Cooking with Wild Game (LN) - Volume 15 - Chapter 2.3

3

The following morning, I awoke to an angry shout of “What are you doing?!”

Wondering what was going on, I leaped to my feet, only to find Ai Fa and Lem Dom grappling and raising a commotion atop the rug. It seemed Lem Dom had hugged Ai Fa once again in spite of past warnings, provoking that shout.

“You truly are alert to the presence of others... How wonderful...”

“I shouldn’t have to be alert to the threat of someone suddenly hugging me! Get off already!”

At that, Ai Fa forced Lem Dom off, then sat up while breathing heavily. And down on the floor, Lem Dom looked up at my clan head’s face with a passionate gaze.

Both of them had their hair down, so the scene had a strangely seductive feel to it. Plus, all the hot air they had created seemed to overwhelm the refreshing morning atmosphere and fill the room with a thick smell.

Hmm. I’m used to it with Ai Fa, but I have to question the ethics of sleeping together with another woman.

The separate rooms in the Fa house were all used for the pantry and other storage, so the only place for a guest to sleep was in a huddle with us in the main room.

“Next time you try something like that, I really will toss you out of the house! Understand?! Now go change over in that room!” As she castigated Lem Dom with an intense look in her eyes, Ai Fa sidled over my way. It seemed I would once again have to be her shield as she shouted at the younger girl.

“I understand. You needn’t be so cold.”

After shooting Ai Fa a sidelong glance, Lem Dom disappeared into the storage room. That was where she left the luggage she had brought along.

“Really, just what in the world is she thinking? Clinging to someone who isn’t even a family member like that, it gives me the creeps...”

“Yeah, I can see that. But, well, doesn’t it just go to show how much she adores you?” I half joked, only to earn back a very hostile glare.

“Asuta, you don’t seem concerned in the least, no matter how frustrating this is for me.”

“Huh? I mean, it’s charming how she’s so fond of you, isn’t it?”

“What part of that is ‘charming’?!” Ai Fa retorted as she put me into a sleeper hold from behind.

My neck hurt, and I could feel my body twisting unnaturally. Suddenly taking her very seriously, I wailed, “Sorry!”

At any rate, that morning got off to a hectic start.

After getting changed for the morning, our first job was to wash our cooking equipment from last night, then we’d head to the Lanto river to bathe and gather firewood and herbs. Fortunately, while we did all that, there weren’t any more incidents worth mentioning like the one earlier. However, the women we ran into at the washing place were all surprised by the sight of Lem Dom. After all, it was rare to see someone from the infamous northern settlement around here.

She formerly fell under the Suun and was now under the Zaza, who were chosen as one of the new leading clans. The Dom were known to be especially fierce even among their fellow clans, so the women of the Fou and Ran seemed rather intimidated by Lem Dom.

“She’ll be helping us out with prep work every other day for the next couple weeks, so please treat her kindly,” I announced, causing even more commotion to spread among the women.

As she looked over them, Lem Dom broke out in a provocative grin. “We’re doing the same work, and it’s not like I belong to a leading clan or anything. You don’t have to worry about treating me in any special way.”

“Of course... We understand that while the people of the north may be intimidating, they aren’t unreasonable,” the Fou clan head’s wife replied, looking rather nervous.

The Zaza were made one of the leading clans with the approval of all of the clan heads. For the people under those other clans, they just had to believe that their new leaders wouldn’t act tyrannically like the Suun had done.

Once the washing was finished, we returned to the Fa house. Later, as we were heading to the outskirts of the forest, Lem Dom shrugged her shoulders.

“It seems the northern clans are shunned no matter where we go. You two and the members of the clans under the Ruu seem to be the only ones who act undaunted around me.”

“I wouldn’t say they’re trying to shun you. And the Fou and Sudra clan heads aren’t afraid of folks from up north either.”

“Ah right, the Fou clan head participates in meetings between the leading clan heads, doesn’t he? I hear tell that he’s a rather fine hunter.”

I thought it was great that his reputation was able to spread all the way to the northern settlement. After all, just like Raielfam Sudra, Baadu Fou was a precious comrade to me and Ai Fa.

At any rate, at the outskirts of the forest we set about cleansing ourselves and gathering materials.

Though Ai Fa and Lem Dom bathed together, there wasn’t enough of a commotion to concern me. However, I did hear Ai Fa complain, “Stop staring at me.”

After that, it was finally time to prep for business...but since Lem Dom was just a beginner, I couldn’t afford to assign her any important jobs just yet. So for now, I had her bake up the day’s poitan, asking Toor Deen to provide her some guidance in the process. The Deen also fell under the Zaza, and the young girl seemed surprisingly unintimidated by Lem Dom, so I had no issue entrusting her with the task.

“Hmm, you certainly are skilled. That’s rather impressive for one so young.”

“N-No, I’m nothing special. And you’re doing really well at baking those.”

“I got to help out a little with the task at the Ruu house yesterday. Baking poitan is the first thing one must learn, after all.”

There was only a five-year age difference between the two of them, but a gap of over thirty centimeters in terms of height. Still, it was pretty charming seeing the young little Toor Deen giving guidance as Lem Dom silently worked.

And as Lem Dom obediently carried out her tasks, the Fou and Ran women seemed like they were gradually lowering their guards and loosening up. In fact, I suspected they would be ready to speak to her themselves by the time work was over.

At this rate, they may be able to actually get to know one another a bit over the next half month, I thought to myself, feeling relieved.

I didn’t know what to think back when she suddenly challenged Ai Fa, but Lem Dom was one of our comrades here at the forest’s edge too. The people of the forest’s edge had a tendency to overly value blood ties and not have much interaction outside of that, so hopefully this would be a good chance to deepen their bonds.

Anyway, we finished up the prep work and it was finally time to head off to the post town. But at that point, Lem Dom started looking seriously dejected and said, “Huh? You’re going to the post town again today, Ai Fa?”

“Indeed. When I was splitting firewood, the root of my tooth started aching again. I won’t be able to carry out my giba hunting in this state,” Ai Fa replied while putting on her hunter’s cloak and hanging her sword from her hip. “It’s vexing, but a hunter that isn’t at full strength cannot hunt down giba. Any hunter who does not understand that fact will end up having their soul returned to the forest before they do much proper hunting at all.”

“I see... You’re saying there’s a difference between bravery and recklessness, right? In that case, I understand,” Lem Dom answered with a bit of a pout. “But why are you heading to the post town, then? I understand that you went yesterday to purchase a sword, but you shouldn’t have any further business there.”

“Even if I were to stay home, there’s no work left for me to handle there. And if I’m just going to rest, I see little difference.”

“If you don’t see the difference, then you should rest at home. Or do you just want to stay by your clan member’s side that badly?”

Ai Fa’s cheeks reddened slightly, but Lem Dom hurried on into the wagon.

“Well in that case, I’ve got no reason to stay behind at the Fa house either, so let me ride along. Just drop me off at the Ruu settlement.”

After calming herself, Ai Fa also climbed into the wagon. That group of me, Ai Fa, Toor Deen, and Lem Dom really did make for quite an unusual quartet.

My clan head was still rather sleepy from the effects of the romu leaves, so the whole way there Lem Dom talked with Toor Deen. Fortunately Toor Deen didn’t seem bothered by that, and awkwardly did her best to reply. It seemed that Lem Dom really had acknowledged the younger girl thanks to the banquet she had prepared.

Toor Deen used to belong to the Suun clan, but unlike with the former members of the main house, that doesn’t seem to be an issue. I guess she sees the branch houses as completely separate, huh?

Would the day come when Lem Dom could open her heart to Yamiru Lea and Tsuvai too? I was definitely more than a little curious to see.

“Huh?! Ai Fa, you’re coming along to the post town again? Hooray!” Rimee Ruu excitedly shouted upon our arrival at the Ruu settlement. That was no surprise, as she was on stall duty today. “Yay! I’m so happy! Reina, I’m gonna go ride in the wagon with Ai Fa!”

“All right. Asuta, please take care of Rimee...”

“Of course. But wasn’t it Rimee and Sheera Ruu on for today?”

“Yes. But Sheera Ruu’s youngest brother was injured, so I ended up switching with her. I look forward to working with you again today.”

Sheera Ruu had three younger brothers. I only knew the name of the eldest, Shin Ruu, and the youngest was still less than ten years old.

“He was apparently climbing a tree when he slipped and fell. But I hear he should be up and walking again tomorrow.”

“I see. That’s definitely a worry. Is Sheera Ruu doing okay?”

“Yes. Ryada and Tari Ruu are there to help out with work around the house. But her younger brother is terribly faint of heart, so she was worried about the thought of leaving the settlement right now.”

I figured it was only natural for the kindhearted Sheera Ruu to think that way.

On top of that, Reina Ruu looked to be in an incredibly good mood. She must have been overjoyed at getting to go to the post town two days in a row.

“Well then, how about we head off? And thanks for all your hard work today, Lem Dom.”

“Right. I’ll be praying for your safe return. But, well, as long as Ai Fa’s with you, you’ll surely be able to overcome any hardship you may face.”

With that, we got going towards the post town.

We had said farewell to Lem Dom, while Rimee Ruu and Yamiru Lea joined the group. It made for a rather peaceful dynamic. Yamiru Lea spoke to Toor Deen, while Rimee Ruu chatted with Ai Fa. Perhaps since she rarely had the chance to do so, my clan head seemed to be brushing aside the drowsiness as best she could to talk with her young friend.

After arriving at the post town, we delivered the meals and fresh meat to the three inns, then headed off to set up our stalls. As always, we had a big crowd of customers even before opening, which would mean another successful day’s business.

While Ai Fa took a break in the wagon, we worked hard at our stalls. And once we were past the morning peak and the traffic settled down a bit, Mikel stopped by for the first time in two days.

“Welcome! Is it just you today?”

“Yeah. You have some sort of problem with that?” Mikel brusquely retorted, and then he went ahead and explained. “Myme is holed up in the kitchen wrestling with that giba meat. I bought a variety of seasonings for her too, so I figure she won’t be setting foot outside for some time.”

“I see. I’m really looking forward to seeing what sorts of giba dishes Myme will come up with.”

“Hmph. I’m sure she’ll be asking to have you taste test again if you give her a few days. If she offers you something shabbier than her karon and kimyuus dishes, feel free to have a hearty laugh in her face.”

As he offered that mean-spirited comment about his own daughter, Mikel purchased a giba manju. Unfortunately, his lot for the giba cutlet sandwich wasn’t a winner.

“Ah, now that I think about it, there was something I wanted to ask you, Mikel...” I called out, as there was a bit of a break in customers and Mikel was still hanging around near the stall. “Do you know a chef named Varkas? Apparently he’s rather famous in the castle town...”

“Varkas?” Mikel repeated, furrowing his brow. “Now that’s a name I haven’t heard in some time. He was either the best or second best chef in Genos.”

“Ah, you think so too, huh? The truth is, it looks like he and I may end up manning the stove for the same event.”

At that, Mikel’s brow furrowed even further.

“That certainly is something. Even I have only eaten his cooking a handful of times... And let me tell you, as a chef, he is not at all half-baked.”

“I see. If you say so, then he must really be something...”

“Hmph. I’m nothing but an old fool. But that guy...” Mikel started to say, only to hold his tongue for a moment. “Well, I don’t think there’s much point trying to describe it with words. At any rate, there’s no doubt that man is an impressively skilled chef. I’m sure you’ll be surprised too if you get a chance to taste his cooking.”

“Right. Well then, I’ll pray that I get that opportunity,” I briefly replied, doing my best to suppress the excitement I was feeling.

Having finished off his giba manju, Mikel snorted “Hmph,” and held out some more coins. “Anyway, give me one more manju. If I return empty-handed, that fool will kick up a huge fuss.”

“Thank you. Ah, and do you have any thoughts about that matter with smoking meat?”

“I’m busy with work right now, so it’ll be at least a few days before I can head over that way. If you’re serious about learning though, then go ahead and get things ready.”

“Right, I actually wanted to ask you about those preparations. What herbs do we need, and how should we go about getting the house that will be the smoking hut ready?”

With a real sour look on his face, Mikel shook his head.

“I’ve got a packed day of work ahead of me too, so I don’t exactly have time for a nice long chat. I’ll explain things for you tomorrow or the day after, so just hurry up and hand over the manju already.”

“Got it. My apologies for the trouble.”

Mikel had been making use of breaks in his charcoal-making work to walk from the Turan land to the post town. After he purchased giba dishes for Myme like this, he must have headed back home to deliver it. It certainly did sound like quite a bit of effort.

“Ah, what about the lot?”

Silently, Mikel drew a stick from the wooden cylinder.

When I spied the red mark on the end, I smiled and said, “Congratulations. The giba cutlet sandwich will be three red coins, so my apologies, but could I have one more?”

“Hmph. That girl’s got all the luck, and thanks to that now I have to spend extra...”

Since Mikel couldn’t move his right hand freely, he handed over the coin and then accepted the giba cutlet sandwich with his left.

“Thank you for your continued business.”

He offered no response to that, and swiftly left. As he vanished into the distance, Yamiru Lea shrugged her shoulders from over in the neighboring stall.

“That man is still just as unsociable as always. But in spite of that, he actually seems to be rather considerate.”

“Yeah. I mean, he’s offering to come all the way to the settlement at the forest’s edge to show us how to smoke meat. And I’m certainly grateful for that fact.”

Besides, it wasn’t like Yamiru Lea herself was any less unsociable than him. But no matter how blunt they might be, I had complete trust in both her and Mikel.

As that thought ran through my head, Yun and Li Sudra arrived. Once again, they had shown up rather early.

“Thanks for coming. But the sun still hasn’t hit its peak, you know.”

“Of course. If you don’t mind, could you please have Yun work until then?”

She hardly had to ask, especially since they had insisted they didn’t need any payment for time spent outside of usual work hours. Instead, they were doing this unpaid volunteer work so that she could learn the job as soon as possible.

In exchange, Yun Sudra would also start earning a wage once the sun hit its peak. Currently her hourly pay was one red coin, but the plan was to raise that as she learned the job.

“I-I look forward to working with you again today, Asuta,” Yun Sudra said with a deep bow, her face having turned red. As always, unlike the similarly-aged Lem Dom, she really was extremely polite.

“Well then, could I have you two handle the giba meat poitan wraps? Toor Deen and Yamiru Lea, I leave the giba manju up to you.”

I was at least nominally in charge, so I figured I should watch over the pair from the Sudra clan. And then once everyone had rearranged themselves, Ai Fa quietly approached from the wagon.

“Huh? Are you done resting up?”

“Indeed. If I rest too much while it’s bright out, I will end up sleeping poorly.”

As she said that, Ai Fa stood and observed Yun and Li Sudra from a step removed. It looked like her eyelids were drooping a few more millimeters than usual, but her gaze remained just as piercing as always.

“It seems that things are bustling again today...”

“Yeah, and the sun’s going to hit its peak soon. By the way, once the time comes are you going to accompany me to The Kimyuus’s Tail?”

“Is there any reason for me to remain here?”

“I mean, Rimee Ruu’s here today. And it’d be rough walking all around with your tooth aching, right?”

Ai Fa shifted her posture so no one else could see and pouted. In the face of that adorable expression, I unwittingly broke out in a smile.

“Was that just unnecessary consideration on my part? I’d be happy to have you come along, naturally.”

“Very well then...” Ai Fa replied, her frown vanishing.

It was then that Yamiru Lea cut in. “Oh my, it seems we have a noble’s wagon approaching again. That’s been happening unusually frequently these last few days, hasn’t it?”

Yesterday Polarth stopped by, and a few days prior to that there was that messenger from Leeheim. As a rule, it always seemed to be someone from one of those two camps visiting our stalls...and for today, it appeared to be the latter.

“That’s the crest of the house of Saturas,” I commented, at which Ai Fa’s eyebrow twitched.

“That noble who gave Reina Ruu those flowers was from the house of Saturas, correct?”

“Yeah. And it looks like the man himself decided to pay a personal visit today.” I had determined that from the number of armed guards present. After all, there were four of them riding totos surrounding the wagon. Such a grandiose escort had to mean Leeheim himself was here.

Just as I had expected, a familiar young noble soon appeared from inside the stopped wagon. Accompanied by four guards and one attendant, Leeheim approached our stalls. Then he circled around the rear and walked right past Rimee Ruu, so that he was facing Reina Ruu as she worked.

“It has been some time, Reina Ruu of the forest’s edge. Did you enjoy those flowers from the other day?”

After handing over a giba burger to a customer, Reina Ruu slowly turned to face Leeheim.