Chapter 6

"Ugh, what's this? It's so delicious!"

Jin exclaimed as soon as he took a bite. He was shoveling the food into his mouth at an incredible speed.

"Shina, what is this dish?"

When Barry asked, I answered normally.

"It's just a soup. It contains monster meat, though. The rest is just regular smoked meat."

It's dinner time. To thank everyone for the comfortable ride in the carriage, I volunteered to cook dinner. Jin told me I didn't have to worry about the kids, but since I'm of legal age, I felt it would be embarrassing to just ride along without contributing.

Today's menu is a regular vegetable and monster meat soup. I used herbs to eliminate the gamey smell and secretly used magic to pressure-cook the meat, making it soft and tender. The vegetables are well-seasoned without falling apart. Yes, I did a good job today.

I also served some smoked beef. The meat, smoked with strongly scented wood chips, has a great flavor. It makes you want to drink alcohol. When I made it for the first time in the Glass Forest, Kiru groaned, wishing he had some alcohol. Boiled eggs smoked are also delicious. If I can get some eggs, I'll definitely try making them.

Judging from everyone's expressions, they seemed very satisfied, which is great.

"Jin-sama, Shina said that seconds are limited to one per person."

"Oh, I'm still on my first serving."

"Don't lie. I saw you take seconds just now. Here, give up and chew on some dried meat."

"Grr. Compared to this, dried meat is like a stone on the roadside!"

Jin hugged the plate of smoked meat and shouted.

"I agree with your opinion, but it will run out for others. Eat the stone."

Barry mercilessly took back the plate of smoked meat. Jin, please don't look at Barry with such a resentful gaze.

"Jin, you can eat my share if you want."

Actually, I'm full, but Kiru always piles my plate high, encouraging me to eat more. Since I'm small, he wants me to eat more, but I can never finish it all.

When I offered my plate, Jin's eyes widened, and he shook his head.

"No, no, Shina. You won't grow if you don't eat more! Don't worry, I'm eating stones."

Dried meat is not a stone. It was our main food until lunch today, so it's disrespectful to call it that.

"I can't eat any more. I've had enough."

"Shina-sama, please eat a little more."

Kiru checked the plate and immediately chimed in. Hmm. Today's portion didn't meet Kiru's standards.

"I can't eat any more. I ate some fruit that the old man gave me earlier."

It was the first fruit I'd had in a while, so I ended up eating too much. The old man looked embarrassed. Don't worry, Grandpa. It's not a mistake to give your grandchild too many snacks. I'm an adult, so it's my responsibility.

"You ate fruit. I see. In that case, there's nothing I can do."

Kiru smiled and gave his approval. Yes, fruit is nutritious. In fact, it's better to eat it actively to make up for the lack of it in the past. It's rich in vitamins.

"Hey, Jin. You can eat it if you want. Oh, do you not like my leftovers?"

I remember I had already taken a bite. In this world, there must be people who don't like that.

"No, I don't mind at all. Is it okay? Then, thank you very much!"

"This kind of thing always leads to a fight."

"I want to eat it too."

"Me too!"

Barry snatched the plate from the side, and the other adventurers gathered around. Kiru also joined in.

Oh. Was the amount not enough? I made a whole pot. That's strange. Maybe I need to make more tomorrow. Two pots? No, they probably can't finish that much... but those guys might. They're even drawing their swords over my leftovers.

The fight ended with Kiru's overwhelming victory, and my leftovers were safely in Kiru's stomach.

◇◇◇

"Shina, Shina, what's this?"

As I was burning incense in a simple incense burner to repel monsters, Jin came running over.

"Huh? Are you going to sleep? It's monster-repelling incense."

"Monster-repelling incense? It smells so good..."

"Yes, it's for sleeping. I mixed in herbs that help you sleep better."

"Herbs that help you sleep? Is there more than one type?"

"During travel, it's bad to be sleepy, so I mixed in herbs that enhance concentration. For meals, I use a milder scent. You want to enjoy the smell of the food. The monster-repelling effect is the same, though."

"I've never heard of monster-repelling incense having different types. Where can I buy it?"

"I made it."

"Shina made it?"

"Yes. I know a bit about herbs. It has a proper monster-repelling effect."

Jin's eyes widened in surprise at my explanation.

"I see. Today's meal was great, and Shina, you're small but amazing. But don't tell others that easily. If it's true, such effective incense would be very expensive. If the wrong people notice, you might be kidnapped."

Jin warned me with a slightly scary face. Since he's warning me, he's probably not one of the bad guys. But I was scolded.

"Yes, I'm sorry."

I felt a bit down and apologized to Jin, who panicked.

"No, no, I'm not angry. It's an amazing invention, so you should be proud, Shina. But you're too defenseless, and that worries me."

Jin squatted down, holding his head. Are you okay, Jin?

When I watched him, he seemed to calm down and stood up straight.

"Ah, I can't take my eyes off you. Ah, what to do."

Jin took off his jacket, wrapped me in it, and picked me up.

"Whoa!"

Wow, the view is so high! Tall people see the world like this.

"Kiru! Kiru!"

He carried me to where Kiru was. Kiru looked surprised as he compared Jin and me.

"Kiru, you need to keep a close eye on this girl. She's so cute and exceptional in many ways, but she's too defenseless. She might be taken away by bad people."

Jin held me tightly and looked like he was about to cry. Even with his beard, I could tell his eyes were watery.

But that's rude. I'm a grown adult. Combined with my previous life, I'm over 40. I'm an adult!

I struggled, but Jin didn't budge. I can't win in a pure strength contest. Damn.

"I will protect her with my life."

Kiru extended his hand to Jin, meaning he wanted to take me. Am I going to be carried by Kiru too? I'm an adult.

"That won't work. If Kiru dies, who will protect her? Instead of Kiru risking his life, we need more people to protect her."

Kiru stiffened at Jin's words. Oh, that's right. Kiru, I don't want you to die for me. I need you to live with me. Without Kiru, I'm confident I'd collapse immediately. I'd be lonely.

But, Jin, you have a misunderstanding. Kiru is not my guardian. He's my servant. So,

"Jin, put me down."

I told Jin coldly. He was surprised, looked at my face, and quickly put me down.

"Jin, thank you for your concern. I understand that I was defenseless and didn't think things through."

But, I continued,

"It's not Kiru's fault. This boy is my important servant. I am responsible. He has been doing his best to protect me during the journey."

Yes, it's not Kiru's fault. He followed me without considering the danger when I was about to be exiled to the Glass Forest alone, naive and trusting. Without any allies, Kiru has been both my guard and my maid. What more can he do?

It's my job as the master to reduce Kiru's burden and think of ways to protect both of us.

"So, it's wrong to blame Kiru."

I looked straight at Jin. I appreciate his concern, but I don't want him to be mistaken. My boy is not at fault, absolutely not.

Jin froze at my words. He didn't move at all. Is he still breathing?

Suddenly, a laugh echoed. Barry had been listening and was laughing so hard he was almost dying.

"Barry? Jin isn't moving."

"Ha ha ha, sorry, I'm fine. Shina, who I thought needed protection, just gave a perfect lecture. I guess Jin can't keep up. Ah, it's so funny. I've never seen Jin so flustered."

Barry's mouth is pretty bad too. I think his relationship with Jin is more of a master-servant dynamic, but it feels more like he's taking care of him. It must be tough, Barry.

I patted the depressed Kiru's head. My boy is not at fault. Absolutely not.