Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 203: Eating the Worm
Rest had secured the campsite with his monster-repelling barrier, ensuring their safety. However, his mission for the day was far from over. One final, daunting challenge remained: tasting the dinner Yuri and Urla had prepared.
“Hey, Rest. Dinner’s ready! Should I bring it over to you?”
Yuri called out, walking toward him as he maintained the barrier.
(It’s here… It’s finally here…!)
Rest swallowed nervously. The women had been cooking—using the worm they’d defeated as an ingredient.
He had tried to block out the sounds of their suspicious culinary efforts, but fragments of their conversation had still reached him.
(Honestly… I don’t want to eat it. It’s terrifying…)
This must be what it feels like to try surströmming for the first time—a fermented herring known as the world’s smelliest food.
(At least herring is food… But worms? Those are definitely not food. No one in recorded history has eaten such a thing…)
The thought of that mud-caked giant, with its grotesque body fluids oozing everywhere, was enough to kill any appetite. If he could, Rest would have flown away from the campsite right then and there.
“Rest?”
“…Yeah, I’m coming.”
Yuri called out again, and Rest reluctantly stood up. He channeled extra magic into the magic circle at his feet, ensuring the barrier would last for a while even after he left.
“This way. Follow me.”
“…Alright.”
Dragging his feet, Rest was led to the dining area.
On the ground sat a table and chairs, where Urla, her attendant Arlie, and a grim-faced Ostrey were already seated.
“Count Clover…”
“Lord Ostrey…”
Though the two had only met that day, there was a strange connection between them.
It felt as though they were bound by a bond that transcended time and status.
(We are comrades… Let’s fight together and survive this ordeal!)
(Yes… May fortune favor us both…!)
Through unspoken understanding—almost telepathy—the two exchanged their vows before taking their seats.
“All right, everyone! Don’t hold back—dig in!”
“Enjoy.”
As everyone gathered at the table, Yuri and Urla brought out the dishes.
The first dish was skewered meat, grilled to a golden brown and drizzled with a savory sauce that gave off an enticing aroma.
Next came a green-hued soup. The vibrant liquid, resembling green curry, contained visible chunks of vegetables and meat.
“This… looks appetizing… maybe?”
The appearance, at least, was surprisingly normal. It didn’t seem entirely inedible—visually, at least.
“There’s dessert, too, so look forward to it!”
“Dessert…”
Rest’s hope wavered. He hadn’t wanted to know there was a “final boss” waiting even after he conquered the current challenge.
(No, wait… Dessert can’t possibly involve worms. There’s no way that massive creature could turn into a sweet treat…!)
(In other words, I just have to get through the dishes in front of me. Isn’t that right, Count Clover?)
(Yes… Let’s believe that. We must not abandon hope…)
“What’s wrong, you two? Aren’t you going to eat?”
The naturally telepathic exchange between the two was interrupted by Yuri’s curious question.
“If you don’t eat soon, it’ll get cold!”
“Eat?”
Even Urla chimed in, urging them to dig in.
The word “eat” sounded ominous—almost as if they were being summoned to the heavens. Rest silently prayed that wouldn’t be the case.
“It’s fine… Poison can be neutralized with magic. It’s cooked through, so there shouldn’t be any parasites…”
Rest muttered to himself, as if trying to convince himself, before reaching for one of the skewers laid out in front of him.
“Here goes nothing…!”
And so, steeling his resolve, he bit into the savory, aromatic meat.