Chapter 38: The Taste of Fresh Oil

Jingle jingle.

The oil cow walked toward me, ringing its bell.

“Mooouuu.”

“Yeah. Nice to meet you too.”

The cow wagged its tail like a puppy.

“Oh! A cow!”

Elenia flew over to the cow and examined it from all sides.

I asked the Floating Island for an automatic milker, so why did a cow pop out?

“What on earth is this animal?”

“It’s a magical beast.”

“Magical beast?”

Elenia asked the cow.

“Yes, what is your ability?”

“Mooouuu.”

“Does oil come out instead of milk? That’s amazing.”

“Mooouuu.”

“Nice to meet you too. That bird over there is Dorori. Get along well.”

Peep!

I scratched the back of my head. 

From what I overheard, it seems like a type of spirit, with its ability and appearance implemented by the summoner.

Anyway, unexpectedly, the family grew, but since it was summoned, I should take good care of it.

By the way, how do I get the oil?

Does oil really come out instead of milk?

I’ll find out by watching. 

First, I finished making the vitality drink and hurried to the field.

The soybeans had already grown a lot and were dyed a light brown.

I took a sickle and started harvesting the soybeans. 

When I gathered the harvested soybeans, it was a mountain.

Jingle jingle.

The cow approached my side, ringing its bell.

“Mooouuu.”

“Are you hungry?”

The only thing I had to give right now was soybeans.

“Want to try these soybeans?”

“Mooouuu.”

The cow took a mouthful of soybeans, shells and all, and chewed. 

I watched in fascination.

It ate soybeans, so maybe soybean oil will come out?

I sat next to the cow and separated the beans, putting them in a basket.

“Peeling them one by one is no easy task.”

“I’ll help too.”

Peep!

With Elenia and Dorori lending a hand, yellow soybeans piled up in the nearby baskets.

“Whew, this should be enough to mold the meju, right?”

To make jang, you have to mold the meju well.

Starting with meju, then tofu, bindae-tteok, kongguksu. 

There are many dishes you can make with soybeans.

I need to learn them all quickly.

Looking at the gradually piling soybeans made me feel full on its own.

While shelling soybeans for a while.

Jingle jingle.

The cow, which had been sitting in the field for some time, approached me.

“Mooouuu.”

“Is the oil ready? Wait a moment.”

I found a suitable pot, returned to the cow, grabbed a teat, and squeezed.

“Huh? Nothing’s coming out?”

“Mooouuu.”

“You have to milk the first one?”

Following the cow’s words, I squeezed the first teat.

Trickle-

Then clear, transparent oil flowed out.

“Oh! It’s coming out! Oil really comes from here!”

The amount from one squeeze was so much that the pot filled up quickly.

“No smell and no impurities. This is the first time I’ve seen such high-quality oil!”

“Mooouuu.”

“Really? You can keep it at room temperature for a year without worrying about rancidity and it stays fresh? Great oil! Amazing!”

I stroked the cow’s back. 

The cow wagged its tail, seeming pleased.

“But why did oil only come from the first teat?”

“Mooouuu.”

“There are multiple oil tanks? Then you can produce various oils at once?”

The cow nodded.

Getting clear oil without any effort. 

And simultaneous production is possible too.

“Oh, you’re so cute.”

I hugged the cow tightly.

There’s no separate luck bringer.

“Got good oil, so today’s business is soybean oil!”

I prepared to fly to the Elf Forest before it got late.

“There’s a lot to bring today. You okay, Dorori?”

Peep!

Dorori confirmed it was fine.

“I’m stopping by Eugene’s house today, so I might be a bit late.”

“Do well in business, and learn a lot of East Continent food too.”

Elenia saw me off.

***

Upon arriving at the Elf Forest, elves were already lined up in the village plaza.

“Sorry, but I can’t start business right away today. It takes time to prepare, so please understand.”

I went straight to the stall and organized the items I brought. 

They were various new cooking tools I bought for the stall.

“You’re cooking here today?”

Buzz buzz.

The elves’ gazes focused on me. 

As it was the first time cooking at the stall, the atmosphere was even more heightened.

“Oh right, I almost forgot the most important thing.”

I took out the brazier I had carefully brought and placed it prominently on the left side of the stall. 

Not because I made it, but it really suited the stall.

I put one piece of coal in the brazier, lit it, and placed a large pot on top.

Pour pour.

Then I poured soybean oil into the pot and started heating it.

“This is oil? I’ve never seen such clear oil.”

“Really. There’s no rancid smell at all.”

“I’m already excited. What on earth is he making?”

The elves’ sense of smell was sensitive enough to detect oil rancidity just by scent, and recognizing good oil at once, they swelled with anticipation.

Oil is ready, so shall I slice the potatoes?

I washed the potatoes clean and sliced them lengthwise. 

Soon, I put the potatoes piled in the pot into the heated oil.

Sizzle sizzle.

“Oh! Potato fries?”

“Anything fried in such good oil will be delicious!”

“The oil smells nutty; I can’t believe it!”

I scooped the golden-fried potatoes from the soybean oil with a net, shook off the oil tap tap, and transferred them to a basket.

“Potatoes grown directly on the Floating Island, fried in freshly extracted fresh soybean oil! Smell it once! Killer, right? Freshly fried potato fries for just 5 spoons of saffron! Ah! Cheap cheap!”

“I want to eat it now!”

“Oh my! I have to eat that!”

“One serving here!”

“Thank you, customer!”

The elves were enthusiastic.

“Salt, cheese, and basil pesto are prepared in front; take as you like.”

I handed the potato fries in leaves.

“This is basil pesto? Did you grow this on the Floating Island too?”

“Yes, made with basil I grew myself.”

“Cheese and basil too. This isn’t just potato fries. It’s completely gourmet!”

Sprinkle a bit of salt and eat. Top with cheese and eat. 

Dip in basil pesto and eat. 

Three ways to enjoy the potato fries variously.

“Oh my! This is the first time I’ve had potato fries like this! Fresh oil means no greasy smell at all!”

“After always eating cold food, eating freshly cooked is heavenly delicious! Potatoes look new!”

“Ah… It’s so delicious I might collapse. I need to ask later if I can buy soybean oil.”

“Is this the basil I knew? The aroma is so luxurious?”

Definitely, the homemade basil pesto sold a lot. 

It’s a precious ingredient you can’t buy with money anywhere else, so it was natural.

Busy busy. 

It would be nice if someone helped with the work.

Cooking while serving customers was no easy task.

“Next customer.”

“Ahem. O-One, please.”

Who was it but Mary. 

Her face flushed, twisting her body as if uncomfortable with the situation.

It was unexpected for the proud elf to bend her pride and come to the stall.

I deliberately asked again.

“Customer, one is enough?”

Mary pressed her lips together and nodded.

A satisfied smile naturally spread across my face.

“I thought you’d never come.”

“I”

“Well, no matter how awkward it is to see me, you can’t resist my food.”

My shoulders rose higher and higher.

“The food smell spread whoosh across the plaza; how can an elf with a sensitive nose hold back? Just smelling it would make appetite burst out.”

Tremble tremble.

Mary’s shoulders had been shaking intensely since earlier. 

Her face grew redder and redder.

This flustered look was a first. 

Since she seemed about to explode, I decided to stop teasing.

“Here, take it.”

At that moment.

Swish! Scramble.

—Mary snatched the leaf and ran off without looking back.

“…Wh-What?”

I was so dumbfounded my body froze.

Did she just take the food and run?

“Hey! Money! No, you have to pay saffron!”

It was absurd. 

There was a saffron container right in front of the table.

How dare she dine and dash after all the effort put into this food? Just wait till I catch you!

Tremble tremble.

This time my body shook. Steam hissed from my mouth, but I had to finish the business professionally.

I calmed my upset feelings with a deep breath.

“Ahem. Next customer.”

***

“Puhahaha! You got properly hit!”

Uncle Gail burst into laughter.

“This isn’t funny! I’ll catch her and give her a good scolding!”

My face burned red. Daring to eat without paying.

“I was watching from behind the whole time; you were provoking her. She bent her pride to come, treat her nicely.”

“Ahem.”

“I think Mary was flustered and forgot to pay.”

“Even so, I can’t just let it go! My creed is to pay back what I get.”

She jumped up and down calling me a herb thief, but she’ll eat my food and wipe her mouth clean? Absolutely not.

“Anyway, if you see Mary on your way, tell her to come soon and beg nicely. Otherwise, tell her she can never dream of my food again.”

“You know her house, right? Just go yourself.”

“I don’t want to make things awkward with Air because of this. I should handle it myself.”

I patted my butt and stood up.

“Leaving? Can’t you make one more potato fries before going? It’s not enough.”

“Next time I’ll make something even tastier. I’m sorry, but I have to go learn East Continent cuisine now.”

“Oh? Then hurry. Shall I help clean up the stall?”

At the mention of East Continent cuisine, uncle changed his attitude. 

He even actively helped clean the stall.

As if me going to learn food was the most important thing.

Thanks to that, I quickly cleaned the stall and headed to Eugene’s.