Chapter 191: Village Lunch (1/2)

When it comes to hunting mud salamanders, what’s most important is the stamina to repeat the hunting process.

Well, stamina being important is something that’s fairly obvious, but the hunting process isn’t actually so simple that it could be just repeated until the end like that.

After the net was pulled up, the fish were to be transferred to the baskets. We had to make sure that the mud salamanders wouldn’t be able to get past us while they were transferring the fish.

And then when the baskets had been filled with fish, they were then to be moved to a processing plant or another boat to be delivered to a different city. Mud salamanders will appear to attack there too, so if needed, we could go there to help support and defend as well.

After the boat left and the fishes were all brought to the processing plant, the target of the mud salamanders was cut down to just one, and the battle turned into an all-out war between our forces and the mud salamanders.

The mud salamander hunt takes place while the fishermen are fishing, so we have to be flexible and respond according to how the fishermen are doing.

Our actions will also depend on how many mud salamanders there are.

There were some irregularities in the fierceness of the mud salamanders’ attacks, but just as I’ve been told, they attacked until the sun was high up in the sky. Many mountains of corpses littered the pretty beach, but what’s really surprising to me here is that this battle is meant to continue for a few more days.

“Alright, time for the next phase. Let’s gather these corpses and prepare to withdraw!” [Adventurer]

“Yeah!” [Adventurers]

When the male adventurer in charge of organizing everyone said that, life returned to the voice of the adventurers that were indifferently hunting the mud salamanders.

As we renewed our spirits to complete this one last job, we started gathering the corpses, and before long, our work for the day concluded.

“Yo. Good work out there.” [Kai]

“Kai-san, and everyone too. You all did a great job out there.” [Ryouma]

“You did really well, Ryouma-kun~” [Kei]

“Looks like today’s work finished without a hitch too.” [Shin]

“I think Ryouma-kun has gotten the hang of it now. Usually, people either runs out of gas midway or work themselves too hard.” [Sein]

“You sure have a lot of stamina for your age…” [Peiron]

“Well, it’s the only thing I’m confident in, so I better.” [Ryouma]

The members of the Wharf of Shikumu have all gathered. I wonder what they’re going to be doing now?

“Us?　Well for the meantime, we’ll rest up and have lunch or something.” [Sein]

“Now that you mention it, our morning started really early, so now seems to be a good time to eat.” [Ryouma]

When Sein-san mentioned it, I realized it was indeed a about time for lunch.

“We can think about what to do afterwards while eating, so let’s eat first.” [Shin]

I agreed with the opinion of the leader, Shin-san.

At first, I thought we would be going to drop by someone’s house, but instead we went to the fish processing plant that we were protecting until just a while ago.

“Aneki, give us a meal for six.” [Kai]

“On it!　You boys take a seat now!” [Mei]

When we opened the door and went inside, a lively voice replied.

“Huh, Mei-san?” [Ryouma]

“Neesan, or more specifically, most of the womenfolk of the village work here.” [Kai}

“There’s still work to be done in the plant in the afternoon, after all. Having to go all the way back home just to get some grub is a hassle, so might as well just have all the food prepared in one place. Because of that fishermen and their families usually have lunch here.” [Kei]

“I see.” [Ryouma]

Just as he said, there were already a lot of men eating here.

We found a free table and sat ourselves around it, and after a while, Mei-san along with two children my age served us food.

“Sorry to keep you waiting!　Today’s menu is a delicious vegetable soup!” [Mei]

“Ooh, vegetable! That’s unusual.” [Kai]

“Thank you very much.” [Ryouma]

“…Yeah.” [Mei]

?　Why are the boys who brought the food over looking in my direction?

“What’s the matter?” [Mei]

“No, it’s nothing.” [Ryouma]

They’re probably just curious because I’m a child from outside the village.

But enough of that, I better eat this soup before it gets cold.

Today’s lunch is vegetable soup and bread.

The soup has a lot of big ingredients added into it. It looks delicious.

“Itadakimasu.” [Ryouma]

…Yep It’s delicious, alright.

They added radish, burdock, lotus root and mustard flavor.

Ever since coming to this town the food has been really nostalgic.

“Fuu… This really warms one up, doesn’t it?” [Ryouma]

“You said it. I see you participated in the hunt. Good job out there.” [Fisherman 1]

“Ah. Likewise.” [Ryouma]

“Oh, hey. It’s that kid that ran around a lot. Make sure to eat your fill.” [Fisherman 2]

“Thank you very much.” [Ryouma]

The people that passed by called out to me. Maybe they’re just recognizing me since we just finished a job, but either way, the people here are a lot friendlier than those from the main cities. The relationship between fellow villagers is basically like that of a family. When that intimacy is coupled with this delicious food, I feel as if I’m being wrapped by a very warm atmosphere.

Cities and villages have their respective problems, but it might not be a bad idea to retire in a village like this when I’m old.

While I thought that to myself, I ate the food with great relish. Before long it was time to talk about our next plans.

“Ryouma-kun, is there something you want to do after this?” [Mei]

“Something I want to do? In that case, I’d like to prepare for the hunts in the coming days.” [Ryouma]