NOVEL NEXT Chapter 614 – Side Eye~
Author: Eguchi Ren
Eguchi Ren: Thank you to everyone who watched the anime!
After last night’s discussion, it was decided that Jorgen and Adela will work under Doran Adventurer’s Guild as Elland-san’s supervisor.
Which, I’m sure was code for minder/watcher/parole officer etc.
Moira-sama and Ugor-san looked very relieved to have Jorgen with them. However, that was not the end of it.
That’s right.
After all, Elland-san had dropped everything at the Royal Capital to rush over to Carelina with a magic sword. Naturally, none of the elders were happy with his behaviour.
“Hahh… some of the Elders wanted to report Elland as a thief…”
Well, it was the Magic Sword of Caladbolg after all. I may have four magic swords at hand, but from how excited the people were and the amount of money they paid to rent one sword, I do have some inkling on why these things were considered priceless.
However, Elland-san was still the Guild Master of Doran’s Adventurer’s Guild. Therefore, branding him as a thief would be like slapping their own faces with faeces PR-wise.
“Even if they can’t label him as a thief and try him as a criminal, there are ways to punish him,” said Moira-sama grimly.
“Um, so, what is the punishment?” I asked a little nervously.
“It was decided that Elland would be made to pay for the expenses incurred for his capture.”
“Eh? That doesn’t seem so bad,” I said.
“Heh, with so many S Rank parties involved, it won’t be cheap. Looks like he will be working off this debt for a long, long time…” said Moira-sama with a smirk.
“Ah.”
This also means that he won’t have money to buy any of the claws, fangs or dragon blood for a long time…
“First, he’ll have to return to the Royal Capital to face the disciplinary board,” the smirk on her face grew and she said, “I shall be part of that disciplinary board.”
“Uh, okay…”
Moira-sama looked very scary now.
Haha.
I think it’s the crazed eyes.
Well, I guess it’s understandable since she is, ah, quite upset with Elland-san. Jorgen and Adela did not look surprised by this. I had half expected Elland-san to be dragged away by Ugor-san to Doran immediately, but I guess there is still the mess left at the Royal Capital.
“Yeah, well, I guess I got to face the paperwork monster alone for a bit more,” sighed Ugor-san.
“Please accept our apologies,” Jorgen and Adela said.
“No, no, it’s got nothing to do with you. Just, bring him back when you’re done with him, eh?” said Ugor-san generously.
It looked like things were being rushed. I really wanted to hold a farewell party for Jorgen and Adela (Goodbye, couple!), but it looks like we won’t have time for a proper feast.
So, after thinking about it, I decided to make some food they could bring with them.
After all, the main reason why you High Elves followed me was to eat my cooking, so it felt wrong to send you two off without being able to eat much. I would give them meat, but since Jorgen already mentioned how High Elves were bad at cooking…
Anyway, let’s send them off with some ready-to-eat supplies.
From what I had heard, Adela’s [Item Box] doesn’t have a time-stop function like mine, but time moved at about 1/8 of the normal time. So, something that would still be delicious when cold would be the best option.
Like a super luxurious Roast Dragon.
Roast Dragon would still be delicious even after it had cooled down, making it versatile and easy to eat. It can be enjoyed with pasta, in sandwiches, or added to salads. Considering how much the High Elves enjoyed the Green Dragon Steak, I’m confident they’ll be just as pleased with the Green Dragon Roast.
“Shall I get to it?”
When I heard that Moira-sama and Ugor-san would be coming, I had already set aside two large pieces of Green Dragon Meat for them. Also, since I would be using Dragon meat, Elland-san would likely be very excited about it. However, it all depends on Jorgen whether he wants to let his nephew have any or not.
It is unlikely.
Very unlikely.
But, hope springs eternal, right?
Now, shall we get started?
First, rub down the Green Dragon meat with grated garlic, salt and freshly crushed black pepper. Let the meat sit for about 30 minutes while the large pan heats up. Once the pan is hot, brown the meat on all sides.
After that, place the browned Dragon meat onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
“And the rest is up to the oven~”
While the magic is happening there, let’s make the sauce.
This time, let’s try making a Japanese-style onion sauce in the pan I used to brown the Green Dragon meat.
First, chop the onions. Chop lots of onions. It took me a moment to realise that despite having chopped a whole bunch of onions, my eyes did not tear up.
[1] Did the Blessing (small) nullify the onion-in-eye effect?
[1] How useful!
I looked down to check the oven when I felt an ominous presence behind me.
“Gyahh!! What the heck are you all doing there?!” I screeched.
Instead of answering me, the quartet of gluttons stuck their heads forward to stare at the oven, their gleaming eyes nearly burning with excitement.
“Dragon for lunch? What is this luxury?”
“Umu, umu, I look forward to it, Master.”
““Dragon for lunch!!””
“”Dragon~! Dragon~!!””
Tsk, the smell had attracted this bunch of gluttons.
“Sorry, but this isn’t your lunch,” I said.
“Nanu!!??”
““What are you talking about!??””
“Did I not already tell you?” I said in my firmest voice. “Jorgen and Adela will be escorting Elland-san to the Royal Capital.”
“What does that have to do with us?!” Fer roared.
“I planned to have a farewell party for them. However, since they had to hurry, the party won’t happen, so I’m sending them off with some food instead.”
To say that my familiars all looked devastated was an understatement.
“M-my dragon meat…”
“I- I thought I’d get to eat dragon today…”
“”Waahhhh, dragon meat~~~!!!””
“”No dragon meat~?””
“Tsk, you guys acted like I don’t feed you well.”
“DRAGON MEAT IS DIFFERENT!!!”
“Erk!” I flinched back from the unexpected shout. “O-oi! What are you guys trying to pull!?”
“…nothing, I just want to say that dragon meat is delicious,” said Fer belligerently, giving me a sideway stare.
“Mu, I am just disappointed that my expectations have been dashed,” said Grandpa Gon, who also gave me the side eye.
“”I-if only I could have dragon meat~~ ahhh~~””
“”Sad~ sad~””
The pinpricks of their stares stabbed at me.
Kuuhhh— If I give in to them, there will be no end of my misery in the future. I must resist!
Pitiful gazes continued to stab at me.
“Ugh, fine.”
“YAY!!”
“However, your lunch had already been decided. So the only dragon meat you get is a few slices of Dragon Roast on the side.”
“Tch, I want to gorge on dragon meat until I’m full, but what can I do?”
“”Ahhh, same~!! But I guess it’s better than nothing.””
“Thank you, Master~”
“”Yay~ dragon meaty~~””
Hahh… It’s so tiring to be this popular…
Fufufufu~
“Since you guys flatter me so, I shall do my best to make something delicious. However, I don’t like being stared at like this, so please leave the kitchen.”
They all left the kitchen reluctantly. Well, so long as they all leave, I won’t call attention to their ridiculous behaviour.
Hahhh…
Well, since I promised them Dragon Roast, I will have to make a second batch. Scratch that, let’s make two more batches. I’m sure it won’t be enough regardless.
Speaking of which, the Japanese-style Onion Sauce is made by de-glazing the pan with red wine, after that, add the sliced onions, grated garlic, soy sauce and sugar to the pan and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half.
“Right, this one’s for Jorgen. I’ll make the rest now…”
“It’s done?!”
“Wh- no!! This batch is for Jorgen. You wait your turn!” I scolded.
They all protested, but I insisted. I closed the argument by saying, “You see these two pieces of meat grilling in the oven? That’s yours. Or, they would be yours if you wait. I only grilled this one piece of meat for Jorgen. You four can share this one meat now, or share two pieces of meat if you wait. Well?”
There were some grumblings, but in the end, they all retreated.
To make a long story short, I ended up serving my familiar thick Minced Meat Cutlet Sandwiches with slices of Roast Dragon on the side.
By the way, I haven’t made anything for Moira-sama or Ugor-san yet.
I should get that done soon, especially since everyone is leaving early tomorrow.
[Gumihou: Reduced the cooking bit]
[1] Pay a little more attention to this bit.