Chapter 311: Lunch on the Island
「Won’t it be expensive? Heinz-sama and Arina are fine, but will they allow me to come inside looking like this…? 」
「Yeah, it might be expensive, but it’s my treat for the three of you so please rest assured and just eat whatever you want. 」
Orlando was looking around anxiously so I answered him.
You won’t be able to refuse the interview if you eat that meal…!
Thanks to the architects and the carpenters who worked really hard, the buildings facing the plaza don’t differ that much to the other houses in terms of paint color, but they were still impressive nonetheless. The inn was no exception; the engravings, glass windows and other details were striking.
As soon as you enter, you’ll step into a bright and breezy hall. Sunlight poured in through the huge windows. I’m not sure if Soleil chose it or if it was Auro, but the interior’s furniture is also refined. The off-limit areas are still under construction, but it’s obvious so there’s no need to mention it to them, I guess.
The halls and parlors of Nalluahdid’s big companies are usually decorated ostentatiously; it’s probably their way to flaunt their power to their guests. Our hall isn’t as gaudy, but I bet it won’t lose at all if compared.
We were guided to our seats. There were only three other guests besides us, which is reasonable considering the number of people allowed into the island is still limited, plus there’s a lot of places that are still under construction. It’s like a trial operation, if you will.
The other trio who were already here before we arrived are already done with their meal and are currently enjoying their wine.
「We have two options for the main course: stewed guinea fowl or pasta with whole shrimp in the shell. Which one would you prefer? Children’s meals are served in half-portions. We can also serve clay roasted guinea fowl for now, but it will be a whole bird. 」
The waiter asked our wine preference first before taking the food orders.
「Will the roast guinea fowl take time to serve? 」
We’re hungry so we can’t wait.
「It’s already in the kiln, so it will be served at the same time as the pasta. 」
「Then, are you okay with shrimp pasta for each of us, and one fowl for sharing? 」
I asked the trio.
「Y-Yes. 」
Orlando’s behaving suspiciously.
「Please. 」
「I’m excited! 」
Gramps and Arina seemed to be more flexible.
「Guinea fowls are an expensive delicacy that comes in limited quantities from the Soaring Dragons’ Continent, and they’re transported via Es… 」
When the waiter left, Orlando-kun started trembling while clasping his hands in front of his chest.
「Really? 」
「A part of the Cavil peninsula has raised the quantity recently, you know? Ah, but it’s true, it’s far more expensive than chicken. 」
As expected of a merchant’s daughter; just like Soleil, Arina seems fired up too when the topic is about trade. She probably heard bits and pieces from when her parents were talking.
「For a period of time, even if you have the money you won’t be able to buy it, and now it costs an arm and leg!! 」
Orlando muttered, but each word was stressed.
「It’s already hard to visit this island as it is. Splurging once in a while is also nice — let me pay for Ny-dono’s share too. 」
Gramps said.
「Heinz-sama, are you sure? 」
「It’s just a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 」
「I’m the one who invited you, so it’s my treat. Your feelings are enough for me. 」
Orlando-kun seemed to fret, so that meant Gramps’s wallet didn’t really have that much leeway.
And he said it’s once-in-a-lifetime, but you’ll be living here from now on if things go well.
We didn’t have to wait long before the wine and appetizers were served. Well, it’s my request that they serve the main course while we drink. Simply put, the alcohol will serve as a sterilizer before our meal; we can’t let our guard down against food poisoning in this world.
A plate of cold hors d’ oeuvres consisting of some grilled artichokes drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper, a little bit of quiche made with thick-leafed veggies that looked like spinach, some cheese and ham, were served to each of us.
How to say this… It’s nothing special.
「Wow, it’s full of eggs! 」
Arina happily took a bite of quiche.
「The olive oil is of superior quality, and the ripe cheese… But before that, these utensils….! 」
Ah, right, I almost forgot that freshly prepared cheese is eaten right away here because of the high temperature, and aged cheese that’s been set aside to ripen years is pretty rare.
「The wine is also excellent. 」
Gramps savored the aroma before taking a sip.
Simple bean soup seasoned with fennel leaves, freshly baked small round bread — these foods might seem ordinary to me, but they count as haute cuisine.
Orlando-kun was eating very cautiously; he carefully made sure that his spoon and fork would never hit the plate. Just a tiny clink and he’d make an extremely desperate face.
Is he okay? Can you taste the food? You don’t have to worry about breaking the plate so just enjoy the meal, okay? Maybe I should’ve brought them to the stalls instead.
The shrimp pasta was soon served, followed by the cart carrying a lump of clay right after.
The server smashed the clay on the cart, then he took apart the pieces. An incredibly delicious aroma wafted through the air when the oil paper inside the clay lump was unfolded.
The fowl was immediately split into four pieces — two thighs and two breasts with the wings attached.
「Would you like the thigh part or the breast part? 」
The server asked us which part we preferred, then he plated the fowl accordingly. The dish was garnished with roasted small onions, carrots and potatoes.
The potatoes came from me, and the variety’s characteristics are closer to those found in Japan when compared to the ones I previously sold in Nalluahdid. People who sojourn in this particular inn are mostly folks with high status or else are quite well-off, so I discreetly mix in vegetables that I wanted to sell eventually.
Fava beans, eggplants and tomatoes that grow in the island’s fields will soon be ready for harvesting and ready for use in cooking. Once the ingredients are complete, I’m gonna teach them what sort of dishes they could make from these veggies later on.
「So delish~ 」
「It’s really delectable. 」
「Truly scrumptious. 」
What a relief, Orlando-kun can taste the food properly!
The guinea fowl tasted like green pheasants, I think? Am I the only one who thinks roasting whole food makes it taste a hundred times better?
NEXT CHAPTER
RELEASE RATE
I Got Transferred in the Middle of a Mountain
Speed up schedule by 10 hours
Current schedule: Every 80 hours
Thanks for the treat.