Kays Translations

Chapter 65: The Village Develops

Over the past several days, Tauro had begun to realize what a wonderful place the village was now that its curse had been lifted.

The villagers were so kind that they seemed like entirely different people, and everyone called out to him as he passed.

They apparently remembered the time they had spent under the curse and felt deep regret and remorse for their behavior.

They were sincerely grateful to Bob and Tauro for freeing them from that nightmarish curse.

To restore the village’s reputation and regain the trust of outsiders, Bob began touring the surrounding towns and villages. He explained that Dansas had been afflicted by a monster’s curse and that they had lifted it, carrying the Goblin Sorcerer’s magic stone as proof.

Tauro also considered how to develop the village. He introduced its blacksmiths to techniques he had previously taught in another town, bringing new ideas to their trade.

At the same time, he discussed repairs to the village houses with the woodworkers and passed his own techniques on to them as well.

The village currently looked rather desolate, but he believed that impression would gradually change as its homes were repaired.

Tauro taught the innkeeper one of his finest recipes.

It was tonkatsu – breaded pork cutlet – which he had kept as a secret specialty.

The village produced valuable vegetable oil from the seeds of a rare plant.

That made deep-fried tonkatsu the perfect choice.

He carefully taught her every step: preparing the meat, making the sauce and breadcrumbs, and the proper frying technique.

Then he cooked a serving himself and let the innkeeper taste it.

“I’ve never experienced anything so crisp! I was confused when you started pounding the meat, but preparing it that way makes Big Boar meat so tender. I’ve never deep-fried anything before either, but now I see what it does!”

The innkeeper was thoroughly impressed.

“You can also coat vegetables in breadcrumbs and fry them. That produces another delicious flavor and texture.”

“I understand! May I try making some too?”

She was eager to learn, completely unlike the cursed woman Tauro had first met.

Even the dishes Bob had once called unappetizing became perfectly delicious after she returned to herself.

Perhaps a cook’s feelings really did affect the flavor of the food.

With tonkatsu as its signature dish, the inn could become famous for fried food.

Good food would attract more visitors, and some of them would surely return.

All they could do now was wait for Bob’s steady campaigning throughout the region to bring outsiders back to the inn.

A few days later, a traveling merchant arrived.

He had heard Bob’s story firsthand.

While other merchants continued to avoid the village, he saw an opportunity: with no one else visiting, he would have no competition.

“This village produces valuable medicinal herbs, doesn’t it? Those alone will make the trip worthwhile!”

The young man appeared to be a novice merchant, but Tauro liked him and introduced him to the herbs gathered in the area.

They would command high prices in a large city, so having him buy them would benefit both sides.

The villagers could dry and process the herbs before sale, making them easier for the merchant to handle.

Tauro also showed him tools made by the blacksmiths and small goods crafted by the woodworkers.

“These are all exceptionally well made! A real opportunity has fallen right into my lap!”

The young merchant immediately signed agreements with the blacksmiths and woodworkers, promising to return later with a wagon to purchase their goods.

“I’ll spread the word about how good this village is. By the way, the food at this inn is incredible too! I’ve never eaten anything like it!”

“It’s called tonkatsu. It uses a luxurious amount of oil and can only be eaten here. I recommend ordering it every time you visit.”

“Really? Then I’ll have it again tonight!”

Hooked!

Tauro struck a triumphant pose in his mind.

“But eating too much fried food can make your stomach feel heavy, so moderation is best.”

Tauro didn’t want the merchant to overindulge and quickly grow tired of it.

The ideal result was for him to leave thinking, I’ll have it again next time.

A young man from a nearby hamlet soon came to Dansas because it had an Adventurers’ Guild branch.

Apparently, he hoped to become an adventurer.

He had wanted to come for some time, but the village’s endless bad rumors had made him hesitate.

Then Bob visited, and the encouraging news he shared finally persuaded the young man.

The newcomer promptly paid the registration fee of ten silver coins. He then struggled through a repair quest while a carpenter taught him how to mend a house.

Watching him work, Tauro felt that the village’s future would be bright if more people like him continued to arrive.

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