He simmered a big black fish into a soup, sprinkled in some coriander leaves, and added a bit of seasoning.
Finally, he casually made a big pot of dessert as well.
------------------------------------
The name of the dessert is: Rote Grütze, which means [red berry pudding].
The main ingredients are [berries] and [cornstarch].
There are many varieties of berries in the kitchen.
Blackcurrants, redcurrants, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and sour cherries.
They are all commonly found on the market, perhaps favored by some cute girl from the familia; anyway, plenty were prepared.
The dessert is very simple to make.
Put three spoonful's of blackcurrant juice into the starch and stir evenly, then pour the berries into the pot, add the blackcurrant juice and starch mixture, and then add sugar, and it's ready to cook.
While waiting for the meat roll and the berries to cook, make a bit of vanilla sauce.
Milk, sugar, eggs, cream, starch, and the key ingredient: vanilla pod.
Then the simple dessert is done.
Bringing the bread, meat rolls, soup, and dessert to the table, in the dining hall that could usually hold fifty to sixty people, only Fron was there alone in the silence.
But he enjoyed the atmosphere very much; the peaceful environment made him feel immersed, both body and mind relaxed.
"I'm going to eat now."
Life always needs a bit of ceremony. Fron said with a pretentious smile, then picked up his knife and fork.
"Wow, what's that smell, I've never smelled this before!"
"So, so fragrant!"
'Bang'
The tightly closed restaurant door was pushed open.
The sisters Tiona and Tione, Ais, Lefiya, Raul, Anakitty, Elfy, Line, and bringing up the rear, Bete.
Only Riveria's little follower Alicia was missing.
"Fron? Eh eh eh? Don't tell me you made this yourself? You have this kind of cooking skill?"
"Hmph hmph, eating alone isn't a good habit, you know!"
Ais was simpler, her pair of golden eyes stared straight at the red and white berry dessert, finally saying just two words, "Want to eat."
Fron's face went dark, frozen in place, he couldn't eat, but also couldn't not eat, on the verge of tears.
So—so this is what they call better timing than being early?
Love it.
…
…
"So, so delicious!"
"What is this, there's actually this kind of way to cook meat, the style is completely different, is this from your hometown?"
"Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, fatty but not greasy, with the filling and spices inside, is this heaven?!"
"Mmm, with your skills, even if you don't become an adventurer, you could totally open a tavern and make a killing, Fron!"
Tiona, eating happily, kept patting his shoulder and praising him, completely missing the tear in the corner of someone's eye.
Worked for two hours, and he only got to eat a tiny bit, damn it.
"It's very delicious, Fron."
Ais said the warmest words of the night in a tone only a girl could manage.
"Uh, as long as you're satisfied."
"Hmph, what adventurer? Weaklings should stay on the surface. Aren't you quite capable!"
Bete, that tsundere wolf, was once again rescuing the weak in his own way.
Fron understood his personality and didn't get mad, just smiled with squinting eyes.
"Tch, boring."
Kicking a chair away, Bete ran off wagging his tail. He felt like he'd been seen through, and that annoyed him.
"Well, that's just how Bete is, he didn't mean anything by it."
Thinking Fron was mad, Tione tried to comfort him.
"Ah, I know. Tsundere. That's the kind of behavior where someone hides their shyness by acting cold and arrogant, totally contradictory in actions and words."
"Spiky words, arrogant attitude, so what, I'm a true second-generation anime-fan!"
"Second what?"
"Ah, nothing."
Everyone looked at each other. But once Fron said that, they all burst into laughter.
"Tsundere! Hahahahaha, I'm dying, tsundere wolf!!!"
"Just don't let him hear that, hehehehehehe!"
As for Elfy, Line, and the others, they wanted to laugh but didn't dare to, afraid of getting beaten up, holding it in painfully.
"Hey hey hey, you all say that, but don't say it was me. My little Lv.2 arms and legs can't handle it!"
"Tch, coward."
"This is called tactical retreat. Totally different from you Amazoness who only know how to charge head-on."
"You're just scared, trying to sound smart."
"It's called tactical retreat!!!"
The noisy chatter spread from the dining room.
This once quiet and deserted mansion became lively once again.
The next day.
The enormous labyrinth city came back to life, the magic stone lamps along the roadside began to dim, and the sky began to brighten.
On the bustling streets, people flowed endlessly.
Guild staff and townspeople had already started working, and their figures could occasionally be seen.
Foreign merchants, carrying goods, rushed down the streets with their wagons.
Adventurers and supporters gathered with the crowd, heading toward the center of the city, he Tower of Babel, like pilgrims.
Fully prepared, Fron carried a brand-new backpack he had crafted himself, wearing the "Fire Spirit's Cloak" that wrapped around his body. As he walked, the staff and short sword at his waist could be seen.
The eight pouches at his waist were also refilled with potions, including "Healing Potions", "Mana Recovery Potions", and even the expensive "Elixirs".
When it came to staying alive, he never cut corners.
Isn't it an adventurer's duty to make the best preparations within their capabilities?
When he arrived with the main group at the usual place in the central square, the fully equipped Welf seemed to have been waiting for quite a while.
"You haven't been waiting long, have you?"
Welf scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I got too excited, you know how it is!"
"…Like a kid going on their first field trip?"
"Hey, how can you put it like that?"
"Hahaha, let's go... Might as well buy lunch on the way."
"Sure!"
After walking a few steps past the fountain plaza, they arrived at the Northwest Avenue.
The "Hostess of Fertility" was located here.
Not wanting to wrong their stomachs and not short on money for now, they of course opted for satisfying food.
"Good morning, Fron-nya!"
"Good morning, Anya-chan. Long time no see!"
"Right-nya, let me think, it's been a month-nya!"
"I was a bit busy recently and didn't drop by. We're exploring the dungeon today, so we came to get some lunch!"
"Bento-nya?"
"Yeah, give me four seaweed rice balls, two bacon and ham burgers, and two bottles of fruit wine!"
"Fruit wine… nya!? Are you trying to die, drinking that before exploring the dungeon…?"
"It's fine, don't worry, I'm strong!"
"Mr. Fron, you can never be too cautious in the dungeon."
"…" Ryuu, holding a broom, stared straight at him with empty looking eyes.
Welf, "Uh, I mean... that elf's stare is seriously intense."
Fron, "Alright, alright. No fruit wine then. Anya-chan, please get that ready for us!"
"No problem-nya, just wait a moment!"
After Anya left, Fron looked at Ryuu.
Fron, "Miss Ryuu, you often go to the 18th floor, right?"
"…"
The girl was silent for a moment before replying in a complicated tone.
"You know about that…"
Fron, "I know a little about the Astraea Familia incident, so don't worry—I won't expose your identity."
Hearing Fron's direct response, Ryuu smiled bitterly.
"Driven purely by vengeance—that's the real me. Do you think such a filthy elf is worth your expectations, Mr. Fron?"
But Fron smiled.
"If the world were simply black and white, things would be much easier. Unfortunately, it's not."
"For example, if I were you back then, without even thinking—I'd have acted more decisively, more thoroughly than you."
"There's a saying in my hometown that I want to share with you, Miss Ryuu."
"Two people with a blood feud cannot coexist under the same sky, it must be repaid with blood, with tooth for tooth."
"Otherwise, what's the point of living? I really admire what you did."
"!"
Ryuu widened her eyes, completely shocked.
Fron's words completely disrupted her thoughts.
"Mr. Argon, you-"
Anya, "Here's your bento-nya!"
Fron, "Thanks, Anya-chan. Here's the money."
Fron, "Well then, we'll be off. See you tonight, Ryuu-chan, Anya-chan!"
Anya, "Fron, you're raising flags again-nya!"
"Looking forward to you supporting our shop again!" Lunoire and Chloe also came running out with smiles.
Only Syr stood to the side, a trace of doubt in her eyes.
"How strange… I can't see anything."
In Syr's eyes, the soul named Fron was nothing special—ordinary, the kind you couldn't even pick out from a crowd. He didn't even measure up to the red-haired youth beside him.
How strange indeed.