Chapter 297: Kingdom of Faerdehelde
“Finally made it this far.”
“Yeah, it took a while.”
A wry smile escaped at Ivan’s heartfelt remark. We had finally set foot in the Kingdom of Faerdehelde, a land also known for its mountainous terrain, as we sought the bounty of the mountains.
“It seems like Kaede has settled down too, which is great.”
“Yeah.”
It had already been a month since we sent Kaede back to Japan. During that time, I had made several trips to pick her up and drop her off, while also introducing the children at the orphanage to Japanese cuisine. Together with Fleur from the Rashiyu Trading Company, I had learned how to make soy sauce and miso using a kit. I also tried to share the knowledge of shampoo and conditioner, but that was only for research purposes; I had no plans to distribute Japanese products. That would be too much trouble.
El had expressed a desire to learn Japanese, so I bought her some language workbooks meant for toddlers and early elementary school students. I wasn’t quite sure what drove El to pursue this, but she was quickly grasping the language.
While shopping at the usual Japanese warehouse store, I noticed more people approaching us. Most seemed to be interested in Phonia, and it was amusing to see her respond cheerfully, causing them to swoon. It appeared that Phonia’s charm was gradually spreading, which was a relief.
“Well then, shall we go find something delicious to eat?”
“Yeah!”
We showed our Adventurer’s Certificates to the gatekeeper and entered the bustling streets. Phonia, responding energetically, led the way, her tail wagging happily. Right beside her, Nil followed, sniffing the air as if searching for something tasty.
As expected, the entrance of the town was lined with various street stalls. Perhaps due to the mountainous region, many of the buildings were made of stone, and the stalls seemed to have fixed locations, their bases firmly set in stone. It appeared there were both stationary and mobile stalls.
“What’s that over there?”
Phonia tilted her head curiously in front of a stall grilling a rectangular, jiggly object. It looked somewhat like konnyaku, but it was definitely something I had never seen before. Unable to see the konnyaku being grilled due to her height, Phonia climbed onto Nil’s back, who was lying down, as if to say, “Well, this will do.” With a satisfied expression, she peered at the konnyaku, causing the vendor to smile warmly.
“It looks like konnyaku.”
“Hey, little lady, you know about this?”
The vendor turned his face toward us, having caught Rio’s casual remark.
“Yes, it’s made from yam, right?”
“Haha, you know your stuff! This here is called Demon’s Tongue. It’s a local specialty.”
“What a dangerous name.”
Ivan grimaced, and I couldn’t help but agree. Since it was being sold at a stall, it must be food, but I wondered if it was safe to eat.
“Then I’ll take this, please.”
“Sure thing.”
“…What about Shuu?”
Rio turned back to ask, and I naturally replied that I would eat it too. Since it was sold at a street stall, it should be fine, and I wanted to try something that could only be tasted here.
“…I think I’ll pass.”
It seemed that Ivan was the only one opting out. As Rio distributed the konnyaku-like treats she received to everyone except Ivan, she took a bite right away.
“Delicious!”
The rectangular object on the skewer was indeed konnyaku. The unique sauce brushed onto it infused the flavor beautifully.
“It seems like it would pair well with soy sauce or miso.”
El appeared to be contemplating recipes already. Good luck with that! Recently, she had been influenced by Japanese culture, and it seemed her cooking skills were improving as well.
“See? It’s tasty!”
Phonia beamed as she offered some konnyaku to Nil. It seemed she was at that age where she wanted to take care of others, but Nil also had a playful demeanor in response, which was amusing.
After wandering around and filling our bellies, we decided to find an inn. Following the recommendations from the patrolling guards and stall owners, we easily secured a room at a well-regarded inn.
“Are there any delicious foods in this country?”
“Yes, do you know of any?”
“Well…”
As I spoke with the innkeeper, I learned about the Demon’s Tongue konnyaku, mountain yam, and some spicy seasonings.
“Is it spicy?”
“Yes, indeed. It grows wild in the rocky streams. Those who like it really enjoy it. It looks green, and you grate the roots to eat.”
“It sounds a bit like wasabi.”
“Yeah.”
As Rio and I whispered to each other, El surprisingly stepped forward. Usually, she remained in the background like a proper maid, but when it came to food or discussions about Japan, she was all ears.
“Do you know where it grows?”
“Huh? Oh, um, I usually get requests from shops or the Adventurer’s Guild, so I don’t know the exact locations.”
“I see.”
“Then I’ll ask at the Guild.”
El looked a bit downcast but quickly regained her spirits upon realizing she had to search for wasabi.
“Wow, so you guys are adventurers?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I see… Well, I’ve heard there are plenty of delicious things in the Forest of Enchantment to the north.”
“The Forest of Enchantment?”
It had been a while since I had heard that term. I knew it was quite a vast forest, but I hadn’t realized it extended this far. I wondered how my master was doing these days.
“Yes, the Forest of Enchantment spreads across the mountainous region. It seems different types of things can be found there compared to other regions.”
“That sounds intriguing.”
“Haha, I’ve heard there are some formidable monsters there, so be careful if you decide to go.”
“Of course, we will.”
After speaking with the innkeeper, I exchanged glances with my companions. Nodding in agreement, it felt like we had decided what to do in this country.