Chapter 95: CH 94

Chapter 94 – Gourmet Reward

“―I see. So they’re laying down a waterway from the lake.” (Bouchi)

After the singing lesson was over, Izu briefed me on the establishment of the waterway. There was a large lake on the island, and they were planning to build a waterway from there to the village. Once the waterway was built, they would start full-blown agriculture.

“So Master, it would be great if you would give us some seeds for the foods you want to cultivate.” (Izu)

“Oh, that’s right. I haven’t given those to you yet, have I?” (Bouchi)

I hadn’t expected them to be able to finish clearing the land in a single day and already be ready for planting, so I’d been planning on giving them the seeds later.

I handed Izu the seeds that I had purchased in the <Shop>. It made things simpler that I didn’t have to explain how to plant them for them to bear fruit, since Izu already knew, as expected of the ‘Floating Library’.

“Ah right, Izu. When it’s time for dinner, gather everyone at my house. As a reward for working hard all day, I’ll treat you guys to something delicious today.” (Bouchi)

“My, I’m sure they’ll go crazy over that! I understand.” (Izu)

“Then I’ll get started right away with cooking. Shiki, Sol, help me out.” (Bouchi)

“Yes!” (Sol)

“As you command.” (Shiki)

I led them to the front of the house and opened the <Shop> to buy ingredients.

“There are quite a few monsters. I guess I’ll make a huge pot of stew.” (Bouchi)

Fortunately, the <Shop> sold pots bigger than an entire bathtub, like this massive kamado-like pot, which I normally wouldn’t use. I bought it and set it down on the ground. Then, I lit a fire and set the pot over it. After that, I began to follow the steps to prepare the stew.

It was a lot of work to fry the ingredients, but I had Shiki and Sol put in the ingredients while I stirred it with a big stick. There was naturally a lot of meat, since all of these guys loved meat, and I threw in even more vegetables, par for the course.

The final important ingredient was tomato juice. Along with that, I put in a large amount of milk. After all the steps were completed, it was time to simmer the stew.

“Alright, that’s it for the stew. Next, let’s cook some steaks for the big monsters.” (Bouchi)

Using the <Shop> skill once more, I bought massive pieces of meat that looked like the ones in manga with a single bone running through it. Then, I used a grilling stand to cook them over charcoal.

I was still a little short-handed, so I used a [Copy Doll] of myself to help out.

I had nonchalantly said that I would treat them to a feast, but it still turned out to be a lot of work. Even so, I still found it fun, since I liked cooking. Sol and Shiki were also helping me without a single word of complaint.

We continued to cook outside, making full use of the cooking utensils and appliances that were being used for the first time. Before we knew it, dinner time arrived.

The monsters started showing up in droves, noses twitching and mouths drooling.

“Alright, let’s make the final push! Do your best, everyone!” (Bouchi)

At my words, the others helping me in the kitchen all rushed about the kitchen in one last spurt. And somehow, all of the dishes were finally complete.

The area was filled with a delicious fragrance that truly whetted the appetite. The monsters looked like they couldn’t wait to dig in.

“You all, this is a special day! Master has personally prepared a meal for us! First, we will offer our thanks!” (Izu)

““““Grrrraaaahhhhh!!!””””

“Can’t you go any louder?!” (Izu)

““““Grrrraaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!””””

“LOUDER!!” (Izu)

““““GRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!””””

At Izu’s signal, the monsters, who had formed up into a single file line without even being told, bowed their heads while raising their voices. It was like watching an army of well-trained soldiers. Well, they were a bit too noisy though.

“T-That’s good enough, Izu. It’s best to eat the food while it’s still warm. Come on, take a plate, and pick the foods you want. But don’t cut in line and don’t take all the food for yourself. Don’t fight with each other either!” (Bouchi)

“Master has given us his permission! Everyone, dismissed!” (Izu)

Everyone picked up their plate from the table and began to put things on their plates one after the other. Naturally, the plates were also adequately sized for the monsters.

For the black ogre, the largest of the monsters, we prepared a special stove and cooked a stew on it.

Since the monsters would also want to drink, we prepared a gigantic barrel of beer, which they could pour into cups. The monsters who got their food and drink took a seat wherever they pleased.

Then, we took our own portions and sat down.

“Then Master, please give us a few words.” (Izu)

“Okay. As Izu said, I prepared this special meal for all of you today. We just started working together, and I wanted to thank you all for your hard work so far. From now on, you’ll be cooking your own meals using ingredients that you find in the forest, your catches from fishing, the crops you grow on the farm, and whatever else I give you. Izu will teach you how to cook them.” (Bouchi)

Well, these guys were actually dungeon monsters, so they would respawn even if they died of hunger. So technically, it was no problem to me if I didn’t feed them. But that was definitely out of the question because that would cause internal discord to break out, and they might even rampage and riot from not having enough to eat.

Besides, if they continued to gain knowledge like this, I would be able to broaden my fighting style, which would surely make me stronger. Because of this, I was planning to let them experience all kinds of things.

“Today, eat up, drink, and have fun to your heart’s content! Tomorrow, I’m counting on you all! Now, go ahead and dig in!” (Bouchi)

““““Grrrroooohhhhh!!!””””

The monsters started eating all at once. It was so delicious that they didn’t even look from side to side as they shoveled the food straight into their mouths.

On top of that, they were so hungry that they finished and even lined up for seconds. They seemed to like the food, which was a satisfying sight for me as the cook.

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I turned my thoughts back to my own food and decided to start with the stew.

“Ahhh—Mmmm~ Tomato cream stew was really the right choice. The acidity of the tomatoes really gets the appetite going.” (Bouchi)

“Yes, and it warms your body up. The potatoes and carrots are both deliciously tender. What’s more, this meat… It just falls apart in one’s mouth.” (Shiki)

The ingredients that Shiki was giving a rave review about were no ordinary ingredients. These were all fantasy ingredients. Among those ingredients, I used [Thousand Boar Meat], which was a bit of a splurge.

It was a boar that was said to have lived for a thousand years, and its meat, which had been cultivated for many, many years, was extremely juicy and full of concentrated flavor. It was an ingredient of the finest quality which had no odors and was often served at feasts in royal palaces.

The meat and tomatoes were a perfect match for it. When stewed together, the result was the epitome of tenderness. Moreover, it seemed to contain plenty of collagen, making it great for women as well.

“Ahhhn… As expected of Master. If I eat something like this, I won’t be able to eat anything made by anyone else.” (Izu)

Izu was munching on her stew with an expression of pure rapture on her face. I thought it was a bit too high of an evaluation, but it didn’t feel bad to hear her say that.

“Puuu~! Sol loves these mashed potatoes the most!” (Sol)

I made it especially for her, but it seemed that her favorite food was still the best, even out of the stew and other dishes.

“Chibi? You should eat other things, not just mashed potatoes. Master went out of his way to make them after all.” (Izu)

“I am eating them!” (Sol)

“…Just one bite. And you haven’t even tried your stuffed cabbage roll at all.” (Izu)

“Puuu… But it’s spicy…” (Sol)

“You’re an owl and you can’t take spicy foods? Hey, you’re spilling. What an improper young lady,” Izu said, wiping the table with a dishcloth. It wasn’t that they didn’t get along, but it was more like an older sister trying to manage a younger sister who was too much of a handful.

Sol complained but listened to her, which made me smile.

“Hmm. This stuffed cabbage roll certainly is spicy… Hafuuu…hafuhafu…mm. This crunchy texture is irresistible.” (Shiki)

“I know right, Shiki? This dish is a tsukune made from [Thousand Boar Cartilage], wrapped in [Piquant Cabbage].” (Bouchi)

(TL: Tsukune – a Japanese meatball, usually cooked on a skewer and served topped with a soy or teriyaki based sauce)

The crunchy mouthfeel was coming from this cartilage. The [Piquant Cabbage] wrapped around it was, as the name implies, an ingredient that contains a spicy component within that had the effect of stimulating the appetite. For those who liked spicy food, it was a dish that made you really want to wolf down a bunch of rice with it.

When I glanced over at the black ogre, I saw him stuffing his cheeks with the [Thousand Boar Whole Roast]. Seeing him delicious eating away at the thing, which weighed more than two tons, made it a bit hard to believe that he had been an opponent that we’d risked our lives to fight in his previous life.

Just like this, the lively dinner party eventually came to an end.

Now that their stomachs were satisfied, everyone laid down and went to sleep.

“Sigh… My goodness, what a slovenly sight.” (Izu)

“Hahah, more importantly, they look really happy. Don’t they, Izu?” (Bouchi)

“If Master says so. So Master, you’ll be using this place as your base of operations now, right?” (Izu)

“Yeah, that’s the plan. I already parted ways with the Fukuzawa family.” (Bouchi)

“Tomorrow I’ll be right back out there doing business. I’m counting on you to manage this place, Izu.” (Bouchi)

“Please leave it to me. However…” (Izu)

“Hm?” (Bouchi)

Izu turned her face away and began to fidget and squirm.

“Umm… if it’s possible…” (Izu)

“What? Is there something you want me to do for you? I don’t mind doing it. I’m going to have to keep inconveniencing you in the future with various matters after all.”

“Really?! T-Then… w-w-will you let me ride on your shoulder?!” (Izu)

“Huh? S-Shoulder? My shoulder…?” (Bouchi)

Izu rapidly nodded her head in excitement.

“…I don’t mind, but is that really alright with you?” (Bouchi)

“It is!” (Izu)

I had no idea why she was so excited, but I easily gave her my permission. A radiant smile spread across Izu’s face, and she hopped onto my shoulder.

“Hyaaaaah…! I’m so happy…” (Izu)

I had no idea what was happening, but I was glad to see that she was satisfied.

Come to think of it… didn’t she get mad when she saw Sol sitting on my shoulder? She said something about acting overly familiar with me. Was that because… she wanted to do it too?

At the moment, she was sitting on my shoulder, humming joyfully. Her singing voice spread about an aura of serenity, making those fast asleep smile deeper in their sleep.

This is <Nocturne of Restful Sleep>, isn’t it?

When you hear it, you’ll want to sleep. Plus, if you’re already asleep, your natural recovery power will increase, and in the span of just one hour, you’ll feel several times more rested than normal.

Just like that, I passed the night quietly, listening to Izu’s singing.

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