TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 209
The North generally had bland food.
Because the North had to endure extreme cold, they prioritized nutrition over taste, resulting in unappetizing meals.
Greasy.
Overly seasoned.
Salty.
James, who loved everything about the North, could not bring himself to love Northern cuisine.
Early in the morning, James descended to the kitchen, deeply troubled over what to serve the two Guests staying at the Inn for breakfast.
He had no idea what kind of food they would like.
Though they were somewhat unsettling people, they were still Guests. They seemed mentally unstable, almost mad, yet they also appeared Noble and were Benefactors who had paid a lot of money.
That was why he was wearing an Apron in the Kitchen so early in the morning.
“Hmm…”
James wanted to prepare the perfect meal for the rare Guests who had come to visit the North.
-What brings you to the North?
-The Young Lady… No, I was just curious about what kind of place the North is.
-Pardon?
-I was curious about the culture and food of Northern residents, so I decided to visit.
-That’s a wonderful reason.
Since he had been paid, it was only proper to prepare a meal worthy of that payment. Moreover, James, who admired the Young Man’s admirable reason for visiting the North, was determined to serve him an exceptional dish, his love for the North fueling his determination.
“…Shall I put some effort into it after a long time?”
Rolling up his Sleeves and putting on a Stern Expression, James still couldn’t decide what kind of dish to prepare, despite being a native of the North.
To be honest, James disliked Northern cuisine.
Though confident in his cooking skills, he felt fundamentally unsure about this. With a firm expression, James focused on making breakfast.
Two hours later.
James, who had been simmering Stew in a large Pot, tasted the broth with a Spoon and shook his head.
“…Greasy.”
The rich, concentrated broth felt stickier and greasier than usual to James. While it was a flavor Northern residents loved, it felt uncertain whether it would suit the Guests’ tastes.
As James stood there uncertain, a loud shout began to ring in his ears.
-Air Raid Alarm!!!!!!
Startled by the strange sound coming from the second floor, James flinched and looked up.
“What is this?”
-Air Raid Alarm!!!!
James shook his head while holding an empty Frying Pan in one hand.
It seemed the Monsters had awakened.
With trembling hands, James busily carried the food to the Table and waited for the Guests to come down. Soon after, he saw the Guest stretching as they descended.
“Yawn…”
The first person to come down was The Man with Red Hair. Was his name Ricardo? Although he had told James to address him casually, the significant amount of money James had seen in his Pocket last night made it difficult to do so.
Ricardo gave James a small nod.
“You’re awake.”
“An Innkeeper shouldn’t sleep too much. Haha… Good morning.”
“Yes, good morning.”
“Was the room warm enough? I tried to make it as cozy as possible.”
“Yes, the heating was so good that it was actually a bit too warm. Haha.”
Looking at the food set on the Table, Ricardo smiled. Judging by his small Smile as he approached the Table, he seemed pleased with the menu. James clutched his Apron nervously and swallowed hard.
“You’ve prepared breakfast. That must have been troublesome, thank you.”
“Oh… It’s nothing. Considering the amount of money I received, just providing a place to sleep wouldn’t be proper.”
“I appreciate the thoughtfulness.”
Even while conversing, the Young Man kept glancing at the food set on the Table.
Once at the main dish, the lamb.
Twice at the soup garnished with Broccoli.
And thrice at the crispy Baguette, blinking softly with an unreadable Smile.
“Hmm… Is this a Northern breakfast?”
James swallowed hard and replied.
“No… Breakfast is usually simpler, like Bread or Jerky…”
“Then this feels more like a dinner or a feast for a special occasion.”
“If you put it that way, I suppose so… Is there a problem?”
“No, I was just curious.”
The Young Man shrugged and placed a foot on the Stairs leading to the second floor. Tilting his head slightly as if in thought, he paused halfway up the Stairs and spoke to James.
“Would it be alright if I cooked breakfast starting tomorrow?”
“…”
“Ah, I didn’t mean anything by it. I just thought it might be a hassle for you. I guess I phrased it poorly.”
“Oh, there’s no need for that…”
“I’ll pay separately for using the Kitchen. I’ll also step aside if there are other Guests.”
“Is there a problem? It may not look great, but the taste should be fine.”
“There’s truly no reason. It’s just that the Young Lady enjoys the food I make…”
“If that’s the case, then…”
James stared blankly at the spot where the Young Man had disappeared, clenching his Fist. He felt as though Northern cuisine had been disrespected.
Even if it wasn’t direct Neglect, it left an unsettling feeling.
As a resident of the North, he wanted to protect his Self-Esteem.
Even though he himself disliked Northern food.
*
I brought the Young Lady down to the first floor and seated her at the grandly prepared Dining Table, tugging at her cheeks.
“Young Lady.”
“Mmph…”
“Open your eyes. It’s time for breakfast.”
“Ugh… Breakfast…”
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, the Young Lady shook her head and stared blankly at the food in front of her.
Braised lamb stew.
Soup garnished with finely chopped Broccoli.
And crispy Baguette, all splendidly prepared, made her eyes sparkle.
“Meat?”
“Yes, meat.”
“Did Ricardo make it?”
“No. The Innkeeper prepared it. Please thank him.”
The Young Lady awkwardly looked at James, who was standing by the Table, and bowed her head.
“Thank you.”
“You should say ‘Thank you very much.'”
“Thank you very much.”
As expected, the Young Lady was polite.
I smiled softly as I placed the marinated lamb ribs on her Plate.
“Enjoy your meal.”
“I will.”
The Young Lady glanced at me.
Holding her Fork, she looked at me as if seeking permission, her gaze asking if she could eat. I nodded, placed a napkin on her lap, and smiled.
“You may start.”
“Okay.”
Looking at James, who was standing politely with his hands clasped, I pointed to an empty Chair.
“James, please sit and eat with us. This is too much for just the two of us.”
“It’s not too much!”
“But you said you were on a Diet.”
“…You’re right.”
James hesitated at my continued insistence but eventually sat down and began to pick up his Fork.
And.
Within the topic of food, the Young Lady, who became colder than anyone else, delivered her icy judgment.
“It’s bad.”
The Young Lady bluntly said as she stabbed the Meat on the Plate with her Fork.
“This Meat tastes bad.”
True to her nature as a Villainess, the Young Lady spoke coldly without any consideration for the Chef standing right in front of her. She loudly declared that the food was bad, questioning how anyone could cook Meat so poorly, loud enough for James to hear.
“The Unpleasant Odor is overwhelming.”
“…Ack.”
“It’s incredibly tough.”
“…Ugh.”
“It’s salty.”
“…”
“It’s too sweet.”
Listening to the Young Lady’s harsh words, James’s complexion began to pale and harden. While I could sympathize with his feelings, having received my fair share of sharp remarks from the Young Lady…
But what could be done?
It was worse than my first attempt at cooking.
Looking at the empty Plate I had forced myself to finish, I gave a bitter Smile. The Unpleasant Odor wafting from the Kitchen had already warned me that the food wouldn’t taste good.
As I reluctantly emptied my Plate, I lowered my head toward James and spoke, while the Young Lady sat with a Sullen Expression.
“I apologize. The Young Lady has a very picky palate… Young Lady, you should apologize.”
“Why! I can’t say something tastes good when it doesn’t! That would lead to failure!”
“Even if the food isn’t good, it’s not polite to say such things in front of the person who prepared breakfast.”
“Eeeek… I’m sorry. But it really didn’t taste good.”
James remained silent, staring down at the Table. Clutching the Fork and Knife tightly in his Fist, James trembled, seemingly deeply hurt by the Young Lady’s candid words.
I wiped my mouth with a Napkin and carefully addressed James.
“Starting from lunch, I will handle the cooking.”
-Bang!
James slammed his Fist on the Table and spoke in a loud Voice.
“If you’re so confident, then give it a try!”
“Alright.”
“Huh?”
James tilted his head, looking puzzled, as if thinking this shouldn’t be happening, in response to my straightforward and calm reply.
I looked at James with a small Smile and said.
“I’m actually quite good at cooking.”
With a modest Talent for cooking, I met James’s gaze and gave him a faint Smile.
[James Lv.55]
Job: Innkeeper/Retired Adventurer
Favorability: -10
Favorite conversation topics: My Daughter/Praise for the Inn/Praise for the food he prepares/The North/Alcohol/Delicious food
Disliked conversation topics: Insults toward The North/Northern cuisine/Greasy dishes/Demonic Beasts/Mad people/Troublesome Guests
Since I knew what James wanted, I thought I could sufficiently satisfy him.
Rolling up my Sleeves, I walked toward the Kitchen. With plenty of Time on hand, I decided to prepare a dish that would take quite a while, speaking to James, who was staring at me blankly.
“Do you like brothy dishes?”
“…”
“Would you like to follow me?”
James followed behind me.
“When you boil the broth with Pig bones like this…”
Admiring the Technique I had honed through part-time jobs, he fell silent in amazement.
After taking a bite of the completed dish, James looked at me with eyes filled with emotion and said.
“What is this dish called…?”
“It’s Pork Bone Soup.”
“…”
James firmly grabbed my hand and said.
“Would you consider dating My Daughter…?”
As expected, Pork Bone Soup never fails.
*
The Cold Breeze blew.
A biting Cold Breeze swept across The North, sharp enough to cut through bones.
Somewhere in The North.
The Remnants of the Heretics surrounded a massive Magic Circle, chanting strange incantations. While it was hard to discern the details, one thing was certain: the Colossal Demonic Beast at the center of the Magic Circle was writhing in agony.
One of the Remnants of the Heretics, with a sinister Smile, quietly opened their mouth.
“Shall we begin the evangelism?”
The moment The Man’s words ended.
The Demonic Beast within the Magic Circle began to transform into a horrifying form.