The Other World Dining Hall Chapter 96

Grilled in Foil Wrapping

That Sat.u.r.day was meat day at Nekoya.

[Well, I wonder what I should cook today.]

While sniffing the smell of tonjiru that was boiling, the owner thought about the trouble that popped up every time.

On this day, what kind of daily special should be served during meat day, that was the important question.

Of course, the dish offered as the daily special should be cheaper than usual as a consideration of harmony with the tonjiru soup.

In other words he must choose a cuisine that was compatible with “tonjiru” that was the protagonist of that day.

(It’s heavy to match meat with meat. There are many customers from over there who like dishes that are not Western food after all…)

After a while, the owner decided that day’s daily special.

(Alright, I’ll grill something in foil wrapping.)

Salmon was delicious during this time of year.

While considering such, the owner continued his pre-opening preparation.

The sun had set, it’s evening.

Ellen, a woodcutter’s wife who lived in a remote district of a small country located at the northern part of Eastern Continent, felt that her hope was about to end.

[…Well, what are you gonna do?]

Ellen caught a glimpse of the “guest” that was illuminated by the flames of the fireplace before asking Hermann.

[Ou, what to do?]

Hermann was also troubled.

[Is this really a place where humans live? Is this not a storeroom?]

[That, that’s not true! Our home is normal!]

[That’s right! I won’t forgive you for saying strange things!]

Even if she closed the window, cold wind seeped in from the gaps of the wooden hut.

He was a boy with good-quality dagger in his waist sash, who looked as big as Kai, and was very familiar with the difference in their positions, he and Bona were engaged in a childish fight, and such a sight was bad for Ellen’s heart.

[Really, what should I do?]

[Come on… maybe there’s someone that’s looking for him, it should be okay to look after him for a while…]

It was late in the morning when Hermann found the child leaning against a tree in the forest which was Hermann’s workplace.

That child, whose name was Claus, seemed to be a child of a town mayor or a merchant that sold firewood… he guessed.

In other words, he was a child that had no connection whatsoever with Hermann’s woodcutter family.

No one would leave such a child alone in the forest, so Hermann took him home for the moment.

[…Oi, Hermann, I’m hungry, prepare a meal.]

Hermann and Ellen looked at each other after Claus, who was fighting with Kai and Bona, suddenly spoke to Hermann.

(What should we do!? I don’t know what to do but am I supposed to make something that I usually make!?)

(Sou, sounds pretty good, but isn’t it too late to buy something from the town!?)

They whispered to each other.

They didn’t know who Claus really was, but it was certain that he lived a much better life than Hermann’s family.

Naturally, there must be eggs to be considered a good meal, but Hermann’s family did not eat it every time.

It’s not much, but he doubted that the child would be satisfied with hard bread and soup that was pretty much salt.w.a.ter with pieces of smoked meat in it.

[Meal~? It’s going to be winter soon; in any case, I doubt you will regard it as decent.]

As Kai did not know what his parents were thinking, he continued to speak.

[Is that so?]

[Un. Since otou-san is too shabby, economizing? Of course he has to do it!]

To Claus who asked with a surprised fac

e, Bona revealed more of the family’s situation.

(Wait a minute! Don’t saying anything unnecessary!)

Hearing the innocent words of the two people, Ellen’s face became red and she stood up.

Anytime now, she would have to scold them severely later… the words of salvation were heard by Ellen who was thinking so.

[Yup, yup, that’s why recently we haven’t been visiting “Nekoya” at all.]

[Right-! Since there’s a door today, won’t it become useless?]

To their words, Ellen looked at Hermann.

[Nekoya? What is that?]

On the other hand, Hermann and Ellen responded to Claus who asked his question without hesitation.

[Nekoya is a place that serves meals of foreign places, Claus-sama.]

[Actually, there’s a door that goes there in our barn… right. since there’s Claus-sama today, so let’s eat there today! Hey, you, wouldn’t it be nice?]

[That’s right, let’s do it!]

Hermann and Ellen decided to eat lunch at otherworld dining hall while preparing for a painful expense.

In that restaurant, there were many n.o.bilities, some of them seemed to be even richer than Claus, and the cuisine there used plenty of good-quality ingredients.

Claus should at least be more satisfied eating there compared to Ellen’s usual meager cooking.

[I understand. Show it to me.]

[Yes! …But that is a place where we can’t go there with such ragged clothes, so please just wait for a while.]

[Very well. Hurry up.]

The two eagerly nodded to Claus’ words and hurriedly changed their clothes along with their children’s.

[E!? We’re going to Nekoya today!?]

[Really!? Yatta-!]

The children were also very pleased with their parents’ decision and helped Ellen to change their clothes.

[Alright all of you, don’t make noises today.]

While Ellen desperately wanted to change their clothes, they quickly changed their clothes and headed to the barn accompanied by Claus.

The third prince Claus who had fled to the countryside so as to not be involved in the fight for the kings.h.i.+p of their small frontier country between his two elder brothers was surprised by the ringing sound of the bell.

(What!? To think that there’s such a place…)

He was guided by a commoner family that was not wealthy to a strange place beyond the out of place black door.

Despite being located in a bas.e.m.e.nt with no windows, it was far brighter and warmer than the dark barn with its closed windows to mitigate the cold.

There were several tables and chairs and each customer was relaxing at their respective tables.

(That’s, lizardman and lamia, that one is probably a high aristocracy of the Empire, that one is a high priestess of Light, the ones there are elves… what kind of place is this?)

Although he was born in a small frontier country, Claus who was taught by books and tutors was surprised by the customers of this restaurant.

[Well, this way please, Claus-sama.]

[Umu.]

He was ushered by the commoners in front of him and sat on one of the empty seats.

And then he was immediately a little surprised when the commoners sat on the same table as him, but he understood that he was being helped since he was still young so he decided not to say anything.

[Welcome to Western restaurant Nekoya! What would you like to order?]

(What, the waitress is a demon! I have heard that this is not uncommon in the Empire…)

She brought a gla.s.s of clear water with ice that suggested that it was expensive for each of them and he felt surprised that it was a demon that came to take their order, he then nodded to the commoner couple who were looking at him anxiously.

[…I leave this to you. I don’t know what kind of cuisine is served here. You decide.]

[…Daily special meal for 5 please.]

With Claus’ permission, Ellen immediately ordered.

While the daily special was the cheapest meal at this restaurant, it was also delicious, so it was probably okay.

[Yes, it’s changes daily. Today’s meal is a fish called salmon grilled in foil wrapping, is that okay? Also, today is meat day, would you like the soup?]

Listening to the waitress’ words, when he saw the family’s faces lit up with joy, Claus thought that it must be something good.

[Of course we would like Tonjiru. That and bread please.]

[Immediately please!]

He a.s.sumed that it was something special seeing the couple’s happy smile while the children cheered joyfully.

[Yes, please wait a moment.]

The waitress nodded and retreated to the kitchen.

[…And, what kind of dish is this tonjiru?]

Claus who was interested in the situation asked and the children answered.

[It’s an amazing soup that appears only once in a while. It has plenty of meat and vegetables inside.]

[You can eat it as much as you like! I always eat a lot!]

They said so with a smile.

[I see. I look forward to it. So, what food is this grilled in foil wrapping?]

Hearing those words, Claus decided to wait with hope.

[…I don’t know.]

[Since it’s daily special, it’s probably something we never ate before.]

[…I see.]

…Even though he felt a little anxious.

Even if she didn’t know Claus’ thoughts, the waitress came with the food.

[Thank you for waiting. Here is today’s daily special of grilled in foil wrapping, bread and tonjiru.]

The waitress quickly served the food in front of Claus.

The smell of brown soup with plenty of vegetables and fatty meat hit his stomach.

The freshly baked brown bread looked glossy due to the light from the ceiling.

And on top of the pure white plate was a slice of yellow fruit and a silver lump.

[Since the silver foil wrapping can’t be eaten, please peel it off and eat the content.]

While Claus was wondering, the waitress peeled off the lump.

Apparently this thin silver material was similar to paper and was easy to tear.

[Also, the master also said that this cuisine fits well with shoyu and lemon juice. Well then, please enjoy.]

At the moment she opened the silver wrapping, a fragrant b.u.t.tery scent emerged from the food and Claus’ mouth watered.

The contents of the wrapped food was fish fillet and mushrooms on top of sliced Oranie and Caryute. The fish with pink meat and silver skin was something that Claus had never seen before.

(This is sea fish right…? Even though this is a frontier town?)

Seeing the fish with a hue not found in familiar river fishes, Claus was surprised.

Since this country was far away from the sea, seafood was considered a luxury item.

Especially the fatty red fish that was rarely served even in the royal palace as magic was necessary to transport it to prevent decay.

[…Well then.]

In front of the cooking, the family was desperately waiting to eat… seeing the mother slapping her children’s hands to prevent them from reaching for the food, Claus picked up fork and knife.

He elegantly cut the fish into bite sizes and pierced it along with Oranie.

When he lifted the fork, golden b.u.t.ter sauce dripped down onto the dish and the smell of fish without fishy scent drifted. As he inhaled the scent, he brought it to his mouth.

[…It’s delicious.]

He unintentionally spoke.

The taste of fresh fish overflowed from the fatty fish meat. There was no smell of rotting fish, just the umami that’s different from meat.

Even if it’s cooked with fire, the fish was still tender and moist; it was exquisitely seasoned and not half-cooked.

And the flavor of b.u.t.ter used to season this dish enhanced the fish’s umami.

(To think fish meat and b.u.t.ter fit together so much… no, it’s thanks to the strength of the fat.)

While the b.u.t.ter and the fish fat were two different kinds of oil, they complimented each other without killing the other.

The fragrance and slightly salty b.u.t.ter along with the pink fish meat tickled his appet.i.te.

(I see, the vegetables that are included inside didn’t let this umami escape!)

And baked inside the foil wrapping were mushrooms, Caryute and Oranie.

They were also finished in good taste.

All of the vegetables sucked the umami of the fish and b.u.t.ter, and so the flavours that were found not just in mushrooms and Oranie had been inhabited firmly.

(Oh right, I heard that it’s good to add shoyu and lemon juice.)

After enjoying it for a long time, Claus remembered the waitress’ words.

Lemon was this yellow fruit.

[Excuse me, which one is shoyu?]

After guessing that one of the bottles on the table was probably shoyu, he asked the commoner family who were mainly eating the soup with bread.

[A… the blue bottle is the shoyu.]

The mother reacted to Claus’ words and handed the bottle to him.

[Umu…]

However, Claus was also engrossed with enjoying the food in front of him, so he didn’t mind.

He poured the shoyu from the blue bottle and squeezed the lemon.

(It doesn’t look as good anymore…)

When the black liquid stained the food, he felt a little anxious, but then he remembered how delicious the cuisine turned out to be.

(Wow! Isn’t this indispensable for the cuisine!?)

The sourness of the yellow fruit tightened the overall taste while the salty black water complimented the flavor of the fish.

There was a sign that they could damage the balance of the dish if too many were added, but unless such a mistake was made, a different taste of the cuisine was literally created.

[Aa, it’s delicious.]

Claus who had finished all of the salmon was satisfied.

He then tried the soup that was served along with the food… and was surprised once again.

(Eh!? Isn’t this soup really exquisite!?)

The countless vegetables and fatty pork meat, the fragrant b.u.t.ter, and its unique fragrant seasoning.

The soup that was the combination of all of that was as delicious as the salmon that he just ate.

(And how is this bread so delicious!?)

The bread served on the side was so soft and sweet, Claus had never eaten such fine white bread before.

The commoner male raised his voice as if he had forgotten the existence of Claus who was surprised by the bread and soup.

[The bread and soup, another serving please! This is not enough at all!]

[A, me too!]

[Same here!]

[I also want!]

Right, they could eat the bread and soup as much as they wanted.

[I, I also want that!]

Urged by their words, Claus also said raised his voice loudly though it betrayed his etiquette.

[Yes! Please wait a moment!]

The waitress who was a bit far away replied to their words clearly.

[I am indebted to you both, Hermann, Ellen.]

[Not at all!]

[That’s right! This is just a matter of course!]

After they returned home and were relaxing, his knight escorts finally found Claus and came rus.h.i.+ng.

At first it was a dangerous scene since they almost unsheathed their blades, but the situation was diffused and Claus returned home safely.

[I’ll deliver my thanks at a later date. Please look forward to it.]

Claus smiled at Hermann and Ellen, and said his promise.

At a later date, a brand new axe was delivered to Hermann and they were greatly surprised by it, but that’s a story for the future.