Cooking with Wild Game (LN) - Volume 22 - Chapter 3.4

4

“What, you aren’t cooking anything?” Roy complained to me as he watched Reina Ruu and the others working away hurriedly out of the corner of his eye.

“Nope, I’m not. I’m just a cooking assistant for today. The guests of honor at this dinner are the members of the Ruu clan, so it felt appropriate to leave the cooking up to them. Oh, except that Lady Odifia requested a dessert from Toor Deen, so I think I’ll help her a little with that.”

“Hmph. You’re saying there’s no need for you to step up on an occasion like this? You sure are acting like a big shot.”

“I told you, that’s not how it is. I’m just trying not to overstep my bounds and insert myself where I’m not needed.”

The food preparation was progressing steadily as we were talking. Reina and Sheera Ruu were making a meat dish while Toor Deen was preparing a dessert, filling the kitchen with a wonderfully complex aroma.

“Asuta, will you give this a taste? The meat has been steeping for a pretty long time, so I decreased the amount of sauce I added at the end.”

“Okay, let me see... Yeah, this seems good. I wouldn’t have any issue with serving this at the stalls.”

Reina and Sheera Ruu had prepared an improved myamuu giba that now included ginger-like keru root. They also had a side of tino, aria, and nenon salad. The two of them had put a lot of effort into studying how to make a good dressing too.

Meanwhile, Toor Deen had made pastry-like sweets that utilized gigi leaves. Some were cocoa-flavored and topped with white cream, while others were plain with cocoa-flavored cream. She had used poitan to make her dough, so this was an augmentation of her specialty dish, which she had turned into a real masterpiece by adding gigi leaves.

“So you’re using keru root and gigi leaves? Isn’t it rather reckless to employ ingredients you only learned about four days ago when cooking for an event such as this?” Shilly Rou called out, as she had been observing from a short distance away. Reina and Sheera Ruu offered no response, so I went ahead and replied instead.

“As I said back then, we had similar ingredients in my home country. All we had to do was incorporate the new flavors into our existing dishes.”

“But you aren’t the one preparing these dishes. However well you taught them how to use these new ingredients, it would still take a great deal of skill to ensure that the dishes come out tasting right under these circumstances.”

“Well, in that case, I’d say the success of these dishes is entirely their own accomplishment.”

To say nothing of Toor Deen’s sweets, Reina and Sheera Ruu’s myamuu giba was in no way inferior to my own cooking. They had prepared the dish countless times over the last several months, after all. With such a firm foundation, of course they wouldn’t have any issues, even when handling an ingredient with a flavor as strong as keru root.

Toor Deen, meanwhile, was fully capable of making far better confections than I could at this point. It had only been two days since I had taught her how to use gigi leaves, but two days of practice was all she needed to level up her ability to use gigi leaves, sugar, and karon milk in combination. It wouldn’t take her long to come up with something even better, but I thought her current version was more than ready to be shown off.

“Still, if you think we’re trying to fool you, go ahead and give it a try. I know I at least have no issues with how they turned out.”

Reina Ruu, Sheera Ruu, and Toor Deen had brought extra ingredients in hopes of having Shilly Rou and Roy sample their food. The meat dish and desserts were placed on some small clay plates, and Shilly Rou reluctantly picked up a fork-shaped utensil. A mere few seconds later, she had shock written all over her face.

Roy had started with the myamuu giba, and now he was letting out a groan. “I certainly can’t think of anything to criticize. But I never would have imagined myamuu and keru root would go so well together.”

“Really? Well, they do both have powerful flavors and scents.”

“Hmm, and the flavor seems mellower, compared to what you serve in the post town,” Roy remarked.

“Yes,” Reina Ruu said with a nod. “The citizens of the post town and travelers tend to prefer stronger flavors than the people of the forest’s edge, so we adjust the recipe with that in mind... But I’ve started to feel like I want to sell the version of this dish that I think is the most delicious, as a person of the forest’s edge.”

“Hmm? Well, I don’t know anything about what people in the post town like, but if anyone complains about getting food this good for a mere two red coins, they’re sure to be struck down by the wrath of the western god.”

“So this dish is to your liking as well?”

“Huh? I just said there wasn’t anything to criticize, right? I’m just wondering how you managed to master an ingredient as troublesome as keru root this well in just four days.”

Reina Ruu breathed a sigh of relief at that. When I noticed, I felt the urge to show her some more support myself.

“Actually, I didn’t teach them how to use keru root until two days ago, so they weren’t working with it for those first two days.”

“Two days...” Shilly Rou muttered. It looked like there was more confusion swirling in her eyes than antagonism now. Even I had been surprised at how well they had adapted their recipes, so it must have been an even bigger shock for these chefs from the castle town.

“This sweet seems to have been made with a great deal of care as well. Does this flavor come from gigi leaves?” Roy asked.

“Ah, yes. These pastries are pretty impressive too, aren’t they?”

“Hmm. Without a doubt, this topping was made using your technique of whipping the fat of karon milk. And she added gigi leaves and sugar to that?”

Even just judging it by its appearance, Toor Deen’s sweet was already fantastic. The cocoa-colored base contrasted wonderfully with the white cream, and the same went for the yellowish-white base and the cocoa-colored cream. Furthermore, the balance she had achieved between the bitterness of the gigi leaves, the sweetness of the sugar, and the mellowness of the karon milk was superb. Incidentally, Rimee Ruu’s chatchi mochi had also turned out fantastic. Both of them seemed to have exquisite instincts and talent when it came to making desserts.

“Confections are your specialty, aren’t they, Shilly Rou? So I’m sure you can give a more precise evaluation than I can,” Roy urged, but Shilly Rou’s shoulders just shook ever so slightly, and she offered no response. After looking at her for a few moments longer, Roy simply shrugged. “Hey, Asuta, I heard from Shilly Rou that you’re inviting townsfolk to the settlement at the forest’s edge tomorrow.”

“Huh? Ah, yes, that’s right.”

“Then, you people of the forest’s edge will be preparing food for them?”

“Yes, since it’s a welcome banquet. We were invited to a celebration in the Daleim lands for the sun god’s revival festival, so this is to repay them for that.”

“I see... In that case, could I come along too?”

Though his words shocked us all, the only person who immediately reacted was none other than Shilly Rou.

“Wh-What are you saying? Why would you even think about spending one of your rare days off on something like that?”

“I’m asking because it’s a day off. The fact that they’re holding such a major gathering on one of the few days when I don’t have to work has to be a gift from the western god, wouldn’t you say?” Roy remarked, shrugging yet again. “Didn’t I tell you? I asked Varkas to take me on as an apprentice because I felt overwhelmed by the skill the people of the forest’s edge have. I can’t help but be curious about what sort of place the chefs who can prepare such amazing dishes live in, what tools they use, and what conditions they cook under.”

“E-Even so...”

“Are you saying you aren’t curious? The people of the forest’s edge didn’t even know how to bake fuwano just a few months back. And yet, now they’ve become skilled enough to serve their cooking to nobles. That’s not something I can just ignore.”

Shilly Rou silently bit down on her lip, as Roy glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Then he reached up and scratched his head.

“It’s not like I’m telling you that you have to come along. But I’m free to do as I please with my time off, right? It’s not like I’ve even been officially hired in the first place... So, what do you say, Asuta?”

“Well... The leading Ruu clan is in charge of the event, so I’d need their permission before adding more guests...” I replied, my gaze turning toward Reina Ruu, who was staring at Roy with an utterly bewildered look.

“You want to visit the settlement? Even though you’re a resident of the castle town?”

“It’s not that weird of an idea, is it? After all, you people of the forest’s edge have been coming here to the castle town left and right,” Roy said, wearing an uncharacteristically awkward look. “You’re a daughter of the Ruu clan, right? I’m sure you’re not fond of the idea of inviting someone like me to your settlement, but could you please accept? It’s not like I’m just asking on a whim.”

Reina Ruu looked over at me and Sheera Ruu with a terribly troubled expression.

Sheera Ruu smiled soothingly at her in response. “I don’t think we have any particular reason to refuse. And besides, Jiza Ruu is here today, so wouldn’t it be best to leave the decision to him?”

“Yes, that’s true, but...”

“It’s quite shocking, isn’t it? That a resident of the castle town would want to visit our settlement at the forest’s edge? If our cooking is what led to this shift in his thinking, then I’d say that’s something to be proud of,” Sheera Ruu remarked, and then she turned toward Shilly Rou with the smile still on her face. “What about you? If an apprentice of Varkas such as yourself were to feel the same way, that would make me even prouder.”

“Wh-Why would I go to such a shady gathering?!”

“It isn’t shady. We just wish to form proper bonds with the townsfolk. And your cooking was able to please us even though it was without giba meat, which feels like it must have been the work of a talent as rare as Varkas’s, if not more so. I can’t imagine what would make me happier than having an opportunity to befriend someone like you.” Her words were so unmistakably heartfelt that even Shilly Rou was unable to snap back with cruelty, instead being left looking blatantly bewildered. “Jiza Ruu is here as a proxy for the leading clan head. I don’t believe he would refuse the two of you, so please, think it over until the banquet ends.”

Shilly Rou still looked at a loss for words.

“Well then, isn’t it about time for us to be heading back? We don’t want the food to get cold,” Sheera Ruu finally noted.

“Ah, right,” Reina Ruu agreed.

With that, we left Shilly Rou and Roy behind in the kitchen and returned to the banquet hall.

While Reina Ruu and Shilly Rou had found themselves thrown all out of sorts by the way things had developed, Sheera Ruu had managed to wrap things up nicely. A calm, sincere personality like hers was really effective at times such as this. Considering I was only ever able to make Shilly Rou angry, that definitely wasn’t something I was capable of pulling off.

When we made it back to the others, we found them drinking wine and having a nice, friendly chat. It looked like the lord of the house, Luidross; Polarth; and Eulifia were leading the charge with the merrymaking. Leeheim and Leiriss looked the same as they had when we left, but it seemed the conversation fortunately hadn’t taken any uncomfortable turns.

“Thank you for waiting. This is a grilled giba dish using keru root and myamuu,” Reina Ruu explained, and the pages started portioning out the dish.

When the highly fragrant myamuu giba was placed before him, Luidross seemed very impressed with it. “Oh? What a truly wonderful aroma. And I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of keru root before...”

“Keru root is an ingredient that was brought here by some merchants from Jagar. I’ve not yet tasted it myself, and I certainly never expected to have a chance to try it so soon,” Polarth joyfully chimed in, being the first to pick up his fork and knife. He sliced off a bit of myamuu giba and brought it to his mouth. Immediately, his plump face broke out in a look of pure bliss. “Yes, this is truly delicious. It is in every way the equal of karon and gyama. I know what I said before, but I too can hardly wait for the day when giba can be more easily enjoyed in the castle town.”

“My, you’re right. This dish was prepared by you ladies from the Ruu clan rather than Asuta, correct?” Eulifia asked.

“Yes.” Reina Ruu nodded in response to her question. “Asuta taught us how to make it, but Sheera Ruu and I prepared it. We intend to sell this dish at our stalls in the post town from here on out.”

“How wonderful. It seems it truly was more than just your beauty that captivated Leeheim.”

“Indeed. You could have easily served in our kitchen with such skill. But as that is not a wish that can ever be fulfilled, we’ll simply have to rouse our own chefs to improve themselves instead,” Luidross rather hurriedly interjected, prompting Eulifia to let out a teasing giggle.

Then, right across from her, Ludo Ruu smiled and added, “Ahh, this is so good. The dishes before were great too, but I just feel better about eating giba meat.”

“Oh my, you have quite an adorable smile.” Eulifia was apparently happy to poke fun at Ludo Ruu as well. “I’ve thought this for quite some time, but you people of the forest’s edge have such fine appearances, men and women both. You’re slender like the people of Sym, but also have such defined features like the people of Jagar... You look remarkably strong, and yet graceful as well.”

“No guy appreciates being called graceful or cute... Wait, am I going to get reprimanded for talking to you like that?”

“I do not mind. Being able to speak with all of you is what I have been hoping for,” Eulifia said. Then her gaze turned toward the head of the table. “Besides, the gentleman over there, Shin Ruu, was invited to that contest of swordsmanship because Lady Besta and Lady Selanju wished for it. Leeheim was also infatuated with Reina Ruu, and my daughter Odifia is quite taken with Toor Deen’s sweets. Perhaps you could say these troubles arose because you people of the forest’s edge are all so terribly charming, both inside and out.”

“Indeed. That’s precisely why we must put more consideration into how we interact and form connections with each other,” Polarth added with a nod.

It was then that a strained voice interjected, “Um...” I turned toward it without thinking, and found it had come from Shin Ruu. “I’m not very familiar with how I should address nobles either. However, there’s one thing I wish to ask...”

“What is it? There’s no need to worry about embellishing your speech here. Feel free to speak your mind,” Luidross said, though a bit of nervousness was showing on his face. Since Shin Ruu was the one Geimalos had plotted against, he was also the person Luidross felt he needed to be most cautious around, presumably.

At any rate, Shin Ruu nodded with a tense look on his face, then somewhat awkwardly continued, “If I was invited to compete in swordsmanship due to my skill as a hunter, that would be no problem. However, if it is to please young women...I would like to refrain from being involved in that in the future.”

“Oh? It is not as if those girls wished to employ you, though. Their desire was no different from wishing to offer a flower to an elegant knight, at the very most.”

“But I am a hunter of the forest’s edge, not a knight... And we people of the forest’s edge, well, we believe it is appropriate to maintain a polite distance from those we do not wish to marry,” Shin Ruu stated, his cheeks slowly turning redder all the while. He was probably having trouble forcing himself to speak about things he had so little experience with.

“I see. So the people of the forest’s edge are that sensitive about relationships between men and women, then?” Eulifia openly remarked, with Luidross seeming hesitant to speak. “Are such differences in the ways we think the origin of this whole dispute? Jiza Ruu also seemed especially worried about Reina Ruu.”

“It should be obvious that taking a partner and bringing children into this world is the most sacred of endeavors. Relations between men and women cannot be treated lightly. Are you saying nobles do not similarly value their relatives?” Jiza Ruu said.

“Of course we do, and yet... Well, I suppose it would be immodest for a noblewoman like me to say anything further,” Eulifia replied, sticking out her tongue in a truly unladylike manner. At that point, her coolheaded husband finally chimed in for the first time in a while.

“Shin Ruu, hunter of the forest’s edge, is it your true belief that you should not shirk invitations to the castle town related to swordsmanship?”

“Yes, though I am a hunter, not a swordsman.”

“And yet you possess skill with a blade great enough to defeat Geimalos in a single strike. Few can claim to be capable of such a thing among the knights of Genos,” Melfried stated, his gaze then turning toward Jiza Ruu. “Jiza Ruu, acting leading clan head of the forest’s edge, I wish to propose something to you.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

I had an inkling that this was the first time Jiza Ruu and Melfried had ever spoken face-to-face, and for some reason that caused me to feel a little nervous.

“I wish to invite a hunter of the forest’s edge to a swordsmanship tournament. Would that not be a way for you to show all of Genos your strength?”

“Why would we agree to such a thing?”

“There are two reasons... No, three, I suppose. Firstly, Genos is a peaceful land, so it is difficult to cultivate adept swordsmen here. In an effort to overcome that problem, the gates of such tournaments are opened wide. Even failed mercenaries can participate, as long as they are not criminals forbidden from entering town.”

“Hmm...”

“It would sully the pride of a knight of Genos to lose to such a ruffian in swordsmanship. It is this that motivates our knights to spend their days polishing their skill with a sword, so if the exceptionally powerful hunters of the forest’s edge were to be included, your presence would spur the knights of Genos to work even harder. That is the first reason.”

Melfried then turned toward Leiriss, who had remained silent for quite some time.

“The second reason is to allow Leiriss to deal with the feelings he mentioned earlier. Until he experiences the strength you hunters possess personally, he will remain unable to forgive his father’s weakness. I believe Leiriss should be allowed to truly learn why his father Geimalos feared the hunters of the forest’s edge so greatly.”

Leiriss remained silent, but his eyes were blazing bright as he stared at Melfried, Jiza Ruu, and Shin Ruu.

“Of course, those are both ways that this would be convenient for us. They are in no way reasons for your people to accept my proposal. However, I believe it would be profitable for you as well.”

“That would be the third reason you referred to, then? Let’s hear it.”

“The third reason is to make the strength of the hunters of the forest’s edge known to all. As Sir Luidross stated before, many among the younger generations are ignorant of your true capabilities. The same goes for outsiders visiting Genos as well. That is why you felt the need to bring so many guards to town during the revival festival, correct? And yet, thirty years ago no scoundrel would ever have dared to meddle with a person of the forest’s edge.”

“I see... So you’re saying the strength of the hunters of the forest’s edge was made known thirty years ago when a terrible crime was committed, but now we should do it through proper means?”

“That is precisely right. Furthermore, we are currently advancing discussions pertaining to carving a path through the forest of Morga. If our plans should come to fruition, a great number of travelers will start passing through the forest quite close to your settlement. If those travelers were to underestimate the strength of you hunters, there is a chance that another unfortunate incident may occur. This is a concern that has been weighing heavily on me.” With his expression not changing in the least, Melfried continued. “The tragedy from thirty years ago must not be repeated. As such, I believe there is a need for the people of the forest’s edge to once again make their strength known to the world at large. Those are my honest feelings on the matter.”

“Then, regardless of how far a hunter of the forest’s edge may advance in this tournament of yours, you would not mind it?”

“No. In fact, I feel it is important that they win. Of course, your man would likely have no difficulty advancing. At the previous tournament, I was awarded the title of sword king...but despite that, I cannot say whether or not I would be capable of winning an even match with Shin Ruu.”

Ai Fa had judged Shin Ruu and Melfried to be roughly equal in strength.

Silence fell over the room for a moment, but then Jiza Ruu nodded. “I see. I have listened very carefully to what you had to say. However, this will require the approval of not only the Ruu clan, but the Zaza and Sauti as well, so I will need to return to the forest’s edge and convey your words to our people there. Is that acceptable?”

“Of course. I shall await a favorable response.”

At that point, his daughter peered around her mother so she could address the stone-faced man, saying, “Father, are you done talking? Can I eat Toor Deen’s sweet now?”

“Ah, excuse me. I should have saved this discussion until everyone was done eating. My apologies to all of you, Sir Luidross and my fellow guests.”

After Melfried’s formal statement had concluded, the pages were at last able to distribute Toor Deen’s sweets. Enough time had passed for the cream to have deflated a good bit, but Odifia’s eyes were still sparkling with anticipation.

“What a wonderful presentation. Did you use poitan once again, perhaps?” Eulifia asked with a bright smile.

“Y-Yes. And an ingredient called gigi leaves from Sym,” Toor Deen replied with a timid bow.

Odifia was unable to wait any longer and picked up her utensils, shoveling a bite of the sweet into her mouth and getting cream all around her lips. Then, while she was still chewing, she turned toward Toor Deen.

“Toor Deen, it’s really tasty.”

“Th-Thank you.”

No matter how tasty she found it, though, Odifia’s expression hardly shifted at all. Her French-doll-like features came from her mother, while she got her expressionlessness from her father.

Still, even if her expression was unchanging, she seemed to have a joyful aura about her. I had no doubt that if she’d had a tail, it would be wagging up a storm right about now. It was adorable, how intent she was on eating the confection in front of her.

“Ah, this pastry is truly delicious. And the giba dish from before was also fantastic. It’s clear that you really do have some superbly talented chefs at the forest’s edge,” Luidross said.

“The three we brought here today are all exceptionally skilled, even at the forest’s edge. I was the one who taught them, but they each had a passion and a talent for cooking before that.”

“And what’s more, the hunters of the forest’s edge are also extraordinary swordsmen. We should thank the western god in every way we can for giving us the opportunity to welcome such a remarkable group of people as citizens of Genos,” Eulifia said with a relaxed smile, looking over those present. “Before we became acquainted last year, the people of the forest’s edge were like characters in a myth to me. But that was only natural, as I had never seen even a single one of you. Though you are fellow residents of this land, you felt more distant than the citizens of Sym and Jagar. I’m sure it was the same for all of you as well...”

“Indeed. Though we often saw people from Sym or Jagar around the post town, we never so much as laid eyes on a noble. The only one permitted to do so was the leading clan head of the forest’s edge, and prior to Cyclaeus’s downfall, even he was never invited to the castle town,” Jiza Ruu replied while scooping up some of Toor Deen’s dessert with a spoon.

In response, Eulifia’s smile grew even more amused. “We live within our stone walls, while you live surrounded by trees. Our god is the western god, whereas you worship the forest. Though we recognize one another as comrades, it would be difficult to argue that we live with the same will in our hearts... And yet, I am overjoyed to be able to talk to you like this up close. Even my daughter is happier for having met all of you.”

Odifia had finished her sweet the fastest out of everyone, and was staring at her empty plate with a forlorn expression.

Eulifia daintily wiped her daughter’s mouth before giving the young girl half of what remained of her dessert, and then she then once again raised her head.

“No matter how long it may take, I wish to form a proper connection with all of you. Leeheim might have been wrong in his methods, but he has shown that he is remorseful and that he wants to use his regrets to guide him forward. Polarth, who has been entrusted with handling so much by the house of Daleim; Torst, the guardian of Countess Turan; and Duke Genos himself... They all have a lot more they need to learn about you people of the forest’s edge. That is my opinion on the matter.”

“And I believe we should try to understand the ruling nobles of Genos more deeply as well...” Jiza Ruu very calmly replied. Sufira Zaza had yet to say a single word, but she was watching the two of them quite intently.

It wasn’t as if all the doubts and misunderstandings between us had been cleared away just like that. Leeheim kept looking at Reina Ruu listlessly, while Leiriss was glaring at Shin Ruu with fierce eyes full of spirit and a desire to fight the young hunter. For their part, Reina and Shin Ruu were simply being careful not to meet the two nobles’ gazes while they enjoyed their desserts.

I also didn’t know how much Luidross agreed with Eulifia’s and Jiza Ruu’s words. Honestly, he just looked relieved that the immediate problem before him seemed to have been resolved without any serious issues. Ai Fa and Ludo Ruu were just being their normal selves, while Toor Deen wasn’t old enough to fully understand the complexities of our relationship with the nobles—not that she needed to, since she wasn’t in a position of leadership anyway.

Even so, I felt more than a little satisfied, myself. At the previous banquet, Ama Min Rutim had seemed to see a real reason for hope in how the nobles had enthusiastically eaten our giba cooking, and today, the people of the forest’s edge had been greeted with kindness and consideration by the residents of the castle town.

It wasn’t as if Jiza Ruu and the others had been completely satisfied with their cooking without any reservations at all, but Luidross had truly wished to please the people of the forest’s edge, and Roy and Shilly Rou had done a great job of fulfilling that request. Maybe you could say that we still weren’t communicating as smoothly as we did when we held banquets at the Daleim lands or the forest’s edge, but this dinner did seem like it had been a strong first step toward forming a proper bond with them.

I didn’t think there was any need to rush. After all, the people of the forest’s edge and the nobles of Genos had spent eighty years tumbling down the wrong path with constant friction between the two groups. But if we just kept moving forward one step at a time as we searched for the right path to take, we would someday be able to smile at each other from the bottom of our hearts and join hands. That was what I felt when I saw Polarth smiling happily, Odifia intently eating her dessert, and Melfried resolutely listening to Jiza Ruu and Eulifia’s words.

After that, we all chatted with each other for a while longer, until the peace banquet with the house of Saturas wound down and came to an amicable end.