275 - - 273 times.

I was talking to Shilfi to plan my trip, and I got some troubling information. Unagi (eel) ...... is a fascinating food for most Japanese. But mirin, mirin, mirin is not available. I think I can get by with sake, soy sauce and sugar, but should I try?

Whew, it's hard. It's a very difficult choice. Give up on kabayaki eel, or ignore the possibility of wasting precious Japanese seasonings and try my hand at making eel sauce: .......

"Hey Yuta!　Yuta, are you listening to me?"

"What?　Oh, Sylphy, what's wrong?"

"What's wrong with you? I was just talking to you and you suddenly shut down. What's going on?"

Oh, I was in the middle of talking to Sylphy. He was thinking about eels. It's hard to see Sylphy's expression, but I think his face is slightly puffy. I should apologize to her.

"I'm sorry Sylphy, I was just so occupied with the eels you were talking about earlier..."

"Is that snake-like fish really that tasty?　It's not a popular fish in the Kingdom of Beryl, remember?"

"Yeah, I don't know if they catch too many of them in the country I was in, but they're in such low numbers that they're considered a luxury fish. It may look weird, but it's a very tasty fish.

"Then why did you bother?　If you want to eat it, I'll take you there, okay?"

"Yes, well, I was wondering about the best way to eat eel and I have to make a sauce with seasonings from my world. But I'm missing one seasoning and I'm not sure if I can make that sauce well."

"Oh, you were worried about the possibility of wasting otherworldly seasonings."

"Yeah, I don't even know how to make soy sauce, so I definitely don't want to waste it."

Sylphy nodded in agreement. It seems that she understands my problem.

"It's hard for me to help you if that's the case. It is a valuable seasoning for Yuta's world, so you have to think about it and make a decision. You will regret if you do it halfway.

"Right. I'm sorry, but can you give me some time to think about it?"

"Okay. You'll have to think it over."

If you don't think it through, you'll regret it, that's for sure. But it's eels, eels...... are too good an ingredient to give up. If you make a minimal amount of sauce for eel, how much soy sauce do you consume?　As I recall, the heads and bones of grilled eels are also stewed together. It is definitely not possible to use a little soy sauce on a small plate.

Even if you mix it with sake, you'll use about half a cup. And even if the sauce is successful, there's no way I'm the only one who eats it. I'm sure they'll forgive me if I eat it alone, but I want Sylphy, Belle, Gina, and Fuchu to taste the eel's deliciousness too.

Even if each person eats only one meal, that's still seventeen servings ...... and if Ruby and the others are interested in eels, that's twenty-two servings ...... and I don't think that's going to be enough. It's dangerous to jump into eel sauce right away. What would you ...... do, give up?

"...... Sylphy, I'll give up using seasonings from my world for now. I'll ask Ruby to develop soy sauce first."

I'll show them the soy sauce and miso and ask them to taste them, and tell them everything I know, even though it's a rough knowledge. If that doesn't work, I'll save the soy sauce and miso very carefully. First, we'll check with Dory about the soybeans.

"Okay. So we're not going to Beryl's kingdom?"

Right, the whole point of the trip was to travel. Even if we have to put up with the eel sauce, it's not a bad idea to at least get the eels first. The eels may make the temptation for the sauce stronger, but it should also motivate the soy sauce.

"No, it's hard to find the best way to eat eel, but there are other ways to eat eel, so I want to get eel. When you get some time off, take me to the Kingdom of Beryl."

"Yes, okay. We can manage. We can go when Yuta is available.

"Yes, please. I'll check with Dory to see what she has for soy sauce. I'm going to ask Ruby and the others to help me when I find the ingredients, but do we have to have a contract?"

"If we had not become a sanctuary, it would have been difficult to ask Ruby and the others for favors, but in a sanctuary, spirits can use their power freely to some extent. If you're willing to cooperate with them, then there's no problem. Well, they are the seasoning of another world, so I'm sure they'll get involved even if we don't let them."

Good for you for trying so hard to make it a sanctuary. I didn't think soy sauce and miso would be involved in the sanctuary, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

"Okay. I'll try my best."

"Yes, go for it. I don't believe it for a fact that eels taste good, but all the food in Yuta's world is delicious, so I'm looking forward to it.

"Yes, I'll surprise you, you can count on me."

I hit a big blowtorch against Sylphy. What if I can't make soy sauce?　I leave Sylphy, who smiles at me and says she's counting on me, and go back to my room. I'm getting a little carried away after all this time.

......　Thanks to my obsession with eels, I think I've decided to go to the Kingdom of Beryl without being suspected. Yes!　I'm completely satisfied with the outcome, but I'll be a fool if I don't make the most of this opportunity. Let's go to the Kingdom of Beryl with the eel's guess!

**

The next morning after consulting with Sylphy about the travel plan, I asked Dolly to stay behind to talk to me after we all had breakfast.

"Yuta-san, what do you want to talk about?"

"Well, actually, I wanted to get some ingredients for seasoning. Dolly, do you know what soybeans are?"

I've been going a long way, but now that I have a translation, it's usually easiest to just ask them directly. I didn't have to go through the trouble of showing them a picture of coffee beans or anything like that.

"Soybeans?　Are you sure it is a plant with several beans in the pods?"

"I think that's probably correct. The fruit is green when it grows, and after it withers, it turns creamy and dry, right?"

Yes, that's what it looks like.

Okay, it looks like it. Making miso and soy sauce is also a challenge, so it's nice to know that we won't stumble on any soybeans.

"I'm sorry, but I need to see the real thing. Can you produce the seeds for me?"

"Okay. I'll be back in a minute."

With that, Dolly turned her right palm upward, and light gathered in her palm, producing what appeared to be soybeans in Dolly's palm. Dolly handed it to me and I observed it carefully.

I can't say with certainty that I have seen soybeans before, since I only see soybeans at bean-throwing ceremonies, but I have seen this shape before. I am sure that these are soybeans. Edamame, tofu, my dreams are expanding. Come to think of it, if you grind edamame and mix it with sugar, you can make a dessert, right? There are so many more things we can do.

"Yes, thank you. This is definitely the plant I wanted.

"I didn't know that. It's not very popular as food, but is it commonly eaten in Yuta's world?"

...... soybeans, not a popular food?　I wonder if they are drying them to preserve them ...... even though they are so delicious, like edamame.　But in my world or ...... Japan, it is definitely an important food, but what about in other countries?　

"It's an indispensable plant in my world, or rather in the country where I lived. Dolly can grow it right in the field, right?

"Yes, this plant is very strong and can be grown without any problem.

Okay, today we're harvesting soybeans. Some of them will be harvested as edamame, salted and ale. I've heard that they taste better if you boil them with the branches still attached. I never had a chance to get edamame with branches, but this is a good opportunity to try it.

"Dolly, I want to grow a lot of soybeans today, so please take care of them for me.

I don't mind, but it's sudden. Is something wrong?

Dolly asks curiously. I know, I had some soy sauce left, so I wasn't in such a hurry. I'm sure you're wondering why I'm suddenly talking about soybeans and whatnot.

Sylphy gave me the information about the ingredients we need soy sauce in large quantities. So I thought I'd get to work on soy sauce as soon as possible.

"Hmm, Yuta-san often makes a move with food."

"I can't deny it, but spirits also move with alcohol, don't they?"

"Hmm, I can't deny that either."

Dolly looks a little surprised at my words, then admits it with an elegant little smile. Everything about Dolly is classy.

"Well then, everyone, today we're going to sow and harvest soybeans. Help me!"

After breakfast is over, I call out to everyone who has been relaxing in the living room. It should feel strange to say "sowing seeds" and "harvesting" at the same time, but I've gotten used to it.

"Shukaku-Yuta, do you want to make something tasty?" Cue""help""coo-coo""I'll do it!"" ......"

At my call, the belles came swarming in. They are happy to work in the fields, since they have been helping me with the farm work for quite a while. Well, they are quite wary when it comes to eating the harvested crops. The first komatsuna has lingered in their minds for a long time. It was the best I've ever tasted.

"Yes, I'll make a good crop. Look forward to it."

......"

Bells and whistles with joy. Will they be happy with edamame?　It's not bitter, and it's okay to eat, right?

"Hey master, do you grow soybeans?　The only use for them is to put them in soups, and they don't taste very good, do they?"

Gina asks me if it's okay. Dolly was right about soybeans not being popular. It's not that remarkable in terms of taste, so it's probably not a bad thing.

"Do you eat soybeans when they're green beans?"

"Green beans?　No, they are cream-colored, dry and hard when you eat them."

I knew it, dried soybeans can be a bit monotonous in taste. Kinako would be delicious, but I don't really know how to use it other than as omochi. I've heard of putting it in milk or something, but it doesn't sound very appetizing.

"Soybeans are good boiled when they are green beans and eaten with a sprinkle of salt. They make a great snack with ale."

"Yuta, is it true?"

Deanne bit into me with a gulp. You have a great ear when it comes to alcohol. I'm not going to lie to you here, so I'll just tell you the truth. I'll be serving ale tonight.

It's good.

"Yum! I'll drink ale with you today!"

Dineh making noise as she dances around in circles...... as expected.

"Well, Gina, that's what I mean."

"Oh, yeah, I don't know, but I get it. Anyway, I'm looking forward to it."

"Uh, yeah, look forward to it."

The atmosphere is slightly awkward, but the conversation is settled for now, and we all move to the field. I'm a little tired this morning.