Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 217

“Have a good trip, nya~!”

The next day. Despite the popcorn commotion, the Cat’s Tail Pavilion was safely operating as usual.

The popcorn that had filled the dining hall was cleaned up with the help of other staff and guests.

Because of the sheer volume, its value was somewhat diminished, but originally it was a rare ingredient harvested in the gourmet sanctuary. When I told them they could eat it freely, they gladly helped themselves to it.

What was more troublesome, however, was cleaning up after the popcorn had been collected.

Since Mia and I were the ones responsible for the mess, it was decided the two of us would clean up.

The first floor, including the dining hall and kitchen, was quite spacious, and removing the oil stains from the popcorn was a lot of work. Thankfully, with the degreasing detergent that Lumia had prepared, we were able to remove the oil easily, but because we’d been crawling around cleaning the floor the whole time, my lower back was absolutely stiff.

When I stretched, the muscles in my back and around my waist creaked.

“Hey, yesterday was rough, huh?”

As I sat at the L-shaped counter seat, Bandel-san spoke to me.

“I truly apologize for the trouble we caused.”

“Well, it was a surprise, but it didn’t stop business or anything, so don’t worry about it. If anything, we had a great snack for dinner, and folks drank more than usual.”

When I bowed my head apologetically, Bandel-san laughed and said that.

Even after all that, he’s really a kind person.

“What do you want for breakfast?”

“…I was thinking of eating some popcorn.”

I pulled out a leather pouch full of popcorn from my bag.

With this much, if I don’t steadily eat some little by little, it’ll never run out.

“Just eating it as is would be boring, right? I’ll use it to make something for you.”

“Eh! Really?”

No matter how tasty the popcorn is, eating it nonstop gets dull and heavy on the stomach.

Hearing Bandel-san’s enticing suggestion, I immediately handed him the pouch full of popcorn.

I wonder how he’s going to cook it.

As I leaned over the counter to peek at the preparation table, Bandel-san placed popcorn into a bowl and began sprinkling it with powdered spicy tree bark, mixing it together.

Once the spices were well-coated, he used a stick to roughly crush the popcorn. When it turned into a powder, he added flour and water and mixed it with a spatula to form dough.

While letting the dough rest for a bit, Bandel-san cut up ingredients like ham, cucumber, and cabbage. After preparing the ingredients, he rolled out the dough with a rolling pin.

When a large, flat piece of dough was ready, Bandel-san placed it into a hot frying pan.

The scent of the popcorn and spicy dough began to waft through the air.

After flipping it a few times and getting a nice golden-brown color on both sides, he removed the dough from the pan. Then, he placed the previously cut ingredients on top and began to roll the dough up.

“Here you go. A tortilla made with popcorn.”

“Oh!”

I never imagined that popcorn would be incorporated into the dough and turned into a tortilla.

Surprised by Bandel-san’s idea, I immediately took a big bite.

The soft dough had a hint of sweet golden corn, and the spicy tree bark that was mixed in added a sharp accent.

The ham, cucumber, and cabbage inside were topped with mustard sauce, which paired perfectly with the dough.

“It’s delicious!”

“I’m glad you like it.”

I couldn’t help but express my pleasure, and Bandel-san smiled with a pleased grin.

If it had been regular dough, the flavor wouldn’t have been as deep. It’s thanks to the sweet and flavorful popcorn that this taste could be brought out.

I cook myself, but I never would have thought of such a method. As expected from a professional chef.

“Thank you for the meal.”

Before I knew it, the popcorn tortilla was gone in no time.

It was far more satisfying than just eating popcorn on its own.

“Do you have any other ideas for dishes using popcorn?”

Since there was so much popcorn, if there were any other ways to cook it, I wanted to know.

“Well, corn is one thing, but it’s already processed and finished. At most, I can mix it into a salad, float it in soup as a substitute for croutons, or crush it and put it into an omelet, that’s about all I can think of.”

“No, no, just coming up with that many ideas is enough.”

Even with that much, I could make it myself, and if I have the chance, I’d like to try it.

“If we had prepared in advance, we could have collected it properly and sold it.”

It tastes that good. If we sold it at a stall, it would surely become quite popular.

However, this time, there was no preparation, and popcorn ended up showering down in the dining hall.

The ones that aren’t stuck to the ground are clean, but it feels a bit off to gather them up and sell them.

“Shuu, you’re too serious. Anyone else would have just sold it without a care.”

“If someone later says they got a stomach ache, I wouldn’t be able to take responsibility.”

As a result, I can only eat it myself or share a bit with friends who understand the situation.

Explaining that it’s for a reason and selling it cheaply at a stall is an option, but it’s not like I’m in such a rush to do that.

“If one kernel can make that much, the profit from selling it would be pretty big. Could we make popcorn from the Bombcorn we got before?”

Bandel-san suddenly asked that question.

“Yeah, we can.”

Like the golden corn, the Bombcorn is also an explosive variety.

If processed in the same way, popcorn can be made, as the appraisal skill has taught me.

“Want to try making some?”

It doesn’t relate to the consumption of popcorn from golden corn, but I’m curious how much can be made from Bombcorn.

“Just don’t make it inside, okay? If you’re going to do it, do it in the backyard.”

“Got it.”

Even though I messed up yesterday, Bandel-san is allowing it outside because he’s curious about it too.

“Nyah? Where are you two going?”

“Just going to make some popcorn in the backyard.”

“…You’re still not learning from yesterday, huh?”

Mia, looking exasperated, watched as Bandel-san and I went out through the back door.

I laid a large sheet on the spacious open area.

I lit the magic stove, set up a large pot, and added oil to heat it.

“Alright, I’m adding it.”

“Yeah.”

I put the smaller Bombcorn into the pot and covered it with a lid.

After watching for a while, the Bombcorn began to pop inside the pot.

There was a loud, flashy popping sound.

“…That’s a crazy sound.”

“It’s Bombcorn, after all.”

Although there was a flashy noise, unlike yesterday, the pot wasn’t glowing or the lid wasn’t flying off. The small popcorn inside the pot popped, and I could hear it lightly tapping the pot. It seemed like it wouldn’t overflow like yesterday.

After deciding it was okay, I continued heating it for a while, and the lid began to shake, with small popcorn starting to spill out from the gap.

I quickly turned off the heat and removed the lid, and the pot was filled with small popcorn.

“Looks just about right!”

“This size might be easier to eat. Now, the taste is the next thing.”

Bandel-san and I each took a few pieces of popcorn and tossed them into our mouths.

It had a crisp texture, and the inside was fluffy.

What stood out was the overwhelming flavor. Since it was freshly made, the roasted corn flavor quickly spread throughout my mouth.

“Ah, it’s delicious! The sweetness and the roasty flavor are just right!”

“Compared to golden corn, it lacks the flavor and sweetness, but the roastiness is better in this one. For selling at a food stall, this one might be better. It also goes well with alcohol.”

Golden corn has a refined aroma and sweetness, while Bombcorn has a rougher aroma and flavor.

“This could definitely be sold casually at a stall.”

“Oh? Are you really going to do it?”

“It seems fun.”

Last time, selling decorations with Rosca was enjoyable, so I wanted to casually try setting up a popcorn stall as well.

Gathering materials every day is important, but it’s also fun to do things that can only be done here.

“I see. The real issue is how to serve it while it’s still warm.”

Popcorn can be eaten at room temperature, but it’s tastier when it’s warm.

If I heat it up every time an order comes in, it’ll take time, and it would be good to have equipment that can keep it warm after it’s made.

“I have someone in mind who might be able to help with that, so I think I’ll ask them.”

“I see. Then do your best.”

“Yes!”

After collecting the popcorn and cleaning up the equipment, I headed out from the backyard to the main street.