Chapter 100

However, despite Aisia’s determination, what came out of her mouth after eating the salad Kurt made was not complaints but admiration.

*Crunch*

“What, what is this…!? This dressing…….”

Though it seemed like olive oil was used on the surface to mask it, the brown liquid underneath emitted a scent similar to the smell of rotting food.

So, naturally, when Aisia tasted the dressing, she expected it to taste like disgusting garbage.

But the flavor that immediately hit her tongue was…….

“Salty?”

It wasn’t the savory taste of a mayonnaise-based dressing, nor the sweet and tangy flavor of a fruit-based dressing like coleslaw.

It was just a salty taste, as if only salt had been added.

Of course, a salad mixed with salt and cooking oil was the most basic of basics.

Even Aisia, who couldn’t cook, could easily make something like that—a salad equivalent to soy sauce egg rice.

But the salty taste she felt in the salad she just ate was completely different from a simple salt-and-oil salad.

Though it was salty, the complexity of the flavor was undeniable. Unlike the natural taste of vegetables, the salty flavor in the dressing she tasted carried a rich, intricate aroma.

If the saltiness of salt was plain and unremarkable, the saltiness of this dressing was like the sharp sting of a high-speed rainbow bee.

The intense saltiness of the dressing was soon complemented by the aromas of various ingredients.

And the overly strong scent of the brown liquid was balanced by the smooth, oily taste of olive oil, acting like an emulsifier.

“This flavor……. Garlic? Apple? The oil seems to be olive, but……. No, there’s another flavor besides olive……. And……. I can’t figure it out.”

It was a dressing with an exotic taste that even Aisia, who had eaten salads as a staple for over 200 years, couldn’t fully comprehend.

“Given that there’s no rejection from my body, it must be made from plant-based ingredients……. But it’s a flavor I don’t recognize?”

Yet, the exotic unfamiliarity wasn’t unpleasant at all.

In fact, it made her want to celebrate this encounter with a new flavor by having a glass of fruit wine.

It was a taste that felt like meeting an old friend by chance at a bar, someone who shared her hobbies and personality, becoming an unexpected close friend.

Even though it was her first time tasting it, it felt like reuniting with a long-lost friend.

“Unfamiliar and fresh……. Yet comforting.”

*Munch munch*

The dressing of the salad blended seamlessly with the tanginess of tomatoes, the mild flavor of the World Tree’s fruit, and the bitterness of various green vegetables, harmonizing everything perfectly.

Only after chewing and swallowing the salad did Aisia realize why.

It was because the dressing paired so naturally with the World Tree’s fruit.

It was as if the dressing was made specifically to be eaten with the World Tree’s fruit.

Having lived in the Elf Village and eaten salads from many households, Aisia knew that each family’s salad dressing had its own unique flavor, much like how each family’s kimchi tastes different.

She had tasted countless dressings, and many were more delicious than this one.

But without a doubt, no dressing paired as well with the World Tree’s fruit as this one.

“None. This dressing is the one that best complements the World Tree’s fruit.”

Thinking this, Aisia glared at Kurt.

“What do you mean it’s your first time cooking with the World Tree’s fruit? This dressing……. There’s no way a human who’s cooking with it for the first time could make something like this.”

*Gulp*

After swallowing the salad in her mouth, Aisia immediately moved her fork to scoop up another large bite.

At that moment, the thought of nitpicking Kurt’s cooking to drive him and his group away vanished from her mind.

Because, to nitpick his cooking, she would first have to stop eating this salad.

And more than that, Aisia, who was secretly soft-hearted, couldn’t bring herself to call this delicious salad the worst cooking and criticize Kurt.

“Hmph. Fine. I’ll let it slide this time. But don’t think this is the end. It seems like you managed to get a recipe for a dressing that pairs well with the World Tree’s fruit. But next time……. Or the time after that, I’ll definitely find a flaw in your cooking and point it out.”

Before she knew it, Aisia was thinking as if Kurt should naturally continue cooking, and she began emptying the salad he made.

She refilled her plate with Kurt’s salad three times before the meal ended.

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“Hmm. It’s quite edible. Give me another bowl.”

I said that to Aisia, filling her bowl generously with salad before handing it back.

Though her tone was still a bit cold, this was already her third refill.

Of course, it was also the third time she said it was “edible.”

Despite her words, it seemed she really liked my salad.

I guess I chose the right dressing.

The dressing I used for the World Tree’s fruit salad.

The name of that dressing was Oriental Dressing.

A soy sauce-based dressing using apple vinegar, olive oil, sesame oil, and minced garlic.

Being an Oriental dressing, it was likely the first time this continent, with its Western-style culture, had seen such a dish.

If elves had a culture of using soy sauce, soy sauce wouldn’t have been so expensive.

So, it was certain to deliver a fresh shock.

The only question was how well this fresh, shocking Oriental Dressing would be received.

But from the moment I decided to make this Oriental Dressing, I was confident it would be a hit.

After all, the taste of the World Tree’s fruit was quite similar to tofu.

The mild, bean-like flavor of the fruit would naturally pair well with salty and tangy dressings.

In my past life, the most commonly used sauces for tofu salad were sesame dressing and Oriental Dressing.

Other candidates like balsamic vinegar existed, but they weren’t as simple to make on the spot……

In the end, the answer was Oriental Sauce.

And the result, as you can see, was a great success.

Seeing Aisia, already on her third refill, eating the salad at the same speed as her first bite, I felt like the first button had been fastened correctly.

I hope things continue like this.

As I thought about what dish to make next, Mari suddenly poked me with her finger, calling for me.

Right. She must have a lot on her mind, being involved in this situation.

Even Mari couldn’t hide her unease in a situation like this.

“Mr. Kurt! Give me another bowl too!”

“….”

“What’s wrong? Hurry up and give it to me!”

“…Fine.”

By the way, Mari also refilled her salad three times that day.

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After finishing the meal, our group gathered in the guest room.

Of course, as the only male, I had a separate room, but we gathered in one room to strategize on how to persuade Aisia.

“First impressions with the cooking seem to have been a success.”

“That’s a relief. At first, she seemed quite hostile toward us, but she softened up a lot during the meal.”

“Well, that’s the power of delicious food. Especially when it’s Kurt’s cooking.”

Karina and Serena spoke like that, letting out a sigh of relief.

“Then, for now, let’s continue winning her over with cooking. Any other good ideas?”

“Hmm……. How about making stew next? Since they don’t use fire much, a slow-cooked vegetable stew might be effective.”

“I think grilled dishes would be better! Something that pairs well with elf fruit wine!”

“I think frying would be good! Fried potatoes would be great!”

“…No. I’m not talking about deciding what to cook. I mean ideas other than cooking.”

At my words, Mari smiled innocently and said,

“But no matter what we do, it won’t be as good as Mr. Kurt’s cooking.”

“…Thanks for that.”

Should I be grateful for the pure compliment about my cooking, or should I be disappointed at the lack of any other ideas…….

“How about hunting nearby monsters to prove our skills? If we show we’re capable adventurers, Marisia’s mother might feel more at ease.”

“That’s a pretty good idea!”

“Hmm……. Hunting, huh.”

That certainly makes sense.

Then, the problem would be how to bring up the idea of hunting to Marisia’s mother.

She’s not likely to listen to us easily.

We might have to simmer her with cooking for a few days and wait for the right timing.

As I was organizing my thoughts, the door opened, and Aisia walked in.

“Suddenly, I’ve decided to test whether you all have the skills to be Marisia’s companions by testing your hunting abilities!”

“….”

“….”

“….”

“Oh my. Why so quiet? Are you not confident?”

She said that, provocatively scanning us with her eyes.

Aisia had just neatly solved our dilemma.