Isekai Nonbiri Nouka - Chapter 968

On the main street of Shashaato, a man was dancing.

It was not a graceful performance, but a fierce and intense dance.

Since he was spinning on his head on the ground so it might have been breakdancing.

Well, the issue was not the type of dance, but why he was doing it in the first place.

He looked to be in his forties.... probably human.

His clothing was neat and well-made, suggesting he had a decent income.

While I was thinking that, the guards arrived and apprehended him.

He resisted....but several of them restrained him and took him away.

It was true that his vigorous dancing was obstructing pedestrians.

Even I could not get through.

Well, whoever he was, it probably had nothing to do with me.

I continued on toward my destination, Marla.

Miyo had called for me.

-0-

It turned out it did have something to do with me.

The man dancing was a visitor from a human nation.

His name was Ribic.

Apparently, he was a personal chef for a certain royal family.

Ribic had gotten into a dispute with Alfred, who is currently in a certain human kingdom, and was dumped here in Shashaato City by Ancestor-san.

Exile?

Apparently not.

It was meant as a way for him to broaden his knowledge of the culinary world.

That is why Alfred had given Ribic some funds.

About ten silver coins, along with a large amount of large and medium copper coins.

There was also a letter addressed to Miyo, asking her to assist Ribic with his life in Shashaato City.

So Miyo arranged his lodging and other necessities.

Thank you.

If it had been the old Miyo, she would have thrown the letter at me, saying not to ask for help when she was short-handed.

Apparently, the Kissinley couple, who caused a stir at the auction, have become quite the asset, and she now has more leeway.

However, when Ribic began acting strangely, she was unsure what to do and called me.

The reason she did not come to Big Tree Village to consult me was because she did not see it as her full responsibility, nor was it an urgent matter.

She was actually surprised I came so soon.

For my part, I also wanted to check on the Kissinley couple.

And Beezel, who can use teleportation magic, happened to be visiting Big Tree Village as well.

-0-

Now then, Miyo came to me for advice about Ribic, but... what should I do?

Is she asking why he’s dancing?

「That’s the thing...he only talks about food. Like how this was delicious, or that was great...」

I-I see.

「In Alfred-sama’s letter, he said that if Ribic causes trouble, we should ask Ancestor-sama to send him back.」

So contacting me was also partly about reaching out to Ancestor-san.

Ever since we sent Alfred to the human kingdom, Ancestor-san has been coming to the village regularly to give reports.

The next visit will be in three days.

「Should we just leave him be until then?」

Hmm...

I’m sure he has a reason for dancing, but if he’s disturbing others, we can’t just let it go.

For now, I’ll try talking to him.

-0-

I tried.

「I am a proud chef. There’s no way I could lose to the cooking of a commoner’s restaurant!」

I see.

「No way means no way!」

Yes, I get it.

「However! I cannot lie to my own tongue! If it’s delicious, then it’s delicious!」

R-Right...

He’s honest, I’ll give him that.

「I’m not expecting them to tell me the secret to their delicious food! Those things are learned by working alongside them!」

I see...

「I am a proud chef! Unfortunately, I cannot work in a commoner’s shop! After all, I am employed exclusively by the royal family... I’d have to go back first, resign from my post, and only then...」

Ah...

So, should we send you back?

I can arrange it.

「No, I haven’t tasted all the flavors yet! Even in this shop, I’ve only eaten up to this part of the menu!」

I see, I see.

-0-

I heard the whole story, but there was no mention of why you were dancing.

Were you trying to work up an appetite by dancing?

「No, there is another reason for the dancing」

It seemed he was about to tell me.

Let’s hear it.

「I did not aim to become a chef from a young age」

I see.

「In the past, I wanted to be a dancer. The kind who brings energy to those around them by dancing」

I understand.

「However, it was difficult to make a living through dance alone... To earn a living, I worked at a restaurant, but for some reason, I ended up being promoted」

So you had a talent for cooking.

「Perhaps so. But it seems I had forgotten my original dream without realizing it.」

So, the dancing was to remember the dream you had before becoming a cook.

「At the same time, it is a dance of gratitude toward cooking!

Curry, delicious

Katsudon, delicious

Oden, delicious

Oden is delicious

Oden is the best

I must bring that flavor back at all costs!」

Well, I’ll admit your passion.

「Also, when I dance, people throw me money」

So there was also a fundraising purpose.

「While I have received a sufficient sum from Alfred-dono, various expenses do add up」

I understand, but I would like you to stop in the plazas and main streets as it bothers the people around.

「Then I will dance inside the shop」

That was roundabout.

Sorry.

What I’m trying to say is ‘do not dance’.

「How tyrannical」

-0-

It was settled by providing a small amount to cover his lodging expenses.

Not that I would cover it for just anyone.

It’s only because they seem to have some connection to Alfred and Ancestor-san.

「Thank you very much. With this, I can research not only the cuisine of Shashaato City but also the dishes of Village Five」

It’s a good thing when the number of people researching food increases.

「By the way... excuse me, but who might you be?」

Huh?

Were you not informed about me?

「Only from Miyo-sama... I only heard that you were her superior」

My apologies.

I’m Hiraku.

Alfred’s father.

「............」

It seems he didn’t believe me.

He started checking with Miyo and my guards, Gulf, Daga, and Reginleif.

「My apologies. You are far more normal(?) than I was told...」

...

Just what has Alfred been saying about me?

「...Th-that you are a respectable father」

Is that really true?

「Y-yes, something close to that」

What’s unbelievable about that?

「Also... that you command many dragons and can blow away mountains... things like that」

Ah, please don’t believe such things.

「Ah, so they were lies after all」

That’s right.

I may have married dragons, but I never commanded them.

And while I may have carved a mountain before, blowing one away is far beyond me.

Even though I firmly denied it, he still didn’t believe me.

Miyo, Gulf, Daga, Reginleif, make sure to explain that what I’m saying is the truth.