The Power of the Saint is All Around (LN) - Volume 4 - Chapter SS6

Chapter ss6

Short Story 06: Enchanted Mushrooms

Autumn is the best season for exercise and reading, but I think autumn is the best time to eat .

It is also called the harvest season, so autumn had a lot of delicious food .  

This didn’t just apply to Japan, but Slantania Kingdom too .  

According to Jude, they harvested rye during autumn, and you could also find many fruits and mushrooms in the forest .  

Of course, I would go if I hear something like that .

Where, you ask?

To the forest!

I immediately received permission from Director and headed to the East Forest since there was no time like the present .  

Our group consists of me, Jude, two researchers and two knights from the 3rd Knight Order; a total of six people .  

After arriving at the East Forest, our group moved together .

We left the knights to guard our surroundings and did nothing but pick herbs .  

I found my favourite fruits and mushrooms while looking for herbs .  

Autumn really is the season for harvest . I found more vegetation than when I last came here .  

And while I was picking herbs, fruits and mushrooms, I found it .  

I squatted down to pick an herb near me and found a standing mushroom behind a fallen tree .

It was short and stout and light beige, so I couldn’t conclude if it was edible or not .  

I better confirm it .  

I called Jude, who was close and pointed at the mushroom .

Jude looked at the mushroom dubiously . Then, his eyes widened in surprise, and he swiftly spun back .

He was so vigorous that he ended up bending his body .

“Wh-what’s wrong?”

“Th-this…” He pointed at the mushroom with trembling fingers and choked on his words .

The researcher, who was close to us, also came over, probably because he thought Jude was acting strange .  

He looked at where Jude was pointing and raised a voice in surprise after looking dubiously, “Woah . ”

What the heck is it?

“What’s wrong with this mushroom?” Jude nodded vigorously when I asked this .

Then, he started speaking in leaps and bounds .  

This mushroom was called phantom mushroom .

It was edible and tasted great, but above all else, it had a magnificent fragrance .

It didn’t give off a scent like this, but apparently, it did when you shave it .  

According to one theory, it is said that the mushrooms were enchanted and gave off an aphrodisiac effect .

However, it was hard to find and was called the phantom mushroom .

It was said that it was so rare that you might only find one in ten lifetimes .  

Apparently, it was costly because it was so rare .

“Do you think Director would tell me to sell it if I bring it back with me?”

“Maybe? He’ll probably tell you to do what you want with it since you found it . ” 

Jude was probably unconfident because he couldn’t tell how Director would act since this was too expensive .  

I’ve finally found this Phantom Mushroom .

I might as well eat it instead of selling it .  

Director would probably choose to eat it as well .  

He’s in management, but he’s more of a researcher .

I’m sure he’s someone who would rather try something that’s said to be a phantom ingredient instead of selling it .  

I believed and plucked the phantom mushroom .

When I returned to the research institute, I told Director, who was flabbergasted from the news, about the phantom mushroom .

Then he said, “Alright, let’s eat it!” So I couldn’t help but laugh .

Seems like he didn’t betray my expectations .  

I went to the dining hall immediately and showed the chefs, then another person reacted just like Jude did .  

Is it that rare? 

The chefs started cheering when I told them that I would be cooking it now .  

I wasn’t familiar with this mushroom, so I consulted with the chefs before deciding what to cook .

I decided to shave it on top of the dish since it was a fragrant ingredient .

I left the prep work for the phantom mushroom to the chefs and prepped the other ingredients .  

I was making stewed chicken with white sauce .  

I sliced the onions and regular mushrooms and simmered it with cooked chicken and white wine .  

I wish I had fresh cream, but unfortunately, I didn’t, so I added milk, butter and flour and simmered it some more .  

I didn’t forget to adjust it with salt and pepper so that it would taste nice .  

I sprinkled the shaved phantom mushroom on top of the dish when it was done, and it was complete .

Yup .

It smells incredible .  

The moment the phantom mushrooms were shaved, an exquisite aroma filled the kitchen .

It’s kind of sweet, but it’s not .  

It’s hard to describe, but I wonder if I can say that it smells sensual .  

Anyway, it was an incredible smell .

I put a small grain into my mouth to taste it and just that one-grain smelt amazing .  

“Wow…” It gave me a mediocre impression, but that was all I could say .  

Needless to say, the chefs swiftly nodded their heads at my surprised mutter .  

The white sauce suited it perfectly . I knew discussing it with the chefs was a good idea .

Afterwards, the researchers who came with me, Director, and even Captain-san, who was called by Director, gathered in the dining hall to eat it .  

Of course, the dining hall was also filled with researchers who hadn’t come with me on my harvest .

The phantom mushroom smelt amazing even with just a small amount, so I only needed to sprinkle a little on .

We managed to make food for everyone .

I was relieved .  

Since it seems like a bloody battle would break out if we had to hold a raffle for food .

When I saw the happy faces of those who had finished eating, I understood how this mushroom enchanted people .  

I was also one of the people who were enchanted .  

It was really delicious .  

I want to eat it again, but would that be difficult?

At times like this, I couldn’t help but wonder if I can get my way somehow by using my 【Saint】abilities . It’s really selfish of me .

But, the phantom mushroom smelt so nice that it made me think like that .

Translator: Blushy
Editor: Sam