Read Novel Full Vol 17 Chapter 3
Vol 17 Chapter 3
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Chapter 3 – Local Gourmet
After overcoming Pent’s stay behind, pickups from mercenaries and merchants, and monster attacks, we arrived at the fortified city that is the gateway to the desert. The exotic Moroccan-like streets of the fortified city and the clothes with a small cloth area are seen in a clothing store. I think the unknown continent is full of romance.
“Heh. It’s not as hot as I thought.”
“Yes, I was wondering why people wear long sleeves and cover their faces in this heat, but I guess it’s more comfortable to hide your body when the sun is strong. I’m a little surprised.”
“Sunscreen dries when you sweat, so it’s nice to be protected from the sun by a piece of cloth.”
Alessia-san and the others were also in a good mood, perhaps a little more excited after changing into foreign clothes.
They are strong people, but they are still girls, aren’t they?
Well, they all look completely black on the outside.
The clothier told us that black is the best color for traveling in the desert, and all women who are adventurers, even if they are girls, choose black.
To be honest, we looked like a suspicious group in black, but I heard that it was normal in the desert, so I felt no particular discomfort. Of course, I chose black as well.
Regarding the head coverings, I asked if women had to wear head coverings for religious reasons, but I was laughed at and told that the main purpose was to prevent heat stroke and sunburn, and there was no religious reason.
I thought that the city had a Moroccan or Arabic atmosphere, so the religion might be similar, but it seems that even here, the Creator God-sama is the Creator God, and there is no difference in religion.
It is a world where the existence of gods is usually confirmed, even though interference in the lower world is forbidden, so it seems that they did not establish a monotheistic style of religion.
By the way… Claretta-san is amazing.
The women’s style is also restrained because their clothes tend to hide their curves, but among them, only Claretta-san can’t hide her motherhood.
As expected, she is at the top of the Girasole in terms of motherhood.
But we couldn’t even buy the ornaments, so they’re all pitch black. It would be glamorous if we used ornaments from the treasures of the Duke’s castle, but that would be too glamorous.
And since we couldn’t buy enough ornaments, of course, it was impossible to buy the dancer’s clothes as well. I want to earn money from this desert adventure and send the ladies some ornaments and the dancer’s clothes.
Now that I had a secret goal, I was quite motivated. At the very least, I would get them all some dancer’s clothes.
“Wataru, it’s time to go to the inn.”
While I was having a lot of wild fantasies, Alessia-san and the others seemed to have calmed down.
I had heard the recommendation from the clerk at the clothing store, and the sun would be setting soon, so it would be better to move on.
“I understood. It’s that way, isn’t it?”
I remembered that we were supposed to go down the main street and turn right at the alley two doors down from the merchant’s guild.
The clerk told me that the inn used by the mercenaries was cheaper, but since there were so many beautiful women, I should go to the inn used by the merchants, even if it was a little more expensive, to avoid getting involved with them.
That was one of the reasons I didn’t get around to the decorations, but it was more important to be able to rest in peace and quiet.
“It’s very easy to walk around.”
“Yes, it is. I can’t believe how different it is just by wearing different clothes.”
I agree with what Claretta-san said. The clothes should have been harder to move in because of the increased amount of fabric, but the lack of envious stares made all the difference in my mood.
Even I, who was not so conspicuous, was annoyed by the envious stares, so I think Claretta-san, being stared at by men with lustful eyes, would feel the difference even more.
We walked lightly to the inn. It’s incredible how much of a difference hiding one’s appearance can make.
“This is it.”
We arrived at the inn we had been told about. It is a sand-colored brick building and looks like it could be used as a fort if it were larger.
There are many kinds of bricks now, but I have a picture of red bricks in the old days. The sand-colored bricks might be sun-dried bricks or bricks made by magic.
“Welcome.”
When we entered the inn, we were greeted by a brown-skinned lady with an elegant air.
As I expected in a clothing store, there were many colorful and intricately patterned fabrics used throughout the inn.
The fabrics are used as interior decorations, so even the inside of the inn is filled with an exotic atmosphere.
“I would like to request three rooms for one night, are there any rooms available?”
“How would you like the rooms to be allocated?”
After some discussion, we decided that Ines, Felicia, and I would stay in a two-person room, and Alessia-san and the others would stay in two four-person rooms.
There is no particular reason for us to have a double room. It was to save money. It is not a question of whether two four-person rooms are enough. I didn’t think about that.
“Well, let’s rest in the room for a while and then we’ll have dinner.”
“I understand.”
We parted from Alessia-san and the others and went to our room.
It was a small room with two beds. It is not big, but the atmosphere is not bad. However, it was… hot. It can’t be helped that it’s hot outside, but it’s a little hard to be hot inside the room. It makes me miss the luxury liner.
When I was relieved to get into the private room, Rimu rolled out of my robe and started playing happily in the room.
It was very cute, but I was very sad that Rimu’s slightly cool and plump body had left me.
“Phew. This dress is quite nice.”
“Yeah, I’m glad I don’t have to worry about people looking at me.”
I think it’s inevitable that Ines and Felicia, who remove their coverings with a snap, will attract attention when they see the beauty that has emerged.
I’m going to follow their example and take off my headband, too, but I’m sure no one will think anything of it.
Well, I had a good rest during the trip, but I was still unusually active, so my body was tired. I’ll rest until dinner.
＊＊＊
When we entered the cafeteria and took our seats, everyone looked at us because we had all removed our headgear, but that was okay.
“What we can offer you today is either the Armored Scorpion or the Desert Lizard.”
I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the waitress say that.
If I’m not mistaken, did she say Armored Scorpion or Desert Lizard?
Does that mean I have to choose between the Armored Scorpion and the Desert Lizard? I’m tempted to go back to my room and eat my own food, but that would be rude.
Besides, the fact that they are often served at the inn suggests that they are common food here. If you avoid local delicacies in your destination, the charm of your trip will be cut in half.
Let’s be willing to eat it today. If we don’t like it, we can make it ourselves.
…No, but scorpions and lizards, huh? Even if I’m prepared for it, I don’t think I could eat it if the scorpion and lizard come out whole, right?
“Excuse me, could you tell me what kind of food that is?”
“Understood.”
The waitress was a little surprised by my question, then looked at us and nodded as if she understood. Perhaps she understood that we were strangers and unfamiliar with the area.
The waitress told us that today’s menu consisted of steaks, both made from parts of giant scorpions and lizards.
So, at least it is confirmed that there are giant scorpions and lizards in this desert. It’s depressing, but I’m sure I could manage to eat them if they were cut in pieces instead of whole.
In the end, everyone but me, Dorothea-san, Marina-san, and Carla-san chose the dessert lizard, and we ordered both.
By the way, the reason why me, Dorothea-san, and Marina-san ordered both was because we assumed that Rimu and the other slime would eat them, while Carla-san ordered both just because she wanted to eat them both.
“Very well. Would you like something to drink?”
“Can you recommend anything?”
I’d like a nice cold beer, but I don’t think I’ll be able to find one here.
“If you are looking for alcohol, I would recommend ale and palm wine.”
Let’s see, I think “palm” means palm tree.
But I thought palm trees grew by the sea, and I wondered if palm trees grew in the desert.
When I think of it, I think date palms are very popular in Japan. Dates grow in desert-like climates, and it could be a liquor made from a plant similar to the date palm.
Anyway, let’s quench my thirst with ale for now, and if it tastes good, let’s try a drink made from palm fruits.
After ordering the beer and waiting a while, the food and the ale arrived.
“””Cheers!”””
First, we toasted with the ale.
As I took a sip of the amber-colored liquid, a refreshingly bitter and clean taste spread in my mouth.
The carbonation is weak, but the taste is not bad.
It was not cold, but slightly cool as if it had been stored in a cool place.
The taste is refreshing, probably because it is an ale suitable for this region. I can feel the concept of an ale that is more refreshing than a heavily flavored ale in the hot desert.
The reason why I feel that they are more particular about their ales than the Southern City is probably because this area is a desert. Everyone is thirsty, and everyone wants a cold, tasty ale.
Personally, I think a canned beer chilled to the perfect temperature seems superior, but it is not bad considering it is a local alcoholic beverage from a foreign country.
No, it’s good that I have something to look forward to when I eat here. Well, that enjoyment will be meaningless if the local food doesn’t suit my palate.
“…Wataru…”
While I was thinking about the taste of the ale, I received a thought from Rimu. He is sitting down in front of the food, so I guess he wants to eat it as soon as possible.
I look at the dishes lined up in front of me.
The Armored Scorpion steak is a bit plump. The Desert Lizard has a tasty grilled… chicken-like appearance.
I hesitate a bit to decide which to eat first… and look at the other members.
They were all thinking the same thing I was, except for one, and they all had ale in one hand and no food in the other.
Everyone’s eyes, except for Rimu and the other slime, were focused on one person.
Yes, it was Carla-san.
She had already put her hands on the Armored Scorpion and the Desert Lizard, ignoring our hesitation.
Without hesitation, she put the cut meat into her mouth, bit into it, and swallowed it in one gulp. Then, she immediately moves on to the next piece of meat.
From the looks of it, it was probably not so bad as to be inedible.
The only thing that bothered me was the expression on Carla-san’s face, as she always eats her food with a big smile on her face. Compared to usual, I think her smile lacks sparkle.
But it is a smile.
…Is it delicious? Or is it not tasty? Which is it?