Who Is the World’s Strongest Appraiser? ~Living in Another World With Satisfying Meals~

It Seems Like We’ve Let Our Guard Down

That day, the Scarlet Lynx hideout was in complete chaos, as if under enemy attack. Everyone, regardless of rank or position, was running around frantically. It was a sight unlike any other. Even the leader, Ali, couldn’t completely hide her momentary agitation and was struggling to manage the situation. The only one who remained calm was Jake, usually considered a useless adult and a bad example.

“Could someone go to the clinic and fetch a doctor, please?”

With his usual relaxed tone, Jake made the request, and it was Kurresh who shouted and ran off. He had some prior interactions with the newly appointed female doctor at the clinic. They weren’t on a first-name basis, but they were at least acquaintances. Following Kurresh, Lelei also dashed off, probably deciding she would be more useful there.

“And Brook, please carry him to his room. Ali, could you check his status and monitor his condition?”

“…Understood.”

“…Got it.”

“Why are you all, who’ve been through much worse, as panicked as the kids…”

Jake muttered in exasperation, but Brook and Ali didn’t respond. Brook silently lifted Yuuri, who had collapsed and was being held by Yakk, and started walking towards Yuuri’s room. Ali scratched the back of her head as she followed. Jake sighed and addressed the still-panicking members.

“Wandering around here won’t help. It’s probably just overwork, so don’t worry too much.”

““But!””

“Honestly, you all would leave me if I collapsed, so why are you so upset now?”

“”That’s because it’s a usual thing with you.””

“…Even I feel a bit sulky now.”

Jake grumbled quietly, but his words fell on deaf ears as everyone continued to fret. The reason for their panic was Yuuri’s sudden collapse. During breakfast, he seemed a bit sluggish but otherwise normal. However, while he was about to go outside to hang the laundry with Yakk, he suddenly wobbled and collapsed. Yakk tried to catch him, but being still somewhat weak himself, both of them fell to the ground.

Seeing this, everyone panicked. Jake was the only one who stayed calm, assessed Yuuri’s condition, and concluded it was probably just overwork, rather than a serious illness or injury.

Jake wondered why the members of the Scarlet Lynx, a treasure hunter training clan, were in such a frenzy. Yet, they had their reasons. Most people who aspire to be adventurers or are already in the profession are generally quite hardy. They might get injured, but rarely fall ill. In fact, the only one who had collapsed like this before was Jake, and his collapse was due to staying up all night reading books, something everyone predicted.

Given that, it’s understandable that Yuuri’s sudden collapse, after appearing normal, caused such a stir. More so, it triggered a “mom’s down?!” kind of panic among everyone.

Yuuri had always been smiling at the hideout. It had only been two months since he started staying there, but his presence had become very significant to everyone. Additionally, knowing that Yuuri was an untrained ordinary person added to their concern. If he were trained, they might have thought he could handle it, but since he wasn’t, their worry increased.

“For now, Yakk, please finish hanging the laundry. It’ll go faster if everyone helps, right? Also, we’ll need to prepare lunch without Yuuri, so let’s all pitch in.”

“”Understood!””

Everyone nodded and dispersed following Jake’s instructions. Although laundry was the apprentice’s job, some trainees volunteered to help considering the situation. Both the lunch prep and shopping tasks were shared by both apprentices and trainees. Everyone was united in wanting to finish their work quickly and check on Yuuri’s condition.

“…He is really loved.”

Watching everyone bustling around, Jake muttered with a wry smile.

“It seems he’s let his guard down.”

Smiling gently as she said this was the female doctor running the clinic. Her name was Nina, a rabbit beastkin. Being a white rabbit, her hair was also pure white. She had her snow-white hair tied loosely at the back of her neck. The small round glasses perched on her nose were her charm point. Her red eyes behind the glasses held a gentle light, and combined with her white coat, she exuded an inexplicable aura of reassurance.

“Let his guard down?”

Repeating Ali’s words, Nina smiled softly and nodded. Yuuri, who still had a dazed expression, watched Ali and Nina. Lying quietly in bed, Yuuri seemed not to understand what was happening, his face blank.

“I hear he’s been here for about two months. He’s gotten used to the lifestyle here, and once he let his guard down, all the accumulated fatigue hit him at once.”

“…Is that even possible?”

“The impact of a change in environment can be significant. People can accumulate stress without realizing it.”

“”“…”””

Everyone fell silent at Nina’s words. Though they might think stress on this naturally laid-back person was improbable, it wasn’t entirely impossible. Moreover, being suddenly thrust into a foreign land would inevitably cause some stress. Though he had seemed carefree all this time, his body had remained tense.

That tension finally released, and as he genuinely adapted to this place, the fatigue overwhelmed him. Nina prescribed no medication, instead advising rest and proper meals before she left. Watching the pure white rabbit lady leave, Yuuri thought absentmindedly, “White rabbits have red eyes,” in his still-dazed state.

Told to rest well, Yuuri decided to obediently sleep. He didn’t feel particularly tired or sleepy, but his body insisted on it. Despite thinking he wasn’t sleepy, as soon as he closed his eyes in bed, sleep quickly overcame him. Hearing his gentle breathing shortly after, the visitors sighed in relief and quietly left the room.

Yuuri, who had been sleeping, slightly opened his eyes at a soft knock. Responding drowsily, he saw four concerned apprentices peeking into the room.

“…What’s up, everyone?”

“Uh… Yuuri, are you okay?”

“Yeah. Don’t worry too much about me.”

Smiling as usual, Yuuri reassured Yakk, who exhaled in relief. Nudged by Urgus from behind, Yakk stumbled into the room. The apprentices followed, and Yuuri tilted his head in curiosity.

While Yuuri wondered, the apprentices efficiently set things up. Small Magg carried a tray, while Camille brought over a side table Yuuri rarely used. Urgus helped the still-groggy Yuuri sit up. Yakk poured water into a glass from a pitcher.

“…Everyone?”

“We made lunch for you, Yuuri.”

“…Is this?”

“Like you made before.”

Magg answered softly, opening the lid of a small pot on the tray. Inside was freshly made egg porridge. Though the eggs were slightly overcooked, the aroma of the dashi and soy sauce seasoned porridge wafted up. While Yuuri gaped, Camille deftly served the porridge and handed it to him. Yuuri reflexively accepted it.

“Magg said you made this when Jake collapsed before.”

“Magg took the dashi making very seriously.”

“The eggs are a bit overcooked, but I think it’s edible.”

“We’ve tasted it.”

“…Thank you.”

Yuuri said, feeling slightly teary-eyed. He knew how heartwarming it was to have someone make food for you. He hadn’t specifically taught them how to make egg porridge; Magg had just observed him making it once. Yet, they recognized it as a sick person’s food and made it for him.

The egg porridge he scooped with a spoon had a gentle taste. As expected, the dashi made by dashi-enthusiast Magg was perfect, with a soft kombu flavor. The seasoning with soy sauce and salt was a bit strong, more like regular food than a sick person’s food. However, it wasn’t overly salty or unappetizing. The slightly overcooked eggs had absorbed the broth and were flavorful.

“It’s delicious.”

Genuinely thinking so, Yuuri said with a smile. The apprentices, delighted that Yuuri enjoyed the food they made, beamed happily.

“Hurry up, eat, rest, and get well soon.”

Urgus, blunt as always, though a well-bred young master, spoke.

“No need to force yourself to finish if you can’t.”

Camille, laughing cheerfully, said as usual, “We’ll eat the leftovers.”

“…Guidance.”

Muttering quietly, Magg made Yuuri tilt his head. Urgus translated, “He wants more guidance,” to which Yuuri nodded with a smile. Magg was taciturn, and Urgus, who had known him the longest, was the best interpreter.

“Next time, tell us if you’re not feeling well, Yuuri.”

“…Yeah, got it. Sorry for worrying you, Yakk.”

Patting Yuuri’s forehead lightly, Yakk smiled wryly. Though he hadn’t realized he was tired, Yuuri secretly worried he might make the same mistake again. He knew if they found out, they’d be furious.

A few days later, when Yuuri fully recovered, the members of Scarlet Lynx celebrated as if it were a festival.