Chapter 122, Let’s Celebrate

Translator: Barnnn

 

With only a few days left before their departure from the Capital, today marked their final visit to The Ark’s Dove.

Ordinarily, Hal would stop at the door, sniff the air, and correctly guess the day’s menu like clockwork — but now, his hand froze mid-reach for the handle, head tilting quizzically.

 

“No smell? Maybe she’s not cooking today?”

“What are you doing, Hal? C’mon, we’re going in!” Ize brushed past Hal and opened the door. “Miss Paula! Hello!”

“Excuse us,” Fieda added curtly before also stepping into the shop ahead of Hal.

“Yes, yes. I’ve been waiting for you,” Paula called out, emerging from the back room.

 

Today, she looked more like a kindly old lady one might find in the marketplace than the proprietor of a magical tool shop.

 

“Thank you for having us today!” Ize said with a little bow.

“Yes, yes, come along now,” Paula replied, beckoning cheerfully.

“For what, exactly?” Hal muttered, still confused.

 

The usual dining space was set with its familiar low table and side tray, bowls and chopsticks neatly lined up — but oddly, no food in sight.

Hal glanced around, even more perplexed than before.

 

“Right then, Hal, Fieda — go ahead and have a seat,” Paula said.

“We’ll be right out with everything,” Ize added, disappearing into the kitchen with Paula.

 

With no other choice, the two remaining men took their seats at the table as instructed.

 

“…Fieda. You know something.”

“Maybe.”

“Wanna tell me?”

“Nope. She said it’d be quick, didn’t she?”

 

The sound of squeaking wheels followed, and Ize emerged carefully pushing a serving cart.

On it sat a large wooden tub filled with bright, colorful ingredients.

 

“Chirashi sushi?” Hal asked, blinking in surprise.

“That’s right,” said Ize, stepping closer. “And look here — see this part?”

 

She tilted the tub just enough so Hal could see the neat lettering spelled out among the toppings.

 

[HAL, HAPPY 16th!]

 

“Wait, so this is…”

“Happy birthday, Hal!” Ize beamed.

“Happy birthday,” Fieda added with a nod.

“Sixteen already — congratulations,” Paula said warmly.

 

As the words sank in, Hal sat speechless. One by one, their voices reached him, offering their heartfelt congratulations.

 

“Th-thank you,” he managed at last. The words stumbled out awkwardly, and he quickly pressed a hand to his mouth in embarrassment.

“I made sure to include all your favorites,” Ize said, pointing with delight. “Tuna, squid — and look here, sea urchin! All from Jasted, of course. There’s lobster around your name here — I wasn’t sure about serving it raw, so it’s boiled instead. And this exclamation mark — you won’t believe this — Miss Paula’s homemade pickled ginger! For a finishing touch, I scattered a generous helping of salmon roe — like a jewel box, don’t you think? It came out well, if I say so myself.”

 

Still smiling, Ize gently set the tub down at the center of the table.

 

“It’s a shame we don’t have candles. But Hal, would you do us the honor of the cake cut — or well, sushi cut?”

 

Hal sat motionless, still with his hand at his mouth, staring blankly as Ize offered him a large serving spoon.

 

“…Hal?” she prompted.

“You said it came out well?”

“Yes. Don’t you think so too?” she replied, pleased.

“You’re proud of it?”

“Absolutely. A personal masterpiece. A budding artistic talent, even.”

“You made this?”

“I did, yes,” she said, then faltered slightly. “Well… Miss Paula handled the rice blend and prepared the seafood. I just mixed the rice and did the plating.”

 

Her voice dipped, and she looked just a little regretful — like someone who’d bitten into a compliment only to find it half-baked.

Hal hadn’t meant to make her feel that way, and rushed to patch over the moment.

 

“It’s amazing! So pretty. Like a surprise jewel box! A surprise sushi jewel box!”

Ize snorted. “Surprise sushi jewel box? What does that even mean? Sounds like something might jump out from inside. Wait, hang on–”

She peered anxiously into the sushi tub. Nothing sprang out. Relieved, she exhaled. “Looks safe.”

“Come on, Hal,” Fieda said, nudging him. “Don’t just sit there gaping — dig in.”

“You’ll waste all that effort if the toppings dry out,” Paula added.

 

Taking the hint, Hal accepted the spoon from Ize with care.

 

“So… sushi cut?”

“Yes, dig right in — anywhere’s fine. Oh, and since it’s standing in for candles, be sure to make a wish while you’re at it.”

 

Muttering “dig right in” to himself like a charm, Hal leaned over the tub to find the best spot. Sitting made it awkward, so he rose and gripped the spoon firmly.

His target: the “16th”.

 

“Here goes!”

 

With a theatrical flourish, he plunged the spoon in and carved out the number.

 

“Oooh! Congrats!”

“Happy birthday!”

“Congratulations!”

 

Their cheers rang out once again as Hal transferred the scoop to a small plate.

 

“All right, time to share.”

“Sit down, Hal,” Ize scolded gently. “You’re the guest of honor today.”

“Really?”

“Really. Fieda, where do you want yours?”

“Anywhere’s fine–”

“‘Anywhere’ won’t do,” Ize said, waving a finger. “Want the ‘Hal’ part? Fieda eats Hal… Hmm. That sounds kinda suspect, doesn’t it?”

“Ize,” Fieda said with a pointed look.

“Forget I said anything! I’ll serve you the ‘HAPPY’ then. For good luck?”

“Thanks,” Fieda replied with a soft smile.

 

Suitably cowed, Ize scooped out the toppings that made up the word “HAPPY” and passed it to him.

The “HAL” part was split between Paula and Ize herself. She proceeded to stow the rest of the tub’s contents in her Magic Bag before it could dry out.

 

“All right, everyone’s got their portion,” Fieda started. “So today’s main event: Hal’s birthday celebration. Also, one-year anniversary of Hal and Ize’s escape. And — can’t forget — full clear of the Undead Dungeon! No booze, but we’ve got enough food to make up for it, thanks to Ize and Paula. Now then, let’s dig in!”

“””Let’s dig in!”””

 

After Fieda’s brief speech, everyone picked up their plates and began eating.

Ize only nibbled at hers, sneaking glances at Hal to watch his reaction.

Hal, pretending not to notice, took a large mouthful of sushi rice and toppings.

 

“…It’s good. Really good, Ize.”

“Really?” she said, perking up. “Well, Miss Paula’s cooking never misses, but still–”

“It’s delicious. Come on, you should have some too.”

 

Prompted by Hal, Ize took a generous bite of her own creation.

She chewed with solemn dedication, her expression serious, as though she were judging the sushi in an international competition. Finally, she swallowed and nodded.

 

“Yes. It’s delicious.”

“Right?”

 

Hal beamed and reached over to ruffle her hair.

Finally at ease, Ize began eating the remaining chirashi sushi on her plate.

 

“This is kinshi tamago, right?” Hal asked, examining the golden strips of egg atop his rice. “When it’s placed on sushi like this, it feels more like decoration than an ingredient.”

“It really does brighten things up,” Paula said from across the table. “But Ize, sweetie, you’re forgetting to mention that part was your handiwork.”

“Wait, you made the kinshi tamago?” Hal turned to Ize with raised brows. “You didn’t say anything about that earlier.”

 

Ize, however, had furrowed her brow and was wearing a distinctly sour expression.

 

“What’s with the face?” Hal asked, amused.

“I’d rather call this just tamagoyaki, not kinshi tamago,” she muttered.

“Why not?”

“Just look how different it is! Kinshi tamago is sliced thin, like threads — light and fluffy. This is more like… scrambled eggs, or a failed attempt at soboro.”

 

Her frustration was evident. Hal peered again at the egg on his plate. It was true — it lacked the delicate strands characteristic of kinshi tamago. It wasn’t quite soboro either, but the cut was a little too thick to be called elegant.

 

“Maybe it’s a bit chunky, sure,” he said, trying to soften the blow. “But for a first try, I think it turned out great.”

“I agree,” Paula chimed in. “You did a fine job.”

“It’s got a nice touch of sweetness, too,” Fieda added. “Balances well with the fish and vinegar rice.”

“…Thanks for the pity,” Ize muttered, still avoiding eye contact with the egg as she poked at her food.

 

“Well then,” Paula said brightly, rising from her seat, “I’d better bring out the soup. Ize, mind if I borrow the cart?”

“Of course. Need a hand?”

“No need. You just sit tight.”

 

Paula bustled off toward the kitchen. Ize lifted her small plate again, only half paying attention.

Seizing the moment, Hal turned to her with a curious look.

 

“So, Ize… when did you prepare all this? Last week?”

“Yes,” she replied. “It was the day I said I was going shopping with Miss Paula.”

“I thought so.”

 

Hal remembered that day clearly. Ize had gone out with Paula alone — an unusual occurrence, and the only time she’d split off from the group recently.

 

“No wonder Fieda seemed off that day,” he mused.

“I think he gave himself away,” Ize teased.

“I keep telling you, Hal’s instincts are too sharp,” Fieda said with a resigned sigh.

“Maybe it’s the Negotiation skill,” Hal replied. “I swear, I can FEEL when someone’s hiding something from me.”

 

Grinning, Hal popped a sea urchin into his mouth and glanced at Fieda, who gave him a warning look.

Just then, Paula returned, wheeling in the cart.

 

“Here we are — soup made with mattsundake from Shetsuba, the Mushroom Village. Smells amazing, doesn’t it?”

“Yes!” Ize clapped her hands.

“Ohh! That’s some real fancy mushroom you’re using!” Hal’s eyes lit up.

“It does smell wonderful,” Fieda agreed.

 

Each of them took the bowls set in front of them, first savoring the aroma before sipping. The flavor rose delicately, like fermented soy and roasted mushrooms — rich and subtle all at once. It lingered even in the breath that followed.

Hal picked up a slice of mattsundake with his chopsticks, chewing slowly to appreciate the firm, springy texture.

 

“This has more bite than I expected. Kinda reminds me of king oyster mushrooms,” he said.

“I didn’t think it’d be so… strong,” Fieda added.

“Is this your first time eating it?” Hal asked.

“Not exactly. But back home, it was expensive — we only ever had thumb-sized portions, if that.”

“Same here,” said Ize. “Though I’ve had plenty of imitation products made to smell like the real thing.”

“Thought so.” Hal grinned. “Hey, Ize — can I get seconds?”

 

He offered his empty plate, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Ize retrieved the sushi tub, carefully spooning out a balanced mix of rice and toppings onto his plate.

 

“Mmm, so good,” Hal said happily. “Without good rice, sushi doesn’t work. This is really well done.”

“Miss Paula taught me how to prepare the vinegar rice,” Ize said with a smile. “And the rice cooker’s complete now, so as long as we don’t mess up the grain, we can keep making it.”

“Good job, Ize. We’ve still got fish left?”

“The toppings are fairly light, so yes. But prepping the fish is… well, still out of my league.”

“Mine too. We’ll just have to find another good cook someday. That fishing village we passed had plenty of them.”

“True. We’ll do that.”

 

Hal didn’t like asking Ize to do things he couldn’t do himself. But knowing she had gone to all this trouble, making food she wasn’t confident with, just for him — it warmed him more than he expected.

Murmuring “so good” under his breath again and again, he savored every bite of his first chirashi sushi in over a year — until he was full to bursting.

 

◆

 

Later, at the shop’s door, the three of them stood facing Paula.

 

“We really can’t thank you enough,” Fieda said. “Taking on the magical tool development helped us more than you know.”

“We’ll take good care of the rice cooker, Miss Paula,” Ize added. “It’s still hot these days, so please take care of yourself.”

“Your cooking was always amazing,” Hal said sincerely. “And not just the celebration — thank you for putting up with all our selfish requests.”

 

Paula smiled, her face creasing with joy.

 

“You surprised me at first, but this past month’s been a delight. You’ve all reminded me that there’s still so much potential in magical tools. Just be careful in Sooryab, all right? And once you’re done with the Dungeon, do let me know you’re alive, at least.”

“I promise we will,” Ize said, stepping forward to hug the slightly taller woman. “Thank you for everything.”

“No, thank YOU, dear,” Paula said, returning the embrace.

 

Ize stepped back, her cheeks flushed. With a shy smile, she bowed to Paula and then stood beside Hal once more.

 

“We’ll come back. I promise.”

“No need to push yourselves too hard,” Paula replied gently.

 

They all knew how rare “next time” could be in this world.

But still… Ize wanted her to wait. Just a little.

Until the day she could return with her own strength.

 

“We’ll come back,” Hal echoed.

“Yes,” Fieda agreed. “We will.”

Paula chuckled softly. “I’ll be right here. Drop by anytime you like.”

“”Okay!”” Ize, Hal, and Fieda answered in unison.

 

With one last wave, the three stepped outside.

They paused together, looking up at the sign that read “The Ark’s Dove,” committing it to memory — before turning away and continuing their journey.