Chapter 10: The Cockatrice Egg

　Hirune was giving alms to the people.

It’s a Mephistophelian and Western Church-led event that takes place every noon.

(It seems that there are many immigrants from the south … I wonder if it’s hard for them.)

 It seems that there is a custom of braiding hair in the southern region, and most of the people receiving the alms wore hair ornaments. I heard that they take alms in front of the church and look for a job at a vocational agency.

　Recently, there have been so many immigrants that the royal capital has imposed restrictions on their entry.

　Hirune presented the man with a bowl of soup made of boiled root vegetables.

“May the goddess Sophia bless you…”

“Thank you.”

　Hirune looked at the older man with dark circles under his eyes and made a sad face, wondering what it was.

‘You haven’t been sleeping well, have you?’

　She couldn’t help but ask.

　Holding the bowl of soup, the man looked around.

‘Yes, …… saint, …… the vacant lot is overflowing with people, ……”

“May Goddess bless you with a good night’s sleep–“

　Hirune held up his hand and a small magic circle floated in his palm.

Glittering stardust waited and was sucked into the man.

　The old man was so startled that he almost spilled his bowl of soup, but he rushed to get it back and bowed deeply.

“Thank you very much. Thank you for using your precious holy magic on me. ……”

“No problem. I hope you sleep well.”

　The man blinked repeatedly and hung his head in tears as he turned his blue eyes that shone like the starry sea at Hirune.

“I have come to King’s Landing to …… feed my wife and son after my daughter was killed by a demon. …… Thank you, saint. You’ve given me hope for life.”

“Lack of sleep is the enemy of all. Take good care of yourself. One day, the south will be cleansed.”

(I heard that a lot of saints have been sent there.)

　Hirune said so, then turned her attention to the next people waiting.

　The man bowed his head again and again.

　Every time Hirune sees someone with dark circles under their eyes, she uses holy magic on them.

　Even if Wanda, the educator, told her not to, she could not compromise on this one.

　When it was time for alms giving, the West Church was crowded with people. Some came to see the Saint Apprentices, some to receive alms, and some to set up stalls to make money from the people gathered.

　Hirune was the most popular person at the daytime almsgiving time.

　Her gentle gaze, neat face, and sleepy figure seemed mysterious to the people.

(Am I last in line again? …… I better speed up the process.)

 Unaware of this, Hirune grabbed a ladle and started  pouring soup into the bowls as fast as she could.

　　　　　　()

　After a day’s work, she went back to her room.

　It was an unusual and rare day for her to finish work by two in the afternoon. It was a rest day.

“Hmm?”

　Jeanne, who was waiting in the room, was holding something round in both hands.

“Jeanne, is that an …… egg?”

“Hirune-sama.”

　Jeanne gently placed the large egg on the table, letting out a muffled  cry. If It slipped from her hand, it would fall over, so she holds it down with a serious face. She’s very skillful.

“You’ve become quite athletic, Jeanne.”

“Yes! This is thanks to the holy magic of Hirune-sama.”

　The holy magic that she casts every day helps her  recover, and Jeanne has grown remarkably, receiving blessings to improve her physical abilities without even knowing it. She is becoming a superhuman maid who never gets tired and can move quickly, but they don’t know it. If she continues like this, she’s going to become something terrible.

“The nobleman praised me for my work today and gave me a cockatrice egg.”

“A cockatrice?”

“It’s a flying demon. He donated it to me. I’ve never seen anything like this happen.”

　Jeanne showed her white teeth in a flashy smile which made Hirune smile too.

“I’m going to ask the cook in the cafeteria to help us. There will be egg dishes today.”

(Eggs ……! I want an omelet.)

“We can have an omelet.”

“What’s an omelet?”

　 Jeanne tilted her head, with her hands still on the egg.

 “It’s a method of cooking eggs in a pan and rolling them into an oval. Don’t you know it?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never even seen it.”

“How do you cook eggs in this country?”

“Mostly scrambled eggs, I guess.”

“No, you can’t do that.”

　Hirune said proudly.

“Jeanne, let’s take the eggs with us. I’ll cook them.”

“Hirune-sama, Can you do it?”

“Of course I can. Let’s go.”

　The two of them headed for the dining room with the giant cockatrice egg.

　　　　　　()

　When she told the cook that she would show her a new way to cook eggs, she readily agreed.

　The aunt with the big arms seemed to be the head cook.

She said, “It’s great that you got an egg. You did a great job.”

“Yes. I’m very happy.”

　Jeanne was delighted with the praise.

　With the help of the aunt, they cracked open the cockatrice eggs and put them in a huge bowl.

(It’s really hard to mix. ……The egg smells good. I’ll have to purify it for now.)

“Holy magic, purification.”

　A magic circle appears, and stardust seeps into the eggs.

　Jeanne and the aunt were astonished when they saw Hirune suddenly use magic, their mouths hanging open.

“Hirune-chan, …… why are you using holy magic ……?”

“I purified it just in case. You can rest assured.”

“Hirune-sama, …… there is no saint apprentice that purifies eggs.”

“I’m here.”

　The auntie looked at Jeanne with her eyes and mouth open.

“You’re really my-pace, as they say. ……”

“Yes, …… I’m with you every day, but sometimes even I’m surprised.”

　Perhaps she didn’t hear those words, Hirune got on the table, looked into the bowl, and began to stir the eggs with both hands on the large chopsticks.

(It’s too heavy for a little girl’s power.)

“Let me. I’ll do it for you.”

　Unable to bear the sight of her, the auntie put out her thick arms.

“Oh, don’t worry. This is when holy magic comes in handy. Pseudo-life – spin the chopsticks around.”

　Once again, a magic circle shone at their feet, and stardust was sucked into the chopsticks.

　The chopsticks began to move by themselves, as if they had been brought to life. They stirred the cockatrice eggs with great speed. It was a strange sight, as if an invisible man was controlling the chopsticks.

“It’s so easy.”

　Stardust was intermittently emitted from Hirune, who nodded in satisfaction.

　Neither Jeanne nor the aunt could  keep their mouths shut. They’d never heard of a saint applying holy magic to chopsticks before.

　She finished mixing the eggs, turned off the holy magic, and took out the chopsticks. She also used a ladle to put the right amount into a bowl.

　They waited until the frying pan was at the right temperature, then added oil.

(The fire is wood. It’s so primitive. You can’t control the temperature very well. …… I have to be careful.)

　The wood stove has a knob that you can move to adjust the air flow in and out. It seems to be possible to adjust the temperature to a certain extent, but not as finely as an electric stove.

“Hirune-chan are you okay. I’m starting to worry about you.

“I’m getting worried, too.”

　The kitchen was high, so Hirune was holding a frying pan on a platform.

　When the time was right, she puts the eggs in the pan.

　A sizzling sound was heard, and Hirune moved her chopsticks swiftly.

　Her usual sleepy, languid movements were replaced by agile movements.

“Oh, this is amazing!”

“It’s like magic!”

　Aunt and Jeanne watched Hirune as she tapped the handle of the frying pan to turn the eggs into an omelet. It’s the first time they’ve seen this cooking method, and aunt’s eyes lit up.

(Omelet, omelet)

　In her previous life, she used to get cheap eggs on sale every Friday, so she would make omelets. After joining a black company, she rarely cooked for herself. Hirune recalled, thinking that her time in Japan seemed so long ago as she manipulated the frying pan.

　It was difficult for her to cook because of her small size, but somehow she was able to form a shape.

“It’s ready.”

　Hirune said, transferring the omelet onto a plate.

　Steam rose from the yellow oval egg.

“Let’s eat it with salt. If you have pepper, that would be good, but spices are a luxury item.”

　Hirune sprinkled some salt from the kitchen and handed Jeanne and aunt  spoon.

“Are you sure?”

“Are you sure?”

　Auntie and Jeanne held up their spoons, ready to eat even as they listened. Hirune nodded happily.

“Let’s eat. It tastes better when everyone eats together.”

　She quickly put her spoon into the omelet.

(It’s fluffy. It’s so fluffy.)

　A soft-boiled egg spilled out.

　She puts it in her mouth.

(Oh, this is it! It’s so delicious! It tastes so good! Cockatrice eggs are so rich. They taste like they’re mixed with milk. I can’t get enough. It’s so good!)

　Hirune moved her spoon and ate it with gusto.

　Aunt and Jeanne also took a bite, and their faces beamed.

“It’s the invention of the century. It’s delicious.”

“Yes. Yes, it’s so thick and delicious.” 

“I like the place where it’s not too thick.”

“I like all the places.”

　Aunt and Jeanne are happily discussing their opinions.

　It’s your choice how much to cook.

“That’s right. Let’s share with the Saint Apprentices, the priest, the maids, and the neighbors who donate. Jeanne, can you go get everyone?”

“Yes, I will!”

　Jeanne ran off happily.

“Chef, let’s make more food.”

“Oh, Will you teach me?”

“Yes, of course.”

　said Hirune, smiling.

“Yes. Wait a minute, please.”

　Hirune began to use holy magic, and Aunt took a step back.

(Pseudo-life–starting with the vegetable chopsticks–tracing my earlier actions–automatically creating an omelet)

　A large magic circle unfolds, and the stardust takes the shape of a person. Maybe it’s because of Hirune’s imagination that he’s wearing a chef-like hat,……, but the stardust chef bowed reverently and began to make an omelet with the chopsticks.

“Ah …haha … am I dreaming …?”

　The woman’s face tightened as she watched the collection of stardust manipulate the frying pan to make an omelet.

“The holy magic that the goddess gave us is very versatile. Now, let’s make enough for everyone. I think we can make more than a hundred of these.”

“It’s okay. I’ve decided not to worry about it anymore.”

　The aunt looked at Hirune, who was intermittently producing stardust, and grabbed her chopsticks, as if she had realized something.

　　　　　　()

　Omelets were very popular.

　The saint apprentices, maids and priests who were resting in the West Church ate it with relish and thanked Hirune. After all, they were all sensitive to rich flavors because of the simplicity of their usual meals.

“Holly, come with me to the neighborhood.”

“It can’t be helped. I don’t mind being scolded this once. Let’s go.”

　Holly, who had been so determined not to finish her omelet but had devoured it in silence, nodded her head.

　Hirune, Holly, and Jeanne invited the older maids, who seemed to be free and handed out omelets to the neighborhood.

The residents who were delighted to receive the food, ate it and shouted, “It’s delicious,” and tearfully thanked the saint and Mephistopheles. The fact that it was an egg dish invented by the saint’s apprentice, Hirune, seemed to be a great added value.

“I’m glad you guys enjoyed it.”

(Since my mom died, I’ve been eating alone. …… I’ve been eating cup noodles at my desk at work almost every day. …… I think eating together is a very nice thing to do. .)

　Hirune remembered her past and stopped at the entrance to the church, holding an empty plate and looking up at the sky.

　The sunset casts a shadow on the West Church.

　The shadow stretched far away.

She felt that her mother before her death would have been pleased, and that the goddess Sophia would have praised her.

　Seeing Hirune’s profile as she was lost in thought, Jeanne and Holly also stopped in their tracks.

“Hirune-sama …….”

“You really do look like a …… saint when you’re not talking. ……”

　They were drawn in by the profile of Hirune, whose long eyelashes cast shadows, as they murmured these things.

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