Chapter 68

"Boiled in a pot?"

"Yes, boiled in a pot. Just like crabs, it turns red when boiled."

"I don't know if it's right to classify a centipede crab as a regular crab, but if you say so, it must be a crab."

As I desperately wanted to eat the Yuguroshu centipede crab, Aristide-sama made a face that was hard to read. The centipede crab is a crustacean with a long body. It has claws like a crab and, as its name suggests, many legs. I don't know if it has a hundred legs, as I've never counted them. The sketch left by my mother was roughly crab-like.

"I only took one leg and one claw."

When I said this, Gareo, who was listening, looked shocked.

"Madam, you ate all the legs and claws of that thing? By yourself?"

"Ah, yes. It was so delicious that I begged for seconds. But since it wasn't a very large monster, I couldn't get any more."

I spread my hands wide to show how long it was. Gareo looked relieved, and Aristide-sama said, "I see," as if he understood.

"That's a baby crab, Melfi."

"Really, a baby crab?"

"Yes. When a centipede crab grows up, it can be as long as ten Gareos. So, it's uncertain whether we can boil it in a pot, but if we dig a hole in the ground, we can steam it. Or we could boil the baby crab in a pot."

"Ten Gareos..."

I stared at Gareo. Gareo is taller than Aristide-sama, about two furlongs tall. That means the full length of the Yuguroshu centipede crab is twenty furlongs.

"The one I ate was a baby crab."

I was surprised that what I thought was a large crab was actually a baby crab, but since it's a monster, I guess that can happen. I'll have to correct the content of the encyclopedia later.

"Indeed, its legs are thicker than mine. To eat it all by yourself, you must be a big eater."

Aristide-sama pointed to his own legs. What long and beautiful legs.

(Not for eating...)

I cleared my throat to cover up my impolite gaze at Aristide-sama's legs. If the centipede crab is that big, one leg alone would be enough to fill my stomach. I'm not that big of an eater, I hope.

"By the way, the Yuguroshu centipede crab is native to the Yuguroshu Salt Lake. Where did you eat it?"

Aristide-sama's question was valid. I don't really know how my mother obtained the Yuguroshu centipede crab. But it was when my mother's family in the south had a tragedy, and I went with her to attend the funeral. I was six years old then, and it was my first time leaving the territory. The best treat I had there was the Yuguroshu centipede crab.

"Have you ever been to Cretonne, Lord Roger?"

"Yes, it's a viscount's territory southeast of Galbreath... Oh, I remember, your mother's—"

"Yes, my mother was the daughter of the former Viscount of Cretonne. I attended the funeral of my great-uncle in Cretonne with my mother. I don't remember the details, but I remember the taste of the crab my mother said was better than the rainbow crab."

"I see. You might have passed near the Yuguroshu Salt Lake on the way from Marshall Raid to Cretonne. But it's like you to remember the taste of a monster."

"Hehe, yes. It might be because it was the first and last trip I took with my mother."

"..."

The purpose of the trip was a funeral, and the scars of the great drought were still visible everywhere, so I don't have many memories of the trip itself. Other than that, the long carriage ride made my bottom hurt, and by the end, I was mostly lying down. I was too young to attend the funeral itself, so I wandered around the territory with the knights of the Cretonne family.

I looked up at Aristide-sama with hope. Aristide-sama seemed to be thinking about something and started discussing with Gareo.

"Gareo, is it possible to transport it alive in a steel wire net?"

"Alive? No, that would be difficult."

"Maybe we could try to knock it out like a beast."

"Can crabs even be live-killed? Assuming it's a crab, of course."

"I've never done it, so I have no idea. The centipede crab is so big that even I can't handle it in the water. We'd have to set up a steel wire net and drag it onto land, then catch it when it slows down."

It seems they were considering capturing it alive. I know how difficult it would be to capture a twenty-furlong monster, so I decided to intervene.

"Lord Roger, it's fine as long as it's fresh. I don't expect to participate in the hunt. Even just a leg would be fine, and I'll wait in a nearby town so as not to be a burden."

Honestly, I want to be at the hunting site, but that would be too selfish.

"Don't worry. If you stay away from the water, its attacks won't reach you."

Aristide-sama patted my shoulder.

"Leave it to me. I know you best."

Aristide-sama looked down at me with a gentle expression and winked, saying, "Besides, there's one person who can't stay silent if it's better than the rainbow crab."

After Gareo saw us off, we left the Lusse Forge and headed to the market because we were getting hungry. I missed the story about the large sword stuck in the door, so I decided to ask Captain Blanche directly next time. How did Captain Blanche propose to Gareo? Couples come in all shapes and sizes, but the Lusse couple seems very close (or rather, Gareo seems to be head over heels in love).

I sneakily glanced at Aristide-sama, who held my hand as if it were natural. Two new swords hung from Aristide-sama's waist.

(I wonder if there are really so many monsters appearing every day as he said.)

I was attacked by a berserk Bergnyon, and Chaos told me it's not a common occurrence. Even the wolves are the same. Basically, Aristide-sama hunts monsters that seem likely to cross the defense line he set up, but I've also heard from the knights that monsters have been more active recently.

We haven't established a method to effectively use the magic-infused cloudy crystal, and I don't even know if my magic circle works on the monsters in Galbreath. Even if I don't say it out loud, I'm a burden, but I think I need to see how Aristide-sama and the knights fight.

"Hey! They're already selling Pau Pau. Melfi, let's eat them later."

"Pau Pau?"

"A small, fluffy monster that flies to the area around Azaro's fort at the beginning of winter. We don't eat the actual Pau Pau, but it's a baked good that looks like Pau Pau. It's my favorite among the sweets here."

"I must try it!"

Aristide-sama pointed to a stall with a banner that read "Pau Pau available," where children and various people had gathered.

Other shops along the street were also calling out to customers with enthusiastic voices. The smell of roasting meat and sweet pastries made my stomach growl. The smell of sweet and savory sauce especially stimulated my empty stomach.

"Karamitsu-yaki? Lord Roger, what is karamitsu-yaki?"

My eyes were drawn to a shop with a sign that read "Fresh karamitsu-yaki."

"Karamitsu-yaki, or spicy honey-roasted meat. It's meat or fish marinated in a sauce made with spicy seasoning and honey, then grilled. It's perfect, let's try it?"

"Yes!"

Aristide-sama laughed and led me to the karamitsu-yaki shop. A few people were in line, and I watched the process of making the karamitsu-yaki while waiting.

First, the skewered meat is pre-cooked, then dipped in a pot of sauce according to the customer's order. When placed on the charcoal grill, the sauce sizzles, and the appetizing aroma fills the air.

"Is the meat chicken? The fish seems to be river fish, but there are different types, some filleted and some not."

"The chicken is probably the mountain bird Cheche, which is also eaten in Marshall Raid. The fish is Eper from the Calvers River, and the fillet is Lakk, a river fish with red flesh."

Aristide-sama ordered Eper, and I ordered Lakk, eagerly waiting for them to be done.

"Miss Parushia, your Lakk is ready! When's the wedding?"

"Ah, next autumn."

The stout shop owner called out to me, and I blurted out the truth.

"Still a year away? Miss, you must be very important to that handsome guy. Here, take these as a wedding gift."

The shop owner gave me two extra skewers of Cheche karamitsu-yaki, which I hadn't ordered. I looked up at Aristide-sama, unsure if I should accept, and he nodded to indicate it was fine.

"Thank you."

"Sorry, shop owner."

Aristide-sama took the karamitsu-yaki, wrapped in an oil paper bag, and tipped his hat in thanks. The shop owner looked surprised.

"Hehe, come back anytime! Every time!"

The shop owner probably realized who Aristide-sama was, but didn't make a fuss and continued serving other customers as if nothing had happened.

In Marshall Raid, my father never ate at the market like this. Even I, who had some freedom, didn't go to crowded places.

Aristide-sama seemed familiar with such places, bought some round, fluffy bread-like items and herbal tea, and led me to a stone bench in the shade.

"Is this your first time eating like this?"

Aristide-sama handed me the bag with the Lakk. When I opened it, a fragrant aroma wafted out.

"Yes. My guards were just guards, and I usually ate alone. I did eat outside occasionally, but I chose quieter places with fewer people."

"I wanted you to experience what I usually do. We can go into a shop if you prefer."

When Aristide-sama asked hesitantly, I replied with a genuine smile.

"I want to do things with Lord Roger! That's why I'm having so much fun right now."