Eventually, the fallen leaves and withered branches burned completely, leaving behind a mountain of charcoal.
Yet within that heap lies a golden treasure.
「Be careful, Mint. It’s hot.」
「Ugh… tato, you okay? All burnt up….?」
Mint isn’t the only one casting worried glances my way. The fairies, too, watch my every move with restless anticipation, their expressions endearing.
I wield the shovel, breaking apart the charcoal. Later, we’ll dispose of it in the boiler’s combustion chamber.
And there, beneath the layers of ash, lies a mound of earth. I gently clear the surface, revealing…
「Alright… still there!」
「Yes, thanks to Mint’s watchful eye.」
Wrapped in soot-stained newspaper, a sweet potato emerges.
「Now, let’s just hope they’re roasted perfectly.」
I slip on gloves, pick it up, and inspect it. If only we had aluminum foil to toss it directly into the fire, but alas, we’ll have to get creative. Our method: roasting it by lightly covering it with soil.
The newspaper directly touching the sweet potato is thoroughly dampened, and we layer it multiple times to retain moisture. Then, we avoid direct flames and slowly roast it at low heat. And so…
「Wow… Not burnt! Tato, beautiful! Smells good!」
When I split it open from the center, the amylase-san has done its job—the moist, honey-rich golden flesh is revealed.
「Mint, care to taste-test?」
「Yesss! Will! Will!」
「Just be cautious; it’s hot.」
Karen appears from the kitchen, spoon in hand.
I scoop out a portion, blow on it to cool, and offer it to Mint.
With a delighted expression, Mint takes the spoon into their mouth and flails her hands with excitement.
「Delicious, ho-hottt! Sweet!….hmm,….delicious, tato delicious!」
「I want to try too!」 「Me too!」 「I’m curious; count me in!」 「I’ll have some too!」 「Human, I’m next!」
The fairies gathered, their eyes shining.
「Wait, it’s scorching hot! Be careful; you might get burned!」
「Hot! I can’t eat this yet…」 「Whoa, it’s so sweet!」 「How did that tough potato become this tender?」 「Mmm, 〜〜〜〜!」 「What is this?」
「Sui, can we have some too?」
「Sure, Karen and mother will take this side. The Four Seasons-san the other others get the other.」
I unwrap the roasted sweet potatoes, sharing them while splitting them open. Just as I’m about to secure my own portion and take a bite, I remember something crucial and dash back inside the house.
I open the refrigerator, grab the container of what I need, along with a small spoon, and return to the garden.
「Sui-kun, what’s the rush? Why are you in such a hurry?」
「After savoring it as is, try adding this.」
「What is it?」
「Butter.」
「Butter?! On this?!」
Everyone’s expressions shift dramatically.
They’ve realized it intuitively.
That this roasted sweet potato and butter are a match made in heaven.
「Oh, this is amazing. It tastes like a sin.」
「Hmm… Delicious. But it’s definitely fattening. Still, it’s so good… What should I do?」
「Ah, I love this. It feels oddly nostalgic.」
「Indeed, perhaps we’ve tasted something like this in the distant past.」
The adults indulge, even while calorie concerns linger. Resistance is futile…
Though honestly, I prefer margarine over butter. That slightly milder flavor complements the sweet potato’s richness. But well, making margarine in this world is wishful thinking, isn’t it?
Indeed, butter has its own distinct deliciousness, and there’s no room for complaints.
「Chocola, there’s enough for you and Pochi too. We need to let it cool properly, so wait a bit longer.」
「Kyauun! Barkbark!」
「Can’t wait, huh? Well, everyone’s enjoying it.」
「Kwuun, bark….」
Chocola bounces around me, trying to get closer to the sweet potato in my hand.
「Alright, let’s ask mother.」
「Bark!」
「But seriously, it’s incredibly sweet.」
「Hmm. Even compared to the original variety, this one has been significantly improved. The technology from Sui’s homeland is impressive.」
「With something this delicious, it’ll disappear in no time.」
「Mother, could you chill some for Chocola and Pochi? There’s still plenty left, and we didn’t harvest them all today.」
「Sweet potatoes lasts long, right? …For Chocola’s share, that’s fine.」
Mother uses magic to absorb the heat from the roasted sweet potatoes—an application of her fire attribute.
「If we wrap them in newspaper with the soil still on, they should last quite a while. …Though if we use ‘Stock’, they’d probably be good for years.」
「I’ll leave it to Sui-kun. It’d be great if we could enjoy them throughout the winter. …There you go, done.」
「Thank you.」
「Bark!」
As I take the now-cooled sweet potato, Chocola practically leaps onto my body.
「Hey, Chocola, be patient. …Mint! Come over here; let’s eat with Chocola. Can you fetch Pochi too?」
「Uuu, kay! Let’s go, Dwisle!」
「Well, I suppose I’ll go along.」
With sweet potato fragments cradled in both hands, Drizzle followed Mint. As I watch them, I can’t help but murmur to myself.
「Doing this again on a cold winter day sounds appealing.」
「Hmm. It’s a different kind of pleasure from campfire cooking.」
「Indeed. It’s both enjoyable and delicious. But I’m worried I’ve eaten too much. Will there be room for dinner?」
「Oh, don’t worry. Sui mentioned making a sweet potato dessert. Maybe that’ll fit.」
「….I see. I’ll walk Chocola until evening to make room.」
Mother and Karen giggle at each other.
I stood tall in the autumn breeze, feeling comfortable as they ate.
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