落とし穴２９掘：寒い日の……
**Pitfall 29: On a Cold Day...**
I’m not the one to blame!!
If there’s a convenience store nearby, I can just grab something, so it’s fine, right!!
On a cold day...
**Side: Yuki**
Man, I made baked sweet potatoes for lunch the other day, and they were surprisingly well-received.
In fact, Kaya has taken the lead in organizing the cultivation of sweet potato varieties.
Given that even Eris and Ratz are willing to carve out budget for it, it must have been pretty good.
Kaya’s agricultural union even seems to be recruiting people specifically for sweet potato farming. Yeah, in this world, food is truly the most important thing.
"Ugh. It’s cold again today."
Honestly, I’m tempted to use my Dungeon Master authority just to change the temperature.
To be specific, it’s 5 degrees Celsius during the day on a weekday. Depending on the nighttime temperature, it’s common to wake up to a layer of snow.
Apparently, this region of Weed is the type where snow accumulation is the norm.
Well, that means I can definitely enjoy some snow-based leisure activities.
While thinking about that, I clear through my paperwork for military affairs.
That said, since the division of labor is already set—Seraria handles the people, and I handle the monsters—it’s not all that busy.
I’ve got people like Steve and Surakichi-san to delegate work to, so it’s a system where I can leave things to them.
Seraria is pretty busy, though, since she has her duties as the Queen of Weed.
"That’s all the more reason for me to do my best at home."
Not in the "nighttime" sense, but with food and entertainment.
I want my hard-working wife to at least be able to relax when she’s home.
"Boss, I’ve brought the documents. Wait, what are you doing? Are you thinking about dinner?"
"Yeah. My wife’s been pushing herself too hard, so I want to do something for her."
"You should share some of that with us, too."
"You guys can just go eat out. You’re a big enough group, aren't you?"
"Geez, you get so cold once you’ve got a family of your own."
"You’re basically a family man yourself, aren't you?"
"We’re all guys, though!!"
I don’t know why he’s getting so worked up. Anyway, more importantly, what’s for dinner tonight... I already did the winter staple, hot pot, back in autumn, so what else...
"Ah, that’s right. There’s that."
"Ugh, am I only worth that much to you? Fine, whatever, I’ll just go to a bar or something."
I can’t figure out how to get Steve a girlfriend no matter what I try, so I have no choice but to ignore him.
I’d forgotten about the female goblins. I’ve been busy with the New Continent and all, and creating them just for Steve’s sake is... well.
In a sense, I can’t just create monsters on a whim.
There’s a delicate balance to maintain with the Adventurer Guild and various nations when it comes to spawning monsters.
If I just reported after the fact that I made some new ones just for Steve, it would cause problems.
I could keep it a secret, but if it were found out, it would just give people more reasons to poke at me.
Still, I do think it’s about time Steve had his own spring.
If I can just get people to recognize that goblins have families just like humans do, the way people around him treat him might change, too.
"I’ll need to make some adjustments on that front, too. I’ll find some time to lay the groundwork."
"What was that? Still talking about dinner?"
"No, just some troublesome business."
"Man, you’ve got it rough. So, did you decide on dinner?"
"Not yet. I’m looking for something that screams 'winter'."
"Ah, come to think of it, you’ve been in charge of the kitchen almost every day, haven't you, Boss?"
"Yeah."
"No wonder you’re running out of ideas. Even though I’ve got more shops to choose from now, I’ve been stuck in a rotation lately, too."
"That’s just because you’re the one choosing, isn't it? Eat a balanced diet. I don’t know how a biased diet affects monsters, but John and the others are starting to look like they’ll sprout plates on their heads."
"John, huh? That guy really loves the cucumbers from the field. Like you said, Boss, he’s gonna turn into a Kappa."
"Don't be stupid. If a Japanese Yokai were to be born here, it’d be a nightmare. Too many of them have troublesome abilities."
"Ah, like dying if someone licks your shadow? That’s like a Basilisk, right?"
"Some of them kill you just by making eye contact."
"Whoa, no way. That’s a hard pass."
Setting aside urban legends, there are truly troublesome types of Yokai.
If one were to be born in this world, it wouldn't just be one country—it could wipe out an entire continent.
Thinking about Earth is scarier than this world.
"Oh, I got off track. You said something about food stalls being good in winter, didn't you?"
"Food stalls? ...I see. Food stalls. Thanks, Steve. I think I’ve decided on dinner."
"Glad to hear it. Now, about these documents..."
Steve tries to hand me the papers, but if I’m going to prepare *that*, I have to start now or it won’t be ready for dinner.
Actually, normally you’d simmer it for two or three days, but it can’t be helped. I’ll make a large batch and we can enjoy the change in flavor over the next few days.
That should save me from worrying about dinner for the next three days.
"I’ve got business to attend to. So, you’re the final stop for those documents, Steve. Do your best to adjust things so Seraria, Eris, and Ratz don't complain."
With that, I leave the office and head out to shop for dinner.
"Aah!? Again!?"
Do your best, Steve. I believe in your growth.
I’m shopping in Weed as usual.
"Alright, time to do some normal shopping."
There are no special ingredients needed for tonight’s dinner.
Everything I need is available at the Super Ratz in Weed.
"Oh, if it isn't the big brother."
"Wait, Ratz? Why are you here?"
Ratz is pregnant and is supposed to be on maternity leave.
Carrying heavy loads is out of the question for her usual supermarket work.
"Oh, don't give me that scary look. I’m not carrying anything heavy. Just some document sorting."
"Then let’s walk back together. I’m shopping for dinner, and it’s not unnatural for me to be with my wife."
"That sounds lovely. I’ve finished with the documents, and I was just wondering what to do next."
Ratz agreed easily.
Phew. I know it’s selfish of me to want her to stay quiet since she’s carrying a child, but I can’t help but worry.
"...Sorry. I was being a bit too pushy. I know being at home all day is boring."
"Haha, it’s fine. Everyone is happy to be treated like this by you, big brother. If anything, it makes them swoon."
"If that’s the case, then fine, but tell me if it ever becomes a burden. There’s no reason to hide it."
"I know. By the way, you mentioned dinner earlier, right?"
"Yeah."
"Potatoes, daikon radish, konjac, beef skewers, eggs, chikuwa... hmm, what kind of dish is this? A stew?"
"Ah, I guess you could call it a stew."
It definitely involves simmering. Bubbling away.
"It’s a winter staple. Goes great with alcohol, too."
"Oh, that sounds wonderful—though, I can’t really drink much alcohol, can I?"
"Well, a little bit is fine. I’m forcing you to stay home, so I can at least give you that much."
"I’m looking forward to it."
"Leave it to me."
Now, time to head home and get cooking.
And then, dinner.
"Ah, Tori, you took too much beef tendon!!"
"Riel, you ate plenty too!!"
"…The fried tofu evolves. Ganmodoki, kinchaku—magnificent."
"Oh, the eggs have soaked up the flavor, too."
"Ah, really, Ratz!? Ugh, and there’s still daikon left."
"There, there, Milly, let’s finish the rest while relaxing with a drink."
"...Narjia, please don't drink too much. Oh, this potato is also good."
"Is it delicious? Is there any potato left?"
"Rurua, it’s over here. Here you go."
"Deryu, the broth is dripping, put it on this plate."
"Seeing the Hero and the Demon Lord sharing a table like this is always a strange sight. Anyway, Elju, give that chikuwa to me. It’s a small wish from a pregnant woman."
"That’s terrible!? I grabbed it first!? You’re using your pregnancy as a shield!?"
The adults are busy like this, and the kids...
"Hafu-hafu, the egg is hot."
"Make sure you cool it down properly."
"Hot, water!! Water!!"
"Yes, yes, Firia, drink this."
"Shera-sama, this daikon is also quite nice."
Since Kirue is mixed in, there shouldn't be any major problems.
Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.
"Now, for me..."
I take a piece of daikon soaked in broth, topped with a bit of mustard...
"Gah, I put on too much!?"
But that’s the best part, isn't it?
Just another page in our winter.
Even while we’re in the middle of conquering the New Continent, this kind of peace still exists.
Well, I’ll keep doing my best.
So, it was Oden.
I didn't say the name of the dish, but I’m sure plenty of you figured it out.
I personally like the daikon. The way it soaks up the broth is just the best.
Also, Gundam Breaker 2.
I fought my way through with a GM. I fought through the whole story with a GM!!
I’ll fight through the EX missions too, though!!
By the way, "Pitfall" also means it’s a bonus story, but it also serves as a breather when I’m stuck for ideas. Well, I’ll probably organize them somewhere eventually.