Read Novel Full Vol 23 Chapter 14
Vol 23 Chapter 14
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Chapter 14 – I Want It to Be Bold Yet… Delicate…
After finishing my business in the Aquamarine Kingdom, I set off on my return journey. Everything went smoothly until then. However, during the voyage, Saporabi completely captured the women’s attention. Though it was embarrassing, I gave up trying to regain their attention. Instead, I used Saporabi to maintain communication with the women. It wasn’t all bad, but I would prefer to attract attention on my own.
Upon arriving in the Southern City, Camille-san immediately headed to the commercial guild. Marina-san and the others accompanied her. I pretended to relax on the Lutto, but I was thinking hard about what to do on the southeastern island.
How should I entertain the women and make them happy?
I considered preparing a luxurious meal, even though we were camping. But, honestly, they could eat a luxurious meal on the luxury liner.
A luxurious beef or red wine stew would be unexpected yet stylish, but I don’t think it would be that exciting since they can be eaten normally on the luxury liner.
Are there any delicious, fun camping foods? No matter how hard I try, I can’t think of anything.
Inevitably, Ines and Felicia will find out what I’m planning, so I’ll give up and rely on camping magazines for inspiration.
I’ll read the camping magazine thoroughly while I’m in the rubber boat.
…I see. It’s possible to make camping look stylish by paying attention to interior design. However, there’s a problem with the equipment.
Although there aren’t many people on the southeastern island, there are quite a few adventurers and people who accommodate them.
I’d feel awkward using Earth tools in front of them.
Besides, the Saporabis excel at creating stylish dishes, so I’d be at a disadvantage competing in that area.
Should I go with the menu around here, then?
I could make dishes that look like hearty meals for men but are exciting, thrilling, and delicious. Everyone would enjoy that.
However, it seems like it will require quite a bit of preparation. Marina-san and the others are supposed to come back after finding work, so I don’t know when we’ll leave.
I’d better start preparing now.
“Master, are you going to cook?”
“Yeah, just a little.”
“I’ll help you.”
“Well, I guess I have no choice. I’ll help, too.”
When I head to the kitchen, Ines and Felicia offer to help. I can tell they want to help with the cutting and chopping, but it is too difficult for Rimu and Pent. I ask them to play in the living room instead.
Now, let’s start with the first dish.
It’s simple but looks impressive and supposedly delicious.
First, I’ll cut the vegetables. Oh, the magazine said that a special tool would make the second dish easier to prepare. I was thinking of using substitutes for the third dish, but since we’re at it, I’ll have them make the real thing.
“Ines, wait a minute.”
I stopped Ines, who was trying to help, and quickly drew a diagram of the necessary tools on a piece of paper, noting the sizes and quantities. Normally, one would be enough, but the women all eat a lot, so I’ll order three. The third dish is a large portion, so two should be enough.
“Ines, take this and some souvenirs, and place an order with that rude blacksmith. Tell him to hurry because we may need it soon.”
“What’s this? Well, okay. I think he’ll complain, but what should I do if he refuses?”
Ines looked puzzled at the diagram. That’s fine, but it’s a simple job, and that blacksmith does seem like the type to complain.
“If that happens, tell him we’ll ask the guild master again and that it’d be easier to make it from scratch.”
I don’t really understand, but the blacksmith can’t go against the guild master, so the order will probably go through in the end. It’s important to have connections with people in power.
“Got it. I’ll go take care of it.”
I sent Ines on an errand, and then Felicia and I got ready.
“Master, do you just want me to make a cut in it, or should I cut it up?”
“No, just make a light cut. We’ll roast it whole.”
Felicia will take care of the vegetables, so I’ll season the meat.
This time, there are many dishes, so the prep work is quite extensive. The third dish is especially difficult because it uses a lot of meat.
But everyone will be happy.
As for the fourth dish… It’s soup, but I’ll use a Dutch oven to make it delicious. It’s a local dish, so it should be fine.
“I’m back.”
While I was preparing the food, Ines returned with her luggage after quite some time.
“Welcome back, Ines. Thank you. It looks like you were able to take care of everything.”
“Yes, he complained as expected, but when I mentioned the guild master, he reluctantly started working. He has quite a weakness.”
That stubborn blacksmith has no luck. You must never show weakness to the master of the commercial guild.
“I think I made it properly, but please check it.”
As I trembled at the thought of the guild master discovering my weakness, Ines asked me to check the item.
I can’t make a final decision until I try it, but it looks like what I ordered. The Japanese one was made of stainless steel, so I’m worried about how it will turn out with iron. Well, I’m sure it will be fine.
“Yes, it’s excellent. Thank you, Ines.”
“It’s no trouble. By the way, are you done cooking?”
“No, it’ll take a little longer. Can you help me?”
“Sure.”
Now that I have the tools, I can start adding the final touches to the third dish. It’s quite difficult, but it’ll make a big impression, so I’ll use it to boost my popularity.
＊＊＊
Thanks to my connections at the top of the Merchant Guild, I was able to accept a request from the southeastern island immediately.
Unfortunately, Camille-san couldn’t come, but if Marina-san and the others give the event good reviews, I might hold the same one on the ship. I’d also like to treat Alessia-san and the others.
The next morning, we arrived at the southeastern island on the Japanese-style boat. I greeted Guido-san as usual and borrowed a tent raft.
“Then we’ll go explore.”
“Alright, be careful. We’re treating you to a feast tonight, so please come back before sunset.”
I moored the boat and saw Marina-san and the others disembark, or so I thought.
“Wataru, what’s the feast?”
Carla-san jumped in. I think I chose my words poorly.
“Hehe, it’s a surprise for when you get back. But it’s delicious meat.”
I’m feeling confident, so I’ll raise the bar and get everyone excited. I can’t play it safe like I usually do if I want to prove my worth.
“Marina, let’s explore tomorrow.”
“No way. Wataru, hurry back.”
“Ahaha, yes, excuse me.”
While Marina-san and Claretta-san were stopping Carla-san, I moved the Japanese-style boat and returned to the tent raft. She was really planning to take a break.
“Master, is everything ready?”
There were many grills lined up on the tent raft’s terrace. Since we’re having a meat feast this time, we need a lot of them. So far, I’ve only lit the grills for the soup, but we have just the right number.
The second and third dishes take quite a while to grill, so we’ll have to work on several things at once.
“Yes, thank you.”
That said, if we start grilling first thing in the morning, we’ll end up with too much food.
Let’s prepare the soup, which needs to simmer slowly, and then decorate the campsite.
“Master, are you sure it’s okay to put the whole thing in?”
Felicia, who is in charge of the soup, stands in front of the Dutch oven, holding a whole cabbage and looking confused.
“Yes, this time it’s a soup with a huge pork belly and whole vegetables simmered slowly. The cabbage, onions, potatoes, and carrots are all left whole. Oh, but I’ll make sure to remove the skin and sprouts.”
The theme this time is “A hearty camp meal with the flavor of meat.”
The soup contains large pieces of tender, simmered pork belly. Add the whole vegetables and cook slowly over low heat, and you’ll have a hearty, delicious pot-au-feu—at least, that’s what the magazine says.
“…I understand.”
“Please skim off the impurities, too.”
Felicia seems hesitant but willing to do as she’s told.
“Ines, I’m going to summon the rubber boat inside the tent, so please arrange the tables and chairs on the terrace.”
“Got it.”
All that’s left are the candles and Swedish torches. Since today’s main event will be after dark, I want to put some effort into the lighting.
LED lights would be too noticeable on the southeastern island, and I think light spheres would clash with today’s theme, so I’ve decided to use fire.
Fire has a primitive charm that fits perfectly with the hearty meat theme.
Next is the tableware.
I prepared stainless steel tableware to match the theme. I considered wooden tableware, but since it’s the norm in this world, I chose stainless steel for a change.
Oh, I need to lay the tablecloth before arranging the tableware.
The theme is bold, but if I focus on that alone, the table will look too rough and lose its boldness.
The key is to be bold while paying attention to the details.
Okay, I think that’s everything for the preparations.
The soup is going well, and the first dish won’t take much time, so I’m okay for now, but I should start cooking the second and third dishes soon.
The second dish just needs to be prepared and then cooked slowly. The third dish, however, takes more effort. I’ll ask Ines to help me.
I can see Marina-san and the others on the beach.
It looks like they came back before sunset, just as I asked.
“Wataru, did you make dinner?”
Before I can respond, Carla-san asks me a question. Seeing Marina-san and Claretta-san smile wryly, I guess Carla-san couldn’t stop thinking about dinner all day.
“Everyone, welcome back. I’m glad you’re all safe. Carla, the meal is almost ready. It should be ready by the time you get out of the bath. I made a reservation, so don’t worry.”
“Wataru, bath. I want to hurry up and take a bath.”
I need to get the bath ready, so I can’t go straight there. But I’m happy that she’s looking forward to it so much.
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