Watching Isis muttering to herself, Altaïr didn't quite know what to say.
What did she mean by "half-baked 3★"?
He himself had only just reached 2★ at around the same age and was already called a genius by many. No matter how "half-baked" her 3★ rank might be, it wasn't even in the same league as 2★ hunters.
Besides, with those exquisite sword techniques capable of suppressing Barroth head-on, and that monstrous strength that could send Barroth reeling with a single shield bash, how could she possibly associate herself with the word "half-baked"?
While their peers were still in training camps or learning basics from their masters, she was here worrying about not being able to solo Barroth?
Have some confidence!
Though many thoughts crossed his mind, Altaïr, never one skilled at giving compliments, didn't voice them aloud.
He took a steamed bun the size of his palm from the steamer Jara had brought over and handed it to her.
"Don't overthink it. Eat first."
"Thank you..."
Isis responded softly, and her expression seemed to brighten as she accepted the food. She took one bite that consumed a third of the bun, chewed twice with puffed cheeks before swallowing, then immediately took another bite.
By the time Altaïr picked up a bun for himself, she had already finished hers.
"?"
Altaïr paused for a second before handing his bun over to her.
Jara stared at her in bewilderment. Her mouth didn't look that big? At this rate, two steamers of buns wouldn't last more than a few bites, would they?
Altaïr didn't mind Isis eating so much, she'd previously told him she had a large appetite.
He only worried that the food wouldn't come out fast enough. If she finished two steamers of buns before more dishes arrived, the situation might become somewhat awkward.
Fortunately, that didn't happen. Chef Meow clearly knew Isis and was visibly prioritizing their table when cooking and serving.
Before the trio and cat could finish the buns, a massive plate of stir-fried rice was placed on their table.
"Something to tide you over meow! Other dishes coming right up meow!"
Chef Meow darted rapidly between the cutting board, stove, grill, and steamer, serving dishes at an astonishing speed.
Not just their table, none of the other customers were neglected either. Having starved all day, Altaïr and the others could no longer bother with anything else and buried their heads in eating.
"The grand finale is here meow!"
An entire grilled leg meat still on its skewer landed with a "thud!" on their table. "You brought the most authentic Val Habar spice, so I grilled the meat the traditional way meow! These two are the perfect match meow!"
Wielding his kitchen knife like a Dual Blades user performing Blade Dance, he sliced the large grilled leg into generous portions before boldly sprinkling a handful of orange-red Val Habar spice powder.
An intense, complex exotic aroma washed over them. Though already 70-80% full, Altaïr instantly felt his mouth watering profusely.
Isis, who had been depressed over her failed mission earlier, completely shed her gloomy demeanor now. She cheered and dug in enthusiastically.
Altaïr also speared a large piece with his fork and stuffed it into his mouth.
The spice's aroma shot straight to his brain, nearly making him sneeze. But after savoring it carefully, he had to admit: this final Val Habar grilled meat was absolutely worth all the trouble they'd gone through!
A table laden with an enormous feast ultimately saw nearly half of it disappear into Isis' stomach. Even so, Altaïr was left belching uncontrollably from being stuffed, while Sajji lay sprawled on his chair with a bloated belly, utterly immobilized.
Jara had lost his earlier exuberance, lazily leaning against the backrest of his seat like a Congalala that just wanted to sleep after a full meal.
After catching his breath for a moment, Altaïr stood up, ready to pay the bill.
Both Isis and Jara hurriedly tried to rise, but Altaïr pressed his palm down in a calming gesture. "It's fine, this meal is on me. Isis, I did promise to treat you to a feast as thanks before. And Brother Jara, you've been guiding us around for so long and even helped us taste the best grilled meat, it would be utterly unreasonable to let you pay."
Isis scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "Well, alright then. Next time, it'll be my treat."
"Buuurp...!"
A loud belch from Jara drew their attention. "Today, I've truly been blessed by you two! Not only did we get spices personally prepared by Apothecary Granny, but also a feast whipped up by Chef Meow at full throttle, what extraordinary food luck! I've decided we're friends for sure. Next time I get my hands on some rare ingredients, I'll be the host! As a native of Val Habar born and bred, if you ever need to ask around or need help with anything, just come find me anytime. I'm familiar with all the food stall owners, just ask for 'Fat Jara,' and they'll tell you where to find me. Looks like you two still have things to discuss, so I won't stick around and bother you. I'm off!"
With that, Jara patted his belly, used the Insect Glaive leaning nearby to support himself as he struggled to his feet, waved a fleshy hand in farewell, and departed alone.
Watching the portly figure stroll away with such ease, Altaïr smiled. Lady Sophia had previously encouraged him to make more friends when he had the chance, and it seemed he'd just managed to do so.
Finding Chef Meow during a slightly less busy moment, Altaïr took out his coin pouch to pay, only to be told that, out of regard for the spices and Isis, the meal would be on the house. After much explaining that this dinner was meant as thanks for Isis' support in the previous battle, Chef Meow reluctantly agreed to accept some payment, but only a ridiculously low amount, barely covering the cost of the ingredients. When Altaïr tried to pay more, he was shooed away with a wave of a large ladle for being a nuisance, though not before being made to take two bowls of sweet cake with him.
Scratching his cheek, he returned to the table and placed both bowls of sweet cake in front of Isis. He and Sajji truly couldn't eat another bite.
"Are you very close with Chef Meow?" Altaïr asked curiously after sitting down and pouring himself a cup of tea. It wasn't just about the waived bill, from Chef Meow's reaction earlier upon noticing Isis was injured, it was clear they weren't just ordinary regulars. But wasn't she from Dundorma?
"Mmph..." Isis scooped a large spoonful of sweet cake into her mouth, mumbling around the spoon, "It's my mother who's close with Chef Meow. They traveled together in the past."
"I see," Altaïr nodded. "By the way, are you still planning to hunt that Barroth?"
The sudden change of topic nearly made Isis choke. Struggling to swallow the sticky cake lodged in her throat, she replied quietly, "Of course I am. If I give up just because I failed, I'll never be able to push past my limits."
Altaïr made a sound of acknowledgment, accepting this explanation. "Actually, you could have just told me back then, that the Barroth was your mission target. It was already quite weakened. If we had pursued it together, we'd have had at least a ninety percent chance of taking it down smoothly."
But Isis shook her head decisively. "That wouldn't have been appropriate. You accepted the escort mission for the merchant caravan; protecting your companions was your responsibility. I couldn't ask you to abandon your duty just to help me complete my task."
Hearing this, Altaïr was slightly taken aback, thinking to himself how rigid her mindset was. "...Wait, with your swordsmanship skills, even alone you shouldn't have had trouble dealing with that severely injured Barroth. Don't tell me you deliberately waited for it to recover its injuries before fighting it again?"
"Mhm," Isis responded softly.
"Are you stupid?!" Altaïr's voice rose involuntarily.
Even Sajji, who had been slumped in his chair, couldn't help but straighten his neck to get a look at what kind of fool would let a monster recover its health and stamina before hunting it, only to get beaten by the creature.
Isis hugged her head, looking pitifully as if pleading, "Don't scold me anymore." "I just wanted to train myself. If the opponent is too weakened, it doesn't serve as proper practice."
"..."
For a moment, Altaïr couldn't decide whether she was foolish or admirably determined.
"Alright then, when you plan to challenge the Barroth again, bring me along. With the two of us working together, we should be able to handle it smoothly. When you want to train yourself, I can stay on standby to prevent any accidents."
Isis looked up at him, puzzled. "Why would you help me to this extent?"
Altaïr grinned. "It's not really about helping you. I want to practice against the Barroth too, but I'm new in Val Habar and it's not easy to find another 3★ hunter willing to take me along. Also, if you don't mind, could you teach me Long Sword? In return, I can teach you Sword and Shield. Hmm, if you're not interested, I can also teach Dual Blades, or Great Sword, or even Hammer."
"I don't want to learn Great Sword from you," Isis muttered under her breath. "The way you use it isn't really Great Sword at all..."
"What did you say?" Altaïr didn't catch her mumbling.
"Nothing!"