Chapter 49 - The Red Dragon Who Chews Even the Bones
*Chomp chomp chomp chomp chomp chomp chomp chomp chomp*
"This food is truly excellent. What did you say it was called?"
"You have some on your mouth, Lady Mortezar."
"Hehe. Thank you, child of the snow. It was so delicious I lost my composure."
The bunker was filled with the sounds of voracious eating. Lady Mortezar was tearing into the pork hocks, her mouth smeared with bits of meat. Even with only one hand, she devoured it at an astonishing speed. My dogs, who had long since surrendered, were joining in too.
"It's called pork hock. It's pig legs boiled to perfection in a seasoned broth."
"Oh ho. I've tasted similar dishes before, but none with such depth of flavor... There must be some secret technique involved."
Doesn't it vary by restaurant? While I pondered how to respond, Lady Mortezar resumed eating. It seemed she hadn't really expected an answer.
"Let me know if you need more. Or if you'd like something else."
"Understood. Thanks to you, I'll be returning well satisfied today."
I was relieved she enjoyed the hospitality. I'd done my absolute best to host her. After all, a casual request could turn into a house call at any moment.
I mentally organized a list of questions to ask after the meal while checking the remaining food. The pork hocks, served just over five minutes ago, had already been gloriously annihilated. It looked like we'd run short.
I continued eating myself, preparing to bring out more. That's when Lady Mortezar said something baffling.
"The seasoning has soaked in evenly, so the bones must be delicious too, right? Chicken bones are a bit inconvenient to eat, which was a shame."
Why would you eat the bones? That's not food.
I hurriedly reached out to stop her as she picked up a leg bone, but with relentless motions—crunch-crack-snap-crunch—she tore off a piece and popped it in her mouth in an instant.
Were pork hock bones really that easy to rip apart...?
"Hmm... Crunch. Indeed, the bones are perfectly seasoned. Gulp. A splendid flavor."
The pig's leg bone received rave reviews. My assumption that she'd eat like a human in human form had been dead wrong. My shattered preconceptions left my foolish brain in a crash.
As I rebooted my mind, the peaceful dinner table descended into chaos.
Crack-snap-snap—the sound of bones breaking started coming from Hero and Bigshot's bowls too.
Hoping Sora would sort this out, I glanced her way, only to hear:
"Indeed, chicken was impossible, but this seems feasible. I'll try it myself."
With me as the baffled backdrop, Sora put a small bone in her mouth too.
Snap-snap—eyes closed, savoring the taste.
Sora, not you too...
To escape reality, I covered my eyes and tilted my head back. But it was futile.
The bone-crunching sounds filling the bunker couldn't be blocked out.
Snap-snap-crack-snap-crunch-crack-snap—an endless barrage of crisp noises.
I shut my eyes tight, once again feeling the reality of being in this other world. Praying the meal would end soon.
*
"A magnificent meal. Could you make it possible to purchase these pork hocks?"
Lady Mortezar beamed with joy, having polished off five large plates. Bones and all. It was astonishing there was no trash left from pork hocks.
No waste was a good thing, so I set aside my thoughts and addressed her request first.
"Of course. I'll set it so only s can buy them. Feel free to shop whenever."
"Hehe. Thank you. This will be delightful entertainment."
Was she that bored? She seemed thrilled over such a small pleasure.
Still, business was business.
"Um... Could you maybe post about it less often? Like, turn five posts into one?"
"Hmm. Since it's your request, I'd consider it, but I'd like to know why. Can you tell me?"
I nodded.
"If the gallery sees what you're eating, they'll beg to buy it. Selling's fine, but it might kill off the budding food industry that could emerge after next year's harvest."
Medieval food evolves into modern cuisine. Flood the market with it, and people will stop innovating, just waiting for new shop items instead. Dependence is bad. What if the gallery vanished suddenly? Help them, but ensure they can survive without it. That's the gallery's role. These are experiments for that.
The empire was probably dissecting fertilizers right now.
"I see. I understand your thinking well. You've done splendidly so far, so follow your judgment. I'll do as you ask."
Lady Mortezar accepted my plea. Now just wrap up work matters.
"Thank you. On the duties... Please handle trolling, but focus on cone reviews."
"You mean those cute stamps? Can you tell me the criteria?"
"Yes. The three types up now are the standards. Doggo cones: 2P. Her Highness the Saint Princess: 5P. Skeleton cone: 2P, but treat as 3P. Approve based on those."
Thanks to great ads, review backlog was piling up. With clear standards, she'd judge fairly, so I handed it off.
I kept second-guessing my gut. Planned to do it with Sora, but a perfect... draconic resource appeared. She'd handle it cleanly.
"I'll process them that way. Anything else to watch for?"
"No, that's it for now. I'll tell the s the ban criteria—check those."
Chat if more came up. Good call adding her quickly.
"Understood. I've achieved my purpose here, so I must return. I've been away too long."
"Uh... Leaving right now? I had some personal questions."
A golden info opportunity was about to fly away. Literally.
"Hehe. Your face shows exactly what you're thinking. However, as a dragon, I cannot answer the moderator's questions."
"Pardon? May I ask why?"
Can't learn from a great dragon? Who imposed this penalty?
"We made a promise. That child likely did too. Isn't that right, child of the snow?"
Our eyes shifted to Sora, who nodded silently.
Lady Mortezar gave a wry smile and continued.
"Sorry. But it's necessary. As long as it's not dragons, the World Tree, or her, there are no issues—figure it out slowly."
Even as the Eye of the Snow Spirit, she only used gallery info for a reason. I'd thought memory loss... but no.
Regrettably, no info from Lady Mortezar. Too bad, but unavoidable. Tantrums could get me demoted from mod.
"Sigh... Disappointing, but okay. Heading back right away then?"
Less than two hours here—wouldn't she be tired? I planned to offer my room for the night.
"Yes, immediately. Can't leave it empty too long, or trouble might brew."
Another unknown reason. Frustrating sea of ignorance.
I swallowed a bitter smile and stood to see her off.
"Got it. I'll handle appointment and permissions fast—you can start right away."
"Thank you. Oh, no need to see me out. You might get hurt when I change form."
Questions and send-off denied. She chuckled at my crestfallen face.
Facial control failed again. Feeling sorry for me, perhaps, she offered comfort.
"You're doing well. No one's made so many intelligent beings happy in such a short time. You've succeeded so far—you'll keep succeeding."
Praise from the great dragon who chews bones. Those words lifted my gloom more than enough.
"That means a lot. Thank you, Lady Mortezar."
"Hehe, yes. The future looks promising."
She strode out as boldly as she'd arrived. Sora, me, and the two pups watched her go.
"Safe travels, Lady Mortezar."
"Please take care."
""Woof!""
Clang—the bunker door shut.
Back to quiet normalcy. Staring at it, I felt her house call had ended safely.
I flopped onto the sofa. Tension released, strength drained. Rest before work. Better take a break.