NOVEL NEXT Chapter 84.2
Lunch With Coronets And Potato Salad
With a light tap on the head from Frau, Hermine puffed her cheeks out. With her blonde hair, she was a perfect beauty by appearance alone, making her response simply adorable. Yuuri said nothing and laid out the tablecloth he had brought (made by sewing together scraps and embroidering as he liked) on a box in the corner of the lookout point, where they placed their bags, then took out the dishes he had kept in his school bag.
A cornet filled with potato salad. Hot ginger-fried oak meat with shredded cabbage. Refreshingly chilled tea. Hermine’s face lit up at the delicious meal spread before her. Frau beside her also had a happy smile on her face. After all, it’s not often that they get to eat freshly made delicious food while on lookout duty.
“Well then, you should eat first, Hermine.”
“Is that okay?”
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“Yes!”
Hermine replied cheerfully to Frau, who smiled wryly, and hurried over to the meal Yuuri had laid out. By the way, today, Hermine was on lookout duty for a day under Frau’s guidance. This is an experience that every trainee has, as it broadens their awareness of their surroundings. Among them, scouts, those in the intelligence field, and archers who handle long-range weapons are likely to experience it many times. Hermine mentioned that this was already her third time.
“But honestly, even being on lookout, nothing comes by, you know?”
“Is that so?”
“Well, of course. It’s not like monsters just attack so easily.”
“That makes sense.”
“Instead, you can train to distinguish travelers or returning adventurers by their characteristics and who they are.”
“There’s a lot to learn, huh?”
“Absolutely!”
With a carefree laugh, Hermine clasped her hands and murmured a grace before eating. Thanks to Yuuri, this greeting had spread among all the clan members. They eat their meal without forgetting to be thankful for the ingredients, for those who prepared it, and for the lives they take. It’s very important. Especially in this world, where procuring food can be a matter of life and death. (Since there’s monster meat and dungeon-sourced ingredients, etc.)
The first thing Hermine picked up was the cornet filled with potato salad. When asked what was inside, Yuuri cheerfully replied it was potato salad. By now, none of the members found it strange that something was stuffed inside the bread. Since making sandwiches, Yuuri had somehow involved the bakery owner in stuffing something inside the bread or piling something on top of it.
With a bite, Hermine took a mouthful of the cornet. The chilled bread and the similarly chilled potato salad spread in her mouth. It had a different texture from a sandwich. Plus, the combination of cold potato salad and cold bread was quite pleasant, especially as it began to get warm now. The mixing of the two flavors in her mouth was also delightful.
Next, she reached for the ginger-fried oak meat. It had been simmered to absorb the flavor thoroughly, so it tasted good no matter which part she ate. Additionally, since it was stewed in sauce, the meat remained juicy rather than dry. The onions soaked in the sweet and spicy flavor were also very tasty. Furthermore, when she wrapped the shredded cabbage around it to eat, the crunchy cabbage conveyed the savory flavor of the meat, greatly stimulating her appetite.
“Mmm! Delicious!”
“Is it tasty?”
“It’s super delicious! Yuuri, you’re a genius!”
“Ahaha, thank you.”
Seeing the cheerful Hermine, Yuuri smiled happily. Watching the two, Frau also wore a smile. Meanwhile, Rooks was diligently staring beyond the gate next to Frau. He probably intended to keep watch in place of Hermine. Since he seemed overly enthusiastic, no one scolded him for his actions.
“This bread could be enough for a meal by itself, right?”
“That’s true. But I thought it might not be enough for everyone.”
“If it’s for a portable meal, isn’t it plenty?”
“Is that so? Anyway, today, since it was a place where I could deliver, I brought meat too.”
“No problem, it’s delicious! Thank you!”
“You’re welcome.”
With a smile, Hermine expressed her gratitude, and as usual, Yuuri simply smiled back, happy that the person eating it was pleased.