy wearing a chef’s uniform? In the outdoors, why a chef’s uniform??

It’s an important point, so I said it twice.

“…Who are you, mister?”

“Don’t call me ‘mister.’ Call me ‘sir.’ I won’t give you food otherwise.”

“Sir…”

When I asked childishly, I was rudely taken for granted. I quickly corrected myself. It’s even more frustrating that I can’t speak clearly. Damn.

“Kids are at their best when they’re honest. Be careful, it’s hot.”

The wooden bowl, offered with a satisfied smile, contained grains cooked in a white soup, neither rice nor barley. It looked like a Western-style porridge.

The small wooden spoon was the size of a teaspoon. Was it because I was a child, or did he only have one spoon?

Well, such things didn’t matter in the face of hunger.

I scooped up the steaming hot food with the spoon, blew on it, and then put it in my mouth.

The rich broth, the gentle saltiness, and the subtle accent of pepper.

The moment my tongue recognized the flavors, my world focused solely on the food.

How hungry was this small body, to savor such a well-prepared warm meal?

It wasn’t a special treat, just a simple dish that could be easily made with time and effort.

Yet, my body was rejoicing.

My heart was filled with warmth.

I wanted to eat more, but I couldn’t eat properly due to the sobs that naturally welled up.

As I sobbed and sniffled, a towel was pressed against my face. After being roughly wiped, the towel was pinpointed to my nose, and I blew it hard.

Feeling a bit better, I started eating again, and a large, firm hand patted my head.

I have to thank him properly after I finish eating.

I’ve almost finished.

Phew, being full makes you so happy.

Simple food tests one’s skills.

Because it’s simple, a decent taste can get boring easily.

This sir’s food had a perfect balance of flavors.

Even when my hunger was somewhat satisfied, I didn’t get bored and ate too much.

“Want more?”

After finishing the last grain and the last drop of soup, I was asked. I shook my head vigorously without thinking.

“No, I’m good. Thank you for the meal.”

“Don’t be so polite, kid.”

Sir frowned deeply, looking very displeased. His handsome face, upon closer inspection, was quite intimidating.

“I’m full. I can’t eat anymore.”

Well, the chief at my (former) workplace, a pot-bellied gorilla, was scarier. I won’t be intimidated.

Instead, I patted my (cute) belly.

I just realized, but since I’m in a child’s body… I can’t drink alcohol, can I? That’s too much. I sigh.

Wait, no. Ignoring the person in front of me is not good.

“…You’ve got a good belly.”

“My belly is full. Thanks, sir.”

I was oddly praised for my belly. I smiled and thanked him, but I’m not sure if he’s happy about it.

“Now that you’ve eaten and calmed down, let’s introduce ourselves.”

I looked up as he spoke, finishing the leftover porridge in the pot with a ladle in a moment.

When talking, it’s important to look at the person’s face. Sir is tall, so I have to look up.

“I’m Dillnan. I’m the captain of the cooking team at the Northern Demon King’s Castle. I’m 325 years old. I came here to hunt meat.”

Northern Demon King’s Castle? Is there a Demon King? So, this is the demon world in RPG terms…?

Cooking team?? Why a team? It sounds like a self-defense force.

325 years old??? That’s beyond old.

Hunting meat???? Real-life monsters.

There are so many things I don’t understand. Where should I start?

My neck is tired, so I tilt my head, implying “I don’t understand.”

“You helped me have a good hunt.

The monster you were about to be eaten by… it’s called a Rezail. It’s a rare species found only here and is very delicious.

The food I just made was from Rezail bones and barley.”

Oh, so those dinosaur-like creatures are called Rezails.

…What, you hunted them?

But it was indeed delicious.

“So, who are you?”

…What should I say?

“Well, my name is… probably Yuri.”

“‘Probably’? What does that mean?”

Yeah, I know.

I don’t know either.

Ah, is it okay to use “I” as a first-person pronoun? Since I’m a child, maybe a more ambiguous pronoun would be better.

“This is written on my arm. ‘Yuri’.”

“…How old are you?”

“…I don’t know. When I realized, I was here, very hungry, and chased in the dark.”

The memories I have are mine, not this child’s.

Ah, I can only say so much. It makes me sound suspicious.

I hang my head. My neck is at its limit.

“I understand. You don’t have to force yourself to remember. It’s getting dark, so you should sleep.”

“But, what if something scary comes again?”

Oh, not pressing the issue, Sir, now Dillnan, is kind to children!

But after the Rezail experience yesterday, I can’t sleep easily.

I’m very sleepy because I’m full, but I’m a child.

“I’m here, right? I can handle any monster that comes.”

“Sir, aren’t you going to sleep?”

“I’m not a kid. I can stay awake for about five days without any problem.”

Wow, 325 years old. High specs indeed.

“You must be sleepy. If you’re scared, sleep here.”

I was easily lifted and placed on Dillnan’s thighs. He was sitting cross-legged, and I was wrapped in a blanket. Captain, this is very warm and reassuring.

This broad chest… he’s got good muscles. A lean, muscular build. I can tell. I prefer a gentle man, and the lack of sweat smell is a big plus.

Fwooh, when my back was gently patted, I felt even sleepier.

No good, goodnight.

The smell of roasting meat fills the air.

They say rare is the best way to enjoy the flavor of meat, but I prefer medium. Well-done can make the meat tough.

Ah, a steak set for 2980 yen.

Gurgle

“Your stomach is in great shape today, Yuri. Breakfast is ready, so wake up and get ready.”

“Food!”

I jumped up at the magical words, and Dillnan was smiling. The blanket was removed, and I was given a towel.

“Don’t go too far.”

“Okay.”

I obediently did my business as far away as possible, washed my face in the lake, and combed my hair with my hands.

The lake is always rippling, so it doesn’t reflect like a mirror. Well, that’s about it.

When I returned and handed back the towel, my head was patted, and a skewer of meat, roasted on a stick, was given to me.

“Sir, this meat…”

“Oh, it’s Rezail.”

The Rezail, which chased me and caused me so much trouble, was seasoned perfectly with salt and pepper, as soft and juicy as a high-grade wagyu beef tenderloin, specifically the chateaubriand. It was delicious. Indeed.