Volume 6 - CH 3

Chapter 3 – Cooking Class

“Well then, what we are going to make today is a deep-fried hollow bird. Deep frying is a common cooking method in villages near the Royal Capital, and it is pretty easy to make. Put battered meat and vegetables in hot oil, and fry them until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. By the way, deep-fried hollow bird is one of the most popular deep-fried dishes, so I advise you to remember it.”

In front of the gathered women, Eto explained how to cook the said dish with the help of Kohaku and Sorano.

A few days ago, Eto and his party discussed what they could do to help the female victims improve their mood. And the result of that discussion is what is happening right now. They opened a cooking class. It all started from Kohaku, whom Eto didn’t know where she heard it, began to say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. According to Kohaku, the women might be able to find happiness if they have lovers after returning to their hometown. Still, it made Eto a bit worried because the reason might be too indecent.

However, when Sorano and Kohaku talked to the women about opening a cooking class when traveling, they seemed to be quite enthusiastic about it. Thus, the group consulted the knights and got permission to do that in order to improve the mood of the victims. Although the dish that they are going to teach hasn’t been decided, the main ingredient is the hollow birds that they catch in the forest. But since that alone wasn’t enough, they bought enough ingredients in this town.

Deep-fried hollow bird is normally made by heating a large amount of oil in a pan. And since the Kingdom produces an abundant amount of cooking oil, it can be made at home at low cost. However, those who are not accustomed to making a deep-fried dish may have trouble processing the oil after cooking. Hence, Eto decided to introduce a cooking method that uses a frying pan to reduce the amount of oil.

Incidentally, the one who came up with this idea was Tommy the coachman, who apparently cooks as a hobby. Not only does he have a regular job as a coachman, but he can also cook. Although he is indeed quite grumpy, he is earnest and his personality isn’t that bad, which made Eto wonder why Sally broke up with him. It also made Eto think that the thing called romance is really difficult.

All fifteen women were currently in the kitchen, which the group rented a bit unreasonably from the innkeeper. They divided into several groups and worked together to cook the dish that Eto taught them.

Tommy also participated as the cooking instructor. The thing is, when Tommy complained about the story of his heartbreak to Eto, the women were having lunch nearby. At that time, Tommy was so pitiful that even the Knights were hesitant to stop him. Although Eto didn’t know how the women saw Tommy as a man after that, their vigilance toward Tommy seems to have dropped considerably.

“Before frying, don’t forget to season the meat. It will add more flavor to the meat, making it taste good. Also, it is common to use garlic to make the dish more fragrant. None of you seem to be bad with garlic, but if you do, salt and pepper are enough.”

Since Tommy is a coachman, he is probably not bad at socializing. Adding the fact that they’re talking about his hobby, which is cooking, Tommy seemed excited.

“I always make deep-fried dishes with a frying pan because it requires less oil than frying in a pot.”

Tommy put a bite-sized hollow bird covered with flour in a frying pan filled with hot oil, producing a frying sound that invites people’s appetite.

Following that, Kohaku also fries the hollow bird using a frying pan.

“Do be careful as the oil splashes.”

Kohaku, who had been cooking for her sick mother since she was little, seemed accustomed to handling kitchen knives.

Meanwhile, Sorano was also cooking by herself while assisting Kohaku. She was able to do everything, from hunting for prey to eating, since she’s almost self-sufficient even in her hometown.

Although Eto has less cooking experience than the two, when he was still traveling with the Hero’s party, he has dismantled and cooked many monsters and animals. Thus, he assisted Tommy, so he can cook comfortably.

While the group were busy with cooking, Amou, who is left alone, stared at the cooking from behind the women with his big body. But when they’re hunting the hollow birds, Amou’s way of handling the birds made people certain of his long story as an adventurer.

Among the women, those who grew up in the town had no experience of hunting animals to eat. When they saw the hanged hollow bird moving even after its neck was cut, they had an indescribable expression. But after that, they seemed to be serious and enjoy learning to cook, and making a new dish.

Eventually, the fragrant smell spreads throughout the kitchen, and a large amount of deep-fried hollow birds are completed. After that, they invited the knights, male victims, and the husband and wife of the inn who they rented the place from to eat. And then, the women smiled as they ate the food they cooked together. Even those who haven’t talked much with the others seem to continue the conversation after talking about cooking. The knights were also surprised that the expression of the women had changed, and they were impressed that there was such a way to change their mood.

Since then, the popular cooking class is being held on a regular basis, and the male victims also participated in hunting, which was also able to change their disheartened mood.

The acceptance treatment they will get in the Cyril town has also been reviewed, and it is said that female knights will be handling the female victims in order to reassure them. Also, if they wish, a knight will be present when they explain the situation to their family. It should be less burdensome to them if the Knight is the one who explained rather than explaining on their own. Kohaku and Sorano then shared this information with the victims in the carriage.

Of course, Eto understand that the women are still uneasy. Because their lives haven’t improved at all. It will only start when they return to the town and regain their normal life.

However, at least in the carriage, it has become an environment where they can talk about things that are difficult to tell others, such as the situation when they are kidnapped and the uneasiness about returning to their families. With that, Eto thought they might have successfully helped them get out of the situation where they have to hold onto their feelings alone.