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The amount of soybean paste I brought to the Afterglow Fortress wasn’t small.

That said, it wasn’t exactly little either.

The soybean paste in the barrel was something I usually consumed personally, and when guests requested it, I would serve it, so it was enough to last for several months.

It was enough for at least hundreds of servings.

If I were alone, I could have eaten that soybean paste for months and still had some left.

Well, saying it was completely gone is an exaggeration, though.

The barrel that was once full had now shrunk to half.

But in return, I did gain something.

Isn’t it said that people grow closer when they share the same food?

Karem had become much closer to the cooks at Afterglow Fortress.

No longer just a vague respect or curiosity, but a sense of fondness.

The time he spent in the kitchen had significantly increased, allowing him to build relationships with the cooks, servants, and maids, while also getting various bits of news.

Like who in the inner castle had an affair, or that a servant’s hometown had successfully repelled an attack from the undead horde, or even that the nearby village was experiencing a bountiful onion harvest—these were all trivial, yet they kept the boredom at bay for about a week.

Finally, Karem could return to his main work.

Because Catherine had come back.

“So, is everything done now?”

Karem asked, placing a brisket and brisket soybean paste noodle dish made from the last remaining soybean paste in front of Catherine and Gordon. There was no subject, but the meaning was apparent.

“The local investigation with Hartman is complete. However, it’s still a long way back. Ultimately, I’ll need to personally meet with His Grace, the Marquess, and seek his permission.”

“Didn’t you say you had broad discretionary power?”

“Yeah. But in the end, it’s still a matter of discretion.”

Catherine wrinkled her nose at the aroma rising from the dish. Not in a negative sense, rather she was confused about what it was.

“So, what is this… pasta made from?”

“Pasta is pasta.”

“No, I mean the identity of this smell. It’s a smell I’ve never encountered before.”

“Why does that matter?”

Furururuk—

While Catherine was saying that, Gordon began eating first.

And it seemed he was satisfied with the home-cooked meal he hadn’t had in a while.

The meat was tender yet firm, providing a delightful chew.

A thick and savory broth clung to the cold throat with warmth.

The aroma filled his nasal cavity and lungs, tantalizing his senses.

“This broth is fantastic! What on earth did you do to make it have a light flavor yet still be hearty? Plus, it even has a slight taste of clams.”

“We mixed kelp-stewed water with clam-shell broth.”

“Huh, but what’s this rich flavor? It’s sticking to my mouth.”

Gordon licked his lips, repeatedly gulping down the broth with the noodles. The flavor of the broth, combined with the taste of the sea and rich beef, was exquisite.

“It’s made from meju, which is fermented soybean sauce.”

It was splendid.

For a moment, as Gordon hesitated and set his bowl back down, Catherine finally expressed a hint of negativity by wrinkling her nose.

“…Kiddo, is this the dreadful thing you were experimenting with that you borrowed secretly last time?”

“It’s your soy gall. What’s wrong with that? You enjoyed the soy sauce, didn’t you?”

“…Well, it was tasty.”

Without a doubt, the soy sauce had been delicious. The essence of savory richness that was hard to believe was made from soybeans—it was a gem of flavor.

However, when Catherine looked down at the bowl, her mouth twitched in disappointment.

Though I said it was an experiment, compared to the overwhelming stench reminiscent of the poisonous gas attacks by monstrous beasts that broke through even a Grand Wizard’s purification magic, this was mortifying.

Of course, the smell wafting from the bowl was appetizing and incredibly ‘exotic’ in comparison to anything from Europa.

Also, there was that strange sensation.

A tingling? A peculiar floating feeling in the heart?

Not just an exotic taste or smell, but literally something indescribable was beyond comprehension.

While Catherine was pondering that subtlety, which could be dismissed as a mere illusion, Gordon was emptying his bowl while grumbling.

“Damn it, it was soybeans.”

“Why are you suddenly complaining when you were eating just fine?”

“Well, I didn’t know it was soybeans.”

“Do you dislike soybeans?”

“I hate that green smell and its grittiness. Somehow, the aftertaste was gritty. Was that it?”

He said so, but only remnants of broth lingered like a small puddle in Gordon’s bowl. It looked like an excuse, but Karem could sense the sincerity in Gordon’s face.

“So then, can I clean up?”

“…No, I changed my mind.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yeah. Being picky, it feels foolish somehow.”

Karem, answering Mary, mumbled his words, trailing off.

Meju. It started with bad memories, yet seeing the meaningless statements of dislike after eating it all made him feel foolish too.

Mary immediately spooned some noodles and broth into Catherine’s mouth.

Only after the spoon entered her mouth did Catherine’s skepticism finally relax.

“…Huh? This taste comes from that dreadful brick!?”

“I told you the soy sauce also came from that dreadful brick, right?”

“…Then what was that rotting smell from the undead?”

“It was the smell of fermentation during the process. Just that.”

Just like cheese, Karem’s words made Catherine sigh briefly.

Indeed, cheese can emit a smell so foul during or after it’s made that even starved wyverns might faint.

In comparison, the unpleasant smell released by meju during fermentation was nothing more than moderate.

“Fully fermented meju actually smells appetizing.”

“Sure. While it may not be as good as freshly baked bread with melted butter, the smell of roasted nuts and abundant grains was impressive.”

“See?”

And Mary’s testimony supported that. She had been a companion who had experienced the evolution of meju with Karem from the very beginning. It was very credible.

“Anyway, all the immediate tasks are done now.”

Catherine slurped the spoon Mary offered, savoring the taste.

“By the way… something feels strange.”

“Oh, is it a bit gritty?”

“That’s true, but… hmmm.”

Catherine took another spoonful offered by Mary.

The taste was good, yet it was strangely weak enough to make it hard to discern.

What is this rising sensation…?

At first, she felt uncomfortable about the unknown feeling.

However, once she started eating, she couldn’t stop.

Gulp.

“Until the moment I meet His Grace, I guess I could say I have free time.”

“Uh, Wizard, isn’t there still work left for you?”

“Hm? What are you talking about?”

“All those contracts, letters, and paperwork. You need to organize them, right?”

Gordon, seemingly pleased with the brisket, devoured it without hesitation while asking. Catherine snorted in disbelief.

“Those can be done in one fell swoop later whenever I find the time. Just contracts. I can finish that before bed.”

“You said you had nothing to do until you got here?”

“I’ll just decline pesky invitations and focus on the experiments I’ve been putting off.”

After savoring the brisket Mary had offered, Catherine was mildly impressed. Just what part of the beef was this that, even when cold, was so tender yet chewy with a strong flavor unique to beef?

‘But why do I feel so anxious?’

Tension surged in Karem, who had been sitting quietly.

Though they were just chatting, he felt nervously as if he had forgotten something.

While contemplating on a piece of brisket, Catherine pointed at Karem.

“I had forgotten until now, but since I’ve got time, I should finish the experiment too.”

“Hmm, why are you pointing at me—”

“Yeah, you. You need to examine the holy relic properly, right?”

With others around, Karem instinctively smacked his forehead.

“Damn it! I didn’t think you’d still remember that…!”

“It’s more peculiar to pass by without knowing!”

“Really, what kind of mannerisms does a master have when he acts like that?”

“I’d definitely be bombarded with magic…!”

“Stop whining like a noble lady facing an unreasonable situation!?”

“Would a normal person sit idly when magic is about to rain down?!”

“Then who’s going to test it aside from you?”

“Why? There’s Gordon over there too?”

Thrown into a pinch Gordon pointed at himself, bewildered.

“What? Me? Is that what you’re implying?”

“Being a Swordmaster, you can probably withstand a bit of excess magic, right?”

“Eh, I mean, I can handle it, but technically speaking, I’m a guest here?”

“…Oops.”

Karem genuinely panicked at the absurdity of someone’s words.

He had become so accustomed to everything that he totally forgot that despite being dragged in on the first day by force, he was still a guest.

Even if the other person was a formidable warrior capable of single-handedly stopping armies, he couldn’t commit such rudeness toward a guest.

“Well, please take it as a joke.”

“A joke!?”

“Ugh, so am I destined to become a test subject for Sir Atanitas’s magical experiments?”

“I’m not turning you into a chimera, so what’s the problem? This Grand Wizard is offering to appraise an uncertain piece of equipment for free.”

True enough, that wasn’t a wrongful statement.

The appraisal fee for items from a Grand Wizard starts at dozens of crown coins. Meaning it’s reliable, assured, and a way to guarantee value.

However, it was clear how Catherine would assess the holy relic.

Without a doubt, she would likely shoot it down under the pretext of testing its defensive capabilities.

It might not be the case, but it most likely would be.

Karem glared at Catherine, whose fingers were twitching restlessly.

“Is anything going to get hurt on your body, so why are you so scared?”

“That’s separate! I’m just scared!”

“Yet, from what you said earlier, it seems like you’re going to do it anyway.”

“Yes.”

“Then why complain?”

“I might say I’ll do it, but being scared is a separate issue!”

Catherine, Mary, and Gordon all looked at Karem with varying degrees of confusion, disinterest, and absurdity, yet Karem was serious.

All in all, it was important to ascertain the holy relic’s specifications.

It would be strange not to feel fear while regardlessly shooting magic.

It was much like how people fear horror elements of a façade game.

Even if it’s a figment, even if it’s not real, fear is still fear.

“If a knight unsheathes his sword, he must cut down at least a tree. Since we’re on the subject, let’s do it right now—”

As Catherine was about to rise from her seat, leaning on the table, she suddenly paused to think. Karem wondered what had crossed her mind.

“Before doing that, it would be nice to have a snack.”

“…You haven’t even finished your meal yet.”

“If we start determining the relic and snack time comes, you’ll have to leave with Mary, right? Well, if you hand all the snack preparation over to Mary, then it wouldn’t matter—”

“I’ll go prepare it right away!”

With that, Karem jumped up from his chair as if he had been waiting for the cue.

“Tsk. You should just quietly conduct your magic experiment with the contractor.”

“Oh, ho ho ho. There’s no way I can do that. Considering how opportunistic your unpredictable behavior is.”

“One day, there will surely be a slip-up.”

“If you think I’ll shoo away work from here, that’s a miscalculation.”

“I won’t give up. Who do you think will contribute more to snacks right now?”

“…Well, let’s discuss that as we go.”

Karem looked over at Mary, who had her hawk-like eyes fixed on him like a predator eyeing its prey.

He suddenly turned his head towards Catherine.

“Do you have any requests?”

“Hmm, after having such weighty things for so long, I’d like something a little lighter this time.”

“A light dessert…?”

It was a picky request, yet not entirely difficult.

Of course, the basic ingredients for desserts are heavy.

That said, there are indeed light and refreshing desserts.

“Oh, and if possible, no butter.”

“What?”

Mary uttered a sound akin to a raccoon witnessing an orc performing ballet.

“Ugh, kiddo. Just how trendy is your recipe still making my mouth feel oily—”

“Contractor, what does that even mean? No butter in desserts? What the—”

“How many times have you had desserts without butter?”

“A dessert without butter? What sort of a wizard without magic does that even mean?”

“…Isn’t it just that you’re just craving it?”

After stepping back from the friendly exchange between the contractor and servant, Karem pondered over Gordon.

“Light, without butter. It’s a bit tricky.”

“Oh, can I add one more thing?”

“Go ahead.”

“I’d like it with cheese in it.”

“Are you not sensitive to that?”

“What? Me?”

Gordon waved his hands as if he had just heard something outrageous.

Hah, this man who devours dozens of egg tarts in one sitting.

How could he possibly complain about feeling sick after eating a heavy dish for just days?

Besides, three increasingly picky requests were added.

Karem’s head began to throb.

‘No butter, light, and include cheese?‘

But considering Mary’s response, it seemed like butter must not be omitted.

 

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