Chapter 9

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

We discussed various things in the room at the inn.

We talked about the other classmates.

"Hey, shall we go get some dinner?"

When Haruka suggested this, Toya and I exchanged glances and made grim faces.

Since we started talking, the voices from downstairs have become lively.

The innkeeper told us that we could come to the dining room whenever it was open, and it should have been a pleasant meal, but...

"Ugh, is it that black bread again?"

That's the reason for our expressions.

We're quite hungry, and we could probably endure something that's just a bit unappetizing, but that...

"Two meals for 80 rares, so there's a chance."

"Seriously? I'm not picky, but I'm not a fan of that bread either."

"Well, if we're lucky, we might get white bread or something like mashed potatoes."

"Mashed potatoes?"

"Root vegetables can also be a staple. I don't think they'll be very tasty, though."

"As long as they're easy to eat, that's fine. Sour bread is a bit tough..."

"Hey, Haruka, can you make something?"

Even if the customs are different from our original world, there's a hope that Haruka can make something edible.

At least, her taste is the same as ours.

"For that, we need to earn enough to rent a room with a kitchen."

"True. It's impossible with just inn life."

"In a way, it's a motivation to work!"

"Motivation, but it's a bit subtle, isn't it?"

While talking, we went downstairs and sat at a table. Without a word, the taciturn innkeeper brought three servings of food and arranged them on the table.

"Additional dishes and drinks are extra."

He said that and turned on his heel.

The innkeeper is consistent.

And, as usual, there's no sign of the waitress.

In front of each of us was a large plate, a bowl of soup, and a drink.

The soup was a light brown, clear liquid with a few vegetables.

The main dish was a large plate with a few lettuce-like leaves, topped with a mound of something like mashed potatoes.

Furthermore, two pieces of meat, each about the size of a palm and more than a centimeter thick, were placed on top, dripping with juices.

"This... looks delicious?"

Just by appearance, it could rival a steakhouse.

The only drawback is that we don't know what kind of meat it is...

"Delicious! Super delicious!!"

"Hey! You're already eating!"

While I was examining the food, Toya had already started gnawing on the meat.

"Come on, you should eat too! It's super delicious! I've never had meat this good before!"

Toya, who was excitedly gnawing on the meat with a fork, said this.

To be honest, his manners are bad, but with only a fork available, it's somewhat understandable.

Haruka and I exchanged glances and also started eating the meat with our forks.

Instantly, the juices overflowed.

It wasn't so soft that it cut like butter, but it wasn't so tough that it was hard to bite.

It had a flavor similar to a lean ribeye steak, without the rich fat and umami of wagyu.

If breakfast was as simple as this, 80 rares would be a steal. I'd visit this place once a week, maybe even twice or three times a week if it were nearby.

"Hmm, I wonder what kind of meat this is. The meat itself isn't bad, but it's quite tender, so they must have prepared it well."

Compared to Toya, who was shoveling it in, Haruka was calmly savoring it.

Seeing this, I also tried to savor it more calmly.

"Yeah. The seasoning seems to be just salt and herbs? No pepper. But it's still quite delicious."

Next, I scooped up some of the mashed potato-like dish and put it in my mouth.

Hmm... a bland taste. It's a bit soft and light.

I can't really taste the potato itself.

But it's easy to eat because it has no strong flavors or bitterness.

It goes well with the meat, which has a slightly stronger flavor.

The soup, while not as good as a consomme, is a world apart from the thin saltwater we had for lunch and is quite tasty.

It's delicious, but... hmm... when I calm down, is it really that good?

Thinking about it, the mashed potatoes are worse than regular bread, and the soup is not as good as powdered consomme.

The meat itself isn't bad, but the simple seasoning means that a family restaurant's sauce is better.

Retracting my previous statement.

I felt it was delicious because my expectations were so low, but I wouldn't visit once a week if it cost a coin. The portion size is more than enough, though.

"But, this is probably a hit in this world. The food stall guy this morning, who sold us terrible food, did a good job by not recommending another inn."

The gatekeeper introduced us, but his subtle flirtation with Haruka might be forgiven because of this meal. It's actually edible!

"Still, thanks to that meal, this one tastes even better."

"Is that a good thing? What's the general taste of food here?"

"While the 'Common Sense of Another World' doesn't give us specific tastes, from the knowledge that 'black bread is common' and 'salt is the basic seasoning,' the food stall's taste might be more typical..."

"Ugh. Maybe I'll make meat my staple. I'm a beastman, so it might work, right?"

Toya said this with a grimace.

Or is it because he's a beastman that he's saying this? Or is it a reaction to the terrible lunch?

However, carnivores are healthy because they eat the organs of herbivores along with the meat, right? Raw meat is different from cooked meat.

"Maybe if you drink blood with raw meat? Want to try?"

"Ah, breast milk doesn't contain hemoglobin, so drinking blood might provide the necessary nutrients. I've heard of a tribe that lived on milk alone..."

"No, that's a bit much..."

At the mention of raw meat and blood, Toya made a pained expression and shook his head.

I'd drink rare meat, but I don't want to drink blood unless I'm in an extreme situation.

Considering parasites, eating raw meat without proper cooking is dangerous.

Of course, raw eggs and sashimi are absolutely out of the question.

"By the way, speaking of drinks, what do you think this is?"

To change the subject, Toya pointed to the drink that came with the meal.

In a wooden cup was a brownish liquid?

Smelling it, there was a slightly sour aroma.

"This is ale."

"Ah, the famous..."

A staple of fantasy.

Toya, who usually would drink it happily, is being cautious because of the black bread, sniffing it to check the smell.

"Is it alcoholic?"

"Technically, yes, but it's probably less potent than beer. A cup shouldn't get you drunk... you guys aren't extremely sensitive to alcohol, right?"

"That's... how about it? Our bodies have changed, right?"

"True. Our constitutions might have changed too."

As minors, we only had a sip during New Year's, and it didn't affect us then.

The question is whether this body will react differently...

"Let's be careful and drink it."

"Got it."

Saying this, we picked up the cups, exchanged glances, and looked at Toya.

Toya, unaware of our looks, cautiously took a sip and made a very subtle face.

"...Hmm, it's like... a really low-quality beer-like drink... Ah! You guys haven't drunk it yet!"

"Interesting, it's drinkable."

"Thanks, Toya."

Grateful for Toya's taste test, I also took a sip.

...Hmm, this. It doesn't feel like alcohol.

It's warm, a bit sour, and not tasty. Water would be better.

Haruka also seemed to have the same impression, as she frowned.

"...If I have to pay for this, I'd rather have well water."

"Is the water safe to drink?"

"Well water should be fine. We've adapted to this world's bodies, and we all have the 'Tough' skill."

"True, that's a good point."

Really, it's a good thing we have it.

If we couldn't drink water safely, life would be too difficult for us, former Japanese.

"I'll get some water."

"Ah, please get ours too."

Fortunately, we weren't charged extra for water.

While not as convenient as in Japan, it seems that safe water is more accessible than in Europe.

"Still, I didn't expect the ale to be this bad. It really crushes the fantasy dream, along with the black bread."

This would be a punishment game, not a drinking party.

"No, wait. In fantasy, there's also wine—"

"Isn't that a bit of a stretch? I think the wine in our original world is better. Do you even like wine?"

Haruka cut off our hopes.

True, even when given expensive red wine, I didn't find it particularly delicious.

And it seems Toya felt the same, as he was at a loss for words.

"—No, it was just a bit astringent."

"Then there's no need to force yourself to drink alcohol. Do you really want to get drunk and lose your senses in a supposedly safe world?"

"You're right."

Getting drunk and sleeping on the road is different from Japan, where it's not very dangerous.

"At least until we get used to this world and ensure our safety, alcohol is forbidden. Got it?"

"Understood."

That's how it was decided.