04 The Reward 4 months since the summoning.
The herbal research inst.i.tute has been expanded.
On that day, because the potions from the research inst.i.tute saved many from the 3rd Knight Order, a special reward was bestowed from the royal palace.
In particular, it seems the person who I made to drink the high grade HP potion is the 3rd Knight Order’s commander and also the margrave’s well-bred 3rd son.
Additionally my potions, which couldn’t be sold wholesale to the shops because of their efficiency, were sold to the 3rd Knight Order.
Thanks to that, the budget of the research inst.i.tute has become abundant.
Because the chief asked if there was anything I wanted, when I answered a bath and kitchen half-jokingly, a bath and kitchen were really added to the research inst.i.tute.
The kitchen can be said to be a large kitchen, and next to it is the dining hall which can fit all of the researchers.
Furthermore, with the cook.
Shortly after the research inst.i.tute’s exclusive dining hall was complete, it became popular with everyone.
Up until now I went to the dining hall exclusive for employees in the royal palace, but it’s far you know.
The hikikomori (shut-in) researchers were overjoyed.
Although, there is another reason why I requested for a kitchen.
After all, the cuisine level of this world is low.
Or, should I say, there is a lot of raw tasting material left intact in the cooking.
The taste might be masked with salt and vinegar, but it’s unpalatable.
Although I went to the royal palace’s employee dining hall to eat, it was a really harsh experience.
Because of the distasteful flavors, I was able to diet without antic.i.p.ating it.
Although I didn’t mind it so far but, since I was summoned into this world, I am strongly aware that I’m picky about j.a.panese food.
That’s why, although I’m not that great at cooking, based on the idea that surely what I make would be better I wanted a kitchen.
I even went through great pains to get the cook together with me, and I was allowed to make my own share when it wasn’t busy.
Fortunately, because this cook is a gentle person, without any disgruntle, he had let me use one section of the kitchen.
However, when I was in the middle of cooking, he had a frightful “gun” look (staring intensively).
Apparently, he is a person with very high ambitions.
Because he wanted to have a taste, when I said “please do, please do,” he ended up eating one serving.
After eating a mouthful and becoming senile, he kept eating in silence.
Because he wanted me to teach him by all means, since then, I have taught him the recipe every time I make a new dish.
The result is something to the degree of the dining hall for the royal palace employees being no match for the research inst.i.tute’s dining hall’s delicious growth.
If it has become delicious to this extent, it’s fine even if I don’t make it myself but, since the cook bows his head asking me to teach him new recipes, recently I cook for myself once a week and the cook also behaves.
「Sei.」
In the middle of those feelings, today while I’m teaching a new recipe in the kitchen and making a sandwich together with cook-san, Jude comes over.
「What is it?」
「There is a message from the chief, he wants you to deliver this doc.u.ment to the 3rd Knight Order’s barracks.」
「Right now I’m in the middle of doing something so can Jude go for me?」
「Well, for some reason he wants Sei to deliver it, is what I was told…」
「What is it I wonder? Right now? Since there’s just a little bit more before I finish making this, can I do it afterward?」
「If it’s just a little bit more then isn’t it fine?」
「Understood. I just need to go to the 3rd Knight Order’s barracks right?」
「Ah, please bring it to the commander’s office.」
「Got it.」
I arrive at the office of the 3rd Knight’s commander, and when I ask the member who is standing on the side to relay, I am lead inside immediately.
Apparently there have been talks pa.s.sed through from the chief.
As I enter, in front of the splendid office desk is a long suite, and there sits the chief and one more person.
Is he the commander?
「Sorry to keep you waiting.」
「No, I’m saved. Thank you.」
「Then, I will return now.」
「Wait a second.」
When I pa.s.s the doc.u.ment to the chief, he thanks me while smiling.
As I turn around to leave the room because my business is finished, I am stopped by the chief.
While I’m thinking, what is it, and look at the chief, I am urged to sit down next to him.
Why?
As I catch a glimpse of the other person who might be the owner of the room, I am also urged to sit down by him.
While I reluctantly sit next to the chief, the chief speaks to him.
「She is Sei.」
「I see, so it’s you. I’m the commander of the 3rd Knight Order, Alberto Hawk (Aruberuto Hoku アルベルト・ホーク).」
「Nice to meet you, I’m Sei.」
I do not say my family name.
It is only the n.o.bles who have a family name in this world, and I am not a n.o.ble.
When I was a.s.signed to the research inst.i.tute, I was taught this when I first introduced my name to the chief.
In this country where family names are unfamiliar, because I would be pried at by those around if I poorly gave away my name and it would become troublesome, since then, I have decided not to give away my full name.
And, the other man is the commander after all.
I sit diagonally in front of him, and take a look again.
There are some wrinkles on the handsome man with fair blond hair and blue grey eyes that give out a cold feeling.
Is he around the same age as the chief?
Only, because he became a knight, he has a better physique than the chief.
Well, but the chief is pretty huge too.
How should I say this… the thickness of the muscle is different.
He could perhaps be the most favorite type I’ve met since coming to this kingdom.
「The case concerning the recent 3rd Knight Order expedition, do you remember it?」
「Expedition?」
「Hey, about the Salamander.」
「Ah.」
About the expedition in question brought up by the chief, although I don’t know what it is, I understand once the Salamander is mentioned.
「At the time, there was a guy who you made to drink the high grade HP potion.」
「Yes.」
「It’s him.」
At the time, there was only one person who was severely wounded that I made to drink the high grade HP potion.
The burn was dreadful, and because it was hard to look at the face, I didn’t remember any of the features. But, if I’m not mistaken, I remember the knight who was on the side did say commander.
I see, so he’s the person who nearly died at the time.
After drinking the potion, the burned skin peeled off but now it has completely recovered as if there were no burn at all.
To completely recover to this extent, I think the potion of this other world is really excellent.
In this situation, perhaps something like wounds other than the burn might be completely healed as well.
Although I want to see the efficiency of the potion, indeed it is impossible to ask him to take off his clothes for me to see isn’t it.
「Thanks, I was saved by you.」
「It’s nothing…」
c.r.a.p.
I want to look at the progress but, maybe because I’m staring at his face, the commander’s face blushes slightly.
The figure of an embarra.s.sed handsome guy is something with such strong destructive power. When I reply with a generic response while my heart is fluttering, I can hear the sound of light laughter nearby.
When I turn to the side thinking, what is it? there is someone putting a hand on his mouth enduring the laughter.
「Chief?」
「No, it’s nothing. Ah yes, do you want the ingredients for the high grade HP potion?」
「Yes. But they can’t be gathered without going into the forest right?」
The meager amount of herbs for high grade HP potion cultivated in the herbal garden has been greatly reduced due to over exploitation.
For the sake of raising my Pharmacy skill level, I wanted to make potions fast but, unfortunately, the cultivation of herbs is difficult and I was forbidden by the chief to use them any further.
Because the herbs seems to grow naturally in the forests outside of the royal palace, everything is fine if I go there to gather them but in the forest there are demons, and collecting herbs is difficult with only a researcher.
「Right. If it’s nearby then they grow in the forest in the south. Why don’t you go and gather them for a while?」
「Chief, I want you to spare me from being attacked by the demons.」
「About that, it seems those 3rd Knight Order guys will protect you.」
「Huh?」
「It’s the reward for the potions from the other day apparently.」
The reward for the potions, is to be guarded while gathering herbs?
But…
「If it’s a reward, then I’ve already received it…」
I received the special reward from the royal palace and the reward from the margrave household too.
If there’s more, then I feel like it’s too much.
「It seem commander-dono wants to pa.s.s it personally.」
「Oi!」
When the chief says it while grinning, commander-san becomes panicky and stops him.
But it’s too late.
However, is it fine to move the Knight Order for personal grat.i.tude?
When I cast a glance at the commander, conveying my intention, he clears his throat and explains awkwardly.
「Originally, we were scheduled to go to the forest in the south for subjugation. Incidentally, it somehow became this kind of talk.」
「Is that so.」
There was originally a schedule, wasn’t there?
If so, then I wonder if there is any problem.
Though I certainly want the herbs for a high grade HP potion.
「If I do not trouble you then, please.」
As I lower my head, the commander nods as if saying there is no problem.
After that, we talk about practical business like when the expedition starts, and it becomes evening without me noticing.