Chapter 17: Sherbet in the Sun

The next day, early in the morning.  

“Who’s there?!”

An elf guard shouted.  

“Wait! It’s me!”  

“Squawk!”  

Recognizing Dorori, Gail lowered his spear.  

“What brings you to the village at this hour?”  

“This product is temperature-sensitive, so I came at dawn.”  

“Temperature-sensitive? Not wild strawberries, then.”  

“Nope. A new item!”  

“Let’s see it.”

Curiosity sparkled in Gail’s eyes.  

The first time he saw me, his gaze was wary, but now it was filled with anticipation.  

“Prepare to be amazed! Ta-da!”  

I opened the basket, and his eyes gleamed.  

“Cool sherbet! This is watermelon, and that’s strawberry milk. Frozen to perfection, it’s absolutely divine!”  

“Oh-ho!”  

“And check this out. To keep it cold, I laid down heaps of precious ice at the bottom. And yet, just two saffron per piece! What a steal!” 

The basket was filled with ice, with bowls of sherbet placed on top.  

Gulp.  

His Adam’s apple bobbed.  

“How about it? Want some?”  

“Of course I do!”

He nodded vigorously.  

“Which one?”  

“Why choose? Give me both!”  

“Wise choice!”  

Using tongs, I placed a piece each of watermelon and strawberry milk sherbet on a leaf.  

He first brought the watermelon sherbet to his mouth.  

Crunch.  

“What in the world? It’s so cold my mouth tingles! So this is what frozen fruit tastes like!”

The new flavor seemed to shock him.  

Cool, sweet sherbet in summer was enough to snap anyone out of heat-induced lethargy.  

“Try the strawberry milk sherbet too.”  

“Absolutely!”  

He bit into the strawberry milk sherbet, studded with bits of strawberries.  

“This…! The milk’s nutty and creamy! What did you add for this sweetness?”  

“Nothing at all. The strawberries were sweet enough on their own. I just mixed strawberry jam with milk to make the sherbet.”  

“Just strawberries? This is truly healthy and impressive!”  

“Impressive? It’s not that big a deal.”  

“You deserve the praise. You started with crops, and now you’re making dishes. Your products keep improving.”  

“I’ve been thinking hard to satisfy the elves’ refined tastes. I’m glad you noticed my effort.”  

“Here, four saffron.”  

“Thank you, sir!” 

I hurried to the plaza before the sherbet melted.  

It was early, so the plaza was empty, but soon elves would gather for tea after breakfast.  

Time to set up.  

I dragged a table to the center, spread a cloth over it, placed the basket on top, and neatly arranged leaves to use as plates.  

My makeshift stall was ready.  

Just then, elves started trickling into the plaza.  

“I brought black tea today.”  

“Smells nice. Oh no, I forgot to bring cookies to go with it.”  

“Look over there. Isn’t that the human peddler?”  

“What’s he setting up in the plaza this early?”  

“Good morning, customers.”  

I smiled warmly and spoke softly. 

No one wants to hear shouting first thing in the morning.  

Yelling has its time and place—do it wrong, and you’ll scare people off.  

“I’ve got just the snack for you. Come take a look.”  

“A snack?”  

“Let’s check it out. His wild strawberries were pretty good last time.”  

“What did you bring today?”  

The rare sight of a stall in the elf village piqued their curiosity.  

I answered calmly, without rushing.  

“Take a look inside this basket.” 

I slightly opened it to show them.  

“Oh my, it’s full of ice!”  

“Is that watermelon on the plates?”  

“Sharp eyes! It’s sherbet made from watermelon and strawberry milk. Nothing beats cool sherbet in this summer heat. Cold and sweet, it’s absolutely delicious.”  

The elves raised their eyebrows.  

“Especially the strawberry milk sherbet—it’s naturally sweet and pairs perfectly with your black tea.”  

“That sounds refreshing. I never thought to freeze fruit. And strawberry milk sherbet with black tea? That’s tempting.”  

The response was positive.  

“Where did you get all this ice in summer? It must’ve been tough bringing sherbet here.”  

“I was up at dawn for you elves. Sherbet’s best when it’s cold.”  

“Oh my, such effort!”  

“That’s impressive.”  

They seemed a bit touched.  

“How much?”  

“Just two saffron for a piece of cool sherbet.”  

“Give me one of each.”  

“Thank you, customers!”  

I placed two pieces of sherbet on a leaf.  

They sat at a nearby table, enjoying the sherbet with their black tea.  

“Goodness, frozen fruit tastes so unique!”  

“The strawberry milk sherbet is divine. I’ve only added milk and maple syrup to tea, but freezing it? Why didn’t I think of that?”  

“This taste will linger all summer. I want another.”  

“Me too. Who knows when we’ll get this again?”  

“Another round?” 

They rushed back to buy more.  

For elves with small appetites to want seconds was a huge win.  

“What are you eating?”  

“That stall’s selling a cool snack called sherbet. Try it—it’s cold and refreshing. We’ve already bought seconds!”  

“That good?” 

Word of mouth spread, and more elves flocked to the stall.  

“One here!”  

“Here too!”  

“Yes, yes, two saffron per piece. Which one would you like?”  

Despite the crowd, selling was quick—just scoop and serve.  

Some even came back for seconds, and the stock sold out before the sherbet could melt.  

“I’d like one too.”  

“Sorry, that was the last of it.”  

“Really? Ugh, I wanted to try it. When are you coming back?”  

“I’ll prepare more and return as soon as I can.”  

The elves who missed out left reluctantly.  

Finally, the elves are eager for my goods.  

With food, if it’s always available, people hesitate to buy. 

Limiting quantity and timing makes it irresistible—a classic marketing trick.  

I shook the glass jar of saffron. 

One small jar was already full.  

At this rate, I’d soon have enough for the cypress seeds.  

Humming a tune, I happily packed up the stall.  

“Huh?!”  

Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of Mary, the elf girl.  

“Hey!”  

But despite meeting my eyes, she turned her head and walked past, pretending not to see me.  

“What the—!”  

I quickly caught up and blocked her path.  

“What?”  

“You see someone, you say hi! You ate my strawberries for free and now you’re ignoring me?”  

Mary averted her eyes haughtily.  

“Ahem. Hel-lo. I’m busy, so bye.” 

Her tone was flat, devoid of emotion—like being greeted by someone bowing sarcastically.  

Then I noticed a familiar leaf in her arms.  

“Freeze!”  

I stopped her as she tried to leave.  

“Is that…?”  

She quickly hid it behind her back.  

“What? What?”  

“That’s sherbet, isn’t it?”  

“N-No, it’s not!”  

“Come on, it’s totally sherbet. When did you buy it?”  

“I said it’s not! Stop bothering me and move!”  

As she hurried away, I called after her.  

“Fine! Eat it before it melts!”

Pfft.  

I chuckled and hurried to prepare for the trip home.  

*** 

After another successful day of trading in the Elf Forest.  

Ding.  

[Acquired 120 saffron] 

[Total saffron accumulated: 140]  

“Sniff, sniff.”  

As I sprawled exhausted in the shade, Elenia came over, sniffing me.  

“What? Do I smell that bad?”  

“Why don’t you head to the stream and wash up?”  

“Good idea. I was just craving a dip in cool water. You coming, Elenia?”  

“I have my own private bath. I’ll wash up while you’re gone.”  

“Got it. I’ll go with Dorori.”  

“Squawk!”  

I grabbed a towel and a change of clothes and flew to the foot of the mountain.  

Splash.

I dove into the cold stream water.  

“Squawk!” 

Splash.  

Dorori followed, sending a huge wave over my face.  

“Argh! I got water in my mouth! You’re in for it!”

I splashed Dorori back with all my might.  

“Squawk!” 

Not one to back down, Dorori flapped its wings, sending a massive wave my way. 

Its wings were no match for my hands, and the splash was on another level.  

“Wait! Stop! Cough, cough!” 

Drenched by the onslaught, I coughed wildly.  

After splashing around and floating on the water, the heat melted away as if it had never been there.  

Floating on my back, I gazed at the sky.  

All I could see were fluffy clouds, but knowing the Floating Island was up there brought a smile to my face.  

“Squawk!”  

Suddenly, Dorori, who had vanished, cried out urgently.  

I scrambled out of the water and ran toward its voice.  

“What’s wrong?”  

“Squawk!” 

Dorori flapped its wings, calling me over.  

There, I saw a familiar figure.  

“Huh? A person here?”  

A man was lying collapsed in the bushes.