New dishes with new ingredients means dinner hasn’t been this rowdy in a while.
People say this is tasty, this is no good, I don’t like this… All sorts of opinions fly around.
“Master, the poison parts of the frog are the tastiest, right?”
“Apparently.”
“When can I eat them?”
“Soon. Ah, do you want to try removing the poison with holy water?”
Wrapping it in a material that will absorb the poison is the method that will improve the quality of the meat the most, but unfortunately, the meat won’t be ready to eat right away.
“Ah, but that takes time.”
That’s because the meat needs to be soaked in holy water to remove the poison, and then dried to remove all that moisture it absorbed.
It could be cooked without doing that, but it would leave the meat with an indescribable feeling that something was off.
Although that would only matter to people with a more sensitive palate. People who don’t care about that sort of thing wouldn’t notice it.
I think part of it is because holy water isn’t meant to be drunk in the first place.
And since Hikari has a sensitive palate, she’d notice something was off for sure.
“Hn. Okay. I can’t wait.”
She understands once I explain it. After all, Hikari thinks that if you’re going to eat something, it should be tasty.
Incidentally, the sea devil legs got the worst reviews out of the bunch.
Apparently their texture is bad. But Argo and the others seem to like them, saying it makes them want to drink. After all, they’re octopuses. I should share with Naoto and the others.
No, it’s not a clearance sale.
“Where to next?”
Once we’re done eating, we discuss our plans going forward.
“Shouldn’t we check if we have the magic stones needed to open the door first?”
Guilford says to Argo.
That’s a good point, we could check that.
And if it doesn’t open, we can just collect more.
“Then I want to make some equipment today. Is that okay?”
If the door does open, we’ll have to go in.
“Okay. Then we’ll kill time with mock battles and taking monsters apart. We’re not gonna be of any help making items.”
There’s plenty to take apart, and Hikari and the others will be happy. Hikari because she’ll have more meat to eat, and Chris and Mia because they’ll have more ingredients.
Last time it was done with simple flavorings, so they want to try all sorts of different things.
I take corpses out of the Item Box, and then get working on weapons. I say weapons, but they’re throwing weapons. Knives and hatchets made with ore from this dungeon.
Weapons infused with magic energy do more damage to monsters, but there are some that are immune to magic, so I’m making both weapons that deal physical and magic damage.
“Sora, isn’t it time to eat?”
I stop as Chris asks that. Is it?
Then I notice something smells nice.
“How focused were you?”
Asks an exasperated Argo.
I didn’t notice at all.
“That’s something you need.”
Says Guilford. Friendly as ever.
“Nice pair.”
Hikari agrees.
Both look displeased, but they’re in sync even there.
They sit down silently, probably knowing anything they say will make it worse.
I also head there to eat.
“Let’s eat.”
Hikari gives the signal, and we start eating.
Lunch today consists of close to twenty big plates. Apparently each has different flavorings.
I immediately get started tasting different things.
Some food is colored, some has big fist-sized chunks of meat, but it all has character.
I try to conquer them all, separating them on a small plate, but it’s too much.
I ask Mia what has the lightest flavor, and start from there.
Some are mild, some intense. Ah, this one has a lot of spices. And yet, I can clearly taste the meat.
Once I start eating, I can’t stop.
“This one might be better as soup.”
“Yes. Sahagin is probably better lightly seasoned, to really taste the meat.”
As we eat, Chris and Mia exchange opinions.
They are really studious about this.
“Leave that for later.”
Says Rurika with an awkward smile, but I don’t think they can be stopped.
Hikari is recommending things to Rick, who silently picks what she says.
Once we’re done, I go back to making equipment.
I spent the morning making throwing weapons, and switch to defensive equipment in the afternoon.
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This author really likes to waste time with these useless food chapters.
Thanks for the update, & hope everybody has a good weekend. 😎👍