Chapter 669 - Chapter 595: Master Chef's Recommended Course
Tuesday
"Ah, looks like we've got mail."
"I wonder if it's from Master Chef? That was fast."
After school, in the club's IRO club room.
Mion was apparently preparing dessert, so I left that to her and checked the transfer box.
Seems like it's just Master Chef's letter today.
"I wonder if the seasonings are cheap... The cooking utensils are probably normal? Hmm, but specialized cooking equipment might be pricey..."
Sauces and the like come in medium bottles for one large copper coin, about 1,000 Iris. No decimal points like in a supermarket, probably to avoid complicated calculations and change.
Ordinary pots and knives cost several large copper coins (5,000-6,000 Iris), but things like mincers and pasta machines that only non-standard players can make cost several silver coins (50,000-60,000 Iris). Some items might even require gold coins (100,000 Iris).
"But we do have plenty of money..."
Though Mion manages it, there should have been over 100 gold coins (10 million Iris).
It's better to have some reserves, and we should buy extra for True and the others too.
"Wah""~~~♪"
"Yeah, let's go."
It seemed the dessert was ready, so I put away the letter and moved to the living room.
Mion and the White Dragon Princess were already seated, and El-san was brewing Canina (Rosehip) tea for them.
"Well then, I'll dig in."
"I'll dig in""I'll dig in~~~♪"
While eating cookies containing Ocher nuts, I told Mion about the contents of the letter I just received.
The ordinary cooking utensils I could make myself are fine, but I'm thinking of buying multiple mincers and pasta machines.
"I think that's fine. We have plenty of money."
"Right?"
Master Chef's letter did say to just buy things with money normally.
It seemed he was worried that if more people wanted to exchange for island products, we'd just accumulate too much money.
"Still, it would be difficult to spend it all..."
"Yeah. We need to think of other ways to spend money too."
I wonder what expensive things there are? Magical tools, probably?
But I doubt people who have magical tools would sell them...
"Do you two, Swee-chan and Althena-chan, have any ideas?"
"~~~......""Hmm..."
The two of them had been deep in thought at Mion's question, but then:
"Sweet snacks~"
"~~~♪"
p>"That's fine, but we'll end up with more than we can eat?"
To that answer, Swee made a "uhehe" expression.
I can imagine what she's thinking, but since she and I are the ones who'd have to make the sweet treats, I'd prefer she tone it down a bit.
"Do you have any ideas, El-san?"
"When it comes to expensive items, precious metals are the standard..."
"Hmm, Mithril we can mine ourselves here, so after that... gems perhaps?"
Looking at Mion, she was placing a hand on the opal at her chest and shaking her head side to side. That probably means this is enough for her.
"What about you three, Swee? And what about Kuro, Rake, and Ato?"
"~~~♪"
It's not like they desperately want anything, but they seem happy to have them.
Well, if that's the case, it might be okay to just pick out some small things for them.
"Should I ask Master Chef to pick out precious metals and gems for accessories?"
"I don't see why not. He did mention having connections for things other than cooking in his letter."
Now that I think about it, he did write that.
In that case, it would be easier to give him a budget range and have him buy within that?
"How much should I set the budget at? How much money do we have right now?"
"30 million Iris and a little more."
"Then let's use up about 10 million. A Green Gold ingot was 500,000 after all."
"I think that's fine."
With seasonings and cooking utensils included, it should all fit within 10 million.
I have a feeling it'll be an enormous amount, but the large transfer room still has plenty of space, and we could distribute seasonings and such to True and Kuro right away.
"~~~?"
"Alright, alright. I'll reply tonight, so we should get going soon."
I've come to the Southern Island with little time to spare—just me, Mion, Lupi, and Swee.
"How has it been since then?"
"Juju!"
It seems yesterday, the players who went with us have paired up with the Kijimunaa and are exploring the forest.
For now, since there aren't many people, they're only exploring to about the middle of the forest, but they haven't encountered any Wither Lacies, apparently.
But according to Director Bell and Seth, it seems that even in the liberated areas, a weaker version of the boss monster appears regularly.
"Let me tell you again to be careful."
"Ju!"
p>I already asked Natto and the others to properly include the Kijimunaa in their parties, so it should be fine.
"Right, Mion, thanks for this."
"Hai."
Mion distributed the scarves that were only meant for Gaju to everyone.
When handing over the scarves, Mion told everyone to be careful, so they probably won't do anything reckless.
Still, every time a Kijimunaa accepts a scarf, they give me an Armra (Mango) or Alekesu fruit in return.
It's perfect timing since I wanted them, but Swee's expression kept getting more and more greedy...