Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 117

“Shuu, welcome back!”

Returning to the Cat’s Tail Pavilion early in the morning, Mia welcomed me.

“I’m back. You’re up pretty early, huh?”

Even though the sun had just risen, Bandel-san and the employees, including Mia, were already working diligently from the morning.

Perhaps because it was early in the morning, there weren’t any customers having breakfast yet.

“I usually wake up a bit later, but I just couldn’t sleep today.”

As Mia said this, her gaze shifted to the case I was carrying.

Ah, she must have woken up because her favorite Sarabi was coming.

Not only Mia but also Kuroi, the black cat beastkin, occasionally glanced over while cleaning. Seems like they’re curious.

“Oh, welcome back. Looks like you didn’t get injured. How was the forest at night?”

As I found the gestures of the beastkin endearing, Bandel-san, who was in the kitchen, approached.

“The number of monsters had increased, so it was tough, but I managed to collect some materials that are only available at night, so it was enjoyable.”

“Haha, it’s quite something to enjoy heading into the forest alone at night.”

As I honestly expressed my thoughts, Bandel-san laughed heartily.

At first, I was tense because of the increased activity of monsters, but surprisingly, things worked out somehow.

Well, going for nighttime gathering in a place you’ve never been to is too risky, so I apologize for that.

“And how about the Sarabi?”

“How many did you catch?”

Riding on Bandel-san’s question, Mia eagerly asked with excitement.

I placed the case I had been carrying on the table and opened the lid.

“Roughly 220.”

“What, 220!?”

Seeing the Sarabi packed tightly in the case, Mia let out a voice of excitement that couldn’t be contained.

Then, hesitantly taking a Sarabi in her hand, she wore an ecstatic expression.

“So many Sarabi! It’s like a dream!”

She must really love Sarabi. She looked completely enraptured, like I’ve never seen her before.

“Even though they’re easy to catch, to catch this many in such a short time…”

If I hadn’t been so engrossed in collecting Kultaros and Night Beetles, I could have caught even more, but let’s keep that a secret.

This amount seems more than enough.

“I’ve caught quite a number, but are you okay with this?”

“Yeah, I’ll buy them all properly. Otherwise, I’ll be resented.”

The agreement was for a hundred, but I ended up catching twice that amount.

I was worried about the financial aspect, but apparently, they’ll buy them all without any issues. Well, with Mia and Kuroi emitting such a tense atmosphere, they probably have to buy them.

Bandel-san counted the Sarabi and handed me a reward corresponding to that amount.

I received one gold coin and two silver coins. The reason for the high price for just regular fish is that they’re only available in the nighttime environment.

“Sigh… I thought I was just lightly rewarding myself for my usual work, but it turned out to be more expensive than I expected.”

“It’s nothing! Eating Sarabi, we’ll be able to work happily and energetically from now on!”

“Taking care of employees is important.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Bandel-san, who thinks about how employees can work happily and actually puts it into action, is truly a good person.

Even in my past life, I wanted such a kind boss.

As I mused on this absentmindedly, drowsiness suddenly overwhelmed me.

Had I let my guard down after completing the request? Fatigue hit me like a wave.

Despite taking a nap, it seems I didn’t get enough sleep.

“Well then, I’m feeling sleepy, so I’ll head back to my room.”

“Oh, thanks! If you ever feel like eating Sarabi dishes, just let me know. I’ll make them anytime!”

“Thank you.”

“Nya nya, Shuu, do you want to join the appreciation party too?”

“I’m grateful for the invitation, but I have a prior commitment tonight…”

“Oh, that’s too bad.”

Truthfully, I didn’t have any plans, but I still feel a bit reluctant to join a party with only employees, especially since everyone except Bandel-san is female.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

For an appreciation party, it’s best to drink with people you’re comfortable with.

Suppressing a yawn, I climbed the stairs and dove onto my bed in my room.

♦ ♦ ♦

“Shuu, thanks for yesterday nya!”

The next morning, when I descended to the dining hall, Mia greeted me with a cheerful voice.

From her cheerful expression and tone, it seemed like she had enjoyed yesterday’s appreciation party. Although lively voices had resonated until relatively late, there seemed to be no sign of fatigue. Perhaps it’s the stamina and youth of a beastkin.

“It’s good to see you’re feeling refreshed.”

“If you ever feel like eating again, just let me know.”

“Is this a bribe? Well, I’ll gratefully accept it.”

Since she had left fruit water for me without me asking, I decided to graciously accept it.

It was just what I wanted to drink.

Since it seemed there was still Sarabi left for me, I thought I might as well have a breakfast menu that complemented it.

“Excuse me, may I sit here?”

“Oh, yes. Please do—oh, Lumia-san!”

The girl who had approached me and sat at the opposite seat was Lumia.

Seeing my surprised reaction, Lumia wore a smile as if her prank had succeeded.

“Is everything okay on your end with Lindblum?”

Lumia and Saffy were supposed to still be investigating the underwater temple. I thought it would take a little longer for them to return.

“Yes, a specialist known to my master was there. Since I couldn’t contribute much, my master said it was okay for me to return first…”

Lumia said, seeming a bit embarrassed.

Well, investigations rely on knowledge. If you don’t have a certain level of knowledge, you won’t be effective, and it would be a waste to keep you idle, so they probably decided to let her return.

“So, did you return alone, Lumia-san?”

“No, I asked an adventurer for escort. It was too risky to return alone.”

That’s good. Saffy wasn’t cruel enough to send back a young girl alone.

“I see. I’m glad you returned safely, Lumia-san.”

“The shop will open from tomorrow, so please take care of me.”

“Have you both decided what to eat?”

As the conversation with Lumia came to a pause, Mia asked.

Come to think of it, we had been talking for a while and hadn’t ordered anything.

“Is there still Sarabi left for me?”

“Yes, there is.”

“If you’d like, Lumia-san, would you also like to have some Sarabi?”

“Huh? Are you sure?”

“Yes, we caught plenty.”

As I said that, Lumia’s expression brightened up, and she nodded.

“Well then, I’d love to!”

“In that case, please give us two servings of Sarabi dishes.”

“Got it, nya.”

After placing our order with Mia, she wiggled her tail and went off.

“Sarabi are nocturnal, right? Did you go out of the city at night for their capture?”

Lumia asked about Sarabi capture, so I talked about the condition of the night forest and materials that can only be obtained at night.

It might not be the most girlish conversation, but Lumia listened with keen interest nonetheless.

“That sounds fascinating. Nighttime material gathering. I’d love to see the lake reflecting the starry sky.”

Even if it’s a request, it’s still awkward to go for material gathering alone with a young girl.

Anyway, since I’ve talked so much, I can’t just leave it at that.

“If we get the chance, let’s go.”

“Yes, please!”

I said vaguely, but Lumia responded with sparkling eyes.

Huh? Is she taking this seriously? I thought I could just brush it off as a social courtesy, but I wonder?

“Here you go, Sarabi dishes, nya.”

While I pondered, Mia brought breakfast.

“Oh, they’re fried.”

“Wow, they look delicious.”

This morning’s Sarabi dish was fried.

It was coated in crispy brown batter and looked incredibly tasty.

Beside them are slices of cut bread rolls with seaweed and egg soup.

Seems like they’re already using the souvenir I brought them.

“It’s good to eat it as a sandwich.”

“Fish in bread?”

Ah, I see. So it’s a fish sandwich.

I sandwiched some lettuce and Sarabi between the bread and lightly squeezed a lemon.

Lumia seemed puzzled, but she mimicked me and made a sandwich.

Once finished, we both started eating.

“Mmm, delicious!”

The crispy texture of the batter, followed by the juicy fat of the Sarabi seeping out. The taste resembles fried smelt.

As I continued eating, the fat started to feel a bit strong, but the moist lettuce and squeezed lemon were perfectly balanced. The rich flavor of the fish blended well with the bread.

“Amazing! I never thought fish would go so well with bread!”

It seemed like it was Lumia’s first time eating fish and bread together, but she seemed to like it, moving her small mouth vigorously as she ate.

Perhaps she was particularly hungry from just returning from the trip, as she seemed to be eating faster than usual.

It would be rude to stare at someone eating, so I focused on my own meal.

The seaweed and egg soup was very simple but delicious.

With the broth from the seaweed, there was hardly any need for salt. It had a gentle flavor.

“Thank you for the precious Sarabi.”

In no time, Lumia finished her breakfast and bowed her head.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s more enjoyable to eat together than alone.”

As if remembering something, Lumia let out a small ‘ah.’

“Come to think of it, Klaus mentioned that he would return about three days later. He’s reopening the shop, so he asked you to stay in town.”

“Understood.”

Well, he stayed for over a week longer. It’s about time Nelge and Solange were satisfied.

Until the day Klaus returns, I’ll just stay quietly in town.