Chapter 639 - Chapter 569 Lured by a Sweet Scent
"While store-bought dorayaki are certainly delicious, they still can't compare to the Ise Family's anko."
"Right?"
Today's dessert after dinner was dorayaki and green tea.
Even store-bought dorayaki are tasty enough, but when you compare them to Grandma's…
"How do people on the mainland usually eat azuki beans?"
"Hmm? They aren't as widespread as you might think, big brother."
"Oh, really?"
Apparently, they're only somewhat available in the Rashad Territory to the south of the Kingdom, where Natto lives, and in the Amiera Territory, where Seth and Bell-san are.
Of course, cultivation has begun in both areas, and they're being harvested, but for now, they're mostly being used to make yokan. Ogonori (tengusa seaweed) can be found in a fishing village called Cleene, so it's easy to get the ingredients.
"Yokan, huh? They say it's portable emergency food, so it's probably for explorations."
"Indeed. Just between us… if someone with Medicinal Cuisine Mastery makes yokan, it gains an MP regeneration effect."
"No way, really…?"
Miki lowered her voice as she said this, and I couldn't help but lean in.
Apparently, it provides +5 MP every minute for about 15 minutes, and there's talk that it could become the next hit product after torotoro dried papu fruit.
Well, if it makes Natto and the others money, that's fine. You can never have too much money when developing a new settlement.
"I'm very curious to see how amazing it would be if big brother, with his Medicinal Cuisine Mastery, cooked azuki beans grown by fairies!"
"Come on now…"
Even so, I was a little tempted to try it.
For today, though, I'll start by making anko, then move on to anbutter toast.
"Oh, right. It seems the World Quest advanced while we were at club."
"What?!"
"Ah, calm down. The Ancient Ruins seem to be the final stage, so I don't think anything's happening immediately."
I think they specifically mentioned the location because it's the end, and they want everyone to participate properly. So, if there's any definite movement, it probably won't be until tomorrow or later.
"I see. So, where are these Ancient Ruins located?"
"I think it said they're south of the Demon Kingdom."
"Hmm, if it's within the Demon Kingdom's territory, there might be no need for us to go out of our way."
Originally, it seemed like a World Quest for players who started in the Demon Kingdom, so if the final stage is also in the Demon Kingdom, there might not be much benefit for existing players.
"Don't you only get World Quest contribution points by participating in things like that?"
"There was a lot of waiting and seeing this time. A participation prize level of reward would be enough."
With the Southern Island, the port being developed in Amiera Territory, and the Dwarf Dungeon, they apparently focused more on "keeping watch for devils" during the World Quest.
"Even if the final stage is said to be the Demon Kingdom, it would be premature to let down our guard elsewhere."
"Ah, you're right."
It would be foolish if something else happened then…
*
"Alright, let's begin."
"Yes!"
Making anko with azuki beans.
First, a quick rinse with water generated by Spirit Magic.
"Just a light rinse. It's just to get rid of surface dirt or any remaining husks."
Mion looked serious, but it's better not to scrub too hard.
After a rough wash, I transferred them to a pot.
"Next, boil them. Once it boils, reduce to medium heat for about 15 minutes. It's called 'shibukiri,' but basically, it's boiling them to remove bitterness."
"Boiling them to remove bitterness, you say?"
"It means bringing it to a boil once and then discarding all the liquid. They say it removes the sharp edges of the ingredients."
"I see!"
Mion seemed impressed, but I was just repeating everything Grandma told me.
After the shibukiri,
"Replace the water and simmer until soft. Oh, use a different pot. We can wash the pot used for the shibukiri in the meantime."
"Yes!"
"Oops, scum is already rising. Is it faster because it's a game?"
I busily scooped off the scum with a ladle. Apparently, if you don't do it diligently, bitterness will remain.
After simmering for another 15 minutes, I scooped out a few beans with a ladle to check if they were soft.
"Crush them like this to check if there's a hard core remaining. If you add sugar, they won't soften."
I'm not entirely sure why, but that's what they say.
I gave Mion two or three boiled azuki beans on a spoon and had her gently crush them with her finger to check.
"How is it?"
"I think it's fine."
"Roger. Okay, now add half of the prepared sugar."
I mixed it thoroughly, and once all the added sugar had dissolved, I put in the rest.
"Why do we add it in halves?"
"Um, probably to prevent lumps? If you add it all at once, you might get clumps, or the sweetness could be uneven, I think."
"I see!"
Yeah, sorry if I'm wrong.
Then, while watching the heat… just a gentle simmer. We waited a while, watching the moisture evaporate.
"Alright. Finally, a sprinkle of salt."
"You add salt?"
"Yep. To tighten up the flavor, maybe? It might be like adding salt to watermelon."
I don't really understand it myself, but adding it does seem to tighten the flavor.
Well, it's the Ise Family flavor, I guess.
"Oh, a tray, please."
"Yes!"
We divided it into small portions on trays. While it cooled, I prepared the bread.
I sliced the baguette diagonally, toasted it, and then topped it with anko and butter.
Mm, this is… dangerous looking…
"Snacks~?" "~~~♪"
"Eh? Althena-chan?"
Before I knew it, the White Dragon Princess and Sweee were at the kitchen entrance, and El-san was smiling wryly behind them.
"My apologies. A sweet scent drifted over."
"Ah, yes. It just finished, so let's all eat some."
"Yes!"
I quickly prepared portions for everyone, small ones for Sweee and the others.
El-san brewed some tea, and we all moved to the reception room.
The White Dragon Princess and the others were waiting impatiently, so I said,
"Alright, let's eat."
"Yes, let's eat."
"Let's eat~♪" "~~~♪" "「「「~~~♪」」」"