CH 31

November 24th, 2022

Beta Reader: My_Own_Worst_NPC

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For tonight’s dinner, it was made by using goat’s meat that Wonder has hunted. [1]

I know Okinawan cuisine is famous for its goat soup [2], but for tonight’s dish instead of soup, I made spiced meat grilled on a skewer [3].

Goat meat has distinctive strong smell and a gamey taste, so many people dislike it back on earth. But in Rurugoa empire it seems to be a widely popular cuisine, and everyone was happily eating it.

I’ve never tried it, but I hear that goat meat can also be made into sashimi by using the leg part, and some people consider the testicles a delicacy…[4]

But since there’s no hospital here on Monte Chris Island, I won’t be taking any chance by trying to make raw food like sashimi, at least until I’ve put proper measures in place.

Also… I don’t have the balls to cut the goat’s ball into thinly sliced pieces… I’m afraid my thing will shrink the moment I cut it with my knife, due to karmic retribution…

Lotte Gram and her officers were having a meeting while eating dinner, discussing their plan for tomorrow.

“So, tomorrow’s task will be preparatory work?”

“That’s right, first we’ll survey the area around the ruins, and then set up a defensive perimeter.”

It seemed that they weren’t going to just enter the dungeon willy-nilly. Preparations would be made to secure the entrance first before unsealing it.

I see, so that’s how it is.

I was thinking that they’d march straight into the dungeon; instead, they’re considering the possibility of monsters pouring out of the dungeon the moment the door is opened.

“The ruins are as big as the reports say. It shouldn’t take too long to prepare.”

“Estimated time to complete the moat?”

“We have 51 water magic users and 46 earth magic users. Two days should be enough.”

So they’re planning to dig a trench around the entrance and fill it with water; that way they can trap any monsters that try to escape the dungeon and attack from both sides, minimizing casualties. And since they will do the digging and filling with magic, seems like the work could be completed relatively quickly.

“Very well, let’s have it done in two days. Any questions?”

Gram was usually more taciturn, but in her working mode she spoke clearly and concisely. Her body height might be short, but her efficiency was high, and she cut a very impressive figure in her uniform (which put her ample bosom on display beautifully).

“Would you like me to refill your coffee?”

“…uh-huh… please do…”

Gram still can’t make eye contact or conversation with me though…

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Late into the night, the guests withdrew to their own respective rooms in the lodge. I firmly closed the entrance to the cave and had Iwao standing guard outside while Goku and Wonder were placed inside.

I didn’t mind the idea of a one-night stand with Gram or Lane, but the soldiers who cat-called me earlier today had me really worried.

Chime ♪

Sausage     Time Until Finished   00:00:00

Sausage is completed. Please specify the location to appear.

Since I’d made more goat meat skewers than the soldiers could eat earlier, I repurposed the remaining ones into sausages that would be served with scrambled eggs tomorrow morning.

I’m glad to say that we have plenty of food stock now.

Lotte Gram had given me 10 kilograms of flour, 5 kilograms of dried corn, 1 kilogram of butter, 20 eggs, and six caged chickens. Tomorrow, I would have to make room for the chickens in Koyuki’s barn. Let’s have Goku and Iwao to work hard again tomorrow.

I’d like to give Gram something in return, but I wasn’t sure what kind of thing she would like. Maybe a cake since she seemed to like sweets?

Then I recalled seeing a ship model in her room and I had the perfect idea. So I set my creation magic and turned off the light, eagerly waiting for the morning to come soon.

I hope she will be happy to see my present.

Although I was a little excited, I was tired from the day’s work and quickly fell asleep.

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Early in the morning, I instructed the Gokus to prepare breakfast; brew the coffee, set the vegetables up in pickling brine, re-heat the bread, and make plenty of scrambled eggs while grilling the sausages. I was afraid of parasites such as worms, so I didn’t use raw vegetables in making the salads. I thought of using creation magic to make some lettuce, but then I’d be in a pickle if they asked where I got the lettuce from.

“Good morning everyone!”

I greeted the guests using my best smile.

Some of the officers had already donned their uniforms, while other were still only wearing their shirts sloppily. Even among the same military company their personalities differed a lot.

Among them Diane Lane, the second-in-command, came to the dining room already dressed sharply with her hair tied in a neat bun. It amazed me that she could appear so proper and demure, while concealing a massive set of hooters underneath her crisp uniform.

The world was truly full of fresh surprises!

And as I was foolishly ruminating over such gap moe so early in the morning…[5]

“What’s the matter, Okami?”

…she called out to me, a note of suspicion in her voice. It felt like my heart almost jumped out in surprise.

“Nothing… it’s just that I’m really happy to see this island becoming so lively after all this time…”

Ooops… I need to keep up my appearance…

“Everyone eat your breakfast, we’ll be leaving in 15.” After giving a short order, Gram began to eat her breakfast. Looking at how she nibbled her food bit by bit reminded me of cute little animals so much that I wanted to try giving her a sunflower seed.

Oh, that’s right, today they’re going to start building a moat around the ruin’s entrance. I’m kind of curious how they would go about it. Maybe they’ll let me watch?.

“Gram-sama, if it’s alright with you, may I have the permission to come and take a look around the construction site?”

“…why?”

“I’m curious to see how it all would all come together. Building large structures, I think the process is interesting, you know?”

“You’re a weird guy, aren’t you…” Gram stared at me as if I were some mythical creature.

Don’t tell me the men of this world don’t have any interest in such things?

“If it’s off-limits then I’ll be sure not to get too close to…”

“…just do what you want.”

Good. It would seem I’ve been given permission. Let’s leave the prep work to the Gokus so I can visit the construction site. It’ll be my first time seeing construction using magic so I’m looking forward to it. I should bring some snacks and refreshments too.

After breakfast, Gram and the others immediately set out for the construction site.

“Be careful out there! I’ll be sure to join you after we finished cleaning up here.”

I cheerfully waved my hand as they departed. That’s right, it’s important for an inn to give the guests a proper send-off.

“Ah.. Uh-huh…”

It seemed that giving them my best smile really paid off, since I saw Gram’s face flush bright red. I was smiling so wide it made my cheeks hurt!

Alright, now it’s time to give instructions to the golems…

“Goku number 1, clean up the dishes. Goku numbers two & three, make the beds and start cleaning the rooms. Goku numbers four & five, clean the bath. Goku number six, clean the toilets.”

The Gokus immediately started working and I was really grateful that they’re did their jobs dutifully.

Chime ♪

Figure model x 15     Time Until Finished   00:00:00

Figure model x 15 is completed. Please specify the location to appear.

Oooh!

It looks like Gram’s present, an assortment of small figurines, is already complete. I’m just saying this in advance, but it’s not erotic figurine, you know; it’s meant to be displayed as the crew members on a model sailing ship.

There is also Gram’s figurine in captain uniform and my own figurine in sailor uniform, but since it is forbidden for men to be on the ships, I don’t know if she’ll put my figurine on board of the model.

I’d also prepared a small model of a telescope, a sextant, and other essential nautical accessories; I wondered if Gram would be pleased. I know she must be feeling a little out of sorts on this southern island so far away from civilization, so I should be nice to her.

I’m not some slacker chump when it comes down to these things. I may be a player, but I play nicely, you know!

Oh, that’s right, this is a good opportunity to take a bath. All the soldiers are supposed to be gathered at the entrance of the dungeon, so there should be no one around. I may have developed a slight fetish for being seen while taking a bath, but it’s still nice to take one alone every once in awhile.

“Iwao, prepare the bath”. I instructed Iwao as I was preparing the pudding for today’s dessert.

Making pudding for dessert is convenient; it’s simple and can be made for a large number of people.

Just mix eggs and sugar in a bowl. Pour the warmed goat’s milk into it, mix it further, pour it into a mold with caramelized sugar at the bottom, then bake it in the oven. [6] The hard part is controlling the heat, though. It would be even better with vanilla beans and alcohol (rum or orange liqueur), but we don’t have any at the moment.

I wonder if there are any vanilla trees on this world? I also want to eat vanilla ice cream, so maybe I should try making it with magic; I’m sure if I asked one of the officers, they’d be happy to use ice magic to chill the ice cream for me.

I’m so glad that my hobby is cooking.

By the time I put the pudding in the oven, the bath was ready. Alright, let’s wash up before heading towards the ruins.

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1 Refer to Chapter 27

2  Yajigiru/Okinawan Goat Soup. Supposedly it has strong smell. 

3 Maybe similar to Satay in South East Asian, though supposedly it uses peanut sauce/soy sauce with chopped shallot on top. Oh man I’m suddenly getting hungry.

4 It is believed that eating goat testicle can increase men’s vitality. However, I believe eating goat testicle as a sashimi (to be eaten raw) should only be attempted by the most adventurous of food connoisseurs.

5 Usually a gap moe is when a said character does something completely contradictory to what their usual habits/personality/appearance/expectation dictates.

6 You can check caramel custard pudding recipe now, if you’re wondering what kind of desserts he made.