Chapter 50

"An-chan, I haven't finished making the armor yet. Can you stop using someone else's kitchen?"

"Why not? I already got permission."

"Well, if you ask to borrow the kitchen and even pay for it, I can't just turn you down."

After parting ways with the young soldier, we bought a lot of ingredients at the market. We then went to a weaponsmith, an acquaintance, and started cooking by occupying his kitchen.

Don't you understand my sincerity in wanting to feed the weaponsmith who provides us with cheap weapons and armor?

"Food! Food!"

Since a while ago, Filo has been eating the grilled meat and skewers I've been making.

"The smell is incredible! Everyone who comes in is drawn by the smell, either peeking in or going to buy food at the market, it's been a real hassle."

Raphatalia, who was making my armor at the counter, brought the finished dishes to the old man serving customers.

"Moreover, the fools who steal the food that the girl brings are causing a commotion, saying, 'Where did you get such a taste!'"

"Just kick out the ones who steal the food."

"The ones who steal the food are generous and buy weapons. Sales this month are about to surpass the record, except for An-chan's shopping."

"That's great. Thanks to me."

"Yeah, sure! This is a weaponsmith, not a restaurant!"

"But, another barbecue would be boring. I'm trying to make a pot dish..."

The weaponsmith also runs a hardware store and has a pretty large pot. So, I borrowed it and am now making a dish similar to curry unique to this world.

"..."

A neighbor lady and a few adventurers peeked in through the ventilation window. I slammed it shut. The smell then drifted even more towards the weaponsmith's counter.

"An-chan!"

The old man's voice grew louder. Really...

In the end, I was kicked out by the old man when the pot was finished, and the homemade meal for Filo came to an end. Filo still looked unsatisfied, and the pot was only half empty. Later, the weaponsmith's reputation as a place that occasionally serves incredibly delicious food spread because he served the leftovers to his guests.

"Filo, I wanted to eat more of Master's food."

I gave Filo some skewers I bought at the store and wandered around town, looking for suitable ingredients.

"Well, we can just make something by the river."

"More meat?"

"Yeah, you'd get tired of it, right?"

"Master's cooking never gets old."

"Sure, sure."

While giving a half-hearted response to Filo's answer, I had her carry the iron plate I borrowed from the weaponsmith and we moved on. We ended up having a barbecue at the familiar riverside. I bought the necessary ingredients and started the barbecue. Worried that the meat would run out, Filo ran into the forest and caught a few Usapils. We had a barbecue until Filo was satisfied, then thought about what to do next.

"This is the first time we've had such a leisurely time."

"You're right, it is."

In the midst of the harsh days in this other world, the sky looked blue and very peaceful. It was hard to believe that the next wave of calamity was just a few days away. I suddenly noticed Raphatalia playing with the ball I had given her long ago.

"That... is the one I bought you before, right?"

When I pointed it out, Raphatalia smiled.

"You remembered?"

She still had it, even though I thought it had disappeared a long time ago.

"It's the first thing you gave me, Naofumi-sama."

"Anyone would buy it if you looked like you wanted it."

"I don't think so."

"Huh?"

Filo, who was still pecking at the leftover barbecue, turned to us.

"What's wrong, big sister?"

"We were talking about before you were born."

"Hmm..."

I looked at the bouncing ball. It was worn out and tattered. Raphatalia must have been playing with it when I wasn't around.

"Should I buy you a new one?"

It's not that expensive. If playing with a ball is her hobby, I could buy it for her as a way to relax.

"No, no, this is a memento, so I don't need a replacement."

"That's not what I meant..."

If it's important to her, it would be a problem if it broke... but if she's okay with it, I won't force her.

"Can I play with you?"

"Ah!?"

Raphatalia looked surprised.

"What's wrong?"

"Well... I didn't think Naofumi-sama would play ball."

"What do you think of me... I guess I can't blame you. But, on a day like this, we can play a little."

The only ball game we could play together was volleyball... well, just a simple game of keeping the ball in the air. I bounced the ball back to Raphatalia, which was surprisingly difficult. I haven't played beach volleyball much, so it didn't go as planned.

"Master and Raphatalia are playing! Let me join!"

After a while of tossing the ball back and forth, Filo, who had finished eating, transformed and started making a fuss.

"You can join, but don't break the ball. And don't use too much force."

"Okay!"

"Hehehe."

Raphatalia tossed the ball happily. Despite her large appearance, she was still a child at heart.

"After we overcome the next wave, I want to go to another country for a class upgrade."

"Sure, I'll follow you wherever you go."

"Filo too!"

The ball flew from me to Raphatalia to Filo and back to me.

"Ah."

I accidentally threw the ball behind Raphatalia. It would hit the ground before she could turn around.

"Hey!"

"What!"

She deftly bounced the ball with her tail and sent it to Filo.

"Wow... Filo too..."

Filo also bounced the ball with the wings on her back. You guys... don't use parts that normal humans don't have.

"Naofumi-sama."

What's this? It's turning into a weird game with specific rules. Oh well.

"Air Shield!"

I used the shield that appeared in the air to bounce the ball.

"Hey, that's cheating!"

"It's not cheating!"

Really... this is completely a child's game. Due to the cooldown, I ended up losing. After that, we played regular volleyball.

"What should we do next?"

To become stronger, Raphatalia and the others need to level up. When the next wave comes, we'll be summoned anyway. During that time, we can earn money and level up in the country we go to.

"We still have some time. Raphatalia, Filo, is there any accessory you want?"

"An accessory?"

"Yeah, I can probably make something like that for you."

This was something I had decided on a while ago as a reward for Raphatalia and Filo's hard work.

"Raphatalia, you're at the age where you might want something like that, right?"

"Um, yes..."

"Filo too!"

"I know. That's why I'm asking what you want."

Raphatalia looked a bit taken aback. Is it that unusual?

"Well, Filo wants a hairpin."

A hairpin for Filo... I thought she might want a bridle or a saddle, so this was unexpected.

"A hairpin? Why?"

"It doesn't get stuck in my fur when I transform."

She's still worried about that. I guess it makes sense to put it on her head. Given her human form's age, it's a reasonable request.

"What about Raphatalia?"

"Me? Well..."

After thinking for a moment, Raphatalia looked at me and answered.

"I want a bracelet. The important thing is the effect it has. It's meaningless if it doesn't have the right effect."

"Huh?"

"I want something that can boost my abilities, Naofumi-sama."

What? Raphatalia's answer was completely unexpected and I couldn't keep up. I thought she might want a ring, earrings, or a necklace. A bracelet, and one that focuses on effects... Did I raise her to be too focused on strength?

"O-Okay. I'll take care of it."

"Filo too!"

"Sure, sure."

That day, we played leisurely in the grass until sunset and returned to the inn early to prepare for the wave.