Chapter 107: Intermission Date - Laura (2)
Chapter 107: Intermission Date - Laura (2)
Lifespans are, of course, relative to the race.
Humans generally live an average of sixty to seventy years, and we refer to any race that lives longer than that as "Long-Lived Races."
And here, right before my eyes, was a prime example of such a race.
"I have prepared a very special seat for the two of you. Please, come this way."
The chef, Pagan, guided us toward the back of the restaurant.
Unlike the main dining area where the other guests stayed, this space was remarkably quiet and serene. The atmosphere was sophisticated enough that one could comfortably host a high-ranking official from a distant land here.
"Would you like to select from the menu?"
"I’ve heard much from my mother. I’ve also sampled your cuisine indirectly back at the Lord’s Castle."
I closed the menu to save Pagan the headache of waiting.
"It would be disrespectful to someone like you—the pride of royal cuisine with five hundred years of tradition and history—for me to simply pick something off a list."
If one were to ask if requesting an omakase style meal upon a first visit was also disrespectful, well, that would be a faux pas as well.
"Since it’s my first time here, I want to cherish the memory of this first experience."
Instead.
"The dinner course. For the main, I’ll have the beef. Laura, what about you?"
"Um... I’ll have the same as the Young Lord."
"Understood."
Pagan looked back and forth between Laura and me with a slightly bewildered expression.
"That is somewhat unexpected."
"Unexpected?"
"Yes. Today reinforces my belief that one truly has to experience a person for themselves to know them."
"My notoriety is a bit extreme, I suppose. And my table manners are admittedly lacking."
I held up my hands in surrender.
"I’ve always believed that when faced with delicious food, one should focus on the meal itself rather than fussing over etiquette."
I kept to the bare minimums: using a fork and knife, utilizing the napkin, and not drinking the finger bowl water.
But keeping track of the specific order of multiple forks and knives was just a headache.
"I’d like to dine alone with Laura. I’ll press this if I need anything, so you don't need to hover."
"As you wish."
Simply by following the dress code, I had shown my respect for the establishment. I didn't want to be disturbed even down to how I held my cutlery.
"Um, I have a question."
Laura looked at Pagan with sparkling eyes.
"Have you really been cooking for five hundred years?"
"Yes. I left the Elven Forest at the age of twenty, learned to cook while working as an adventurer, and eventually settled here in Fermaton."
Pagan smiled, a distant look in his eyes.
"Even for an Elf, five hundred years of cooking inevitably leads to mastery. It took me a full century just to reach my current level of skill."
"Wasn't that before the Infinite Labyrinth opened in Fermaton?"
"Indeed. I am one of those who witnessed the opening of the Fermaton Infinite Labyrinth in real-time."
I had come for a light date, but the conversation was turning heavier than expected.
"It might be odd to say this from a restaurateur's perspective, but the Fermaton Infinite Labyrinth is actually quite a wonderful place. From the 21st floor onward, there are rivers and oceans, making it a place where one can source a truly diverse range of ingredients."
"I agree with that. It’s not easy to find fresh seafood in the heart of the continent."
It was a fresh reminder that the influence of the resources from the Infinite Labyrinth reached even places like this.
The harvesting of marine resources that were physically impossible to obtain otherwise.
Many people made a living by descending into the Labyrinth to catch fish and bringing them back to the surface to sell at the market.
We were currently preparing to enter the 11th floor, and the sections between the 11th and 20th floors were much the same.
"Then, I hope you have an enjoyable meal. I, Pagan, shall present you with a meal worthy of the title of Fermaton’s greatest chef."
With a bow, Pagan departed.
After seeing him off, I lightly uncorked the pre-set wine and filled Laura’s glass.
"It’s a fascinating world. To meet someone who saw the very beginning of Fermaton with his own eyes."
"...To think he saw the Infinite Labyrinth open."
Laura licked her lips, her gaze lingering on the spot where Pagan had been.
"Is he really just a chef?"
"Most likely."
He was definitely a chef.
If nothing else, I could guarantee that much.
"There are records that previous Counts of Fermaton often dined here. He’s a chef, alright."
Because he was a Gacha Pickup Character (★★).
True to his concept as a chef, he was an Elf who ventured into the Infinite Labyrinth wielding a kitchen knife and a frying pan.
In terms of stats, he was probably capable of clearing up to the 40th floor on his own.
He was quite strong, a great cook, and a capable Elf, but he had one fatal flaw.
"If only he weren't a man, I would have offered him a position. A shame."
"Ah, no wonder. I was wondering why you seemed so indifferent, Young Lord."
Pagan was a man.
An Elf’s appearance might be pleasing to the eye, but he was undeniably male.
And men were not allowed in my Knight Order.
The best plan was for Pagan to stay here and cook, while I spent the equivalent of a 100-pull gacha to come here on dates.
It was better for him, and better for me.
"He’s a man, but his skills are the real deal. That pudding you ate today? I bought it here."
"Really?"
"Yeah. It’s a recipe from someone who’s researched cooking for five hundred years. When it comes to flavor, he has a standardized formula. Cooking is like alchemy. It’s about creating the ultimate result through the proper combination and blending of given ingredients."
The appetizer bread arrived.
They were small cubes of bread, just wide enough for a knife, and Laura’s expression stiffened the moment she saw them.
"...This isn't all of it, is it?"
"I don't think asking for seconds will work."
I slid my appetizer over to Laura.
"A-Ah, no! It’s not that I wanted to eat two!"
"It’s fine. I’m a meat-lover anyway."
"...If you're sure."
Laura bowed her head slightly as she accepted my plate.
I liked how honest she was—accepting the plate even while saying she was fine.
"I feel like I must look like a pig in your eyes, Young Lord."
"What’s wrong with eating what you want? Besides, you exercise enough to make up for it."
"That’s true, but isn't a woman who eats a lot a bit... you know?"
"What does it matter how much you eat? As long as you're beautiful in my eyes, that’s enough."
Somehow.
Perhaps because I was conscious of being on a date, my tongue was remarkably smooth from the start, even though I’d only had a sip of wine.
"And Laura, where on your body is there even any weight to lose? You don't have to worry about that at all."
"......."
Laura used her fork and knife to cut the cube of bread in half, nibbling on it.
It tasted good, but she seemed quite embarrassed about eating multiple portions.
"Excuse me. ...Ah, shall I bring another?"
"No. It’s fine."
The server was flustered to see I had given my appetizer to Laura, but I picked up my fork as soon as the next dish was placed before me.
"Is this scallop?"
"Yes. It is genuine scallop. It’s a medallion made by mixing scallop, shrimp, and crab meat, then seared."
"Thanks for the explanation."
I carefully sliced into the perfectly cylindrical medallion.
"The Infinite Labyrinth really is great for things like this. Being able to eat something this fresh in the middle of the mainland."
"Would you like a bite?"
"No. You try it too. When we go down into the Infinite Labyrinth later, we might have to eat things raw. It’s much better to eat it properly prepared."
"Huh?"
"Serica mentioned it. Sometimes they catch and eat creatures in the Labyrinth that aren't beasts, either raw or grilled on the spot."
I put a piece of the scallop in my mouth.
"...Excellent. It’s almost a pity I can't go down and get this myself."
Since reincarnating as Ruji Fermaton, I had been eating a meat-heavy diet centered on pork and beef every day. Tasting real seafood after so long was truly moving.
"Laura. Savor the taste. If things go wrong later, we might not be able to enjoy flavors like this here anymore."
"...I suppose so."
I couldn't speak in detail since we were in public, but Laura likely understood my meaning.
If the Infinite Labyrinth were to close, we wouldn't be able to source seafood like this.
"By the way, Laura. I forgot to ask, but do you know how to cook?"
"Ack."
Laura’s hand stopped just as she was about to cut her scallop.
"C-Cook?"
"Yeah. Personally, I like a woman who can cook."
"W-Well. Um, you see."
Laura glanced at me while dismantling her scallop.
"...Should I learn?"
"It would be good. If both husband and wife can cook, they can take turns."
The only cooking I knew was a survivalist's diet from my days as a student living alone.
I could set up a "convenience store restaurant" if I had to, but that was just reassembling processed foods—it was far from actual cooking.
"Laura, think about it. If our daughter asks later, 'Mom, why can't you cook?' what are you going to say?"
"T-That's..."
"Surely you aren't planning to leave everything to the servants?"
"......."
Laura fell silent.
Even until the main course, the steak, arrived, Laura mostly just scratched her cheek and didn't say much.
"Young Lord."
Laura spoke softly as she sliced her steak.
"It’s certainly nice for a wife to cook occasionally, but I think there’s a much better way."
"What is it?"
"You should take a concubine who specializes in cooking."
"......."
I couldn't help but let out a hollow laugh at Laura’s suggestion.
"A concubine just for cooking?"
"Yes. You could take four concubines—one for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. No, wait. Maybe one for each type of cuisine?"
"Then what about you?"
I asked her point-blank.
"Once you marry me, what are you going to do?"
"Me?"
Laura answered confidently.
"I have to take responsibility for the Young Lord’s nights. Hehe."
"Then what about my food?"
"Well..."
Laura twirled the shoulder strap of her dress with one hand and licked her lips.
"The Laura Full Course...?"