Chapter 11 - Interaction
I followed the village chief and the elves to the inn.
"This is the only inn in this village, the Forest fairy Inn." (Village Chief)
"I'm also staring here." (Fell)
"Heeh, it's a pretty nice inn. I'm glad to see the building is all made of wood." (Mittor)
The other elves nodded as well.
Is that how they see it? Speaking of which, all houses in the elven village were made of hollowed trees.
When I entered the inn, I saw Yato was in the middle of cleaning.
I feel like I always find her in the middle of cleaning when there are no costumers around. Maybe it’s her new hobby?
"Hello, Yato-san. Is Nia or Ron around?" (Village Chief)
"Village Chief, welcome, ~nya. Nia-sama is in the kitchen, ~nya. I think Ron went to clean the hut, ~nya." (Yato)
Why did Yato call Nia with honorifics, but Ron not?
"I'm sorry, but could you call Nia and Ron?" (Village Chief)
"Understood, ~nya. Please wait a moment, ~nya." (Yato)
After came back from the kitchen, Yato immediately left the inn to call Ron.
Mittor is making a strange face since a while ago. What’s wrong with him?
"Hey, Fell. the village chief is a human and Yato-chan is a beastfolk, right?" (Mittor)
"Yes, what's the matter?" (Fell)
"No, I mean, beastfolks usually don't behave like that towards humans." (Mittor)
Speaking of which, Yato was so hostile when fake Dean tried to speak to her in the elven village. However, she immediately went back to normal when Dia spoke to her afterwards. I guess there is some clear difference in Yato's mind between the villagers and the outsiders even though they all are the same human race.
"Maybe it's because Yato was a beastfolk who was born and grew up in the demon world. In addition, the villagers here have been treating her very well, so of course she treats them the same way." (Fell)
"So that's how it is. I have to show my sincerity in order to get along with Yato-chan. Only after that I can invite her to go on a date." (Mittor)
When I looked at the female elves, one of them nodded once and then hit Mittor on the head with the hilt of her sword. I felt some kind of personal grudge from it.
"Ouch, that hurts!!!" (Mittor)
"I have permission to beat you up if you try to hit on a woman in this village. If you have a problem with that, you can talk to the captain directly later."
"But I haven't hit on anyone yet!" (Mittor)
She is telling you that you shouldn’t do it. Take a hint!
“My impression of Mittor-dono is completely different from before.” (Village Chief)
"This is how he usually behaves. To be honest, I had an urge to hit him when he acted prim and proper during the discussion before." (Fell)
But I preserved until the end. I am an adult who knows self-control.
"Hey, if you want to talk bad about me, please do it when I’m not around!" (Mittor)
That would be talking behind your back. I wouldn't do such a cowardly thing. If I have something I don’t like about you, I will say it right to your face.
"Oh, it's quite lively here. What’s going on?" (Ron)
"Village Chief, do you need something?" (Nia)
Nia came out of the kitchen, and at the same time, Ron entered through the entrance. The talk then started after all relevant people had gathered and the following was decided:
- When the elves are coming to this village for trading purpose, they will be able to stay at the inn for free, including three free meals. If they want seconds, they will be charged separately. In this case, Mittor will have to pay it from the money he has earned so far. He was a little teary-eyed, but don't mind it.
- The elves will be provided with two rooms they can use freely. Merchants and adventurers sometimes pass through this village, but even at such a busy time, there would be at least two rooms vacant, so it doesn't seem to be a problem.
- Because their beetles will not fit in the stable, it was decided that they will put them near the field. Just be careful not to approach a certain part of the field as the war is raging there.
"By the way, everyone, is there anything that you can't eat?" (Nia)
Something the elves can't eat? Maybe meat.
"I’m good, but how about you guys? Do you not eat meat?" (Mittor)
When Mittor asked, the other elves replied that they had no problem with meat.
"Is that so? Then, let's make meat as the main ingredient for today's menu." (Nia)
Nia went back to the kitchen to make a preparation.
"Let me tell you, Nia's cooking is on a different dimension. If you let your guard down, you won't be able to stop asking for seconds. Be careful!" (Fell)
"That's only you, Fell! But yeah, I'm looking forward to it." (Mittor)
The other elves were smiling at me for some reason.
The elves' cooking is delicious, but Nia's cooking is even more delicious. You should tremble in fear before her skill.
Via came back when I was thinking about such a thing.
"Village Chief, I have told everyone in the village. They are gathering in the village square now." (Via)
"Mittor-dono, everything seems to be ready." (Village Chief)
"Got it. Let's get go, guys." (Mittor)
The elves nodded and then everyone headed for the village square.
What should I do? I won't refuse free food, but it's supposed to be free sample for everyone who have never eaten them. I guess I will only watch this time.
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In the village square, everyone was eating the fruits brought by the elves with a smile on their faces.
"Apples are delicious. Now I understand why Fell wouldn't share it with me."
"Peaches are delicious, too. I have expected it because Fell-chan was eating them while smiling at Via-chan's store before." (Via)
"So this is what jam tastes like. I saw Fell put some on bread before, but she refused to give me a bite."
"Apple juice is supreme. Fell Nee-chan who keep it to herself in unfair. God's punishment will be upon her." (Anri)
Stop quoting my name every time! Those were mine in the first place.
"Fell, you...." (Mittor)
Don't look at me like I'm some stingy woman. Food is very important to us demons. It's not like I'm a glutton, alright?
Everyone was having a good time. I wanted to eat what was left, but there was nothing left.
I will write down this sadness and anger in my diary later.
The elves and the villagers made various deals after that. There was no honey or wine, so something called sugar was the object of barter this time. Most of the food-related items were only available at Nia's place, but it seemed that each family had some stock of sugar in their houses. There were no jewels, but wooden ornaments were popular with the elves.
Speaking of accessories, I thought they should be made of metal, but the elves seem to accept wooden accessories as well. I am scared of the eyes of female elves who are in the middle of scrutinizing a bird and a flower wooden hairpins.
Mittor seems to have bought a carved wooden bear from Ron. He said something like the best part is how the bear holds a fish in its mouth, which I don't quite understand. There's only one, so the other male elves looks disappointed. I'm starting to wonder about their aesthetic sense.
It seems that a considerable number of Via's magic tools has been bartered as well. There's a looming threat from the Ruhara Empire and the elves said something about about upgrading their weapons. Preparation is certainly important. The war starts even before it begins. That’s what the book told me.
I don't have anything to barter this time. In other words, my apple stockpile haven't increased at all. I have no choice but to buy it from Nia or Via later.
By the time the sun went down, all transactions have been concluded. Everyone left the village square with a smile on their faces.
Is this what they call a win-win? I feel like I'm losing, though.
When I returned to the inn, it was already like a banquet hall.
Maybe they want to throw some kind of welcoming party for the elves? Nah, they just want to gather and make noise like usual.
The elves were a little perplexed, but since Mittor casually blended in with the other villagers, they also joined in the end.
"Thanks for waiting! Today's dinner is a hamburger steak. I think even elves can eant it without any problem." (Nia)
A hamburger steak? If I remember it correctly, it's a strange dish in which the meat is cut into fine pieces, but then put together again before grilling it. I've heard of it before, but this will be my first time eating it.
Mittor was observing the hamburger steak from various angles. Meanwhile, the other elves who were new to meat, were taking a wait-and-see approach.
Maybe it's also his first time seeing a hamburger steak? I guess I have to take the lead here. Besides, Nia's cooking has never disappointed me. There's no need to be vigilant.
"Let's dig in." (Fell)
I cut a bite size of hamburger steak and brought it into my mouth. For a moment, my consciousness flew away from me.
This is ridiculous! It's so soft it literally melts in my mouth. The meat, the fat, and some kind of creamy substance mix together in my mouth, creating a perfect harmony. I feel like it's a waste swallow it. However, that happy time will eventually come to an end. You need to swallow your food, after all. If there is a beginning, there is an end. Nia's cooking always teaches me important lessons in life.
"You ate it for the first time, right? I can tell it was delicious from your expression, but what does it taste like?" (Mittor)
"It tastes like death for the living." (Fell)
"What kind of taste is that!? You said weird things sometimes, Fell." (Mittor)
That's rude! But alright, I will make it simple so he can understand.
"To put it simply for you guys, it's like melting meat. However, that's not all. There's something lurking in the meat.... That's right, it's like a Trojan Horse. Be careful! If you let your guard down, it will take your consciousness in an instant." (Fell)
After hearing my explanation, Mittor cut his hamburger steak in half.
He decided to scout his opponent first, huh. That's a clever move.
From the cut, I saw a yellowish thick substance oozed out to the plate.
Ah, I got it! It's what they call cheese, right? It's a processed food made of milk that takes a lot of time and effort to make. Milk is so versatile. Cows are great.
The elves looked at each other before finally took a bite of their hamburger steak. Then everyone suddenly stopped moving.
I understand. I understand your feeling. Some of the elves are crying a little. I understand that, too.
The elves finished the rest of their hamburger steaks and silently handed their empty plates to Yato --- a request for another helping. Yato nodded without saying anything and then went into the kitchen.
"The food here is amazing! I've eaten various human food until now, but they all are pale in comparison!" (Mittor)
"Of course! I've told you that Nia's cooking in on a different dimension, didn't I? You will definitely become addicted." (Fell)
"I don't know why you look so smug, but it sure tastes like something to brag about." (Mittor)
After a while, Yato came back with another serving of hamburger steak.
She only carries one plate, but the rest are probably stored in her subspace. That's clever.
"Oh, it’s finally here!" (Mittor)
When Mittor was about to accept the plate from Yato, she held out her palm towards him.
"It’s twenty-five big copper coins, ~nya." (Yato)
That's right, refills are not free.
In the end, Mittor paid the bill with tears in his eyes. Having finished their second hamburger steaks, the elves wanted to order it again, but Mittor seemed to have no more money left because he just bought a bear sculpture from Ron. Afterwards, we broke up and went to our respective rooms.
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Speaking of which, I don't know what happened to the minotaurs after that because I was busy dealing with the elves. I don't think they will cause any trouble, but let's check on them tomorrow just in case. That’s right, I have to tell Mittor about the beetle's business plan, too. The old man priest said that he was going to contact Leanne town to talk about the escort job tomorrow. I will visit him to hear the result later in the afternoon. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.
Alright, let's write a diary before going to bed. I want to write about Maou-sama, but lately my diary has only been about food. I'm starting to feel that maybe I should mix some fiction in it. Even if I write a lot of unreasonable things, I feel that it is not impossible for Maou-sama.