Chapter 640 - Unexpected People, Things, and Places
The sweetness of the freshly made Anko perfectly harmonized with the richness of the butter.
The crispy baguette toast mellowed the intense sweetness with its aroma, and both its slightly firm exterior and its melt-in-your-mouth interior, soaked with flavor, offered a delightful texture.
"Yeah, it's delicious."
"It's incredibly delicious…"
Mion's eyes were wide with surprise.
Mion's probably had expensive sweets and traditional Japanese confections before, but this is likely her first time having freshly made Anko. …Even if it's in Full-Dive VR.
la la la~ "la la la~"
It was good to see that Sweee and the others seemed satisfied as well.
And then there was White Dragon Princess Althena…
"It's very delicious."
"Princess?"
After eating one, she seemed to awaken, immediately reaching for a second.
Perhaps because she'd 'awakened,' her eating style became more graceful, but the speed at which she brought it to her mouth was incredible.
No, that's fine, but is this really because of the Anbutter Toast?
[(Tentative) Anbutter Toast]
*A dish featuring Azuki Anko made by Urisk and butter crafted from Ambernault Milk, served on Fairy Baguette Toast. (Description can be edited or added to.)
Effects: MP recovery +10 per minute (for 30 minutes).
Dish Name: (Undecided), Creator: Shou*
…Huh? Isn't this insane?
Seth said it was +5 per minute for 15 minutes, but the recovery amount and duration have both doubled.
"Shou-kun?"
"Ah, sorry. This Anbutter Toast's MP recovery is ridiculously high…"
Perhaps having overheard their exchange, the White Dragon Princess finished the one in her hand with a chomp before speaking.
"I wonder if that's why I feel so much better."
"Is it because Althena-chan usually doesn't have enough Mana?"
"Yes, that's right. I suppose I should explain it properly to both of you."
El, who had been given a quick glance, nodded deeply and began to speak.
It seems she'd rather eat than explain…
"Do you two know how the Princess stopped the Ancient Ruins where the catastrophe occurred?"
"Yes. She forced a massive amount of Mana into it, overloading and destroying the device."
"Ah, exactly. But as a repercussion, the Princess has been continuously emitting Mana."
Normally, Mana within the body absorbs from its surroundings and increases, meaning MP should naturally recover. However, it seems the White Dragon Princess is in a state of constant natural Mana depletion.
She's been suppressing it by increasing her sleep and regressing her thoughts to that of a child, all while waiting for her constitution to heal.
"So, eating this suppresses that Mana Emission?"
"Yes. The sensation of Mana draining from my body has disappeared."
I see. Is it like a perfect balance, then?
No, but this isn't exactly a cure, is it?
Mion seemed to realize it too,
"It's not good to eat too much, right?"
"It's probably not 'bad' bad, but whether it leads to a fundamental recovery feels questionable. Plus, a skewed nutritional balance isn't good anyway."
I wonder if some kind of dietary therapy would be good? In fact, I think Medicinal Cuisine Mastery is precisely that kind of skill.
"Althena-chan. Let's stop there."
"…Yes, you're right."
She gazed at the one she had picked up, intending to eat another, then moved it to Sweee and the others' plates.
Perhaps having heard the conversation, Sweee, too, looked at it with a subtle expression, not touching it.
silent contemplation…
"May I have it?"
Sweee nodded at his question, as if El had been considerate.
The atmosphere became somewhat indescribable,
"There's no need to worry. Since coming to this island, my symptoms have improved considerably."
"Is it thanks to life on the island?"
"Yes, that's right."
She said that if she stayed on our island and took it easy, she would gradually get better.
The food seems to have a big impact, so I need to make even more delicious things, keeping nutritional balance in mind… Ah!
"I wonder if there are any cookbooks on the mainland?"
"I think there are. Should we put out a request for them in the next commission?"
"Yeah, we earned a lot of money recently."
In fact, it's at a level where I'm wondering if we can even spend it all.
Even if we put out another request, they'd probably ask for wine rather than money.
"Then there's the ingredients… I really want rice…"
"Kome?"
"Ah, um, it's a grain called Haku, similar to Kohaku. Does the Dragon Capital have it?"
If we had Haku, we could probably make Miso, Soy Sauce, and Mirin. And, of course, sake.
And more than anything, I want white rice…
"I'm not well-versed in such matters, but Emeraldia-sama should know."
" "Huh?" "
The name of someone completely unexpected came up, and Mion and I couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
According to El, Emeraldia-san has incredible knowledge of flora and fauna.
"She didn't seem like that at all."
"Me neither…"
But now that he mentions it, it makes sense that she likes fairies and mythical beasts, I guess?
Given her difficulty with people (or dragons, in her case?), her interests probably lean that way.
"Why don't you ask her right away?"
"I see."
El said, showing his Guild Card.
Argenta-san and the others would probably hear it too, but maybe they know something.
"Um, Emeraldia-san. Are you free right now?"
After asking, they waited for a moment.
Okay, okay
"Um, do you know a plant called Haku?"
Yeah
Good. First hurdle cleared.
And next,
"Is it cultivated in the Dragon Capital? Or does it grow wild?"
No, I don't think so. But I saw it on an island I went to recently.
" "What?!" "