◈ The Saviour Embarks on a Nameless Journey
Chapter 5: Noru Pancakes
“I haven’t stopped in Telma before, although I did pass by it once, it sure does look great.”
After around half a day of a bumpy ride, we arrived at Telma, which was closest to the capital. I’ve always been riding a horse and swifting through, so it didn’t feel that familiar. I barely managed to catch the outline of the town on the edge of my vision from the distant highway.
“During the annual festival, it seems to be used by those who can’t find lodging in the royal capital. There are also those who stay for a long time due to having business in the capital. The royal capital is quite expensive after all, and depending on the time, there may be restrictions on staying.”
Marius said, patting my shoulder.
My house, which was bestowed with the title of a margrave, possesses a mansion in the royal capital, that’s why we have no experience of staying in Telma.
Even among the nobles, the highest-ranking families have mansions within the walled royal capital, which, though significantly smaller compared to their estates, are singular and distinguished. The other nobles reside in the Terrace Housing, simply because land within the capital’s walls is limited.
Many leave their estates to stewards and settle in the glamorous capital, despite the limited space. Even back when I was active, I unwillingly came to attend the social season, and mostly stayed in my estate.
The people who stay at Telma are usually either nobles who don’t own any housing, or wealthy commoners.
The two guys on the carriage dropped us off, and departed as soon as possible as if they were trying to get away quickly. Marius was the troublesome type of a man, who puts pressure on those around him just by being there.
We were dropped off at the public square, right at the entrance. It was circular with a fountain in the center, and carriages were required to go counterclockwise. Although the fountain gets replaced by a well sometimes, it happens to be a stereotype of this country. The several street stalls lined up is something that has been seen a lot here, closer to the buildings surrounding the plaza.
“Getting on a horse really was the easier method.”
Movement on the carriage affected my lower back. I stretched my stiff body as I grumbled.
“It may have been a matter of not being used to it, but I agree.”
Most priests who enter the temple from a young age cannot ride horses, but Marius, who was the duke’s heir, handled horses well.
“I’ve been riding on carriages mostly ever since I’ve entered the temple, but they don’t shake as much.”
“The robe of a priest is quite cumbersome after all.”
The point of the head priest’s robe is to give people an impression, but it is not very efficient. I can’t fathom at all how Marius and the other priests could live like that.
The current Marius is wearing a shorter jacket instead of his usual robe and trousers. Although I said short, it doesn’t drag on his legs like the robes at the temple, but still covers up to his knees. The sides were slit, so it made movement easier for him.
“Lodging and meals, huh. I wonder if we can find any inn at this time.”
There are inns spaced at regular intervals at the main highway from the capital towards larger towns, but they are fewer in numbers. It is common for most nobles who are traveling to send a party first to secure lodging and water in advance.
I sometimes confined myself in the mountains to do hunting, that’s why I’m used to sleeping outside. However, the last time Marius slept outside was at the time of the demon king’s subjugation, and that was 50 years ago. We’ll be sleeping outside a lot from hereon, but I do want to spend my first day under a roof if possible.
“This town should have a lot of inns, and the residents have grown accustomed to offering rooms for travelers in busy times. We should be able to manage somehow.”
Marius said.
“Shall we grab some snacks to eat at a food stall and ask around?”
We were going to ask the coachman or the guard who’s with us, but ever since Marius revealed his face, they’ve been on the edge. I was reluctant to speak to them.
There was a food stall that had been producing a great smell and sound, so I bought some grilled meat skewers from them. It seemed like there were rooms available, so I asked about a few moderately priced inns and decided to head to the nearest one for now.
“Oh? Aren’t those Noru Pancakes?”
The first floor of the inn usually doubles as a tavern which offers better food than street stalls. However, Marius stopped at the end of the street stalls.
Pancakes are normally fluffy and sweet, but when you stick ‘noru’ to the name, it becomes a different situation. Noru means that of an ‘Old era’, or ‘Ancient times’.
The pancakes lined up in front of me looked quite different than what we currently call normal pancakes. The cross section is pressed flat, and it had what was seen as assorted grains sandwiched in the middle. Frankly, it looks like it’d fill my belly up, but not that delicious.
“Are you able to make one with nut paste as a filling?”
Marius said to the old man working in the street stall.
“……”
The old man silently placed a jar filled with nut paste in a visible spot on the stall. As he saw Marius nod, he started cooking.
He poured the pancake batter from the jar into a shallow pan while stirring and shaking it.
“What about sugar?”
“No need.”
Marius answered the question that was asked bluntly by the old man.
When it started bubbling on the surface, he spread the nut paste on top, and finished it skillfully by sprinkling nuts on top.
“How splendid.”
It’s a wonderful feeling to watch someone’s craftsmanship, whatever it may be without procrastinating.
The pancake was taken out of the stone pan in the blink of an eye, folded in half and cut into triangles with a knife. Marius was handed three pieces, or half of it. The remaining half was placed next to the one with the assorted grain on the stall.
“Thank you.”
The transaction ended after 2 copper coins were paid. By the way, the one with grains inside costs 1 copper coin.
“Here, have one,”
Marius offered as he smiled.
“No, I…”
It’s probably better than the one with grains inside, but I think it’ll still be bad, so I’d rather not have one.
“Noru pancakes aren’t my cup of tea.”
Marius said awkwardly.
“Then why’d you get one!?”
You went out of your way to request for one with nut paste, and so confidently at that?
“Fufu.”
What do you mean, fufu!?
I was forced to eat one in the end, reluctantly so. The crispy surface is one thing, but the inside, which was kinda chewy, aws actually more like undercooked and felt unpleasant.
Ah, it does feel like I’ve eaten something similar in the past though.
Not here, but in another small village. It was the first village we, the four members of the Demon king’s subjugation party, visited after we parted ways with the Chivalric Order back then.
It had been affected by the demons, which made life very tough for people living there. And yet, they prepared a simple meal for us despite the scarce food supplies they had as we headed out on the fierce journey to defeat the demon king. They kindly prepared it with nuts, but at that time, Marius stated that he was bad with nuts, causing quite a panic.
“Ah, it really is awful after all.”
Marius said while laughing.
“It certainly is, but be sure to eat it all alright?”
“Of course.”
We both ate silently. It was a nostalgic taste, but I sure want some tea right now. It was not delicious by any means, but a smile crept up involuntarily at the simplicity of it all.
Looking at my side, Marius smiled with a nostalgic look on his face.
