Zephyr looked at the group of girls with varied expressions before him, his gaze finally resting on Anya still burying her head in eating, his mood a bit complicated.
Even for Lefiya and Lili, it had taken a long time of gradual influence for them to completely accept monster cuisine.
If there was anything that really surprised him, it was actually Anya.
She was most likely the one to accept it the fastest. Although the others ate happily, once they learned the true source of the ingredients, the instinctive discomfort in their hearts would inevitably surface. Relying solely on his own mouth to promote it would have extremely limited results.
Zephyr understood that for the Adventurers of Orario to completely break through the cognitive barrier that monster meat cannot be eaten, it would take a very long time. It was not just a shift in cognition, but also involved the entire common sense system.
'It has to be done slowly.'
Zephyr didn't feel any sense of frustration. He hadn't expected to complete his goal quickly. Being able to let the girls simply come into contact with monster cuisine was already a crucial step forward.
Zephyr didn't intend to linger too long. After all, the broken-window effect had already appeared. Next, it would need time to ferment.
"I won't take these ingredients back. If Chloe-san is interested, you can try cooking with them."
Zephyr pointed to the remaining Soldier Frog meat on the cooking counter.
He scratched his head, his smile carrying a hint of apology. "If you can't accept it, then I'll have to trouble you to dispose of them for me. When I have good stuff in the future, I'll come see you again."
"...?"
Still coming back, huh? Who exactly is the cat here!
Chloe felt that this behavior of Zephyr's was like a cat that would share its food after hunting.
The key thing was... she really couldn't bring herself to refuse.
Upon hearing this, Syr quickly understood that Zephyr had the intention to leave. This was just the right opportunity to spend time together privately, as some things were not easy to say in the kitchen.
She reached out to untie the white apron strings at her chest and took the initiative to suggest to Zephyr, "Zephyr-san, shall I see you out?"
It was only a few steps to leave the restaurant but Zephyr did not refuse. He guessed that Syr probably had something she wanted to say to him.
He nodded. "Thank you, Syr-san."
"It's nothing."
Following her footsteps, Zephyr left the restaurant's back kitchen.
Finally, standing at the entrance of The Hostess of Fertility, he turned around, about to ask Syr to convey his apologies for his rash behavior.
Syr, however, didn't give him that chance. With a hint of apology in her eyes, she spoke softly, "Zephyr-san, I'm sorry about today's matter."
"What does this have to do with you? If anyone should apologize, it should be me. It would have been appropriate to explain the raw ingredients beforehand and give you the choice of whether to taste them or not."
A transaction promoted with a deceptive nature didn't seem pure to begin with. Zephyr didn't consider himself the type who liked to reflect, but as a normal man, how could he not even have the ability to distinguish right from wrong?
It could only be said that there was no normalized cognitive background of the Toriko worldview here. Trying to promote monster ingredients in Orario was overall much more difficult than he had anticipated.
Just as Zephyr was about to leave, Syr couldn't hold back the curiosity deep in her heart. She plucked up the courage to take the initiative and tugged on his sleeve.
She asked, "Zephyr-san, are you trying to package and sell these special ingredients to our restaurant?"
She did not use the word "Monster" to describe the ingredients, obviously having considered her wording.
Zephyr frankly said, "That's right, I feel the taste is quite good. I estimate other Adventurers might be able to accept it?"
"..."
Want to let the Adventurers of Orario accept monster cuisine from the Dungeon? That was a bit difficult.
If she wanted to, she could make the members of the Freya Familia accept monster cuisine, and they would certainly agree.
Syr could naturally tell whether Zephyr was lying.
She objectively analyzed the treatment the Loki Familia provided to all its members. To be precise, it shouldn't be to the extent of needing to sell ingredients to make money, right?
Although Loki looked laid-back, her treatment of the Familia children had never been stingy. She provided room and board, monthly pocket money, and helped with equipment.
Holding onto her curiosity, Syr said, "Although this kind of question is a bit presumptuous, I still want to ask. Zephyr-san, are you very short on money?"
Short on money?
If he were to lower his demands on himself, he certainly wouldn't be short of any. After all, the current treatment the Loki Familia provided him was quite good. Not only did they provide free accommodation, but he also had a considerable amount of monthly pocket money.
Zephyr shook his head. "If I were to lower my demands on myself a little, I certainly wouldn't be short of money, but one always wants to live better. Adventurers must aim high."
Syr nodded.
How was she any different?
Coming to the lower world, what she wanted to seek were those dazzling souls never seen before, treating them as companions to pursue throughout her long divine life.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of Adventurers she met were so dim that they couldn't arouse any interest.
Zephyr's complex composition was one of the few that she had encountered in Orario over the years that could make her feel amazed.
She did not show the surging emotions in her heart, but the gaze with which she looked at Zephyr was gradually filled with gentleness.
"Then what is it that you are pursuing, Zephyr-san? That is... what is your goal for making money?"
Zephyr said with a relaxed smile, "Earning money to customize a set of handy kitchenware. If possible, save up more money to see if I can buy a grimoire. Which Adventurer would refuse to possess magic?"
Extraordinary power.
After transmigrating to Orario, he hadn't thought about what he could get after becoming stronger. It was just living the life he wanted.
Besides, come to think of it, who would refuse to become a mage?
Zephyr recalled Lefiya's Arcs Ray and Fusillade Fallarica. There was also the strongest mage in the Familia known as Nine Hell, Riveria.
Did he really have magic talent? He wasn't sure.
Compared to the proper magic system of the DanMachi World, the power of the magic-type talents gained through Gourmet Cells was a significant grade behind.
Putting other things aside, just regarding [Blaze], compared to Lefiya's wide-area magic Fusillade Fallarica, the coverage area and explosive power were completely suppressed in every aspect.
Zephyr gazed into the distance, his tone filled with emotion. "When will I be able to become an expert?"
After hearing Zephyr's answer, Syr' was a bit surprised. "I thought... Zephyr-san, you would have a very special pursuit?"
"For example?"
"Striving to get stronger and striving to complete the remaining quest to slay the Black Dragon?"
After experiencing various hardships, perhaps the complex soul that Zephyr possessed would become increasingly dazzling in its light amidst the suffering?
Therefore, Syr longed to receive Zephyr's answer.
"There's such a thing?"
Zephyr had finally managed to stabilize his life in Orario and the Loki Familia, gradually integrating into this fantasy world he had transmigrated to, so he hadn't had the time to consider such things.
"What is the purpose of subjugating the Black Dragon?"
"To become a hero?"
Zephyr shook his head. The greater the goal one pursues, the more unrealistic it tends to become.
"I don't think I have such ambitions."
"Hmm?"
"Different personalities have different definitions of what it means to be a 'hero'." He shrugged his shoulders.
"To see the truth of life and still love it—I think that's perfectly fine, to be your own hero."
Although the soul Zephyr possessed was complex and messy, in Syr's eyes, it radiated a gentle light that belonged solely to him.
Her tone became uncharacteristically firm. "I believe… Zephyr-san, you will definitely be able to achieve the goals you desire."
"Thank you for your kind words. Then I'll be heading back now?"
After a simple farewell with Syr, Zephyr walked to the Familia headquarters.
Watching his retreating figure, the smile on Syr's face never faded.
Since things had already been said to this extent, she didn't mind giving him a little push.
Help Zephyr achieve his goal!