Chapter 6: Roasted Sweet Potatoes That Taste Delicious Even When Cold

Sena lived with her older brother in a provincial city called Arcel.

The lord who ruled this area held the title of viscount noble, yes, but not one of overwhelming power or influence. Yet, in terms of wealth, he was far better off than the surrounding lords.

The reason was simple: not far from Arcel lay a dungeon.

Dungeons were dangerous labyrinths teeming with monsters. They were places few dared to tread lightly. But they were also sources of rare materials, and the lord who controlled one could reap substantial profits from those who ventured inside.

Those venturing into such perilous places were the adventurers. Belonging to guilds, they risked life and limb for the chance at fortune, chasing treasures hidden deep within the dungeon’s depths.

Sena’s party was one such group.

It was led by Shifa and notable for being an unusually all-female team. Sena’s addition brought their number to four, though one member had temporarily left due to personal circumstances, leaving three to brave the dungeon together.

They had been exploring since dawn, and now, in a relatively safe and clear area of the cavern, they took a moment to rest.

Each of them nibbled on their portable rations to replenish energy—mostly hard, bland biscuits, chosen for their durability rather than flavor.

Shifa ate quietly, chewing with restraint, while Anii, never one for subtlety, shoved one into her mouth and grumbled, “Seriously, this is awful.”

As the party’s ranger, Anii possessed the hunter’s keen senses. Even while eating, she kept an eye on their surroundings, alert to any lurking danger.

“Mm~! Delicious~!”

Sena’s voice suddenly rang through the wide cavern, startling the other two. In her hands was a food none of them had seen before—a golden-colored treat that seemed to glow with warmth.

Shifa tilted her head.

“What are you eating?” she asked.

Sena replied cheerfully, “It’s called a sweet potato—or something like that.”

Its golden interior was wrapped in a thin purple skin. Shifa frowned in confusion.

“Sweet potato?”

“I’m not really sure either,” Sena admitted, grinning. “But it tastes amazing!”

She offered a piece to Shifa. Tentatively, Shifa nodded and took a small bite.

“—!”

Her eyes widened in astonishment.

“I… it’s delicious…”

“Right? Right? It’s even better piping hot, but it’s still really good even when it’s cooled down!” Sena beamed.

Shifa chewed slowly, marveling. “Wait… this is a potato? It’s sweet like fruit…”

Anii, not one to be left out, piped up eagerly.

“I want some too!”

“Sure!”

She grabbed a piece without hesitation and bit down, her eyes practically sparkling.

“—! Wh-what is this!? It’s incredible!”

“Right? Right?” Sena laughed.

“Sweet potato, huh? I’ve never had anything like it. Why is it so good?”

“Fufufu~” Sena teased mysteriously.

“Hey! Tell me, come on!”

Sena only laughed, savoring the suspense, and without answering Anii’s question, she dug into her bag again.

“Ta-da! An apple!”

“You had that with you!?” Anii exclaimed, astonished.

Ignoring her, Sena bit into the apple. It made a crisp, satisfying crunch.

“Mmm~! Sweet and delicious!”

The apple gleamed with freshness, glistening in the dim light of the cavern. That was hardly surprising—it had been harvested just that morning, moments before she had left home.

“Gulp,” Shifa and Anii’s throats audibly responded.

“Want some?” Sena offered.

“Yes!” they both replied in unison, almost too quickly.

“This is… amazing. I’ve never tasted an apple this good before,” Shifa murmured, awe in her voice.

“What is this apple!? It’s insanely sweet… like it’s drizzled in honey! Where did you even get it?” Anii asked.

Apples could be purchased at the market, but by then they were often no longer fresh. Even the best apples were expensive, and truly fresh ones were almost impossible to find.

Sena’s smile grew wider at their reactions. With a proud tilt of her head, she said, “Actually, both this sweet potato and the apple came from my brother’s garden!”

“Geo’s?” Shifa asked, incredulous.

“What do you mean?” Anii echoed, puzzled.

◇ ◇ ◇

“Onii-chan! I’m home!”

“Oh, welcome back, Sena. Wait… Shifa!?”

It had become routine lately, Sena returning home in her usual energetic way—but today she was not alone. Standing beside her, like a sudden, beautiful apparition, was Shifa, the person I admired most.

“Sorry for dropping by unannounced. Is it okay if we come in?”

“Of course! You’re always welcome, Shifa!” I replied, heart racing.

“Excuse me? I’m here too, you know?”

Anii shot me a glare.

“Sorry, didn’t notice you there,” I said sheepishly.

“Do I get to… punch him now?” Anii muttered under her breath.

I led Shifa into the living room, with Anii reluctantly following behind.

“So… what brings you here?” I asked.

“I heard from Sena. Your gift, Geo—the ‘home garden.’ Apparently, it’s amazing. She said it could… rule the world,” Shifa said, eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Uh, well… it’s not exactly that…”

As usual, Sena had exaggerated. ‘Rule the world’ with a home garden? I had no idea what she meant.

“I tried the apple and the sweet potato. They were incredible,” Shifa added.

“R-Really!? Thank you so much!”

I felt as if I were floating on air. Hearing Shifa praise something I’d grown myself—it was a feeling beyond joy.

But just as I basked in the moment, Anii jabbed me sharply in the side with her elbow.

“I didn’t believe it at first, so I came to see it for myself. Hurry up and show me.”

“Huh? Show you what?”

“Your home garden, obviously! This way—wasn’t the garden this way?”

Without waiting for an answer, Anii strode toward the garden.

“…Huh?”

And then, standing at the edge of the yard, she froze, dumbfounded by the sight before her.

“Wh-what… is this a hallucination?” Anii whispered.

“Anii? What is it?”

“It… it looks like there’s meat growing on the trees…?”

“Oh, it’s almost ready for harvest,” I said casually.

“Harvest!? No, meat doesn’t grow like that!?”

“Wait… does it not?”

“Huh?”

“…Huh?”