Chapter 56

Our enemies aren’t the followers of the Sacred Yggdrasil; it’s Saint Yggdra, the nation with it as its state religion… I mean, I guess so.

“Muu muu, muuu.”

Muu doesn’t seem like he cares at all.

“Let us eat.”

“Let’s!”

It’s not like I have anything against other religions. And even if I did, it wouldn’t do me any good.

“Alright, give it a try.”

We immediately begin our meal.

“Hmm… what an odd texture, this fish. But it’s good.”

“I’m glad you enjoy it.”

“The meat too… it is juicy and tender. I have had something similar at a noble’s feast.

Celes critiques between bites of food.

“It’s strange, but good, Yukihisa.”

“Thanks.”

“It’s good, but the texture of the fish is not for me.”

Arleaf criticizes my faux-eel while forcing a smile on her face.

“Indeed, it has a peculiar flavor, but I enjoy it more than the meat. The skin on it is well-charred and I bet it would be great with some ale.”

Well, different strokes for different folks.

To pair grilled eel with bread is certainly odd. Too bad Arleaf doesn’t like it.

Let me try it too.

Mm… it’s not definitely not great when compared with the plain salted version.

It’s quite a good substitute for eel if you’ve had it before though.

And even the well-marbled meat is a little strange.

“Perhaps it is the savoriness, but it is delicious. I am thoroughly enjoying my meal.”

“Mm… maybe it needs more time in the marinade.”

I get that just because the meat feels marbled doesn’t absolutely mean it’d be yummy.

Not only does everybody have their own taste, but getting rave reviews is a whole different animal.

It’s understandable. Kinda like how sometimes you might think a dish is good, but you’re not sure if you’d order it again.

The tenderized meat definitely got more umami and more delicious, but maybe the umami feels almost artificial.

Well, transforming this ugly duckling into a swan is all I can do.

“By the way, how much money do you think this meat costed?”

“Hmm? Quite a sum, aye? It is fit for the wealthy and the nobles.”

“The truth is that each piece was only about 10 lag.”

“Wha—… these are but meat scraps then?”

“Yep, just plain ol’ Mimosa Wild Boar. And the toughest cut to boot.”

“What the—?! But, it’s so…”

Celes shifts her bewildered stare between me and the boar steak.

“Surely, you jest! There is no way this grade of meat would be sold for so little…”

“Ah, I have my secrets. But think about it. Would I so freely serve such expensive meat?”

“Hmpf… you are the Cohgray who cured Master Wayne after all. For you to be able to craft so delicious a steak would not be unthinkable.”

Oh, that’s a good segue.

“Spoilers alert, but I used a watered-down mixture of Wayne’s medicine to marinate this meat. Ah, but, of course, it’s safe to eat.”