Chapter 75

Ignatz and Camille visited the izakaya Nobu at lunchtime the next day.

Although there was no noren (curtain) out, it seemed that the shop was serving lunch to regular customers. Two or three customers were enjoying their meals, looking delicious. Ignatz thought GeaNote would come too, but there was no sign of him.

They had visited the place a couple of times before, and it was indeed a unique shop. Given the exotic atmosphere of this place, it might provide some clues for a new way to sell the rice.

"Welcome, I've heard about you from GeaNote."

The one who greeted them was a waiter named Shinobu, along with another waitress and an additional cook. The waitress named Aifa, who usually ran around the shop cutely, was not there at this time.

"We're trying to figure out how to serve this Sasarika rice."

The bag he handed over contained milled Sasarika rice. Compared to the Komune rice commonly eaten in the Holy Kingdom, it had shorter grains and became slightly sticky when cooked.

"Sasarika rice, huh."

Shinobu took a handful of Sasarika rice from the heavy bag, sniffed it, and then passed it to Taisyo.

"It doesn't have the aroma of Thai rice... it feels more like Japanese rice."

As he spoke, Taisho immediately started measuring the contents of the bag and began washing it with water. His movements were so practiced, as if he had done it thousands of times.

Another cook watched Taisho's efficient washing with keen interest.

"So, what do you plan to do with this rice, boss?"

Shinobu, who had been checking the texture of the Sasarika rice, asked Taisho.

"According to GeaNote, the quantity is significant, so it's difficult for us alone to handle it. What do you think, Shinobu?"

"Even if a small boom like the eel bento happens, we can't use a warehouse full of rice in our shop."

"Yeah, I've been thinking about that for a while."

The sound of washing rice echoed in the shop.

A well-built man, who seemed to be a regular, was eating tempura while watching them with interest. Unable to hold back, he finally spoke up.

"Shinobu, what's going on?"

"These are Ignatz and Camille from the EisenSchmidt Trading Company. They've bought too much rice, enough to fill a warehouse. Arnu, do you have any good ideas?"

"Rice, you mean... indeed, it's not commonly eaten around here."

The staple food in the ancient city was bread or porridge. There was no custom of eating rice.

"So, you're looking for a solution in our shop?"

"It's quite a challenge. I don't know much, but does rice keep well?"

"Once it's milled, it needs to be eaten soon, but if it's left as brown rice, it can last for a long time."

"I see."

The customer named Arnu crossed his arms, but it didn't seem like he could offer much help. What kind of wisdom could a man who looked like a playboy provide?

Perhaps this wasn't the right place to be doing this.

It was the time of food shortages in winter. If they bowed their heads to a few introductions, they might be able to sell some. Perhaps they should start with that first.

Taisyo, who had finished washing the Sasarika rice, began cutting vegetables and chicken into bite-sized pieces.

"Are you making a mixed rice dish?"

"Indeed, Shinobu. I think it's easier for people who aren't used to it if it has some flavor."

"What about fried rice or pilaf?"

"I think a mixed rice dish would be better for Sasarika rice. Fried rice and pilaf require a lot of heat."

The mention of heat finally gave a hint of what Taisho was thinking.

After making the mixed rice dish popular in the izakaya Nobu, they could encourage people to make it at home.

That way, they could use more rice than just in one shop and reach people who couldn't come to the shop.

"Let's try some of our rice dishes while we wait for the Sasarika mixed rice. Hans, bring it over."

Another young-looking cook responded with a vigorous "Yes!" and brought plates to Ignatz and Camille. Taisyo explained:

"It's a grilled rice ball."

The rice ball, coated with a sauce and grilled, had a irresistible aroma. The first bite revealed a crispy exterior and a soft, crumbling interior. It was delicious.

The strong flavor was just right. It was the kind of taste that would make you happy to have something substantial in your stomach after a night of drinking.

However.

Looking at Camille, it seemed he had noticed the same thing.

"Taisyo, about this grilled rice ball..."

"Is there a problem?"

"No, it's very delicious. But how do you make this sauce?"

"..."

When they ate kaisendon at this shop, they used a sauce called shoyu. Ignatz had liked it so much that he tried to find it, but such a seasoning didn't exist in the empire.

"If you use shoyu in the mixed rice, it would be difficult for ordinary households to make it."

A sigh and a thoughtful silence filled the shop.

It was a secret recipe or something they sourced from elsewhere. If it was something only used in Nobu, they couldn't use it for the Sasarika rice, no matter how delicious it was.

"It might be a bit challenging for people unfamiliar with rice to enjoy it on its own."

Shinobu nodded in agreement with Taisho's murmur.

"What about making it into a rice ball with toppings?"

"Would people who enjoy rice balls in our shop make them at home? Even if it's just cooking and shaping the rice."

"Wouldn't that be the same for grilled rice balls?"

"This was made just to get Ignatz and Camille to try the rice... but this is a tough one..."

From there, various ideas were exchanged.

Isaac, a companion of Arnu, suggested using fish sauce from the Bolganga fish as a substitute for shoyu, but the waitress Leonitine shook her head.

The Bolganga fish sauce, made from small fish commonly caught in the ancient city, had a similar saltiness to shoyu but a strong odor. While it could be mitigated with ginger, Leonitine thought it had too many drawbacks for cooking with Sasarika rice.

"If Leonitine says so, it might indeed be difficult."

Shinobu put her hand on her chin and fell silent.

Various ideas came and went, but time passed cruelly. Arnu whispered something to Isaac, who shook his head.

Without the pleasant aroma from the pot, someone might have started shouting under the heavy pressure.

Just as the light through the glass door was changing from afternoon to evening, someone knocked on the door of the izakaya Nobu.

"Sorry, we're not open yet today."

"Shinobu, it's me. GeaNote, the tax collector."

GeaNote, who entered, was acting calm as usual, but he was sweating slightly, as if he knew something.

Just as Ignatz was about to explain the situation, GeaNote bowed politely to Arnu.

"May the Marquis Saknussemm be in good health."

The unfamiliar title of "Marquis" made Ignatz look at Arnu closely. He remembered that the lord of Saknussemm had changed at the beginning of the year, and it had been a big topic.

He had heard that the new lord was young, but he hadn't expected him to be so young.

"Alright. I'm just a playboy here at the izakaya Nobu. So, you were looking for me? What's the matter?"

"Yes. There's something I need your approval for."

GeaNote handed a piece of parchment to Arnu. It was high-quality paper used for official documents.

A smile appeared on Arnu's lips as he glanced at the document, and it grew larger.

"Interesting, you've come up with a good idea."

When Arnu passed the parchment to Isaac, Isaac's mood quickly soured. Curious about what was written, Isaac tossed the parchment to Camille.

"Um, what... Memorandum of Purchase of Poverty Relief Food Reserves from the EisenSchmidt Trading Company by the House of Saknussemm? Wait, what is this?"

Camille, in a panic, handed the document to Ignatz, who read it.

The document stated that the House of Saknussemm would purchase the Sasarika rice at a fair price. Of course, it was unsigned.

Unable to contain his amusement, Arnu asked GeaNote:

"You're acting on your own, GeaNote."

"I discussed it with the head of the EisenSchmidt Trading Company and the butler of the House of Saknussemm. I don't think the content is unreasonable."

"Indeed, the House of Saknussemm was looking to buy food reserves for poverty relief at a low price. How did you find out?"

"As a tax collector, I keep an eye on the grain market. I noticed that a significant amount of reserves were released during the poor harvest two years ago, so I assumed they didn't have much grain left."

Rice met the condition of being easy to store.

It was also very cheap, bought at a third of the usual price. If the House of Saknussemm bought it, they could sell it at a much lower price.

"So, what do you think, Isaac?"

"As I said before, I'm against it."

It seemed Arnu had been thinking the same thing. Despite being a marquis, he had a good point, but why was he opposed?

"Storage space?"

"Yes. The only place in the House of Saknussemm that can store the amount of grain that would fill the trading company's warehouse is the tax storage. However, it's... "

"Only wheat is allowed, right?"

The nobility were surprisingly traditional. He had heard that only one type of crop could be stored in a warehouse.

"I have a solution for that."

GeaNote took out another piece of parchment from his pocket.

"I see, you're using that place."

"That place?"

Unable to hold back, Camille asked, and Isaac, who had been peeking at the parchment, answered:

"You might know the name if you're from the EisenSchmidt Trading Company. There was a troublemaker named Damian who caused a lot of problems in the ancient city a while ago. He was employed by the Baxeshof Trading Company and bought a small mansion in the suburbs as his base of operations."

"And now, that mansion is managed by the House of Saknussemm."

Arnu laughed and patted GeaNote's shoulder several times.

"Good job. It's a great idea. I've seen the place, and it's indeed larger than an ordinary warehouse and close to the ancient city. It's perfect for storing grain."

"Thank you."

"By the way, GeaNote. If Nobu had come up with an innovative new dish that solved the problem, what would you have done?"

In response to the mischievous question, GeaNote bowed deeply and answered:

"In that case, I would have enjoyed the meal and kept the parchment in my pocket. As long as the tax is collected, it's not a problem."

As laughter filled the izakaya Nobu, Shinobu called out to everyone:

"The mixed rice is ready!"

When the lid of the pot was lifted, a soft, fragrant steam rose. Ignatz's stomach, which had only had a grilled rice ball for lunch, growled.

Hans served the rice into bowls, and Leonitine efficiently set the table.

Taking a spoonful, he took the first bite.

The flavor was well-infused. It was completely different from just cooked rice.

The chopped ingredients served as toppings, making the bowl a complete dish.

It was delicious no matter where or how much he ate.

Before he knew it, he had finished his first bowl.

"Brother, this is delicious."

"I could eat this every day..."

Camille's comment made GeaNote, who had ordered spaghetti, chuckle and say, "Don't worry, there's enough to eat every day."

Arnu and Isaac were already on their second bowls when a new customer, attracted by the aroma, opened the glass door and entered.

"Welcome!"

"Thanks."

"The mixed rice is recommended today."

Watching the customers enjoy the mixed rice, Ignatz and Camille patted each other on the shoulder.