I’m Back in the Other World? Chapter 27

 Potential of Cooking

When I left the dining hall, a woman guided me back to my room.

Since there wasn’t anything to do after returning to my room, I put away my extra clothing that I left out to dry, the usual maid-san (it seems she’s my personal attendant) carried over the tea utensils, and pa.s.sed me some tea.

Since there’s still an hour before lunch, although it’s probably too late, I ask the maid-san for her name.

「Ano, although this is a bit late, is it alright if I hear your name? Ah, I’m Sakura Fujino.」

「So it’s Sakura Fujino-sama. I am called Chiffon Isa Shbein. Please do just call me Chiffon.」

So says the maid-san as she bows. Chiffon-san, is it good to call her that I wonder?

「Chiffon-san, please just call me Sakura. Also, if it’s possible, I would be happy if you could talk to me normally.」

It doesn’t feel right when an elder talks to me in polite speech.

「Well then, Sakura-sama. However, I should not speak informally towards a guest of the Royal Family.」

「I’d like it if you were to stop with the『-sama』though… I’m not great enough to be called that way1. Perhaps it can’t be helped if you speak like that in front of others, though I’m being treated as a guest, I’m merely a commoner. I can’t calm down if you speak like that…」

I think at least within this room.

「I understand. Let me have a little while to correct myself. But I’ll still call you Sakura-sama, ne?」

Chiffon-san relaxes a little and smiles.

「However, it’s only fair that Sakura-sama also speaks normally you know?」

「This is my normal way of speaking… I’m sorry.」

Somehow or another, I end up apologising.

With an araara, Chiffon-san expresses a smile. (araara is something like oh my, oh my)

What’s this? After Chiffon-san changed her way of talking, somehow it’s difficult to oppose her aura.

Although I’m not completely satisfied, I think we’ve opened up to each other more or less, I kill some time together with Chiffon-san until lunch.

What I understand from talking with Chiffon-san.

According to Chiffon-san’s name, she’s 19 years old and the eldest daughter of a n.o.ble. Currently she’s learning about etiquette by working in the castle as a maid. And her Shbein family is a Marquis family, it seems she’s the fiancée of a knight and will be working here until she gets married.

The n.o.ble’s court rank, from top to bottom are 「Duke」, 「Marquis」, 「Count」, 「Viscount」, 「Baron」 then 「Quasi-Baron」, 「Duke」’s are similar to the Royal Family’s branch family. Essentially, 「Marquis」 is the highest rank for pure n.o.bles.

「Quasi-Baron」 is a t.i.tle given to individuals that earn special achievements, they receive the same treatment as a n.o.ble but it limited to a single generation. Just like a knight’s rank, a n.o.ble’s t.i.tle is handled the same way.2

The basics of marriage in the Sobule Kingdom, it’s usually separated between the n.o.bles and the commoners but, marriages between a n.o.ble and a commoner isn’t that rare. Actually, it’s been said there’s a custom for royalty and commoners to be married.

Once you’re of age you can look for a partner3, generally a marriageable age for a female is around 18 to 22 years of age, once they pa.s.s 25 years old, it seems they’ll be referred to as yomekiokure. (a woman who has missed the chance to get married)

Chiffon-san has 4 little sisters and brothers
in total4.

It appears that when I experienced an「unopposable aura」was because of this, in other words it was because of her「onee-san」position it seems.

After inquiring, it appears that the youngest (8 years old) sister gives off the same impression as me when she stands on her tiptoes to make herself taller.

Because of my claim that I was 15 years old surprised her, I explained, as per habit. Somehow I’ve gotten used to arguing back and forth.

After chatting about (?), in the blink of an eye it was time for lunch, Chiffon-san carried over the meal. (?) in the raws

Today’s lunch is the usual brown bread with corn soup and cheese, chicken sauté and vegetables.

This vegetable… could these be pickles? I bring it close to my face and it has an acidic smell.

With the exception of the brown bread and chicken meat, it’s the first time seeing these since coming to this world.

If it’s general foods, my previous life’s memory should have it. However, since coming to this world, every meal tasted salty and ordinary, after recognizing that I stopped questioning it.

Feeling that it’s strange, I investigate my previous life’s memory and…

I understand, it appears cheese and b.u.t.ter, wine and vinegar and the like, are luxury items and seasonings.

In my previous life, other than luxury grocery items (alcohol, crisps, things consumed for taste rather than nourishment), I was mostly ignorant to things related to seasonings, never cooked for myself, the standard for meals was to eat out it seems.

Nevertheless when it came to cheese and b.u.t.ter, like my previous investigation「Information closely related to Lyle Dist’s life will immediately come to mind.」, seems to have been correct so it wasn’t strange it immediately popped up in my mind.

Then why is it that information related to my meals haven’t appeared…

My eating habits in j.a.pan have left too deep of an impression on me, because the cuisines in this world are way behind, it’s been sealed into the depths of my memory.

Perhaps it’s necessary to re-investigate this world’s ingredients and seasonings.

Since major ingredients are mostly the same from my knowledge and j.a.pan, I’ll recognise the herbs and spices. With the exception of seasonings such as salt and sugar, I’m unclear about the others.

Luxury items, alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer, side dishes such as cheese, and honey are what I’ve found.

The only beverages are alcohol, goat’s milk, herb tea and water. There doesn’t seem to be any cow’s milk. I have no knowledge on beef either.

Usually, salt is the standard flavour in cuisines, besides that there’s pepper and a certain type of herb, it appears vinegar is only used to preserve ingredients5.

It’ll be good to re-examine the seasonings from the market once more.

While enjoying the sensation of the fresh flavours after finishing lunch, the time is probably half past 12.

I have confidence in my biological clock so it shouldn’t be off by too much.

I’m expecting the King to be calling for me for in a short while.

In order to leave whenever I start to gather my baggage

After putting away a bit of my baggage, the call had arrived.

In order to head out to town as I am, I take my baggage and leave the room.

Different from this morning, this time it seems Chiffon-san will be accompanying.

The guide this time is a butler-san

Following the butler-san, we enter a room on the third floor, could this be the King’s office?

Sitting on a gorgeous sofa were the 4 members from this morning’s conversation, standing on the side is a knight who I don’t know.

「Come sit on an empty spot.」

Prompted by the King to an empty spot on the sofa, Chiffon-san stood behind me as I sat down next to the Prince, the butler-san who guided us here stood behind the King.

「To start off with what we talked about this morning, regarding what you wanted for your reward.」

As the King said so, the butler-san came over to me and handed me a rucksack and a pouch.

「These are what we considered necessary for your journey. Area expansion and lightweight glyphs have been applied on the two. There’s a cloak within the backpack, within the pouch there is an illumination magic tool and a cleaning・drying magic tool, ignition magic tool and a water collection magic tool, in addition there’s also a boundary magic tool.」 (boundary = kekkai結界)

Like the name suggests, the illumination magic tool is a magic tool that lights up the surrounding. The light has the range of a lantern.

The cleaning・drying magic tool has been explained earlier, it’s the「Bidet」magic tool.

The ignition magic tool is essentially a lighter.

The water collection magic tool is a tool which collects moisture from the atmosphere and then gathers at the base of the magic tool. Water can be secured if it’s used above a pot or water pouch.

The boundary magic tool spreads out a simple barrier which wards off beasts and low level magic beasts.

Any magic tool can make travelling considerably more convenient.

While confirming each of the contents within, a thin piece of gold was included.

「Ano, is this thin piece of gold supposed to be included?」

「That’s a personal gift from me. It’s from my own pocket money. A registration fee is needed to become an adventurer and you’ll also need a weapon right? Keep it.」

Eh? It costs money to register as an adventurer? It’s my first time hearing of it.

However if that’s the case… Although I want to return it, it should be fine to hold onto it, it would be a shame to waste his good will.

I’m not upset about choosing a weapon and the registration fee you know?6

「I understand, thank you.」

I lower my head lightly while smiling a little.

When I raised my head, the Prince who is sitting next me looks at me astonishingly.

Is it that much of a surprise for me to obediently receive it?

When I look at the Prince suspiciously, the Prince swiftly faces away from me.

That’s somewhat creepy, isn’t it?

「Next up is regarding the inn, it’s an inn on the main street named『Migratory Bird』. From what I’ve heard it’s a middle cla.s.s inn, the price is reasonable and it seems it has a good reputation. I’ll have Leirick guide you over. That’s Leirick.」

I look over to see a knight standing by the wall.

The knight (Leirick-san) faced this way and bowed his head.

「Finally, regarding Sodom Caral Balshnia, we’ve been contacted that he has been restrained in his residence a short while ago. It’s okay to leave the castle now.」

He’s been arrested huh. With that there’s no problem if I head out to town.

I should be able to register as an adventurer and purchase some supplies before the day is over.

「Really? Then after this there won’t be any problems if I leave for town right?」

「Umu, I’ll have Leirick guide you to the inn and the guild.」

Which reminds me, I don’t even know where the adventurer’s guild is.

「That would help. Well then, can I depart immediately?」

「Mm, ah, that’s right. After this the Prime Minister and I have something to discuss, I won’t be able to see you off…」

「No, I don’t mind. Just receiving your feelings is enough7.」

Saying so, I stand up and carry the rucksack and the pouch.

「Well then I’ll be leaving. Thank you for taking care of me.」

I say my thanks and bow my head.

When I head over towards the door, Leirick-san, Chiffon-san, Len-san and the Prince too, followed along.

It seems they’re seeing me off.

I say my thanks to Chiffon-san while walking down the long corridor, heading towards the castle gates.

After arriving at the castle gates, Reirick-san and I face Chiffon-san, the Prince and Len-san.

「Well then, be careful. Let’s meet again.」

「Please take care.」

「If you have any problems you need to talk about, please visit us anytime.」

Says the Prince, Len-san and Chiffon-san in order.

「Yes, thank you very much. If there’s an opportunity later. Well then, I’ll be heading out.」

I bow my head after finishing our farewells, I turn my back towards the Prince and the others and start walking with Leirick-san.

It seems on the third day of arriving in Alselia, my new life finally begins.

While pondering over my future life as an adventurer, I head towards the town.8

As the Prince sees them off,

「When there’s an opportunity, huh? Perhaps I’ll take that opportunity instantly.」

With the wind drowning out his mutterings, it never reached my ear.