Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 278: Cooking on the 202nd Floor
Night fell normally on the 202nd floor.
Of course, they weren’t outdoors, so it was only an imitation, but stars filled the sky and the moon shone overhead.
For something created by a dungeon, it looked remarkably real.
However, a closer look showed that the arrangement of the stars was completely different from the real sky, proving that it was artificial.
Tauro and the others decided to camp beside the route marked by the magic-stone wards left behind after the conquest team had passed.
As expected, Tauro immediately astonished the dragonfolk by setting up one of his prized tents and handing out magic lanterns, but the food surprised them most of all.
A large quantity of provisions had been prepared for the conquest team and stored in [Magic Storage], but most of it consisted of preserved food, along with ingredients that had already been partly prepared.
The dragonfolk seemed perfectly content to eat whatever preserved food was readily available, and they had little desire to go to the trouble of cooking a hot meal inside a dungeon.
Tauro therefore took a stove, a frying pan, and other cooking utensils out of [Magic Storage] and began preparing a large meal.
At first, the dragonfolk declined, saying that preserved food would be enough, but they relented when Tauro explained that he wanted everyone to try his cooking.
“Do you need any help? Are you sure you can manage all of this? I see.”
“That aroma… Is it some kind of unusual spice? So many different scents are mixed together.”
“Indeed… Wait, is that orc meat? Pork cutlets? I’ve never heard of that dish.”
“This seems rather thick for soup. Is that all right? What? It’s not soup?”
“What’s this white food? Rice? Rice!? The grain people mix into livestock feed? You’re going to eat it?”
The dragonfolk took turns peering at Tauro’s cooking, their stomachs rumbling as unfamiliar aromas filled the camp.
What Tauro had prepared was cutlet curry packed with finely chopped vegetables.
Since Ragune had become so fond of pork cutlets, he thought curry topped with them might also appeal to the other dragonfolk.
Each person lined up holding a plate on which Tauro had served rice.
He placed a pork cutlet over the rice and then ladled curry roux across the top.
“I’ve never seen a dish like this, but it smells wonderful.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen orc meat cooked this way. It looks delicious.”
“I’m not fond of rice, but the dish as a whole looks promising.”
Before eating, the dragonfolk voiced their impressions of the unfamiliar meal.
“It looks like everyone has been served. Please, dig in. There’s plenty for seconds.”
At Tauro’s invitation, Captain Tsugumu took the first spoonful of cutlet curry as the group’s representative.
“Delicious! The curry’s heat, the sweetness of the vegetables, and the rice—”
Before Tsugumu could finish describing the taste, everyone else, unable to resist the aroma any longer, began eating.
Cries of “Delicious!” rose throughout the camp.
This is even more popular than I expected. I made a large batch to preserve, but I may have to cook more, Tauro thought.
Impressed by the speed at which everyone devoured the curry, Tauro realized that the camp meal was a great success.
He took out additional ingredients and utensils from [Magic Storage] and began cooking another batch.
After the meal—
“Thank you for the food, Tauro-dono. I never imagined that we’d enjoy such a delicious meal inside a dungeon.”
Captain Tsugumu thanked him on everyone’s behalf.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. There’s still plenty left, so tell me whenever you’d like another helping.”
Tauro answered with a smile.
“No, I’ve already eaten five bowls, so I should stop. Ha ha ha!”
Tsugumu laughed.
“Hahaha! Someone else ate seven bowls, so there’s no need to be shy.”
At that, someone shouted, “Hey! Who was it that ate seven bowls?”
Everyone burst into laughter.
The lanterns Tauro had provided brightly illuminated the campsite.
“I hear this tent is another of Tauro-dono’s creations. You never cease to amaze me.”
Tsugumu also seemed impressed by the lanterns’ brightness.
“I merely found a few practical uses for my magic-circle research. Most of my experiments end in failure.”
Tauro often had ideas, but only a small number had ever taken usable form.
“The original magic-circle techniques are said to be lost arts. We dragonfolk also study magic circles for use in magic tools, but I doubt anyone in the village knows as much as Tauro-dono.”
“My own knowledge is still incomplete. There are many things I want to create, but I haven’t yet managed to bring them into reality.”
Tauro remained modest, but resolved to continue his magic-circle research while staying in the dragonfolk village.