Chapter 9

I took out several kinds of vegetables from the cooling box and started cutting them into pieces about the size of a bite.

This size is easy to eat and will melt just right as it cooks—so I think.

My cooking is entirely self-taught.

Of course, there are probably better ways to cook, but I always try to do my best with what I can manage now.

In the future, I plan to learn proper cooking to improve both the taste and efficiency.

I will use the meat from the dragon that Lei hunted.

I started frying the vegetables in the pan, starting with those that take longer to cook. Once they were mostly cooked, I added the meat and continued frying until the color changed.

This magical stove is indeed quite convenient. I don't feel any stress at all while cooking.

"Is this pot size okay?"

One of the good things about this mansion is that not only the equipment but also the cooking utensils are well-equipped.

If everything Lei bought and selected herself, I could wholeheartedly be grateful, but since she left it to others, my feelings are a bit mixed.

Of course, I am grateful.

I placed the pot on the stove and put the stir-fried vegetables and meat inside.

Then I added water and turned on the heat.

Lei, despite her appearance, eats a lot.

I am aware that I am making quite a lot, but I think it will probably be gone by tomorrow night.

Thinking about the future, I am really glad I got used to cooking for a large number of people.

While skimming off the scum that floated to the surface of the ingredients, I started preparing the rice.

All I had to do was wash the rice, put it in a pot with a lid, add the right amount of water, and turn on the heat.

If you get the amount of water wrong, it can be too hard or too soft, and if you get the heat wrong, it can burn or remain uncooked.

These are the difficulties of cooking rice, but after nearly five years of practice, I have gotten used to it.

"Oh, right. I forgot to ask, how spicy do you want it? I can make it sweet if you prefer..."

"Hmm, a bit sweet would be nice."

"Got it."

I took out the spices I bought for the curry and started adding them to the pot, adjusting as I went.

The amount is quite difficult to adjust, but I have gotten used to it.

To add sweetness, I mixed in grated apple and honey.

This should significantly reduce the spicy impression.

"It smells good."

"Almost done. I have nothing to do for a while, so I'll clean the bedroom while I wait."

"Hmm, is the stove okay?"

"Yeah. It's the latest magical stove, and it keeps the heat constant. It's on low now, so there's little risk of burning."

"Wow, that's efficient."

Because I was always short on time, I had learned to work on other things while cooking.

Of course, I made mistakes, and each time, I was hit by Bram many times.

According to what I heard, parallel tasks are a basic skill for mothers with children.

Mothers are truly formidable.

"I want to help with the cleaning. I want to do something too."

"Since you've helped me before, it's a bit hard to ask... but is it okay?"

"Hmm. I don't like cleaning. It's difficult. But it was fun with Theo. So I want to do it a bit more."

"...If you say so, I'll be grateful."

Because I am being paid, I have a complex feeling about asking for help.

But it's also difficult to reject the employer's request.

In the end, I indulged Lei's feelings and let her help with the cleaning.

♦

"---Alright, it's done."

I tasted a bit of the finished curry and clenched my fist in satisfaction, confirming that it turned out as I imagined.

I also checked the rice and saw that it was cooked perfectly.

"I want to eat a lot."

"I know. I'll give you a big serving."

I put half the rice on a plate and poured the curry over the other half.

The ideal ratio and color.

For some reason, cooking today was more enjoyable than usual.

Maybe it was because I made it for Lei.

"Let's eat, right away."

"Take it easy. The curry isn't going to run away."

I carried the plates for Lei and myself to the dining table.

I placed a side salad next to them, and it was finally complete.

"Go ahead, try it."

"Okay! Itadakimasu."

Lei clasped her hands and used a spoon to scoop up the curry and put it in her mouth.

It was a surprisingly large mouthful for someone with such a quiet demeanor.

After chewing for a while, she turned to me with the brightest look I've ever seen.

"It's delicious!"

"...Really? I'm relieved."

"It's the best I've ever had."

As she said this, Lei kept putting the large serving of curry into her mouth.

When was the last time someone told me my cooking was delicious?

My heart felt a bit lighter.

As soon as I felt relieved, I realized how hungry I was.

Naturally, my hand moved, and I started eating the curry.

"...It's really good."

Lei wasn't wrong.

Indeed, it's the best curry I've ever had.

The aroma of the spices stimulates the appetite, and the spiciness is perfectly balanced by the apple and honey.

Even a child who doesn't like spicy food could eat this.

The vegetables are slightly melted, but their flavor is mixed into the sauce, enhancing the overall dish.

And this dragon meat---

It was a great addition to the curry.

The reason it turned out so well is probably because of this.

When I pressed the spoon into it, it split easily, almost as if it were falling apart.

When I put it in my mouth, the fat slowly melted.

It's a refined taste.

Even though it's fatty, it's not greasy, and the meat's flavor stimulates the tongue.

"I'll go hunt another dragon."

"You're probably one of the few who hunts dragons just to eat them."

"It's delicious, so I can't help it. I'll definitely eat it again."

"True, I want dragon meat too, but we still have a lot left from one dragon. Let's finish that first. Otherwise, we won't be able to eat it all."

"Hmm, right. I'll let you know when it's about to run out. I'll hunt another one right away."

It's as if she treats dragons like herbivores.

The way she says she will hunt them as if it's a matter of course has numbed my senses a bit.

At least 30 million G in materials.

If such monsters were overhunted, the market would go into a panic.

To avoid trouble, I should probably make Lei exercise some restraint.

---We chatted about trivial things for a while.

Our conversations, future cooking requests, and a few refills later, we finished eating almost simultaneously.

"Full."

"Thank you for the meal. I'll clean up the dishes."

"Thanks."

I took the curry and salad plates from Lei, who was rubbing her stomach, and combined them with mine, taking them to the sink.

By touching the magic array carved into the part called the faucet, water would come out.

While washing the dishes with detergent, I thought about how to spend the time until bedtime.

(Still, I should take a bath first.)

The bedroom—Lei's room—was almost cleaned during the curry's cooking time.

This way, Lei can go to bed whenever she wants.

Next, I want her to take a bath to wash off the sweat.

Even an S-rank adventurer must be tired.

Since I can't help with the work, I should make sure she is always in the best condition.

"Teo."

Just as I was rethinking my plan, Lei suddenly peeked into the kitchen and called out to me.

"What is it?"

"I have a request."

"I'll listen if it's something I can do..."

When I answered, Lei's eyes sparkled with joy.

"I'm glad. Then---let's sleep together tonight."

...Huh?