The Apothecary Noble Lady Treated Like Trash Was Executed — After Being Pushed Off a Cliff, She Regained Memories of Her Past Life, So She Abandoned the Kingdom and Decided to Enjoy a Carefree Life in Another World" - Episode 13

The sun had completely set, forcing me to abandon my adventurer registration for the day.

After parting ways with Ark, I returned to the inn where the owner called out to me.

“Ah, welcome back. Dinner’s ready. Take a seat at any empty spot and wait.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Dinnertime had arrived, and the previously empty dining hall was now bustling with lodgers.

Everyone had flushed faces, clinking mugs together or laughing with arms around each other’s shoulders. This—this was exactly the scene I’d been longing for.

I joined the lively space and took a seat.

“Here you go! Today’s special set meal!”

“Thank you.”

After a short wait, a tray of food was placed before me.

Dinner consisted of four dishes.

The main course was a thick steak, so massive I’d never seen anything like it. The steaks from restaurants in my previous life paled in comparison.

The side dish was a colorful salad with unfamiliar vegetables. None resembled cabbage or lettuce, making their flavors impossible to guess.

There was also a potage with finely chopped vegetables and dark bread.

“Oh? You’re staying here starting today, aren’t you?”

As I marveled at the food, the server struck up a conversation. She was a spirited-looking woman in her mid-thirties with a triangular kerchief tied around her head.

“Yes, thank you for having me.”

“I’m Anna, the proprietress. Pleasure to meet you.”

“I’m Iris. Pleased to meet you too.”

I introduced myself with a bow.

“Such a polite girl! Our inn prides itself on portion sizes though of course the taste speaks for itself. Eat up and grow big and strong!”

“Ah, thank you.”

Anna cheerfully laughed while giving my back several hearty slaps. Though they shouldn’t have hurt, my back tingled from the impact.

She was every bit as boisterous as she looked. But I suppose you’d need that kind of strong personality to run an inn catering to all sorts of guests.

“Um, if it’s not too much trouble, may I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“I was wondering, could you tell me about the vegetables used in this salad and potage?”

Hoping to learn even a little about this world’s ingredients, I tentatively asked.

“That’s all? Sure thing!”

“Really?”

In most isekai stories, recipes were closely guarded secrets not easily shared. I never expected her to agree so readily.

“These are common dishes around these parts.”

Anna briefly explained the types of vegetables and their characteristics.

Now I had a basic understanding of today’s ingredients. Though trial and error would be necessary, with repeated exposure I might gradually learn to cook them.

“Thank you very much.”

“Don’t mention it. Well then, things are getting busy. See you later!”

“Yes. Thank you again.”

After watching Anna walk away, I turned my attention back to the meal.

Time to dig in. Naturally, I started with the main course. Cutting a thick slice with knife and fork, I brought it to my mouth.

“Mmmmmmm—!!”

The moment I chewed, the meatiness hit me with full force. It was more like lean red meat than fatty cuts, with an intensely pure beef flavor.

After savoring it thoroughly, I swallowed and immediately went for another bite. My hands wouldn’t stop moving.

The light taste made me feel like I could eat endlessly.

“It’d be a shame to let it get cold.”

Next was the vegetable-packed potage.

“Hoo, hoo…”

After properly blowing on it, I took a sip.

Ahhh, such a comforting flavor. The broth was light yet perfectly seasoned, brimming with the essence of vegetables.

A perfect follow-up to the intense steak.

Then I stuffed my cheeks with salad.

The crisp texture was satisfying, perfectly complemented by the dressing and the ingredients’ subtle natural flavors. Delicious beyond words.

Strangely wonderful how different it was from cabbage or lettuce.

“Mmm, this has quite the bite to it.”

Finally, I tried the dark bread.

Crunchy like eating slightly hard cookies. The wheat aroma filled my nose, delicious in its own right.

“Thank you for the meal.”

I clasped my hands and gave a slight bow.

I’d thought there was no way I could finish everything, yet I polished it off easily. That’s how good the inn’s cooking was.

The last time I’d eaten proper human food was before my appraisal ceremony at age five. My subsequent living conditions were so poor I barely remembered what I’d eaten.

This felt like the first heartfelt meal I’d had in ages. Even in my previous life, I’d mostly eaten hospital food.

Perhaps that’s why it tasted especially wonderful.

“Speaking of which, the outer wall expansion starts tomorrow.”

“Even odd jobs pay decent money, I hear.”

“Apparently even the lowest rank can take the request.”

As I sat absentmindedly, I overheard nearby adventurers talking.

This request sounded perfect for me and would help Ark get proper meals too.

“My, my! Never thought such a slender thing could pack away so much food!”

During my post-meal rest, Anna came over.

“Thank you for the meal. It was so delicious I didn’t even realize I’d finished everything!”

I couldn’t contain my enthusiasm. The food had been that good.

“Is that so? Even if it’s flattery, hearing that makes me happy.”

“It’s not flattery! It was truly delicious!”

Good things deserve to be called good. I wanted to express it properly, just as I’d want others to do for me, like the old apothecary had.

“Ahahaha! That kind of appreciation makes it all worthwhile.”

“I’m already looking forward to tomorrow! Oh, would it be possible to get the same meal for my familiar?”

It would feel wrong enjoying such delicious food alone after my cooking failure.

“Certainly, though there’d be an additional charge.”

“Of course. Could I get ten portions?”

“You got it, leave it to me!”

After exchanging words with Anna, I returned to my room.

“What a whirlwind day…”

Coming to town, shopping, cooking, failing, becoming an adventurer.

Though my body felt fine, the sheer volume of events left me somewhat exhausted.

Tomorrow I’ll definitely register as an adventurer! I’m really looking forward to seeing what requests are available.