77 - I Became a Guy Who Got Caught Up in the Summoning of a Hero

### The Gathering Place Upon entering the dining room, I cheerfully shouted, "Good morning!" at the group gathered there, only to have Vincent sigh and inform me: "It's already noon. Perhaps it would be wise not to skip meals?" "I apologize. It's not like I wanted to skip, but..." At that moment, Benny, looking as if her skin had dried up, shuffled in behind me like a zombie. A few maids looked at us with envy, including Alena, which made me want to clarify any misunderstandings before they arose. However, my top priority was alleviating my hangover, so I turned to Lean. "Mind if I borrow the kitchen for a bit?" "It's fine, my lord, but why would someone of your noble stature wish to enter such a modest kitchen?" "It's quite alright. There's something I wish to make, and I desperately need to borrow it for that." Relenting, Lean led me to the kitchen, occasionally glancing back at Benny and the others, who were gossiping, with an exasperated look. Deep within the kitchen, I picked up a large wok and inquired of Lean: "Do you have any pig squash here?" They called zucchini "pig squash" in this place. Lean questioned my intent. "I'm making stew, and I need something for the hangover." Though Lean didn't fully grasp my explanation, she nodded and set about preparing the squash. Next, I requested pork. The meat belonged to a "boar," a wild pig, which was essential for the stew I intended to make. Without boar meat, I'd have to settle for orc meat, so I opted for the boar as my second choice. I inconvenienced Lean by asking her to fetch various other ingredients while I started the flame on the magical stove and began sautéing the chunks of sliced ingredients over the strong fire. As I tossed in the vegetables and additional ingredients, sautéing them with pork fat, Lean commented: "My lord's cooking is quite unique, as always." "It can't be helped..." Of course, it was unique because it was a dish from another world, but I couldn't explain that to her. Instead, I focused on what I had said earlier. After adding an appropriate amount of water and letting the stew simmer, I started mixing in the gochujang to adjust the seasoning. Honestly, I didn't know if my method was traditional or not. I simply remembered my student days when this gochujang stew was a cheap and delicious side dish that went well with drinks. That's why I was making it now to cure my hangover. As the aroma spread from the kitchen to the dining room, those who had been pestering Benny turned their attention to us. The spicy scent wafted enticingly, but the maids and Vincent, who were now used to it, seemed eager. So, I called out to them: "Could you bring over a few bottles of alcohol? And maybe some sikhye or drinks? Water would be good too! Ah, Lean, do we have any leftover rice? Cold rice works just fine!" Having taught Lean how to cook rice a while ago, she usually had it ready for my meals. Thankfully, there was rice available today, and by the time the gochujang stew was bubbling, everything I had requested was set up. The pot was heavy, yet I felt stronger recently, so with some effort, I managed to carry it to the table. I served portions into prepared bowls, handing them out before Benny and I filled large bowls for ourselves. "Alright, this dish is perfect with drinks. It clears your head. Day drinking is... well, anyway, it's so delicious you might lose yourself, so only one bottle per four people, no more!" And with that, I kept a bottle for myself and took up my spoon. A spoonful of stew, hot and steamy, confirmed it was the perfect hangover cure from the very first taste. "Ah, this is the taste." I quickly popped open the cork on the bottle and poured myself a glass. The drink had a greenish hue, suggesting it contained medicinal herbs. I didn't know what benefits the herbs provided, but I intended to enjoy it, so I poured myself a full glass and took a sip, finding it pleasantly delightful. "Ah, this is fantastic." Following my lead, the maids and Vincent began tasting their stew. Their initial bites left them speechless, frozen in place. Vincent, after savoring the stew with closed eyes, commented: "This beautiful spiciness and the rich broth... Plus, it's generous with vegetables and meat. Did you sauté diverse vegetables and meats together to achieve this flavor?" When I confirmed, impressed, Vincent asked me to teach him the recipe later. He then mimicked a gesture I often made, swirling the drink in his mouth before swallowing it, and gave me a thumbs-up. "Absolutely splendid. I've never had such a harmonious meal." The maids echoed his enthusiasm, even altering the dish to their preference, adding water to adjust spiciness and seasoning it with salt. Their actions were telling. As the sounds of cutlery clinking filled the dining room, Benny, looking more relaxed, expressed her gratitude. It was a harmonious and cozy lunch in the dining hall of a noble's manor. * * * If I had to list the inconveniences of this world, they would undoubtedly include the absence of the internet, cellphones, and basic living infrastructure. However, after staying here for some time, I've grown to miss something distinctly. Interrupting my work with a sigh, I'd exclaim: "I really want a cup of coffee!!" ### The Unexpected Outcry Hearing my sudden outburst, Benny looked puzzled and asked what I was talking about. I hastily sketched on a piece of paper to explain coffee trees, coffee cherries, and the climates in which they thrived. But Benny merely shook her head, saying she had never heard of them. “You’d have to head far south to find a tropical climate. I think the far south of the Terracan Empire has such weather.” I was surprised to learn that a single country could have multiple climates, but the existence of a tropical region was far more significant to me. “Would merchants who trade amongst these lands know about it?” Benny shook her head once more, replying, "I haven't even heard rumors of such a thing." I sighed in disappointment. The desire to find a substitute was strong, yet the possibility seemed remote. If the chance arose, I wanted to journey south someday. “Leaving right now isn’t an option… besides, the Month of the Demon is just around the corner…” There was only a week left. The so-called “Month of the Demon” was upon us. Venturing outside now felt like madness given that it was the peak of a harsh winter. It was already astonishing that several months had passed since my arrival here. Yet, more than anything, I missed coffee, cocoa, ginger tea, and various black teas on these cold days. I wondered if getting some tea leaves in this world could be feasible. However, thinking back, I couldn’t recall any nobles drinking anything besides ‘wine’ and other local beverages. “Benny, do you know what ‘tea’ is?” “Tea?” She looked confused. I explained roughly what it was, and a light of understanding dawned in her eyes. “We brew herbs and drink them that way. Is that a type of ‘tea’?” Despite my attempt to clarify with the term ‘tea,’ Benny seemed unable to grasp it fully. It was clearly not a common concept here. “What on earth were those who summoned so many people from different worlds even doing, without bringing these ideas along?” I felt a surge of frustration considering the idiotic actions of kingdoms like the Apoca Kingdom—did they send everyone straight to the battlefield? I shuddered at the thought of how miserably I might have ended up if luck hadn’t been on my side. “It’s too cold to wander around now…” Currently, I was residing in the estate’s public house instead of the lord’s castle. The castle lacked magical devices to regulate indoor temperatures, making it unbearably cold. It was baffling that such a basic necessity was overlooked. The masonry-only construction worsened the chill. I considered eventually installing heated floors by covering parts with wood, considering I already ordered some magical devices. What was the point of a well-built castle if it wasn’t usable? At the realization of the absence of ‘tea and coffee,’ a sigh clouded my view. Nonetheless, I resolved to share the wonders of coffee and other new worlds with the inhabitants here. As more days passed... Half a day before the fabled Month of the Demon began, I gathered the beasts and instructed them to take the magical suppressant I provided. Despite the bitter cold, their attire was exceedingly light. Was it due to their fur? Or perhaps their naturally robust constitutions? I was completely clueless. Their expressions mirrored my own confusion as they watched me, heavily bundled in layers of fur. My recent weight loss had left me frail, making me more susceptible to the cold. “They say it gets colder without body fat…” That was precisely my case. Yet I didn’t feel any weaker physically; I needed to seriously ponder the cause, though for now, it remained a mystery. “Alright, now that everyone has taken the medicine, soon your magic will no longer be usable. If it moves after taking the medicine, you must take the backup pills and come to the castle. Understood?” I prepared two alternate pills from the fifteen provided, expecting them to be more effective and sustained. Since they were made from entirely different ingredients, responses might vary, hence the preparation. Swiftly running, the beasts could reach the estate’s public house in a day or a day and a half at most. “I hope you all f find happiness. You stayed because you trusted me. I’m sure some of you have evacuated the children, who are our future, despite being told it wasn’t necessary.” Several beasts nodded in acknowledgment. I continued, “Your goddess had a reason for choosing me to lead you. I am thankful for your trust. I need all of you, just as you need me. Let’s overcome this together.” A solemn silence hung, filled with determination, spread through the beasts. And as time passed, on the day we welcomed the new year... Serenity embraced the Ingland estate.