第３４１堀：色々な繋がり (Part2)
"What's that? A new kind of cream stew?"
"No, White Forest has been around longer, so it’s been there since way back."
"Oh, right. So, what’s this old-fashioned cream stew like?"
"Stop calling it 'old-fashioned' cream stew."
"Sorry, sorry."
"Well, as I mentioned earlier, there’s very little edible food in the northern lands under normal circumstances. However, there are still plenty of animals and monsters that live there. Goats and cows, for instance—they tend to have thicker fur compared to those in other countries..."
"Ah, I remember when Riel and I took that quest in the snowy mountains, there were goats there."
"Yeah, come to think of it, there were. I remember them being pretty shaggy, and they seemed to be in a herd."
"...Goats and such are common in mountainous areas. In a sense, they have few natural predators. As for the cows, I think that’s unique to that region."
Ah, Kaya’s village was near the foot of a mountain, so I suppose she would know.
Come to think of it, I remember them hopping lightly across the steep, craggy mountain faces.
Man, you can't underestimate the animals.
"As long as you can secure feed, those kinds of animals can survive just fine. Oh, and are the cheese and cream made from goat or cow milk?"
"...It really is a struggle to explain things to you people."
"Hahaha. That’s thanks to our brother here. Well, even if we know the ingredients, we don’t know how it tastes. I’m sure there are other components, too."
"As Ratz-san said, it’s divided into two types: goat cheese and milk, and cow cheese and milk. For the goat version, we primarily use mushrooms as ingredients, and for the cow version, we use nuts, then add herbs to adjust the flavor."
"Huh, so there are mushrooms and nuts in the winter mountains?"
"There are. Well, the absolute quantity is lacking, so Comet-sama keeps a portion of the land in a state where the seasons don't change as part of her research, which allows for a steady supply."
"It’s considered a sacred site in White Forest, and we receive the blessings of the forest from there. Well, the story goes that it’s for maintaining a constant temperature in that area, supplying nutrients to the land, and specializing in regenerative capabilities. It really is all thanks to Comet-sama."
"Dia, I’m impressed you remember all that. I couldn't make heads or tails of what Comet-sama was saying, so I just let it go in one ear and out the other. Besides, if she was doing all that, she could have at least made the area bigger."
"Kaya, that’s not possible. She said that if she did something like that to the entire snowy mountain, it would collapse the existing ecosystem, and there’s no telling what kind of impact that would have. That’s why she said we need to take our time and gather data..."
"...Sorry. I don't really get it."
"...Kaya, stop acting like an idiot. Our names are similar, so people might think I’m an idiot too."
"What!? So you're saying you understand, Kaya? Explain it to me in detail!"
"............"
"Why are you staying silent? I knew you didn't understand either..."
"...I don't know how to explain it so that an idiot would understand."
"Grrr!!"
Ah, Kaya exploded.
But Kaya is holding her down with one hand.
As I watched them, Riel suddenly said with a proud look on his face:
"Hehe. I understand it, you know!! Right, Tori?"
"Eh?"
I couldn't help but reply with disbelief.
I mean, I can't help it.
He always dumps his paperwork and difficult tasks onto everyone else.
"That’s mean! Hey, Ratz, Tori thinks I’m an idiot!!"
"Ahaha. That’s not entirely off the mark, is it? You do pass your paperwork on to us."
"Ugh. Hmph, fine. Yuki-san doesn't think I'm an idiot. I'm going to sleep."
"Oh dear, he’s sulking."
"Sorry, Riel. Cheer up."
"Hmph."
He pulled the blanket over his head and burrowed inside.
Once he’s like that, he won't budge.
No choice, I’ll have to use my trump card.
"Um, hello?"
*“Hm? What’s wrong, Tori?”*
"Well, Riel is sulking a bit..."
*“Riel? That’s rare.”*
"Ahaha, I was just teasing him a little, but calling him an idiot didn't go over well."
*“Ah, Riel is self-conscious about being immature in those areas. Don’t poke at him too much.”*
"Yes. I’ll be careful. But, I have a favor to ask..."
*“I know. I’ll contact Riel from here and cheer him up. I don’t want to waste time waiting for his mood to return on its own.”*
And so, I left Riel to Yuki-san and observed.
Presumably, he got a message from Yuki-san.
His tail, which was sticking out, was swaying happily.
And a few minutes later...
"I’m baaaack!!"
"Oh, that was a quick recovery."
"Ehehe. Sorry, I think I got a bit carried away."
"Sorry on our end, too. We didn't realize you were that sensitive about it."
"Indeed. Our jokes went too far."
"It's okay. I’ve been relying on everyone too much, too. I’ll try my best from now on."
"Yeah, I’m counting on you."
"Please do your best."
In the end, the blizzard didn't stop that day, and we ended up waiting in the carriage for half the day, but I think days like this aren't so bad.
It was a day that made me realize how people go through all sorts of things to become closer.