I was reincarnated as bait for the summoned hero
I crushed the High Orc settlement and even succeeded in subjugating the King variant.
Having earned more than enough for the day, I hummed a tune as I made my way back from the dungeon.
I carefully secured any useful magical tools and meat, while the other dropped items were either sold to the guild or exchanged for points.
Since the exchange rate for meat wasn’t particularly good, I opted to sell it to the guild instead.
Magic stones and magical tools could be converted into high-value points, so without hesitation, I sent them to my 【Item Box】.
The guild’s purchasing staff was delighted to receive the High Orc King’s meat.
Since this town flourished around the dungeon, there was always demand for meat.
Orc meat was popular among adventurers.
And High Orc meat, being a luxury item, was something wealthier adventurers would gladly order with excitement.
“The high-ranking adventurers who want to make money don’t usually bring back meat since it’s too much of a burden.”
One of the guild staff members explained with a sigh.
They prioritized taking back magic stones, magical tools, and other materials that could sell for a higher price.
If someone had a magic bag or a storage skill, they could carry meat too, but unfortunately, both of those were rare items and rare skills.
“Please come sell to us anytime!”
“Ah… yeah. If I have any to spare.”
I wouldn’t mind offloading boar, deer, or orc meat, but if I sold the really good stuff, Sheila and Kotesu would surely hold a grudge.
“Don’t pout. We still have more than half of the High Orc meat left, don’t we?”
Not only did we have High Orc meat, but this time, we even got the High Orc King’s meat.
I’d save that for a special occasion.
For tonight, I’d cook something using the High Orc meat.
◆◇◆
A steak would be a safe choice, but tonight, I was in the mood for curry. I wanted curry.
I’d make a pork curry using block-cut belly meat.
Considering how much my companions would likely eat, I decided to use the largest stockpot we had.
First, I set a clay pot to cook rice.
Then, I grabbed the two who seemed idle and put them on vegetable-peeling duty. I handed them peelers I’d bought at the 100-yen store and taught them how to use them—it was simple.
They peeled the potatoes and carrots while I cut the High Orc belly meat into bite-sized blocks and pre-cooked it.
Once the vegetables were peeled, I chopped them up and lightly stir-fried them in the stockpot—first the carrots, then the potatoes, followed by sliced garlic and onions.
Once they were sufficiently cooked, I added water and let it all simmer slowly.
“Sheila , you’re in charge of skimming the scum. Rei, you help me over here.”
“Oh? This is… could it be…?”
“Yeah, I’m making katsu. Tonight, we’re having katsu curry.”
“Magnificent.”
Meanwhile, Kotesu, the cat fairy of the Cait Sith race, was curled up on the living room sofa, fast asleep.
Well, he was just a kitten. He had used a lot of magic in the dungeon and was completely exhausted.
I wasn’t so desperate that I needed extra hands, so I let him sleep.
I began cutting up the High Orc meat into portions.
Tonight, I’d use the shoulder loin.
It was a lean cut running from the neck to the back, with just enough marbling to enhance its umami.
I had debated using the loin or fillet, but in the end, my craving for a rich, tender, and luxurious cut won out.
As I sliced it into two-centimeter-thick portions, someone behind me started issuing commands:
“Not enough.”
“Too thin.”
“More.”
“Cut them thicker.”
“Shut up, Rei.”
“My apologies. But surely, if we’re eating, thicker cuts would be more satisfying?”
“If it’s too thick, it won’t cook through properly. That’s fine for beef, but undercooked pork is dangerous.”
“Mmgh…”
“Two centimeters is already on the thicker side. If you’re still hungry, just get seconds.”
“! I can have seconds?”
“Of course. I’m making a ton of High Orc katsu, so help me out.”
“Understood!”
The golden dragon Rei, clearly thrilled about the katsu, tightened his expression into a look of determination.
He carefully seasoned the meat with salt and pepper, following my instructions.
I had already made cuts to break the muscle fibers, so now all he had to do was coat the seasoned meat with flour, dip it in beaten eggs, and cover it with panko breadcrumbs.
“All that’s left is to fry it in this hot oil.”
I dipped the tip of a chopstick into the oil, and it sizzled with a lively crackle.
Yeah, perfect temperature.
I carefully placed the breaded meat into the oil.
“I’ll be double-frying it—first at a slightly lower temperature, then a second time at a higher temperature for about two minutes. Once it turns a nice golden brown, it’s done.”
For the best crispiness, I was willing to go through the extra effort of double-frying.
With the two of them helping, the work would be finished quickly.
As the katsu fried, I added the curry roux to the simmering pot.
Sheila continued tending to the curry, stirring it with a ladle to prevent it from sticking.
Once the rice finished cooking, I set another clay pot on the fire.
After all, tonight’s meal was pork curry—no, High Orc katsu curry.
Who knew how many refills would be needed?
I had a whole stockpot of curry. I had fried a massive amount of katsu.
Naturally, the rice would also disappear fast.
“…We’re probably going to go through three whole pots of rice…”
I started to feel a little uneasy.
Maybe I had made a mistake in choosing this menu.
“…But I really wanted katsu curry.”
Yesterday, I had stuffed myself with something that tasted just like fatty tuna.
Today, I wanted to go all out on meat. And curry.
“All done, Tohma !”
With three mountains of High Orc katsu piled up, the frying was complete. There were also two full clay pots of glossy rice.
“The curry is looking good too, Tohma -san. The onions are perfectly soft!”
“Alright, thanks you two. Let’s eat!”
I scooped some white rice onto a large plate and poured plenty of curry over it. After placing the cut katsu on top, the High Orc Katsu Curry was ready.
“Meow!”
“Oh, did the smell wake you up?”
A hungry, cute kitten clung to my leg with an urgent look on its face.
“Calm down, there’s a portion for you too.”
“That’s right, Kotesu. Sit down at the table quietly.”
Kotesu was lifted by the back of its neck and gently placed onto the seat next to Rei.
For the good little kitten, I decided to give it a large serving of curry.
“Mmm… This curry smells amazing! It’s really making my sTohma ch growl!”
“Yeah, let’s eat quickly. That’s not a sound a lady should make.”
Not only Sheila but everyone there had their sTohma chs growling.
The curry made with High Orc meat and the High Orc katsu both emitted an intoxicatingly powerful aroma. It was so tempting I could hardly wait.
“Go ahead, eat as much as you want.”
“Thanks, I’ll dig in!”
With a spoon in hand, they all eagerly dived into the curry with smiles.
◆◇◆
“It was delicious…”
“I can’t eat anymore… so happy…”
“Mmm…~”
The three of them were sprawled on the floor, content and full.
As for me? I had saved room, so I was fine. Even so, I still ate three servings of katsu curry.
The High Orc meat was exceptionally tasty.
(This makes me even more excited to try the King variant’s flavor.)
I never expected the stockpot to empty. Both clay pots were completely cleaned out.
I still had some katsu left, though, so I planned to save it for tomorrow’s lunch.
“Who wants some dessert ice cream?”
“I do!”
“I’ll have some too.”
“Meow!”
I had jokingly asked, but everyone raised their hands. Seriously, even you, Kotesu?
I decided to give them at least a refreshing sorbet flavor for dessert.
“Hehe, this is delicious. Soda flavor is the best!”
“I think cola flavor is great too.”
“Mmm-meow!”
Kotesu seemed to prefer milk flavor.
After cleaning up dinner, I sat back and relaxed on the sofa, checking my points when suddenly Rei tilted his head.
“Sheila , it looks like you can evolve.”
“Eh, evolve?”
Sheila , confused, looked up at Rei.
“Probably because your level went up after we wiped out the High Orc settlement. It’s like how a hatchling comes out of an egg, something like that.”
I could picture a little fluffy yellow chick hatching from an egg in my mind.
Maybe that would be something to look forward to.
Sheila , looking unsure under Rei’s eager gaze, seemed to struggle with the idea.
Seeing her in distress, Rei gently pulled her shoulder closer.
“I’ll help you. Just stay still.”
“Ah…”
Rei’s index finger touched Sheila ’s forehead, and golden light enveloped them both. Sheila ’s delicate shoulders trembled.
As a small scream escaped from her lips, her body began to melt away in the dazzling light.
“Sheila …!”
I reached out in a panic, but Rei stopped me.
“She’s fine. She’s transforming into a phantom beast.”
When the golden light finally subsided, there was a bird, even bigger than a long-tailed tit, standing where Sheila had been.
