Volume 4, Chapter 21 – In Search of Shizuku (4)

“This country’s public security seems pretty good, so let’s split up and search,” I suggested.

Surprisingly, Chris-san didn’t object, so we decided to split up and look for clues about Shizuku-dono.

“In that case, I shall conduct inquiries centered around the swordsmanship dojos.”

“Then I’ll check out the food places! ♪”

Lu-chan, isn’t that just an excuse for a food tour?

“…Then I’ll focus on questioning the people passing by and other general areas,” I added.

Well, I’m sure she’ll find some delicious eateries or sweets, so I’ll let it slide.

“Alright, let’s regroup at the inn this evening.”

“Okaay!”

“Understood.”

I watched Chris-san walk away with a serious expression and Lu-chan walk off excitedly, then I headed toward the shopping district.

Actually, I had been planning to buy some books and materials related to medicine as souvenirs for Shishou, so I intended to do some shopping while I was investigating.

One might think Shishou has no need for more books on medicine at this stage, but the medicine in this country seems to have evolved differently from what I studied in the White Moon Kingdom.

For one, I had spotted medicines in the local shops that I had never seen before.

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I’m not an expert on the medicine of the previous world, but I suspect it has evolved into something like traditional medicine compared to Western medicine.

If that’s the case, Shishou, who has such an extraordinary passion for medicine, would surely be delighted.

He’d be even happier if I brought back a few raw ingredients.

I should show my gratitude while I still can.

With that thought, I first made my way to a bookstore.

“Welcome, young lady from abroad.”

“Excuse me. I’m looking for books regarding medicine.”

“Oh, are you an apothecary?”

“I am. I’m quite interested in the medicine of this country.”

“I see. In that case, this book might be best.”

The male clerk handed me a volume.

Miko Nation Pharmaceutical Compendium

That was the title on the cover.

“This book covers most of the medicines commonly used in our country. Though, truthfully, the number of people using medicine has dropped off significantly lately.”

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“The number of people using medicine has decreased? Why is that?”

“It’s thanks to Suikyou-sama. Thanks to Suikyou-sama’s power, there are hardly any people who fall ill, and even if someone does contract a serious disease, she can cure them. These days, I imagine medicine is only used in places that are ridiculously remote.”

“I see. Suikyou-sama truly is an incredible person.”

“Indeed. You should definitely pay your respects to her while you’re here, young lady. Furthermore, Suikyou-sama is—”

After listening to the clerk’s endless praises for Suikyou-sama for a while, I asked about Shizuku-san. However, the clerk didn’t seem to know of anyone by that name, so I purchased the book and left the shop.

After that, I visited several shops that sold medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients, but I couldn’t obtain any particular information.

I began to worry that perhaps Shizuku-san wasn’t in this town after all.

Just as I was starting to feel a bit discouraged, I spotted a girl with conspicuous green hair in my line of sight.

“Lu-chan!”

When I called out, Lu-chan turned toward me. Her cheeks were stuffed with food, giving her a face like a squirrel.

“What are you eating?”

Munch, munch, gulp.

Lu-chan swallowed what was in her mouth before speaking.

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“Onee-sama! These sweets are delicious! They’re called Miso-matsu cakes. Mashiro loves them too! Here, Onee-sama, have some!”

Apparently, she had been feeding Mashiro-chan as well. Looking down, Mashiro-chan also had her mouth full; despite being a rabbit-type spirit, it had a face like a squirrel.

This is irrelevant, but I thought they looked kind of like a parent and child.

Anyway, I took the stick-shaped baked sweet from Lu-chan and took a bite. It felt somewhat like castella, but with the scent of miso.

It was a bit dry, but the taste was rustic and the miso aroma wasn’t too overpowering.

It wasn’t too sweet, and the poppy seeds scattered on the surface provided a nice accent; the flavor deepened the more I chewed.

“Yes, this is delicious. I didn’t know sweets like this existed.”

“Right?! Delicious, isn’t it?!”

As she spoke, Lu-chan continued to toss the Miso-matsu cakes into her mouth one after another.

“So, how is it going? Did you find anything?”

“Hmm, nothing at all. I think I’ve hit most of the shops that looked tasty, but nobody knew anything about Shizuku-san.”

“I see. I went to the bookstore and the apothecaries, but no luck there either.”

Just as I answered, Lu-chan’s stomach let out a growl. Despite everything she’d eaten, she seemed hungry.

“Ehehe, I’ve started wanting lunch.”

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Since Lu-chan said this with a bashful smile, I decided we should eat lunch too. If I’m with Lu-chan, I’m sure she’ll lead me to a great place.

“Alright then, Lu-chan, let’s have lunch. Did you see any shops that looked good?”

“Leave it to me! I found a place that serves this pasta called “udon” that smells amazing!”

“Then let’s go there.”

Udon isn’t pasta, though.

Wait, what exactly is the difference between udon and pasta again?

Well, whatever. They’re both wheat noodles, so let’s just consider them relatives.

Led by Lu-chan, I entered the udon shop.

Author Note

Since Fiene-chan doesn’t really have the knowledge, she is probably imagining spaghetti when she says “pasta.”

While both udon and pasta are made from wheat flour, udon uses weak flour or medium-strength flour, whereas pasta generally uses strong flour.

Furthermore, pasta isn’t just long noodles; there are various types like macaroni, lasagna, ravioli, and gnocchi.

Incidentally, in Italy, it is legally mandated that dried pasta be made from durum semolina flour and water (according to Mr. Wikipedia).