Just as I got out of the bath with Fear and Lea, Erika and the others returned to the inn.
It was unexpected that Fear and Lea ran up to Erika and the others looking happy.
I tilt my head, wondering when they had built such a strong relationship of trust.
"I am back"
"...Welcome back, Shale."
A voice came from right next to me, and although I tried to act calm, I was actually surprised inside.
Please think about it carefully.
Even though your eyes can tell that there is no one there, is there anyone who wouldn't be surprised to hear a voice coming from there?
I think the majority would say they're surprised... but it's not something they should be surprised about, really.
Suddenly, I asked Shale something I had been thinking about, even though it was a little late.
"We're going back to the royal capital, but what about the petri dish?"
"...? I'll come with you."
Shale replied, exuding an air of detachment in her voice, "What are you asking?"
I lightly scratch my hair at the back and continue with a wry smile.
"No, once we return to the royal capital, we'll just return to our normal lives, you know?"
"...Hehe, normal...hehehe"
"I don't think I'm wrong."
"Me being by Reid-sama's side is practically an order from the king. So unless the king or the prime minister orders me to leave his side, I will stay by Reid-sama's side."
"Okay, let me know if there's anything you want to eat or anything else. I'll do my best..."
"Thank you"
I don't know what she found so funny, but even after she thanked me, Shale continued to chuckle.
It seems like I got a laughing point.
Certainly, I admit that I know a certain amount about this world.
But, I shouldn't be acting so strangely.
Because I knew what was coming, I could use it to make money, or receive a title, and I received the mountain instead of a title, but...anyone could win a losing lottery ticket like that.
...Honestly, it's not a losing ticket for me.
I sighed and approached Erika and the others who were chatting happily.
It was around 2pm.
It's a little late to set off.
At this time, we were outside the gate we had passed through when we arrived in Santony.
Frere, Fear, Lea, and Taylor came to see us off.
Taylor stopped by the guardhouse on his way to the gate and said hello, and they came.
I say with a wry smile to Taylor, who has a sour look on his face.
"I'd like to be contacted if there's any progress."
"I'll contact you without you having to tell me. Even so, that's some quick action, isn't it?"
"Taylor taught me that if you feel even the slightest bit of danger, keep your distance."
"...Why does your body move first even though you remember?"
"Personality... that's all I can say. I'll be waiting for you in the royal capital, you're coming, right?"
"Well, once this case is solved... but..."
Taylor sighed tiredly, and I gave a wry smile and held out my hand for a handshake.
Taylor notices and shakes his hand back.
We smile at each other and don't say anything more, then Frère looks at Fear and Lea.
Frere-san looked serious, bowed her head slightly, then looked up and said.
"Thank you very much. It seems that the guards now always stop by my house when they make their rounds."
"Tell that to Taylor. I didn't do anything about the patrol's movements."
"But that's what I'm saying. There's this kid in the patrol squad that I'm interested in."
"You'll know right away, because you'll smell happiness."
Frere had a serious expression on her face, but after hearing Fear and Lea's words, her face turned red and she looked down.
The two of them looked at Frere's reaction with amusement, then when they saw me, they both hugged me.
I put a little more strength into my body and braced myself, holding the two of them in place.
There's a slight wind today, so their beautiful black hair is fluttering in the crosswind more than usual.
They each buried their faces in my neck and continued speaking from either side of me.
"I'll be there soon, so please wait for me."
"I want to meet Croana too."
"Yeah, I'll be waiting."
Hearing their words, I tighten my hold on him a little and let him down.
When they dropped me off, they both kissed me on both cheeks.
I waved from the carriage as it started moving, and when I looked inside, my eyes met with Satur's.
It seems that Minty and Erica are currently driving the driver.
Satur crosses her arms and says to me with a serious expression.
"Instructor, it looks like we'll be camping today... is that okay?"
"I actually wanted to avoid it."
"At this time of night... I don't think there have been any reports of thieves from the guild, so I think it'll be okay..."
"Hmm... In that case, today is the first time we've camped in a while, how about we have some hotpot?"
"Hotpot?! Hotpot, Master's hotpot!"
It was Roll who reacted violently to my words.
The three sisters were surprised by Roll's reaction, which was basically expressionless and quiet.
Yes, Roll loves hotpot.
Even though I'm in the back of the truck, I love it so much that I jump up and down with my arms held out in front of my chest and a smile on my face.
Satur looked shocked, and Roll gave a wry smile as he was being scolded.
Occasionally during camp training, I made a simple hotpot, which was a big hit with Roll.
As a result of taking on too many training, when the adventurers are told they will be doing camp training, they end up joining in the training before they know it.
...I'm troubled that they're so pleased with my manly cooking.
He is aware that he is only making simple similar dishes and is far from being a chef or Nimi.
Even so, the adventurers seem to like my cooking.
They said it was because it was easy to imitate.
It was 8 p.m., away from the trees and off the main road.
We decided to camp in a place where we could see the surroundings.
The three adventurer girls patrol the area, while Erika makes the cargo bed a place to sleep.
Basically, when camping, it is common to set up a tent.
However, if there isn't much luggage in the cargo area, there's no reason not to make good use of it.
Of course, the three adventurer girls and I will set up tents outside and sleep while taking turns keeping watch...
I stoked the pot over the fire and stirred the contents while checking on the three sisters.
The three sisters are currently cutting the ingredients.
Attla-san was cutting the boar meat for me, but he looked at me with a worried expression.
"Um, is it okay to slice it this thinly?"
"Don't worry, just keep cutting. It'll probably be gone soon."
After saying that and nodding with a smile, Attla-san continued with a worried look on her face.
I understand that Attla is worried.
Adventurers' meals are hearty, with meat sliced thick and grilled.
And it was a considerable amount, but I had instructed them to cut it thinly and in large quantities.
I scooped up the scum that had come out of the pot and threw it away, smiling wryly at Attola-san's state.
"Are these vegetables okay?"
"I mean, will you eat it?"
Niche and Sera, who brought over a large basket of chopped vegetables, also looked worried.
Another characteristic of adventurers is that they don't eat vegetables.
There is a reason for this: in dangerous camps or on the battlefield, people do not pick meat or blood or vegetables that they find unpleasant.
...I get annoyed because I try to eat vegetables on their own.
I told them I was fine, and told them to place a basket nearby and let them rest.
There is no such thing as soy sauce or miso in this world.
Well, maybe I could find it if I looked, but I haven't found it yet.
If you ask me if I miss Japanese food, I'd be lying if I said I don't.
But I don't think I'd dare build one.
First of all, the investment in materials, time, and manpower is enormous.
It would probably be easy to create if there was a convenient cheat, but trying to create something like that from scratch would be too difficult.
I have the knowledge, so if there are people who are trying to create something, I will provide information, but I have no intention of making it myself.
If you're going to do that, it's easier to try a cooking method that no one else has tried yet.
There are many delicious seasonings in this world.
Otherwise, Nimi's meals wouldn't be so delicious, and there must be plenty of room for improvement.
Remove the bird-shaped bones from the pot and throw them into the fire.
The fire is a little weaker because it's damp, but I compensate for that with magic tools.
It's best not to do it because it gives off a nice smell, but bird-type monsters seem to have a different smell.
The monsters crawling on the ground don't come near me as much. I know it should be the other way around, but for some reason they don't come near me.
In reality, I would like to take hours to bring out the flavor, but judging from the taste, it seems like it would be good enough for an instant dish.
Finally, season with salt, pepper, and, secretly, powdered white tokens.
I put the vegetables in the pot, and after a while I add the meat that Attla-san had cut for me.
At this point, I called out to everyone, and Roll came running over at incredible speed.
...No, every time, it's scary.
"Is it okay? Is it enough already?!"
"Obviously, we'll wait until everyone is here..."
Once everyone was there and began to eat, each person poured food into their own bowls, and it was well received.
It was well received, and Erika and the three sisters were surprised as they ate it.
Erika seems to be good at building friendships with people, as she was talking with three sisters who she had become close with.
While eating the hot pot, they talk about whether or not it could be used for soup kitchens.
...It's not impossible to use, but aren't the materials costs too high?
"Wow, it's delicious!"
"Roll, that's my meat."
"Instructor, can I add some meat?"
"Please keep eating."
I smile as I watch everyone eating their food with gusto while eating the hot pot I've been given.
By the way, next to me, Shale was silently eating.
Since they can't be seen, they don't notice, but they are eating quite a lot.
The reason I noticed that he was sitting next to me was because I heard him say things like, "It's delicious..." "It should be thin..." "It's vegetables, after all..."
I'm glad you're having fun, but I wish you'd at least tell me where you are first.