The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick up Trash - Volume 3 - Chapter 152

Chapter 152:

Happy Tummy!

DINNER WAS FANTASTIC! I know, it’s a little egotistical to praise your own cooking, but it really was delicious.

“This’s really good.”

“Thank you, sir. I think so, too.”

Since I’d decided that gurbar meat would be perfect for pot roast and committed hard to that with a low and slow braise, the meat was tender, but it still had a little texture to it. It had that exquisite, savory taste that can only be attained through patience.

Druid had given me a concerned look when we started dinner, but when he saw that I wasn’t at all fazed by what had just happened, the tension left his shoulders. Now he had a somewhat pitiful smile on his face.

But having said all that…I cooked way too much. No matter how much we ate, there was still meat in the pot. How many people did I cook for anyway? Oh well, maybe I should get a favor out of Druid tomorrow, too.

“Ivy, don’t you think you made a little too much?”

“Yeah, you think so, too? Well, I’ll just have to ask for your help again tomorrow, then.”

Druid looked startled by my request. “So you did cook too much. I have to say, I thought it was a little strange that you filled such a big pot for just two people.”

“Hee hee, yeah, I think I went just a little overboard.”

“Just a little?” Druid asked, pointing at the big pot.

I looked inside and saw that there was more than two meals’ worth left in it. “Umm…”

“Ha ha ha ha! Understood. I’ll give you all the help you need. That food’s for me, right?”

Oh! Druid is back to normal now. Yeah, he really does look the most like himself with that smile.

We finished our dinner at a leisurely pace. Afterward, I brought out the fruit and tea for dessert.

“Oops! I almost forgot. Here you go.” Druid pulled a box out of his bag and set it on the table next to me. I opened it up and found pastries inside. “A little housewarming gift.”

“Thank you, they look delicious. I’ll get some plates and—”

“Whoa, not now. If I eat another bite, I’ll never get up again.”

“Ah. Touché.”

We’d both stuffed ourselves so full that neither of us felt like moving. I really did cook too much. And we also ate too much. I’d need to take it easy in the future.

“I’ll eat these tomorrow,” I said.

“Sure… So, Ivy, what’s on the itinerary for tomorrow?”

“I’m going to set some stuff up in the forest.”

“Do you mean traps?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Wow, I don’t know many people who hunt with traps. Isn’t it hard to catch animals in these conditions?”

“Yes, sir. My last batch of traps all got totally destroyed by gurbars. For something that tastes so good, they really are a nuisance.”

“Um, I don’t think those two things have anything to do with each other, Ivy.”

“But, sir, it’s very important that they taste good.” I meant it in earnest, but Druid burst into laughter. A voice behind me joined in. It was the adventurer who’d let me borrow his table. He was holding the plate I’d served him dinner on.

“Hm? Oh! Thank you very much, sir.”

“Don’t mention it. You provided me with some great tableside entertainment.”

Entertainment? What’s he talking about?

“Uh, don’t look so baffled,” the adventurer said. “You’re making this awkward.”

Oh! Dol…? He’s talking about Dol-something-or-other! Wow, why can’t I ever remember that guy’s name? Is my brain just rejecting it?

“That’s right! You laughed way too loudly, sir! I could hear everything!”

“Hey, I tried to hold it in…but it was impossible. Long time no see, Druid.”

Huh? They know each other?

“Hi there…Mathewla, right?”

“Oh, you remembered! Thanks, you’re so kind.”

“Ha ha ha, that’s an overstatement. So, are you and Ivy here close?” Druid asked.

“Oh, no, we only met each other today.”

“I borrowed his table,” I explained to Druid, pointing at our chairs. “I’d completely forgotten I didn’t have one.”

“Well, that was lucky,” Druid said.

“Yes, I got a great meal out of it, so I consider myself very fortunate,” Mathewla said, staring at his plate. It had been licked clean.

“Did you like the food?”

“Oh yes, it was delicious. Give me a holler if you ever need anything else like this. I have most of the basics, and I accept payment in the form of home cooking!” He emphasized the last two words. I guess he really did like it.

“Hey, I just noticed,” Druid said, giving the area around Mathewla a curious look. “You used to be in a four-person party. Are you working alone now?”

“Yeah. One of my party members got married, and another one left to pursue a different line of work. The third guy is off courting some girl. Depending on how that all turns out, I’m thinking of retiring from adventuring, too.”

“Oh, really?” Druid looked surprised, and I didn’t blame him. Mathewla was still quite young. It seemed too early for him to retire.

“Yes. I’ve saved up enough money, so I was thinking of returning to my home village.”

Home village… It must have been nice to have somewhere that feels like home.

“I see,” Druid said. “Well, no matter which path you choose, make sure you don’t have any regrets.”

“I will. All those times we talked about the future when we worked together still stick with me to this day. Thank you for that.”

Druid really is good at taking care of people. It’s the little things—he always tells you what’s most important. I took the plate from Mathewla and asked him where I should return his table.

“Just fold it up and leave it in front of my tent when you’re all done. Good night.”

“I will. Good night.”

“’Night.”

After Mathewla went back to his tent, Druid and I sat and digested for a while.

“Well, I’d better head home. Thanks again for the meal.”

“It was my pleasure. And thank you in advance for helping me out tomorrow.” I bowed, which made Druid laugh. But from the look of the food left in the pot, Druid would need to help me out tomorrow. Maybe I should rope Mathewla into it, too. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.

“Understood. Well…see you tomorrow.” From the lilt in his voice, it sounded like Druid had something else he wanted to say.

Oh well, I’ll see him tomorrow anyway, so he’ll probably be fine. “Yes, see you tomorrow.”

After I said goodbye to Druid, I folded up the table and left it where Mathewla had directed. Then I returned to my own tent with some hot water. Flame and Sora were already sleeping together. The potions were all gone, so they must have had their own dinner before dropping off.

I wiped myself clean with the hot water and changed into some fresh clothes. Boy, that pot roast sure was good. The gurbar meat was so unique! I think I want to try preparing it again but in a different way. Oh, I know! Maybe I’ll try some different seasonings with the leftover meat. It’s a bit boring having the same dish two days in a row. Hm, how should I season it? Um…it’s no use. I can’t think of anything.

“Okay, let’s just turn in. Good night, Sora. Good night, Flame.”

Huh? I feel like I’m forgetting something… Oh! I need to make traps! I promised Ciel I would. I have all the materials I need, so I’ll start with three traps!

“Good morning,” I greeted the gatekeeper.

“Why hello there. I see Druid’s with you today.”

“Huh?!”

I’d psyched myself up to duke it out with the gatekeeper today, but I hadn’t expected him to start the conversation that way. Druid is with me?

“Morning.”

“Oh…! Good morning, Mr. Druid. Are you coming out with me?”

Druid had emerged from the gatekeeper’s break room. Huh? Did we plan to meet up here?

“Sorry if I startled you. Can I tag along?”

Oh good. I was worried we’d arranged this and I’d forgotten. “Of course you can, sir.”

“You mean you didn’t promise to meet Ivy here?” The gatekeeper looked confused.

“I never said I promised. I just said I was waiting for Ivy.”

“Right, you did. Well, be careful—they found tracks to the west.”

So they’d found gurbar tracks to the west of the town this time. That was a ways from where I was planning to set my traps. This time, I wanted them to work for sure.

“Understood, sir. We’ll see you later.”

“Sure thing. Have a safe trip.”

We said our goodbyes to the gatekeeper and walked through the gate.

“Sorry I barged in on you like that.”

“Oh, it’s no problem, sir. It’s much easier to get through the gate when you’re with me anyway.”

“Ha ha ha! I see. Well then, glad I could help.” Druid was smiling, but something about him seemed a bit melancholy.

I wonder if that loudmouth jerk said something to him again. I don’t do well with drama, but maybe I should have a talk with Druid about his family. And today just might be the perfect opportunity.