Chapter 33

Johann-Gustav had not visited this shop for a very long time.

He remembered that the last time he came, it was still cold.

Before his capricious niece's marriage, he had taken her out to the town for at least some memorable experience, and fortunately, this shop was where they ended up.

"Johann-Gustav, this shop?"

"Yes, Uncle. Isn't it a rather intriguing place?"

This evening, Johann-Gustav also had a companion.

Not as troublesome as the niece he brought the other day, but still a bit of a difficult person.

It was hard to imagine what this vigorous uncle, whose hair was dyed silver, would eat at an izakaya.

The early summer sunlight was so intense that it made sweat bead on their foreheads even at dusk.

On such a day, he thought it would be interesting to come to this shop and cool off with a certain drink, so he brought his uncle along.

"Excuse me."

"Welcome!"

"…Welcome."

When he pulled open the glass door, a cold draft and a spirited voice flowed out from inside. The shop had been warm when he came in winter, so there must be some kind of arrangement.

"It's quite empty today."

While offering his uncle a seat at the counter, Johann-Gustav asked the server.

He thought the shop would be busier, but he was grateful for this good fortune today.

"The city is on edge before the meeting the day after tomorrow."

"Oh, I see."

The mention of the meeting made him understand.

In two days, a small conference would be held in the ancient capital.

The representatives of the three territories that had openly expressed their intention to secede from the empire would be welcomed by the imperial side.

Although there was an incident where the chairman of the ancient capital council, Backes-Hof, was dismissed just before the meeting, it was successfully held thanks to the efforts of other council members.

The empire's policy is to prevent secession, but the three territories seem to view the empire as an old pig and look down on it, so most people expect the meeting to be difficult, as Johann-Gustav has heard.

"That's a disaster for izakayas, isn't it?"

"Not really. It's a problem if it's always slow, but on days like this, we can take our time and serve our customers well."

With a smile, the server placed the otoshi on the table.

The small dish contained what looked like a fish dish.

"Hmm, is this herring?"

"No, it's not herring. This is small horse mackerel in a Nanban marinade."

"Nanban marinade, I've never heard of that."

"Once the small horse mackerel is fried, it's marinated in a sweet and sour sauce. Sometimes we serve it fresh, but as it gets hotter, we serve it after marinating it a bit."

"Hmm."

His uncle, now interested, brought a piece of the small horse mackerel to his mouth with a fork.

Johann-Gustav followed suit.

The sourness was not unpleasant at all.

A refreshing sweet and sour taste, a slight spiciness, and the flavor of the fish spread in the mouth. It was delicious.

Johann-Gustav, as a noble, had eaten various dishes prepared by skilled chefs, but only a few from the Eastern Kingdom could create such delicate flavors.

"This is delicious, Johann-Gustav."

"Yes, Uncle. The sourness is wonderful. Even in the summer when appetite wanes, this is something I could eat."

"Indeed. But, the sourness is well-balanced by a hidden spiciness, isn't it?"

His uncle picked up a small red ring hidden in the small dish with his fork.

It certainly looked spicy.

"You're right. It's called a bird's eye chili, and its spiciness enhances the flavor of the dish."

The server's explanation made both Johann-Gustav and his uncle exchange glances.

"Bird's eye chili, huh. A spice fitting for you, Uncle."

"Indeed, Johann-Gustav. This might be a good omen."

The server, who didn't understand what was going on, smiled.

"By the way, miss. I'm sorry, but I think this Nanban marinade would go very well with alcohol."

"Yes! What would you like?"

"An ale, would be fine, Johann-Gustav?"

"The last time I came, it was called Triaezunama."

Mentioning that name, the server, the owner, and even the dishwashing girl all looked apologetic.

"I'm sorry, sir. We're not serving Triaezunama right now."

The owner bowed, but his uncle was not one to back down.

"That's a problem. One of the reasons I came to this shop tonight is to drink that Triaezunama. I would like to make a special request."

"I've heard about the Backes-Hof incident. If you have any in stock, could you let Uncle have some?"

The server and the owner exchanged glances and nodded. They must be in sync. The server immediately disappeared behind the counter.

"Today, as a special favor."

A golden liquid was poured into the mugs that were brought out.

His uncle's eyes were sharp as he observed the fine bubbles. After a while, he rubbed his palms together and faced the mug.

"Then, I'll be going ahead."

As his uncle's throat made a sound, the golden liquid in the mug smoothly flowed into his stomach. It was hard to believe he was a seventy-eight-year-old man this year.

Johann-Gustav followed suit. The last time he came, he had brought Hildegarde and didn't get to savor it properly, but drinking it again, the deliciousness was overwhelming.

With a thud, his uncle put down the empty mug and suddenly burst out laughing.

His uncle, who rarely laughed, was laughing heartily.

"Johann-Gustav! This is a masterpiece! It's a masterpiece!"

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't you hear that someone mistook this for a lager?"

"Yes, Baron Brandano told me that."

Baron Brandano, who had a territory near the ancient capital, was obsessed with this issue and had filed a lawsuit with the imperial parliament to repeal the lager ban on schedule.

It was hard to believe that the haughty man would take such a serious interest in a single izakaya, but the reason was unknown, and it became a topic of conversation in society for a while.

"I don't know if the person who made the mistake has ever tasted a lager, but this is not a 'lager banned by law.' I can testify to that."

"Then, it's an ale?"

"No. It's probably a lager. But, it has a different flavor from the one made by the imperial brewery. The latter is richer, but this one is crisper."

"I see."

"If there's already a lager being made elsewhere, then that decree is meaningless. Even the 'snob' Brandano sometimes says something meaningful."

In a good mood, his uncle ordered another drink. He also asked for another otoshi.

This Nanban marinade goes well with lager.

Johann-Gustav decided to remember the appearance and taste as much as possible to have it made at home.

"Then, sir, what would you like to order for the main dish?"

"Hmm. I'll have fish. The best one you have, please."