The World After Leaving the Hero’s Party

“This… has incredible flavor. It’s not just a simple syrup… Is it made from tree sap?”

“Oh, you know your cooking, don’t you?”

The blue-haired elf with a short bob seemed genuinely interested in food. Meanwhile, the green-haired elf next to her frowned in disapproval.

“Lucia! What are you doing? We’re supposed to be on guard!”

“There’s no immediate threat, and he came seeking cooperation. He’s not even armed—he’s just cooking. What’s the harm in that?”

“Honestly! Every time you see a new ingredient, it’s the same thing…”

Sighing heavily, the green-haired elf finally lowered her bow but continued to watch me warily. 

However, the blue-haired elf, whom the other had called Lucia, was entirely different. She came right over to watch as I cooked the pancakes.

“You’re doing it wrong,” she said.

“Excuse me? I’m not exactly a novice at cooking.”

“Your batter is too runny for syrup like that. It needs to be thicker for the right consistency.”

“Well then, if you’re so confident, why don’t I give you the ingredients and let you try?”

“Heh. You dare challenge the finest chef of the Bountiful Land tribe? Fine. I’ll show you what real cooking is.”

Smirking arrogantly, she took my ingredients and quickly began mixing her own batter. 

Her deft movements weren’t just skilled—they were something else entirely.

This elf was the real deal.

With precision and flair, she cooked pancakes and even managed to create a design on the bottom of each one. It wasn’t just cooking—it was art.

That confirmed it.

She was better than me at this.

It wasn’t just a matter of skill; it was probably a racial trait. Ugh, these elves…

“Impressive,” I admitted.

“Heh. Go on, try it. A chance to taste the cooking of Lucia Rotenbeia is a rare privilege.”

I drizzled maple syrup on the pancake she offered me and took a bite.

Wow. This was extraordinary. 

It was so good that it melted my stress away, leaving me with a warm sense of satisfaction. 

Even the royal palace’s cuisine didn’t compare to this.

Such a talent was hidden away in this forest?

“This is amazing…”

“Of course it is! I adjusted the batter to complement the sweetness of the syrup. By adding a bit more flour and salt…”

Lucia, puffed up with pride, eagerly explained her adjustments while I listened attentively. 

Afterward, following her guidance, I tried making pancakes myself.

“Oh! You’re quick to learn. Not bad at all.”

“I didn’t expect to gain such knowledge so easily.”

Unexpectedly, I had acquired a recipe for making excellent pancakes. 

Since I often cooked pancakes during my travels, this would come in handy for feeding fellow adventurers.

“Thanks for the tip. Here, take this as a token of appreciation,” I said, handing her my bottle of maple syrup. I could always get more later.

Lucia accepted it with a wide grin. “If you bring me ingredients I don’t know next time, I’ll teach you another recipe.”

“Oh? Then let’s exchange ingredient lists later and see what we can come up with.”

A profitable exchange in an unexpected place. With my stomach full, I tidied up my cooking tools. 

A short while later, someone else arrived.

“You’re late,” I said.

It was a familiar face—Lorellia, the chieftain of the Wing of Light tribe. True to her title of exhibitionist chieftain, she wore nothing but a bikini armor set as she approached me.

“Let’s get moving.”

“Wait,” a voice interrupted. The male elf who had gone to fetch Lorellia earlier stepped forward. 

“No unauthorized humans may enter the forest.”

“This is an emergency,” Lorellia replied curtly.

“Perhaps for the Wing of Light tribe,” he countered with a sharp glare at me.

Before Lorellia could retort, Lucia shook her head. “It’s fine. Let him in.”

“But, Captain Lucia…”

“I tasted his cooking earlier. He doesn’t seem like someone who would cause trouble.”

Can you really judge someone’s intentions based on their cooking? Regardless, with Lucia’s support, the green-haired elf let out a deep sigh and relented.

“Fine. Let him through.”

The vote was 3:1, and the reluctant elf eventually stepped aside to allow me passage.

Though I was permitted to enter, the journey to the Wing of Light tribe’s village was long, and I had no choice but to follow their lead since I couldn’t teleport to a place I hadn’t visited before.

After some time, Lorellia broke the silence.

“Sage, there’s something you need to know,” she began seriously.

Her tone made me pause. I decided to cut to the chase.

“Has someone begun to show signs of turning undead?”

Lorellia nodded solemnly. “Yes. That’s why I must ask… what is your relationship with Evangeline of the Hero’s Party?”

“She’s just an old comrade. Why?”

Lorellia hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. 

“Even if you don’t get along… I hope you can understand. The infected is her younger sister. Can you save her?”

“It doesn’t matter to me,” I replied calmly.

This and that were separate issues. 

I wasn’t as foolish as that elf earlier, who couldn’t distinguish between personal feelings and duty.