Support the translator on
After leaving the school with Miguel, but feeling somewhat unrefreshed, I turned to the market in Ibouro.
The purpose was to buy a pot to cook rice.
If we were to cook rice for all of Chariot, I would need a very large pot.
The huge physiques of Laius and Gad mean that they could eat a lot of rice.
If I were to cook rice for every meal, the rice I bought would run out quickly, and stocking up the rice would be a chore.
For now, I decided to shelve the pots for everyone and buy my own pot.
“Of course, I also need a bowl, chopsticks, and a rice ladle, but I wonder if they sell those?” (Nyango)
In the market, I can find not only tableware, but also food, spices, dry goods, clothes, shoes, bags, tools, weapons, and just about everything else necessary for daily life.
In Japan, it is like Tsukiji’s outside market or Ameyoko. [T/N: They are street markets.]
My first stop was a pottery store, where I looked for a bowl that could be used as a tea cup.
In Ibouro, there is no rice culture like in Japan, so there are no rice bowls.
I bought three bowls that were more like salad bowls than tea bowls but could be used as tea bowls for the time being.
The three bowls I bought were one for me, one for my brother, and one for the other members of the group, so that they could try them on some plates for the time being and then eat them on their favorite dishes.
At the pottery store, there was also a reasonably sized earthenware pot for cooking rice, so I bought this as well and had it wrapped in a cloth and put it in my backpack with the bowls.
I looked in a nearby cookware store and found a wooden spatula on sale, so I bought one to use as a rice scoop, but they didn’t seem to sell chopsticks.
When they cook, they use things like the wooden spatulas I just bought, spatulas, or forks, so they don’t even have chopsticks for sale.
I took a moment to think about it and went to the edge of the market.
Around this area are stores that sell small building materials, such as bricks for building hearths and baking pits, and planks for making shelves for stores.
When I looked into a lumber store, I found what I was looking for.
They had scraps of lumber in a box at the front of the store, which I was allowed to take free of charge for the fire.
I picked out a piece of lumber that looked firm and tight and asked the shopkeeper to give it to me.
When I get back to the base, I will chop them and make chopsticks.
I think I can make good chopsticks.
“Okay, pots! Bowls, okay! Chopsticks… I can make it, okay! All that’s left is… a side dish for the rice.” (Nyango)
I turned my attention to a corner selling dry goods, and the first thing I picked out was sesame seeds.
I have salt, so I’m going to make sesame salt.
There are many different types of sesame sold in this world, including black sesame, white sesame, and golden sesame.
“Hello, I’d like some sesame seeds.” (Nyango)
“What will you use them for?” (Weaselkin)
The weaselkin shop owner, who seemed to have some free time, kindly helped me choose sesame seeds.
“I’d like to add some flavor to the food by sprinkling it on top of it.” (Nyango)
“If you want to add flavor… this golden sesame, I can recommend for its aroma when it is roasted, and this black sesame for its strong flavor.” (Weaselkin)
“Is it okay to roast black sesame seeds?” (Nyango)
“No, roasting black sesame seeds is fine… In fact, the aroma and taste will be better if you roast them.” (Weaselkin)
“Then, give me black sesame.” (Nyango)
“Here, come back again!” (Weaselkin)
After buying some black sesame seeds, I was walking around looking at the rows of shops and came across a shop selling dried seafood.
Dried fish is not the semi-raw type, like bonito [T/N: The fishy papery things on top of Takoyaki.], but dried fish that has been dried until it is stiff like wood.
There are various types of dried fish on sale, including large, small, round, and long, but I can’t tell the difference.
As I was wondering which one was better, the otterkin owner came out from the back of the store.
“Welcome, what are you looking for?” (Otterkin)
“Well, which one tastes best if you just serve it as it is?” (Nyango)
“Do you want to just eat it up as it is? Not even put it in the fire?” (Otterkin)
“Yes, I thought it would be easier if I could eat it even without fire when I’m traveling.” (Nyango)
“Hmm… to eat it as is. They would be delicious if I roasted even a little, or used for soup stock… so, wouldn’t scallops be better if you want to eat them as is, although it would be a little more expensive, is that alright?” (Otterkin)
“Meow, scallops?” (Nyango)
The owner beckoned me into the back of the store, where I found dried scallops of various sizes.
“They cost twice or three times as much as fish, but they are delicious both as they are or after being rehydrated.” (Otterkin)
“Then, please give me some of this medium-sized one.” (Nyango)
“Got it!” (Otterkin)
“Oh, and that baby octopus too…” (Nyango)
“Got it!” (Otterkin)
After that, I bought some beans similar to almonds and finished my shopping in the dry goods area.
The next stop was the fresh fish area.
“W-what should I do meow?!” (Nyango)
Various kinds of fish were also displayed at the fish store.
Owners of restaurants and taverns also come to the market to buy fish, so there are large fish stocked there as well.
As I walked around the market, wondering whether I should choose a grilled fish with its head, a meuniere with large round slices, or a fried fish, I came across something that looked like a swordfish.
“Uncle, what is this?” (Nyango)
“Or that’s Polarikke roe. It’s salty, but rich and delicious. It’s the perfect accompaniment to alcohol.” (Tigerkin)
“Meyes, I’ll buy it! Give me this, and a slice of polarikke too.” (Nyango)
“Here you go, come again!” (Tigerkin)
The Tigerkin fishmonger quickly wrapped the fillet and salted fish in wooden wrappers.
This concludes my shopping, or rather, I feel like I’ll end up buying a lot of food if I don’t cut off my shopping.
When I returned to our base, everyone in Chariot had still not returned.
A note was left on the table in the dining room, telling me that they would not be returning until tomorrow at the earliest.
So tonight, I would be alone, grilling polarikke fillet and eating rice with gusto.
First, I washed the earthenware pot I had bought and polished the rice.
The rice I bought had already been polished, but it seemed like there was a lot of rice bran left.
“Meow, meow, meow, meow…” (Nyango)
While watching the starchiness of the polished rice, I ran the water through the rice several times before soaking the rice so that it did not lose its flavor and retain its smell.
While the rice was soaking up the water, the lumber was processed into chopsticks using [Super Vibrating Blade].
Black sesame seeds were then toasted and mixed with crushed rock salt to make sesame salt.
Dried baby octopus and scallops, plus beans, would have to wait for tomorrow morning.
Skewer the fillet of polarikke and sprinkle them lightly with salt.
I separated the roe into small pieces and put them on a small plate.
“Then, shall I cook some rice?” (Nyango)
I placed the earthenware pot on the stove, checked the water level, and then created a fire magic circle using void magic.
“It should be high at first, then it’s low and slow… right?” (Nyango)
The amount of water and fire is something I’m honestly not sure how to control.
I remember cooking rice in elementary school cooking class, but at home, I just set the rice cooker to cook.
I might fail at first, but everything is an experience, for the sake of good good.
While putting the earthenware pot on the fire, I would also grill the polarikke fillet.
When it comes to grilling fish, I have no worries.
I have done this many, many times since I was in Atsuka village.
I cook the fish over a long fire so that it does not burn, but is still cooked through.
The biggest mission of the day is to make the skin especially crispy.
The earthenware pot makes a clunking sound, and steam leaks from between the lids.
I search for the right moment to turn off the heat, being careful not to let the steam spill out.
Tiny bubbles start to appear from the polarikke fillet as well, and a savory smell begins to waft through the air.
“Nyaa… I’m hungry…” (Nyango)
I listen carefully to the sound of the earthenware pot and keep an eye on the fillet, to see if they are cooked to perfection.
The smell of the rice cooking and the smell of the fillet cooking mixed together, and reminded me of Japan.
“I know I can’t go back, but… I want to go back.” (Nyango)
Judging from the sound and the amount of steam coming out, I decided that the rice was cooked and I removed the heat.
I would like to eat it as soon as possible, but I don’t take the lid off yet to let it steam slowly.
The polarikke fillet was cooked to a perfect perfection with both the flesh and skin lightly charred.
Arrange the fillet on a plate, add a small bowl of roe, and serve with rice.
When I put a cloth on top and took off the lid of the earthenware pot, steam rose up in a puff of steam.
“Meow… the smell of rice…” (Nyango)
Inside the earthenware pot, the rice glistened.
Before mixing it with a wet wooden spatula, I took an involuntary bite.
“Hot… Yummeow! Rice, yummeow!” (Nyango)
As one would expect from the selection of a rice shop that has a store in the second district of the Royal Capital, there is a lot to like about this rice.
The aroma, the texture, the taste… All of them are first-class products.
“Isn’t this as good as Sasanishiki [T/N Rice variety]? It’s amazing, the rice shop in the Royal Capital is amazing!” (Nyango)
After mixing the rice in the earthenware pot, I immediately put it in a bowl.
Of course, it was a big bowl of rice.
“Thank you for the food! First, the roe… Yummeow! It is salty, but exquisite when eaten with rice! Yummeow, yummeow, yummeow…” (Nyango)
Holding the bowl and holding chopsticks, I slowly stirred the rice into it.
This is it, it’s time to chowdown.
Oh no, I almost forgot about the salt-grilled polarikke.
“Yummeow! The skin is crispy, the flesh is soft, and the inside is juicy. I love grilled fish!” (Nyango)
The grilled fillet is lightly salted, and the flavor of the fish and the flavor of the rice mix together for a great experience.
“Mixing the meat with fluffy rice and putting roe on top of it…Yummeow! Polarikke oyakodon is so delicious!” (Nyango)
I ate a second helping of rice while letting out a cry that echoed through the base where there was no one but me.
T/N: If you like the series rate, review it, and add it to your reading list on Novel Updates. You can also donate through Paypal or Ko-fi or subscribe to Lazy Translations. Thank you!
Support the translator on lazytranslations.com