Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 185

“By the way, Shuu-dono, I heard you specialize in gathering ingredients. Have you encountered any interesting or delicious ingredients during your gathering expeditions?”

During the leisurely flow of time after the meal, during tea time.

As I drank my tea, Artorius inquired.

Given that he collects rare ingredients, he must be curious about the ingredients I, an adventurer, have encountered.

I pondered for a moment in response to his question. Since coming to this world, I’ve gathered many edible ingredients. However, it’s quite challenging to recount all those ingredients to Artorius.

“Well, recently I went to the Terra Phios marshlands, and I found that swamp grass and swamp lotus roots were quite delicious.”

“In those harsh surroundings where edible items are scarce, the land itself is fertile, so the edible ingredients are indeed quite tasty. I understand.”

I mentioned ingredients from the marshlands as a jab, but it seems Artorius has also eaten them before.

It seems that with ingredients of this caliber, I won’t be able to surprise the gourmet Artorius.

In that case, how about switching to this topic?

“I also found the meat of a creature called a Geinos to be delicious.”

“G-Geinos!? The legendary creature whose meat is said to appear in the market only once every hundred years!?”

It seems Artorius hasn’t eaten Geinos meat before.

His eyes widened, and he leaned forward eagerly.

“I’ve confirmed it in the academy’s records, but isn’t it a monstrous creature with a danger rating of AA?”

“Yes, it might have been difficult to defeat without companions.”

“Usually, even with companions, it’s not an easy feat…”

Franryule shoots me a somewhat exasperated glance.

I didn’t seek out this encounter willingly, so I’d appreciate a little leniency.

For some reason, it’s them who come to me.

“So, what was the taste of the Geinos like!?”

“It looks like a large snake, but it doesn’t have small bones like a snake, so it’s very easy to eat. It’s as light as chicken breast meat, and eating it feels invigorating.”

“O-oh…! How was it prepared!?”

As I explain, Artorius eagerly asks for more.

“It was cooked it in a pot along with ingredients from the marshlands. The Geinos meat released a good broth, and it tasted like a light yet flavorful chicken broth soup.”

“I see, I see. And then?”

Well, I can’t talk any more about the taste, can I!?

I’m not good at food reviews, nor am I a food critic.

It’s difficult to say more. However, Artorius leans forward, almost demanding more information with his expression.

Perhaps, unable to taste it with his mouth, he’s trying to taste it with his ears.

“Um, if it’s dried meat, I have some. Would you like to try it?”

“Is that alright!?”

“Yes, it’s quicker to taste it than to talk about it. Oh, but, would it be rude to offer dried meat to Lord Artorius?”

“Not at all! Please, let me taste it!”

“Y-yes.”

I hesitated for a moment, but Artorius enthusiastically tapped the table.

It seems like he really wants to eat it.

I take out the dried Geinos meat from my magic bag.

Since the butler kindly brought a plate, I arrange two slices on it.

“Oh, wow! So this is the dried Geinos meat!”

Artorius lifts up the dried Geinos meat, looking delighted.

It’s an exaggerated joy, as if he had just acquired a gemstone.

For him, who loves food above all else, unknown ingredients might indeed be like treasures of gold and silver.

“If you’d like, would you care for some too, Franryule?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Ignoring Artorius’s excitement, I also offer some to Franryule.

Franryule gazes at the dried meat intently, then opens her small mouth to taste it.

“It does taste like chicken, but there’s no hint of gaminess. The flavor is concentrated, and it does feel strangely invigorating.”

Drying the Geinos meat enhances its flavor.

I learned this when I made jerky from leftover meat.

It’s energizing to eat, providing a high level of satisfaction, so it’s quite handy as emergency food.

“…So this is the taste of Geinos, said to appear only once in a hundred years… Delicious.”

While Franryule is surprised, Artorius quietly savors the flavor.

His excitement from earlier has calmed down all at once.

It seems that when it comes to food, his emotions fluctuate dramatically.

“Shuu-dono, thank you for providing such a wonderful ingredient.”

“No, I’m grateful for the delicious meal you’ve served.”

Ultimately, it’s the material from a defeated monster, but if it brings joy, then I’m also happy.

♦ ♦ ♦

“Now, the reason I invited you to the mansion this time, as I mentioned earlier, is because there’s actually something I’d like to ask of you.”

“I’m not sure if I can help, but please, go ahead and ask.”

When I responded like that, Artorius nodded.

“You might already know, but in the area where my territory is located, I cultivate ingredients gathered from all over the world.”

“You’re referring to the Gourmet Reserve. I’ve heard that not only rare edible plants, but also animals and monsters are managed and nurtured there.”

“That’s correct. However, the protection zone I oversee is maintained as close to nature as possible, and to be honest, its ecosystem isn’t fully controlled. There, animals and monsters have also undergone their own evolution, and high-risk monsters have appeared. So, I want to request that Shuu-dono, who has the ability to retrieve Volkanos eggs, collect ingredients in the protection zone.”

Here it is! Carlisle’s prediction was right!

I feel the urge to make an immediate decision here, but I swallow it because there’s something bothering me.

“What form will the reward take?”

“I guarantee a minimum of two hundred gold coins, and from there, we’ll add on the value of the ingredients you collect. How does that sound?”

Two hundred gold coins!? The reward seems excessively high no matter how I look at it.

Moreover, adding on the value of the collected materials from there seems too good to be true.

“Is there a problem?”

“I’m sorry. I’m just surprised by how generous the reward is…”

“It’s because the protected zone is so dangerous, but what I want isn’t just material collection.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I want my daughter to accompany you.”

“Do you mean Franryule-sama?”

While I was surprised, Franryule remained calm and smiled softly.

From her attitude, I understood that this request wasn’t spontaneous, but rather a planned one.

“I, myself, aspire to manage Father’s protection zone in the future. Attending the magic academy is also to enhance my magical abilities for the cultivation and management of ingredients. However, with my current abilities, I lack the strength to enter the protection zone alone, so I would like to accompany Shuu-dono.”

Franryule looked me straight in the eye with her hand on her chest.

Impressive. She already has her goals set and is making efforts toward them.

From Franryule’s sincere attitude, I immediately understood that this wasn’t about leisure or indulgence.

I see. That explains why the reward is so high.

The basic reward of two hundred gold coins must also include Franryule’s safety.

It feels like the difficulty of the task has suddenly increased.

…What should I do? Even if I lower the reward amount, can I really refuse Franryule’s request to accompany me?

“I heard that Shuu-dono safely retrieved the eggs with Franryule and other classmates at Ladeo Volcano. There shouldn’t be any problem with having Franryule accompany you alone, right?”

I was about to negotiate, but Artorius spoke first, as if to preempt it.

The emotions behind his calm smile were completely unreadable. Indeed, he seems to be adept at probing others, as expected of a high-ranking noble.

As someone who has put Franryule in danger, I couldn’t refuse when asked like that.

Huh? Isn’t this a dead end? I couldn’t think of any reason to refuse.

“U-Understood. I will make sure to protect Franryule-sama.”

“Well, I’m counting on you.”

“Yes, with Shuu-dono around, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

With a wry smile, I agreed, and Franryule smiled happily while Artorius nodded in satisfaction.

“As for the materials we collect, what price will you offer?”

Thinking about complicated matters only makes my stomach ache, so I decided to focus on the materials.

“We generally buy at market price. For items not available on the market, we have a list at home with approximate prices. You can ask Franryule about that.”

“Understood.”

“If possible, I’d like you to collect not only the same types of ingredients but also a variety of them.”

“Of course.”

I also wanted to interact with a variety of materials if possible, so I agreed with Artorius’s request.

I’m not that desperate for money.

“In the reserve area, there are many animals and monsters. It’s fine to subdue harmful ones, but please refrain from defeating those that aren’t. Of course, self-defense when your lives are at risk is permissible. Your safety comes first.”

Naturally, there are animals and monsters in the protected area that could be used as ingredients.

It seems they don’t want them indiscriminately defeated.

“Is it acceptable to use attacks that render them unconscious or immobilize them?”

“That level of attack is acceptable.”

In that case, I could freeze their legs with ice magic and escape. I could also use the paralysis needle Saffy gave me to immobilize them.

I don’t want to think about encountering high-risk monsters, but there’s nothing I can do about it beforehand. I’ll deal with it if and when it happens.

“Finally, I’ll tell you the ingredients I want you to collect from the reserve.”

When Artorius glanced my way, the butler swiftly approached me.

When I opened the paper he handed me, there were five ingredients written on it.

Explosive Corn

Fizzing Water

Byron Meat

Sky Fish

Giant Tree Fruit

“…These are all ingredients I’ve never heard of.”

“Ah, these ingredients don’t exist around here. Some of them are difficult to collect, but these five are the ones I absolutely want you to bring back.”

“Understood. I’ll take on this collection request.”

After giving a firm nod, Artorius smiled at me for some reason.

“Um, is something the matter?”

“No, just thinking you’re exactly as Carlisle described.”

“Shuu-san, you seem so lively when it comes to ingredients.”

They both said, smiling gracefully.

I wonder if I’m really looking that happy right now. I don’t know my own face well, but since I truly love ingredients, I smiled to hide my embarrassment.