Chapter 51

Narnia's eyes sparkled at the array of dishes lined up in the living room.

"Amazing... This must be heaven..."

"Don't die on us, little girl."

"Let's try one by one, shall we?"

"That's a good idea."

The one who answered was Chef Hugo. The plating was done by him, so it looked much more beautiful than I could have made it.

Cherina was staring at the pufferfish karaage. No, she looked more like a frog being stared down by a snake. Cherina was sweating profusely.

"Let's start with Hugo's dish."

"Mine, you say?"

Hugo looked puzzled.

"I want to reconfirm the deliciousness of the local cuisine and make everyone feel at ease."

"I don't feel uneasy about Akira's cooking."

Pardon me, but Hag seems to eat anything.

"That, from the iron-smelling dwarf, and I agree... unwillingly."

Huh? Yarai too?

"What?! This bug-smelling elf!"

"Are you going to die?"

"My iron hammer...!"

"No dinner for both of you."

Why does the fight start?

"I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

"I apologize."

Wow, they're more easily swayed than I thought. So both of them are foodies...

"All of them look delicious... *licks lips*"

"Wipe your drool."

I roughly wiped Narnia's face with a handkerchief.

"Meow?!"

I put it over her face. Be a bit more quiet.

"Alright, let's dig in. ...Yeah, it's good. Hugo, you usually make lunch, right?"

"Yes, I and my subordinates make it."

"Delicious~~~!"

Narnia's reaction was as expected.

"It's good."

"Great."

"Excellent, as expected of a chef."

Praises from Hag, Yarai, and Cherina continued.

"The seasoning is perfect. It doesn't seem like just salt."

"Thank you. I used a better oil today, olive oil, which is quite rare."

"Wow, you have olives?"

"Do you know about it? As always, you're very knowledgeable."

"...Just a coincidence."

Now that he mentioned it, this oil is olive. It's very delicious.

"Then it's my turn. Let's start with this."

I focused on the pot I had placed on the gas stove in the center of the table.

"Hmm?"

"Vegetable soup?"

Hehehe. Not just that.

I turned up the gas to keep it just below boiling. This level of heat control is difficult, which is why I couldn't use a hibachi. Reflecting on why modern cooking is so diverse, I realized that the ability to control heat freely is a significant factor.

Hugo will likely master the hibachi and heat control soon.

"Listen, grab this nice slice of sea bream with your chopsticks and put it in the soup, then... shabu shabu... That's it."

I lifted the sea bream when it turned slightly white, dipped it in ponzu with grated daikon, and brought it to my mouth.

"Mmm... Yeah, the sweetness of the sea bream spreads in my mouth."

The broth was also very good.

"Me too! ...But I can't hold this weird stick!"

It seems she can't use chopsticks. I expected that.

"Then use a fork."

I handed her a fork prepared by the chef. Narnia, with her small body, submerged the sea bream in the broth.

"Um, shabu shabu? ...Is this right?"

"That's right. Shabu shabu is the magic spell that makes this dish delicious. Be sure to say it."

"Really?! Magic?!"

"...Just eat it."

"Okay... *gasp*! *gasp*!"

The little girl, with the hot slice in her mouth, put her hand to her cheek. She's more destructive than a candy. A lolicon might pounce. Of course, if there were any, Yarai would kick them away.

After chewing and swallowing enthusiastically, tears streamed down Narnia's cheeks.

"Narnia!?"

"I... I've never... eaten anything this delicious..."

Don't scare me like that. I thought you had a bone stuck in your throat. I'm glad you liked it, but to the point of crying?

Cherina, seeing this, hurriedly picked up her chopsticks... and dropped them.

"Don't force it, use a fork."

"Okay... shabu shabu..."

"Me too! Shabu! Shabu!"

When Hag says it, it sounds like a suspicious drug. It's definitely not illegal.

"...Shabu... shabu..."

Yarai looks a bit strange. But both Hag and Yarai can use chopsticks after just a few days... that's too fast...

"Then I'll try. Shabu shabu... Ah, this is the perfect heat."

Only Hugo seemed to understand the meaning of the spell.

Now, how are the others doing...

"...This... is sea bream? What is this umami... Compared to the cooked flesh earlier, the flavor is more complex. Why is that? It's almost raw... yet this sauce enhances the delicate flesh, making the mouth feel fresh. The base flavor is similar to fish sauce but is a completely different thing, with no fishy smell and instead enhancing the umami, this is truly a magical sauce. Ah, soy sauce can be such a wonderful dipping sauce..."

Your evaluation is long, miss.

"What a surprise! I've eaten fish in various places, but I've never seen or heard of this way of eating! I thought the best way to eat fish was with a sprinkle of salt, but this changes my mind!"

I think Hag suits wild grilled fish better.

"Delicious. A revolution in food."

That's an exaggeration. Mr. Elf.

"Sea bream is a very difficult fish to bring out the umami from. Generally, white fish are bland, so there's a misconception that strong seasoning is needed. However, the secret lies in this seemingly secondary element, the boiled soup. On its own, it only has a light taste of vegetables and seaweed... but by submerging the sea bream, it brings out the maximum umami. Even with a strong sauce, the delicate flavor of the white fish is not overwhelmed... I'm impressed."

You're long-winded too. Are you a critic?

"Well, I'm glad you liked it. But I didn't prepare much."

*Jakin!*

Everyone's eyes lit up at my words.

Huh? Your eyes are scary...

"Let's eat!"

"Not a chance!"

"I want to eat too!"

"I won't let you lick it. Now is the time to show the power of the Red Locks!"

"Just a bit more! Just a bit more to the essence of the sea bream!"

From that day on, the First Sea Bream Slice War began.

Yarai's chopstick strike blocked the dwarf's powerful grab, and Cherina's snake-like fork movements flew. The chef, rushing in without a plan, was thrown by the three, and in the gap, Narnia stole the slice.

It was a true war.

The five's minds, techniques, and bodies clashed, and the result was a mountain of corpses after a dirty psychological battle and strategic maneuvering.

...Hey, come back.

"I can make more..."

I sighed, and everyone seemed to come back to their senses, getting up sheepishly.

"Y-Yes, we can make more. Hugo, the recipe?"

"I saw it clearly. I remember the taste. The seasonings are tricky, but I'll try."

"Sorry, I lost myself."

"I'll reflect."

"Um... I'm sorry, Lady Cherina."

"It's okay, Narnia. I learned that everyone is equal before delicious food. I'm even grateful."

Cherina and Narnia held hands and nodded. Do as you please.

"Then, can we move on to the next dish?"

"Of course!"

You guys are getting along well.

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I look forward to your reviews, bookmarks, and comments (comments are accepted in activity reports).

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