Chapter 95

"Father, that's not cooked yet."

Hans lightly chided Laurenz, who was about to reach for the chicken that had just been added. In contrast to Laurenz, who was eager to eat as soon as the meat was added, Hugo had been eating only the bok choy and enoki mushrooms. Hans, who had just added the meat, hadn't eaten much yet. Today, Hans, along with his father and brother, was visiting the izakaya Nobu as a customer during his day off.

"Hugo, eat some meat too. You won't grow if you don't," Hans said.

"Even if I eat meat, I won't grow any bigger. Besides, Father, you should eat more vegetables," Hugo replied.

"I told you to call me Father when we're out of the workshop, Hugo. Hans, today is a celebration, so you should eat more meat. More meat," Hans insisted.

"Alright, alright, I understand."

Raising his hand to call Leontine, Hans ordered three more servings of chicken. Today's hot pot was Mizutaki, and the chicken was delicious. It was Hugo who unexpectedly suggested they eat something delicious to celebrate. The job of polishing lenses, which he had taken on from Thomas, the priest at the cathedral, had gone well.

Even Laurenz, with his skilled hands, couldn't meet the demands, but it was Hugo's persistence that solved the problem. Both Hans and Laurenz knew all too well that Hugo had continued working late into the night in the workshop even after finishing his regular work. It was only natural that Laurenz was more pleased than Hugo when the job was recognized.

"Your skills have really improved."

While drinking an unknown number of cups, Laurenz was in high spirits.

"Father, not Master, you've already told this story five times," Hugo said.

"It's fine, Hugo. A happy story can be told as many times as you want. As many times as you want," Laurenz replied.

Laurenz was drinking from a special glass he had brought, which Hugo had made. Even from Hans's perspective, it was quite good. When it came to thin, artistic work, Laurenz was still superior. The delicate and noble colors of the glass that Laurenz created with his extensive experience were unmatched by other craftsmen.

In contrast, the glasses Hugo made had a gentle quality. The thick glass had a simple taste, and the weight when pouring sake was very comfortable in the hand. Taisyo seemed to like them a lot and was considering ordering a few for personal use. He dipped the tender cabbage in ponzu and ate it, saying "hmm" as he did. In this season, when the cold was still severe, warmth was the best treat. The feeling of warmth spreading from the bottom of his body as he ate was very pleasant.

"Boyo, there's not enough meat."

"Alright, alright, Father. Please wait a moment."

When Laurenz, with his drunken eyes, said this, Hans immediately added more meat to the pot. At Nobu, the person in charge of the hot pot was called Boyo or Nabe-Boyo. According to Shinobu, it was an old word that referred to a position similar to a magistrate, but it had spread among the customers, and several famous Boyos had been born. Incidentally, the most famous Boyo at izakaya Nobu was Epha, and customers who couldn't get their hot pot to work properly would ask her for help.

"Still, today's sake is especially good."

Laurenz's face, as he sipped Kumanoji with a reed, looked incredibly happy. After losing two wives, he had raised his two sons on his own. Hans could only imagine the hardships he had endured. Although Laurenz liked to drink, he often drank to get drunk, perhaps to escape his loneliness. Tonight, however, the sake was clear and pleasant. Hans was also drinking with him, and he could indeed feel that it was more satisfying than usual.

"Then don't drink too much, Father, not Master," Hugo said.

"It's fine, it's not that it tastes bad. It's a good thing that it's satisfying," Laurenz replied.

From the bottom of the bubbling pot, Hans scooped up tofu with a ladle. Among the ingredients of Mizutaki, Hans liked tofu the most. It was soft and unassuming, yet had a solid presence. It reminded him of his brother, Hugo, in some way.

"Boyo, some tofu over here too."

"Brother, you can serve yourself," Hugo said.

"It's fine, Hans. Just for today."

Hugo, who usually didn't drink and couldn't drink, was sipping sake today. He must have been very happy about the success. Until now, lens polishing had been the exclusive domain of the Holy Kingdom, and even the monocles of Geaenaut were ordered from there.

If the reputation of Laurenz's workshop for lens polishing spread, the profits would be significant. In an era where good glass-making skills alone were not enough to differentiate, both Laurenz and Hugo must have been particularly pleased.

"Welcome!"

"Welcome!"

Behind Hans, Shinobu and Taisyo were welcoming new customers. From the sound of it, they were a group of three. Hans couldn't see them, but from the tone of their voices, they seemed to be very close. Laurenz, who had been looking at the faces of the customers at the back table, stopped his chopsticks.

"Hey, isn't that the former emperor?"