Chapter 249
The first thing I did after that was to find an elf who seemed friendly and unoccupied in the village.
Just then, such an elf appeared.
“Natura.”
—Ah, human.
Natura pricked his ears and welcomed us.
“I have a favor to ask, if that’s alright?”
—If it’s something I can help with.
“I’d like to get some ingredients. I need mushrooms, grains, and fruits.”
—Exactly what kind?
“For mushrooms, anything edible is fine. For fruits, the ones Vita brought before were yellow, soft, and slightly sour, and then the ol’…….”
—You mean Olea, and Licomella?
“Yes! That’s right!”
I nodded. Olea was olives, and Licomella was tomatoes. Although Licomella was yellow instead of red, its taste was exactly like tomatoes.
“And do you happen to have any bitter-tasting vegetables?”
—I’m not sure if it’s what you’re looking for, but a few come to mind. Do you need those too?
“Yes. It would be great if you could get them for me.”
—Alright. How much do you need?
“Hmm…….”
It would be familiar to me, but unfamiliar to them. And making everything would be too much…….
I should just make enough for everyone to at least taste it.
“For grains, enough to fill the stump in front of the temple? The rest can be much less than that.”
—Alright. I’ll prepare them.
I wondered if I had asked for too much, but Natura readily nodded.
* * *
—Here, human. Check this out.
Natura said, setting down sacks with other elves. I checked all the contents of the sacks and marveled.
“You got them perfectly. Thank you.”
—It’s nothing.
Natura spoke as if it were nothing, but he truly got me everything I wanted.
‘I thought I might not be able to get garlic and onions.’
I didn’t know what names to use to explain them to the elves, so I described them by taste alone, yet he found them precisely.
‘Even this mushroom.’
I picked up a black mushroom that was completely shriveled and hard like a fruit. Its unique aroma pierced my nose.
‘No doubt. It’s a truffle mushroom.’
Truffles, also known as black truffles, were famous for being expensive because they grew underground, making them hard to find.
They were renowned for their excellent aroma and flavor when added to food, and even when related dishes were popular, I had only heard about them or seen them.
They were so expensive that I couldn’t even dream of buying them.
“How did you get this? It must be a hard mushroom to find.”
—Is that so? I didn’t know it was hard to find, as it’s a mushroom that can be found by following the spirits’ guidance.
Ah, he used Earth Spirits. To think there would be such a difference.
‘Anyway, it worked out.’
I was curious, and now I can taste it.
I was about to slice a thin piece or grate it slightly to experience its flavor, since they said it tasted best that way.
“Just a moment, Your Highness.”
“Huh?”
“Are these really edible? There are many things I’ve never seen before.”
Reno held me back and asked the elves, who nodded.
—Of course.
—The Earth Spirits told us they aren’t poisonous, so you can rest assured. We all eat them too.
The elves vouched for it.
“Can I eat it now?”
“Yes. Please.”
With Reno’s permission, I tasted a bit of the mushroom.
*‘Hmm, so this is what it tastes like.’*
I guess I expected too much. It has a strong, unique aroma, but it’s just a strong mushroom taste, I suppose.
The texture is peculiar……. Would it be better if cooked with other ingredients?
I put down the mushroom, contemplating whether to include it or not, when Reno, who was observing nearby, asked,
“But what are you going to do with this?”
“Hmm, first, I need to turn it into powder, but…….”
There wouldn’t be a mortar and pestle, so is there no way?
I stared intently at the grains, and then something felt like it was slipping out, and all the grains turned into powder.
Perhaps the husks couldn’t be separated, so it wasn’t the pure white flour we commonly know, but rather a powder mixed with impurities.
“Your Highness, more magic……. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Look at this.”
Perhaps it was because I had collapsed from mana depletion recently. Towards Reno, who reacted sensitively, I deliberately clenched my fist and bent my arm inward, as if to emphasize that my body was perfectly fine.
I intended to show that my body was moving perfectly, but it seemed to Reno it just looked like unnecessary stubbornness.
“I think it would be better to call Duke Yelpen.”
“There’s no need…….”
As I spoke, I spotted a familiar face not far away.
Ah, perfect.
“Meli!”
“……?”
Meliana flinched, then snapped her head to look at me. Then, with an incredulous expression, she mouthed words and pointed at herself.
‘Surely, she’s not calling me?’
Yes, that’s right.
I’m calling you.
When I beckoned, Meliana scrunched up her face and reluctantly came over.
“What do you want?”
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