Chapter 56

"What does this mean, Baron?"

At the newly opened izakaya, another troublesome customer had arrived.

One of the two customers had been to this place before.

Baron Brantano.

A noble with a territory near the ancient capital, he was a great lover of card games.

He had made the unreasonable request to reserve the izakaya for an entire night, but after eating the katsu sandwich made by Shinobu and praising it, he had left.

The problem was the other person.

Shinobu couldn't figure out the identity of the white-haired old man who spoke rudely to the Baron.

He was beautifully dressed and held a small, round-bodied instrument similar to a guitar under his arm. Shinobu couldn't guess his profession at all.

"I heard that I would be treated to a feast by the renowned gourmet Baron, so I came all the way from the imperial capital. But the banquet is to be held at this izakaya. Could it be that I inadvertently offended Baron Brantano in some way, and this elaborate invitation is his way of getting back at me?"

"That's not it. Not at all, Clovinkel."

As soon as the name Clovinkel was mentioned, Godohart and Alnu, who happened to be there, turned to look.

Shinobu wondered if they knew each other, but she couldn't imagine how the master of the water transport guild and the prodigal son could have any connections.

"The food here is excellent, Clovinkel. I'm sure you remember the commotion at Princess Hildegarde's wedding, don't you?"

"The Ankakejudorf incident, you mean. I recall that it was settled with the conclusion that the young princess's imagined dish did not exist in the Eastern Kingdom. Has something new happened around Baron Brantano since then?"

"Clovinkel, this is the place. This is the place that served Ankakejudorf. I also like it very much."

Baron Brantano dramatically praised the izakaya.

However, Godohart and Alnu seemed more interested in something else. They kept glancing at Clovinkel as if he were a celebrity.

"Really! I didn't know that place actually existed. Despite the many imperial nobles searching for it, Baron Brantano managed to find it. I deeply regret the impolite things I said earlier, even if it was a misunderstanding."

"No, it's fine. But it's not good to come to a bar and not enjoy the food or drinks. Let's order something right away."

"Yes, yes, let's do that."

Shinobu, who had already placed the hot towels and appetizers, was called over by Baron Brantano with an elegant gesture.

"I'll have two 'Toriaezunama.'"

"Yes, two draft beers."

He seemed rather pleased, probably because he had done some research on the place beforehand.

The last time he came, he left a gold coin as payment for the katsu sandwich, so he might be a rather playful noble.

"Also, could you recommend some dishes? Preferably something warm."

"Yes, something warm."

"There's no need to refuse, just order something delicious. After all, it's for the bard Clovinkel."

"Oh!"

Hearing the word "bard," something clicked in Shinobu's mind.

Hadn't Godohart mentioned a poet named Clovinkel? And wasn't Alnu aiming to become one?

No wonder they had been looking at him with such bright eyes.

Shinobu turned to tell this to Nobuyuki, but it seemed he had already noticed.

He had a mysterious smile on his face as he prepared the dishes for the two gourmets.

"Here you are."

"Hmm, this is interesting."

Nobuyuki had chosen oyster gratin for the order.

Usually, he didn't go for overly elaborate dishes, but sometimes he liked to try something different.

He had placed the oysters, which were cooked in a white sauce to seal in their flavor, in their shells.

It looked fun and tasted good. To Shinobu, the seasoning seemed a bit too old-fashioned for the ancient capital, but it was a matter of personal taste.

How would the two gourmets judge it?

"Using the oyster shells for the gratin is quite interesting. I remember a chef in the Eastern Kingdom who had a similar idea, using a hollowed-out watermelon to serve sweetened fruits. That was interesting too, but this is quite excellent."

"The taste is also quite good, Clovinkel. The cooking of the oysters is just right."

Baron Brantano finished the gratin in two bites and moved on to the next oyster. His long fingers elegantly pinched the shell, a refined gesture.

In contrast, Clovinkel held the first oyster in his mouth, deep in thought.

"Um, did you not like it?"

Shinobu couldn't help but ask, but Clovinkel didn't respond.

He just savored the gratin, eyes closed, and murmured softly.

Such a customer was rare.

His manner reminded her of the undercover inspector who had come to the ryotei Yuki-tsuna.

"I see."

Unlike his usual loquaciousness, Clovinkel said only one word and took a sip from his beer.

His expression gave no hint of whether he was satisfied or not.

"How was it, Clovinkel? It's quite good, isn't it?"

"Yes, Baron."

"What, you didn't like the gratin?"

"No, that's not it."

Clovinkel cleared his throat and stared intently at Nobuyuki.

Nobuyuki also turned to face him.

The bard and the chef exchanged glances, as if measuring each other's skills.

Clovinkel was the first to speak.

"This is very delicious, but it's not your true style, is it?"

"…You are correct."

Nobuyuki bowed respectfully.

In such situations, Nobuyuki didn't tell lies. He had been well-trained by Tawara, the head chef of ryotei Yuki-tsuna.

"I have great trust in Baron Brantano's palate. If he recommends a place, I want to savor the essence of its cuisine."

Shinobu was at a loss.

The katsu sandwich that had pleased the Baron last time was made by her. However, it would complicate things if she mentioned it, so she kept quiet.

"I will order from the owner. Please serve me your most confident dish now."

"Understood."

"If the taste can satisfy me, I will grant you one wish."