Chapter 97: Plans
“When En was blessed by the Spirit and gained [Storage], it happened right in the Temple, so it got exposed on the spot. Since then, we’ve been targeted.”
“That’s quite a predicament. Are we escaping from here?”
It’s going to feel lonely…
“I’m heading to Kanum. No more running away.”
“Huh? Why Kanum?” Is it my House?
“Shiva and I are Adventurers, you know? We’re quite famous!”
Dinoss, ever the jokester, winked at me in this tense situation.
The border town of Kanum was also recommended to me by the Gods. It’s the city with the least interference from troublesome nobles and temples, and it doesn’t have the strong clan mentality like the northern cities.
Dinoss and Shiva are skilled Adventurers—well, it seems Dinoss’s wife is the daughter of a certain noble, and she became an Adventurer after meeting him. I can’t quite wrap my head around that.
Back to the topic, they were skilled Adventurers, but four years ago, En got [Storage], and it became dangerous to keep his family in one place, so he quit being an Adventurer, making it easier for them to hide.
“They’ve been persistently searching for four years, coming all the way to this remote place. I want to make sure the kids can protect themselves before Shiva and I weaken.”
“So you’re going back to being an Adventurer?”
“Exactly. I’ve already taught them how to handle animals and hunt. En and Baku will be eight soon, and I want to expand their world.”
It wasn’t the peaceful farm I had imagined, but he’s a good father.
“Now, about the payment for the healing potions…”
Dinoss pulled a jar from a high shelf and poured its contents onto the table. Gold coins scattered across the surface.
“What’s the going rate for healing potions these days?”
“Well, it’s fine.”
“My principle is to pay when I can afford it!” Dinoss said while tearing off some bandages.
After paying me, he divided the rest into bags. It was quite a stash; they could live comfortably in Kanum for a few years.
“You really divide it up a lot, huh?”
“Kanum is far away. It would be nice if we could all arrive safely, but if we get separated, I want the kids to be able to hire Adventurers if needed.”
“I see. Should I send you off?”
“If you’re not injured—oh? Was there a healing potion that wasn’t old?”
I asked boldly, just as his wife returned. Healing potions change from green to brown when they age, losing their effectiveness. There’s no way the potions from their Adventurer days would still be usable.
“I got it from Jean. But first, let’s fill our stomachs. Can you prepare something? I’ll go throw that outside.”
Saying that, Dinoss stood up. “That” must refer to the villains outside, right? Even if they’re leaving this house, there’s no need to leave evidence for those who might come after.
“Jean, I’m sorry. You must have been surprised?”
“Not really… Well, yeah, I was surprised.” I should just admit it.
“I’ll cook, so you prepare for the move. Oh, and separate the ingredients we need to take with us.”
His wife began sorting out Salted Meat, wine, and dried vegetables. Five bundles, large and small, probably for [Storage] and what each of them would carry.
I glanced at her while starting to cook with the remaining ingredients. The soup was already on the Fireplace, so what next?
I washed the Salted Meat well and cut it into blocks to add to the bean and cabbage soup, then tossed in turnips and onions to dilute the salt flavor.
Next, I sliced the carrots into thin strips. Mixing olive oil, wine vinegar, salt, and just a pinch of sugar, I realized this sugar was from the last time I brought supplies. I should have brought pepper too.
—Cheating a bit, I pulled out a little pepper from [Storage]. I drizzled the mixed liquid over the carrots, stirring a few times to complete the carrot salad.
With practiced ease, I fetched eggs from the Livestock Shed, placing them in a bucket. I decided not to take the pickled mushrooms, so I sautéed them with the Salted Meat in butter to make a sauce.
The main dish would be an omelet. Ideally, I wanted to keep the egg-related items separate due to their strong odor… For now, I cleaned the frying pan used for the mushrooms, adjusted the fire, and dropped in some butter.
While shaking the pan, I moved the parts that tend to solidify near the edges toward the center, stirring gently to make it fluffy. I added cheese, stopped moving the pan, and once the eggs began to set, I shaped it to one side.
I topped it with the mushroom sauce and finished. I could really go for some ketchup right now.
“It’s done!” I announced, presenting the soup with large chunks of pork, the cheese omelet, and the carrot salad.
“Jean’s cooking is always so colorful!” Shiva made sure the kids washed their hands, even making Dinoss wash up before sitting down.
“It looks as delicious as ever,” Dinoss said, trying to skip the handwashing.
“It’s the wobbly kind!” Baku exclaimed, remembering the one I made before, shaking his plate with delight.
“Wow, Tina will become a great cook too!”
“If this keeps up, your husband will be the better cook!”
“En, cute Tina isn’t going to get married!” Dinoss burst into proud parent mode at the heartwarming exchange between Tina and En.
I wonder if we’ll hear conversations like this in Kanum.
“How long until we reach Kanum from here?”
“About a month and a half if all goes well. We have the horses left behind, and with En’s [Storage], it’ll be much easier.”
As Dinoss said, having [Storage] makes the journey significantly easier. Most of our travels would involve camping out, and even if we tried to get food from the villages, they might not have any extras after just surviving the winter.
The peace of mind that comes from having secured food is incredible, just like when I accompanied them on their investigations.
“Will I not be able to see you, Jean?”
“Of course, you’ll see me.” I paused my omelet to pet Tina’s head, who looked like she might cry.
“Oh, me too!”
“That’s unfair! Me too!”
I petted the twins in response to their requests.
Still, coming to Kanum might actually make it easier for us to see each other more often.
“I’ll spend a few years in Kanum, and once we’re settled, it’s off to the Labyrinth.”
“Huh?” I was taken aback by Dinoss’s words.
Aren’t they planning to settle in Kanum? A Labyrinth? Now that I think about it, the Gods did mention Labyrinths in their initial explanation… I had completely forgotten about that.