937 Dawn ~ Before the rainy season ~

As the harvest festival of the northern settlements ended and the tea moon approached the end, the rainy season approached.

As the days go by, the temperature drops and the gorgeous scorched rain turns into a moist light rain. Instead of weakening the momentum of the rain, the sun will have more time to hide.

However, after feeling these signs, there will be a few days of respite until the rainy season arrives. Even if the temperature drops, it's not enough to change, and if the cloudy sky increases, it won't rain that much - it's finally the rainy season after 5 or 10 days.

It was then immediately after the warning of the rainy season - the 29th of the Tea Moon - that the main squadron of Geld's mission carrying the cargo was finally going to leave Genos tomorrow.

"Asta, and the people of the forest, I hope to see you again on the day of reunion."

The head of the mission visited the stall in the town that day and told me that.

He is just as fit as Alvach, and is one of the most difficult to grasp of all ages. Perhaps he would be in a position like Warrior Commander Forta in the Southern Mission, but seeing no sign of being invited to the castle town at all, he would be nothing but a noble warrior. However, since Alvach and the others have been entrusted with transporting important shipments, there was no doubt that full trust had been placed in them.

Anyway, their stay in Genos lasted almost a full month. In the meantime, I was welcomed as a stall customer, and I was to be tasted the most unfortunate comfort.

"Please be careful on the way. I look forward to seeing you again."

"Yes, I pray that this mission, once again, can be accepted, Oriental God."

Geld and Genos have made regular deals, so someone will visit Genos once every few months.

With all due respect, I decided to bid farewell to the people of the mission.

"So, Platica's stay in the woods is over for now. I feel kind of lonely."

After the stall business, when I called out like that, Platica stared back with purple eyes.

"I was just taking care of you. You don't need to worry."

"No, I'm telling you honestly. Working with Platica and Nicolas has been a great study for me."

Alvach and Platica will be leaving Genos in the next 20 days. If you pull the truck, the journey after a month can be shortened to about ten days if you run across Totos. Of course, there would be no problem returning home before the main squad, but Alvach had indicated that he wanted to stay in Genos for a long day.

However, if the wagon used to replace the sleeping bed disappears, the means for Platica and Nicolas to stay near the forest will also be lost. Platica was very careless, but she didn't ask for a place to stay at Fa or Lou's house.

"Until today, we will put what we have learned into practice in the castle town. In that case, please taste it."

"Yes, it's a gift party in three days. I'm looking forward to cooking Platica."

So I decided to say goodbye to Platica and Nicolas for now.

The next meeting is a salute feast in the castle town. Alvach and his loved ones in Genos hold a feast in return. We were once again asked to organize the kitchen around the forest.

(Somehow, the tea moon was in a hurry... but now it feels like it fell one step down.)

Three days later, I was thinking like that, withholding a big feast.

I wonder if the sky dyed in light ink is making me feel sentimental. During the rainy season, sales of stalls also declined, so I might even look for such thoughts.

But I was also lurking deep inside my chest.

That is because the wedding of Dick-dom and Morn-Rutim was finally arranged at the recent Harvest Festival.

With the rainy season coming, the wedding itself will be two months away.

However, after a long rainy season, if such a major event was waiting, the mind would also play.

At the same time, Chiffon-Cher is scheduled to return from the King's capital in the south.

In addition, the expected date of delivery of Sati Ray-Lou, who was pregnant with her second child, was also expected at that time.

(Besides, the 10th day of the Red Moon is the birthday of Ai-Fa. Even during the rainy season, it doesn't seem to be boring right now.)

Thinking like that, I finished cleaning the stalls.

Now, at the time of the return, large and small figures approached us. When he saw us, one of them let go of the voice of grief.

"Ah, look, the stall is finished after all. I told you to hurry up.

"It's embarrassing. Does anyone blame the truck for breaking down?

It is the nostalgic voice of both that I hear about for the first time in two months.

I greeted him with a smile, "It's been a long time."

"I thought it was time to come to Genos. But it's unusual to arrive so late, isn't it?

"Hmm. My truck broke down in the middle of the street. I'm glad we arrived before dark."

It was a wad of Misso's peddler Dells and escort.

They were supposed to visit Genos every other month, so it was time to visit.

"Besides, I'm glad I met you. I wanted to hear this story before I left for Castle Town. Can you give me some time after this?

"That's right. After this, I plan to hold a study party at Iwai Fa's house... what would you like to do with me to the forest?

"That's a good idea, but we haven't unloaded it yet, so we can use the van. I don't want to move around with my important stuff loaded."

Then Limi Lou appeared from nowhere.

"Well, why don't we have a night at Lou's house today? If you come, I think Gibba will be happy!

"That's a good thing, but isn't it a sudden offer?

"If Donda says no, Limi will give you a lift! Probably not!

So in the meantime, we decided to go to the forest together.

Since the wads are noisy when they are hungry, I will introduce the dormitory's street village on the way. Dells cheerfully called out to Naudis, who was working there.

"I just left my luggage at your hotel. I'll take care of you again for a while."

"Yes, thank you for using it every time. You arrived a long time ago today."

"I stepped on a stone on the side of the road and the wheels of my wagon broke. I thought you weren't welcome from the Western gods, so I chilled your liver."

With that greeting, Delce and Wazz bought street food.

The wads, which were still a little quiet, made their eyes shine with a mouthful of the dish.

Somehow, I think I've raised my arm more than I did at Easter. It's as good as the stalls around the forest. "

"That's the biggest compliment. If you don't mind, I hope you enjoy it from tomorrow."

Dells and Wazz bought about two dishes that could be eaten hands-on at another stall, leaving the scene.

As he walks down the street again, the wads say, "Ngaaa."

This dish is good, but this dish is not good enough. I wasted my bronze. "

"It's the most obnoxious one. Don't complain because I made you a gibberish dish."

"It's because it's gibberish, isn't it? I can't believe I made such a bad dish of delicious gibbon meat."

I didn't taste all the food in Yatai Village, but I heard from Platica and Nicolas that there was a big gap between the cooking levels. Until today, they were looking for street food as they did every day.

"I figured we'd start buying food at Astor's stall tomorrow, huh? I don't want to come to Genos and pay for bad food."

"Okay, just shut up a little bit. I need to talk to Aster."

"Ah, please wait a moment. First, I will return the stall."

While listening to the blur of the wads, Kimus's Tail Pavilion was approaching.

After asking Levi to store the stall in the warehouse and exchange farewell greetings, he left for the woods. Dells seemed keen to sit back and talk, so he decided to let Yun-Sudra take Gill's lead.

"There's nothing else I want to hear. Did you manage your business with Geld's people?

As soon as the truck started, Dells insisted.

I expected the question and nodded "yes."

"Just tomorrow, the headquarters of Gerd's mission is leaving Genos. There should be plenty of miso and tau oil in the truck."

I see. My miso and tau oil have been taken by the people of the east. "

When Delce put his mouth in a cross, the neighboring wads laughed cheerfully.

"If that's how you make money, isn't that what this is all about? Whoever gets in your mouth doesn't change the weight of the coin, does it?

"Hmm. It was Genos who did business with the Gelds. I'm not going to take any of your Sims' big coins."

"That's okay. Basically, Genos and Geld deal with each other. There should be little exchange of copper or silver."

Laughing, I decided to say the same thing.

Dells' earnings should improve dramatically now that the deal with Geld is closed. Delce had a bitter face, but there was no serious color there.

(Delce and the others also interacted deeply with the Silver Pot during Easter. Still, I don't suppose the people of the East will be able to show their cheerful and sweet faces.)

When I was thinking like that, Delce stared at us with his bottom glow.

"By the way, about the people of the North who were working in a place called Turan..."

"Ah, you've come together safely. The other day, the kingdoms of the south came to pick me up."

"I know," Delce said.

I said, "Huh?" and tilted her neck.

"How did Delce know about it?... oh, did you meet that group on the way?

"Oh, there's no way I'm gonna miss that queue. Even where I was going, I had a pretty good reputation."

That said, Dells shrugged his thick shoulders.

"In general, it's an arrangement to take on a servant in my field. I had been told in advance that the mission was going to Genos at this time."

"Oh, is that so? I'm kind of impressed that people in the north are going to work for Dells."

"Transfer the gods, the people of the south. There is no emotion or feeling at all.... but were the people of the North taken back without hesitation?

"Yes, only one maid returned to Genos as a noble maid, but I have heard that everything else was arranged in advance."

"I see," Delce breathed out of his big nose.

Whoever is the true founder of this case is Delce. Behind the content of the words, Dells was supposed to be biting more emotions than anyone else.

"The people at the mission also had a great interest in the miso. Maybe they'll want to buy it in the King's Landing in the South."

"What? Why are you listening to that?

"Oh, actually, I decided to keep the chef for the dinner party to welcome the embassies."

"... you cooked for the kingdoms of the south?"

Delce shouted with a stunning voice and the wads burst into laugh.

"You're finally going to eat Asta's dishes to the nobles of the south. Well, if it was Astor's arms, they wouldn't complain."

"Yes, I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"... really?" Delce frowned splendidly.

"People in the south have a rough temper. Besides, the nobility is high. Didn't you ever get used to being a nobleman?

"Yes, everyone at the mission was a favorite person."

Speaking of which, Dells once had agony with nobles in the southern kingdom, and asked Genos to sell his mistakes.

Delce rubs his big nose as he goes, "Hmm."

"Well, the story of taking over the people of the north has settled down, so I don't think we'll have a chance to face each other in the future. Genos would never have been visited by a southern nobleman, would he?

"What do you think? I don't know where it is either.... but since Genos may start trading with the King's Landing in the South, perhaps a noble man will lead the mission again."

"What?" Delce peeled.

"Isn't it a month from the kingdom of the south to Genos? You want me to start a deal with such a distant territory?

"Yes, because Genos trades with King Gerd in the west, farther away than that. Isn't it strange that it's getting sticky?

Delce once again became "Hmm."

"Now, let's hope that the next aristocrat is not too annoying. Aren't the southern aristocrats like the western aristocracy?

Really? Thank you for your advice. "

Having gone so far, the truck arrived at Lou's settlement.

First, Limi Lou rushes to her main house. Without waiting for 30 seconds, her little figure returns to the entrance of the square.

"I'm sure it'll be all right," said Mama Meer Ray! Donda, I can't promise you until Dad gets back, but he wants you back in the evening!

"I understand. Tell Meer Ray-Lou I appreciate it."

So Delce and the others went to Fa's house once. If you can take care of Lou's house at night, I will entertain you until then.

"The puppeteer Rico still seems to be cruising Jagal, right? Didn't you see him?

"Hmm. Were they headed for Nervia? Nervia and Cornelia have different directions, so sometimes they don't look the same."

"Ah, but let's see what kind of puppet Delce's older brother was tailored to. What a wonderful thing to be in a play like that."

With the reunion for the first time in about two months, the topic was hardly exhausted.

The other members of the crew are listening to us with interest. During Easter, they were able to interact with Delce and the others.

There was only one person who would meet Delce and the others.

The person was waiting in the cabin at Fa's house to attend today's study party.

"Good work, everyone. Thank you again today."

With her usual courtesy, she lowered her head deeply.

The wads shouted "hee" to his figure.

"This is goodbye again.... ah, didn't you say goodbye too well? I'm sorry about Hisabi-san."

When the outwardly powerful wad apologizes cheerfully, the person smiles back "No." The person who met them for the first time was Kur-Sung, the newest recruit.

It is a kind of female crowd that is a little unusual even around the forest, with a beautiful appearance and a subtle atmosphere. Delce frowned slightly behind the floating wads.

Somehow, you're the daughter of the eastern people.... no, I'm an eastern daughter too, I've never seen anything like it. No offense, just listen to me. "

"Yes, I do not know the women of the east, but I did not feel evil from your words. Please don't worry."

That's what Kur-Sung said while quietly shining his silver-grey eyes.

Speaking of which, she hasn't come face to face with Arishna yet. Arishna has been busy lately, and she hasn't appeared on the street at all.

Well then, let's start the study group. Please taste Delce and the others, if you please. You can taste the gel ingredients that you bought in exchange for miso and tau oil. "

"Oh, he hasn't been out to work yet, has he?

"Yes, the price has finally been set, but we need to find out how to use it first. In the castle town, the sale started a few days ago."

Even so, the only cooks you can buy are restaurants and aristocrats. In the workplace town, I and Yang were also scheduled to be the instructors in handling it.

Whatever it is, we'll prepare for the study group.

As soon as the arrangements were in place, Ray-Matua, who was always in good spirits, spoke.

"From now on, until the day of the feast, you can recap the feast dish, right? Which dish do you practice today?

I see. I can't practice cooking with live fish, so let's make a similar dish with gibberish meat. "

Then Delce, who was waiting near the entrance, shouted.

"Something about a feast coming up? I'm sorry I pushed you into a busy turn."

"No, I'm on my own, so I'm not too busy. It's been like this since Geld's ingredients were delivered."

"It's only natural for you to be busy.... what kind of feast is this?

"Three days later, Geld and the others held a gift reception, so I decided to keep the chef."

And Delce was stunned again.

"Then, at the request of Gerd's aristocrats, you can cook dinner again. You guys are as good as ever."

"Ha ha. The other day, you cooked a banquet for a Jaguar nobleman, right? I wonder if Genos is the only one who cooks for both the southern and eastern nobles."

My partner's wads don't give in.

After a while, when the banquet cuisine prototype was completed, both names expressed their admiration with a big surprise expression.

"It's kind of just interesting food. That's what Sims are made of."

"Yes, not just Sims, but these fruits are the ingredients of Mahidora."

Mahydra ah I can't imagine what kind of place it is because we only see and hear snow and ice. "

"Hmm. I'm glad you didn't see that. If the blood of our ancestors is throbbing, let Toth run for the snow mountains."

While retaining the top of the Buddha, Delce brightens his eyes sharply.

"... did you say that Geld's dealer was a big gastronomer?

"Yes, he was also deeply impressed by the miso and tau oil. In fact, it was your work to forgive the kingdoms for the deal."

"Hmm, these dishes must have Jaguar ingredients. A man with a taste for food deserves to be desperate."

Speaking like that, Dells seemed satisfied with the success of these dishes.

These are the first dishes to be made with both the ingredients bought from Geld and the ingredients bought from Jagal. And since it contains even the ingredients of Mahidorah, it encompassed the blessings of the four kingdoms.

"Well, if you pay the right price, it doesn't make sense to complain.... so that we don't ruin any big deals, at best we'll treat them with hospitality."

"Yes, I intend to."

Thus, today's study meeting, which welcomed unprecedented guests, also passed peacefully.

◇

And it's night.

When Gerd's mission reported that it would leave tomorrow, Ei Fa sighed.

"So, inviting Platica and Nicolas to the woods is not going to happen again."

"Yes. If it was a feast, it might have been a different story... but there's no clan to celebrate during the rainy season. I think yesterday will be my last stay."

In my reply, Ey-Fa breathes again.

It's an obscure expression anywhere.

"What's going on? Maybe it would be a shame to say goodbye to Platica and the others?

"What a pity... something halfway there."

That said, Ai Fa happily grilled the gibberish meat dish, which was scheduled to be served three days later.

"You will have spent about half of a month in this house of Pharaoh. I'm sure I've never allowed a guest to stay that long, but somehow... I don't think I made that much of a connection."

Tier wasn't counted by the Guest because of the special circumstances.

Thinking like that, I'll say, "I see."

"But, well, Ey-Fa only had dinner and breakfast together. The beds were separate, and I wonder if those parts would be enough?

"Gradually, I didn't want to sleep on the bed together. I don't think it's easy for them to get their cars ready so they won't bother us. It's just...."

"Just?"

"...... However, if Platica returns home, there is a high probability that she will never see her face again. It's a strange feeling."

"Weird? I wonder if that's different from the feeling of regret.

In my persistent pursuit, Ey-Fa ripped his lips off.

"What is it? It's not like you're stubbornly repeating yourself."

"No, I thought Ey-Fa and Platica would go well together. If Platica had anything to think about, I wanted to ask her."

Then Ey-Fa put down the wooden dish, and it became the object of contemplation.

Ei Fa himself may have wanted to determine his ambiguity. It is not easy for Ai Fa to interrupt his meal.

"That's right... of course I don't hate him either. I don't know if it's a bad idea, but his preparedness and pride are no better than those of the hunters around the forest. But I don't think I know half of him... and I don't think he knows me either. Maybe that's what led us to the word" halfway. "

"Hmm. Well, I guess I won't be able to tell you that much in just a month. I think it's the same thing that I spent the rest of the day with."

"Mm-hmm. Nicolas, who lives in the castle town, will have the opportunity to deepen her ties in the future. Also with Alvach and Nanaquém, he should visit Genos again eventually. But with Platica, this could be a lifetime farewell. If I had a deeper bond, I would feel comfortable sparing it, and if I had a less deeper bond, I wouldn't spare anything... I might not feel calm because my feelings are fuzzy."

That said, Ey-Fa finally smiled.

"And I don't think I've ever been exposed to such a vague mood. Are you happy to hear this?

"Yes, I'm satisfied. I want to know everything about Ai Fa."

Ey-Fa went out of his way to stretch out his arms and stir my head around.

"But, well, there's still about 20 days left before Platica and the others leave. In the meantime, we may get deeper bonds.... or maybe I could invite you to Fa's house once or twice?

Hmm. First of all, we'll still have a chance to meet in three days.

The discussion of the day ended in the form of a postponement at a later date.

It must be proof that Platica is such an attractive person that we are worried about this. The deeper the bond, the harder it gets to say goodbye - but we weren't reluctant to interact with others because of that.