A Natural Charmer
Sebastian and Rottenmeier returned, pushing a cart.
Ah, it’s about time for a nightcap… Well then, guess it’s time to bring out some snacks.
“Come to think of it, yesterday I found dried squid and mochi at the dried goods shop.”
“Squid and mochi… that’s what you mentioned before, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. Here they are.”
I take the squid and mochi out of my storage.
“Squid—do you mean dried kraken? And what is this mochi?”
“Mochi is made by steaming and pounding rice.”
Well, technically it’s glutinous rice, though.
“If I recall, you’re supposed to grill it, right?”
“Yes. Here’s a grilled one.”
Like in a quick cooking show, I pull out a freshly grilled one from my storage.
“Wahaha, you’re well prepared.”
“For the squid, please try it with mayonnaise and shichimi chili pepper. The mochi is grilled with soy sauce and wrapped in seaweed—it’s called isobeyaki.”
“Oh my? What’s this black paper on the mochi?”
“Ah, that’s nori—dried seaweed. You eat it just like that.”
Incidentally, I bought the shichimi and nori on impulse when I spotted them on my way out of Sacchan’s shop.
“Ooh—this squid gets more flavorful the more you chew. It really makes me want a drink. Sebas, bring me some—”
“Here you go, Master.”
“Hm? This is water, isn’t it? I want sake.”
“No, it’s not water. It’s a type of alcohol from the Eastern lands, called seishu—refined sake.”
“What! Such a clear alcohol exists? Let me see… Delicious! A soft fragrance lingers in the nose after drinking, and the smooth, mellow flavor… It pairs wonderfully with the squid.”
Gulp… Zap!
“Ugh.”
Whoa, Sebastian gulped, and Rottenmeier zapped him with lightning… And now Rottenmeier’s just tilting her head like “I didn’t do anything.” She’s adorable, but that lightning zap—she’s basically Pi○chu.
“Um, Rottenmeier, Sebastian, if you’d like, please come sit with us. Right, Grandfather, Grandmother, it’s okay, right?”
“O-oh. You two always work hard, so come over and join us for a change.”
“Haha. Yes, it’s nice to do this once in a while.”
““Thank you kindly.””
“Come, come, please.”
I offer them some of the sake.
“Let’s see… Oh—this slides smoothly across the tongue, a truly pleasant mouthfeel. And the subtle aroma is wonderful.”
Sebastian… That’s some pro-level commentary. Like a sommelier. And he’s clearly a heavy drinker.
“It’s very easy to drink. Madam, you’d like this, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes, indeed. It’s so smooth, I feel like I could drink too much.”
“By the way, where did you get this sake?”
“Oh, from Sacchan—the one at the dried goods shop.”
“Ah, that dried goods store. Wasn’t she Taiki’s grandmother, I believe?”
So you did know after all…
“Oh my? But I didn’t hear anything about her selling alcohol?”
“No, I gave her some tonjiru—orc soup—before leaving. Then I asked her if she had any other items from the Eastern lands, and she brought it out from the back.”
““““……””””
Why is everyone silent?
“Wahahahaha. As expected of you, Joan.”
“Eh? What do you mean?”
“Young lady, that shop is one even townsfolk rarely approach. The storefront, and the shopkeeper herself… it’s rather intimidating.”
“Ohh—I see.”
Sebastian’s explanation definitely makes sense.
“Yet you not only haggled and bought items, you got her to bring out something she keeps in the back… an exceptional product.”
“No, but I didn’t really—”
“No, Young lady. Forgive the interruption, but you gave that famously stubborn Sachiko a bribe in the form of orc soup. And she was quite pleased.”
“Wait, Rottenmeier, you know Sacchan?”
“Yes, we go way back. For you to get into her good graces… truly impressive, Young lady.”
“Ahaha, Joan, you really are a natural charmer.”
“Ehhh!? Grandmotheeer~!”
“Wahaha. Once Joan gets your stomach, there’s no escaping.”
“Grandfather too~!?”
“Oh, right. I made this as well.”
I say, pulling out the chicken wing karaage I didn’t serve at lunch.
“This is what Mac and the others were eating, right? Come to think of it, Young lady, you stored some away, didn’t you?”
“Ah, yes. That’s right.”
So she noticed when I quietly tucked it away… Rottenmeier is terrifying.
“Ohh—this is delicious, quite a different flavor from the salt-seasoned one. This calls for something other than sake—”
“Yes… thunk… here’s some ale.”
I cut Grandfather off mid-sentence and brought out a perfectly chilled glass of ale.
““““!!””””
All four of them froze in shock at the fact that I could even pull out ice-cold ale from my storage.
What do you think about this chapter?
