Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 164

“We’ve finished collecting the materials, shall we have lunch?”

“Let’s do that.”

Having collected the necessary number of poison sacs, we decided to have lunch inside the cave.

Although it seemed early to eat lunch when we had initially planned, encountering the poisonous swamp toads, the heavy rain, and the dissection had caused us to fall behind schedule.

Thick gray clouds blanketed the sky, and the rain poured down, but it felt like we had already passed midday.

After walking around the marshes since morning for collection and even engaging in battles, we were all quite hungry.

“Shall we start by washing the mantis shrimps?”

“There’s clean water springing over there. Let’s use that for washing.”

Although I intended to use water magic for washing, if there was clean water available, it was better to use it.

Following Leilushka, I headed towards the wall of the cave, where water was trickling out from between the rocks.

【Underground Spring Water from the Cave】

Since it’s filtered underground, it’s very clean and safe.

Just to be sure, I appraised it, and it seemed to be very clean water.

Water that seeps from underground or rocks is often safer than river water because it’s filtered underground.

Leilushka and her dark elf family, who have lived in this area for years, probably understand this well.

I put the mantis shrimp taken from the net into a sieve and start washing off the mud with the spring water.

The shrimps, bathed in water, start moving around frantically inside the sieve.

“Oh no! Don’t escape!”

“They’re still lively. Be careful so they don’t get away.”

Lumina is bewildered by the sudden movement of the shrimp in the sieve, while Leilushka laughs.

With over twenty shrimps in the sieve, the scene is quite chaotic.

Since there’s only one spring of water, it’s pointless for the three of us to wash them together.

“I’ll go prepare hot water and oil.”

“Sure, I’ll leave it to you.”

Leilushka replies while watching Lumina’s flustered state.

I scoop water into the pot I retrieved from the magic bag and return to the area with the slime sheets.

Since we need more magic stoves, I retrieve an additional one and start heating two pots—one with water and the other with oil.

“They’re nicely washed.”

As the water begins to boil, Leilushka and Lumina return with the sieve in hand.

“Let’s boil half of them as Leilushka recommends.”

“And what about the other half? Deep-frying?”

“That’s also fine, but how about making some fried shrimp with a light coating?”

Since we have the ingredients for deep-frying, I’d like to try making some fried shrimp with a light coating to add some texture.

“I’ve only ever had them deep-fried, but that sounds interesting too. I’ll go with half of them being fried.”

“Understood. Please put half of them into the boiling water.”

“Just wait a moment. I’ll remove the claws and fins that are in the way for boiling.”

Leilushka takes out her own scissors and starts removing the claws and fins of the mantis shrimp for boiling. She quickly cuts them and puts about twelve of them into the boiling water.

The mantis shrimp squirm as they are placed in the boiling water, but soon seem to lose consciousness due to the high heat, floating gently on the surface of the water.

“Oh, they’re turning a nice red color!”

After boiling for a few minutes, the shells of the mantis shrimps start turning red.

Seeing them turn red somehow makes them look delicious. Perhaps it’s because of the precedent set by shrimp.

Meanwhile, the oil has heated up sufficiently.

“Leilushka-san and I are watching the salt-boiled one.”

“That’s a relief.”

Since Leilushka and Lumia are in charge of boiling, I focus on frying. With fried shrimp, you can eat the shells and all, so there’s no need to cut them.

After thoroughly patting them dry with a cloth, I coat them with the potato starch I took out from the magic bag in a bowl.

Shellfish like these, which retain moisture inside, tend to make oil splatter easily.

To avoid any mishaps, I hold the lid of the pot like a shield and quietly drop them into the oil.

The six marsh shrimps, coated with batter, make a sizzling sound as they hit the oil.

The sound of the oil echoes in the quiet cave.

“Surprisingly, it started quietly at first—oh! Watch out!”

Casually observing, the marsh shrimps start splattering oil. If I hadn’t held the lid like a shield, I would have definitely been hit.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Just a little oil splatter.”

Perhaps because I was making a fuss alone, Lumia couldn’t help but express her concern. It’s a bit embarrassing.

It seems like the two of them are already peeling the boiled marsh shrimps to make them easier to eat.

While deep frying is good, I’m also looking forward to the simple taste of boiled with salt.

As I fry, the first batch of batter has turned a nice brown color, indicating that they’re cooked. I scoop them up slowly and place them on a paper towel to drain.

Once the first batch is done, I start frying the second batch of six marsh shrimps.

♦ ♦ ♦

“I’m done!”

Once the mantis shrimp tempura is ready, I head over to the slime sheet where the two are waiting.

“We’ve been waiting! Let’s eat already!”

Leilushka seems quite hungry too, eagerly anticipating the meal.

Lumia, though she doesn’t say it, seems more restless than usual.

I’m also famished, just like the two of them.

Taking off my shoes, I climb onto the sheet and sit down after placing the dish of mantis shrimp tempura.

“Well then, shall we begin?”

“Yes, let’s start with the boiled ones!”

As I say so, both Leilushka and Lumia reach for the boiled ones.

I also reach for a marsh shrimp with its shell already peeled, as if going for the boiled ones.

It has a unique shape, long and slender like a shrimp but not quite. Some might find its appearance repulsive, but having seen and experienced numerous dishes in this world, I don’t find it particularly off-putting.

I grab the tail and bring the long, slender body to my mouth.

The texture is moist and tender. It’s reminiscent of crab meat. It’s sweeter and richer than shrimp, very juicy. It’s like eating shrimp and crab at the same time, perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of salt.

“Delicious! And it doesn’t taste muddy at all!”

Honestly, being in a marsh like this, I expected it to have a bit of a muddy taste.

But when I tried it, there was none of that at all.

“The taste is subtly different from shrimp. It seems like it would be delicious even pickled in vinegar.”

Certainly, with such a well-defined and light taste, it seems like it would be good pickled in vinegar.

“Right? Despite its appearance, which might put some people off, mantis shrimp is delicious.”

Leilushka, who is accustomed to eating it, says contentedly as she eats the meat heartily.

Indeed, if such delicious ingredients are readily available, it’s understandable why one would become skilled at catching shrimp. Marsh mantis shrimp living in this marsh are that delicious.

The head also has a unique bitterness and richness, which is excellent.

“Shall we try the fried ones next?”

“Yes, I’ve been curious about those too.”

After finishing the boiled shrimp, it’s time for the fried ones.

I reach for the fried marsh shrimp and devour it all in one go, starting from the head.

The browned coating crisply cracks, revealing the head underneath with a satisfying snap.

Because you can eat the head and shell of the mantis shrimp, you can experience the flavor of the shrimp more intensely.

“Huh?! The texture is definitely better than just frying them!”

Leilushka, trying fried shrimp for the first time, seems to like it as well.

She’s chewing with relish. Even hearing someone else eat it, the satisfying crunch of the shell breaking is quite enjoyable.

“Unlike boiled ones, you can eat the shell with these, so the texture is outstanding!”

As Lumia says, with fried shrimp, you can eat everything from the shell to the legs without leaving anything behind.

In that regard, I might actually prefer fried shrimp.

“I like this ‘fried’ thing! How do you make it?”

“You just mix wheat flour and potato starch with water, then fry it in oil.”

“I see! I’ll have to spread the word when we get back to the village!”

After explaining it like that, Leilushka nods as if she’s taken on a significant mission.

TL Note: I don’t like this chapter. Not only do I not like crustaceans and bottom feeders as a food, but it makes me sad that they get dropped in boiling water while alive. (;﹏;) Not that other animals we eat are treated better I guess…xD