Chapter 52

Summary of the previous episode ------------------------------------------------------

Under the pressure of the women who wanted a lot of dindles, we ended up circling around dindle trees until our backpacks were full.

Our three backpacks were finally full after circling around two more dindle trees.

During the move, we managed to secure a considerable amount of herbs recommended by Aera, which grow in the forest, so the result wasn't bad after all.

"Well, it's a bit late, but shall we have lunch?"

"Yes, we were supposed to hunt a task boar on our way back, right?"

"Yeah, since it will turn into a battle, it's better to have a meal beforehand."

We found a slightly open area and sat down.

The backpacks filled with dindles were a bit heavy, but we were trained enough that this level of weight didn't tire us.

It's different from when we first came to this world, and continuing daily training is certainly not a waste.

"Hey, would you like to eat this if it's okay?"

What was offered were three fist-sized round objects wrapped in leaves.

"Ah, those are the ones you said you were going to sell, right?"

"Yes, I made one for each of you."

"Thank you (very much)."

When we took them and peeled off the leaves, what came out was the mashed potato wrapped in meat we had eaten yesterday.

While it was slightly warm when we ate it yesterday, it was cold now, but the aroma of the wrapping leaves added a nice accent, making it quite delicious.

"It's delicious."

"Yeah, this will definitely sell! If Aera's shop were closer, I'd buy it every day~"

"Yes, it's really delicious. The aroma of the leaves is also effective."

"Thank you."

Aera, who was praised by us, blushed happily.

She looks like a child, but she's a very skilled cook. Her cooking skill was level 3.

If the variety of seasonings increases, she might be able to make even more amazing dishes, right?

"In return, I'll give you our bread and dried meat. The dried meat is homemade, so it's quite delicious?"

Yuki offered it confidently, but it looked a bit questionable.

It's just dried meat, after all.

Of course, it's delicious because it was made by Haruka.

"Really, homemade? I used to make it at home... Oh! It's delicious..."

"Right? It's different from what you can buy around here!"

"The bread we bought at the inn is also pretty good."

"...Ah, really. The bread shops I visited were all worse than this."

Aera had visited several bread shops to see if she could buy bread for her shop, but she couldn't find any that met her standards, so she ended up baking her own.

The reason lunch didn't include bread was that making a large amount of bread is difficult, and it's not profitable for a low-margin, high-volume lunch.

Aera didn't explicitly say it, but it seems this bread is even more delicious, and I'd like to try it if I get the chance.

"Did you make the dried meat, Yuki?"

"No, it was made by another person, Haruka, who wasn't here today."

"Oh, another person from your race. This meat is good, and the cooking skill is also quite impressive?"

"I think she'd be happy to hear that from a professional."

I remember Haruka's cooking skill was level 1, so her skill itself is far inferior to Aera's.

The advantage is probably her extensive knowledge of cooking from her original world.

For example, it's easier for a layperson who knows the taste of curry to adjust the ingredients to get close to that taste than for a professional cook who doesn't know curry to discover it.

"I'd like to meet that person. If possible, I'd like to cook with them."

"If we have some free time, there might be a chance. -- Shall we go now?"

"Yes, it's better to get back early."

After confirming that everyone had finished eating, I said this, and everyone nodded, readjusted their bags, and stood up.

"Once we hunt the task boar, we can go back... but will it go that smoothly? It's not a common prey in this area."

"It's fine. I'm good at finding them. -- Alright. Aera and I will go ahead, so you two follow a bit behind."

"Understood."

Aera and I have the skill "Stealth Step," so we're hard to detect.

I thought the other two didn't have it, but I soon felt a strange sensation.

I couldn't feel Natsumi's presence, who was supposed to be behind us, at all.

In contrast, Yuki's presence was clearly noticeable.

-- Oh, right, she has "Invisibility Lv.2."

While my "Stealth Step" is a skill to eliminate foot sounds, Natsumi's "Invisibility" is a skill to hide one's presence.

Which is more useful depends on the situation, but it seems quite convenient when hiding.

"Ah, I can see it. Naoto, shall I take the first shot?"

What we saw ahead in the forest was a task boar, slightly larger than medium-sized.

Compared to the size we usually hunt, it might be a bit smaller.

"Sure, go ahead."

"Understood."

Aera answered and quickly climbed a nearby tree. She drew her bow and immediately released an arrow.

At the same time, I signaled Natsumi, and we ran towards the boar.

The boar let out a scream at the sudden attack, and then two spears pierced it almost simultaneously.

The boar fell with a thud.

Yes, my and Natsumi's spears hit almost at the same time. I was a few steps ahead, but she caught up.

The spear skill doesn't reduce the distance, so it's probably a difference in physical ability.

I don't think I'm slower in simple speed, but considering the stamina required to run in the forest, it seems I'm slightly inferior to Natsumi.

Is this the difference in race... yeah, I'll train more.

Even if my base stats are lower, I should be able to improve with training.

If Natsumi trains to the same degree, the gap might widen due to the racial difference, though.

"You two are quick."

"Well, we are adventurers. I think Aera, who hit the boar accurately despite being a cook, is more impressive."

Aera's arrow had pierced the boar's eye accurately.

While the damage wasn't significant due to her lack of strength, it was quite effective in hindering the boar's actions.

"I used to go hunting quite often. For boars of this size, I mainly provided support."

She smiled and said, "I was good at catching birds."

Haruka also hits birds accurately, but considering the difficulty I had even with magic, I understand how challenging it is.

Aera might be able to become a professional in this field too.

"Let's butcher it. Shall I do it? I'm quite experienced."

"Sure, please do."

I looked at Yuki and Natsumi, and after they nodded, I asked Aera.

"Understood."

Aera took a knife from her backpack and began to butcher the boar with very skilled movements.

Her actions were smooth, and she was even better than Haruka, who is the best among us.

She skillfully peeled the skin, cut the meat, and packed it into the leather bags we offered.

"You're really experienced."

"Yes, I used to go hunting in my hometown, and at my apprenticeship, I had to handle a lot of carcasses. Meat processing is a basic skill."

In Japan, meat processing is usually done by butchers, and most restaurants receive pre-sliced meat.

However, in this world, meat is bought in carcass form.

It's probably due to preservation issues.

Like how ground meat spoils easily, in this world where the supply chain is not well-developed, slicing and selling meat carries some risk.

Even ordinary cooks need to know how to butcher meat, which is quite a high bar.

But thanks to Aera's skills, we can turn bone-in meat into block meat, and we don't have to carry unnecessary bones, which is very helpful.

However, it seems she also recovers some internal organs, which increases the total amount.

She recovers the heart, liver, and kidneys, and the tongue!

I didn't realize she recovered those. I've eaten pig's tongue before.

She also takes meat from the back of the neck.

I buried the head because it looked strange, but there's actually quite a bit of meat there.

I've thought about eating the ears and nose since pigs are related to boars, but I never considered it because of the appearance.

"Does anyone know water magic?"

"Ah, that would be Haruka, who isn't here today."

"I see. Then I'll give up on the stomach and intestines. I don't want to bring them back without washing them."

The digestive organs need to be washed carefully, and if mishandled, they can contaminate other meat, so it's best to leave them to professionals.

In other words, amateurs shouldn't touch them.

"Alright, it's done. Let's hurry back. The meat will lose its flavor if we take too long."

"Um, is it okay to leave the rest? Should we bury it?"

Yuki pointed to the boar's head and internal organs.

I didn't bring a shovel today.

Should I ask Yuki to dig a hole?

"Ah, it's fine. The forest animals will take care of it. Of course, if you're resting or camping nearby, you should bury it."

That's how it works.

In Japan, when you cull harmful animals, you have to bury them, but it seems different in this world.

This is probably not general knowledge but rather knowledge specific to hunters and adventurers.

"Wow, really?"

"Yes. In the case of areas near human settlements, it's better to bury them if you have the time."

Aera, who had packed a considerable amount of meat into her backpack, stood up and offered each of us a leather bag.

Since the boar was smaller than expected, each of us probably got less than 10 kilograms.

This amount shouldn't be a problem.

"Alright, let's hurry. How's your stamina?"

"I'm fine. We just rested."

Natsumi answered my question, and the other two also nodded in agreement.

"Then let's jog a bit. Aera, let me know if it gets too hard."

"Yes, but I think I'll be fine."

Aera, who carried a very heavy backpack with ease, smiled and said this.

◇ ◇ ◇

As she claimed, Aera's stamina was better than I expected.

According to Aera, "Cooking is a physical job."

We encountered a goblin once on the way, but it was easily taken care of with my and Natsumi's spears and Yuki's iron bar.

We didn't even need Aera's bow or our magic.

Goblins, being humanoid, are a bit harder to deal with emotionally, but their vital points are easier to identify and target.

With a spear, you can pierce the heart or brain from a distance, so it's easy if you're determined.

Yuki and Natsumi also didn't hesitate in their first encounter with a goblin, which is commendable.

However, we left the goblin's magic stone behind, as usual, citing "it's a waste of time."

If we were to take it, Yuki would have to smash the head with her iron bar, but she didn't suggest it, so that's how it went.

We returned to Aera's shop before evening.