“Yes. Yes, that’s right. Is that strange?” [Ryouma]
“I envy you…” [Gordon]
“I envy you so much~” [Pioro]
“Tekun-sama’s divine protection is an object of envy among all dwarves. Especially, his divine protection as a God of Wine.” [Gordon]
“You prefer that over his divine protection as the God of Crafts?” [Ryouma]
“Well, I’m an adventurer, so getting good at smithing is a matter of course… Besides, any blacksmith worth his salt wouldn’t rely on some divine protection to get good. Skill is something you train and acquire with your own strength.
Compared to that, any dwarf would want good liquor, which is why the God of Wine’s divine protection is generally more sought after. And chancing upon good wine is partly just luck. That’s where Tekun’s divine protection comes in.” [Gordon]
Makes sense, Ryouma thought, then Pioro continued.
“I see… I can understand why you’d be envious then, but what about Pioro-san? Do you love to drink too?” [Ryouma]
“I don’t hate it, but in my case, it’s more because I’m a merchant. I haven’t told you this yet, but my business actually deals with food goods. So, the reason I envy you is because if I had that divine protection I would have an easier time finding good liquor.” [Pioro]
“Oh, I see.” [Ryouma]
While Ryouma was talking with them, Wereanna interjected.
“Ryouma.” [Wereanna]
“What is it?” [Ryouma]
“Seconds!” [Wereanna]
“That’s quick! Did you empty your plate already!?” [Ryouma]
“Ryouma, me too.” [Jeff]
“Me three.” [Hyuzu]
“Me four.” [Wogan]
“Jeff-san, Hyuzu, and even you too, guild master Wogan? Everyone sure eats fast.” [Ryouma]
“That’s cause your cooking is so good. It’s my first time eating something so good.” [Wereanna]
“Really? Saying that sure makes me feel glad cooking it, though…” [Ryouma]
“I agree with the lass. My jaws aren’t as strong as they used to be, so the meat that comes from the butcher are usually too tough to chew. But both this pasta’s meat and the steak is so soft. For the first time in a while, I’m actually able to eat meat properly. I’m glad I came today.” [Grisiera]
“Glad to hear. Please eat your fill.” [Ryouma]
As Ryouma said that, he left to get them a second serving, but when he came back, this time Mizelia, Miya, Reinhart, and Asagi asked for their second serving.
“Reinhart-san, you enjoyed it too?” [Ryouma]
“Ha ha, I doubt there’s a soul in the world who wouldn’t fall in love with your cooking.” [Reinhart}
“Really? I thought for sure fancier food would be expected of in parties… What’s the matter?” [Ryouma]
The moment Ryouma said that, a glint flashed across Reinhart’s eyes.
“Ryoumkun, let me tell you something.” [Reinhart]
“Y-Yes.” [Ryouma]
“High-class food aren’t all delicious.” [Reinhart]
When it comes to parties among nobles, the splendor and uniqueness of the food matter more than taste, Reinhart said.
“After all, there are all sorts of preferences when it comes to taste… If one were serving to one or two people, then naturally one should cater toward their tastes, but given a multitude of people, that becomes unfeasible, and the odds of earning another person’s petty displeasure only increases.
Which is why nobles have turned to preparing food with luxurious ingredients that are difficult to procure as a sign of good will. It’s the safe way to do things, and it has been practiced for a long time now.” [Reinhart]
“Because of that there are a lot of food that seem over spiced.” [Elize]
“The chefs might be the cooks, but it’s the nobles who decides what they cook. Of course, the food they serve are still edible, but they’re rarely the sort you’d be thinking of eating. They don’t taste bad, but at my age, they’re a bit… heavy. On that point, your cooking is just right, Ryouma.” [Reinbach]
“Ryoumsan, I feel like I can eat your food with my heart at ease.” [Elialia]
“Well, I’m glad you’ve all enjoyed the food. I’ll be bringing the dessert next, so please prepare yourselves~” [Ryouma]
Ryouma still had his questions regarding sacrificing taste for higher quality ingredients, but since that’s what the four members of the Jamil Household said, he figured that’s just how the nobles do things and left it at that.
“Pwaah… I’m done, nyaa… I can’t eat anymore, nyaa… I’m so happy I came today, nyaa…” [Miya]
“Glad to hear it. Still, everyone sure ate a lot today. Especially, you, Jeff-san. Where do you put all that?” [Ryouma]
“Hah? If I feel like it, I could still eat more. I have the Food Stuffer skill, you see.” [Jeff]
“The Food Stuffing Skill?”
“Never heard of it? It allows its user to eat a lot in one sitting and not have to eat for the next few days. When I was just starting my adventurer career, I used most of my earnings in food, and after eating a lot in one sitting several times, I naturally learned the skill.” [Jeff]
“That Food Stuffing Skill is one of Jeff’s many resist class skills that he learned while living in the slums. That’s why he’s a lot sturdier than your usual adventurer, and can do one job after another, nyaa. That’s why he’s famous, nyaa.” [Miya]
“Jeff-san sure is amazing.” [Ryouma]
“Things just ended up like that after picking out more worthwhile jobs. I’m not really amazing or anything. If anything, I’d say you’re the amazing one. You even have the resist class skills that I don’t have. If you want we can take on a job together. You look like you could handle some slightly tougher jobs.” [Jeff]
“Please take care of me when that time comes.” [Ryouma]
Tl Note: PDFs and ePUBS updated. Credits to Byggvirr and to a kind reader.