The journey through the forest was enjoyable.
The lizard carriage, guided by Pochi, steadily advanced.
As expected, the “Void Forest”, one of the places known as “Divine Will’s Broth”, lived up to its reputation. Beasts occasionally appear, and sometimes, we encounter mutated creatures. However, my protective barrier deflected their attacks effortlessly. Mother and Karen disposed of any enemies that dared to assault us without question.
Chocola stood by Pochi’s side, protecting him. Eventually, Pochi grew confident in his safety and no longer feared the monsters. As for the ordinary beasts, they became part of our daily routine—almost like saying, “Ah, today’s meal has arrived”. Well, except for those creatures with insect parts in their appearance; they were too unsettling to eat. There was one called the “Earth Spider” and it was downright terrifying.
The forest scenery varied significantly. When viewed from Ji Liz’s back, it appeared uniformly green, but walking through it revealed a different story. Dense areas alternated with sudden clearings resembling grassy meadows. Rivers flowed, and there was even a big lake.
Beyond the middle part, we ventured along unmarked paths. Still, the lizard carriage rarely halted—thanks to our efforts in clearing the way by felling trees. Perhaps after a few more rounds, a proper road would emerge.
As for complaints, the lack of a bath was the main inconvenience. We had to make do with damp towels. However, as mother predicted, when the exact half-month mark arrived, we returned to our nostalgic home.
-0-
First, we all paid our respects at father’s grave. Then, we found solace in our familiar home nestled within the forest, seemingly unchanged since our departure. Even from a distance, the protective barrier remained active.
Surprisingly, the crops we had planted in the fields were safe and sound. Despite being neglected for over half a month, they all looked healthy and robust.
And speaking of surprises, hardly any weeds had sprouted. It’s as if…
「Perhaps it’s Sui-kun’s magic .」
Mother said something like that.
「I think it is similar to the logic behind the “barrier” and “stock”. By repeatedly predicting short-term futures and manipulating causality, you choose better outcomes… Of course, if the soil nutrients were depleted or it didn’t rain, we’d be in trouble. But Sui-kun worked hard to enrich the soil, right? Fortunately, it seems the rain also cooperated.」
Certainly, when I check the condition of the soil, it’s slightly moist.
「Could father do the same ?」
「I don’t think so. Your father wasn’t skilled in farming… Besides, Sui-kun’s magical aptitude surpasses your father’s .」
Being praised is a bit embarrassing, but I’m still not entirely sure about my own cheat-like abilities. Well, that doesn’t mean I’ll slack off in maintaining things from now on.
「Well, let’s consider it a stroke of luck… For now, shall we heat up the bath ?」
As for unloading the lizard carriage, I’ll leave that to mother and Karen for now. Since the items were originally categorized and stacked, it should be easy to unload. However, anything we won’t use immediately should be stored inside the wagon.
I headed to the back of the house and stoke the firewood in the boiler. Finally, the anticipation of taking a bath makes me fidgety. While traveling through the forest with everyone was fun, inconveniences remained. The biggest issue was definitely the lack of a bath.
By the way, the next concern is sleep. Traveling while taking turns sleeping in the lizard carriage was somewhat comfortable thanks to the suspension, but it was still far from restful sleep. I can feel the accumulated fatigue myself.
「…Ideally, I’d love to soak in the bath and then just collapse into bed, but that’s not possible, is it ?」
Before I can sleep peacefully, there are plenty of things to take care of.
「Sui-kun! We’re done unloading the luggage!」
「Got it, I’m coming!」
I entered the house through the front door.
The living room is piled high with provisions. Sorting this out is my task.
I sit down in front of the boxes and roll up my sleeves with determination.
「Karen, could you please feed Pochi? Chocola, go with her .」
「Understood .」
「Bark!」
Karen and Chocola nod and head outside. It’s just feeding it with the grass that grows outside the house, but beyond the fence lies the forest. They need protection.
「…We’ll need to address Pochi’s living situation soon. 」
His massive size makes it impossible for him to live indoors. For today, I plan to let him sleep in the yard, but we can’t leave him exposed indefinitely.
Our ultimate goal is to build a proper stable for him and create a spacious grazing area where he can roam freely. However, achieving that will take time, even with my physical enhancement.
「Sui-kun, mother will take this chance to clear out a little bit of the forest.」
「Sounds like a plan. Aren’t you tired?」
「Ara, don’t underestimate me. I’ve had nothing to do, so I’m quite bored .」
During our half-month journey, mother worked harder than anyone else. She created paths twice as long as ours, and she barely slept half as much as Karen and I did. I wanted her to rest, but…
「Understood. Please go ahead. Ah, take a bath first later.」
「Alright…..shall I start with the back of the house?」
「Okay. The dismantling place’s side would be good too.」
It might be a comforting thought, but if mutated creatures are drawn by the scent of blood, they’ll likely head there.
「We’ll decide how much space to clear tomorrow. Don’t overexert yourself. Also, the trees we cut down will be used for firewood and lumber, so avoid burning them .」
「Got it .」
Mother leaves the living room after throwing me an affectionate kiss. I can’t help but feel amused. She’s my mother but she’s so adorable……father must have thought so too.
「Now, let’s focus on our tasks here .」
I open the wooden boxes and inspect their contents.
We’ve gathered provisions of every imaginable kind. I prioritized items we were lacking during the initial half-month.
First, salt and sugar—although they’re part of my “stock”, there were differences in quality and taste between this world and the other side, so I wanted some just in case. While the locally produced items here might be slightly inferior in quality, the flavor and texture differences are negligible. It seemed practical to use them.
Next, spices. Mother had brought a limited type and amount, so having extra is reassuring.
Just picking them up already excites me. From items I’ve seen in Japan to those I’ve never encountered before, there’s a mix of familiar and unfamiliar names. Notably, there’s something resembling cumin. Here, they extract essential oils or grind it into a spice, but if I slowly roast it and then grind it into powder… I believe I can recreate that nostalgic flavor. It sparks my imagination.
Next, honey, breadcrumbs, wheat flour, and potato starch. These were all items we lacked until now. Whether it was due to my role as the cook or if it was always the case, father lacked practical life skills. Consequently, among the support supplies he prepared for this house, there was a shortage of these—essential food items that enhance culinary variety but might not immediately come to mind unless you make them yourself.
「…But that’s just like father .」
When I’m exasperated by the absence of wheat flour or potato starch, I feel a warm nostalgia. Yet, when I notice the cooking sake and mirin, I’m impressed! It warms my heart. While his remarkable achievements in this world are commendable, I still feel more connected to father through these familiar aspects—the side of him that tried his best but sometimes missed the mark during our life in Japan.
I hastily wipe my eyes with my hand and reach for the final treasure.
It’s a large jar, securely sealed, and when lifted up, it makes a bubbling sound.
Inside is oil—specifically, vegetable oil refined from rapeseed.
「Tonight’s menu is decided.」
Creating a spice blend based on cumin will require some trial and error, but this part is straightforward. After all, we have potato starch.
I open the kitchen cupboard and start stowing away the acquired supplies. The storage space had plenty of room to spare; about half of the shelves were empty. It seems my father anticipated that I would source local ingredients.
Various seasonings, spices, grain flours, and the oil jar—all purchased in multiples to manage consumption using “stock”.
「Alright .」
I confirmed that all the contents of the wooden boxes stacked in the kitchen were now empty so I brushed my hands together.
The water should be boiling by now. I wonder if Pochi has eaten his fill.
If that’s the case, it’s our turn next.
We also have meat. Yesterday, we had extra birds hunted during our journey.
Yes, I decided this even before we arrived—absolutely, I’m cooking it.
I haven’t eaten it for a whole month. I long for it.
I stand in the kitchen, stroke the oil jar, and declare loudly:
「Today, it’s karaage!」
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