NOVEL WEB Chapter 84.1
Lunch With Coronets And Potato Salad
During the late morning, Yuuri gazed at the line-up of Coronets. These pastries, known as corone in Japan, are said to have originated there. They’re made by wrapping dough around a metal rod, baking it, and then sliding the rod out. If the ends are sealed properly and no gaps are left, the result is a hollow tube-shaped bread.
Typically, Coronets are filled with chocolate cream or custard, making them a sweet treat. Some variations even use soft-serve ice cream. If you’re wondering why soft serve, it’s simply because they use the cornet in place of an ice cream cone. Japan’s love for quirky food innovations really shines through, especially in cases like these.
Yuuri had asked the local baker to prepare a batch of Coronets specifically for today. This wasn’t the first time he’d made such a request, so the baker, who appreciated the chance to experiment, happily obliged.
“Alright, let’s get started.”
The apprentices, who usually helped Yuuri, were away at an adventurer guild seminar that morning. Since they’d be back by lunchtime, it was Yuuri’s task to prepare their meal.
Today’s menu included savory Coronets and, to meet the appetites of his hungry crew, stir-fried orc meat with ginger. The Coronets would be stuffed with a potato salad—because, why not? Yuuri grabbed a large bowl from the fridge. Inside was a batch of potato salad he’d made earlier that morning. It was a simple mix of potatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and boiled eggs. While many people add ham, onions, or tomatoes, Yuuri preferred his salad plain—though sometimes, he tossed in corn or canned tuna if the mood struck.
Using a spoon, Yuuri packed the Coronets tightly with the salad, smoothing the surface as he filled each one. Once all the Coronets were stuffed, he arranged them neatly on a plate and returned them to the fridge. They tasted better cold.
Next, Yuuri whipped up the stir-fried orc meat. Though most people fry the meat and then coat it in sauce, Yuuri preferred a different method—simmering it. He poured ginger sauce into a pan, brought it to a boil, and added the orc meat along with some chopped onions. Simmering let the flavors soak in without the need for extra oil. He’d learned this technique from a TV show and had adopted it as his go-to method for a healthier dish.
With the meat simmering, Yuuri quickly shredded a massive pile of cabbage. No ginger stir-fry was complete without a side of cabbage, or so he believed. He plated the shredded cabbage onto two large bowls and topped it with the hot orc meat, ensuring the dish would stay warm by reheating it briefly in the pan before serving.
Yuuri then slipped the prepared plates into his magic bag—a student satchel with a time-freeze function that kept everything fresh. He also packed a thermos of chilled tea from the fridge and placed five Coronets on a large plate inside the bag. Despite their modest size, the Coronets were surprisingly filling, thanks to the potato salad inside.
“Alright, everything’s ready. Now, all that’s left is to wait for the others to get back…”
Just as Yuuri muttered to himself, a cheerful “We’re home!” echoed from the entrance. The apprentices had returned from their morning seminar, eager for lunch before their afternoon session.
“Welcome back!”
“”We’re back!””
“Lunch is ready. Help yourselves to the ginger-fried orc and shredded cabbage in the pan. Oh, and warm up the stir-fry before eating—it tastes better that way.”
“”Got it!””
“There are potato salad-filled Coronets in the fridge, too. No fighting over them, okay? And don’t make Tifaana mad.”
“”We won’t!””
The apprentices responded with enthusiasm, their hunger making them unusually cooperative. It was no surprise—they were growing boys with ravenous appetites. They also knew better than to upset Tifaana, the caretaker for the day. Although Tifaana was gentle and kind, her anger was terrifying. Having seen her scold the others before, they were determined not to make the same mistake.
“Alright, I’m off to deliver lunch. Save some for me, okay?”
Yuuri removed his apron, grabbed his satchel, and left the kitchen. His parting words were met with a quick “Got it!”—the boys were already focused on their delicious lunch.
With his trusty slime companion, Rooks, following at his feet, Yuuri headed towards the gate. His destination was the lookout post, where the guards stationed there awaited their meal. Rooks, bouncing along beside Yuuri, drew curious glances. The sight of a relaxed young man walking with a playful slime might have tempted troublemakers, but they knew better. Everyone in the area was aware that Yuuri had connections to the Scarlet Lynx mercenaries led by Ali. No one dared to mess with him.
Yuuri arrived at the lookout post and greeted the guard at the ladder entrance. With a casual wave, he began climbing the narrow ladder. Rooks, clinging skillfully to the rungs, followed closely behind.
“…This slime could probably climb smooth walls if it wanted to,” the guard mused. Regular slimes couldn’t do that, but given that this was Yuuri’s familiar, the guard decided not to question it further.
“Frau, Hermine, I’ve brought your lunch!”
“Ah, thanks, Yuuri.”
“You’re late, Yuuri! I’m starving!”
“Hermine.”
“But I am!”