The next day, Rasa-san asks how to make the pudding and I also promised Karina to make the pudding together.

I really want to explore the city, but I’ll have to make pudding for curry recipes.

I was worried about the material of the pudding in question, but there seems to be a bird that lays a big egg, it was an ostrich-like bird?

Are there some birds I don’t know?

Well, this is a different world so it’s no wonder that an unknown bird exists.

But if I take back a big egg as a souvenir at the orphanage, they might’ve not seen it before. I can see the surprise faces of the kids right now.

If you can get it, I want to buy it.

And there seems to be cows here.

It seems to be different from the cows in the village I bought cheese from. One quarter of the lake is used for agriculture and nomadism.

However, they said that the level of water in the lake is low so crops and livestock are in trouble as well.

If the crops are growing and there are livestocks in the middle of a desert just because they have a lake, then the temperature of the city would be decreasing around the lake, thanks to the lake or the pyramid.

So the temperature seems to be lower inside the city than outside the city. I didn’t notice it because of the Bear Equipment, but the water magic stone seems to have various effects.

This means we have to find the crystal plate map quickly, replace the water magic stone and restore the lake.

[But are you sure you want to teach it to me? It’s a dish served at a royal dinner party.] Rasa

[I told you at the dinner yesterday, the King just asked me to make it, so don’t worry about it. I’ll also make it for Karina this time.] Yuna

I suddenly remembered that the King unexpectedly came to my house, then told me to make a pudding for him, moreover Fina, Morin-san and Karin-san did not help me at all, it reminds me of the lonely pudding making… So sad.

But that is not the case today.

[Then Karina. Let’s make it together.] Yuna

[Yes, I’ll do my best!] Karina

She made a small fist with her little hand at her chest and cheerfully responded.

[Then try breaking the egg like this.] Yuna

I took out the eggs from the Bear Box.

I really wanted to make it with a big egg, but today was so steep that I couldn’t get it.

I wanted to see a big egg.

Is the taste different though?

Well, if you make it with big eggs and it’s not delicious, maybe I should bring some moss. If the lake recovered, we can grow moss.

That’s why today I’ll make pudding with the usual eggs.

I lightly tap the egg at the edge of the table and crack the egg to take out the contents.

[Yuna-san is skilled.] Karina

[Here, try it Karina.] Yuna

I hand the egg over to the little hands of Karina.

Karina imitates me and anxiously taps it lightly at the edge of the table.

[It will not break unless you put a little more force.] Yuna

[Yes, I understand.] Karina

Now she hit it harder and managed to succeed.

Karina may have the potential for cooking to be successful for the first time.

Rasa-san is watching Karina with a smile.

[Rasa, don’t laugh at me, you do it too Rasa.] Karina

[Karina-sama, I’m not laughing.] Rasa

[You were laughing.] Karina

Karina bulges her cheeks.

Rasa-san helps her make pudding with a smile.

Heat the sugared water to make a caramel sauce. Finally, put the caramel sauce in a small cup, add the pudding and steam it. Rasa-san notes down the work, the heating steps and the ingredients.

[The rest is to let it cool.] Yuna

[When can I eat it?] Karina

[You can eat it at night, I think?] Yuna

[I’m looking forward to it.] Karina

[Thank you, Yuna-san. Still this is surprisingly easy to make.] Rasa

[That’s how you Cook it.] Yuna

However, there is a problem in obtaining the materials.

In the afternoon I’m going to buy spices with Karina.

Rasa-san can’t go with me because she has a job. By the way, there are several servants in the mansion. However, Rasa-san is the only one living there. That’s why she’s having her meal together with the lord’s family.

[Will you really be fine if I don’t come with you?] Rasa

[It’s okay because I know the store. Also you have a job Rasa.] Karina

[That’s right, however….] Rasa

Rasa-san is worried.

However, I got a piece of paper with the spice ingredients and the amount, so I’ll just have to ask the shop owner and buy it.

If you know the location of the shop, then there is no problem for me.

I head for the shop selling spices with Karina.

We’re walking on the street.

(TN: glancing sfx.)

[Bear?] [Bear?] [Bear?] (TN: just like how the t.i.tle is written in three different dialect.) (「くま？」「クマ？」「熊？」.)

We’re walking on the street.

[Bear?] [Bear?] [Bear?]

Karina, who’s walking with me from a while ago, is the one getting the vibes from all the gazes.

The people we pa.s.s by are staring at us.

I don’t think Karina should care about it, because the one they’re exactly looking at is me.

It’s embarra.s.sing to walk along side me who’s wearing a Bear Costume.

[Um, Yuna-san. I know it’s a bit late for me to ask this but, do you always dress like that?] Karina

[Yeah, that’s right.] Yuna

I don’t know where are the hazards will come from.

Without my Bear Equipment, I’m but a poor girl who shut herself in her house. I don’t think I can beat the lively Fina.

I may not be able to walk outside for a long time.

[Of course, I think it’s cute, but don’t you care about your surroundings?] Karina

I just steeled myself.

But life is about giving up.

I simply ignore all the gazes.

If I don’t, I’ll lose.

However, I’m a little bothered about the gazes, so I pulled down my Bear Hood a little.

[Karina if you’re worried about it, I’ll keep a little distance.] Yuna

I’m used to it by now.

But if Fina does it, I may feel depressed. And that is a one way ticket to solitary confinement in my house.

Of course, being with Karina doesn’t mean I will not get depressed, but that’s the issue about the length of the relationship.

[I’m okay. I’m used to being stared at as the lord’s daughter.] Karina

Karina’s face turns a little red, then she grabs my Bear Puppet.

However, there is a difference between heaven and the earth if you can see yourself walking beside me who’s dressed as a Bear and being seen as the lord’s daughter.

But Karina is happy.

[Yuna-san, almost there. Let’s go.] Karina

Karina pulled my Bear Puppet.

Guided by Karina, we arrive to a shop selling spices.

[Karina do you come here to buy spices as well?] Yuna

[Sometimes I come with Rasa for shopping.] Karina

We entered the store while holding hands with Karina.

At that moment, the aroma of various spices enticed my nose.

Looking at the shelves, you can see various types of seasonings and spices.

But maybe it’s about to be sold out, half of the shelves are empty.

Karina is also staring at the empty shelves.

As we look at the shelves, a man in his mid-30’s who seems to be the owner of the store approaches.

[Oh if it isn’t Karina-sama, …A Bear !?] Shop Owner

The man greets Karina and when he looks at me he got surprised with his eyes widened.

Don’t look at me like that.

[Um, what happened today? Rasa-san is not with you?] Shop Owner

While he’s asking Karina, I made myself busy by looking around.

I was worried, he’s going to ask,

I don’t intend to answer, though.

[Rasa is not with me today. I came here with Yuna-san because she wants spices, so I brought her here.] Karina

A man looks at me again.

[But it looks like there are fewer products than when I came here before, did something happened?] Karina

[That is……] Shop Owner

The man was a little speechless.

Still, the amount of items he got is so few. It has been confirmed by Karina’s words that this is not normal.

[Um, what are you buying today?] Shop Owner

The man diverted the conversation to business talk.

Since I just met him, I can’t really ask what was that about, so I’ll give him the name of the spices in Rasa-san’s recipe.

To be clear, even if the name is written, I know nothing about it.

I know if I write curry powder, but they don’t have it, so I’ll ask the man.

[Um, that would be this and this one.] Shop Owner

He points to a jar about 30 cm high containing spices.

[So how much do you want?] Shop Owner

[All of them.] Yuna

[…………] Shop Owner

[All of them.] Yuna

[Young Miss, do you have enough money? I don’t know where you came from, but the spices are reasonably priced.] Shop Owner

Well, the price is written at the spice, so I know that.

[I have the money, so it’s okay.] Yuna

[Oh I see then, that would help.] Shop Owner

[It would help?] Yuna

[I was thinking of leaving this city soon.] Shop Owner

[What do you mean?!] Karina

Karina shouts.

The man looks at Karina and tried close her mouth, but is already too late. The man moved his eyes left and right and made an indistinct look.

[You are leaving the city?] Karina

[I am very sorry. Karina-sama knows that the water in the lake is decreasing, the monsters are increasing in the pyramids and the catastrophe is happening. This city might be surrounded by monsters any time. If I am late, I may not be able to leave. So, after discussing with my wife, I’m thinking of leaving the city as soon as possible.] Shop Owner

So that’s why half of the shelves in the store were empty.

[Please wait. The water in the lake will return. So please wait a little longer. Father is taking care of the monsters too.] Karina

[I’m sorry, Karina-sama…] Shop Owner

The man bows down apologetically.

[A lot of people have the same idea. If we hire an adventurer we can manage the monsters, but the lake’s water depletion doesn’t help anyone.] Shop Owner

Oh, you didn’t know about the water magic stone? Of course, they will become anxious.

It’s not easy for Balima-san to talk about it, in fact it’s very difficult.

If everybody knows there is a large water magic stone, someone may try to steal it.

There was no problem if they could deal with it as soon as possible, but there are a lot of misfortunes, hence the current situation.

[It’s a land where I live for a long time. Some of us doesn’t want to leave, but as a parent with children…] Shop Owner

[…………] Karina

Karina faced down to the man’s words. I put my hand on Karina’s head.

[But that is still far off.] Yuna

[Ah, we’re only preparing for now.] Shop Owner

[Then you don’t have to leave the city. Within a few days, the monsters will be gone and the lake water will return to its original state. Isn’t that right, Karina.] Yuna

I smiled at Karina.

[My father is dealing with it now. I will do my best too. So please wait a little longer.] Karina

Karina bows down deeply and asks.

[Karina-sama, please raise your head. If it only takes a few days then…] Shop Owner

[Yes, if we really can’t do it, my father will make an announcement.] Karina

[I would like to go out before that if possible.] Shop Owner

The man laughs and answers Karina.

Well, if the lord told the town about it, it will definitely cause a big confusion. If that happens, there will be a ma.s.sive commotion of leaving the town.

[Well then, Little Miss. I’ll give you a little service.] Shop Owner

I left the shop after purchasing the spices.

Karina seems a bit depressed.

But it’s inevitable to think about getting out of the town.

It seems that the water in the lake is lowering the temperature around the area.

[Karina, it’s okay.] Yuna

[Yuna-san…] Karina

At worst, if I can’t find the crystal plate, I have the option to clear the labyrinth alone and replace the water magic stone.

Traps are troublesome, but if I do my best, it is manageable.

But it’s a ha.s.sle, so I want to get the crystal plate if I can.

As we walk down the street, while comforting Karina, a person I knew from before is running this way.