Mr. Dolf expertly prepared the duck, lightly charring the bony parts with a bit of meat still clinging to them before chopping them into pieces. He simmered them in a pot with a splash of wine and water, discarding the first boil, then added bay leaves and let it all stew slowly once more.
The fatty red meat was cut into bite-sized chunks, lightly seared on both sides until golden brown, and then tossed into the pot along with vegetables like potatoes and carrots.
As the duck meat cooked, releasing its rich fat, Mr. Dolf used that very fat to sauté chopped onions until they turned a lovely caramel color. He then added butter and sifted in some flour. Stirring gently from the bottom of the pot to avoid burning, he mixed until it formed a creamy paste, which he then added along with olives and herbs.
In the kitchen, Ms. Barbara was busy preparing side dishes, humming cheerfully to herself.
Once the pot reached a gentle boil, he added rock salt to season it, letting it simmer for about an hour before taking it off the heat to cool. Strangely enough, letting it cool before reheating made the dish taste even better than when it was freshly cooked.
It had been a while since I stood in the kitchen, cooking for someone else, but it was enjoyable, and I felt tempted to join Ms. Barbara in her song.
…However, a heavy atmosphere loomed over the table in the adjoining living room.
Mr. Dolf, arms crossed and wearing a stern expression, faced off against Mr. Gilbert, who, despite his tall stature and good posture, sat hunched and small.
“Gilbert, as I mentioned this morning, if you use the support device creatively, you can wield an axe that can deliver sufficient power even with your injured dominant arm. The Battle Axe is less precise than a sword,” Mr. Dolf said, his voice unusually low as he took a sip of tea and locked eyes with Mr. Gilbert.
“But it’s not as maneuverable as a sword, nor is it suited for defense. It’s large and slow, leaving you wide open against magical beasts. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
Mr. Gilbert remained silent for a moment, his face contorted as if he were swallowing something bitter, before shaking his head.
“Don’t be foolish… that’s not what he wants either.”
His voice was low, strained, and it sounded as if he were suppressing a whirlwind of emotions.
Silence fell again, and Mr. Dolf closed his eyes, stroking his beard thoughtfully for a while. When he finally opened his eyes and looked at Mr. Gilbert, he let out a long, deep sigh and stood up.
“Barbara, after dinner, we’ll begin our travel preparations.”
“Yes, of course!”
Ms. Barbara’s bright reply echoed through the kitchen.
“Wait, what!? What do you mean…?”
Mr. Gilbert shot up, bewildered.
“That support device isn’t designed for prolonged use. It requires regular maintenance. Plus, to make defensive modifications, you need to know what you’re up against,” Mr. Dolf explained, his expression serious.
Mr. Gilbert’s eyes widened in shock, rendered speechless.
Then, Mr. Dolf turned to me, who had been observing from the kitchen, and flashed a grin.
“Flora-chan, do you have any plans for after this? If you’re interested—”
“Hey, wait a minute, old man!”
Ignoring Mr. Gilbert, who was caught in a whirlwind of anxiety and confusion, Mr. Dolf wore a mischievous smile.
“As you can see, it’s just an old man and Barbara on a long journey, and we could use someone to help take care of things. Would you consider joining us?”
I was taken aback by the sudden proposal, my eyes widening in surprise.
However, it was true that I hadn’t thought about what to do after stopping by this village. My hometown, the Kadira Territory, was impoverished, and there were hardly any jobs suitable for a woman. Considering the burden on my uncle, returning home felt daunting, and I had been troubled by it.
—Perhaps it was the reaction to being called “a useless wife who can’t do anything.” Even if it was something small, I felt a flicker of rebellious spirit igniting within me, a desire to find something I could do.
“I would love to accompany you!”
As I boldly voiced my thoughts, I felt a rush of warmth spread through me.
“Wait, wait, wait! Do you even know where you’re going…? It’s dangerous. I can’t let you all, including Ms. Flora, get involved in this!” Mr. Gilbert’s voice was thick with urgency.
Mr. Dolf turned to him with an impossibly bright smile.
“Gilbert, didn’t you just say? ‘I want my loved ones to be in a safe place.’”
Nodding in agreement, Mr. Gilbert frowned.
“That’s true, but…”
“Then relax. I’ll be in the safest spot closest to the battlefield where you are. Of course, Barbara and Flora-chan will be there too.”
With a proud declaration, Mr. Dolf laughed heartily.
Mr. Gilbert stood there, mouth agape in disbelief. Gradually, the troubled expression on his face softened, and he muttered with a half-smile.
“Well, I won’t deny that they’re important… but did you really have to say that yourself?”