Chapter 386: In the Brief Interval
On Es’s head sits a chair that is definitely not Es. Of course, it’s shrunk down, but it looks unmistakably like a chair.
—Wasn’t it the case that wealthy nobles in early modern France and England competed to create extravagant and unique hairstyles? I suppose it’s better than having a ship on your head. Thankfully, the chair isn’t that large.
“Um… does it have any flavor?”
“Indeed. All that is blessed by me is cherished.”
Es responds with a smile.
“If this Wanwan is to receive anything from the goddess Es, it must be…!”
Wanwan seems to be in a bad mood.
“…I’ll go grab some ingredients! Just drink this and rest.”
I pull out several bottles of alcohol I bought from Es and place them on the table, along with some dried dates and a few nuts I picked up at the market.
And then, [Teleportation].
“Wait! You’re leaving us like this…?”
I hear Dinoss’s voice, but the items I prepared probably won’t have any flavor! The ingredients I used are blessings unrelated to the Es River!!!
So, I teleport near the market and dash off to shop. I teleport back to the House. As soon as I arrive, Rishu rushes up and stops right in front of me, sniffing suspiciously.
“Sorry, Rishu. I don’t have time to play right now.”
I squeeze Rishu between my legs and give him a good pet.
I quickly start cooking, or rather, just adding a little touch to the pre-made items I bought. After all, everyone is already seated and waiting for the food.
I’ve been to the market yesterday and the day before, and some of the dishes I planned to serve are made from ingredients bought at Es, but with Es and Wanwan around, I’m sure I’ll run out of flavorful dishes.
I slice the bread I bought at the market in half and warm it up. It’s the kind that puffs up in the middle, creating a hollow space, likely baked quickly in a high-temperature oven. If I’m not careful, it’ll burn.
While it warms, I shred the roasted chicken, mix in some herbs, and prepare the stuffing. The roasted chicken was also bought at the market.
I wonder how helpful the Spirits will be? The Changelings found it flavorful, but—does it only need to be a Spirit? If it’s a Spirit that influences me, it seems like I’d need Es’s retainers to help.
“Rishu, I’m off. Let’s play tonight.”
I call out to Rishu and teleport again.
“I’m back. I brought something that should taste good for Es and Wanwan. Wait, there are more of you…”
A large man with lime-green skin and a strangely contorted woman are attending to Es.
“Who are you?”
“These are Skos and Neneto.”
Karn, who had been drinking a little away from the Gods, informs me.
“We have been summoned.”
Skos raises his cup and speaks.
“It’s been a while since our feast.”
With chocolate-colored skin, pink hair, and pink lipstick, Neneto is quite flashy, and combined with the green Skos, they make a striking pair.
Still, will there be enough food? Well, I’ve bought a variety of drinks, so that should be fine.
“I’ve been waiting! What do you mean disappearing suddenly in front of the goddess Es!”
Wanwan exclaims.
“Sorry, I thought the dish I was going to serve first wouldn’t have any flavor for Es and the others.”
“Don’t leave us like this in that state…”
Retze grumbles beside me.
It seems Wanwan has been guarding Retze instead of staying next to Es. He hasn’t even transformed into a humanoid yet, still holding his cup. Could it be that he’s quite dutiful?
“Please, I’m really asking you…”
Dinoss places a hand on my shoulder, struggling to find the words.
Haulon is mechanically pouring drinks for Skos with a fixed blue smile, not even looking my way… I wonder if he’s okay?
“Sorry, sorry. I thought Es and Wanwan wouldn’t find any flavor in the food if I left like that…”
I start laying out the dishes on the table.
“Here’s the food made from ingredients harvested in Es’s land, and this one is different, so I thought it wouldn’t have any flavor.”
I must have kept them waiting for about an hour.
“Oh, so you’ve brought some snacks! That’s great!”
Wanwan is in a surprisingly good mood. Don’t worry, the onions that are bad for dogs aren’t in that dish…
I’ve made pita-like bread filled with chicken, another with sautéed ground meat and vegetables, deep-fried fava bean croquettes, a bean dip, roasted quail bought from the market, and a whole roasted chicken stuffed with herbs.
On Retze’s and my side, there are various sandwiches, mochi with mentaiko, Margherita pizza, cheese, sausage, ham, and stewed tripe.
“Oh right, I had this too.”
I bring out a pot of bean stew I saw at various stalls in Es’s market. I set it down and serve it with lemon juice and olive oil for the Gods of Es.
“Oh, this is quite delightful. Neneto, it’s delicious.”
Skos tastes it first, as if testing for poison, and encourages Neneto to try.
“Oh my, it really is delicious. It passes!”
Neneto responds.
“Thank you?”
Is my cooking good enough?
“Then, accept our names and let us make a contract.”
Skos says.
Huh? What did he just say?