Chapter 55 - Foreign Peoples and Foreign Foods
We ended up joining the band of Wandering People and making camp with them for the night. A large bonfire, like a campfire, was lit, and the encampment was set up around it. They were a massive group of over a hundred people, and once they disembarked from their wagons, the area took on the appearance of a small village. There was a particularly large number of children, all running about. A crowd of them had gathered around Maira, who was captivating them with a spoken-word story.
Every now and then, a mischievous little brat would try to throw his arms around Maira in a hug. Those breasts are mine, so I’d appreciate it if you kept your hands to yourself.
I decided to break out the corn I’d bought in Richelle and share it with everyone. I skewered the cobs and started roasting them on a grill over the cooking fire.
For some reason, Fam was stuck to my side, helping me out. She was in charge of brushing them with a butter and soy sauce mixture, meticulously coating each and every cob.
"Master, don't you think we should taste-test one before handing them out to everyone?"
She looked up at me, her eyes filled with anticipation.
"You have a point. Shall we have a little bite?"
"Would you allow me the honor?"
Her tail was swaying back and forth.
"...I don't think I need that much help."
"No, it would be terrible if they weren't delicious. I can't let you eat something like that, Master!"
"I appreciate the sentiment, Fam, but I really should..."
I said, picking up a cob and bringing it to my mouth.
"Ah, Master..."
Fam was looking at me with a sorrowful expression. Did she really like it that much? I hadn't realized. So that's why she remembered the smell when we ran into that Black Sky in the dungeon. I suppose I was being a little too mean. I handed a roasted cob to Fam. Her tail started wagging furiously.
"Once you're finished, come back and help again."
"Yes, sir! Please call me if another taste test is required!"
"..."
Fam scurried away, holding the corn as if it were a precious treasure. I wondered if she was going to go dig a hole and bury it.
Before I knew it, a line of children, led by Maira, had formed in front of me. After I handed out roasted corn to all the kids, my initial stock was gone. I needed to prepare more, but Fam was nowhere to be seen.
"I'll help you."
Maira helped me skewer the corn and peel the husks. As soon as they were ready, we placed them on the fire.
"Why did you buy so many of these?"
"I was thinking of quitting being an adventurer and becoming a food stall vendor, so I stocked up."
I wanted to say it was all to tease her, but I couldn't bring myself to say it in front of the children. Actually, even if the kids weren't here, I might have been able to tell the other party members, but I probably couldn't have told Maira.
"You're joking, right?"
Maira asked.
"I'm tired of being an adventurer."
"Please at least try to hold out until you're defeated by the Demon Lord."
"So I'm the one who gets defeated?!"
"I'll handle the rest somehow. I'll just keep hitting him with my mace."
"..."
I got the feeling Maira was being cold to me again.
"Are you angry that I summoned Racshell?"
"I believe it was an unavoidable situation. But... I did want to see her, even just for a glimpse."
Maira pouted. There was no doubt she was displeased.
"We'll be in the city tomorrow. I'll summon her then!"
"I'm sure it'll be one of those situations where you've run out of mana or stamina and can't summon her."
It was no use. She'd closed her heart off with negative emotions. There were two tree stumps near us, each big enough for one person to sit on.
"Maira, this is tiring. Let's sit down while we work."
"I'm fine. Besides, I've been sitting in the wagon all day, and my bottom is a little sore."
"I see. Well, maybe I'll sit down then."
I sat on the stump next to Maira.
"...You know, maybe I'll sit, too."
Maira came and sat on the same stump. We sat sharing it, each of us taking up half the space, playfully nudging each other in a little fight for territory. Her bottom was soft, too.
"That aside, this smells wonderful. I want to try some, too."
Maira said, as if trying to change her own mood. Maira herself smelled incredibly good.
"Of course. Let's eat together when things settle down."
"Okay."
Maira nodded. I hoped her mood would improve, even just a little.
As I continued to roast the corn, Fam returned.
"The leader of the Wandering People would like to speak with you, Master."
Fam pointed toward a wagon that was decorated more ornately than the others. A massive tent had been pitched in front of it. I'd never seen one in person, but it resembled a yurt.
"They want to see me, not the Mateo Trading Company?"
Fam nodded. I had a bad feeling about this.
"What could it be? Do they want some roasted corn?"
"Shall I take some to them? I'll bring an extra one, just in case I drop one."
Come to think of it, she wasn't holding the roasted corn anymore. Had she finished it already?
"...I'll be right back."
"Then I will roast the corn in your place, Master."
"..."
Though I was filled with nothing but anxiety, I decided to leave the corn in Fam's hands.
"I'll go with you."
Maira said. I'd wanted her to keep an eye on Fam, but I felt safer with her by my side, so I nodded.
On the way to the tent, we ran into Mizuki, Cecily, and Aira, so we all went together. Two muscular men were standing in front of the tent. Were they guards? I wondered what kind of person was inside. Without being challenged, one of them ushered us in.
The air inside was fragrant with incense, a pleasant, indescribable scent. A brazier was lit, brightly illuminating the interior. Carpets were laid out, and at the far end, a woman flanked by two attendants sat on a high-backed chair. She looked to be about Mizuki's age, maybe a little older. With wavy black hair and dark eyes, she was a beautiful girl with a distinctly oriental feel.
"You must be Mash-sama. I am Karpana, granddaughter of this party's chieftain."
Karpana stood and gave a quick, deep bow. This was a bad sign. I wanted to run.
"You've got the wrong person. I'm Mish. This here is Muzuki, Soshiry, Iira, and last but not least, Maira the Mummy. She just woke up from a thousand-year slumber yesterday."
"So... I've finally been relegated to being the punchline..."
My words seemed to have depressed Maira.
"I understand why you would be wary of us. That is why we have prepared a meal. Won't you join us?"
An attendant at Karpana's side clapped her hands, and members of the tribe outside began carrying in one large platter of food after another. The smell of curry filled the air. On the plates were what appeared to be a curry-like soup, something resembling naan, vegetables, various meats, and skewered meat.
Following behind them was Fam, carrying a large platter piled high with roasted corn. What in the world was she doing?
"Master. I roasted them. Let's all eat together."
After setting down the platter, she came and stood next to me.
"I had no idea. You really like it that much?"
"You looked so happy when you were eating it, Master, that I came to love it, too."
"Did I look that happy? It was probably brought here by a transmigrator. It made me feel nostalgic."
I say nostalgic, but it's only been about a month since I came to this world. Yet, my time in my original world already feels like a distant memory.
"Is that so? Let's eat it together again sometime."
"Please, have a seat."
At Karpana's urging, we sat down on round cushions.
"This is the cuisine of our homeland, the home of the Wandering People."
The smell was pure curry. The look was pure curry.
"Is your homeland to the east?"
"Yes. I have never been there myself, but it is far to the east of the Demon Kingdom."
"India, maybe?" Mizuki muttered under her breath, just loud enough for me to hear. It seemed we were thinking the same thing. In the meantime, a white liquid was being poured into silver glasses. It was foamy, like beer. Since they kept goats, I figured it must be goat's milk.
"I heard you were in the middle of an escort quest, so this isn't alcoholic, but let us have a toast."
We raised our glasses and drank. It tasted like watered-down yogurt, with a hint of saltiness.
"This is Ayran. It's my first time having it made with goat's milk, but it's a common drink in the Demon Kingdom. I used to drink it back in my village," Fam said, a sad look on her face. Her village had been on the border between the Empire and the Demon Kingdom. Their culture was likely a mix, and she'd probably eaten eastern dishes before.
"It's a familiar taste, then?"
"Every family makes their own Ayran. Each one has its own family taste. On festival days, we would go around and compare the Ayran from different houses... I can't drink the Ayran I used to have anymore."
Fam forced a smile. That strained expression tightened my chest.
"...I'm sorry. I don't know what to say."
"I shouldn't have brought up something so strange at a time like this. I'm happy now that I have you, Master."
"Well, I like it. This flavor."
"You're right. I love it, too. Master, let's try the other dishes."
I took a bite of the skewered meat. It must have been seasoned with a variety of spices. It was delicious.
"It's kebab. This is also eaten in the Demon Kingdom. It's been properly marinated in yogurt."
"Fam, were you a food critic or something?"
I worried she might start getting angry over minute differences in seasonings one of these days.
"H-Hey, that's not my character. I just like delicious food."
I had thought she was just being polite and saying everything was delicious for my sake, but she actually had a discerning palate. She always looked so happy when she was eating. She had a refined tongue. Her family must have been well-off in her village. No, considering their village was attacked, perhaps the entire village was prosperous. She must have been raised with so much love that even after being thrown in a dungeon and treated horribly, her spirit didn't break. I felt like I had been able to touch another part of her. It made me happy.
"From now on, I'll make sure you eat even more delicious things."
"Okay! I want to eat the egg dish you made again, too."
And just like that, I already had a request.
Thank you for reading. To everyone who has liked, bookmarked, or rated this story, thank you very much. It encourages me to keep going. I'll do my best. And thank you so much for pointing out my typos.