Chapter 102 - Wild Boar Hot Pot
The second volume of 'The Slow Life of an A-Rank Adventurer' was released yesterday. If you see it in bookstores, I would be happy if you could pick it up!
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Lunch is ready!"
When the unveiling of my adventurer equipment was over and I changed into my everyday clothes, Flora was just taking the pot off the fire in the living room.
"I'll carry the pot, so Flora, please get the dishes and the pot stand."
"Ah, yes. Thank you... you've already changed."
Flora made a slightly disappointed expression while looking at me.
As expected, I wouldn't be able to relax if I were wearing armor while eating lunch.
That said, Flora's switch was fast, and when I put on gloves and lifted the pot, she immediately placed the pot stand on the table.
A savory smell of meat came from the pot. This strong scent probably meant wild boar meat was used. Combined with seasonings and such, the scent of a soup that really whetted the appetite was leaking out.
Just smelling the scent like this made me hungry.
Was it the same for Elgis-san? With a truly soft expression, he said,
"It smells good. Is it wild boar hot pot?"
"Yes, because Aldo-san caught something good for us."
"Ahaha, although the one who processed it was Lauren-san."
I only hunted it and did the initial cleaning. It was thanks to Lauren-san's skill that it was processed into something this good.
"No, even if the processing is good, if the initial cleaning is poor, it won't have such a good scent. It's proof of Aldo-san's skill as a hunter."
"That's right. Thanks to that, I was able to give it a natural seasoning without having to hide the taste."
"Since Aldo-san came to the village, we've been able to eat delicious meat consistently. Everyone in the village is very happy. You can have more confidence in yourself, you know?"
Saying so, Elgis-san, Flora, and Fiona-san praised my skill without doubt. I was happy to know that even someone like me could be of use to this village.
"Thank you."
I served the stir-fried wild plants and bread from the kitchen to hide my embarrassment.
When Flora brought the dishes like small bowls, the preparation for the meal was complete.
"The preparation is finished with this."
"Then, shall we open the pot?"
Just in case, I put on gloves and took off the lid of the large pot.
Then, the heat and scent that had been filled inside spread out, and on top of the soup, large fatty wild boar meat, shiitake, oyster mushrooms, and many other types of mushrooms, green onions, Chinese cabbage, and other ingredients were floating closely together.
"Oh, this looks delicious!"
"If you'd like, shall I serve it?"
"Then, I'll take you up on that."
"Then, I'll serve Mother's portion."
"Is that so? Then, please do."
Today, Elgis-san and Fiona-san were our guests. Let's serve at least the first bowl for them.
"Elgis-san, do you have any preferences for the ingredients?"
"Then, please give me plenty of mushrooms. I like mushrooms."
At this time of year, mushrooms are very fragrant and have a solid taste. It was understandable that Elgis-san would want mushrooms.
Using a ladle, I put in a variety of ingredients and plenty of mushrooms, then handed it to Elgis-san.
Flora seemed to know her mother Fiona-san's preferences, as she served it smoothly without asking.
"As expected of a daughter, you have a perfect grasp of your mother's preferences."
"Yes, Mother likes meat despite how she looks, so she's happy when I put in meat at times like this."
"Wait, Flora. Don't say it like that."
Perhaps it was embarrassing to be told she liked meat in front of me, but Fiona-san said it a bit shyly.
It was unexpected that the slender Fiona-san was a meat lover.
"We'll have more opportunities to eat together from now on. It doesn't hurt to tell Aldo-san."
"Then, I'll bring more meat from now on."
"That's good, isn't it, Fiona? Now you can eat plenty of your favorite meat."
"Geez, everyone is teasing me."
When we said that with mischievous smiles, Fiona-san puffed out her cheeks sulkily and turned away.
Seeing that, we couldn't help but laugh.
By the way, her sulking face looked exactly like Flora's. Fiona-san and Flora really were mother and daughter.
Thinking that, Flora and I put our own ingredients into our bowls.
"Shall we eat then?"
"Yes, please."
Using the exchange between Elgis-san and Flora as a signal, I immediately started on the served ingredients.
First, from this large, fatty wild boar meat. Folding the large piece of meat that sat heavily on the fork, I popped it straight into my mouth.
When I bit into it, overwhelming meat juices burst out in my mouth.
The texture was like pork, but the strength of the flavor was a bit closer to beef. Anyway, the characteristic of wild boar meat is that the meat flavor is strong. The more I chewed, the more the wild meat flavor and the umami of the soup came out together, so there was nothing to say but that it was delicious.
"The wild boar meat is delicious."
"Yes, there's almost no gaminess and the flavor is solid."
"Above all, it's large and satisfying to eat."
"I'm happy that we've been able to eat large pieces of meat since Aldo-san became a hunter."
Fiona-san, who liked meat, also had a full smile at this.
It seemed she had already given up on being shy about being a meat lover.
If you're shy about it in a clumsy way, you'll just get teased more.
After eating the wild boar meat, next were the mushrooms I had picked. First, I ate the yellow, flat oyster mushroom.
Yeah, although it had become soft from being simmered, the crunchy texture unique to mushrooms remained, which was interesting. The scent and taste were also solid, and it was quite a happy thing to be able to eat this all year round.
Next was the Amanita hemibapha with its white, rounded cap.
When I put this in my mouth, the rounded cap went in smoothly.
As for the texture, as Kyle had said, it was somewhat chewy. Should I call it fibrous? But the crisp, crunchy texture and solid taste weren't bad. Rather, it was delicious.
"The Amanita hemibapha has an interesting taste."
"Yes, the crisp texture is interesting, and it's a mushroom I find myself wanting to add as an accent at this time of year."
I see, this taste certainly provided a good punch, so I agreed with Flora's words. It was a texture that felt like it might become a habit to eat.
"Ah, it's delicious. A hot pot with lots of mushrooms is the best."
Elgis-san really seemed to like mushrooms, as he was munching away on them.
"The umami of the meat and the umami of the vegetables and mushrooms are coming out well."
"Yes, hot pot dishes will become even more delicious in the coming season."
Fiona-san and Elgis-san leaked their impressions as if breathing a sigh of relief.
The season had now become autumn and it had turned cool. From now on, it would get colder and colder as we headed toward winter, so warm hot pot dishes would become even more delicious.
After eating a variety of ingredients, I slowly sipped the soup.
It was probably thanks to the mushrooms that this rich scent yet solid umami was dissolved into it. It had a very gentle taste, and I wanted to keep drinking it forever.
And, above all, it was warm. That was a satisfaction of the heart separate from the temperature of the soup. My lover Flora, and her parents Elgis-san and Fiona-san.
The people who had accepted even my past and called me family. I was probably satisfied beyond measure by the gentle atmosphere and calm conversation of these three.
"Aldo-san, would you like seconds?"
"Yeah, please."
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"Aldo-san, Flora. May I talk about something important?"
When the four of us finished lunch and were relaxing on the sofa while drinking after-meal tea, Elgis-san suddenly spoke up.
Sensing an air of seriousness drifting about, we placed our teacups on the table and straightened our posture.
"Regarding the negotiations between Aldo-san and the Kingdom of Abalonia, before that, we also need to talk to Helmut-sama, the noble who rules the area around Nordende."
That was true. Ultimately, this Nordende is the territory of the Kingdom of Sylphide. If negotiators from another country are to visit, we must also talk to the noble who rules the area including Nordende.
If I recall, Helmut-sama was the noble who ruled various large and small villages including Nordende, and the neighboring town. Since I hadn't had the chance to see him particularly until now, it had slipped my mind.
"I'm sorry. I was only thinking about facing the Kingdom and forgot... I was about to do something half-hearted and create friction again."
Again. This was no different from the old me who jumped out half-heartedly without settling things with the Kingdom. Even though I swore to protect Flora.
As I was getting angry at my own unreliability, a warm hand suddenly overlapped my palm.
"No, it can't be helped. You've had many things to think about, Aldo-san, like the Kingdom and the preparations for the wedding at the Harvest Festival. Humans can't do everything perfectly."
"Supporting those parts is what family is for. Since Flora will also be involved in the future, if you have any worries, please don't hesitate to consult not only her but also us."
Elgis-san and Fiona-san said while looking straight at me.
That's right. I'm not alone now.
I have Elgis-san, Fiona-san, and Flora.
"Sorry, Flora. Even though I said I'd consult you about anything."
"That's right. Aldo-san tends to think things through alone. But, I'll try to show you my reliable side so I can be relied on more."
Even though I was the one in the wrong, Flora said such a brave thing.
My lover really is wonderful. She's almost too good for someone like me.
Even though Flora is already a reliable existence to me. Rather, Flora is so essential to me now.
Because she is that Flora, I have to cherish her and do my best so we can live together.
"So, regarding what you said earlier, should I go and talk to Helmut-sama?"
"No, since the Harvest Festival is coming up soon, I reported that in a letter. It's the rule to send an invitation letter to the lord and report on the village's situation during the Harvest Festival season."
Was that so? Rather than going to a noble's house suddenly, that seemed like a better way to naturally make an appointment.
"And Helmut-sama's reaction?"
"A messenger came earlier and said that since he's coming to see the Harvest Festival, he wants to talk directly then."
I see, so that's why Elgis-san was a bit late.
In other words, he wants to talk to me while he's at it while seeing the state of Nordende during the Harvest Festival.
The Harvest Festival period is hectic, but the other party has their own convenience, so that's probably for the best.
"I understand. Then, we'll talk again at the Harvest Festival."
"Yes, you're not just Aldred the Dragon Slayer, but also the next village chief, so please make sure to give a proper greeting."
T-That's right. I have to greet him not just as Aldred, but also as Aldo, the next village chief.
I had been enthusiastic about talking properly with Helmut-sama, but I felt the burden was a bit heavy.
◆
"Well then, we'll be going soon."
After talking about Helmut-san, after a while, Elgis-san and Fiona-san said that.
Fiona-san, who was sitting next to him, stood up as if she knew that and turned toward Flora.
"I'm glad to see you're doing well, Flora. Don't get complacent and keep working hard from now on."
"Yes, Mother."
Fiona-san gently stroked Flora's head. Her expression showed that she loved her daughter from the bottom of her heart, making one feel that to a parent, a child is cute no matter how big they get.
"Aldo-san, please take care of Flora."
"Yes, I will make Flora happy."
At my reply, Flora turned red with embarrassment, and Fiona-san and Elgis-san nodded in satisfaction.
"...After that, if we could just have a grandchild, there'd be nothing to worry about."
"That's right. I want to hold a grandchild soon."
"...I'll do my best."
At Fiona-san and Elgis-san's words, Flora turned her face and ears bright red and replied in a faint voice.
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