Chapter 209: Chapter 209 - The Village Festival and the Proposal for the Local Specialty (1/3)
Chapter 209: The Village Festival and the Proposal for the Local Specialty (1/3)
Three days later . Evening .
Most of the villagers had gathered at the village square . Bonfires, large pots, and tables could be found everywhere . On the tables were all sorts of dishes .
Just as I heard on the boat yesterday, the mouse inn blocked the river connecting downstream, and the numbers of the mud salamander greatly dwindled . Moreover, word from the Fishing Association came, informing Shikumu Village and the other villages and fishermen that the fishing season was finally coming to a close .
Presently, preparations are underway at the village square to celebrate the end of the fishing season . The ingredients to be used are either purchased from the town or from the last haul this year . It’s already mostly done though, and it won’t be long before the party starts .
And— Speak of the devil…
“The feudal lord is here!” [Villager]
A male villager ran into the square to announce the arrival of the feudal lord .
At that, the village headman and the rest of the village authorities gathered to welcome him .
I mixed in with the crowd at the rearmost and headed to the beach .
We got to the beach at roughly the same time as the feudal lord made land .
“Welcome!” [Village Head]
“Village Headman-dono, thank you for giving us such a warm welcome . ” [Porco]
After the feudal lord greeted the village headman, he greeted me next .
“And Ryoumkun . Thank you for the invitation . I’m looking forward to tonight’s festivities . ”[Porco]
“Thank you too for going out of your way to visit . ” [Ryouma]
A few days ago after cleaning the hot springs .
When the feudal lord had given the task to clean the hot spring, he mentioned that he was also hoping to find a local specialty for his territory, but this request was only said in passing, as his main concern was the hot spring .
After I cleaned the hot springs, I was reminded of the feudal lord’s request, so I invited him to the End of Fishing Season Festival, so I could give him a taste of my cooking .
Of course, the feudal lord could have refused, but fortunately, he did not .
Thanks to that, he can be with us tonight .
Accompanying the feudal lord were the two dragon newts and Piguu-san . There was also another male from the pig tribe with him . Along the way I found out that he was none other than the head chef of the count .
The End of Fishing Season Festival immediately started as soon as we got back to the square .
There was no fixed time for when the festival would begin . It could start whenever everything was ready and everyone was present .
This time the village headman and the feudal lord gave some opening remarks, but they were just perfunctory, and they didn’t take much time .
After that, at a corner of the village square…
The feudal lord and his escorts were led to the special seat placed beside the idol I prayed to before .
I had my special made magic cooking tool set placed on the side .
The head chef of the feudal lord was the first one to react .
“Ohh… A sophisticated and portable magic cooking tool set . There are four large pots and a large stove that can be placed on an iron plate . Amazing . ” [Head Chef]
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“I’m acquainted with a skilled craftsman, so I was able to get this custom made . I’m an adventurer, so there are times when I have to stay out in the wilds, but as much as possible I want to eat delicious food . Fortunately, I can use dimension magic, so carrying stuff that’s a little bigger isn’t a problem for me . ” [Ryouma]
“Bufu, I see you’re quite the gourmand too . I’ve seen many adventurers, but it’s my first time seeing an adventurer walk around with something custom ordered like this . And that inscription . Is this from the recently renowned dinome’s magic tool workshop?” [Porco]
Looks like the feudal lord also knows about Dinome’s Workshop .
“Eagle eyes, Porco-sama . As you’ve said, this is indeed a product of Dinome’s Workshop . ” [Ryouma]
“As a noble, it is only natural that I be aware of what’s in vogue . Otherwise I won’t be able to converse with other nobles . ” [Porco]
He sent me a wry smile that seemed to say, ‘You understand, right?’ As I thought, being a noble must be tough .
“Now then, I shall be making the dish I wish to propose . Personally, I think it’s delicious, but I shall leave you gentlemen to be the judge of that .
I’ve already completed my preparations, so this won’t take long . That being said, I also have other dishes prepared here for the festival’s sake, so feel free to eat while waiting . ” [Ryouma]
“I’m looking forward to it . What kind of dishes have you prepared?” [Porco]
“I would recommend the ‘oden’ over here . The villagers who tasted it say that it’s like the common soup made extravagant .
It has fish and tofu for its ingredients, as well as processed vegetables and root crops . If you eat it with grated horas, it has a taste akin to that of the soup common around these parts, giving it a familiar taste that’s easy to like .
Other than the oden, there’s also the Agedashi Tofu (Fried Tofu), the Hamburger Tofu, and the Inari Sushi . I was only able to make these thanks to the cooperation of the tofu makers—” [Ryouma]
“Inari sushi? Did you say inari sushi?” [Kichomaru]
“Ah, yes . Inari sushi . ” [Ryouma]
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? One of the dragon newts looked like he couldn’t wait anymore . If I recall correctly, he should be Kichomaru-dono . Just as I was wondering if he was fond of inari sushi, the feudal lord spoke .
“Kichomaru-dono can only eat certain food as part of his training . ” [Porco]
“I see . ” [Ryouma]
Well, it can’t be helped if that’s his belief . Would it have been better if I asked beforehand what they could and couldn’t eat? Just as I was thinking that to myself…
“But there’s an exception to everything . And one exception should be the inari sushi . ” [Porco]
“Yes . Inari Sushi, Tempura, and Sukiyaki, de gozaru . ” [Kichomaru]
That explanation shocked me .
The exempted food were akin to a foreigner’s image of Japan . It was then that I remembered about something I heard from Asagi-san back when I’d just gotten out of Gimuru .
The dragon newt village was founded by an otherworlder . And it was founded by a foreigner who had the wrong idea about Japan and samurai culture . Is that the reason why?
“That’s good to hear then . At least you have something you can eat . By the way, there’s sukiyaki too, and there’s oil too, so we can prepare tempura too if you want . The end product might not be exactly the same as you remember them, though . ” [Ryouma]
“Oh my! I-In that case, could I have some inari sushi? And some sukiyaku and tempura too?” [Kichomaru]
“Of course . Also, there are still other dishes like the ones that use rice – ‘Chimaki (cake wrapped in bamboo leaves)’ and ‘Takikomi Gohan (rice seasoned and cooked with various ingredients)’ . And there’s also ‘Kinpira Gobou (chopped burdock root cooked in sugar and soy sauce)’, ‘Deep-Fried Stuffed Lotus Root’, and ‘Mustard Filled Lotus Root’ . ” [Ryouma]
“We’ll have one of everything then . ” [Porco]
“Alright then . ” [Ryouma]
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I passed the feudal lord’s order to the village headman and had him prepare it .
Meanwhile, those that were already prepared beforehand were either added into the soup or steamed or fried or deep fried…
“Hmm . I see you added the minced fish and crushed tofu as is and just mixed everything along with the vegetables before frying . With so many ingredients, one can never have enough . ”
“This lightly deep-fried tofu’s coating is full of flavor . It has a gentle taste to it . ” [Piguu]
“This deep-fried stuffed lotus root is great . I’ve always been a sucker for lotus roots . ” [Porco]
“I’ve always found inari sushi mysterious since I never saw it back at my hometown, but I have to say, it’s pretty good . ” [Kichomaru]
“The Takikomi Gohan and the Kinpara can be found at the village too . This taste . It’s so nostalgic, de gowasu…” [Tairyuzan]
As the feudal lord and the rest of his entourage gave their praise for the food, I prepared the sauce for the finishing touch . It’s ready!
“Sorry to keep you waiting . This here is the dish I wish to propose . It’s called ‘Gyoza’!” [Ryuoma]
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