#740 A Magnificent Finish

After all the ups and downs...

We finally made it!

Our farm’s very own curry!

Not only did we use carefully selected spices from Platy’s herb garden, but we also incorporated numerous secret ingredients. The quantity was so vast it seemed as if they could hardly be referred to as “secret,” yet, against all odds, they came together harmoniously.

We had quite a debate over what ingredients to use, but eventually, we settled on “Why restrict ourselves to just one?” This led us to create a variety of curries, each spotlighting a different star ingredient.

After all, throwing everything into one pot would have resulted in a mishmash of clashing flavors...

Letasreit and Horkosfon’s combo highly recommended natto curry.

The sea spirit duo’s favorite seafood curry.

Yoshamo’s, a mild chicken curry with egg.

And Square Boar’s top pick, pork curry.

...The chicken used in the chicken curry is actually meat from a different bird monster we hunted in the mountains. 

On the other hand, Square Boar seems at peace with his fate of being offered to me each time he reincarnates, believing it brings him closer to enlightenment.

As a result, we organized a curry party where everyone could freely smother their rice with the curry of their choice!

All residents of the farm are invited!!!

“WOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!”

Thanks to the assistance of many who contribute to this farm, we managed to concoct curry—a dish that’s likely the most complex and requires various ingredients. 

This event also serves as a thank-you party, so feel free to indulge, everyone!

But since just serving it over rice could become monotonous... we prepared another accompaniment for the curry!

...It’s naan!

“Naan-i?!”

“Naan-nanoda?!”

“Naan-desuto?!”

“Naan-dato?!”

“Naan-da!”

“N-Naan?!”

Yup! It’s naan!!!

Just to clarify, naan is a type of bread typically enjoyed with curry.

While it’s a staple of Indian curry, I’ve heard that even in India, people often prefer their curry over rice because making naan can be quite the undertaking.

Anyway, that’s what naan is all about.

“Excellent job, Dear!”

My wife, Platy, thrilled, rushes over to commend me on crafting the curry.

Truth be told, the entire curry venture was her idea, to begin with...

However, at some point, the task became almost entirely my responsibility.

“Now, we can include curry in our regular menu too! It’ll be a staple dish!!!”

“Well, I suppose so...”

Platy, what’s with your fascination with curry?

Until I introduced it, curry didn’t exist in this world, and I can’t recall anything that would’ve left such a deep impression on you.

“You once mentioned something, Dear. You said that curry was a comforting taste of home...”

Wait, when was that...?!

Curry is now a fundamental part of home cooking.

Despite being a foreign flavor that journeyed from India to Japan via Britain, it’s somehow become a mainstay in Japanese home cooking.

In my elementary school days... coming home to the smell of curry was a regular occurrence.

Those fond, nostalgia-infused memories filled with anticipation...

Not to mention the celebratory atmosphere on the days when curry was served for school lunch...

Curry was always both a common and a special part of my life.

“...Didn’t you mention something like that, Dear?!”

Was Platy referring to the time when my curry anecdotes became her first exposure to it...?!

“I wanted you to experience curry here as well! And I wanted Norito and Junior to have the same curry-infused memories as you, to create bright childhood memories! After all, they’re our children!”

Platy...!

Was that what you had in mind when you were so eager to make curry...?!

Indeed, curry holds a vital place in one’s boyhood.

Could Junior’s childhood become richer by knowing its taste...?!

Watching Junior’s reaction...

“...Ish spicy.”

...Maybe not?

Regardless, I didn’t realize Platy put so much thought into developing the curry.

I sincerely appreciate her effort!

Let’s declare a biweekly Curry Day on our farm from this day forward!

The curry party is in full swing...

But there’s more to come!

We haven’t fully explored the potential of curry yet.

We must maximize our enjoyment, even capitalizing on curry-related puns!

What’s synonymous with curry?

Spice!

When people mention “curry,” the word “spicy” often follows. Curry would undoubtedly fall under the spicy label if it were categorized by flavor. So, how about relishing the spiciness of curry with naan?!

Up until now, the curry we’ve served has been on the sweet side, considering Junior and others would be eating it.

We’ve added heaps of apples and honey, rendering it rich and mellow.

But now, we’re switching to an adult taste...

In other words, super spicy!!!

We’ll load it up with red pepper, cranking the spiciness level way up!

Woah, look at how red it’s turning!

The curry becomes redder and redder, appearing as if it’s on fire even in its liquid state!

It must be at least ten times spicier now!

Now, who’s brave enough to share this with me?!

“My Lord! We shall join you!”

“We cannot let our Lord face this danger alone!”

Ah, it’s Orkubo and Gobukichi!

The newlyweds are ready to accompany me on this daring journey. What a testament to the unshakeable bond between a lord and his vassals!

“I can’t resist something this exciting!!!”

Veil is here too!

“Dragons are beings that breathe fire! It would be a disgrace to our kind if we were bested by mere food spiciness! I accept this challenge!”

Such a haughty remark, typical of a dragon, shows her clear disdain for the spicy curry, and that’s just fantastic!

Things are getting exciting!

“May I join in?”

A surprise entrance... 

Bacchus, the god of wine, is joining the mix?!

“Spicy food is the perfect companion to alcohol! As a devout lover of alcohol, I can’t resist trying this spicy curry you speak of! I’ll prove that the flavors of worldwide alcohol have seasoned my palate enough to consider a bit of spiciness as a delightful accent!!”

Wow, he certainly talks the talk.

“Nyahahahaha... I’ll have a taste too, meow!”

Th-That unique way of speaking...!

It’s Professor the Lifeless King!

But he looks just like a cat! The cat professor wants to try the spicy curry?!

“People often say that cats can’t handle spicy food, but such mundane standards do not apply to us Lifeless Kings! Cats can handle spicy food! This is the new standard of the world, meow!”

Really? 

Well, I won’t take responsibility for whatever happens...!

As for Sensei, the Lifeless King...!

“I... I think I’ll pass.”

His survival instinct takes the upper hand. 

Typical of Sensei. Even in his undead form, his survival instincts are sharp.

More daring volunteers lined up, forming the Special Curry Team.

Once the members were assembled, it was time for the taste test!

“All right, everyone, prosit!!!” 

“PROSIT!!!”

Everyone simultaneously takes a mouthful of the spicy curry. 

In a single gulp, it’s swallowed and hits the stomach.

And their reactions are...

“It’s, it’s so spicyyyyyyyyy!” 

“I feel like I’m on fire?! Even after swallowing it, I feel like I’m burning from the inside?! My body is like an ovennnnnn?!” 

“Oh my God, it’s too hot! Even though I’m not breathing fire, it’s as if it’s erupting from my mouth automaticallyyyyyyy!!!” 

“It’s almost as intense as 90% alcohollllll!”

Just as I warned. 

Now you understand you can’t take super spicy curry lightly once it crosses a certain threshold.

...Huh? Me? 

No, I didn’t try the spicy curry.

I can’t handle spicy food.