Chapter 675

Chapter 675

TENKEN 675 Making Curry with Io-san

「Umm, is this how the vegetables should be cooked?」

「Mogu mogu」 (munching sfx)

「...How is it?」

「Nn. It’s perfect」

「That’s good to hear」

We were now in the cooking area in the basement of the cooking guild. As one would expect from the headquarters of a guild based in a major city, the cooking area was nothing short of gorgeous.

This is the first time I’ve seen a metal sink in this world. They have also installed magic tools on their stove and oven, and it seemed to be made with efficiency in mind.

At first glance, this place might look like the kitchen of a luxurious hotel on Earth.

Fran and one of the female cooks are standing side by side in such a kitchen, tasting the curry soup.

「Io, amazing」

「Not at all, Fran’s master is more amazing! I am nothing compared to the person who came up with this amazing dish...!」

The girl with Fran is said to be a natural-born genius cook. The unreliable but kind sister to everyone, Io.

We went to the orphanage to say hello to Io the day before, and that’s when we heard that they wouldn’t be having a stall at the contest this year.

Until last year’s contest, she had to open a stall to earn money to run the orphanage. But now that they are under Amanda’s patronage, their financial difficulties have been resolved.

In addition, the number of children has doubled over the last year, making it difficult for her to find time to prepare for the contest.

Because of this, she had no intention of participating in the contest this year.

「I’d like to open the stall if I could. It’s important to interact with the local people after all」

Hearing that, we asked Io if she could help us with our stall.

「Nn」

「It seems, you’ve gotten bigger too」

「?」

Colbert looked strangely excited as he came in. And for some reason, he grasps Fran’s hand tightly with tears in the corners of his eyes.

Oi oi, what is he doing? Isn’t he getting overfamiliar with Fran!? I mean, his hand! He’s squeezing too hard! C-could it be that he has fallen for Fran!? Well, that’s not surprising since Fran is super cute, not... I won’t let him! I won’t let someone who’s weaker than Fran to take care of her! Go get stronger than Fran first and come back again!

「I may not be able to replace your master, but you can count on me for anything while you’re in town!」

「?」

「Curry Master, your disciple has grown up well!」

Aah―, I know where this is going. It seems like he’s still under the impression that I’m dead and he’s going to watch over Fran in my stead. He’s the type of guy who often goes around making assumptions, and I guess he got excited all by himself when he saw Fran.

「Master is still alive」

「Yeah, you’re right」

「...」

It was rare to see Fran’s dumbfounded face.

『Should I show myself to clear up the misunderstanding?』

(...Not now)

『Eh? You sure?』

(Nn. If Master shows up now, we won’t be able to get any information out of him)

『Aah―, that may be true』

I’m sure Colbert will be happy to see me. But he would be too happy, and his excitement could prevent us from getting some information out of him.

『Let’s leave it for a little later then』

(Nn)