First off we'll advance along the highway and pass by the Dragon King Kingdom's Capital, Wyvern.
From the capital, there are two routes that stretch out along the East and West sides of the Dragon King Mountains.
One route stretches straight north.
And then the other route stretches out to the west.
Naturally, we chose the route that goes north.
We ended up staying in the capital Wyvern for about a week.
If we followed our original plans, we were only supposed to stay for about three days, but the newly bought carriage was in bad condition so it took time to repair it.
After all, cheap second-rate goods are no good.
If it was something made from stones or iron I could somehow or other do something about it, but I can't use magic on wood.
We gave the repairman a bit of a bonus in money and asked him to fix it a bit faster.
We were not in a hurry.
In the scene Hitogami showed me, Aisha was being captured by two men.
I was worried, but Hitogami said I would be present in that place.
In that case, even this incident where the carriage broke, it could be because fate was somehow being manipulated.
Most likely, if I were to rush as fast as I could, I won't encounter that scene.
I needed to calm my heart as mush as possible.
While thinking that we looked around and visited various places in Wyvern.
The Dragon King Kingdom is the third largest country in this world.
It's located in the southern part of the Central Continent and has four Vassal kingdoms under it.
It seems that in the past, it was just one of many great countries in the south, but they defeated the ruler of the Dragon King Mountain in the northwest, Dragon King Kajakuto. After obtaining the large amount of mineral resources in his territory, they became the dominant economic power and rapidly expanded to become a strong kingdom.
It's the birthplace of the 48 Magic Swords that are scattered around the world and a place where many stories of the North God hero are told.
It's a place with many anecdotes, but it doesn't feel like tradition is all that essential.
It's a country with a mixed feeling similar to America.
In this town, there are a large number of blacksmiths and swordsmanship dojos.
After taking a peek inside of the dojo, there were a large number of children being taught.
It seems like it’s common for people to stay in the dojo until Advanced level.
After one look, Eris flared her nose while saying they weren't anything great, causing Ruijerd to rebuke her.
Well then, we went about gathering information about missing persons in this town.
One of Paul's subordinates was in the Adventurer's Guild. He told us this country doesn't have any important information.
After all, now that such a long time has passed, it seems the missing won't be found so easily.
After that, I went with the usual market price investigation.
Wyvern is a town where the specialties of both the Milis Continent and the Central Continent are sold.
There are a large variety of ingredients.
In regards to that market, I finally discovered it. I witnessed rice being sold.
Rice... it's rice.[1]
It's a little bit yellow in color, but it's certainly rice.
The way it comes out in the stores of this country, using a spoon to make it easier to eat, it comes out as something like a paella or porridge. It was a bit different from what I was seeking.
I want to eat white cooked rice. If there is none, then I'll make it myself, I had such an impulse. I don't have such a skill as cooking rice, but I carefully heard about that from a shop person.
The 3 liters of rice I bought were then carefully placed within a pot I made using earth magic. And then following the recipe I was taught by the store person I cooked the rice.
On the side I had already prepared salt and eggs. With a serious face I was using fire to cook the urchin and partway through Eris came to visit.
"What are you doing?"
"An experiment."
"Hmmm?"
I didn't think Eris would have any interest, but soon after she started her usual behavior nearby, she started glancing toward it. It seems she's interested.
I flipped an hourglass I had the bartender bring out and then strengthened the heat power.
Gradually raising the strength of the heat is the trick, according to man from the store.
After I turned the hourglass over three times, I finally weakened the fire. And then another two turns of the hourglass. In the end I stopped the fire, and turned the hourglass twice.
"It's done."
"Really?"
After whispering that out loud, Eris stopped what she was doing and came over to crouch next to me. I could gently smell Eris's scent drifting about. It's a good smell. However, right now my appetite isn't sexual but for food.
She was looking at the pot with an excited expression. I was excited as well as I lifted off the lid. The flowing scent was the smell of rice.
"It's a good smell. As expected of Rudeus."
"If we don't taste it and see..."
While whispering that I picked up some rice with my finger and put it into my mouth.
... Humu.
"Forty-five points."
The taste and sensation were pretty far from what I remember. If I were to rank it by the current Japanese standards, it couldn't even be called C rank. I wonder if it's after all because rice isn't the staple food in this country.
It's dry and tasteless, and very rough. The color is a bit yellow as well. I'm sure it's also a matter of my cooking method being lousy, but the raw materials are bad as well.
I can't by any means call it Ginshari[2]. In reality I want to give it 30 points and a red mark, but it's the first rice I've eaten in a long time that wasn't bad.
The nostalgia filled my chest. After seasoning it, it was +15 points. I sure am sweet. [3]
"This is what we ate last night as well right? What kind of experiment is this?"
"From here on out is the real thing."
I put the cooked rice into a porcelain bowl I made with earth magic. Then, I picked up the egg that I conscientiously used antidote magic on. Next, I cracked open the egg and poured it into the hole I made in the center of the rice. On top of that I sprinkled salt.
I prepared the chopsticks I made with earth magic and moved both of my hands to match.[4]
"Itadakimasu."
"Eh? Wait, Rudeus, that egg... Raw..."
I opened my mouth wide and took a good bite of the yellow-stained rice. Umu, raw tasting.
For the time being I tried adding more salt, but there wasn't any real change. After eating it like this, the egg itself has a slightly different taste to it. I guess it would mean that something fresh is different than what you would eat in Japan.
After all, soy sauce is essential. I wonder if I'll be able to find soy sauce in this world. If not, I want to find the ingredients to make it.
While thinking, I gulped down the rice wholeheartedly.
"Hamu...hafuhafu, hafu!!!"
"..Is it good?"
In response to Eris’s question, I created a second porcelain bowl with earth magic. There I served rice and sprinkled salt on top and then handed it to Eris.
On the occasion I created a spoon as well and handed it over. One made for beginners to start.
"Hey, is this all, that's it?"
"[Swallow]"
I silently nodded. It is possible to eat rice as just rice. That's why it's considered a staple food. I'm not bragging but, in my past life's golden age, I ate mountains of rice as my staple food.
There was a time with rice balls as a side dish. As long as there's white rice, it was an age where it could be eaten in any way.
"Hmmm..."
Eris was eating while squirming and making a complicated face. She's still a child.
However, after spreading an egg on top…
"Yeah, it's better than just now."
That's how she said it while filling her cheeks and eating it.
After all, tamago kake gohan is the best. It's a complete dish.
We continued to enjoy the rice and in the end even ate the burnt bits at the bottom with a crunch to finish the meal.
The only one who didn't get to eat any tamago kake gohan, Ruijerd, spoke of no complaints. He just smiled bitterly. As I thought, he's an adult.
However, I felt like I did something bad. Next time I'll make sure he gets to eat as well.