488 - - 486. The Residents of Aggressive labyrinthine Cities

We were ambushed by Marie and Sonia as soon as we arrived at the labyrinth city, but we managed to get through the situation thanks to the support of our dependable friends. However, the enemy was also strong in the battlefield we moved to, and although we damaged them, we were wounded and had to settle for a draw. The merchants were very tough.

"Yuta!　That curry dish is awesome!　What the hell was that flavor?　I'm amazed!"

When we arrived at Mr. Toruku's inn after the battle with Marie, Mr. Toruku pounced on us as if he was waiting for us.

No, in fact, he was probably waiting for us. Gina and the others must have checked in first, and he knew I would join them later.

But, as expected, Mr. Toruku has also started to eat curry. Well, of course. If Mr. Toruku, who loves to cook, finds out that curry exists, he's bound to make it.

Curry is supposed to be a specialty of Gina's family's diner, but there is no way they can monopolize it, and it will probably spread as a specialty of the labyrinth city.

Still, Gina's family has the reputation of being the originators of curry, and they should be able to get preferential treatment in terms of spices, so they should be able to handle it.

Hmm?

"...... Torque, are you sleeping properly?"

He is breathing hard and seems to be in a state of excitement, which makes his already scary face even scarier, but dark circles are clearly visible under his eyes.

I knew it was him. Torque, you've got me hooked on this curry concoction.

"Ha-ha-ha, can you tell, Yuta?　I gobble down spices night after night and don't sleep at all. Yuta, take responsibility for that."

"What?　Martha, why am I responsible for this?"

Martha, there you are. I didn't see you because you were in the shadows. I'm sorry I didn't greet you sooner, but I don't deserve to be held responsible.

"My husband went to Gina's family to learn how to make curry, and he came back after his wife forced him to do research on the condition that he provide her with the recipe. Yuta said that curry is an unfinished dish with unlimited possibilities, right?"

Indeed, the possibilities for curry are endless. Not only the amount and type of spices, but also the meat and vegetables can be used in countless combinations.

That's why I wanted Pete to do his best in his research, and I told him that curry has a future. ...... Why is that research in the hands of Mr. Toruku?

By wife, you mean Daniela, right?

Well, unlike Mr. Torque, Pete's style is to provide customers with good food at a reasonable price, so maybe he decided that he is not suitable for research?

"Huh?　If you make it conditional on research, then of course the results of Torque's research will go to Daniela, right?　Are you okay with that?"

Even the recipes I taught Mr. Toruku, you disclosed the basics of the recipes but kept your own unique twist a secret, didn't you?　That's what a cook should do.

"That's not a problem. The clientele here and there are different, and the ingredients used in the food are different. We've agreed to provide a recipe that would suit their diner. So the only problem is the husband who has been absorbed in researching curry without sleeping."

I don't know, but the wives are already talking to each other. Why are the women of Labyrinth City so aggressive, like Marie, Sonia, Martha, and Daniela?

"If Martha is angry, wouldn't Mr. Toruku be reckless?"

Basically, Mr. Torque can't go against Martha, can he?　I don't think you need to go out of your way to tell me to stop.

"He's having so much fun mixing the curry, I thought I slept with him, but the next thing I know he's in the kitchen. I keep telling him, but he won't listen."

You can't stop even if Martha scolds you. He must really enjoy studying curry.

Ruby and the others are also into the study of curry. In a world where the spice culture has not yet flourished, curry may have been a deleterious drug. I think it even has an addictive effect.

...... If Martha can't stop them, I don't think I'll be able to stop them, but I'll give them a warning too. I'm the one who spread curry, after all.

"Well, Mr. Torque, please get some sleep."

"No, I know, but even when I lay in bed, I couldn't stop thinking about it. ......"

When I look at Ms. Martha with eyes that say "I couldn't make it," she pleads with me with strong eyesight not to give up and to do something.

...... If Martha's sermons don't work, my words won't reach you.

Then, all I can do is to dangle a bait.

Well, I wasn't going to offer it yet because I haven't ...... mass-produced it yet, but I'll offer some soy sauce.

"Mr. Martha. It's a very precious condiment, and now I'm the only one who can get it. Please give it to Mr. Toruku when his life becomes decent. It would be pointless if your research on this seasoning destroys your life, so it would be better to give it to him in small quantities."

He takes out a jar of soy sauce from his magic bag and hands it to Martha. Toruk's eyes are glued to the jar, and it seems to be very effective.

"Thank you, Martha. I'll waive the lodging fee this time.

The lodging is now free, but compared to the seasoning that is probably the only one in the world, is it balanced?

......Well, what does it matter if it's not balanced? The health of Mr. Toruku, who has been a great help to us in many ways, is more important.

"Oh, hey Yuta. What kind of seasoning is this new seasoning?　Is it good?"

As expected, Mr. Toruku is fascinated by the new seasoning. Choroi.

"If Martha gives it to you, please try it. Now, Martha, can you tell me where the room is?"

"Yes, I'll show you. I'll show you the way. I have to make sure this pressure point is well hidden.

Martha walks away, leaving Mr. Torque to reach out his hand without effort.

Mr. Toruku seems to be a bit concerned about the soy sauce, and will do his best to rest his body from tonight. At the very least, he's going to have to get rid of the dark circles under his eyes before he can get his hands on some soy sauce, so he'll probably go to sleep as soon as he's done.

We listen to Martha's complaints as she shows us around.

Toruku-san is so into mixing curry that he has bought a scale for spices, a medicine cabinet, and even containers for sorting the spices into small portions.

All I could say was, "That's a lot of work. He scowled at me when I told him. ...... Sylphy, please stop laughing and help us in times like this.

Yutaaa, queue, welcome back, coo, you're late! ......"

When I left Martha and opened Sarah's room, I was greeted by Belle and the others.

It's very nice to be so welcome after being away from home for so long. In return, I will spoil you a lot.

"Excuse me, Master. May I have a word?"

"Sure. What is it?　Seriously?"

As I was stroking Bell and the others, Sarah approached me.

Although Sara understood the situation, it would be hard to have a serious talk with me who looked like I was in a pantomime by myself, and if I wanted to have a serious talk, I would have to end my skinship with the belles.

"No, it's a message from your sister Gina, so you can leave it as it is. I'm going to my parents' house for a while, but I'll be back by tonight. She'll be back by tonight."

I thought you were in your room, but you went out.

It is unusual for him to visit his parents' house on the same day he came to the labyrinth city, when he usually visits his parents' house after hunting roughbirds and orcs in the labyrinth.

"Did something happen at Gina's parents' house?"

Do you get the feeling that the curry has something to do with it?

"After Gina's sister and Martha talked about something, they left in a hurry, so something might have happened."

Yeah. Nine times out of ten, it has to do with curry. Maybe he heard that I forced Mr. Toruku to do research and went to complain. Mr. Tork is Gina's cooking mentor.

I should explain about Mr. Toruku's research to Sara as well as to Marco and Kikka, who seem to be concerned about Gina. That way they will understand that there is nothing to worry about.

**

"Master ......"

As night fell, Gina returned looking tired. They had had quite a heated discussion.

"Master, the cafeteria is being remodeled.

"Heh?"

It hasn't been ten days since we made curry in the cafeteria, has it?　I'm sure there wasn't the slightest mention of a renovation at that time. .......

"Didn't my mentor put my dad in charge of negotiating with the commercial guilds?"

I remember I threw it to Mr. Pete because I thought it would be too much trouble. He encouraged him by saying that he might be able to get some groceries at a discount.

"Wasn't that supposed to be Daniela's job to negotiate, not Pete's?"

I remember Daniela ran for the position saying, "Mr. Pete is not a good negotiator, so I will negotiate for you. She seemed very enthusiastic.

"Oh yeah. Immediately after that, my mother took Betty to the commercial guild and we negotiated not only preferential treatment for food, but also for the renovation of the cafeteria. I'm sorry ...... that my mother took advantage of my master."

Gina apologizes apologetically.

...... I see, there are times when we feel strangely compelled to apologize for the actions of our relatives. I remember that too.

Even if I didn't do anything that strange, for some reason I feel sorry first, or I feel strangely confused, it's not a matter of logic but of emotion. I guess Gina is the same way now.

"No, I'm the one who entrusted you with all the negotiations, it doesn't mean you're taking advantage of me. Besides, it was a business negotiation that promised a large profit, and Daniela secured a good profit out of it."

Curry-related new specialties have been created in the labyrinthine city, and new materials have been added to the labyrinth. The commercial guilds will probably have no problem with the renovation of the cafeteria since it is a project that would be no problem to build a new building, let alone renovate it.

"Besides, I'm also happy to see that the cafeteria's share of the project will increase, since it was originally intended to help the cafeteria, so Daniela's action is not wrong.

Perhaps my explanation had some effect, Gina's expression brightened a little. It seems that I was able to lighten Gina's mind a little.

...... I don't mean to lie about Daniela, but aren't the residents of Labyrinth City a little too aggressive?

How come the cafeteria is being renovated less than 10 days ago? I wish you would take more time to negotiate with them.

We just came back to the labyrinth city today.

Why should I get down on my knees on the same day to get a woman to change her friend's cook's attitude toward life and follow up with the apprentice's mother?

I was going to go to ...... adventurers guild tomorrow to discuss things, but I think I'll take a day off.

Mental fatigue can lead to unexpected mistakes. A little fun with the belles will refresh you.

I hope that the spiritists who will be my students,...... even if only for a short time,...... will be decent people.