The Pegasus Postman
“Ughhh, what’s this? Can you even eat this thing?”
Looking into the dismantled shell, Terry asked.
“You can. This part’s called crab miso — you pour in some sake and soy sauce, add the meat from the belly, and then grill it slowly over low heat. It’s thick and flavorful, at least I think so, though it’s a bit of an acquired taste. For the crab rice, I’ll use the grilled meat from these legs, and for the crab soup, I’ll use the raw ones.”
“Got it! Then Terry, wash the rice. I’ll go with the young lady and grill the crab shells and the legs for the rice.”
“Roger that.”
When they stepped out through the kitchen’s back door, a makeshift hearth had been set up, and someone was sitting on a log tending the fire. As Joan and Mac approached, the person turned around.
“Grandfather!?” “Master!?”
“Oh, you’re here. The fire was about to go out, so this old man decided to watch over it.”
(And I’m here too~)
On Will’s lap sat Rosso.
They’d become great buddies, taking naps and sitting by the fire together.
Grandfather and Rosso must really be on the same wavelength.
They placed the shells and legs on the grill, waiting for the heat to work its way through.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had Karkinos. Though this crab miso is new to me.”
“Grandfather, Eastern liquor goes perfectly with it.”
“What? Really? Then perhaps Lady Sachiko would be delighted if we invited her.”
“Oh, that’s true. Should I ask Rottenmeier to fetch her?”
“Hm? You can just send her a letter.”
“Send a letter?”
“Hm? You haven’t learned that at the academy yet? You do it like this…”
Saying that, Will extended his palm — and from it, a yellow bird appeared.
“Eh? What’s this…?”
“It’s a magical bird. Yellow means it’s a Lightning attribute. The royal family, though, produces gold ones regardless of attribute.”
“Can I touch it?”
“Go ahead.”
When I gently touched it, it felt just like a normal bird — but the moment my fingers brushed it, the bird vanished in a flash, leaving a sheet of paper behind.
“Wah, it disappeared.”
“It only disappears when touched by the intended recipient — then it turns into a letter.”
“Hehh~ Then, that means this one was addressed to me?”
When I opened the paper, it read: “I’m almost out of dried sweet potatoes.”
“Fufu, Grandfather, really… By the way, can this letter-sending magic be used by those with the Null attribute too?”
“...…”
Will and Mac froze. Apparently, Joan had forgotten she was Null attribute.
“You two… forgot, didn’t you?”
I said, giving them a sharp look. Both nodded together.
“Well, you can do pretty much anything, Missy… Right, Master?”
“Y-yes, indeed! Though perhaps Joan’s power breaks all the rules. Hahaha… uh, why not ask that… what was it, Ashi-something?”
“It’s Assist… Hm? Then, what about the transfer circles the guild uses?”
“Ah, those are used officially because they leave a record of the transfer.”
“Ahh, I see.”
(To think His Majesty let Father put one of those in his office…)
(But that aside…)
——Hey, Assist-chan.
——A: Yep, yep!
——J: Can Null attribute people send letters with magic?
——A: Depends on the person~
——J: And me?
——A: Of course you can, you’re Joan!
——J: Ahaha… figures. Okay, then how do I do it?
——A: First, what kind of creature do you want it to be?
——J: Anything? What colors can it be?
——A: Anything works! Null attribute ones are white by default.
——J: Then I’ll go with a pegasus.
——A: Sounds just like you, Joan. Okay then, open your palm,
imagine the recipient and the message, and call forth the pegasus.
——J: Got it, I’ll give it a try.
“How’d it go?”
“Apparently, it depends on the person even with Null attribute.”
“And you, Joan?”
“I can do it…”
“I thought so. Did you get the instructions?”
“Yes. I’ll try it. (To Grandfather… ‘Don’t drink too much’ … Pegasus, come!)”
A pure white pegasus appeared in her palm.
“Ohh~ So white for Null attribute, huh? Pegasus suits you well, Joan.”
The pegasus fluttered over to Will, landing gently on his outstretched hand before transforming into paper.
“… A cruel message for a man who was just about to start drinking.”
“Haha, but I’m glad it worked! Now, I’ll send one to Sacchan too.”
I sent a Pegasus Letter to Sacchan, then, once the crab legs were cooked through, returned to the kitchen to start preparing the crab rice and soup. The crab shell grill was left in Grandfather and Rosso’s care.
“Alright, I’ve pulled the meat from the crab legs, so let’s make the crab rice! First, add the rice, then the katsubushi broth, sake, and soy sauce, then water. After that, mix in the shredded meat and let it cook. For the crab soup, we’ll use—”
“Young lady, what’s that?”
What Joan had pulled from her storage was a glass decanter with kelp inside.
“Kelp broth. You can make it by boiling, but this cold-brew version is easier.”
“I see. If all you have to do is soak it, that’s much simpler.”
“Right? So, you take the kelp broth, add the raw crab, bring it to a simmer, and once it boils, lower the heat and let it cook for ten to fifteen minutes. Skim off the scum as it comes up. Then add miso, and it’s done! Sprinkle chopped green onions at the end if you like. Okay, I’ll leave the rest to you — I’ll check on the crab shell grill.”
“Got it.”
When she stepped back out toward the hearth, not only Grandfather and Rosso were there, but also her brothers Gene and Eric.
“Huh? Done with training?”
“Come on, with that smell drifting all the way to the training grounds, how’re we supposed to focus?”
“Yeah, Gene’s stomach’s been growling nonstop. Hahaha.”
“Says the guy whose did too!”
“I’m not denying it.”
“Joan, can we help?”
“Thanks, Belle. The crab alone won’t be enough, so I thought we could grill some other seafood too.”
“Wow, I’m excited! I haven’t eaten much seafood before.”
“Really? Then I want you to try a bit of everything… Grandfather, may I go shopping for more?”
“Sure. But not alone. Gene.”
“Yes, of course I’ll go with her. Eric, Belle — want to come too? You haven’t been into town yet, right?”
“Ijok will probably come too, so be back early, alright?”
““““Yes!””””
What do you think about this chapter?
