kscans

Chapter 266 - Luncheon

"The appetizer, from Central Garden's Tritt Company."

"We have prepared fresh cheese, prosciutto made from Imperial pork, and smoked boiled eggs. Please enjoy them with your aperitif."

Just as our wine glasses were refilled, the first dish arrived. It looked rather ordinary. The young woman who had just stood to present was named Rilka, if I recalled correctly. She was said to be at the center of Central Garden's private network.

I had heard that both Alfina and Luiza relied on her. She could not be taken lightly. Still, for such a beautiful young woman, she was still unmarried?

…And yet, every bite was a delight.

A soft cheese, the likes of which I had never tasted, melted along with the bubbles of the wine. The prosciutto had a rich umami that was not overpowered by the wine's fizz. And the smoked boiled egg, its yolk was perfectly soft in the center. It appeared each of the sauces had been crafted with great care as well.

"Magnificent. Rilka Tritt was the one who coordinated this menu, I understand. I take it the prosciutto and these sauces are a combination of each company's specialty."

At my words, Rilka bowed her head humbly. The attendees, regardless of their rank, seemed surprised. It was only natural, since I had gone out of my way to remember the name and role of a commoner girl. This one young woman is more important than the majority of you.

"The salad."

A deep dish was brought before us. It was a salad, to be sure, but its beauty bloomed as if a flower bed had been spread upon the table. Roses, the symbol of the royal family, were at its center, with flowers of various colors decorating the surface.

"This is a salad featuring edible flowers gathered from all over the kingdom."

A young woman named Sherry explained. It was so beautiful I felt it was a shame to disturb it.

"What is it?" I asked my brother-in-law, who was staring intently at the salad.

"It is just that... some of these flowers should have already withered for the season."

So Yelberg, with his deep knowledge of horticulture, could tell. Judging by the salad's crisp texture, it was certain the flowers had not been rehydrated.

I see. They have not only gathered them from across the kingdom, but transcended time itself. The Belmini Company deals in vegetables, I believe. I suppose I must consider other crops beyond wheat.

She had given a rather plain impression, but she took a simple dish like a salad and made it beautiful, and that was merely what was on the surface.

"Your skill in bringing together not only the beans and herbs that saved that eastern mountain village, but flowers from across the entire kingdom onto a single plate is truly splendid."

Ordinarily, I would praise her by comparing her to a flower, but as she is an unmarried woman, I must avoid any strange speculation.

Still, the main course and dessert are yet to come.

The nobles were already overwhelmed by the luxury poured into just these two dishes. Even the merchants, who at first were concerned only with the movements of those of us at the head table, were now gazing intently at their plates. My two brothers-in-law... the one from Grynisias was still reeling from the first drink, and Tembelg looked pale as well.

"For the main course, we have used beef."

On the plate were thin slices of perfectly round, bright red meat, and beside it, a piece of meat with a complex, honeycomb-like shape. A black sauce was drizzled over the red slices. This appears to be uncooked, however.

"First, so that you may savor the flavor of the meat itself, we present seared beef thigh. We have taken the center of a beef thigh aged to its peak flavor and seared the surface over a charcoal fire."

Everyone stared, startled by Dalgan's explanation. The outside was slightly cooked, but it was almost completely raw.

"Your Majesty. You cannot possibly eat something like this."

Tembelg's son tried to stop me. He was fond of hunting, if I recall. The other participants also seemed hesitant. It was not as if I had no reservations myself. But considering the magical tool that was the real mastermind behind this luncheon…

"If Dalgan has prepared it, there must be a deliberate reason for it. This looks interesting."

I speared a piece of the red meat with my fork and, making sure everyone could see, popped it into my mouth. The powerful flavor of the nearly raw meat, combined with a sauce made from wine vinegar, was truly delicious. No preservatives had been used at all. And for raw thigh meat, its tenderness was…

"The other is…"

"I see. To be able to enjoy this in the Royal Capital is, in its own way, a luxury."

I spoke before Dalgan could finish his explanation. It was stewed beef stomach. I had eaten it once before, mingling with soldiers at a camp. I had found its gamy taste off-putting then, but when properly prepared, it became this delectable. The texture was interesting as well.

Ah, Tembelg's son has frozen up. I wish he would try a little harder. What does he think this balance is for?

"Is this magnificent meat from that ranch I once visited?"

"Yes. We sought the cooperation of the ranchers."

"Hmm, speaking of which, I hear you will be marrying soon. Allow me to offer my congratulations as well."

"I, I am most grateful for this honor."

Dalgan stood ramrod straight. The surrounding nobles began to murmur again. Do you not understand that his marriage may be more important to the kingdom than any of yours? Or rather, can you not see how this single dish is deeply connected to the management of your own domains?

No, a few of them were tasting it with intense concentration. They likely hold lands where animal husbandry is prevalent.

"For dessert, we have chocolate. Three varieties."

As this was a luncheon, this would be the final dish. Plural Company's confections were renowned even in the Royal Capital. Especially famous was their chocolate, made from an Imperial fruit called cacaulus. As my coronation approached, a great deal of it was sent to me and those around me. It was an appeal to me, as I placed great importance on Central Garden.

It was an extremely important product for trade with the Empire. There was no doubt it was delicious, but to be honest, I was growing a little tired of it.

On the plate, square pieces of black confectionary were arranged in a convex shape. There was nothing else. I had expected ice cream, given the season. No, the plate itself is chilled.

"Please enjoy them starting from the top."

I brought the topmost, darkest piece to my mouth. The moment my teeth touched it, they sank in naturally with only the slightest resistance. It then melted softly in my mouth. The aroma of cacaulus filled my senses. Mmm, this is sensual. It is not very sweet, but that is also good. The aroma, the texture, and the richness. It appeared strong, yet I was convinced it was a delicately constructed flavor.

What was different about the one below? Its cross section was tinged with green. A slightly cloying bitterness fought for dominance with the cacaulus. It was a strange combination, but an addictive one. The last piece filled my mouth with a strong spirit. Had a distilled liquor been kneaded into it? The fragrances of cacaulus and alcohol intertwined on my palate, creating an irresistible sensation.

"This is a chocolate whose melt-in-the-mouth quality has been enhanced by increasing the amount of cream and then chilling it twice."

Plural explained. I see, so after chilling it normally, they flash froze it for a short time.

"A flavor both delicate and rich, one that could be called noble. Truly the king of confections. The way each is crafted to avoid becoming tiresome despite its richness is also magnificent."

I realized I had said too much. If the king defines something as the "king of confections," the effects will linger.

"Yes, I devised it together with Natalie from the Vinder Company, who also deals in confectionary."

"Well now, if it is a collaboration between two famous shops whose names echo throughout the kingdom and the Empire, then this flavor is understandable. I see, this green is from that herb."

I had not been informed of this relationship. I must order an investigation later.

"Today's offerings have all been delicious, of course, but they are things I have neither seen nor heard of before. From what I can tell, they do not seem easily replicable. I would like to hear the secret soon. Lord of Calamity."

I looked at Ricardo. The gazes of all present focused on the host. It was hard to tell who the main character was here.

"The final offering from Central Garden is that answer."

The court magician Noel and his apprentices appeared. Behind them, a rectangular object was carried in. When the cloth covering it was removed, a square box was revealed. It looked like a simple, rugged metal box, but this was that magical tool.

"Through the improvements made to Natoas's magic catalysts by visiting professor Princess Maytyl, we have developed a new magical tool based on spiral flame sorcery. We call it the Winter Box. It can lower the temperature inside the box to that of the winter season and maintain it all year round."

Noel announced. The three standing behind him must be the key members of the Central Garden school. It seems Noel has more talent for this sort of thing than Fulsy. Should I find that reassuring? Depending on the situation, I could perhaps poach one of them for the Magic Dormitory.

No, the fact is they have created a magical tool I have never even heard of in such a short period. I established the university to monitor and research the ley lines, but I must reconsider its role from the ground up.