Carpaccio
The “Sea Continent” spreading between the Eastern Continent and Western Continent was the only route connecting both continents, yet at the same time was a danger zone where many monsters lived.
Extending to the south of the continent, where powerful monsters were crowded by the “Sea Dragon King” who ruled as the “Blue Emperor”, still every year, the amount of ship who managed to cross over and reach the shore never exceeded the amount of fingers on both hands.
The sirens were one of the monster tribes that lived in the islands that dotted the Sea Continent.
Siren was a monster with the appearance of a beautiful girl with bird wings growing from her back and had bird-like legs.
The magical charmed contained in their songs attracted those who heard their singing to the sea, a dangerous monster who sank countless ships.
That kind of species.
And it was a certain summer day when a young male siren Arius, who had reached the time to leave his nest, decided to go to the “Chimera Killer Island”.
To begin with, it was the proposal of a female Siren named Iris who hatched on the same day as him.
[Hey, Arius! Since it’s time for leave the nest, why don’t we go to the Chimera Killer Island?]
[The Chimera Killer Island… isn’t that the place my grandmother told me not to approach because it’s too dangerous!]
Iris began to talk about the location of an island where dangerous beings lived, and Arius peeled his eyes.
Grandmother… according to her who was the eldest siren and accumulated the most knowledge, in that island there lived “Chimera Killer”.
Chimera Killer. A terrifying human who dominated the island by defeating the powerful monster Chimera which was originally the ruler of the island by himself.
If a siren who was treated as a nuisance by the humans encountered the Chimera Killer, surely their life would be forfeit.
Originally, the relationship between humans and sirens was not good.
They were not actively hostile, but for humans especially those who lived by the sea, they were considered to be troublesome monsters.
Sirens were feared as beautiful female monsters who sunk ships with their singing voice and ate drowning men, but that was not true.
Sure, their singing contained magical charm that could attract humans and other creatures, and all of them were viewed as girls because their appearances looked delicate when flying in the sky and there were few differences between men and women.
In case they were attacked by humans with hostility, they could use their powers to protect themselves.
However, they don’t eat humans. He would never want to eat them.
Grandmother said that the story may arise from the fact that sirens ate fresh raw fish without using any fire to cook it.
It was abnormal for humans to eat fish without cooking it using fire.
With such circumstances, sirens had lived in their islands for hundreds of years without being involved with humans.
Iris’ proposal contradicted it.
[All right. But think about it, it was long before we were hatched when the Chimera Killer appeared, right?]
Iris told her thoughts to the reluctant Arius.
[That’s… that’s right…]
[If that’s the case, won’t the Chimera Killer become weaker with age, and maybe he had already died due to illness or something else?
Then, won’t it be fine to do a little inspection? Since chimera was a strong monster, its domain might be a good island.]
Iris made more reasons.
[Firs
t of all, we can observe from above, if it’s no good we could just fly and run away. Chimera Killer is a human right? Surely he couldn’t fly.]
[U, un. That’s true…]
[Yoshi! Decided! Let’s go since you agreed!]
And Arius took off as Iris pulled him.
Their destination was the Chimera Killer Island… a few months ago, the inhabitant of that island left it.
Then, as the sun reached its peak, both of them fluttered down from the sky.
[Hee… this is Chimera Killer Island… this is a pretty good location.]
[Chimera Killer… he doesn’t seem to be here. That’s good.]
Two of them circled the island from the sky and looked around the island for a human. After confirming that there was no one anywhere, they landed in front of a cave.
[I wonder if this is this the nest of the Chimera Killer…]
[There’s no doubt that he lived here.]
There were signs that the Chimera Killer used the cave as his dwelling.
Under a light hole there was a large vessel to store rainwater and an incompatible wooden shelf along the stone wall.
At the corner of the cave, there was a bedding made of dried hay and next to it was a wooden chest that he must had brought with him when he came to this island.
Lines were engraved on the wall, probably to keep track of the day.
There were so many lines carved that the walls were filled with it and made them know just how long that human had lived there.
(Un? What is this? These lines were carved in a strange way.)
[Are? What is this?]
He was wondering why each six vertical lines were slashed by a diagonal line when Iris found something inside the wooden chest and brought it to Arius.
[Nee Arius, this, do you know what this is?]
As she said so, Iris took out a bag from inside the chest and showed the contents to Arius.
The things that were stored inside were glittering flat stones.
Most of them were silvers while a few golds were mixed inside.
[Aa, these are silver coins and gold coins. Humans use this to exchange various things.]
Arius was taught various things about humans from his grandmother and was familiar with their identities.
[Then… this letter is written in human language.]
There was also a comparatively new parchment that was rolled up inside the bag.
[Let me see…]
Arius read the letter out loud so that Iris could know the content.
“I’m leaving this to the person who found this after I leave. If you are an unfortunate person who drifted to this place, never abandon hope and survive. I had lived here for 20 years, always looking forward to “Satur’s day” that comes once every 7 days. This money is a gift from me to you. You should use it when you visit a door on the hill that appears once every 7 days. Hopefully you will be happy.
Alphonse Cromwell”
[…Satur’s day?]
Arius tilted his head to the words that he didn’t understand.
Was it something that was only known to humans?
It seemed to come once every 7 days.
[A door on the hill? There was nothing there wasn’t it?]
Iris also tilted her head.
After arriving on the island, both of them had circled the island and observed it from the sky.
So they knew the location of the hill that the letter mentioned.
However, there was no door on that hill.
[Un. Perhaps this Alphonse in the letter is the Chimera Killer.]
With a strange letter on hand, Arius pondered what to do now.
[So, what are we going to do? It seems that there’re no dangerous monsters or Chimera Killer on this island for the time being though?]
[That’s true… wait a minute, can we stay here for a while?]
After summarizing his idea, he answered Iris’ question.
[Ok. Originally, I was looking for a place to make a new nest. This island seems to be a good location.]
Iris nodded as if it’s natural and their discussion was concluded.
And after two days both of them settled in the island, “Satur’s day” had arrived.
A black door had appeared instantly on a hill where there was nothing.
It was on the third morning they settled there when they found it.
[Why is there something like this here? It’s not here yesterday.]
Arius found this door and brought Iris to see it.
Even though it was not there yesterday, a black door with a golden handle and a picture of a cat suddenly appeared.
[Perhaps today is “Satur’s day” and this is the door mentioned in the letter…]
This was probably a magical door that was written in the letter.
He did not know what’s beyond it since it’s not mentioned in the letter.
[Let’s enter it anyway! It looks interesting!]
[Un… maa, that’s fine.]
After thinking a little about Iris’ suggestion, Arius decided to go with it.
Anyway, if the letter was correct, there should something to look forward for on the other side of the door.
At least, it shouldn’t be dangerous.
[Okay, I’ll open it.]
Thinking to that point, Arius turned the door’s handle.
‘Chirinchirin’, the door opened with a light bell sound and they both entered a room filled with brightness that felt different from daylight.
[A, good morning! It’s still early, but welcome to Nekoya!]
A little girl with horns who was wiping on of the tables with a cloth noticed Arius and greeted cheerfully.
Her face did not show any fear of sirens and appeared to be welcoming.
[A, aa… what is this place?]
[Yes. This is a restaurant that serves food to customers. There are many demons who are customers too.]
The little girl… Aletta answered Arius’ question without hesitation.
Sirens were also a kind of monster for her, but she did not mind now after serving ogres, lamias, faeries and lizardmen.
[I understand, so what kind of food do you want to order?]
To her question, Arius and Iris nodded to each other.
[Well, if that’s the case… what kind of food do you serve?]
[Food, is it… there’s a variety of items.]
Aletta felt a little troubled answering Arius.
There were so many food selections in this restaurant and Aletta did not know even half of them.
Also, many foreign foods were hard to explain. Especially for tribes that secluded themselves.
[Could you be more specific?]
[E, etto… a, that, that’s right! If you can tell me what you want to eat, I can ask that to the owner!]
After being further questioned, Aletta suggested that.
Naturally, the owner knew all dishes served in the restaurant. Sometimes, he even cooked something that was not listed in the menu.
She was sure he could fulfill the request.
[Etto… then.]
[For me, I want fresh fish! Not baked or boiled, raw!]
Before Arius could say something, Iris interrupted.
[E!? You can eat raw fish!?… A, then, I’ll ask the owner.]
Although she was surprised by Iris’ answer, Aletta nodded and headed back to the owner who was preparing for customers who usually came at noon.
[Hey Iris, don’t do that. Humans don’t eat raw fish.]
[E? Is that so? How strange, even though it’s delicious.]
To Arius’ words, Iris tilted her head.
Iris did not think about anything in particular, she just ordered her favourite food.
[Moo…]
Anyway, it’s too late to change anything.
Thinking that, Arius heaved a sigh.
Arius knew that humans could not make cuisine based on raw fish.
…He did not notice that it was based on “the common sense of his world”.
Then after a while, Aletta came back and asked the two of them.
[Ano… there’s a dish called carpaccio that used raw fish, is that okay?]
[E!? There is!?]
It was Arius who was surprised.
He did not think that there was any.
[Un! Good! Please bring it soon!]
Again, Iris said that before Arius could say anything.
[Okay! Please wait a moment! I finished cleaning the tables there, so please be seated.]
Relieved, Aletta smiled and retreated to the kitchen.
Then, after a while.
[Sorry to keep you waiting.]
The human owner came and gently placed the plates in front of them.
Unique to raw fish, the bright red raw fish was sliced thinly with raw Oranie slices placed above the fish slices.
While listening to the name of the dish, Arius’ and Iris’ eyes were nailed on it.
It was an unknown dish using raw fish. It looked very delicious.
As the owner left, both of them started to eat.
They pierced the fish slices using human forks and lifted it.
They would be disappointed if the fish was not fresh, but fortunately that was not the case.
The bright red colour shifted in their eyes, and both of them swallowed their saliva.
And… brought it to their mouth.
[[Delicious!?]]
The fish had condensed flavor.
Every time they chewed, the umami overflowed.
The sauce used on the dish had unique saltiness and the sourness of unripe fruit.
When eating it separately, the pungent taste of Oranie was too strong, but when eaten together, there was harmony.
It’s salty, a bit sour and had sharp spiciness… the taste of fish that wrapped them all spread inside the mouth.
The fish slices were not only fresh, but they were also bled and carved properly.
It was too refined to just call it sliced fish… its taste was suitable enough to call it a dish.
Both of them did not say anything.
They were too engrossed on eating the carpaccio
The pungent taste of Oranie and the sour sauce, and the taste of the fish itself.
They did not stop their hands even for a moment.
In an instant, their plates became empty.
[Dear customers, would you like a second helping?]
[[Give me!]]
They did not hesitate answering the owner’s question.
[[Fuu~…]]
Eventually when they stopped their hands, their stomachs were filled with fish.
(The place written by Chimera Killer… I wonder if it’s this place.)
And Arius realized why the Chimera Killer left the money.
Seated on his opposite… Iris was also satisfied.
And so Arius decided to seriously make the island their nest.
Iris wouldn’t oppose. He’s confident of that.