All About Dairy
The Norden Adventurers’ Guild was easy to find from the shared carriage stop. Pushing open the familiar swinging doors, we stepped inside. It was around lunchtime, so both the guild hall and the attached tavern were bustling.
“Hello~ We came to report our completed mission.”
“... Alright, confirmed. Also, separate from this job, you’ve earned a reward. Would you like to withdraw it?”
““Reward?””
“Yes. It’s for capturing the wanted criminals.”
“Ah—yesterday’s. Got it. No need to withdraw it. We’ll leave it as is.”
“Then I’ll return your plates. Alright, that’s all.”
“Oh, are there any good restaurants nearby? If possible, I’d like to try something local to Norden.”
“Hmm, in that case, how about ‘Dick & Bruno’? It’s a place run by two brothers who serve dishes made with their own dairy products.”
“Perfect, we’ll go there. Can you tell us where it is?”
The receptionist drew a map for us, and we set off immediately toward the shop.
We were in Soleil, the capital of the Norden territory in northern Exzaria. It’s an area thriving in both agriculture and dairy farming. The main crops are Jagato, Kabokin, and Komorokoshi.
After a short walk, we spotted a log-cabin-style building with a sign shaped like a milk can reading “Dick & Bruno.”
Despite it being lunchtime, we didn’t have to wait long to get a table. Probably thanks to Rosso perched on my shoulder, radiating peak luck. Rosso had telepathically requested to go out for cheese dishes, while Pearl preferred to relax in the Dimension Room. Meteor, as usual, was napping during the day.
The menu was packed with creamy stews, steaks smothered in melted cheese, yogurt-based desserts, and a variety of drinks.
“Wow… I don’t know what to pick. I want to try everything.”
“Yeah, me too.”
I want to eat it all.
As the three of us debated, a server came over.
“Have you decided?”
“We’re having trouble choosing—we want to try a lot of different things. Do you have any recommendations?”
“How about the chef’s tasting course? You get a little bit of everything.”
““Then we’ll take that!””
“Certainly. Please wait a moment.”
Every dairy-based dish was rich and truly delicious. The desserts came in smaller sizes, allowing us to sample everything, and we could order more of any we liked.
Phew… I’m full. Can I go back to my room now?
Rosso had eaten his fill and wanted to nap in the Dimension Room. Belle and I could only smile wryly at that. As soon as we returned to the Dimension Room with him perched on my palm, the server approached.
“How was everything?”
“Absolutely delicious! Thank you so much.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Are you visiting Soleil as tourists?”
“Yes, we came to visit a senior from the academy.”
“Joan, you need to let your senior know you’re coming, or you won’t find their house.”
“Oh, right. We’ll need to be picked up.”
“By the way, what’s your senior’s name?”
““Senior Chloe.””
“Then you must be Joan and Belle?”
““Eh?””
We were startled when the server called out our names.
“Oh, sorry! I’m Bruno, Chloe’s second oldest brother. I heard from my sister that some juniors were coming to visit.”
“Wait—you are senior’s brother? What a coincidence… So the dairy dishes we just had were made by you two?”
“Yes. My older brother handles the cooking, and I take care of sales.”
“Ah, I see. Also, thank you for the cheese last time—it was delicious.”
“No, thank you—for the cream puffs? Since then, my brother started experimenting with whipped cream. The yellow one, you know?”
“Oh, custard cream? That’s actually made from eggs, isn’t it?”
“Exactly, which is why it’s tricky to get right.”
“Sorry…”
“Ah, it’s fine. Just be prepared for my brother to bombard you with questions later.”
“Ahaha… understood.”
Bruno said he would give us a ride home, so we waited in the shop until he was ready.
“Wow, what a coincidence.”
“Joan, this is probably thanks to Rosso too, right?”
“Oh, that’s true… maybe.”
“Alright, let’s go then.”
Bruno came out from the staff room, now in casual clothes instead of his chef uniform.
“Umm, we haven’t paid yet.”
“No worries. Today it’s on me. But next time, please pay.”
“I’m sorry, we ate so much…”
“That just shows how good it was, right? That makes me happy. Just make sure to tell your academy friends and family about us.”
““Yes! Of course.””
Bruno led us to the horse post behind the shop.
“Hmm… it’s about a 30-minute walk home. How should we handle that?”
“Oh, can Belle ride with you? I’ll take Pearl, my familiar.”
“Familiar? Where is it?”
“Ah… wait a moment.”
Once we were out of sight of the paddock, I called Pearl from the Dimension Room.
“Pearl, can you take me to Senior Chloe’s house? You’ll follow behind her brother, kind of like an escort.”
(Understood. And later, make sure I get something tasty too.)
“Of course.”
(Steak with cheese would be nice. Rosso said it was delicious.)
“Alright, we’ll do that.”
Back with Pearl, Bruno remarked,
“Adorable… a dog? Or a wolf? Such a beautiful coat.”
Pearl’s tail wagged so hard from the praise it looked like it might fall off.
After about 15 minutes following Bruno, we arrived at Senior Chloe’s home.
It was another log-cabin-style property, with five buildings of varying sizes. According to Bruno, the smallest one belonged to the grandparents. The medium-sized buildings included the oldest brother’s house, guest rooms, and a workshop. The largest was for the parents and all other siblings besides the eldest.
What do you think about this chapter?
