A few days have passed and the time for the friendly cook off has finally arrived. I suggested having the cook off the day after we got promoted, but Gerd-san refused my suggestion and said it was better to do it on Solis, since it's the day they close the diner in order to restock.

Like on Earth, Merusia's week consists of 7 days, namely; Solis, Lunae, Marti, Mercurii, Jovis, Veneris, and Saturni, equating to sunday until saturday respectively.

There are also 12 months here in Merusia, each consisting of 32 days. The months are Garn, Methys, Marina, Adamas, Meraud, Alrek, Rubinus, Erido, Safir, Carnelion, Azos, and Zirkon, in order.

When I arrived at Merusia, it was the 12th of Adamas. And since it was the day of my arrival, that day also functioned as my birthday. Speaking of birthdays, Yuna's is on the 26th of Methys, making me 10 months older than her.

Back to the topic of cooking, I've already secured all of the ingredients. And since we've been practically subjugating beasts and monsters for days, I've got a hold of some excellent meat. 

But since I will be cooking in Gerd-san's kitchen, Yuna agreed to stay in the diner with Helen-san and Selia-san until we finish cooking our dishes.

For today's curry, I will be using Adarna meat! Adarna is basically a large bird-type beast with beautiful multicolored feathers. We got it by chance while we were subjugating a lone golem.

As for the curry powder, I just mixed a bunch of herbs which were identical to cumin, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, bay leaves, yuzu, cloves, black pepper, and other spices from Earth.

I'm really thankful to God that he gave me knowledge about plants and animals in this world. If he didn't, it would have taken me a few years to create this improvised curry powder.

God, thank you!

Now, all that's needed to be done is to start cooking!

「You ready to cook bocchan?」Gerd

「As ready as you are.」Grey

「Then I'll go ahead and cook the Rabbit's Den's Specialty, the Golden-Spotted Boar Soup!」Gerd

After he declared that, Gerd-san took all the ingredients he needed from the pantry and turned on the stove.

Unlike on earth, the stove here on Merusia does not run on flammable gasses but on mana crystals dropped from monsters. The mana crystal used is either a fire-attribute crystal or a null-attribute crystal bestowed with the fire attribute. Although the latter is much weaker than the former.

As for the other attributes, water-attributes are used in faucets, ice-attributes are used in refrigerators, wind-attributes in exhaust devices, and so on. Magic really makes life more convenient!

From what Gerd-san brought out, I can see the already prepared boar meat, different kinds of spices, chopped greens, eggs, and broth... Huh? Why are there multiple types of broth?

「Something wrong bocchan?」Gerd

「Ah, I was just wondering why there's multiple types of broth?」Grey

「Why else? Isn't that because I'm going to use it?」Gerd

Huh? Can you really use multiple kinds of broth without them contradicting each other's flavors? Isn't that a really risky move?

「Ahaha, you must be thinking that that's a risky move, but don't worry, with this herb here, everything will be fine.」Gerd

Gerd-san smiled while showing off a certain herb which resembles maple leaves for some reason.

「This herb is called Atsuete, it has a property which enables blending of multiple flavors without them contradicting each other. It won't matter if the broths used have rich and strong flavors, they will still blend perfectly.」Gerd

So that's why no matter how many times I taste it, I can't get my head around why it doesn't taste like ordinary golden-spotted boar soup. I've been living in the forest for three years, so I have been using boar meat on a regular basis, but the soup that I make is really different from the soup Gerd-san makes.

... Wait, if that's the case, why isn't it recorded in my 『Memory』?

「Amazing, right? This is a herb cultivated by our family for selectively breeding the Saltinta for generations, so not many people know this.」Gerd

Ahh... No wonder I do not have it in my 『Memory』. After all, God didn't imprint on me the things that are not commonly known.

Also, isn't Saltinta used to separate different kinds of toxins? How did it end up being used to blend different kinds of flavors.

After Gerd explained how to blend multiple broths together, he proceeded to cook the soup. 

First, he boiled the already prepared boar meat for about 15 minutes. Then, he poured out the boar broth in the pot. A few minutes later, he added atsuete, and stirred the soup gently. After some time, he added a different kind of broth, waited to mix atsuete, stirred the soup, waited, and added another kind of broth.

So you can't just mix the broths in one go. Rather, you'll have to wait in order for the atsuete to take effect before mixing another kind of broth.

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Hmm... I wonder...

「Gerd-san, does the order in which you pour the broths affect the taste of the soup? Or is the outcome still the same?」Grey

「Not really, only the ratio of the broths and the amount of atsuete added can change how the dish tastes.」Gerd

「I see...」Grey

After the soup has boiled for about half an hour, Gerd-san started cracking the eggs and added it to the soup whilst continuing to stir the soup. He then added a few spices and chopped greens into the mix, and a few minutes later, the golden-spotted boar soup is ready to serve!

「Bocchan, here, have a taste.」Gerd

Gerd-san handed me a bowl of soup, served using the diner's bowls and decorated with other herbs to enhance the appetizing smell. 

「Then, itadakimasu!」Grey

When I fed myself, the familiar and rich flavor of the Rabbit's Den's soup rang throughout my mouth. It was just so delicious that I couldn't help myself from finishing off one serving.

「So, how is it, botchan?」Gerd

「It's delicious as usual. I don't think I can ever get tired of eating eat.」Grey

「Hahaha, you're making me embarrassed from all that praise. That dish is still far from perfect.」Gerd

「But I'm telling the truth, it really is delicious.」Grey

「Well, I do hear that all the time, and it does make me happy. But as a chef, don't you think you can still go even further?」Gerd

I see... So this is the spirit of a chef, someone who strives to make delicious meals for the masses. I guess it's the same for me, although my only goal when I cook is to see Yuna eating her meals heartily.

Haah... I guess I should start cooking.

「By the way, bocchan, where are your ingredients?」Gerd

「They're in my 『Storage』.」Grey

I said as I took out all the ingredients I prepared from the storage.

「Amazing. I've heard from Helen that you have the 『Storage』ability, but to think I could see it up close.」Gerd

Helen-san... Just what else did you tell your family...

I don't think my private information is safe with you around. Not that I am hiding shady things.

I should probably have a "heart to heart talk" with Helen-san later. But for now, cooking comes first.

「Then bocchan, show me what you can do!」Gerd

「With pleasure!」Grey

Since Gerd-san has shown me a magnificent way to cook and even told me some secrets, there's no way I'm gonna serve him some half-hearted cooking!

With all the ingredients at hand, I started cooking the curry. I carefully cut the Adarna meat into bite-size pieces and after seasoning it with pepper and salt, I quickly heated the pot and started frying it with the use of vegetable oil. When the bottom side had turned golden brown, I flipped the meat over to let the same thing happen to the other side.

After the meat had turned golden brown on both sides, I removed it from the pot, and sautéed ginger, garlic, and other spices until they started to produce an appetizing aroma.

I then added the finely grated carrots and potatoes on the mix, stirring them gently to in order spread them evenly. After that, I added the improvised curry powder that I made and stirred the mixture together whilst being careful not to burn them.

Then I added the broth based on adarna meat which I made yesterday and stirred the mixture until it became smooth. I then added back the meat to the pot, along with a variety of sauces and spices.

「Bocchan, you're using honey?」Gerd

「Ah, yes, are you perhaps not fond of sweet dishes?」Grey

「No, it's just that I've never heard of a meat-based dish using sweet ingredients. So I just wanted to ask.」Gerd

「Well, it might not be popular, but there are meat dishes which uses honey and sugar.」Grey 

「Hmm... It really is true that you learn new things every day.」Gerd

So sweet dishes aren't that widespread in Merusia, huh. I should take note of that before cooking for other people in the future.

Anyway, I should probably continue with what I was doing. 

With all the ingredients in the pot, I waited for the curry to be fully cooked, stirring every now and then to make sure that it is not burnt at the bottom. And after more than half an hour of cooking, the curry was finally done!

Phew... I've already cooked curry many times, but having someone observe you while you are cooking sure does put on a lot of pressure. 

Well, it's another case if that person is Yuna, since she's basically helping me cook our food everyday.

After taste testing the curry and making sure that it tastes just fine, I then borrowed a serving plate from the kitchen and served curry to Gerd-san.

「Gerd-san, have a taste.」Grey

「Don't mind if I do.」Gerd

Without minding me, Gerd-san took a spoonful of curry from the bowl and fed it to himself. After tasting the curry, Gerd-san has gone quiet.

Huh? Is there something wrong with the curry? I thought it tastes just fine.

「Bocchan... this is one heck of a dish! Although the dish is a little sweet, you can still taste it's spiciness, and on top of that, both the sweetness and spiciness goes along with the savoriness of the meat without being too overpowering to the taste! And even though the dish has a thick consistency, it doesn't make it hard to swallow. I've never eaten a dish like this before!」Gerd

「I'm glad it suits your taste.」Grey

Phew... I thought there was something wrong with it, looks like he was just concentrating on how it tasted.

「Grey, are you done cooking?」Yuna

Just as we finished taste testing, Yuna, Helen-san, and Selia-san entered the kitchen. They must have been lured by the appetizing aroma of the dishes that had just finished cooking.

「I'm starving. Can we eat yet?」Yuna

Yep, no doubt about it. At least for Yuna that is.

「Then can you please prepare the table and the plates, we'll bring the dishes and drinks afterwards.」Grey

While the ladies were preparing the table, Gerd-san and I prepared the beverages which we will eat with the dishes we cooked.

I also have a few dishes prepared beforehand so we will have a variety to choose from, and I also prepared rice. Curry is best eaten with rice, after all.

「「「「「Itadakimasu!」」」」」

After Gerd-san and I brought the dishes and beverages over, we then started eating our meals heartily.

「Wow～ so delicious! I've never eaten a dish like this before!」Helen

「Oh my, it really is. I never knew you could cook a sweet meat-based dish!」Selia

「I know, right? I also said that after having a taste of it.」Gerd

「Un. Curry is the best.」Yuna

While Gerd-san and family were discussing how delicious the curry is, Yuna was eating hers quietly, only mumbling a few words every now and then.

「Grey-kun, you really are talented at cooking.」Selia

「It's not that much. There are better chefs than me out there.」Grey

「That's not what I meant. I mean, for your age, you sure know a lot about cooking. And there's not that many men who knows how to cook.」Selia

I see...

Here in Merusia, apart from chefs, there are barely any men who know how to cook. Since most of the cooking and housework are left to women, it is rare to see a man who isn't a chef who's good at cooking.

「Come to think of it, bocchan, what meat did you use for this... what you call it again...」Gerd

「Curry.」Yuna

I wonder why, but even though she is eating quietly, Yuna always has something to say when it comes to curry. Well, whatever... as long as she enjoys it.

「Ah, yes, that.」Gerd

「Hmmm... Usually, I use chicken or pork, but since we got an excellent meat from a quest a few days ago, I decided to use it.」Grey

「And that meat is?」Gerd

「Adarna meat.」Grey

「「「Ehhh!?」」」Gerd and Family

「I see... So you used the meat of the bird we caught a few days ago. I was wondering what you'll use it for. To think you'll use it for curry」Yuna

「Well, I thought that it would be nice to change the ingredients every now and then. Are you against using its meat?」Grey

「No, I'm actually happy to see it being used in my favorite curry.」Yuna

「Then, would you like me to use other types of meat when I cook curry next time? I still have Rock Falcon meat and Jet Hawk meat in my『Storage』.」Grey

「Yes, please!」Yuna

「Wait a minute! Did you just mention Adarna meat!?」Gerd

It must have been because I was too engaged with my conversation with Yuna that I failed to see the surprised faces of Gerd-san, Selia-san, and Helen-san. But 

「Ah, yes... Is something the matter?」Grey

「Of course there is! An Adarna is a D-rank beast! It's not something you would use as an ingredient for an everyday meal! You even mentioned Rock Falcons and Jet Hawks, which are also D-ranked!」Gerd

「Really? We thought since D-ranked beast are often sold at the guild, people use it as a daily ingredient.」Grey

「Listen bocchan, even though it does circulate in the market, only nobles and royalty can afford it! Commoners only use meat from common animals! And if we ever use meat from beats, it's only until G-rank! Not D-rank!」Gerd

Eh? Is it really that rare to eat meat from high-ranked beasts? Since Yuna and I had been hunting for our food in the forest, we regularly ate meat of beasts F-rank and higher. So eating Adarna meat didn't come off as unusual to us.

「On top of that, didn't you say you defeated it?! Then that means you two are fairly high-ranked adventurers!」Gerd

「Come to think of it, although we celebrated their promotion, we never really asked what rank Grey-kun and Yuna-chan were promoted to.」Selia

「Right... Since they were young, we just assumed they got promoted from apprentice-rank to H-rank.」Helen

Ah... Now that I think about it, Tilda-san did mention that it would take at least 10 years before adventurers reach D-rank. And some don't even make it and get stuck at E-rank.

And as people who made it to D-rank in just 2 days, Yuna and I are considered an abnormality within the guild. No wonder all of them are shocked...

「Yuna-chan... what rank are you right now?」Helen

「I'm a D-rank adventurer, just like Grey.」Yuna

「「「Ehhhhh!?」」」Gerd and Family

Because of a blunder I made, Gerd-san and family kept interrogating Yuna and I until they were satisfied. And when they finished, the food was already cold.

Next time, I'll make sure to use normal ingredients when I cook for others. I don't ever want to go through this again.

Agh... I want to take a break...

 CHAPTER 15 END