The Old Guys on Their Day Off

After returning to Legol, I was immediately caught up in a flurry of activity, but afterwards I went back to the inn and slept soundly. Long journeys are mentally exhausting, you know.

However, it was good entertainment. I felt refreshed, or rather, I enjoyed myself to the fullest. Escort work is sluggish and bothersome, but going on excursions while fishing isn’t bad either.

“Hey Momo, I’ve done that data collection you asked for. And here, I’m returning the flippers.”

“Mongrel! You did the job! Well done!”

“Of course I did it, I’m a … Read the rest

Moonlit Grim Reaper

“……Ah, good morning……Mongrel-san……”
 
“I said it’s hot as hell!”
 
“Eh, eh, kyaaaah!”
 
The next morning, when I woke up, I wrapped Ulrika, who was lying next to me, in a rug mat like a sushi roll, and the day began.
 
“Ahh……but I get it, this is pretty relaxing……”
 
“Ulrika-senpai, here you go. A pillow.”
 
“Waah……ah, this is nice.”
 
Today is the day we pack up. We’ll withdraw from all our bases and return to Legol.
 
Of course, on the way back we’ll have to take on escort missions in … Read the rest

A Modest Evening Feast

 
I’d really like everyone to taste various dishes, but there’s a limit to the number of utensils we have prepared.
 
Artemis also carried a bowl just for serving individual soup portions, but conversely, that was all they had. The only other vessel-like thing was a cup for drinking water. How modest indeed. Even traveling alone, I carry about three metal plates with me…
 
Well, this time I think I’ll use the plates I brought as serving platters.
 
You won’t complain about sharing utensils, will you?
 
“Ah, what a good smell.”
 
As the sun began to set, … Read the rest

Fin Test
 

 
I’d only finished the prep work so far.
 
Well, the main thing was smoking the fish. Just grab some random hardwood, smoke it, and let the fish fillets soak up the aroma. Cold-smoking would’ve been ideal, but I’d have to ask Nastasha for ice, and honestly, I’m more worried about parasites—so warm-smoking seemed like the safer bet.
 
As usual, I set up my homemade smoker (made from branches and leaves) over the wood stove and let the high-tail fillets slowly absorb the smoke.
 
A lot had happened, so I decided to smoke a pretty large batch. The … Read the rest

The Beginning of the Dismantling Show
 

 
“Raina, congrats—! So happy for you—!”
 
“W-Wait, c-could you please stop clinging to me? It’s hot, Ulrika-senpai…”
 
“Your second bow skill… Truly, congratulations, Raina. You’ve worked hard. All your efforts have finally borne fruit… Ah, perhaps I should offer a prayer to Hydrao after so long. Anyway, well… Truly, congratulations.”
 
“S-Sheena-senpai too… It’s cramped… Can’t breathe…”
 
“…A piercing shot. A fine offensive skill. Perfect for someone as precise as you, Raina.”
 
“Th-Thanks… Natasha-senpai, you’re squeezing too hard… Also, it’s making me kinda sad…”
 
Hearing the commotion, the rest of Artemis rushed over to … Read the rest

Shoot the Moon Rising from the Water’s Depths

Goblins have large livers.
 
…Well, I’m saying that like I know what I’m talking about, but I just learned that now. I’ve never really stared at one before.
 
Huh, it really is big… I wonder if that’s because they’re omnivores and need to deal with toxins…? I don’t really know though.
 
I don’t usually stare that closely at the organs of monsters I have no intention of eating. Well, alright, I get it now. It developed because they’re omnivorous. Let’s go with that explanation.
 
So anyway, I’m taking this big liver…
 
“…to … Read the rest

Swimming Bait Fishing on Land

Sheena and I have come to the management building together.
 
One boat per person. Considering the bird meat we loaded and the cargo we’ll likely receive on the way back, there was no choice but to row alone.
 
It’s already getting dark. If we don’t hurry up and row the boat before it gets dark, we might have a maritime accident on the lake.
 
“Heh, this much in just one day! Well, even though you’re young guildsmen, you sure know what you’re doing!”
 
“Fufu. These are the Reed Ducks we promised you. We can’t eat … Read the rest

Salt-Grilled Freshwater Fish and Meunière

Maybe I should have gone out to sea for lure fishing. The lures were probably too big for the fish around here.
 
Even Raina’s last fish only managed to bite onto just the hook, so it worked out by sheer luck…
 
So I tried reducing the lure size and switching to smaller hooks… and well, they started biting like crazy. Small fish about the same size as before.
 
“I got one! I caught another one!”
 
Raina managed to reel in two fish in quick succession.
 
“Whoa, it’s wriggling and shaking…! Heh, this feeling is actually … Read the rest

Hunting on the Lake, Dedication Beneath the Surface

For now, I decided to try bait fishing using river insects while collecting large stones from the waterside.
 
I’d drop the line near the shore and just leave it there. Rather than casting far out, fishing closer to shore tends to be more productive.
 
While waiting, I built a fire pit, placed an iron plate on top, and assembled the chimney. The usual camping setup. Honestly, I don’t need a chimney in this season, but I brought it mainly to avoid getting hit by smoke and sparks. Plus, it provides stable heat. … Read the rest

Rowboat on Lake Zahia
 

 
After getting off the carriage, we had to walk for a while.
 
Halperia generally has gentle terrain, but this area has some steep slopes. My handmade boots can handle these paths easily, but walking here in cheap shoes would probably be tougher than a light hike in the modern world.
 
“Mongrel-san, isn’t that heavy?”
 
“Not at all. In fact, I’ll even carry some of your luggage for you—for a fee. 50 jellies per bag.”
 
“Whoa, stingy much?”
 
“I can carry my own stuff just fine.”
 
A little further up the slope, and we’d reach the … Read the rest