Chapter 488: Grill Party
「…. 」
Under the rose trellis, a new table and chairs were set up, probably by Kiel.
Soleil sat with legs crossed, looking utterly listless. In the dead center of the table, resting on a neatly folded handkerchief, was a carved black dragon carapace, as if it were some sacred artifact.
「I was gonna put the grill there, you know. 」
That carapace is in the way, being in smack center as it is.
「Uwuwu. Such a masterpiece and yet treated so sloppily… 」
Soleil clutched the carved shell to her chest, looking like she was about to bawl her eyes out.
「That’s a dragon carapace, you know. Unless you do something really bizarre to it, it’s not gonna get damaged. 」
Even the Earthkin had a hard time carving it, and they were using spirit-iron tools. Even dropping it didn’t do a thing.
「Dragon… dragon…! 」
「You can hold it if you want, but it’s gonna end up smelling like barbecue, you know. 」
For a second, I thought Soleil was back to normal, but it seems like I’m mistaken.
「Dragon… dragon… dragon carapace…? No, wait a sec, no way that’s true… Dragon materials aren’t simple things that you can find just lying around… Ah, but in the plaza earlier— 」
Wait, did Soleil’s quirkiness rubbed on Orlando-kun too?
Orlando was seated next to Gramps. He was clutching his head, muttering to himself. Gramps Paulor just gave him a look that’s somewhere between pity and exasperation.
「Well then, the grills are this way. I have already set them up.」
Charles sweetly smiled as he opened his arms, gesturing for us to move on.
That’s the sparkling smile that’s probably tricked a whole bunch of noble ladies, huh? Kinda weird seeing it directed to food now.
Charles had set up the grills in the center of both tables, while Auro arranged shallow wooden plates of vegetables on them.
Plates of meat, a basket of lettuce, small dishes of sauce, lemon wedges—everything was coming together.
Kiel, the kind of guy who could patiently wait as long as it wasn’t sweets, set out the plates and forks. Faramir arranged the white napkins beautifully.
「Just throw the meat and veggies on the grill however you like. Dip the meat in these sauces—this one’s spicy, this one’s light, and this one’s a bit richer. Pick whichever you like. 」
With that quick explanation, I started grilling.
I arranged the charcoal unevenly. Some spots had more of them, making that particular area burn hotter, while the other places had less for lower heat. The sizzling meat went straight onto the high-heat area, while the veggies like eggplant and shiitake mushrooms were on the gentler, lower-heat zone.
「Hmm, so that’s how it is… 」
Gramps picked up a pair of tongs.
「Hah! Master, allow me! 」
Orlando-kun hastily took the tongs and started grilling the meat.
Man, what a dedicated attendant he is.
「Soleil-sama, perhaps you would like to place that over there for now and enjoy your meal while admiring it from a more comfortable distance? 」
Faramir, ever so diplomatic, suggested a compromise.
After getting the okay, she carefully moved the sculpture—handkerchief and all—to the steps, positioning it so Soleil had the perfect view.
Man, what a dedicated maid she is.
「This section of the grill is my territory! Don’t dare grab from here!” 」
「Territory, you say… It seems this is quite ready. If you do not intend to eat it right away, then I shall. 」
With a nonchalant expression, Auro swiftly snatched a piece of meat Kiel had been grilling.
「Hey—! 」
「Kiel-dono, indeed, you’ve overcooked it. 」
While Kiel was distracted shouting at Auro, Charles smoothly stole another piece from right in front of him.
Man, what a flawless teamwork. And their movements? Ridiculously smooth. While Kiel was busy yelling, the other two looked almost elegant.
「I was just cooking it well-done! You guys are practically eating it raw! 」
「To char it to that degree… Perhaps it’s because you do not understand the flavor of meat? 」
「Of course I can taste this meat!! 」
Can taste, cannot taste ー was that a Changeling joke? Changelings can’t taste anything that hasn’t been influenced by spirits, after all.
These two, dressed in matching butler-style suits with pristine white gloves… And yet they’re bickering about meat like this…women would probably cry if they saw you two like this, huh.
「I must say, everything you prepare is quite flavorful, Ny-sama. It brings me great joy. 」
Charles, who looked like he’s about to melt in bliss, nearly nuzzled his cheek onto the steak. That’s kinda creepy. Yeah, the ladies will definitely cry when they saw him like this.
「This is so delicious… 」
「Yes, Master. It’s shockingly scrumptious. 」
Gramps and Orlando-kun seemed to be savoring the dragon meat.
「The corn tastes amazing too. It’s sweeter than some poorly made desserts! Let’s make it a festival highlight next year. 」
Soleil, happily munching on corn, seemed to have recovered from the earlier shock.
「This noodle dish is also quite enjoyable. 」
Faramir’s usually expressionless face softened just a bit.
A beautiful woman in a classic maid outfit, cradling a bowl of cold Morioka-style noodles and eating them with a fork ー oh well, as long as she likes it then everything’s fine.
Morioka cold noodles were smooth, chilled, and the dish had that unbeatable chewy mouthfeel. A light beef-bone broth, a kick of kimchi spice — yup, I made it nicely, if I do say so myself.
「You make even the act of eating look appetizing, MiLord. 」
Auro glanced my way.
I dipped a slice of dragon meat in the slightly spicy sauce then wrapped it inside a piece of lettuce leaf before eating. Ahh, I really wanna make some doubanjiang and gochujang now.
「This meat is absolutely divine! This one’s beef, right? And this one? What cut is it, I wonder? 」
Soleil, grinning, pointed to another piece.
「Ahh. 」
I glanced toward the steps, where the carved dragon shell sat.
「Eh…Wait… No way…? 」
Soleil froze.
There is no need to fret, it’s a dragon that couldn’t talk. It’s totally alright, so please let it slide.
NEXT CHAPTER
RELEASE RATE
I Got Transferred in the Middle of a Mountain
Speed up schedule by 10 hours
Current schedule: Every 80 hours
They just found out they are eating dragon meat. 😆 Thanks.