Chop Chop Chop

  A redundant sound echoed every time the knife makes tact with the chopping board. The whistling sound of steam, the boiling of water, and the whooshing of fmes. A variety of sounds echoed all over the kit from time to time, creating a calming melody apanied by the aromatic sts of food being cooked.

  It has been about a week since Grey and Yuuro Galderia, and currently, the two of them are helping out in making dinner along with Gerd and Selia. It has bee one of their daily routines sining back.

  "Hm?" ［Grey］

  All of a sudden, one of Grey's eyebrows arched as he looked at the tent of his "Iory". There ecifid of item his eyes locked on whilst wearing a ed expression over his face.

  "Is something wrong, Grey? You seem worried." ［Yuna］

  "No, it's just... we're running low on potatoー" ［Grey］

  "Ehh?!" ［Yuna］

  Grey couldn't even finish his statement. Before he had the ce to, Yuna's scream full of shod surprise cut off his words. She was wearing a pale expression on her face as if the world was about to end.

  Well, Yuna's rea was justifiable. After all, potatoes have been incorporated into many of their dishes. Not to mention the snacks and treats which could be made with them. She just couldn't imagiheir meals the same without potatoes.

  It has been almost six months since Grey and Yuna bought the potatoes on their first quest, and while they were able to buy potatoes from time to time, there still wasn't enough to sustain themselves. Potatoes have yet to fully ie into the market.

  While Grey could grow potatoes in his "Sanctuary" and speed it up with pnt magic, there was just oiny problem. It was that all space had already been occupied by various crops, more than 70% of the space being rice fields.

  "No... My potatoes..." ［Yuna］

  Despair could be traced in both Yuna's fad voice. There were even tears f at the ers of her eyes. She was distraught, in distraught of the thought that she wouldn't be able to eat potatoes anymore.

  It wasn't until when Grey calmed her down that Yuna stopped despairing over such depressing thoughts, and only after taking a bite of dihat she returo her usual self. It was as if she was never depressed to begin with.

  Time passed by quickly and the m sun had risen once agaihe vast horizon. The city had awoken as bustling noises reached the sky and busy crowds came p out their houses to start their daily lives.

  "Potatoes～ Potatoes～ Potatoes～!" ［Yuna］

  In trast to her previous self, Yuna has beuch more cheerful as a bright smile floated on her face. She was humming to herself the same word as she and Grey headed to the Adventurers' Guild.

  In order to appease Yuerday, Grey had suggested that they once agaiowards the vilge growing potatoes and buy themselves a rge amount. Sihey were heading there anyways, it was also decided that they take a quest in the viity of the vilge in order to get some quests done, killing two birds with oone.

  Upon their arrival, the guild was already busy. The staff members aionists were aodating the adventurers who had already picked their quests. It was business as usual.

  her Grey nor Yuna paid the curious eyes any heed and headed towards the quest boards, iing any avaible quests that matched their requirements. There was o sider the rank as it didn't really matter.

  As it has already been a week sihey have returned, it also meant that the high-ranking quests have started to decrease. Coupled with Kris and Aria's return, the rate of pletion has sped up even faster. Now, the highest ranking quests present are only at D-rank.

  "Grey, I found it!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna waved her hand trey, prompting the tter to approach her and look at the request form on her hands. It was a G-rank esc quest ing from Balta vilge, the same vilge Grey and Yuna were heading to.

  "Yup, this is perfect. Good job spotting it." ［Grey］

  "Hehehe! No problem at all!" ［Yuna］

  The smile on Yuna's face has yet to fade. The more she thought about acquiring more potatoes, the happier she became. Her smile didn't disappear eveilda started to process their quest. It made the tter rather curious.

  After their deal at the Adventurers' Guild, Grey and Yuna then headed outside the city as per usual. After which, they headed southeast towards Balta vilge where they had their very first quest. It was a route which brought about some memories.

  Running at breakneck speeds, the journey which would have usually taken a few hours at the very least was reduced to just a few minutes. With each passing minute, Grey and Yuna were able to cover a couple kilometers of distance.

  "Hm? Aren't those..." ［Marlon］

  A familiar figure stood guard at the vilge gates as he held his spear uprightly. It was Marlon who was the head guard and soldier at Balta vilge. He resent when Grey and Yuna talked with the chief along with the making of potato chips and fries.

  Marlon waved his outstretched hand high up in the air as soon as he spotted Grey and Yuna over the horizon. While their faces weren't clear, he immediately k was them. After all, a silver-haired elf isly on in the kingdom, along with Grey pitch bck hair, there were only two people who came to mind.

  "Long time no see, Mister Marlon." ［Grey］

  "Good m, Mister Marlon." ［Yuna］

  "Well, it's almost been half a year, after all. It's good to see you both are still doing well." ［Marlon］

  Marlon's expression was much brighter than what Grey and Yuna remembered. While he was all serious and stiff the first time they met, now, he was smiling more often and much cheerful as well.

  It wasn't only Marlon, the other soldiers with him also wore brighter expressions as they did their jobs. It was because over the past six months, the vilge had grown more prosperous and in turn, people have gotteer living ditions.

  With happy expressions, Grey, Yuna, and the guards chatted for a little bit, with talks pertaining mostly on what happened over the past few months. The guards just couldn't help talking about how much their vilge has improved.

  "Ah, right. I almost fot... What brings the two of you here? Have you ran out of potatoes or something?" ［Marlon］

  "Yeah, that and oher thing. We also happeo e across a certai, you see." ［Grey］

  "Oh!" ［Marlon］

  A surprised expression was written all over Marlon and the uards' faces as soon as Grey pulled out a certain dot. It was the request form that they had posted in the guild.

  "Hahahaha, who would've thought you'd be the ones ro pick it up! Looks like we'll be in your care again!" ［Marlon］

  "The same goes for us, too." ［Grey］

  "Un! I'm looking forward to the quest!" ［Yuna］

  "Right, right, the's go to the Chief's house. I'm sure he'll be happy to see the two of you again." ［Marlon］

  The guarding duty over the gates was left to the uards. Marlon quickly turned around, and with Grey and Yuna behind him, he led them once again to the chief's house, all the while tinuing their chat.

  As Grey and Yuna walked around the vilge, they could notice subtle differences in the houses and people living there. Just like what Marlon and the guards said, the living ditions in the vilge had really gotteer.

  Knooock

  The jouropped when they arrived at a familiar house. It was the very same house they went inside six months ago, only that there were a few improvements here and there. Some of the parts were clearly newly renovated.

  "Chief, I have brought the adventurers." ［Marlon］

  "Oh, just a minute." ［Chief］

  An elderly voice rang out as Marlon knocked on the door. Soon after, the door creaked as an elderly man ope. The elderly man iion wore a surprised expression as soon as he saw Grey and Yuna.

  "Oh... Ohh... Oh! Lrey! Lady Yuna! It's wonderful to see you again! How have you been?" ［Chief］

  The face of surprise was quickly ged into that of happiness as soon as the Chief's mind processed what he saw. He was extremely delighted to see the two youths whom he siders the beors of the vilge.

  While Grey and Yuna also felt happy seeing him in such high spirits, there was ohing which bothered them. It was that the Chief had started to address them formally. From what they remember, the chief only addressed them as "young'uns" before, but now was addressing them as "Lord" and "Lady" formally.

  It wasn't just in Galderia, news about new high-ranker adventurers had spread in nearby towns and vilges. It was especially known in the Balta vilge whom they had associated with personally.

  The story about the two of them stopping an Orc Horde all by themselves have already spread throughout the neighb territories. It didn't take much time until the news spread to Barta vilge.

  "It's o see you again too, Chief. But... the formality, it's..." ［Grey］

  "Oh, do you not like it? I've practiced quite a bit for it, y'know?" ［Chief］

  "No... Rather than not liking it, it's more like... uling?" ［Grey］

  Holy, Grey answered the Chief's question. As soon as his answer was heard, a strange and awkward silened over the area for a short moment. After all, no matter how Grey thought about it, it was strange seeing the free-spirited and carefree chief act so formally.

  "Uling huh... Bahahaha! I k, it really doesn't suit me! You really have a good pair of ears, young man." ［Chief］

  The free-spirited and carefree chief was back. He ughed himself off as boisterously and loud as he as if there weren't any other people nearby. It was a se Grey and Yuna were much more familiar with.

  "Ah, how rude of me. e, e, e inside, don't be shy. Let's have some tea while we talk." ［Chief］

  And just like the first time they met, the Chief had once again offered them tea to drink as he ihe two of them inside his house. Much like the outside, the interior had also received a little bit of makeover.

  The tables were rger and sturdier, there were more seats, and once could see new pnks installed on the floor. Rather than a renovation, it would be better to say that the house was just repaired with new materials.

  "Sit anywhere you like, I'll just go get some tea." ［Chief］

  "Ah, Chief, let me do it." ［Marlon］

  "Marlon, I'm not as old as you think. Just sit there and apany the young'uns, alright? I'll be done in a jiffy." ［Chief］

  Not even waiting for Marlon's respohe Chief headed to the kit with a happy smile blooming in his face. At the back of his mind, he was thinking of brewing the best tea in his colle frey and Yuna to taste.

  "Sorry about the Chief. He's always been like that." ［Marlon］

  "Don't worry about it, Mister Marlon. The Chief being like that, it feels... how do I say it... more fortable...?" ［Grey］

  "Un! It feels much better when pared to people being too formal or respectful. It's refreshing!" ［Yuna］

  "Haha, I'm gd you uand." ［Marlon］

  Meanwhile, Marlon was left behind with Grey and Yuna in the living room. They then tiheir previous versatiarding the vilge and what new snacks were made with inspiration from the potato chips and fries.

  While the potatoes haven't fully ied into the national market, there have been a few vilges neighb Balta vilge which had been buying potatoes from them. Slowly but surely, the influence of potatoes has been spreading outside just the Barta vilge alone.

  "Well, it was thanks to the young'uns that we have been experieng so much growth tely." ［Chief］

  The Chief stated as he ehe living room. On his arms were a tray with teacups and a teapot on top of it. Steam could be seen esg the teapot's mouth, signifying that it was just newly brewed.

  "Chief, let me help you." ［Marlon］

  "Sure, sure, just grab some tea cups and serve it tuests." ［Chief］

  "Yes." ［Marlon］

  As per the Chief's request, Marlon stood up from his seat and poured everyone a cup of tea. The moment the tea oured, Grey and Yuna noticed something odd about the tea. It was not the same tea they were served before.

  At a single gnight mistake it, but the color was undoubtedly much lighter than before. The st of the tea was also much more subtle than the one from before. It looked like it was just diluted, but iy, it was airely different tea.

  "The tea looks... different..." ［Yuna］

  "Eh? It is?" ［Marlon］

  The only one who didn't notice the difference was Marlos off a short surprised voice as soon as he hears Yuna's words. He then stared at the tea for a hot sed, only to get more fused. It looked the same no matter whigle he looked at it.

  "Hahaha! Looks like you really 't escape the eyes of high-rankers! This is indeed a different tea. It's called Valorn. It's my most prized tea in my possession. Please have a taste." ［Chief］

  Meanwhile, while Marlon was thrust into fusion, the Chief only ughed heartily as he initiated the drinking of tea. At his lead, Grey and Yuna also drank the tea the Chief brewed, only to open their eyes in surprise.

  The tea initially starts very bitterly, but in just a fra of a sed, the bitterness quickly disappears, repced by a little acidic taste and a subtle sweetness which resembles that of honey, washing away the precious bitterness. It was easy to drink and wasn't to.

  "Mmn... This is good." ［Grey］

  "I like it!" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha, I'm gd you liked it. Then, how about we eat some snacks along it. I have some cookies here to sna." ［Chief］

  "Cookies!" ［Yuna］

  As the Chief brought out a jar of cookies from who-knows-where, Yuna's expressions quickly lit up. Like a little squirrel, she stuffed her mouth with cookies, enjoying its sweetness along the little sourness of the tea.

  While Grey and Yuhere for a quest, sihey arrived much quicker than anticipated, they, the Chief, and Marlon talked for quite some time. They talked about a bre of topics ranging from somethirivial to rumors spreading around the kingdom.

  They even reached a topic where the awarding ceremony was brought up. It made both Grey and Yuna choke on their drinks as it was brought up. Thankfully, the identities of the heroes haven't spread so far. It was thanks to it that Grey and Yuna could escape the situation.

  "ht... Young man, about the profits regarding the potatoes and such. I've already ha to the Merts' Guild." ［Chief］

  "The Merts' Guild...?" ［Grey］

  "Yes. They're a very reliable anization so there's o worry. I've also applied patents in your name so you'll have full rights over your recipes. They're all at the guild." ［Chief］

  "Ah, thank you..." ［Grey］

  Grey looked grateful to the chief oside, but deep inside, he actually felt really guilty. He had made the deal with him for months already yet it totally slipped his mind. He has never been ihe Merts' Guild.

  It wasn't just the potatoes, the deals with Fritz, Argas, and other people were also ed with the Merts' Guild. He could only imagihe amount of dots piled up ihe guild waiting for him. Just thinking about it was enough to give him nightmares.

  While the guild wilk handle all iations for him, he still o show his face up and deal with a feerwork. Especially in regards to the mo. They have been piling up there for months already.

  'Looks like I have another quest...' ［Grey］

  Grey sighed inwardly as he took a mental note, adding it to his mental checklist. He thought that he wouldn't be dealing with paperwork after ing to Merusia, but, oh boy, was he wrong.

  The talk tinued for several more minutes until they fiheir tea and cookies. And to show Grey and Yuna around the vilge, they all went outside and headed to the fields where all the potatoes were pnted.

  During their chat, Grey and Yuiohat they wao buy some more potatoes. It was also one of the reasons why they are going outside to get some freshly harvested ones.

  "Waah～!" ［Yuna］

  "Amazing..." ［Grey］

  Grey and Yuna's mouths were wide open as they indulged in the sery before them. As far as the eyes could see, there were massive farmnds full of potatoes. It was hectares upoares full of potatoes. A potato paradise!

  During the six months since Grey and Yuna had left the vilge, Balta had expas potato growing operation to match the increasing demands from the neighb vilges. The fields had grown more than 20 times than before, with the majority of the space reserved for potatoes.

  It wasn't just the fields, the popution of the vilge also grew as more people chose to stay and farm rather thaure outside. Even those who had goo towns and cities for jobs had returo help out. After all, the potato industry is rapidly growing.

  "Oh, Chief, Marlon, what brings you here? Aren't you both busy?" ［???］

  A woman ie-twenties asked as she saw Marlon and the Chief oskirts of the fields. As she approached them, two young children followed behind her like little chicks to a hen.

  "Ah, no... We have some guests, you see..." ［Marlon］

  As Marlon shifted his hands trey and Yuna's dire, the woman's eyes followed them. The two children also looked at them, following the woman's as.

  "ht! Let me introduce them. This is my wife, Karen, and the two behind her are our children, Mary and Sally." ［Marlon］

  "Fufu, o meet you." ［Karen］

  "Hello～!" ［Marie］

  Without missing a beat, Marlon introduced his family to Grey and Yuna. First was his wife, aheir daughters. The older one, 7 years old in age, was named Marie, while the younger one, 4 years old, was Sally.

  "Everyohis is Miss Yuna and Mister Grey. Our vilge's beors!" ［Marlon］

  "It's a pleasure to meet yー" ［Grey］

  "Oh my! I've been wanting to meet the two of you! Everyone～! Lrey and Lady Yuna are here～! Are beors are here～!" ［Karen］

  Grey and Yuna couldn't even introduce themselves. Before they could, Karen had already called out to the other vilgers who were w on the fields, successfully garnering their attention.

  Oer ahe vilgers' heads turrey and Yuna's dire. It didn't take long before the vilgers started approag them like moths attracted to a fire mp.

  There were elderly, middle-aged people, teens, and many more. All of them approached Grey and Yuna with bright and thankful expressions on their faces. It was to the point that Grey and Yuna were overwhelmed.

  "Now, now, everyone, let's not bother them too much, okay? And, right... you get them a couple baskets of potatoes? They said they wao get some." ［Chief］

  "Roger that, Chief!"

  "Leave it to us!"

  The crowd only calmed dowhe Chief intervened, or rather, it would be better to say their attention has been shifted to another subject rather than calming down. They enthusiastically harvested a few potatoes frey and Yuna to have.

  The amount they harvested was no joke. In just a few mihey were able to get several baskets' worth of potatoes. There weren't even maeries involved, only pure physical power with a little aid of magic.

  A problem arose when Grey and Yuna tried to pay for the potatoes as the vilgers insisted not to. It took them quite some time to vihe vilgers to take the money, or rather most of the money as everything was settled at a dist.

  "That's quite a lot isn't it..." ［Grey］

  "Un..." ［Yuna］

  In front of Grey and Yuna, baskets upon baskets of potatoes could be seen. There were so many that it would st them for years to e. There was just simply too much. It was a mountain of potatoes.

  CHAPTER 115 END