Chapter 13

Summary of the previous chapter ------------------------------------------------------

While gathering herbs, we sensed the approach of a beast.

Toya killed it, and Haruka dissected it.

"Let's have lunch soon, shall we?"

I, who had been mindlessly plucking herbs, looked up at Haruka's words.

Looking up at the sky, the sun had already passed its zenith, visible between the trees.

"Yay! Finally, it's time to eat!"

Toya, who had been working beside me, shouted loudly and sat down on the ground.

I rubbed my stomach and took a deep breath.

Although I had been trying not to notice, I was actually quite hungry.

Even though I had stuffed myself with bread, breakfast had been very early.

"Are you that hungry? You should have said something."

Haruka said this with a slightly exasperated look, but Toya chuckled while still sitting.

"No, it's hard to complain when Haruka is working so hard. We're already relying on you so much."

"Well, you're not slacking off, so you don't have to worry about it... Anyway, let's all gather some firewood and move along the road. It's safer that way."

"Got it."

There weren't many people around to gather firewood, so it didn't take long to collect enough.

We moved to the road and started preparing the campfire, while Haruka began preparing the meat.

"Alright, I'm going to ignite the fire with my 'Ignition' spell!"

I arranged the firewood and activated 'Ignition'.

The flame, like a gas burner, ignited the twigs without a fire pit, and the thicker branches soon began to burn.

"Sure, it literally spewed fire... but is it more convenient than a lighter?"

Toya had a slightly dubious look, but couldn't I get a bit more appreciation?

The cheap fire-starting tools I saw at the general store were flint and steel, and magic items that worked like lighters were quite expensive.

With flint and steel, you need a fibrous material as a fire pit, and you have to be very careful to start a campfire.

The fact that this can be done in such a short time is quite convenient, right? I tried to explain this to Toya, but apparently, while it's convenient, it's a bit mundane as a magic spell.

Sure, flashy attack spells might look more like magic, but in real life, convenient magic that can be used in daily life seems more important.

Realistically, the period of being an adventurer and fighting is just a part of life.

Of course, magic that helps you survive that period is important too.

"Alright, everything's ready. Is the campfire okay? Then, everyone, start grilling."

Haruka handed us chunks of meat on skewers.

Each person got two pieces, about the size of a palm and about 3 cm thick.

"Grill to your liking. But make sure it's cooked through. Rare is not allowed. If the usual standards apply, it should be 75 degrees for over a minute, right?"

While skewering her own meat next to the campfire, Haruka gave us a warning.

"By the way, what are the standards here?"

"Make sure it's well-cooked. There's no scientific basis, but it's the same."

Without a thermometer and no experience with campfire cooking, maybe we should grill it a bit longer?

While thinking about this, I grilled the meat for a few minutes, turning it occasionally. Gradually, the fat began to seep out, and a delicious sizzling sound and aroma filled the air.

"Looks pretty good! I've never eaten like this before!"

Toya looked at the meat happily.

He couldn't wait and kept flipping the meat, glancing at Haruka.

"Usually, barbecues use a grill or a metal sheet."

Come to think of it, I've never had skewer-grilled barbecue.

When I think of barbecues, it's usually with a grill... and if you skewer both vegetables and meat, one of them will probably burn, right?

"Don't get too excited, but don't expect too much. The seasoning is just salt, and I think regular pork would be tastier."

Compared to our fidgety state, Haruka calmly watched the meat grill.

Thinking about it, the boar we're eating is actually pork? So this is grilled pork skewers?

"It's fine! Even watery curry tastes good when you eat it camping! ...Hey, is it almost done?"

"Grow up, you're not a kid. If you burn the outside, it won't do any good. If the inside is raw, it's dangerous."

After a few more minutes of waiting, as soon as Haruka gave the go-ahead, we all bit into the meat.

"Hot! But delicious!"

"This is better than I imagined..."

The meat juice and fat oozed out as we bit into it.

The flavor was simple, just salt, but was it the fat that made it so good?

The crispy texture of the surface, fried by the dripping fat, combined with the savory aroma and flavor to create an indescribable taste.

The meat was a bit tough but not so much that it was hard to chew, giving a satisfying feeling of eating real meat.

"I thought it would be harder to eat, but it's surprisingly delicious. Maybe it's the quality of the meat?"

"Come to think of it, wasn't there a high-end pork that was fed acorns? If you think about it, a boar that eats well and exercises might actually be high-end meat?"

"Hmm, that's a valid point. If it's butchered properly, it could be delicious... With some slicing and marinating, it could be quite tasty. I miss soy sauce and miso..."

Compared to Toya, who was eating ravenously, Haruka nibbled while giving such critiques.

"I agree. I can endure without rice, but soy sauce and miso are important. Most of the seasonings I use regularly contain one or the other. The only ones that don't are mayonnaise and ketchup?"

I recalled the contents of my fridge.

I prefer dressings with soy sauce for salads. Oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper alone are bland and not very appealing.

"Even Worcestershire sauce isn't available. I don't use it much, though."

"But for things like barbecue sauce, soy sauce and miso are crucial. I wonder if they're available?"

If there were barbecue sauce, even slightly unpalatable meat or vegetables would be bearable.

In fact, I could probably eat just that with rice.

"Who knows? There might be something similar, but it's hard to say if the ingredients are rice, wheat, or soybeans."

"I wouldn't mind if the taste was similar... Can you make it, Haruka?"

"I know how to make it. I helped my grandmother before. But we used dried koji back then."

"Koji isn't available here, is it?"

I've never seen it in Japanese supermarkets, let alone in another world. It's unlikely to find it here.

"In theory, I know how to isolate koji, so if we have the time and money, I could try. But it's doubtful if it would work, so it would probably take years."

"I see. But it's good to have hope."

Eating only salt and herbs would get boring, but we'll have to improve gradually as we have more time.

For now, this meat is quite delicious.

"Phew, I'm full... By the way, you two are elves, right? Do you have any issues with eating meat?"

Toya, looking at Haruka's remaining skewer, asked this.

Haruka gave him a sidelong glance.

"What? Not enough? If you want more, I can grill some for you."

"No, I was just curious, not complaining... But I'll take the meat."

While denying, Toya took the meat Haruka offered and started grilling it.

Each skewer was about the size of a pound steak... maybe because he's a beastman?

He didn't used to eat this much, did he?

Actually, before coming here, I ate about the same as Toya, and I'm already quite full after one and a half skewers.

Haruka... oh, she cut her pieces a bit smaller from the start.

"I don't think my preferences have changed, but what about you?"

"Well... in this world, it's as common to think 'Japanese like fish' as it is to think 'elves like vegetables.'"

"I see. That makes sense. So, we don't need to worry about our usual diet."

"Exactly. Once Toya finishes eating, let's head back for today."

"Huh? Already? It's still early."

While preparing the campfire and cooking took some time, it was still quite light.

Considering it takes about an hour to get back to town, it felt a bit early.

"Basically, we need to finish everything while there's still daylight. We have to sell and do other things. Since it's our first time, let's take it easy."

"Got it."

We waited for Toya to finish eating, took a short break, and then returned to town.

◇ ◇ ◇

Just before evening, we returned to town and immediately headed to the Adventurer's Guild to sell the herbs.

The same lady from yesterday greeted us, recognizing us as we entered.

Following her gesture, Toya placed the bag on the counter, and the lady peeked inside, her eyes widening.

"Wow! You've gathered quite a lot. Let me check them, please."

The lady took the bag and disappeared into the back for a few minutes, returning with an empty bag.

"Everything is fine. I'll calculate the payment. I was a bit worried since you're rookies."

She smiled and returned the bag to Haruka.

"Really?"

"Yes. I usually give a brief explanation to first-time herb gatherers, but some don't listen and bring back useless things, like just the leaves of Weedbane."

"Really?"

Weedbane.

According to Toya's identification, we needed the roots.

Without identification, we would have been those 'rookies who don't listen.' Haruka's slightly wandering gaze was understandable.

"Well, I consider it part of the learning process, so I don't warn in advance."

It was really lucky.

Thanks to the 'learning process,' we might have ended up camping outside today.

"However, you didn't make any mistakes, Haruka. You're quite impressive. ...By the way, you didn't gather any Weedbane?"

"No, we don't have the tools to dig it up, and it takes time. We'll do it when we have more time."

"I see. You might not know, but thick roots—about the thickness of a thumb or more—are quite valuable. If you can get them, it's a good way to earn money. However, if you only get thin roots, the time spent digging might reduce your earnings."

I didn't know that.

Without identification, we wouldn't have known that Weedbane needed roots.

"Thank you. Is there anything else good to gather this season?"

"Well, Dindle berries, perhaps."

The lady thought for a moment, then took out a book from under the counter and opened a page to show us.

"You'll need to go a bit deeper into the forest for this, so it's not very recommended for rookies... especially those who don't know their own limits."

We nodded in agreement with her smile.

While today went well, we're not so reckless as to head deep into the forest tomorrow. At least not with Haruka around... Toya might be a bit risky.

"Dindle berries are red, fist-sized fruits that can be eaten fresh or dried. They're a bit of a luxury."

The illustration in the book showed a fruit that looked like a cross between an apple and a tomato.

The description mentioned that they grow on the tips of trees over 5 meters tall, but in reality, Dindle trees can be dozens of meters high.

"However, as you can see, they grow at the top of very tall trees, so only those skilled at climbing can gather them. Fortunately, you have two elves in your party, so if you can climb, it could be quite profitable. They sell for 100 to 300 rares each."

That's expensive!

If the purchase price is that high, the selling price might be over 500 rares each.

For a fruit the size of a small apple, that's like a high-end mango.

If we can gather multiple, it could be quite profitable.

"Ah, the calculation is done."

At the lady's words, we looked up from the book to see someone from the back handing a tray of money to her.

"Alright, the total is 8,730 rares. That's impressive! Not many people earn this much from herbs alone."

"Really?"

Haruka tilted her head in surprise at the lady's amazed tone.

With the help of the guide, we weren't particularly knowledgeable about herb distribution.

If we could earn this much as rookies, experienced gatherers must earn even more.

"Yes. Rookies usually shift to more profitable quests once they get used to herb gathering. If you're content with a moderate income, becoming a professional herb gatherer is relatively safe and profitable, but many young adventurers dream of getting rich quick..."

The lady chuckled, a bit ruefully.

But in a way, it's fortunate that such people exist, as it allows us to earn money.

"Can we continue selling to you in the future? We gathered quite a bit today."

"Yes, of course. We usually dry the herbs, so they keep well. Also, not many people focus on herb gathering."

"Understood. We'll work hard from tomorrow. Also, we hunted a Task Boar. Can we sell it?"

"Yes. We'll take the tusks and fur. The meat is better sold directly to a butcher for a slightly higher price, but we can buy it here if it's too much trouble."

"Then, just the tusks and fur, please."

"Got it. Please wait a moment."

At Haruka's urging, I placed the bag with the fur and tusks on the counter. The lady took it and disappeared into the back, returning with money a few minutes later.

"I've checked. The tusks are in good condition and quite large, so the total is 3,500 rares. Is that okay?"

"Yes."

"Understood. Here's the payment. ...But that's impressive. How did you manage to kill it?"

While handing the money to Haruka, she looked at us curiously.

From her gaze, 'impressive' probably referred to our lack of proper equipment.

None of us had a proper sword, and we were all dressed in cloth, with only Toya's wooden sword as a weapon.

But in a game RPG, this is normal at the start... though, realistically, games are the odd ones.

"That's—"

"I, with this wooden sword, stabbed the boar in the eye and stopped its breathing!"

Toya suddenly interjected, brandishing his wooden sword and puffing out his chest.

Oh, the guy who didn't say a word and left everything to Haruka is suddenly talking, making the lady blink in surprise.

The lady is indeed charming, but she doesn't have animal ears?

"That was only possible with Naoto's magical support. ...By the way, let me introduce everyone. This is Toya, who's proud of taking down a boar, and this is Naoto, the elf in the back.

Our style is for Toya to take the front, while Naoto and I provide support. For negotiations and such, I, Haruka, will handle it, but please be kind to us."

"I'm Naoto. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Toya! Nice to meet you!"

Introduced by Haruka, I bowed with a friendly smile, while Toya grinned and raised his hand.

Is this Toya's character?

In a way, it suits him, but isn't it a bit rude?

Ignoring my thoughts, the lady smiled and bowed back.

"Thank you. I'm Diora. As I handle the front desk, I'll see you often. Please be kind to me."

Despite working at the front desk, Toya's attitude didn't faze her, but Toya, being friendly and rude are different. I'll have to tell him later.

If the front desk lady's goodwill decreases, it could be a big problem for us, who are still naive.

After that, we asked Diora for a recommended butcher and sold the remaining meat on our way back to the inn.

The grilled meat was quite delicious, so it was a bit disappointing to sell it all, but without a way to preserve it, it would be a waste if it went bad.

Thanks to Haruka's skillful handling and the large quantity, the meat sold for a decent price, and we were even asked to bring more if we had the chance.

We then returned straight to the 'Drowsy Bear' and booked rooms for several days.

At least now we won't have to worry about being homeless for a few days.

The relief was significant, and the three of us sat on the beds and sighed in unison.

Really, the evil god only gives us the bare minimum of funds!