Chapter 93

I would like to taste various dishes, but there is a limit to the number of utensils prepared.

Artemis had a container for individual soup, but that was all she had. The only other thing that could be used as a container was a drinking cup. It was quite a modest setup. I, for one, carry about three metal plates even when I’m alone...

Well, I think I’ll use the plates I brought as large plates.

I don’t think anyone will mind reusing the dishes.

“Ah, it smells good.”

By the time the sun was setting, the smoking was finally done.

It’s not smoked salmon, but smoked hightail. When I cut it, I didn’t see any parasites, but with this much heat, most of them should be dead. I also sprinkled salt and cut it finely as a precaution... I’ve taken all the preventive measures I could. If it still doesn’t work, it’s the fault of the encyclopedia. The safety needs to be re-evaluated.

“Oh... This is quite different from the smoked fish I usually see.”

“Yeah, it’s different. This is cut to only include the edible parts, and it’s not dried to a crisp. ...Want to try a piece?”

“...”

Lina looked around and then silently bowed a few times, accepting the piece of smoked hightail. Good, good, don’t worry. It’s not a crime if you don’t get caught. Eat it before anyone sees...

“...! Oh... This is... a unique flavor.”

“Right? It’s a rare feeling.”

“Highly fragrant...? Hmm... Anyway, it has a taste that’s different from anything I’ve eaten before...”

Ah, I see. She’s only eaten bland white fish before, so this is fresh.

Of course, her reaction would be like this when she tries a red-fleshed fish for the first time.

Humans are bewildered by new flavors, especially when it comes to fish. It takes a bit of time to judge if it’s delicious.

In reality, Lina’s reaction wasn’t dramatic. I understand. She had a taste of some grilled fish earlier in the day. I expected her reaction to be mild.

“Let’s thinly slice this smoked hightail and mix it with onions that have been soaked in water, using vinegar and oil. I’ll also squeeze a bit of citrus and season it with salt and spices... and we’ll have a seafood salad. Everyone, help me prepare it while we snack.”

“Okay, got it!”

The result was a carpaccio of smoked hightail. I don’t know how it differs from a marinade.

The fish is smoked but has a texture close to raw. For me, it’s one of the dishes that gives a sashimi-like experience.

The good thing about this is that it doesn’t use soy sauce. It uses vinegar and salt as seasonings, so it can be easily replicated in this world. And it’s delicious.

Honestly, I think it’s better to compromise in this direction rather than trying to find a soy sauce-like seasoning. You can eat sashimi with lemon juice and salt. Soy sauce is not necessary. I’m completely convinced of this now.

“Senpai, Senpai, this is a fish dish... a salad made by Mongrel Senpai. Everyone, want to try it?”

“Wow, it looks authentic. I’ll try it, I’ll try it.”

“...It smells delicious...”

“Let’s try it.”

“Thank you, I’ll have some. The other dishes will be ready soon, so Mongrel, look forward to them.”

“Okay.”

The smell of herbs has been wafting over, making me hungry.

The aroma of the bird meat roasting... yeah, meat is better than fish.

...No, no, don’t get discouraged. If I don’t make a delicious fish dish, who will spread the deliciousness of fish?

“Well, the soup... yeah, it’s about ready.”

In the pot, I was simmering finely chopped hightail bones.

At first, I thought about making a dish similar to herring roe in kombu, using finely chopped hightail heads and cartilage, but as I cut, I realized, “Wait, this hightail doesn’t have a herring roe part?” and it ended up as a sad bone broth.

...Even though the flesh is salmon-like, it’s not completely salmon. Of course. It’s a bit disappointing. I really wanted to try herring roe in kombu... But I was afraid of parasites, so it was probably impossible...

“Salt... this much, yeah.”

It’s done. Should I call it hightail bone broth or seaweed soup?

The seasoning is just salt, but I think it’s a pretty good dish in terms of umami.

“Hey, kids who look like they have nothing to do, come serve this soup.”

“I’m not a kid...”

“I’m an adult...”

Despite their protests, they are good kids who are properly serving the soup.

There’s a bit of extra, so feel free to have seconds.

“Now, I... oh, this...!”

“Oh! Is this what fish soup is like? It’s good!”

“This is delicious! I wonder if it’s the mushrooms? Or the fish? It’s mysterious, but it seems to have a good flavor!”

It seems the three of them prefer this over the smoked fish.

But that’s only natural. This bone broth includes yate kombu broth.

Kombu broth and fish broth, and with the mushrooms Lina brought, it’s a powerhouse of umami. It’s like a block of umami.

“If the three of you say it’s that good, I’m curious... I’ll try it.”

“I’ll try a taste. ...Hmm, this... oh, not bad.”

“...It looks bad, but the taste is excellent.”

Good. If Sheena says it’s the best, it means it’s a highly rated dish even among the noble-like crowd.

Yeah, it’s all about umami. Cooking with a focus on umami is the best.

“...It’s annoying to be smirked at from afar.”

“Fufufu”

“Mongrel Senpai, that laugh is creepy.”

Sorry.

...Okay, then I’ll try the bone broth...

...

...No, I still need miso and soy sauce...

You idiots, how can this be complete! What do you mean just vinegar and salt! You guys are excellent, but you’re in a different category!

Soy sauce... miso... rice koji... where are you?

Come to Regal... I’ll buy in bulk... I’ll even stand out a bit to trade...

“Not good, not good.”

The familiar taste made me almost homesick. Dangerous, dangerous.

...Okay, in such times, I’ll satisfy my heart and stomach with the local flavors.

“Is that dish done?”

“Yes, it’s ready. ...You should join us for a meal.”

“Okay, I will.”

It’s not that I was being considerate of the friendly Artemis. It’s just that the positions naturally separated when I was in charge of the pot and the smoking.

“It’s a herb-roasted dish, right?”

“Yes. I also used the turnip leaves you gave me.”

The herbs, finely chopped almost to a paste, are generously applied to the surface and inside of the bird meat, giving it a unique aroma.

I don’t know the exact composition of the paste, but I’ve eaten similar things at restaurants many times. It shouldn’t be bad.

“Mmm... oh, it’s delicious. The turnip leaves have a refreshing aroma. There’s also a bit of spiciness, which is good. It makes me hungry.”

“I’m glad there are many edible plants growing by the water.”

“This makes me want some alcohol.”

“With this many people, we could have prepared a bit more...”

The taste is like a combination of basil and watercress. The turnip leaves add a chaotic battle of flavors, but it’s good. The diverse green flavors enhance the umami of the bird meat.

“Delicious!”

“It’s better than just grilling it!”

“Fufu, thank you. There’s more, so feel free to have seconds.”

We all gathered around the central campfire, eating the herb-roasted reed ducks cut with knives.

I really want some alcohol. I should have bought some in Dryden... I don’t usually drink much during camping, but it would have been nice for Lina’s celebration.

“Lina, you’ve acquired your second skill, so you can take the next silver promotion exam.”

“Yeah, it might be difficult, but I’ll try my best.”

“It’s not that hard, Lina. I think it’s an easy exam. The physical test for archers is quite lenient.”

“I haven’t taken the archer’s exam myself, but I’ve heard it’s similar to the mage’s exam.”

“...I’m getting nervous.”

“Don’t worry, Lina. You’ll definitely pass. Climb up to where I am...”

“You sound so confident, but Lina will surpass you.”

So, Lina is finally going to become a silver. I thought it would happen soon, and it’s not a surprise, but it’s a touching moment. Kids grow up so fast...

“Mongrel Senpai, you should hurry up and become a silver...”

“Bronze is good.”

“Mongrel-san? You’re cheering for Lina’s silver promotion right now, aren’t you?”

If you say that, I’ll just become a ‘Bronze is good’ uncle.

I won’t change that stance.

“Lina, that old man is pretty bad, isn’t he?”

“He’s bad.”

“Hey, hey.”

“By the way, isn’t it your birth month soon? Happy 30th birthday, Mongrel uncle.”

“Stop it. That’s a low blow.”

“We’re all under 24, so we can’t really understand that feeling.”

“Really? Sheena and the others are that young?”

“Yes, Sheena and Nastasha are the same age.”

I thought they were a bit older because they seem mature.

...Hmm?

“Hey, how old is Gorilliana?”

“Oh, you can just talk normally... I’m 22 years old...”

Wow, I thought she looked younger than her age, but it’s even more than I expected.

“I see... I’m the only one who’s 30...”

“It’s okay, Mongrel Senpai. At that age, you can still be a guild member and get married.”

“Yeah, that’s true...”

30 years old... in this world with poor medical facilities... how much longer do I have to live?

“Enjoy the meat while you can.”

“...That sounds like something your parents used to say.”

“Hahaha.”

“Sheena Senpai’s cooking is always delicious.”

The night passed noisily.

Being the only outsider in a group of women (including Ulrika) was a bit awkward, but they seemed to be considerate, and I spent the evening quite pleasantly.

Sheena and Nastasha, whom I thought were quite mature, turned out to be surprisingly talkative, and it’s hard to judge people.

“Well.”

At night, when everyone was preparing their beds to sleep, I took something out of the smoker.

This was a different batch from the smoked hightail I did earlier in the day. I had prepared it beforehand, so it took longer to smoke.

“...Yeah, it looks delicious.”

It’s hard to see in the dark, but it looks good.

It’s drier and less juicy than the regular smoked hightail.

I took out as much juice as possible before smoking it.

“It’s a smoked hightail yate kombu roll.”

Kombu roll. It’s a method of drying fish by sandwiching it between dried kombu that has been wiped with vinegar, allowing the kombu to absorb the juice and infuse the fish with its umami.

Some people might not like the smell of kombu in other countries, but I don’t care. I love kombu broth.

I really wanted to make a sashimi hightail kombu roll... but raw fish is scary. It can’t be helped. But it should still be delicious even when smoked.

I squeezed the remaining citrus onto a plate, added a bit of vinegar, and mixed in some salt.

I dipped the smoked hightail kombu roll into it and took a bite.

“...Hmm”

There’s no soy sauce. No miso.

But there is kombu. I caught some salmon.

A familiar taste, even if only a part of it, remains. It satisfies my old taste buds.

It’s not a perfect 100-point dish, and it might not be well-received in this world.

But for me, this is one of the best meals.