第３７２堀：訓練と食事と噂と傭兵団と (Part1)
**Chapter 372: Training, Meals, Rumors, and Mercenary Corps**
**Side: Mauve**
*Whoosh!! Whoosh!!*
The sound echoed across the grassy plains.
Well, "echoed" might be the wrong word for the sound of practice swings, wouldn't it?
Eh, never mind that.
The thing I need to focus on right now is...
"Hey, Rosetta. Your axis is off."
I need to provide proper instruction.
She’s been taking care of us with lodging and information, so I have to return the favor.
"Can't help it! This axe is insanely heavy, you know!?"
"Well, yeah. That’s because I chose a heavy one for you."
After delivering Dressa to Weed, we’ve been training alongside the Rosetta Mercenary Corps as planned.
We spent the first day gauging the capabilities of the Rosetta Mercenary Corps, and now we’re in the middle of training tailored to each individual.
For Rosetta, to help her swing her axe more efficiently, I’ve had her using a heavy one so she can learn to handle it properly.
An axe isn't naturally balanced for the human body. That’s why it’s crucial to utilize the weight of the axe to swing it around.
Rosetta had been choosing axes that she could handle lightly, but that defeats the purpose of using an axe. A sword would be more practical since the blade is longer.
I suggested she use a sword at first, but as the "super-strong Rosetta," she insisted she couldn't be seen using a light sword, so we ended up training with a heavy axe.
Well, if I asked Yuki, he’d probably give her a massive, rugged sword, but that would inevitably be some kind of super-weapon.
Narjia would definitely get involved, too, so it would be a guaranteed "absurd weapon."
There’s no way I could hand something like that to Rosetta.
"Phew. Still, you’ve got more guts than I thought," Rosetta said, suddenly stopping her swings.
"What are you talking about?"
"You know, Princess Dressa over there. She’s been training since this morning, hasn't she? A normal amateur wouldn't last that long."
"Ah..."
In reality, the real Dressa is already in Weed, and that Dressa is just a Doppel.
Under Raiya’s guidance, she looks like she’s training stoically, but in truth, she’s just calibrating her body.
She’s having Raiya watch her movements and point out anything that feels off.
Since the Doppel is currently holding a heavy training sword, it’s no wonder she looks like someone with guts to those watching.
In reality, she’s an absurd soldier who can handle anything from firearms to swords.
"The Princess has her own thoughts on things, I suppose," Rosetta said, speaking as if she were looking at something else through Dressa.
Well, she’s a woman working as a mercenary.
She’s probably been through a lot.
It’s not particularly rare in this industry.
Though, in our case, we’re adventurers.
"Well, everyone has their own stuff going on."
"True. Anyway, the sun’s getting pretty high. Shall we break for lunch?"
Looking up at the sky, the sun was indeed directly overhead.
It wasn't the kind of training that required pushing ourselves to the limit, so taking a break was fine.
"Yeah, let's eat."
"Alright!! Hey, everyone, break time!! Let's get some food!!"
" " "Yeah!!" " "
And just like that, it was lunchtime.
Since Rosetta’s group is large, they usually eat at their regular spots or the inn they’re staying at. Since we haven't been here long, we don't have any regular spots, so for the past few days, we’ve been enjoying ourselves by exploring the Royal Capital and looking for good restaurants.
"So, where should we go today?"
"I heard from Rosetta and the others that there’s a place that serves delicious meat across the main street."
"Now that you mention it, they did say that. They said it’s a bit pricey, so they only go occasionally."
"Well, with that many people to feed, it’s fine to go individually, but it’d hurt the wallet to take the whole group."
"Eating something good all by yourself invites jealousy, too. Rosetta probably understands that."
Old man is supporting them, but it seems Rosetta knows how to conduct herself properly.
Well, if she didn't, she probably would have been ousted as the leader by now.
As we were chatting, I suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, does Dre have anything she wants to eat?"
"Dre" is the nickname for the Doppel Dressa.
I shortened it on purpose to distinguish her.
We’ve been eating together for the past few days, but she’s never made a request.
Kiyu, and the Doppel I’m currently using, have their own consciousness, so naturally, they have likes and dislikes.
Well, since they share the same body structure and some personality traits as the original, they’re often the same.
Realizing she’d just been tagging along, I decided to ask.
"...Nothing in particular."
"Nothing in particular? There must be something, right?"
After that, Dre looked away, seemingly finding it hard to say...
"I wouldn't say it’s better than the food in Weed, but if it were at least on par..."
" " "..." " "
We could only respond with silence.
Because that’s impossible.
I even thought to myself, *Is there anything in this world that’s on par with Weed?*
Well, there are certainly delicious ingredients.
But the culinary techniques don't even come close to Yuki’s hometown.
There’s a huge variety of spices, too; it’s a mistake to even compare them.
Perhaps anticipating that answer, Dre opened her mouth as if she didn't really mind.
"It doesn't exist, does it? I know that. So, I don't have any particular dislikes; wherever you guys want to go is fine. I’m just curious about how good this 'delicious meat' actually is. If it’s tasty, I can just ask the Master to have that meat served. Part of our role—us, the New Continent infiltration team like the Doppels and Kirika—is to scout for ingredients."
"Ah, I see. In that sense, it’s no problem to go to different shops and try various things."
"Yes."
I see. So that’s how the number of delicious things in Weed keeps increasing day by day.
They say recipes are top-secret, but if Yuki eats something, he can reproduce it almost perfectly.
His cooking skills are so high it’s almost absurd.
Well, we get to eat delicious food, so we’re grateful for it.
While talking about that, we didn't change our plans and arrived at the restaurant Rosetta recommended.
"Welcome!!"
"Hey, are there any seats available?"
It was across the main street, a restaurant facing the thoroughfare, and despite looking expensive, it was quite bustling.
At a glance, there didn't seem to be any empty seats inside.
"Yes. The first floor is full, but we have a terrace outside and private rooms on the second floor," the waitress answered smoothly.
It must happen often.
"Are the private rooms on the second floor expensive?"
"Yes. There is a private room usage fee separate from the meal cost. It’s about the price of one dish."
"I see. Then, the second floor, please."
"Understood. Please, this way."
To us, that amount wasn't a burden, so we chose a place where we could spend our time leisurely.
Since it’s a restaurant facing the main street, the private rooms were well-constructed.
The waitress brought the menu and began explaining.
Since it was our first time here, I asked the waitress for some recommendations, ordered, and ate.
The taste was, indeed, delicious.