The Strongest Knights ~The strongest one is not the leader, but seems to be the cook~ Chapter 12

Do I smell… plot development?!?! *GASP* （○□○）
-love, haru

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Chapter 12

On the next day, after eating breakfast at the inn, the Lint Bloom Order started heading for Markgraf Scottley’s area.

I woke up early in the morning and made everyone some lunch.

While I was making lunch, I found a strange seed.

「Kio, what is that?」

「Ah, Sara-san. Good morning.」

「Yea, morning. what is that?」

「I found this over there, but it seems to be some sort of seed?」

「This is silver vine* (マタタビ).」*TL: Actinidia polygama (flower name), also seems to be natural cat nip.

「Silver vine… you mean the stuff that cats like?」

「Mm, yeah. No mistake.」

「I wonder if I can cook it? Let’s try it.」

I gently put it into my pockets.

「Oka-y! How about we do lunch here? If possible, I’d like to get moving quickly, so we don’t have much time.」

「Yes. I thought so so today’s lunch is hot dogs.」

「Thanks. So this is a hot dog? A sausage inserted in some bread? What’s this red stuff?」

「The red stuff is supposed to be ketchup.」

The pseudo-ketchup is

Add cut tomatoes into the saucepan and sugar, being careful not to burn it while cooking it.

Once the contents have reduced to about half, turn off the heat and it’s done.

「Hey! All he did was put stuff on bread but it’s this tasty…」

「It really goes well with this “ketchup” stuff.」

「If it’s this, we can eat while walking.」

「Kio, from now on, can you make food that we can eat while walking? Of course, I’ll tell you beforehand.」

「Yes, that’s fine.」

「I appreciate it.」

After some conversation, we continued onward towards Markgraf Scottley.

Incidentally, when I looked around the corners of Leader’s mouth, it was covered in ketchup.

After seeing that, I thought it would be a good idea to make Neapolitan* with the pasta. *TL: Searchナポリタン.

After two days of travel, the Lint Bloom Order arrived at the area under Markgraf Scottley’s control.

「Uwah~, This gate is amazing.」

「It is. This is the border. It has the same kinds of monsters as anywhere else, but they’re stronger here.」

After listening to my words, the gatekeeper informed me.

「Oh~, I see. I’ll be careful.」

We pa.s.sed through the solid doors and headed towards the Markgraf’s mansion.

After we arrived at the mansion, Leader said,

「Sorry, everyone. Going to the mansion with this many people would be bad. I’ll go as a representative, so please wait. While you’re waiting, do as you please.」

「Okay, after 3 hours, let’s gather here!」

「「Yeah! (Understood!)」」

While waiting for Leader, I went snacking at food carts while gathering information.

「Three sticks of yakitori please.」

「Order up!」

「Oh yes, food cart occhan*.」 *TL: Old dude

「Yes? Customer.」

「I heard rumors about the recent monster attacks, but I don’t see any monsters around, or even animals.」

「Ah, the monsters attack from night to morning. And the monsters have been eating the animals, so I haven’t seen any recently.」

「Ohh~, so they come from night to morning?」

「Yes.」

「Thank you very much. The yakitori was delicious.」

「Of course! Come again!」

After asking the other food cart owners, they all said that they attack from night to morning.

It was about time for his return, so Leader came out from the mansion.

「Okay, for starters, let’s go to an inn.」

After arriving at the inn that the vice captain prepared for us,

「Now, let’s talk about what’s going to happen. Everyone just got here today, so I’m sure you’re all tired. However, after hearing from the Markgraf, I’ve decided that this is a situation where time is of the essence.」

「What do you mean, Leader?」

「You’ve probably heard already from the townspeople, but the monsters come and attack starting from night until morning.」

「I’ve also heard that.」

「Yeah, I’m talking from experience, but it seems that there is a leader amongst the monsters. And a smart one, at that.」

「How do you know that?」

「Because the monsters come from morning to night. Humans cannot move well in the dark. The monsters are taking advantage of that. And they continuously keep attacking and attacking. Yet, when it turns bright, they disappear somewhere.」

It seems as if it is very intelligent.

「It’s already been two weeks since the first attack. The amount of attackers seems to increase each day. And there seems to be a giant shadow-like monster, too.」

「A giant shadow?」

「Most likely, it’s the leader.」

If they’re edible, then I can defeat them.

「At any rate, from nightfall on, while targeting the leader, defeat the monsters. Even though you guys are tired, please try your best. Before nightfall, let’s gather at the gate. Whatever you do before then, I don’t care. Refrain from alcohol. Dismissed!」