I Got Fired As an Adventurer, So I’m Starting Anew As an Alchemist! Frontier Exploration? Alright, Leave It to Me!

168. Good Food Brings Happiness To Everyone, Isn’t It?

“Whoa! This is amazing! Too good to be true!”

Jitaro shouted toward the heavens.

I completely understood his feelings. Ever since arriving in this country, every single thing I’ve eaten has been delicious.

Sure, personal preferences differ, but not a single dish here has been disappointing.

“Hey, there’s something over there too!”

Without waiting for our response, Jitaro rushed off to the next food stall.

“What kind of place will it be this time?”

“That tempura we just had was incredible.”

“I’m still thinking about that beef bowl. Nothing about beef and rice is new, yet it was somehow extraordinary.”

Kyle, Raidoc, and I exchanged thoughts.

Eva, who had been glued to Raidoc’s side, raised a finger.

“Perhaps it’s the seasonings. It’s surprising to see such flavorful seasonings widely accessible to ordinary people.”

“Usually, when you say seasoning, you mean salt.”

“Exactly.”

“Hey, Eva, I hate to interrupt your lecture, but don’t you think you’re clinging a little too closely to my boyfriend?”

On the opposite side of Raidoc, Solar, who was hanging onto his other arm, bared her teeth menacingly.

“Considering this is my first time in this land, is it so odd for a delicate woman to stay near a strong man?”

“And what part of you is delicate?! You’re the woman who could burn down an entire forest!”

“And you, Miss Bow Goddess, could punch a massive hole through a castle wall with a single arrow.”

“Ah! Don’t say that out loud!”

The usual bickering had begun.

Leaving the two to Raidoc, I turned to Kyle.

For a second, Raidoc looked at me with a “Don’t abandon me!” expression, but tough luck! May the handsome one be cursed!

We had no tasks until the higher-ups of Mizuho contacted us, so we decided to explore the city under the guise of “learning about foreign culture”.

The lively streets of Mizuho uplifted our spirits.

In other words, we were a group of curious tourists. Even Kyle couldn’t hide his excitement.

At the head of our group was none other than Jitaro. His enthusiasm was impossible to rein in.

Sniffing the air, he’d shout things like, “This place smells promising!” or “That food stand is definitely a hit!” before charging forward, giving us no choice but to follow.

“I mean, it’s fine and all that he’s only interested in food stalls, but seriously, every place he picks is fantastic.”

“Yes, I am genuinely impressed.”

The next place Jitaro barged into was a slightly more upscale restaurant.

Once inside, the staff quickly noticed our group size and guided us to a large room. Their courteous and friendly demeanor left a good impression.

Without even looking at the menu, Kyle made a request.

“Excuse me. It’s our first time in this country, so we’re unfamiliar with the dishes. Could you bring us a course that lets us sample various flavors?”

“Got it!”

It seemed this restaurant was different from the others that specialized in a single dish. Here, they offered a wide variety.

Having them bring their recommendations sounded like a good plan.

But still…

“Myrna, can you really eat more?”

“Mm. I can.”

Myrna snorted confidently.

We’d already eaten quite a lot by now.

While adventurers like Raidoc and me tend to eat a lot, given the physical demands of our work, it was a mystery how Myrna’s tiny body could hold so much.

Though with Leafan, it makes sense.

“…Craft-kun, why do I feel like you’re giving me a terribly rude look?”

“Not at all!”

I couldn’t possibly admit I associated Leafan with being a glutton!

Even as I pressed my hands over my mouth, Leafan’s cold gaze bore into me. Strange. I didn’t say it aloud…

“You’re too expressive; it shows on your face.”

Persia said with a sigh, shrugging.

“Of all people, I don’t need a klutz calling me out!”

“…Want me to slice you up?”

“Why?!”

“It’s written all over your face.”

“Impossible!”

And so, amidst all the chatter, we continued enjoying our sightseeing—or rather, our “inspection.”

When the food arrived, our jaws dropped.

A huge ship-shaped platter, laden with dishes, was presented before us.

“Wait, isn’t this just raw fish sliced up?”

Cautiously, I asked the staff.

“Calling it just ‘sliced’ makes it sound like we cut corners. It takes real skill to prepare it deliciously!”

So, it was raw fish.

Moreover…

It was still twitching.

Though reduced to just a head and bones, the fish’s head wiggled slightly.

There was no doubt—it was fresh.

“Try dipping it in this soy sauce! It’s tasty!”

Sure, it might be tasty, but eating something while its original owner watches? That’s a bit much…

But before I could decide, Myrna stabbed a slice with her fork, dipped it into the dark sauce, and popped it into her mouth.

After chewing for a moment, she swallowed, then started eating piece after piece without hesitation.

“Myrna?”

“This is delicious.”

With a steady rhythm, Myrna continued eating, and the amount of fish steadily decreased.

At that moment, hunger won over hesitation.

I mimicked Myrna, took a slice, and put it in my mouth.

The fresh, firm texture combined with the delicate, subtle flavor of the fish and the soy sauce—a unique, salty yet aromatic condiment—created an entirely new sensation in my mouth.

“This is incredible! No way!”

Hearing my exclamation, the others, who had been hesitant, also began to try it.

Soon, they were all wide-eyed with surprise.

As adventurers, many of us have endured times when just having food was a blessing, so this kind of indulgence felt surreal.

Eva couldn’t hold back a sigh of admiration.

“This is a flavor unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”

“Onee-chan, I love this.”

Camille added.

Even Kyle was taken aback.

“This is amazing. We should try this with Golden Dawn fish back home.”

The waiter overheard and chimed in with a warning.

“I don’t know where you’re from, but fish you can eat raw mostly come from the ocean. Don’t try this with river fish!”

“I see… That’s unfortunate.”

Ocean fish, huh? I remembered there was a sea to the south of the kingdom and asked Kyle about it.

“The sea is a dangerous place filled with powerful monsters. Fishing is difficult. At best, you can catch a few near the shore, but sailing is out of the question.”

“I didn’t know that.”

Come to think of it, I’ve never heard of sea-based transport or international maritime trade here.

This world really is overrun with monsters. It’s easy to forget sometimes.

“But then, how does this country get so much ocean fish?”

The waiter smirked.

“That’s because our hunters and warriors take care of the sea monsters for us.”

Apparently, the warriors of this land were even more formidable than I had imagined.

“Once we’re done eating, let’s visit the ocean.”

“Good idea. But first—”

I tapped Persia on the shoulder as she stared nervously at the fish skeleton.

“A bodyguard not eating before their master is neglecting their duty, don’t you think?”

“Shut up!”

She turned red and shouted as I teased her.

Everyone has their weaknesses, huh?

Of course, she probably felt safe knowing I could immediately heal any poisoning or sickness.

Still, getting Persia riled up brightened my mood a bit—especially after she had beaten me senseless the day she joined our group.

How was I supposed to know she’d be in the bath?!

Well, even though it wasn’t my fault, I regretted it enough to hope it never happened again.

Later, when Persia finally tried the fish, she ended up eating piece after piece, declaring it delicious and smirking triumphantly at me.

Meanwhile, Jitaro, who had eaten some before anyone else, was entirely ignored by the group.

“Hey, why won’t anyone be surprised by me?!”

“Not my problem.”

Content, we made our way to the ocean port.

“Soy sauce… If we could import it, it might open up new industries.”

Kyle muttered thoughtfully.

Man, my little brother is way too capable—it’s kind of intimidating.