Episode 347: Giant Buffalo Steak
The Giant Buffalo hunt was over.
The soldiers, including Rest, had taken down a total of fifteen Giant Buffalo.
With each buffalo weighing three thousand kilograms and one-third of that being edible, they had obtained fifteen tons of meat.
“I feel like this is a bit too much…”
“Well, isn’t it fine? When you’re feeding over a thousand people, I don’t think this is nearly enough, you know?”
“Well, I suppose you’re right…”
Rest nodded in agreement with Isis’s words.
Even if each steak was 300g, it would only amount to about fifty servings if divided among a thousand soldiers.
Once again, an army is a money-guzzling machine.
It’s not wasteful now since they’re in the middle of a war, but feeding soldiers who aren’t even fighting in peacetime must cost a fortune.
(But if they downsize the military, it’ll be exactly what the hostile countries want… the people running the country must have it rough.)
“Well done, a splendid feat.”
Bareya Cattleya, the commander of the advance party, came over after seeing that the Giant Buffalo had been dealt with.
“I thought getting five would be enough, but I never imagined you’d hunt this many. We won’t have to worry about provisions for a while.”
“Ugh…”
Bareya slapped Rest’s shoulder hard.
“As expected of someone my sister chose… I’ve reevaluated you, Count Clover.”
“T-Thank you…”
“Keep up the good work… I’ll point out anything that’s lacking as it comes up.”
Bareya removed his hand from Rest’s shoulder and ordered the soldiers to dismantle the Giant Buffalo.
The grabbed shoulder throbbed with pain. He hadn’t checked, but he could guess that there would definitely be a hand-shaped mark under his clothes.
“Is it just me, or does Captain Cattleya seem to be hoping for you to fail?”
“H-How strange… I heard the same thing.”
Rest showed deep, deep agreement with Isis’s murmur.
If Rest were to make some kind of mistake, it would become material to oppose his marriage to his sister, Yuri.
It’s unlikely that Bareya wants this expedition to fail, but he would probably be happy if Rest personally failed.
“I can’t show any openings… I’ll send you my Ale. Do your best.”
“Don’t just cheer me on, help me out too…”
“There’s no way someone like me can interfere with a Marquis family’s marriage, right? I’m expecting things from you too, you know.”
Isis placed her hand on Rest’s shoulder.
Unlike when Bareya grabbed him, it was a warm sensation.
The pain was receding… it seemed she had cast healing magic.
“Now, let’s have a taste of the Giant Buffalo. I’ll personally grill you a steak.”
It would take some time to process the Giant Buffalo into meat.
Rest and the others would take a break and eat meat during that time.
“Lübesse, would you like to join us?”
“…………No, I’ll eat over here.”
He had invited Lübesse, who was nearby, but he glanced at Isis and quickly ran away.
Having no choice, Rest took a block of meat that a soldier had cut and moved to a spot where they wouldn’t be in the way with Isis.
“Yes. It’s nicely marbled and looks delicious. Salt and pepper should be enough for this.”
“Isis-san, can you cook?”
“As a noble lady’s accomplishment, a little. I’m especially good at meat dishes.”
Isis created a fire with magic and heated the cut meat in a frying pan.
Once the surface was seared, she flipped it over to cook the other side and sprinkled it with salt and pepper with practiced movements.
“Ooh…”
A gasp involuntarily escaped Rest’s mouth.
An appetizing, savory smell. The sound of the meat sizzling made his throat gulp.
“I’ve eaten Giant Buffalo meat several times before… but why? It looks more delicious than usual.”
“It’s freshly caught, you see. It’s different from the preserved stuff… is medium-rare okay?”
“Y-Yes, I’ll leave it to you…”
Rest’s stomach rumbled, complaining of hunger.
The surrounding soldiers’ gazes were focused on them, and the sound of swallowing could be heard from all directions.
“L-Looks delicious…”
“Damn it, I want to eat soon too…!”
“Let’s finish this quickly! I’m starving!”
The soldiers were speeding up their work, trying to finish as quickly as possible.
Ironically, Isis grilling the steak seemed to have increased the work speed.
“Okay, it’s done. Enjoy.”
Soon, a steak was presented to Rest.
A lump of meat served on a plate. No side dishes, just seasoned with salt and pepper, and no sauce.
But… why? The fatty lump of meat looked like gold.
“T-Thank you for the food…!”
Rest put the meat in his mouth, driven by a mysterious impatience.
When he put strength into his jaw, the sound of the meat fibers snapping echoed in his mouth.
“~~~~~~~~~~!”
Delicious.
The juicy, thick steak was irresistibly delicious.
The wild, untamed texture seemed to reflect the vitality of the Giant Buffalo that had been so lively until just now.
“I’m glad you like it… do you think I’d make a good bride?”
“Of course! Absolutely!”
“That’s good… really.”
Rest devoured the meat with enthusiasm, even asking for seconds.
Isis was gazing at Rest, who was engrossed in eating, with a meaningful look… but he didn’t notice the meaning of that gaze, focusing all his attention on simply devouring the meat.