kscans

Chapter 55 - A Foreign People and a Foreign Cuisine

We ended up joining a band of nomads 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 carriages, it looked just like a village. There were a great many children, who were running all over the place.

The children had gathered around Myra, too. She was telling them a story from memory. Every now and then, a little rascal would try to mischievously give Myra a hug. Hey, those are mine. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t touch them without permission.

I decided to break out the corn I’d bought back in Richel and treat everyone. I skewered the cobs and started grilling them on a rack over the cooking fire.

For some reason, Famu was stuck right to my side, helping me. She was in charge of brushing them with butter and soy sauce, which she did for each and every cob with meticulous care.

"Master, shouldn’t you taste-test it before we hand it out to everyone?"

she asked, looking up at me with eyes full of expectation.

"That’s a good point. Guess I’ll have a little bite."

"Would you allow me to do it?"

Her tail was swaying back and forth.

"…I don’t need you to help me that much."

"No, it would be terrible if it didn’t taste good. I can’t let you eat something like that, Master!"

"I appreciate the sentiment, Famu, but I really should…"

I said, picking up one of the cobs and bringing it to my mouth.

"Ah, Master…"

Famu looked at me with a sad expression. I hadn’t realized she liked it that much. So that’s why she remembered the smell when we ran into that Black Sky in the dungeon. I guess I’d been a little too mean. I handed the grilled corn to Famu. Her tail started wagging furiously.

"Once you’re done, come back and help me again."

"Yes, Master! Please call for me when another taste test is required!"

"…"

Famu walked 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 Myra, had formed in front of me. I handed out the grilled corn, but my stock was gone in an instant. I needed to prepare more, but Famu still hadn't come back.

"I’ll help you,"

Myra offered. She helped me husk the corn and put it on skewers. 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 street vendor, so I stocked up."

I wanted to say it was 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 say it to the other party members, but not to Myra herself.

"You’re joking, right?"

Myra asked.

"I’m tired of being an adventurer."

"Please, at least keep at it until the Demon Lord defeats you."

"I’m the one who gets defeated?!"

"I’ll take care of the rest. I’ll just keep hitting him with my mace."

"…"

I felt like Myra had gotten cold again.

"Are you angry that I summoned Laciel?"

"I believe it was an unavoidable situation. But… I wanted to see her, even just for a moment."

Myra pouted. She was definitely not happy about it.

"We’ll be in the city tomorrow. I’ll summon her then!"

"I’m sure it’ll just be one of those classic situations where you claim you’re out of mana or energy and can’t do it."

It was no use. Her heart was closed off by negative emotions.

There were two tree stumps near us, each big enough for one person to sit on.

"Myra, this is tiring. Let’s sit down while we work."

"It’s fine. Besides, I was sitting in the carriage the whole time, so my butt is a little sore."

"I see. Well, I think I’ll take a seat."

I sat down on the stump closest to Myra.

"…Actually, maybe I’ll sit down, too."

Myra came and sat on the same stump. We each sat with half our butts on the wood, playfully jostling and pushing against each other for space. Her rear was soft, too.

"That aside, this smells absolutely wonderful. I want to have some, too,"

Myra said, as if trying to change her own mood. She smelled wonderful, too.

"Of course. Let’s eat together once things calm down."

"Okay."

Myra nodded. I hoped her mood would improve, even just a little.

As I continued grilling the corn, Famu returned.

"The chief of the nomads would like to speak with you, Master."

Famu pointed toward a particularly ornate carriage. In front of it, a massive tent had been pitched. I’d never seen one in person, but it resembled a ger.

"They want to see me, not the Mateo Trading Company?"

Famu nodded. I had a bad feeling about this.

"What could it be? Do they want some grilled corn?"

"Shall I bring some? I’ll take an extra one, just in case I drop one."

I noticed she was no longer holding the grilled corn. She must have finished it already.

"…I’ll go see what they want."

"Then I shall grill the corn in your place, Master."

"…"

Though I was left with a profound sense of unease, I decided to leave the corn to Famu.

"I’ll go with you,"

Myra said. I’d wanted her to keep an eye on Famu, but I felt safer with her by my side, so I nodded.

On our way to the tent, we ran into Mizuki, Cecily, and Aira, so we all decided to go together. Two muscular men were standing in front of the tent. Were they guards? I wondered what kind of person was inside.

Without being questioned, one of the men guided us in. The air inside was filled with a pleasant, indescribable fragrance, perhaps from incense. A brazier was lit, making the interior bright. A carpet was spread across the floor, and at the far end, a woman sat on a high-backed chair, flanked by two attendants.

She looked to be about Mizuki’s age, or perhaps 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. My name is Kalpana, granddaughter of this clan’s chief."

Kalpana stood and gave a small bow. This was a bad sign. I wanted to run.

"You’ve got the wrong person. I’m Misshu. And these are Muzuki, Soshiry, Iira, and lastly, Miira. She just woke from a thousand-year slumber yesterday."

"So I’ve finally been relegated to being the punchline…"

Myra mumbled, looking dejected at my words.

"I understand why you are wary of us. That is why we have prepared a meal. Won’t you join us?"

At a clap of her hands from one of her attendants, nomads from outside began carrying in large platters of food one after another. The smell of curry drifted through the air. The platters were laden with what looked like a curry soup, something like naan, various vegetables and meats, and skewered meats.

Trailing behind them was Famu, carrying a large platter piled high with grilled corn. What in the world was she doing?

"Master. I grilled them. Let’s all eat together."

After setting down the platter, she came to my side.

"I had no idea. Do you like it that much?"

"Your face looked so happy when you were eating it, Master, so I came to love it, too."

"Did I look like that? It was probably brought here by a transmigrator. It made me feel nostalgic."

Nostalgic, I thought, but I’d only been in this world for about a month. Still, the world I came from already felt like a distant memory.

"Is that so? Let’s eat it together again sometime."

"Please, have a seat."

At Kalpana’s urging, we sat down on round cushions.

"This is the cuisine of our homeland, the land of the wandering people."

The smell was unmistakably curry. It looked like curry, too.

"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 whispered, just loud enough for me to hear. It seemed we were thinking the same thing. As we talked, a white liquid was poured into silver glasses. It was frothy, like beer. Since they kept goats, I figured it was probably goat’s milk.

"I heard you were in the middle of an escort quest, so this isn’t alcohol, but let’s have a toast."

We raised our glasses and drank. It tasted like watered-down yogurt, with a hint of salt.

"It’s Ayran. This is the first time I’ve had it made with goat’s milk, but it’s quite popular in the Demon Kingdom. I used to drink it back in my settlement,"

Famu explained, her face tinged with sadness. The village where she lived was on the border between the Empire and the Demon Kingdom. It must have had a mix of cultures, and she had probably eaten eastern cuisine before.

"It’s a familiar taste for you, then?"

"Every family makes their own Ayran. Each one has its own family taste. On festival days, we would compare our Ayran with other households… I can’t drink my family’s Ayran anymore."

Famu forced a smile. That strained expression made my chest ache.

"…I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say."

"I’m sorry for bringing up something so strange at a time like this. I’m happy now that I have you, Master."

"Well, I like this taste."

"Yes, me too. I love it. Master, let’s try the other dishes!"

She took a bite of skewered meat. It was flavored with all sorts of spices and was incredibly delicious.

"This is kebab. It’s also eaten in the Demon Kingdom. It’s been properly marinated in yogurt."

"Famu, were you a food critic all this time?"

I started to wonder if she’d eventually get angry over minute differences in seasoning.

"N-No, that’s not my character. I just like delicious food."

I had thought she just said everything was delicious to please me, but it turned out she had a proper palate and was genuinely savoring the food. Her face always looked so happy when she ate. She had a refined tongue. Her family must have been one of the more well-off ones in her village. No, considering the village was attacked, perhaps the entire village was prosperous. She must have been raised with such care that even after being thrown in a cell and treated horribly, her spirit wasn’t broken.

I felt like I had managed to touch upon another part of who she was. And that made me happy.

"From now on, I’ll make sure you eat even more delicious things."

"Yes! I want to eat your egg dish again, Master!"

And just like that, I had a request.