The Retired [Armed Merchant]’s Laid-back Journey Across the Continent 14

Chapter 14: The Rip-off Artist Tries Monster Cuisine.

After a few minutes on the ‘Magitek Cable Car Wild Ape’, which glided exhilaratingly through the air, we arrived in the city of Yaje in no time.

The return trip… that is, the ascent, is said to be a slow and scenic ride, so I’d like to ride it again.

“That was fun, the ‘Wild Ape’.”

“Yeah, you never know what you’ll find when you travel.”

Al and I walked through the streets of Yaje in high spirits.

This exploration city seems to have been built with a solid city plan, with a main street running east-west and north-south, and streets running neatly from there.

It’s a well-thought-out townscape that’s easy for tourists and migrant adventurers to navigate.

“It reminds me a little of Alanis.”

“Yeah, this is an adventurer’s town too.”

Many of the people coming and going on the main street are dressed in adventurer’s gear.

As Al said, the scenery reminded me of the adventurer city, and my merchant’s spirit almost ignited.

Well, I don’t have a business license, so there’s nothing I can do about it.

“Well, what should we do first…”

“How about monster gibier?”

“Oh, you want to jump right in?”

“Aren’t you curious to see what it’s like?”

I laughed back at Al’s fearless grin.

I’ve eaten monsters in the dungeon myself, and Al has cooked meals using monster materials I brought back.

Besides, monster meat from the dungeon was readily available in Alanis, so we’re used to seeing it.

…Let’s see what the real deal is like.

That was the hubris we both had.

Until a glass bowl piled high with the eyeballs of a Hecteyes was placed on our table.

“This is the ‘Hecteyes Eye’ jelly. Please season it to your liking with pepper and vinegar.”

The waiter bowed with a smile and left. And we froze.

Who was it that suggested we start with the ‘Today’s Special’?

No, before that, what’s wrong with recommending this?

“R-Rody-san… I… I underestimated the real deal…!”

“So this is the essence of monster gibier…!”

I feel like the slimy Hecteyes eyes are looking at me.

Hey, hey, is this okay? A Hecteyes is a type of demon, you know?

“G-Go ahead, Master. I’ll let you have the first bite.”

“Don’t be so considerate, Al. I’ll let my disciple have the first honors.”

“You’re only being unfair at times like these!”

“You too!”

We were at a standstill, neither of us willing to give in, but finally, Al went on the offensive.

Frankly, I think it’s a foul.

“Here, Rody-san. Open wide.”

“…!”

Al held out a spoon with a Hecteyes eye on it.

The ‘open wide’ that is rumored to happen between lovers.

Is it okay for my first ‘open wide’ to be this?

…But I can’t refuse.

If I don’t accept this, the memory of our first failed ‘open wide’ will be seared into our minds.

I can’t let the first girlfriend I’ve had since turning thirty be embarrassed.

“…”

I put the spoon in my mouth, trying not to make eye contact with the Hecteyes eye.

The strange elasticity and fishy smell almost made me gag, but in my long dungeon life, I’ve eaten things I thought were inedible.

Since it’s being served as a dish, there’s no doubt that this is food… with that thought, I chewed.

“…Hm?”

After a popping sensation, a rich, salty flavor spread in my mouth.

Hmm… hmm hmm. I know something similar to this. To describe it, it’s like a giant salmon roe.

“H-How is it?”

“It’s surprisingly not bad. Yeah, this makes me want some sake.”

Relieved by my reaction, Al closed her eyes and cautiously brought the ‘Hecteyes Eye’ to her mouth.

The first bite takes courage, but I think she’ll like the seasoning of this one.

The simple seasoning that brings out the flavor of the ingredients is very gibier-like.

“Mmm… mm. You’re right! It’s pretty good!”

“Should we order some other dishes?”

“…This will test our courage.”

The menu is lined with the names of monsters I’ve seen or heard of, but most of them are things I’ve never eaten before.

At most, ‘Deep-fried Grass Raptor’.

The others are all strange dishes like ‘Deep-fried Paralysis Frog’ or ‘Grayback Bear Paw with Seasonal Wild Herbs’.

I’ve heard the poison has been removed, but is it really okay to eat a Paralysis Frog?

Maybe I should have taken a poison resistance potion before the meal.

“Rody-san, let’s have this next.”

“Hm?”

I looked at the tip of Al’s finger pointing at the menu, and it said, ‘Special Price! Albraria Steak’.

Seeing that, I felt a strange sense of unease.

An Albraria is a sheep-like monster with straight fur, but it’s extremely ferocious and dangerous.

They always move in groups and have strange habits and abilities. If you don’t take proper precautions, people will die.

And the meat of such a monster is on special.

And the fact that it’s so obviously cheap suggests that the market might be saturated with it.

I’m not from Yaje, so I don’t know what this means… but it’s a little concerning.

“Rody-san?”

“Ah, sorry. It’s just the meat of a rare monster, so I was a little surprised.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. It’s my first time eating it too.”

I waved my hand to call the waiter, trying to hide my uneasy feeling.

Well, unlike the dungeon, this is an exploration city where the hunting grounds are the hills.

The knowledge I have might not apply here.

For now, let’s enjoy the unknown cuisine.

“Two of these, the Ambraria steak. With diabola sauce.”

“Coming right up! Oh, customer… you ate the Hecteyes eye. Not bad.”

“Eh?”

“It’s a challenge menu item at our restaurant.”

The waiter laughed heartily, and I couldn’t help but exchange a look with Al.

For the ‘Today’s Special’ to be a challenge menu item, as expected of an adventurer’s town, it’s not so straightforward.