Chapter : 35
The Bachelor Gives Himself a Reward
It had just been a simple hobby — making a coffee mill.
But when the head of the Blend family expressed interest in it, I ended up delivering one to him.
Thanks to Rondel’s influence, it wasn’t a particularly high-profit product, but it was still a job that would likely benefit me in the long run.
Besides, it was nice to have found a like-minded acquaintance with whom I could enjoy coffee. If Albert plans to train baristas, I intend to get involved too.
For now, I can make coffee myself or visit Rondel’s café whenever I want, but who knows what will happen in the distant future?
When I have the means to prepare a comfortable environment for myself, I’d like to retire and hire a personal barista for my mansion.
“I’m heading home for the day. You two can leave whenever you see fit.”
It was midday.
Having already finished everything I needed to do today, I decided to go home early.
Lately, I’d been busy with improving the mill and making deliveries.
Because of that, I’d added extra work on top of our usual tasks, forcing Rouge and Tristan to put in more effort than usual.
Knowing when to ease up is important.
“Oh really? That helps a lot. I was actually planning to eat out with my family tonight.”
Rouge looked the happiest when I said that.
She’s married, so her life is much busier than a single person’s, filled with housework and childcare.
For her, small considerations like this mean more than a pay raise.
“That sounds nice. As for me, I live alone, so I don’t really have anything to do.”
On the other hand, giving this kind of free time to my other subordinate only seems to trouble him.
“Having nothing to do just because you live alone sounds strange to me.”
“Then what do you usually do, Mr. Jilk?”
“I go outside the capital to unwind. Drinking coffee and reading in nature is great. I also visit my favorite cafés and bars or cook good food at home.”
Sometimes, I even try recreating the drinks I’ve tasted in bars, search for new restaurants, or collect materials for magic tools.
Even alone, there’s an endless number of things to do.
But as I explained all this, Tristan gave me a pitiful look and muttered:
“…Doesn’t doing all that alone feel lonely?”
“It’s precisely because I do it alone that it’s enjoyable.”
Everything I’d just described was enjoyable because I did it alone.
Try doing the same with a big group and all the freedom to follow your whims disappears — the fun would be ruined.
And to call that lonely right after asking how I spend my time? Unbelievable.
“Mr. Jilk, you’re too much of an oddball. I can’t learn anything from that.”
“Well, maybe that’s true,” Rouge said with a laugh, “but Tristan, it’d be nice if you could find a hobby you’re passionate about like Jilk someday. Anyway, I’m heading off! Good work today!”
Rouge offered Tristan a brief word of comfort, then quickly packed her things and left the workshop.
Normally she’d lend a more sympathetic ear, but family plans clearly took priority today, leaving her a bit brisker than usual.
●
After entrusting Tristan with locking up, I left the workshop and headed to the market in the central district.
Leaving early today wasn’t just to rest.
It was to reward myself for accomplishing a major task.
The work itself wasn’t unpleasant, but visiting the count’s estate, explaining things, and handling delivery had given me a fair bit of stress.
That’s exactly why I deserved to pamper myself afterward.
And food always tastes better when your shoulders feel light and your mind is clear.
So I strolled through the market, intent on preparing a luxurious dinner.
The central square was lively, filled with all sorts of ingredients and people.
There were others like me, stopping by after work; a cat-beastwoman staring seriously at the fish stall; an elf family happily shopping together — all kinds of races gathering to brighten their evening meals.
Merchants shouted energetically from their stalls, vying for customers’ attention.
Inside large refrigerated displays were rows of frozen fish.
In nearby tanks swam red shrimps, steel crabs, and dragon clams — shellfish and crustaceans of every kind.
“…Seafood doesn’t sound bad.”
A white fish grilled with salt could be great, or I could coat it in sauce for a sweet teriyaki-style dish.
I could even make a seafood soup with stock from various ingredients.
But the market is large, and I have plenty of time. There’s no need to rush.
I can browse at leisure and choose carefully.
“Hmm? Is that Eight and Mariela?”
While walking through the market, I spotted a familiar pair.
It had been about a month since I last saw them.
They were walking side by side, looking quite close.
Last time, Mariela had been scolding him while Eight looked awkward — but now, they seemed calm, comfortable, natural together.
I’d given Mariela some advice about how to handle her feelings for Eight.
Maybe she’d actually taken it to heart.
“Fresh dragon meat! Just arrived!”
“Did you say dragon meat!?”
I was just musing about them when a loud, energetic voice grabbed my full attention.
Dragon.
One of the upper-class monsters in this world.
It usually takes an A-rank adventurer party to bring one down.
It’s rare to see dragon meat sold in the market at all.
Did some famous party just slay one?
There’s no time to waste — I have to see it for myself.
I hurried toward the voice and found a butcher’s stall with long refrigerated cases.
Inside was a massive cut of meat on display.
It was oval-shaped, covered with red skin.
The scales had, of course, been removed — they’re too tough to eat and are valuable materials on their own.
A round bone sat in the center, wrapped tightly in vivid red muscle.
Unlike the meat of red bulls or orcs, this meat exuded overwhelming presence.
There was no mistaking it — this was dragon meat.
“Shopkeeper, which part of the dragon is this?”
“The tail. Since it’s a part the dragon moves a lot, the flesh is firm and delicious.”
“Is it better than the finger meat?”
“Oh, incomparable! Much tastier than finger meat!”
I’d had dragon meat once before — on my birthday as a child.
That time, it was finger meat.
It had a distinct flavor, unlike beef, pork, chicken, or even orc meat.
If even the finger was that good, I can only imagine how incredible the tail must be.
But my heart was already set.
Tonight’s dinner would be dragon steak.
The price tag read: 50,000 Sol per 100 grams.
Dragon meat is a luxury item.
So while many people were gathered, drawn by curiosity, few actually bought any.
Still, compared to a magical artifact, this is nothing.
As a bachelor, I can spend my money however I want.
When I was a kid, I could only eat dragon meat on special occasions — but now, I can have it anytime I please.
“Shopkeeper, give me about six hundred grams of dragon meat.”
“Thank you very much!”
The shopkeeper bowed deeply as soon as I decided to buy.
The distant onlookers’ eyes turned to admiration — and I must admit, it felt rather nice.
A normal serving is around two hundred grams, but this is a rare cut.
It’d be a shame to enjoy it only once.
I want to try it in different ways — with just salt and pepper, with garlic sauce, maybe even in a stew.
With this much, I’ll be set for several days.
“That’ll be 300,000 Sol, please.”
Apparently, payment comes first, so I handed over the sum.
With just a few meals’ worth of meat, I’d already spent more than Tristan’s monthly salary.
The shopkeeper then quickly and skillfully began cutting the meat.
While alive, a dragon’s scales are so hard that no ordinary blade can pierce them, but once it’s dead and the scales are removed, things are different.
“You’re quite the bold buyer, sir. Is it your wife’s or child’s birthday today?”
The question was probably just small talk while he worked.
“No, I’m not married.”
“Then perhaps a friend’s birthday?”
“No. I’m buying it as a reward for myself — to eat alone.”
“……”
At that, the shopkeeper’s expression turned awkward.
And the customers who had been watching began looking at me with pity — as if I were some sad, lonely man.
Just moments ago, they’d been staring with envy. The change was almost laughable.
Sure, people usually eat dragon meat for celebrations, but there’s no rule saying you can’t eat it otherwise.
Annoyed by their transparent sympathy, I deliberately declared,
“Is there something wrong with eating alone?”
“N-no, of course not, sir! Thank you very much for your purchase!”
