116 - - a hearty feast

The shadows of the rocky hill where we camped were well used, and the ground was quite soft.

The sun was setting completely, so we turned on the magic stone lamp and hurried to prepare for the encampment.

As Thor was working on the second tent, he smelled something burning in the air.

When he turns around, he sees a fire with a red glow.

A square iron pot-like object was placed in front of the crouching Thora.

Inside there were burning coals, and the flames were heating the lattice-like lid which was covered with a licking flame.

"What's wrong with it?"

"Oh, wait a little longer. It's been a long time since I lit coals, so I had a hard time.

As we get closer, we see that it is not a pot, but a portable cooking stove.

It is large enough to hold a mu and has an air hole on the side that serves as a handle.

However, there was nothing like that in Sola's baggage.

Perhaps noticing Thor's questioning look, the girl proudly flashed her growing breasts.

"This is actually an assembly line, Thor. Are you surprised?"

"Yeah, I'm surprised. Where did you get it?"

"You see, when I went to the blacksmith. He said it was handy and that I should use it to spread the word."

I remember that when we left the weapons workshop in Toluk, Sola was holding a package of something and smiling.

She said it was not a weapon, but it turned out to be a cooking stove for outdoor cooking.

"I see. That's a nice gift."

"Yes. And here is today's star of the show!

Sola was holding meat soaked in some kind of liquid.

The thick bones sticking out of the meat looked like leg parts.

"Tapa and his friends have sent us a black eagle leg meat, which we have slowly soaked in their secret sauce. The skewers were provided by Yushiru and Yushiru.

"I only intervened a little, but most of the preparation was done by Sora-san.

"I see. You've done a good job of preparing.

"This time, I was so excited that I thought I would be able to go to the backcountry."

"What were you going to do if you didn't make it?"

"Then, of course, we'll have a dinner party!"

As she declared this, the girl gave her usual carefree smile.

Then she spoke to the guide who had pitched his tent a short distance away.

"Oh, you are welcome to join us, Saralisa. I've prepared enough food for the five of you.

"What, me too ......?"

Yes, I'm always happy to help you. And I heard that you helped Tall-chan a while ago. As your wife, I would like to thank you for your kindness.

"Well, that's ......."

"Well, well, don't be shy. Please take Sola's word for it."

"Yes, yes. Tomorrow we'll start exploring the backcountry, so let's eat a lot of meat and do our best!

As soon as the meat is placed on the net, savory smells and sounds begin to fill the air.　

Suddenly, the child lying in the tent wakes up.

He looks up into the eyes like a cat, lifts the tip of his nose and moves his head around.

Then, perhaps noticing the presence of the cooking stove emitting delicious-looking smoke, he jumps up and runs to it furiously.

"Is it a meat festival?

"It's a meat festival!"

"Meat, meat!"

"Meat! Meat!"

Sola proudly lifts her chin as the child repeatedly leans on her back.

As the girl dexterously flips the slowly rising thigh, Moe's drooling purple eyes light up with a twinkle.

"Do you want some meat?　Moo-chan."

"Yes, please!"

"No, I'll hold out a little longer."

"Oh, no. Oh, this place is burning already!

"No, I'm not done yet."

"Not yet. Hurry up and burn!"

With the two excited men by his side, Yuril spreads the mat on the ground and sets the table by arranging the plates and dishes.

By the time Thor and Saralisa had finished setting up their own tents, the stew pot heated by the heating board smelled just as good as the others.

"Good work, this one's done too!

"Uh-uh, To-chan. I'm tired of waiting for Moe.

You could have eaten first.

"No, we all have to eat together."

Sora, who has made a clear statement, quickly distributes the fried momoyaki on plates.

After making sure that the roasted bread and the stewed round potatoes had also been served, the girl happily gave the order.

Then, eat up!

"Yes, it's delicious."

"Well, you've improved your skills again, Mr. Sora."

"Delicious ......."

Sola nodded her head as she stroked Moe's head as he silently gobbled up the meat.

"Hey, Thor. Do you know what the best seasoning is to make rice tasty?

"Well, I guess I've never been hungrier."

"Ah, that may be. But the best thing is to eat while seeing the smile of the person you love.

Thor scratched the bottom of his chin in frustration as the girl stared at him passionately with a slight upturn in her cheeks.

"That's a little embarrassing. Don't ask an old man for it."

"Eh."

"It's wonderful that you get along so well, Mr. Thor. You shouldn't talk to me like that."

Yes, of course. Then let's eat while looking at Moe's face.

"Ew."

"What, Torchan? This is Moo's meat!　I'm not giving it to you!"

And so the meal progresses in a lively manner.

The sound of joyful laughter echoed through the wilderness long after the evening sun had set.

After cleaning up, the coals of the stove were still red hot, and everyone naturally remained seated.

Then Saralisa, who had taken off her simple robe with a hood to protect her from the sand, came back with her lyre in her hand.

"A song in return ......"

"Oh, Saralisa, you look lovely in that outfit."

Sola squealed at the sight of her playing clothes with white pleats in the shape of waves.

If you look closely, you can see that the sleeves and collar were softly tailored and suited the slender Saralisa well.

"I see you've even arranged the necklace..."

"Oh, this is ......, it's from my family."

The necklace that the Soukei woman used to hang her adventurer's card was a necklace of shells and pearls.

It shone softly as it emerged from the blue scaled skin that covered her neck.

"I like it. I'll have to get more creative with the string to hang the plate.

"Yes, it is. It should have more features. Like that hair ornament: ......"

"This?　Nishishi, Tall-chan picked this out for me!"

Sola's eyes light up when she is complimented on the blue ribbon that ties her hair.

Her words were immediately joined by two others.

"I like it, I like it. Don't you have something for Mu, too?　Tor-chan."

"Hmm, a gift. A gift. I haven't received a gift from a gentleman for a long time.

Thor looks away from Moe and Yuril, who are staring at him, and gives a wry smile to his guide.

Saralisa's lips lifted slightly as she looked at him, pleading with him to hurry up and start playing.

"You all really get along well with each other. ......"

After muttering this, Kanashi lightly plucked the strings.

The overflowing tone immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Seeing that the audience's attention was instantly captured, Saralisa continued to strum the lyre in a relaxed manner.

It was a strange tune.

It had a peaceful and comforting tone, but it was also somewhat sad.

The sound of Saralisa's music flickered in the air heated by the furnace and disappeared into the deserted land of rock, sand, and wind.

The woman nodded her head to the generous applause and began to play a bright and bouncy tune.

Then she changed the tune one after another, and continued to enchant the audience.

The performance lasted less than 30 minutes, but it was an intense and satisfying time.

When the performance was over, Moo, who had been snuggled up to the conductor for some time, did not want to leave him.

He must have liked it very much. Besides, he seemed to be sleepy from a full stomach.

Saralisa looked a little troubled, but perhaps because she was used to taking care of her niece Rudel, she spoke to him in a soothing tone.

"Are you going to sleep with me today ......?"

"...... yeah."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I like children. ......"

With these words, dinner was over and we retired to our respective tents.

Late at night, Thor, who had been occupying his spacious tent for the first time, was suddenly awakened by the presence of someone.

The moon shining in the cloudless night sky made his face dimly visible.

Peering into the tent was a woman of the Soukin tribe, clad only in a light robe.