Chapter 237
Chapter 237
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 237
Chapter Title: The Departed, The Returned (12)
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"Hoo, haa. This is really delicious."
Raben, who had been blowing on the steaming hot leg meat, followed my lead and ate it with some apple compote, letting out a big exclamation of delight. Hearing that, Elle lifted one corner of her mouth in a grin.
"Of course. Our master's cooking is even better than the chefs at the castle."
"You're too kind."
I gave a light nod toward the two of them and smiled.
"Now, have the legs with the mashed potatoes, and the breast with the boiled vegetables."
"Ah, yes!"
"Goose is chewy and juicy, but the breast can be a bit dry. Pairing it with vegetables makes the flavors balance perfectly."
"Aha...."
I peeled off the golden, crispy skin, then tore off a moist piece of breast meat and placed it on top. I added carrot, onion, and broccoli, wrapped it all up, and popped it into my mouth...!
"Mmm~~!!"
The salty skin crunched satisfyingly, and as it shattered, the breast meat and vegetables mingled, bursting with juices. This light yet harmonious flavor filled my mouth!
"...Y-You're right!"
"Wow! It's so good!"
Raben and Elle, who had followed my example and made their own wraps, cried out in感動. Seeing their reaction, Lewis and the guards—who had been glancing our way—tried wrapping the breast in skin the same way.
"...!"
"Ooh!"
That's right. This flavor works on anyone. Crispy, salty skin with moist, mild breast meat, plus sweetly cooked vegetables! It can't miss!
If we'd eaten the ingredients separately, we wouldn't have gotten this thrill. Even if it was the same food. In other words, 'effort' is needed even in eating. Only those who put in the effort can savor true gourmet bliss!
"I'm always in awe of your profound wisdom, Lord Theodore."
"You haven't even eaten it yourself, so what wisdom...?"
"I can feel it without eating."
Callisto was sticking to mashed potatoes, vegetables, apple compote, and bread. For a guy built like that, does that really fill him up? I'd always wondered, but I just figured elves had great fuel efficiency and let it go.
Next up: liver and bread.
The goose liver, pan-fried after melting butter and sprinkling just a bit of rock salt, was small but exuded an overwhelmingly nutty aroma. Man, if we're comparing, this is basically foie gras. Foie gras.
Foie gras is a French dish made from the livers of force-fed geese or ducks rich in fat. Sometimes eaten cold, but I prefer it cooked like this. It's so oily that when seared like a steak, the savoriness is off the charts.
Geese were originally bred from these very birds, so goose liver or true foie gras liver—same difference. Sure, goose foie gras might be even more tender... but goose has its own flavor. Compact and concentrated, you could say?
The oil from the perfectly seared liver soaks into the bread, which might otherwise feel dry. You can tell just from the smell. The taste is guaranteed. Gulp. I swallowed my saliva and took a big bite of the bread.
And at the same moment, this rich flavor spread through my mouth!
How to describe it? It's like every bit of 'flavor' and essence from the meat condensed into one? Insanely tender, insanely nutty, insanely full-bodied. A taste that's simple yet complex. Only those who've tried it can understand.
'If this were my original world, this dish would've cost at least ten gold.'
In a pseudo-medieval land like this, if you can hunt, it's basically free... Thinking about the price makes it even more impressive. I sucked the juices off my fingers and gave a benevolent smile.
"Whew, delicious. This is."
「Theo. Me too.」
"Ah, yeah. Of course you've got yours."
I'd given Legion a whole small goose. The little guy buried his face in the plate, devouring the roast like he was swimming in it, then looked up at me and boldly demanded more.
「Theo. Ah!」
"Yeah, ah."
Callisto hadn't touched his, so one liver remained. I brought the liver-topped bread to Legion's mouth. He opened wide and—chomp—bit into it.
「...!!!」
Legion's red eyes went huge as he stared at me. Haha. Eyes wide, tail up—that means...
"That good?"
「Theo. Me. This. More. More.」
"Sadly, there's only one."
"Um, c-can I give mine?"
Raben tentatively raised his hand and offered his bread.
"...Huh, you sure?"
"Yes. It's fine. I'm already full...."
「Theo. Me! Me!」
"Legion. Say thank you first."
「Theo. Thanks? That guy? Me? Why?」
Legion tilted his head like it was the most baffling thing. Th-this little...
"...This is Raben's bread, and he's sharing it with you."
「Theo. Weird. Theo. Made. This.」
"True."
「Theo. Then. This. Theo's.」
"No...."
「Theo. So. This. Mine.」
"Your logic jumped there?"
「Theo. No. That guy's.」
Tsk. I set the bread back on the plate and spoke sternly to Legion.
"Legion. This bread was given to Raben by me. The moment I gave it, it became Raben's. So Raben owns it. But Raben's kindly giving it to you. It wasn't yours from the start."
「....」
"If Raben hadn't shared, you wouldn't get any bread."
「Theo. No! Me. Can eat.」
Then he opened his mouth wide. I caught a glimpse of black flames burning in his throat and hurriedly clamped his mouth shut. He plans to torch Raben and take the bread?! Dragons!
"Stop, Legion. That's not how it works."
Legion still looked confused, tilting his head.
"Haha! Legion's a dummy!"
「El. Quiet. El. Dummy.」
"Both of you, quiet."
"...."
「....」
"Now, Legion. Listen carefully while I explain again. I can give you anything. But others can't. If someone else gives you something like I would, that's entirely their kindness. So you need to be grateful."
「Theo. Hard.」
"Not hard. Just say thanks to Raben like you do to me."
「Theo....」
Legion really didn't want to say 'thanks.' He pouted, thumping his tail on the floor, then finally mumbled reluctantly.
「...Theo. Thanks. To Raben. Legion.」
"Good job, Legion."
「Theo. Then me....」
"Yeah. Eat."
Legion opened wide again, and I fed him the bread. He must love the liver, because his tail wagged happily as he devoured it.
Whew, socializing a dragon is tough. He'll have to interact with people from now on, so teaching him these things early isn't easy. He doesn't seem to fully get it this time either. Then again, dragons probably don't need 'help' in the first place.
'At least he pretends to listen when I explain....'
「Theo. Yummy!」
"Yeah, yeah. Eat slowly. Veggies too."
「Theo. Ugh.」
"Leave any and you're in trouble."
I flicked Legion's head, cleared his empty plate, and...
'Time for offal stir-fry and fig wine.'
Adult time now. Slurp. While the others took seconds of goose roast, I brought out the offal stir-fry and uncorked the fig wine. Made by aging market-bought distilled spirits with dried figs—it should be perfectly matured by now. I was really looking forward to this.
-Pop!
A cheerful cork pop, and the fragrant fig aroma wafted out. Nice, good vibes. Great vibes! I poured some into a cup and took a light sip, just wetting my lips.
"Kegh...."
It slays.
The fig's fresh sweetness infused the liquor perfectly. Totally different from cider or grape wine. Clean, novel. With a kick that pairs perfectly with spicy offal stir-fry.
The goose offal stir-fry looked similar to chicken gizzard stir-fry. Kinda like tripe too. Come to think of it, there were places that sold chicken galbi with offal. First time I tried it, I was shocked and hooked. Memories.
Instead of chili powder, I used dried paprika and peperoncino. Not bright red, but the spicy scent hit hard. Ah, saliva's flowing. I carefully—very carefully—put a piece with onion in my mouth.
"...!"
Spicy, chewy. Not perfect, but just like I remember. A taste of home! The tingling on my tongue and the offal's deep richness...
"Kuhhh...."
It calls for booze. Booze. I immediately downed some fig wine. The cool fig washed away the heat. Gotta refill right away. Eat, drink, refill, eat, drink, refill... It goes down so smooth.
"M-Master.... Me too...."
「Theo. Me! Me!」
"No. You two can't handle spicy."
So I'll finish it all~! I cackled evilly inside and dove back into the offal. Chewy offal, sweet onion, crunchy carrot! I got used to the spice, speeding up. El and Legion just watched sadly as the plate emptied.
"Ah...."
Come to think of it, Callisto could have some fig wine, right? Feels like something he'd like. I beckoned him over. Callisto approached with a slightly scared face, probably fearing I'd offer offal. Haha, flinching over this? I poured fresh fig wine into a new glass and handed it over.
"Fig wine. Just try the taste."
"...Ah! I see."
Callisto finally relaxed, sat beside me, and sipped. Then...
"...!"
Gulp, gulp, gulp.
'He likes it.'
Impressed—and a bit embarrassed—he held out his glass for more.
"...It's truly wonderful, Lord Theodore."
"Haha. Of course. Even the dark elves raved about my booze."
I refilled his glass with a big laugh. Looks like I might have a new drinking buddy.