I reunited with Veronica at the clinic where I was receiving treatment. (This episode contains mildly sexual content. If you are sensitive to such content, skipping it will not significantly affect the story’s progression.)
For the time being, I can’t move quickly right now, so it’s time to rest. I need to heal my injuries for my next journey. Also, I have something to discuss with the Chieftain. However, she’s naturally busy. Someone is always by her side from morning till night. There’s even a line to talk to her.
Cecilia helped speed up my recovery, and I was finally able to walk. As a token of my gratitude, I was given some meat that the Hunters had stored. My stomach is full, I’ve had a solid sleep, and I feel much better. Still, my internal injuries ache, but on the surface, they seem to have closed.
On the second night of my stay, I felt like getting some fresh air, so I decided to go see what the village was like. The trees were still standing, and the buildings remained collapsed. I could see lights lit up in various places. It seems everyone is working through the night.
A cart loaded with debris, presumably from the collapse, rumbled past as I was walking through the village. As I walked around, I suddenly saw a book lying on the ground. It was a small book, about the size of a paperback. But it wasn’t too small to read. Looking around, I saw more books scattered about.
It seemed that a nearby bookstore had collapsed, scattering its contents. The shop owner was diligently collecting books amidst the crumbling building. While felling trees is difficult, this is something I can help with.
I gathered the scattered books.
“Here, I found these,” I said.
“Hmm! Oh, my apologies. I was so engrossed I didn’t notice.”
The female shop owner pushed her askew glasses back up.
“Thank you for picking them up. I have to do something before it rains. But everyone’s prioritizing other things over the bookstore. Sigh, all these wonderful books are ruined.”
I understand. Books aren’t essential for survival. But they are important heritage and culture. I helped her collect as many books as we could and stored them in a place where the roof was still intact.
“You’ve been a great help. I can’t use fire to see them clearly because the books might burn. I’ll go get something to cover them with. Could you watch over them for a while?”
“Of course. Be careful.”
She scurried away. Now, what should I do until she returns? Since there are so many books here, I thought I’d see what kind of things the Hummingbird Harpies like.
There was a collection of edible wild plants, a bird guide, and an adventure on the high seas. Perhaps because I live in nature, there are quite a few illustrated books about flowers and birds. I suppose reading these would help me learn more about medicinal herbs. There were also books about hunting. Among them, one with an unusual title caught my eye. I randomly flipped through the pages.
It appears to be a story about a master and a maid working in a wealthy mansion.
“Pink Mansion” Chapter 3: Making Apple Pie
“I have been ordered to make an apple pie for my master today. The ingredients are laid out on the table. My master is waiting, seated in the chair behind me.”
“Well, make it for me at once.”
“B-but, it’s my first time. I’m too embarrassed to show you doing it alone.”
My master always cooks with me because I’m so bad at it. Yet, why is he being so mean today?
“I am hungry, so hurry up.”
With that said, I had no choice but to agree. First, I need to cut the apples.
“Choose the reddest, ripest ones.”
“How about this one?”
“Then show me how you cut it.”
With a knife, I carefully peeled the skin off the bright red, ripe apple. The juice spilled out and drenched my wings. I cut it vertically and showed it to my master.
“You chose a good one. The amount of nectar is sufficient. Even just from peeling it, the juice is already wetting the floor.”
“I-I apologize.”
Ah, I’ll have to clean this up later. Next, I need to sauté it with butter. I put the pot on the heat and added cinnamon powder, then sugar. Oh no, I placed the butter too close to the heat, and it became soft.
Seeing me, my master laughed mockingly.
“Haha, it hasn’t even been five minutes since you started. And yet, you’re already a mess. If you’re going to melt that much, you probably don’t need to add any more sugar.”
I blushed as red as the apple out of embarrassment. I added the partially melted butter and stirred it with the apples I had cut with a spatula.
The rich aroma of the simmering butter mixed with the spiciness of the cinnamon, making me dizzy.
“Is… is it done now? It’s completely cooked.”
“No, I like my butter to be burnt. But it’s not burnt yet.”
“B-but Master, any more…!”
I desperately stirred the apples to prevent them from burning. The exuded nectar, with the sugar, evaporated, and it looked like it was about to boil over from the edge of the pot. Quickly, I had to turn off the heat.
“Don’t stop. Keep stirring with the spatula.”
“But, I-I can’t anymore…!”
“Are you interested in that book?”
“Oh, uh, yes, well, not really!”
I was so startled by the sudden question that I almost dropped the book. What kind of content is this? What kind of cooking is she doing?
“Hehehe, you don’t have to hide it. That book is secretly popular. The author is Pale Moon. I’ve never met her, but I’m also a fan. If you’d like, I can give it to you as a thank you.”
“N-no, that’s alright.”
I placed the highly confidential book back on the pile of books and helped the shop owner.
