Chapter 24

"Then, to the healthy development of the Kingdom of Kyrat and for your future happiness, cheers!"

I was entrusted with the opening speech for the BBQ appreciation party, even before Prince Alan and Jin. I gave a very Japanese, ceremonial speech. Lord Kyrat was so moved that he cried, but I wonder what there was to cry about.

The red-flame cattle sizzled on the BBQ grill. The irresistible smell of the garlic herbs and the fat burning violently was making my appetite grow. I could almost eat just this.

By the way, rice!! I found it!! The appraisal magic said, 'There's something good if you go this way,' so I wandered around the town of Kyrat! In an ordinary vacant lot, rice stalks were hanging down from the soil, not a paddy field. When I first saw it, I couldn't help but collapse to my knees. I prostrated myself!

It turned out that the seeds of the weed 'Zaros,' which everyone treats as a nuisance and which grows back in three days no matter how many times you pull it, were actually polished rice. They were already polished!

"Ah, Zaros, huh. It grows back in three days no matter how many times you pull it. The seeds are white and you can eat them, but they're hard as a rock even when cooked, and they turn to mush when boiled, making them unpalatable. No one would eat them unless it was a dire famine. Lady Shina, please be careful not to drop the seeds; they grow back quickly."

This is what Barry said to me, looking quite displeased, as I stuffed the Zaros (rice) into my storage magic and hurried home. How disrespectful! How disrespectful to the rice! Not knowing the glory of rice... Ignorance is truly terrifying.

Angry, I washed the Zaros, let it absorb water, and started cooking it in an earthen pot. In my previous life, I lived alone and didn't have a rice cooker, so I used an earthen pot. That experience came in handy! I'm glad!

Even the head chef of the Kyrat family, who suddenly started calling himself my disciple, made a face when he saw the Zaros (rice) I brought in, but he let me do as I pleased. Probably because of my track record of making delicious dishes.

Soon, the wonderful smell of cooking rice filled the air... Hahaha! Rice, rice!

When I opened the lid after letting it steam properly, there were dazzling white jewels!! It had been months since I realized my past life, and this was the first time I had rice!! Thank you!

I piled the Zaros (rice) into a deep plate and pondered who to serve it with. This was the first time in this life, so I had to be careful with the accompaniments. However, there were no representatives of the accompaniment world like pickled plums, nori, natto, or furikake in this world.

After much thought, I chose the braised pork I had made in large quantities before. It wasn't an accompaniment, it was the main dish.

I prepared a mountain of rice and the braised pork and started eating!

First, just the rice. The moment it entered my mouth, the aroma and subtle sweetness of the rice... I'm glad I was born Japanese! So delicious! Tears are welling up from the first taste of rice in a long time.

Seeing me eat the Zaros, the head chef and the other cooks started to buzz. I'm aware that my face is full of happiness.

I savored the rice without a care and then, luxury! I made a braised pork bowl.

I don't know if a bowl is acceptable in this world's etiquette, but I can't give up on a bowl.

The moment it entered my mouth, the harmony of the rice and the braised pork! Bread just doesn't cut it, braised pork needs rice!

Next to me, Kiri watched the braised pork bowl with a tense expression. The only one in the room brave enough to taste it.

Even Kiri, who has absolute trust in me, hesitated to eat the Zaros (rice). Probably because of the bad reputation it has. I told him he doesn't have to force himself.

Kiri took a bite decisively. He chewed the Zaros (rice) with a "Huh?" look on his face. Well, just the Zaros (rice) is bland, but it doesn't seem to taste bad. He continued to chew.

The moment he ate it with the braised pork, Kiri's face melted.

He was eating it at a ratio of about 1:2, braised pork to Zaros (rice). Did he find the golden ratio in his mouth?

Then, seeing the small plate empty, he looked sad for a moment and glanced at me.

"Kiri, do you want a second helping? Just the braised pork?"

"Zaros (rice) too!!"

His face lit up, and he held out his plate. But realizing the plate was too small, he ran to the cupboard and brought back a larger one. Kiri, that's a party platter, isn't it? I can't make such a large braised pork bowl?

"Shina-sama! I want to taste it too!"

The head chef was also holding a plate and lining up. I don't mind, but...

Seeing all the cooks lined up behind the head chef, I felt a bit sad. My rice...

"This is Zaros (rice)?! It goes well with this sweet sauce!"

"Even the Zaros (rice) alone is delicious! The subtle sweetness is gentle..."

"Zaros (rice), which was thought to be tasteless and had no use due to its high nutritional value, can be this delicious..."

"It goes well with soy sauce..."

Amid the excitement of the cooks, the head chef put just the Zaros (rice) in his mouth and chewed slowly. He closed his eyes and savored it quietly.

"The subtle sweetness and soft texture. The taste is simple but not boring. This mild umami enhances other dishes..."

Is this a food review? He sounds like a critic.

"Shina-sama, you cooked the Zaros (rice) in an earthen pot, but why didn't it turn to mush?"

"True, Zaros (rice) turns to mush with too much water, but it becomes like this with the right amount of water and heat. Mashed Zaros (rice) is gentle on the body after an illness and can be very delicious with the right seasoning."

There are many types of congee, and I love ochazuke. I don't mind bread porridge, but as a Japanese person, you get better with congee, ochazuke, and udon when you're sick.

"Shina-sama, please teach me how to cook Zaros (rice) again."

"Sure, but say 'cook' instead of 'boil.'"

This is non-negotiable, yeah. There are a lot of non-negotiable things when it comes to Zaros (rice).

From there, it turned into a Zaros (rice) cooking class. The head chef, as expected, quickly mastered how to cook Zaros (rice). He's a pro.

Then, the head chef ran to Prince Alan and the others with a braised pork bowl to report and successfully got permission to serve Zaros (rice) at the BBQ appreciation party. That was quick.

By the way, as punishment for insulting Zaros (rice), I made Barry taste the braised pork bowl in a small dish like a soy sauce dish. He cried, but I don't care.