Published at 18th of May 2022 03:16:30 PM

594 Kesaran-Pasaran Stew

I harden a giant pot that Aro has made with [Clay], then use it to simmer the kesaran-pasaran meat. The water comes from treants [Aqua Sphere].

Using [Humanisation Technique], I drop the kesaran-pasaran meat in the pot. Within just a few seconds, the water becomes steeped a dark green. The kesaran-pasaran fat floats above the liquid, forming a green foam.

I frown at the fatty foam. Seriously, what is this meat? Is it really edible?

Master-dono! Ill add the vegetables!

Carried in treants wings is the mushroom and flower, and the bright red grape-like fruits. I look at the knobbly yellow mushroom. Is that thing really okay to add?

Eh, it should be fine, I mutter, putting a hand to my chin.

Master-dono?

Theres no point thinking about it too deeply. Toss it all in.

Leave it to me!

Treant runs up to the pot and throws all the ingredients in.

[Dimension]

A small clay pot appears in my hand. Its the one I prepared on the Easternmost Strange Land. Salt is contained inside.

I tip the salt pot upside down over the stew. Ive no idea how to judge how much I should add, but this should be fine.

Hmm. It has a strange colour to it, master-dono.

Peering over the lip of the pot, treant remarks plainly. I look into the pot as well. Its split cleanly into the dark green kesaran-pasaran fat, the red fruit juices, and the yellow liquid oozing out of the gold-vermilion mushroom.

Its basically a traffic light

Whats wrong?

Its nothing Let me try mixing it a bit. That might make it a bit better.

Treant immediately rubs his wings against his body, producing a scratching noise. As I watch in curiosity, he soon extracts a short, straight branch.

Here you go.

Ah, thank you.

H-he can do that? Its the first time Ive seen this trick.

Anyway, the stew looks done. We should start eating soon. The trees of the Forest of Ngai are too hard to work with, so I ask treant for some wood to carve into simple bowls and spoons.

I look down at the stew in my bowl. The three colours never mixed in the end, making it look like a sloppily palette of paints. The green kesaran-pasaran meat is also covered in a thin film of fat.

Kesaran-pasaran Just what are you? What kind of life form is this?

I get the feeling Ive misused unfamiliar ingredients. This Forest of Ngai has nothing but oddities.

It might have been better to simply roast the edible-looking ingredients on their own. I was hoping Aro could enjoy her first food in a long time, and all Ive got for her is a mystery meat traffic light stew.

Dr-dragon-god-sama! It looks delicious!

Aro declares, her fists clenched and a strained smile on her face. I meet her eyes. She stares straight back at me for three seconds, then averts her gaze.

Thank you, Aro. Im grateful, but your natural honesty gives you away.

Sorry, Aro.

P-please dont apologise! Im happy that you would cook for me!

Watching the exchange between Aro and me, treant brings his bowl closer to his mouth.

Hmm. It has an artistic appearance and a rich aroma. Marvellous cookmanship.

T-treant! You would go that far to comfort me

Whats wrong? Lets dig in already.

Treant tilts his head to the side. N-no way, he truly doesnt mind its appearance!? Im certain hes an even worse liar than Aro.

Treant, thank you! I love you!

I put my bowl down and wrap him in a hug.

Bwuh, whats wrong, master-dono!? Its going to spill! Please do this later!

Treant desperately defends his bowl. Aro watches us with distant eyes.

I step away and pick up my bowl again. I stir my food together, breaking the film of fat apart. I bring my nose closer. The smell might not actually be that bad.

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The phoenix flowers smell is coming through strong. That might be the dishs saving grace.

After staring at the tricolour broth for a few seconds, I clench my eyes shut and shove a spoonful in my mouth.

Muguh!

Its surprisingly spicy. Thats probably the phoenix flowers doing. Within the spiciness, the rich kesaran-pasaran fat and the sweet grape-like fruits combine to produce a surprisingly deep flavour. As I swallow, the mellow notes of the gold-vermillion mushroom linger in my throat.

Delicious! Its actually good!

I scoop up a piece of meat and bring it to my mouth. The meat crumbles apart on my tongue, mixing with the rich broth. The warm meat soup spreads through my mouth. Kesaran-pasaran is seriously tasty. Of all the meats Ive ever tasted, it might be the best.

Dragon-god-sama! This stew is really tasty! Despite how it looks!

Y-yeah.

As I thought, the appearance was no good. Of course.

The meal comes to an end. Now that weve recuperated a bit, I want to dicuss our plan of action from here on.

From the battle with the kesaran-pasarans, Aro rose from Lv: 1/130toLv: 61/130, and treant rose from Lv: 66/85toLv: 71/85.

Aros rate of growth is incredible. At this rate, isnt there a risk shell fully lap treant?

Still, treant did manage to raise his level this time too. It looked like he was doing hardly any damage, so the fact that he was able to raise it by as much as he did is a remarkable achievement.

But, it always gets harder the closer you get to evolution. At this rate, he might not evolve in time.

I-Im always falling short

Treant slumps down, leaning on the ground with his wings.

Thats not true. Youre always doing your best. Its just that your status isnt suited for levelling.

I put a hand on his shoulder.

Master-dono

But, this time we dont have much time. Do you understand?

Yes, I understand fully. Ill withdraw this time.

Thats why I want to make your levelling the top priority. At the same time, well head towards that sky-piercing tower.

Master-dono!? Youre joking?

With a start, treant jumps to his feet.

Raising my level is important too, but Im already stuck with [Final Evolution]. Its not clear if theres any way for me to remove it. In order to gain the strength needed to break through the origin matter or more powerful foes, letting you evolve is the fastest and most reliable way.

That Might be true, but

Tough opponents high in the sky were a bad match for you. Even so, you managed to raise your level quite a bit. Its not going to be impossible. However, raising your level quickly will require some risk Can you do it, treant?

He stays silent for a moment, then spreads his wings wide.

L-leave it to me, master-dono! This treant will do the utmost!