READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 44
Days passed, but the excitement in Winterhome and Coldon showed no signs of waning.
It was only natural that the witnesses to the divine descent, now manifesting before them, were brimming with excitement.
Like a peculiar taste that dictated the most delicious food must be eaten first, the highlight of Wintersend ended with the festival.
Even days after the festival concluded, Coldon and Winterhome would be infused with life, breaking the monotony of winter preparations for those fatigued by the idle days.
Amidst this, there were splendid fireworks that only added fuel to the already fiery festival atmosphere.
Fiyuuuuuuuuuuu- Peraang!
Pababababababang! Kiyuuuuuuuuuuung- Pung!!!
“Dad! There’s a field of glowing flowers blooming in the sky!”
“Indeed, it’s the Felwinter count. To set off this many Flower Orbs!”
“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen fireworks.”
Flower Orbs.
Fireworks decorating the darkened sky of Coldon, bursting with sharp sounds into the heavens, with fragments bursting anew to bloom into a garden of varying sizes in the sky.
Catherine’s overtime labor produced them.
Each firework was worth at least five crowns, brightly illuminating the darkness.
Nobles often hired wizards and alchemists to enjoy fireworks occasionally.
But the scale of these fireworks was so impressive that even nobles and those in power marveled, calling it a show of the Duke’s generosity.
The level was not inferior to modern displays in the slightest.
No, in fact, there were better aspects.
There was no risk of stray sparks falling and igniting colossal fires as seen in modern fireworks.
All this was rooted in the efforts of Catherine, who suffered from excessive labor alongside her late-night shifts.
Yet Karem had no time to see the fruits of Catherine’s labor worth 5n crowns.
“Huh. Oil and yolk. And just a bit of vinegar can create such a sauce?”
Because Karem was currently caught off guard in a cooking practice.
And it was with a dwarf elder who looked significantly older than him.
No, rather, with the aged dwarf.
“Nutty, rich, and a bit acidic. The taste is simple.”
“Thanks to that, it makes for a perfect base for other sauces.”
“Right! It’s truly genius! To develop such a sauce at that age! Is it the creativity from a youthful, flexible mind that can’t be helped!”
Karem forced a smile, feeling a bit uneasy.
“That’s quite embarrassing.”
“How can someone so young be so humble! That’s excessive modesty; you should brag a bit more!”
Karem couldn’t brazenly assert his genius as usual.
Even if his heart was trembling, he wasn’t so shameless as to claim accolades in front of a true culinary genius.
His knowledge and recipes were merely overflowing mediums of information from his past life.
To be specific, they originated from wikis and video sites.
Conversely, it was safe to say he had no knowledge of other recipes.
Since he hadn’t learned properly, it was merely in the realm of hobbies.
Learning like a web stretching from one to another, he was left with plenty of gaps.
When asked which hobby could reach the level of professional fine dining, Karem could only reply one thing.
He had simply enjoyed his hobbies with all his might.
“Right. Can you show me a sauce that uses that mayonnaise?”
“Of course. That was the deal from the start.”
“I have all the ingredients you need, so feel free to use as much as you want!”
“Then I’ll request a salmon steak.”
Then Zigmeser began to bring over boxes and baskets filled with various ingredients.
It was a bit overwhelming to see someone he had regarded with such harsh eyes suddenly being this accommodating.
But he had to consider Zigmeser’s stance as well.
“Heh, who would’ve thought the one who was almost a target of resentment, a human boy, would catch the eye of God.”
At that moment, Zigmeser began to sweat profusely.
Metaphorically, it was like the family of the chairman he served had piqued further interest, but this was someone even higher than the chairman himself.
Regaining his composure, Zigmeser revised his thoughts.
He needed to convert this into an ally instead of making an enemy.
Fortunately, Karem had skill and an agreeable personality.
The sudden change in demeanor and the overly accommodating actions that began to burden Karem stemmed entirely from here.
Karem sighed inwardly.
If he had known this would happen, he wouldn’t have recommended the Offerer… well, that was unlikely.
After all, it was a recommendation from the Duke’s children.
To understand how Karem had ended up in such a situation, one had to rewind the clock a bit.
*
*
*
On the first day of the festival.
As the highlight concluded and people began to disperse, filled with lingering feelings.
Karem was enforcedly led somewhere by Catherine, flanked by Mary.
The location was Duke’s office, a place he had previously visited.
Karem stared blankly at Elder Iona, who held his hand.
The steward, with his eyes closed and a soft glow emanating from his hands, shook his head and was the reason for this gathering.
Elizabeth Felwinter.
In other words, she was the Duchess of Iceland.
“There’s no sense of divinity or blessing at all.”
“Iona, is that true?”
“Yes, ma’am. It’s evident that it was merely a fleeting interest.”
“What on earth could God…?”
Elizabeth trailed off in a small voice.
But everyone, including Karem, grasped what she had been about to say.
Why would an Offerer, albeit one not chosen, pay any mind to a mere cook? Why? Especially not one that was merely a sauce?
William’s voice rose, filled with a sense of irritation.
“Mother, Karem’s cooking is outstanding, but more than that, that sauce is exceptional! The richness and umami! The acidity that doesn’t tire the palate!”
“Um, I suppose I don’t quite get it.”
“The richness fills the mouth, and just when it feels overwhelming, the acidity hits! It’s gotten to the point where I’m ballooning from it.”
“Godwin, are you admitting that you’ve gained weight?”
“I just really liked that sauce more than anything I’ve had before.”
“What about you, Sir Viktor?”
Elizabeth turned her question towards Viktor, whose taste was so radically different from her son’s.
Believing that in the prime of his life, if anyone could clear up any doubt, it’d be him.
“I must admit, I’m excited to taste a sauce I’ve never had before, but looking back, I think it’s quite a hit-or-miss sauce.”
Viktor scratched his chin in response to Elizabeth’s query.
Karem nodded absentmindedly.
Mayonnaise.
Thanks to its relatively simple ingredients, it could be used in a variety of ways.
But conversely, it was precisely because of its characteristics that it could be quite polarizing.
With the heavy oil, it was hardly free of richness.
Some complained of a fishy smell due to the raw yolk, while others detested the oddly perceived acidity.
According to William’s description, Elizabeth’s taste sensibilities wouldn’t match.
Godwin liked it that way, but Viktor stated it was polarizing.
As Elizabeth tilted her head at the conflicting opinions, her long, silky, light brown hair spilled over her shoulders.
A chef’s assessment is often the most accurate.
At that moment, Iona stood up.
“Ahem, ma’am. Then I’ll excuse myself.”
“Ah, I’m sorry for summoning you during your busy time, Iona.”
“It’s alright, my lady. It’s a pleasure.”
With a warm smile and a polite bow, Iona patted Karem’s shoulder and left the office.
“Back to the main point.”
Elizabeth turned her gaze to Karem, who was secretly sweating nervously as she observed Zigmeser’s unyielding, vindictive gaze.
“What do you think, Zigmeser?”
“Uh, uh! Both Lord Viktor and the second son are correct. The Duchess’s observation is spot on. Essentially, it’s rich, meaning it’s not suited for the lady’s palate.”
“Is that so?”
“However, in northern lands of Europa, it would be hard to find someone who dislikes it. They’re so fond of greasy foods that it’s practically essential.”
Zigmeser’s assertion was echoed and supported by Viktor, who served both as Godwin’s attendant and watcher.
With that accurate evaluation, Zigmeser nodded.
The northern lands were famous for greasy foods.
One wouldn’t even need to venture to icy regions like Lecherus.
Just crossing into his homeland, the Dwarf Kingdom of Eisenbart, one would surely encounter dwarves whose eyes would spin in delight.
“Though to think Tutatis would take such an interest directly.”
“I believe it’s similar to how warriors prefer rich and meaty diets. As a hero who reached the divine, he likely favored hearty foods.”
“Ah, indeed. According to records, Tutatis was quite the curious one, right?”
Zigmeser’s statement drew nods from Elizabeth.
The records of the gods were one thing, but she remembered how the laborers working with Alfred enjoyed rich meals during their strenuous tasks.
“Above all, the true merit of this mayonnaise lies elsewhere.”
“It can be adapted into various forms like a base potion.”
“Exactly, as Lord Atanitas said.”
From garlic mayonnaise, honey mustard, to Thousand Island, at least dozens of major sauces were based on mayonnaise.
If the sauce was bright and white, it was usually a clear indication that mayonnaise was included.
Karem, who agreed internally, suddenly grew curious.
Despite being in the Duke’s office, the Duke himself was absent?
As if kind enough to predict Karem’s question, Elizabeth responded.
“He’s unable to leave due to attending to guests. It wouldn’t do for the host to be absent from the first day of the festival.”
“Oh, I see, my lady.”
Certainly, with guests plentiful at a party, the host couldn’t simply vanish.
It would indeed be a considerable breach, even if an apology were made.
So, why on earth was he here?
Catherine shot a look at Karem that seemed to say, ‘Is that something you should be saying?’
Of course, Karem well understood.
All of this was due to the warrior god who descended during the festival.
Even though he was not offered, he had carelessly taken to the royal seats and taken the mayonnaise bowl.
Afterwards, he found it amusing about Karem and even had witnesses among those at the seats.
Karem felt a strong belief that, as Catherine had said, live a quiet life had become quite out of reach.
Let’s think positively.
Karem did not consider the situation to be bad or unfavorable.
The tension stemmed merely from the fact that his body, honed through training with Alfred, Godwin, and Alicia, was unable to acclimatize to encountering someone of a higher caliber.
As Karem calmed his nerves, Elizabeth spoke to Catherine.
“Atanitas, may I borrow your cook for a time?”
*
*
*
The reason was simple.
Noble trends naturally flowed from the top down unless in special cases.
Combining Godwin and Alicia’s testimonies with Zigmeser’s evaluation, Elizabeth concluded it was something they’d enjoy.
There was no possibility of refusal, so Karem entrusted the negotiations entirely to Catherine.
After all, it seemed that Catherine would handle negotiations far better than him.
Since she was also the primary contracting employer.
And given Elizabeth seemed to initially want to negotiate with Catherine, the process flowed smoothly.
Thus the ensuing negotiations quickly reached a conclusion.
Catherine would pay a certain fee, and Karem would exchange information about cooking, such as recipes, with Zigmeser.
‘This is a win-win for me.’
Even though he’d put in his all, Karem remained in the realm of hobbies, which likely had shortcomings from a professional perspective, while Zigmeser was a fantastic mentor.
There were deficiencies in basics and application, alongside unknown recipes.
Additionally, if unforeseen situations arose, he could borrow the Duke’s background, making it more advantageous—initially, Karem viewed it positively.
Above all, the attitude of the one teaching him was good.
Catherine had even received bonuses for additional work outside of what was contracted.
However, as the exchanges began, the attitude shown by Zigmeser began to feel burdensome enough for Karem to regard it as disingenuous.
“Hey? Kid. You seem uncomfortable with something?”
“Nothing at all.”
Karem resumed his previously halted movements.
As his hand gripped the knife quickly, the onions were diced finely.
“Are those chopped onions and pickles? And eggs? Are you trying to make some finger food?”
“No. They’re all ingredients for the sauce.”
“Boiled eggs?”
“Yes.”
Of course.
Karem was currently preparing tartar sauce.
Smashing the boiled eggs in a large bowl and mixing in diced onions, pickles, lemon juice, along with mayonnaise and a pinch of pepper would complete it.
At just the right moment, Zigmeser placed it over a perfectly grilled medium salmon steak.
The sauce spread into the warm oil and butter of the salmon, sizzling, then disappearing into its depths.
The taste needed no words.
With the inherent oil of the salmon and the crispy exterior fried in butter.
Now perfectly cooked, yet tenderly steamed, it was complemented by the tartar sauce embracing the rich butter and salmon.
Zigmeser closed his eyes, savoring flavor with the kind of admiration that would seem excessive to anyone watching.
“The richness of the base complements well, and the acidity and texture serve as the focal point, truly my thoughts were correct!”
Karem, wholeheartedly agreeing with Zigmeser said inwardly.
All is well, but if only that flattery could be toned down a bit.
But ultimately, the excessive fawning from the old dwarf was born from his own anxiety, and it would take time for that to subside.