Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Arrabbiata
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*The next day, in the alchemy workshop within Kandoria.*
Standing before the pan, I gazed at the well-dried red peppers—cayenne peppers.
'Arrabbiata.'
An Italian word meaning 'angry,' a sauce infused with flames.
If tomato sauce encompassed the harmonious realm of all flavors, this was the domain of stimulation that assaulted the tongue.
Not mere spiciness, but a delightful pain that awakened the taste buds from slumber and sharpened the mind.
Yes. This was my first declaration of war against those accustomed to complacent palates.
And my hands remembered the perfect way to control that intensity.
"Hmm~ Hm-hmm."
Whistling a tune, I let my hands move according to memory.
Hands guided by the countless times I'd made this in my previous life, reveling in the heat.
First, I generously coated a cold pan with olive oil.
Then, I added five or six thinly sliced garlic cloves and cayenne peppers roughly crushed by hand, without holding back.
Without lighting the fire yet, I let the aromas of garlic and peppers slowly infuse into the oil.
Soon, on low heat, a sizzling sound rose as the oil bubbled, releasing a sharp yet nutty fragrance.
Just as the garlic danced in the oil, turning golden right before burning, I poured in the prepared tomato sauce like red lava.
-Sizzle-!
A fierce sound accompanied rising hot steam.
I turned the heat to medium, rapidly stirring with a wooden spatula to emulsify the oil and sauce into perfect unity.
As time passed, the sauce thickened again, the oil taking on a red hue, fully absorbing the peppers' fiery aroma.
Now, for the finish: a handful of finely chopped parsley.
And the crowning touch—a generous splash of dry white wine to cut the richness and elevate the flavors.
I stirred once more until the alcohol evaporated, leaving the grapes' fragrant notes to mingle with the spice.
The thickened consistency, the sticky red sheen coating the pan, and the thrilling spicy aroma piercing the nose.
In this moment, my fingertips dominated every process perfectly.
"Hmm..."
Scooping up the finished sauce and tasting it sent a thrilling, delightful pain striking the tip of my tongue.
Following that, like the calm after a storm, the deep sweetness of tomatoes and the savory depth of garlic spread quietly.
In between, the fresh herbal notes of parsley gently cooled the heated mouth.
Finally, the wine's subtle aftertaste lingered, completing a symphony of complex flavors beyond simple heat.
"Perfect..."
Even though I made it myself, it was perfect.
A joyful awakening that shattered complacent taste buds with pain, refusing to settle for mere harmony of five flavors.
I could make it as blazingly hot as what I'd eaten as a modern Korean, but that might not sell well.
The palates of this world weren't ready for this delightful pain yet.
Thrusting intense spiciness upon them blindly could make it seem like mere suffering to avoid—or worse, poison.
Thus, the first step shouldn't be overwhelming conquest, but seduction sparking curiosity.
'Took a lot of effort fine-tuning the heat.'
The thrilling scrape across the tongue, followed by an explosive feast of other flavors.
I had to find that golden ratio on the boundary of pain and pleasure, impossible to pull away from after one taste.
In that sense, this freshly finished sauce was my first experimental piece and an introductory version for the masses.
It subdued the original recipe's burning rage, leaving only pleasant thrill and warmth.
At this level, even those without any concept of spice could surely—
-Knock, knock.
"Jonathan, you there? If you are, I'm coming in?"
At that exact moment, a familiar knock sounded, and Erika poked her head through the opening door.
"Jonathan, you're here again. What’s that wonderful smell... sniff sniff. Huh? It's different from usual. A bit spicy...?"
Her face full of curiosity, she stepped into the kitchen.
Not the usual soft, sweet tomato aroma, but something more intense and thrilling—an unfamiliar scent tickling her nose.
I grinned, welcoming her. My top taster had come of her own accord.
"Perfect timing, Erika. I just finished a new sauce. I'd love for you to be the first to try it."
I scooped the freshly made Arrabbiata into a small bowl and placed it before her with slices of newly baked bread.
The red sauce was deeper and richer than the usual tomato sauce, with a spicy vapor rising like a warning haze.
But before me, Erika was always defenseless.
As if she never doubted my skills, she nodded with a bright smile.
"Really? Wow, I wonder what it tastes like this time?"
Excited, she dipped a piece of bread generously into the red sauce and brought it straight to her mouth without hesitation.
I swallowed dryly, watching her reaction intently.
The world's first experiment with someone lacking even the concept of spice. The result would be...
The moment the sauced bread entered her mouth, Erika's blue eyes sparkled with surprise.
"Huh? This is...!"
First, the familiar deep sweetness of tomatoes and garlic flavors enveloped her tongue.
The perfect harmony as always. She tried to smile in satisfaction. In that instant.
"...?!"
It felt like a small ember landing on her tongue tip, then the next moment, uncontrollable flames erupted across her entire mouth.
A sharp, intense sensation she'd never experienced—a stimulation bordering on pain.
Erika's pretty face flushed bright red in an instant.
Her eyes widened in shock, and urgent breaths leaked from her trembling red lips.
"Hng...! Jo-Jonathan! Wh-what is this! My tongue... my tongue hurts! Ack, cough!"
Transparent tears quickly beaded at the corners of her eyes.
Flustered, she fanned her mouth frantically with her small hand, at a loss.
Holding back laughter, I handed her a glass of milk I'd prepared in advance.
"Here, try this. It'll be fine."
Erika snatched the glass almost violently and gulped down the milk.
As the cold milk extinguished the fire in her mouth, she finally glared at me reproachfully with teary eyes.
"That's too much...! I thought you poisoned me!"
"Haha, sorry, sorry. Not poison—it's the spiciness of capsaicin. A new sensation this world doesn't have."
"Capsaicin spiciness...? Like pepper...?"
Still unfamiliar with the burning sensation, she tilted her head while soothing her tongue with milk.
Her cute "Huuuuh—" groans as she sipped the milk little by little made her look like a small animal.
Amused by her adorableness, I explained patiently.
"It's different from the pungent bite of pepper that hits momentarily with aroma. The spiciness you felt lingers on the tongue, leaving a hot sensation."
"A hot... sensation?"
"Yeah. It's like a pleasant pain that tricks the taste buds. The tension from the pain relaxes into pleasure, making other flavors hit harder. That's why it's so addictive once you try it."
She pondered for a moment, then murmured in a trembling voice.
"It's weird..."
"What is?"
"It clearly... hurt like my tongue was on fire... but strangely..."
Her gaze returned to the sauce bowl.
"The flavors left behind keep coming to mind. My mouth feels even more watery than before. It hurts and I don't like it, but weirdly... I want to try it once more."
That was the magic of spice.
An addictive allure stimulating taste buds on the boundary of pain and pleasure.
Erika hesitated briefly, then used a toothpick to dab the tiniest speck of sauce onto her tongue tip cautiously.
The thrilling pain came without fail. But now knowing the taste, she could sense the deep umami hidden beyond the pain.
"Hnnng... It's really a strange taste. Haaah..."
Face still flushed, she looked up at me.
Her eyes now held not fear, but the awe of an explorer discovering a new world.
"This really tastes angry. But after enduring this anger once, my mind feels clearer and my body more invigorated. It feels... really addictive."
Sniffling, she was already reaching for another bread piece toward the sauce.
Why did she remind me of a cat cautiously pawing at something scary?
Unable to hold back, I burst into laughter at my fiancée's cuteness.
"D-don't laugh... Hng, too mean..."
.
.
.
*Some time later, at the Papal Palace.*
Pope Innocentius III's office was enveloped in a more solemn silence than ever.
Before him, on a small silver tray, sat a sample portion of the new red sauce.
Darker than the previous tomato sauce, it exuded an oddly aggressive aroma.
Beside it stood Cardinal Aquila, his expression far more troubled than before.
"Your Holiness... The previous sauce held the gentle grace of divine blessing, but this... this is different."
His voice carried deeper concern than ever before.
"This piercing aroma feels like a devilish temptation testing the soul—stimulating and dangerous. Please preserve your sacred body."
Despite his plea, the Pope's expression remained serene.
He lifted a small silver spoon, scooping a bit despite the Cardinal's remonstrance.
"Cardinal, I understand your concern, but all that the Lord provides is grace bestowed upon us. We must taste and judge for ourselves. Shunning grace out of fear is also a sin."
The Pope closed his eyes and placed the sauce on his tongue tip.
First came the familiar, deep tomato flavors. A faint smile tugged at his lips. In that instant.
"...!"
A momentary silence. Then, a sharper, more intense pain than before struck his tongue.
"Th-this taste...!!"