Finishing Up the Quest

Alright then. In Tsuia's Dungeon [Light's Paradise] we managed to gather Ambrosia and complete the mission, earning enough funds.

"Thank you, Kehma-san! Thanks to you, it looks like we'll manage for the time being. Right, Muzoh?"

"Right, Uzoh. If things settle down, we might just manage with the dungeon in Golen."

Mmm, that's good.

By the way, Ichika and I also got our share, which turned out to be a nice bit of pocket money.

"I'm gonna to buy some snacks right away!"

"As expected of the Gluttonous Demon… Well, should we also indulge in a feast today, Muzoh?"

"When you talk about a feast, it's the set meal at [Dancing Doll's Pavilion]. Well, for today, it should be fine to follow the Gluttonous Demon, Uzoh."

"Leave it to me!"

Ichika gave a big thumbs up.

"By the way, Ichika. Do you have any new gourmet info from Tsuia?"

"Ah. It's true that I haven't visited many places to eat in Tsuia since ya bought me, Master… But I'm choosing carefully! I can guarantee the quality!"

Ichika, being the Gluttonous Demon, seemed to use the income I give her to travel to Tsuia and Pavuera by shared horse carriage to update her food information.

… I mean she's obviously allowed to take holidays, but isn't it a bit much for a slave to travel that far on her own?

"… Huh? Isn't Ichika a slave… What exactly…?"

"Uzoh, her master is Kehma-san."

"I see. I shouldn't have been constrained by common sense, Muzoh."

Somehow, Uzoh and Muzoh also seemed convinced.

Well, it's fine. She comes back properly anyway. It's okay to take a little trip on her holidays and spend the salary I give her.

"Now that you mention it, she's pretty free, isn't she?"

"Nishishi, I can't go against Master, right? Well, Master Rokuko also told me to find a place suitable for a date with Master. That's part of the investigation."

By the way, today she's introducing a place that's [not romantic enough for a date but still delicious].

Who knew there was such variation…

Guided by Ichika, we ended up at a tavern-like place.

"So, this place serves adventurer-styled stews. All three of ya okay with my recommendation? 'Scuse me, four servings of today's stew!"

Ichika very efficiently found us a table for four and ordered like a regular.

"Ichika, what's in today's stew?"

"It's kinda like whatever meat and vegetables came in today, all stewed together."

"… Is that even good?"

"The chef's skilled. I've been here a few times, and it's consistently delicious. Plus it's cheap and there's a ton of it."

She's been here more than once?

"It's a bowl full of stew with a mug of ale for just over ten copper coins—a good bargain."

"Wow! That sounds great, Muzoh. I'll order an ale too."

"Yeah. As expected of the Gluttonous Demon. It's wallet-friendly. I'll have one too. What about you, Kehma-san?"

"I'm good. I don't drink much."

Too much and I won't sleep well. Especially since I probably have to go back after this. It's better if I don't drink.

"Then I'll have fruit water too. Can't drink and leave Master out, right? Master, that's okay with ya, right? 'Scuse me, over here!"

"Wow, Ichika really does seem like a slave, Muzoh."

"No, Uzoh, she's just ordering fruit water on her so she doesn't leave Kehma-san out. It's not that much."

"Well, it's nothing new that Ichika doesn't seem much like a slave…"

It's not like I had any particular reason to punish her, so it's fine.

Soon after, our ordered stews and drinks arrive.

"Look, there's fish in it. Fish in Tsuia is rare, isn't it?"

"Not so much recently, Uzoh. We usually get dried fish—sometimes frozen if it comes in—thanks to Golen."

"Huh, frozen fish, huh? Depending on the season, I guess it'd just thaw by the time it reaches Tsuia from Pavuera?"

"That's right, Muzoh. It's also booming as a trade route thanks to our village."

Setting that talk aside, we quickly started eating.

There were tubors and leafy greens in the fish stew, sort of like a pot-au-feu.

Well cooked, so there's little worry about getting sick.

"…! Ah, it's well-flavored!"

"Pepper. Reminds me of the Demonlands. The flavors were strong there…"

"This must be a product now coming from Pavuera."

The soup had a good spice balance and just the right amount of salt. Mmm, nice. The natural sweetness of the carrots and potatoes spread through my mouth.

Drinking the fruit water, the fresh apple flavor refreshed my palate.

"… Yeah, this is quite something. I quite like this flavor."

"That's right, the chef here didn't apprentice under Kinue for nothing."

"Wait, what? I hadn't heard that. Kinue's apprentice?"

Apparently, the chef had come to Golen to learn how to handle fish and spices.

"The chef here had a stall in the village for a while. That's when he learned to use spices and dungeon-derived seasonings from Kinue. So he's basically one of Kinue's disciples."

"I see… So, does that mean he's using soy sauce as a secret ingredient?"

"Judging by the taste, probably."

Ichika grinned, licking her lips.

I had no idea Kinue was spreading such influence in this area…

"Muzoh, so this place is really an extension of Golen…!?"

"Yes, Uzoh. Kehma-san really has wide connections…"

"I haven't done anything though?"

If anything, it's Rokuko's doing. The owner of [Dancing Doll's Pavilion] is quite the proprietess.

Ah, another serving, please. Om nom nom.