We ran the carriage for an hour while alternating coachman and then we finally arrived at Jya-O lake.
It is said that monsters will gather easily at places where there’s water but since the Jya-Ora snake, high ranking monster, lives in Jya-O lake surroundings, there are few other monsters here. Since the horse is unlikely to be attacked, we tied the horse to tree slightly away from the lake and finished our preparations.
First of all, let’s begin by picking up water crystal flowers as per the original request.
“The request requires twenty water crystal flowers, right?” (Reese)
“That is written in request paper but we can buy it if they are being sold.” (Emilia)
Water crystal flower is a flower that blooms on clear water. The features of the flower’s petals are that they’re crystal clear. Although it’s a small flower, it is a flower that can be used as antipyretic and restorative medicine. Since it grows in shallow places, I can gather it even from the land.
It is not that precious and the unit price is cheap but Sirius-sama thought even dust when piled up can mean something.
According to the plan, we searched for the flower after confirming Jya-Ora Snakes was not around but I would rather they find us so we moved without minding about it.
We continued gathering the flowers and then we perceived an unusual event when we got to 30th.
“Eh? There is no other monster too.” (Reese)
According to Reese, the one monster that drank water in slight distant away from us had disappeared. Could it be…
“It seems something has come.” (Emilia)
“How are we going to fight?” (Reese)
“Since today we have two, let’s go with Reese disturbing it and I will bring it down.” (Emilia)
“Roger. The spirits are lively since this is a lake area so I’m prepared.” (Reese)
We stopped gathering and carry the water crystal flowers quickly to the carriage. When we’re about done with that, a large shadow rose from the lake and Jya-Ora Snake appeared along with spray of water.
The big snake’s whole body is covered with yellow scales and there are countless fangs on its mouth. Is the length probably around five meters? This big guys size is twice the normal so I guess it just became an adult.
Whether it noticed us or not, its sharp eyes looked towards our direction. Then, that big body got out from the lake and drew closer to us. Normally, we should escape but… Reese and I couldn’t separate our eyes from that big body while swallowing saliva.
“Unajuu…” (Emilia) (TLN: It’s a broiled eel served over rice in two separate stacked boxes)
“Kabayaki would be delicious too…” (Reese) (TLN from Wiki: Kabayaki is a preparation of fish or snake in this novel where the snake is split down the back, gutted and boned, butterflied, cut into square fillets, skewered, dipped in a sweet soy sauce-based sauce before being broiled on a grill.)
When we ate Jya-Ora Snake meat for the first time in ‘Spring Breeze’s Perch’ inn, Sirius-sama said it was like Unagi.
Shortly after that, Sirius-sama obtained Jya-Ora Snake’s meat and made a new dish from it. It is black, grilled and has a deep flavor, the dish that combines rice and Unajuu together is a superb dish.
I want to eat it… again. Looking at the Jya-Ora Snake, we decided to hunt it no matter what it takes.
“Although the meat is sold at a high price…” (Reese)
“I will secure a little for sure.” (Emilia)
Our hearts became one, now that a hunting trophy is before us, we become the predator. The Jya-Ora Snake that drew closer faltered an instant but maybe it’s just our imagination.