CH 285

“These are pancakes made from twintail horn milk and wheat flour from hopping wheat, accompanied by nuts soaked in honey bee honey.”

The owner brings us plates with several levels of pancakes and honey nuts.

It’s a pretty good quantity.

I look at Ahri, and she’s already holding a knife and a fork. I see they were placed on a corner of the table.

Is this where I do it?

I grab a knife and fork too, and see Ahri’s mouth is already full.

“Wah.”

She chews slowly, swallows, and lets out a sound I’ve never heard from her.

I unconsciously stop my hands and ask a question instead.

“Is it good?”

“Yes. The high quality sweetness of the pancakes themselves and the accentuated sense of presence of the honey covered nuts go very well together. I have never eaten something like this…”

She keeps cutting the pancakes and carrying them to her mouth even while she answers, like even responding to my question is kind of getting in the way.

Judging by how she’s eating, I’d say she really likes it. I feel like this is my chance to talk, but stuff my face with pancakes instead.

The smell of honey going through my nose. The feeling of the crunchy nuts. The pancakes gently enveloping everything…

Yes, Ahri is right, this is wonderful.

Ingredients taken from monsters are abundant in magic elements, and I feel them riding the sweetness all throughout my body.

Before I know it, Ahri’s plate is empty, and she’s staring at it.

“Do you want more?”

And that’s when the owner comes back

This ability of hers to show up at just the right time is probably a reason why she’s so good at her job.

But as I think about that, my eyes meet Ahri’s while she’s peeking over my way.

“Yes please. You want more, right Ahri?”

“Hum, yes, please.”

I order more, as Ahri hesitates for some reason.

So, is it time?

The second batch of pancakes soon arrives, and I start talking as Ahri eats.

“So, is this about Roa’s broken spear? I feel guilty for what happened, and I’m sorry for exposing Roa to danger. It happened because she was covering for me. I’ve been making a new spear, partly as a way to apologize, but I’m still selecting materials that will have good compatibility with her magic eyes, so it should still take some time.”

“No, I think losing a spear is a small price to pay for keeping you safe. Both Roa and I are fighters, so we are prepared for this sort of thing. Not to mention that Roa seems to be excited about having a new one, special made by you.”

Says Ahri, after quickly swallowing the pancake in her mouth. Her expression is still gentle.

Oh? That’s not it? So it’s that then? The fact that there was a lot of damage…”

“You were concerned about Rose too, right? Sorry. Rose’s reconstruction is going smoothly, with the help of the people of the Kagero Institute. Most people there don’t have a lot of experience dealing with plant type transmuted beasts, so they were kind of confused at first, but by now they’re completely used to it. In a few days it will all be done and Rose will be back.”

“Well, that is good to hear. I look forward to having Rose’s tea again.”

“Oh? It’s not that either? Uh, so what is it? What else happened? A lot happened with Zwei at the end, but I think there’s a good chance that it’s not a threat at the moment. Losing control of the hole in space was a failure on my part, but Ahri should have heard from Kalin that there was nothing I could do, and I’m sure she understands.

I peek at Ahri out of the corner of one eye as I cut what’s left of the pancakes on my plate and slowly take them to my mouth.

Ahri lets out a big sigh, seemingly seeing through my attempt to buy time.