Chapter 13: Delicious Orc Meat

Author: Kurohitsuji
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2086fk/14/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

Even with the knife I have, the ogre’s horn won’t take a nick; in the end I shave it off with a mana round from a handgun.
It’s big, looking again. The horn alone is more than half my height.
Incredibly hard, and it looks like it could be a weapon. Not that I could swing it with my arm strength.
I mean, dragging it all the way back to the capital was about all I could manage.

“So, this is the horn.”
“…You. You pull something every single day, don’t you.”

When I submit it to Glad, he gets a crease between his brows.

“What. You told me to report.”
“I didn’t think it’d be every day, normally.”
“It can’t be helped. I couldn’t just leave it.”

There are villages and towns around the capital too, and that forest is famous for medicinal herbs.
If I’d left it, who knows what would have happened.
…Well, I didn’t really think I could hunt it.
If you try hard, things work out. Yep.

“That’s true, but… well, fine. There weren’t any others?”
“Just this one. And a few goblins.”
“Don’t call a pack of seven ‘a few’…”

The guildmaster covers his forehead and groans. Sorry, I guess.

“Anyway, the guild will send investigators. Stay out of that forest for a while.”
“Ehh… that’s the only nearby subjugation request.”
“Sit quiet and gather somewhere else… no, you have a record even on gathering requests.”

A record. It isn’t like I went looking for trouble.
…I wanted to think that, but I do stick my neck in a lot.
Hmm. But, well, it couldn’t be helped, you know.

“Anyway, don’t go near that forest for a while. If anyone else copies you it won’t be a joke.”
“Eh. You’re not worried about me?”
“If you want me to worry, show a little sense. They’re about to give you an epithet.”

An epithet, huh. The thing they give famous adventurers.
If it’s a cool one it might be okay.
…No, wait, wait. I’m not going to keep being an adventurer forever. That wouldn’t happen.
A town girl with an epithet already doesn’t make any sense.

“Well, I’ll vouch that you’re not a bad sort, but sit quiet for a few days. There’s the ogre bounty too.”
“Eh, there is?”
“An ogre’s proof part is either the horn or a fang. We can pay a bounty as an emergency request.”

For real. Lucky.
Dragging it back was worth it.

“Ooh. Generous.”
“Better than you bringing in a new mess… Liza. Give her the bounty.”
“Yes. Here you are, Ouka.”

She quietly hands me a bundle.
Heavy! Eh, this much!?
I check inside: twenty silver. That’s what an ordinary person earns in a month.
No, more to the point, sending it to the church… might get stolen on the way, that’s dangerous.
Uwawa, what do I do! Should I keep it and hand it over when I go home!?

“Uwah… adventurers make a crazy amount.”
“Well, normally you’d split this with a party.”
“Hnn… even then, isn’t it a lot?”
“Listen, Ouka. An ogre is a monster you normally subjugate with about ten people, okay? And normally you take it down with magic, so a horn this clean almost never survives.”

Liza tells me, looking fed up.
…Ah. Ahaha, I see.
I’ll keep quiet that when I killed it, the horn and fangs didn’t have a single scratch. Yep.

“One this fine can be used as weapon material too, and the amount takes that into account.”
“…Nn. Then I’ll take it without holding back. Thanks.”
“It helps us too, but try not to do anything too dangerous, okay?”
“U… yes. Understood.”

I can’t really push back on Liza, somehow.
It’s that. Her atmosphere is like Sister Naria’s.
…If I said she was motherly she’d probably get mad. Liza’s really young.

“Ah, right. Thanks for telling me about the inn. The food is super good.”
“Oh, I’m glad. I used to use it a lot myself.”
“Ah, is that so. Liza, what did you do before guild reception?”
“…It’s a secret. It’s too soon for you, Ouka.”

She dodges with a smile.
I don’t really get it, but it seems like something I’m not supposed to touch.
I’ll leave it. Her smile is scary.

“Uh. Anyway, I’m going home.”
“Ah, good work. Don’t do anything too reckless.”
“Glad too… okaaay.”

I don’t really feel satisfied, but… whatever.
I wonder what’s for dinner. I’m looking forward to it.

∞∞∞∞

“Oh, you’re back. Good work.”
“I’m home, ma’am.”

When I go back to the inn to order dinner, the lady greets me with a good-natured smile.

“You were a big success again today, I hear. Dinner’s on the house.”
“For real!? Thanks.”

Yes. I get to eat lots of delicious things!

I wait in high spirits, and the lady brings dinner right away.
Dinner is beef stew, salad, two pieces of bread. And on top of that, the orc sauté I’ve been wanting is attached as an extra.
Amazing. Did she read my mind.
Gratefully: Itadakimasu.

First the salad. The same leafy greens as lunch, with a house sweetish dressing.
Every bite has a crunch, and then a gentle sweet-tartness spreads.
Next the stew. The savor is intense.
They must have simmered several kinds of vegetables together; the flavor has depth.
I tear bread and eat it while the aftertaste is still there.
The taste of wheat and a faint sweetness. Fluffy. It makes me happy.

And then the orc sauté I’ve been waiting for.
A savory smell. Just sticking a fork in, the fat comes welling out.
I cut it bite-size, coat it in sauce, and eat.
Tender. The more I chew, the more juice, and a spicy sauce that sets it off.
Ah, this. This is what I wanted to eat.
The day’s fatigue is healing… yummy yummy.

Bite after bite, and before I know it I’ve finished it all.
I think it was a fair amount of food, but… it went in no problem.
As a girl that might not be entirely all right, but it was delicious, so I’ll call it fine.
Delicious is justice, after all.

Excuse complete. Now then. I’m full, so I’ll get in the bath before I get sleepy.