Chapter 17

I washed my hands thoroughly, put on my apron, and stood before Yoshioka.

“Chef Yoshioka, preparations are complete.”

“Then let us begin preparing dinner.”

Since the gourmet Yoshioka was far better at cooking, it was decided that we would work under his lead.

“Today’s main dish will be Yakitori. It’s a Japanese dish that tends to be relatively well-received by foreigners, so it’s a safe choice to serve Clara-sama. We’ll prepare two types of seasoning: salt and tare.”

That made sense. We still didn’t know much about Clara-sama’s specific food preferences. It was a solid, safe menu choice.

“For the vegetables, let’s use the pickled cabbage, carrots, and onions that Jutta-san packed for us.”

Apparently, sautéing pickled cabbage in butter is one of the common ways to eat it in this country. We decided to glaze the carrots and sauté the onions along with the cabbage.

“Senpai, please tend the fire and get some embers going. I’ll handle the meat prep in the meantime.”

While I was stoking the wood fire, Yoshioka used Water Magic to give the chicken a thorough washing. Apparently, doing that removes the gaminess from the meat.

“As expected, a noble’s cooking is quite meticulous, isn’t it?”

One of the adventurers watched Yoshioka with folded arms, looking impressed. In this world, it seemed common women didn’t wear bras. When she crossed her arms, her ample chest beneath her clothes began to make a massive statement. A deep cleavage peeked out from her neckline.

If I recalled correctly, this was Petra-san. She was supposedly the eldest member of the party.

“That guy is incredibly fastidious when he gets into something. His cooking is delicious, though.”

“Heh. I don’t know what kind of food you’re having, but I’m certainly interested.”

Petra-san gave the corner of her lips a little lick. This was dangerous. Every single one of her gestures was erotic, and I had a feeling she was doing it on purpose. It had been three months since I’d had any action, so my eyes kept drifting to places they shouldn’t.

“It’s cold. Mind if I warm myself by the fire?”

“P-Please, go ahead.”

This woman was sticking remarkably close to me. Was she… hitting on me?

“It’s chilly today. On a day like this, you start craving the warmth of another person, don’t you?”

“I suppose…”

“Want to sleep with me tonight?”

A straight-up invitation!

Wait, what? Is this world sexually liberated?

“I’m already married, so…”

Petra-san had a plump, very provocative physique. But I didn’t want to betray Emi.

“Having a little fling in a place like this? Your wife would never find out.”

I forced a smile and tried to talk my way out of it seriously.

“Petra-san, you really are charming—so much so that it makes my head spin. But I just can’t bring myself to betray my wife.”

I thought I was being sincere, but Petra-san just started giggling.

“You’re quite the stiff one, aren’t you? Fine, then. But…”

Suddenly, Petra-san gave my crotch a quick stroke. A “Hyah!” escaped my lips before I could stop it.

“Seems you’re quite ‘stiff’ down here, too. That cuts your persuasion in half!”

Petra-san walked away, laughing loudly. She was basically a female version of a dirty old man. In this world, it wasn’t rare for women to be adventurers or soldiers. Accordingly, women held power, and it seemed normal for them to take the initiative in sexual matters. Perhaps a woman hitting on a man she just met wasn’t unusual here.

If Emi weren’t in the picture, I might have enjoyed a one-night stand with Petra-san…

The moment that thought crossed my mind, Clara-sama’s face flashed through my head. Yeah, I couldn’t exactly go doing something scandalous while Clara-sama was nearby. If I got caught, she might end up hating me.

Even if I was just an attendant, I wanted to be the best one I could be for Clara-sama.

“Senpai! Senpai, help me!!”

Yoshioka’s tragic scream echoed through the area. I looked over to see him locked in a firm hold by Petra-san, his head being buried into her massive cleavage.

I was actually a little jealous. You don’t get to see a pair like those every day.

“Petra! Stop playing around and help the others!”

The leader, Mel-san, barked a scolding at Petra-san, and Yoshioka was finally released.

“Sorry about that. Petra’s got a bit of a high sex drive,” Mel said as she approached me, lowering her voice.

“Could you pass a message to your master, Lady Clara Ansbach, in private? Just tell her Mercedes Heize wishes to see her.”

Ho. So Mel-san’s real name was Mercedes Heize. Maybe she was an old acquaintance of Clara-sama’s.

“I’ll go tell her right away.”

Leaving the cooking to Yoshioka, I hurried to Clara-sama’s room. I knocked and entered her private quarters.

“What is it, Kota?”

Clara-sama had already changed into her everyday clothes. Even so, she wasn’t wearing a skirt; true to her mindset of always being ready for the battlefield, she was in a pants-style outfit.

“There is someone requesting an audience with you, Lady Clara. A Lady Mercedes Heize.”

“What—Mercedes-dono is at this Temple? I shall see her. Show her in immediately.”

It seemed she was an important person to Clara-sama as well. When I entered the room with Mel-san in tow, Clara-sama stood up and took Mel-san’s hands.

“Has it been three years, Mercedes-dono? Have you been well?”

“That young girl has certainly grown into a fine woman. I hardly recognized you.”

“Please, stop that. I am already twenty years old.”

The two exchanged a light embrace and greetings. They seemed to be on very close terms. I quietly stepped out so as not to disturb them.

By the time I carried the finished dinner to Clara-sama’s room, Mel-san was already gone. Their talk had evidently concluded.

“Clara-sama, I’ve brought dinner.”

“Mm.”

I set the table and arranged the plates.

“Tonight we have Yakitori. This brown sauce is a taste from mine and Yoshioka’s homeland. The other is a simple salt seasoning.”

“It smells wonderful.”

“Please, just grab a skewer and dig in.”

I explained how to eat it while pouring her a glass of wine. It was Clara-sama’s habit to have one glass with dinner.

Wait? Her expression looked a bit more troubled than usual. Did something happen?

“Clara-sama, is something wrong?”

“Umu. Tonight, after everyone is asleep… I want you to come to my room.”

Eh? Does that mean… an invitation? I never expected Clara-sama to hit on me too…

“Ah! Not in that way! Bring Akito with you as well. There is something important we must discuss.”

Right. Of course. Man, that gave me a heart attack.

“Understood.”

I managed to hide my agitation and left the room. My heart was pounding more than I cared to admit. I’m no virgin, yet I was surprised at how much that rattled me.

When I returned to the communal room, the Yakitori on the plates was almost gone. It looked like Yoshioka had shared some with the ‘Silver Knife’ party.

“I’ve never had chicken this delicious!”

“I really like this ‘sauce’ stuff!”

“I’ll do something nice for you as a thank-you.”

“The salt ones are tasty too.”

I heard some strange comments in there, but I ignored them. That was definitely Petra-san.

“Yoshioka, Clara-sama said it was delicious too. She seemed to like the sauce version.”

“Got it. Then maybe we can try Teriyaki next time.”

Soy-based BBQ sauces usually go over well with foreigners, after all. Soy sauce would probably work as a secret ingredient for steaks, too. Having finished my report to the chef, I started eating before the Yakitori vanished.

There were no lights in the communal room; only the red flicker of the fireplace illuminated the space. With nine people inside, it felt warmer than usual.

Once the Temple grew quiet, we sat up. As we opened the door as quietly as possible, Mel-san also rose.

“I’m coming too,” she whispered shortly, stepping out into the hallway.

It seemed this was a conversation that concerned her as well. The three of us moved through the silent Temple corridor, holding our breath.