Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 273

In the port city of Liverpool, a maritime union thrived, bustling with seafarers, merchants, and those seeking passage. But now, only a man with a carefree demeanor lingered there.

The man spotted Cainchel and waved.

“Hoo…! You’re finally here, junior! I thought I’d grow roots waiting. Is the ‘secret weapon’ you were making ready?”

“Of course. It’s more than you can imagine.”

The man grinned, his expectations high.

Gawain, the Sword Master of Endurance, would be fighting alongside him in the New World. Britannia clearly considered this matter important.

“This could escalate into war with Argon, so ideally, we’d have one more person. But everyone’s busy, so I was chosen as Cainchel’s support.”

“I thought Lady Elizabeth was coming.”

“Ah, I knocked her out, tied her up, and came instead. By the way, a Sea Serpent is a type of sea snake, right? I hear it’s great for stamina. Hehehe…”

Gawain clearly had his sights set on a Sea Serpent dish prepared by Cainchel.

“…I’m sorry, but I’m planning to avoid fighting the Sea Serpent if possible.”

Gawain’s face fell as if he’d been sucker-punched.

“Damn it, I’ve been tricked by His Majesty Aslan! Well, there’ll be other chances… Anyway, I’m just a sidekick on this expedition, so use me as you see fit.”

Just then, Gawain noticed Odin perched on Cainchel’s shoulder.

“Hmm. That’s a clever-looking crow. A messenger, or something?”

“Something like that.”

He felt bad for Gawain, who was there to help, but he couldn’t reveal that Odin was a communication link with the demon Sitri.

“Well, it’s better than those sticky tentacles. Do you have a captain in mind?”

No matter how well-equipped the ship, it needed dozens of sailors to operate.

First, they had to convince a captain to lead them.

“Yes. Among the Maritime Union captains, only Ahab Gregory wasn’t drunk. He seemed ready to set sail at any moment.”

“Hmm… Sounds reliable. Ugh, can’t we just bring a bunch of naval ships and wipe out all the demons, monsters, and orcs?”

“Didn’t you just say we should avoid war?”

“That’s what I meant. Cough, cough!”

Gawain cleared his throat, embarrassed.

* * *

When they arrived at the meeting place, a man about Percival’s age was waiting. Even meeting two Sword Masters didn’t faze Ahab.

On the sea, a ship was its own country, and the captain was king.

Still, his eyes couldn’t help but flicker with apprehension.

Ahab spoke cautiously, “First, I’ll hear your plan to stop the Sea Serpent, then I’ll decide.”

“Will you, now?”

Cainchel explained the Sea Serpent’s sensitive sense of smell and how Surströmming [fermented Baltic Sea herring] could mask it.

Ahab’s jaw dropped.

“…So, it’s not the Sea God’s power that lets it attack ships on the open sea?”

“No. And we have a suitable countermeasure. Are you familiar with Surströmming from Macedonia?”

“Who isn’t? But we’ll be at sea for at least a month. The Surströmming will explode!”

Cainchel smiled and produced a large wooden box.

Ahab’s eyes narrowed.

“Are you trying to bribe me? Don’t insult a sailor who’s spent his life at sea!”

He assumed it was filled with gold coins.

But it was far more valuable.

“Please, open it.”

“Hmm… Let’s see…”

The box contained cylindrical metal cans, some bulging as if about to burst.

“…What’s this?”

“The bulging ones contain Surströmming, so be careful. Open one here, and the smell will linger for a week.”

“T-then there’s food in these?”

Ahab’s eyes widened. He’d worked with many merchant guilds, but this was new.

“It’s called canned food. It preserves food for at least three years.”

“Hehe… Can I try one to see if it’s true?”

“Of course. That’s why I brought it.”

Ahab turned a can in his hands, then skillfully opened it with a small knife.

“Still warm.”

“I just heated it with this.”

Cainchel smiled, showing the flames of Flambe in his palm.

Ahab seemed to know how to open it from eating bottled food at sea.

But the contents were unexpected: bright orange carrots and potatoes baked in the fire, surrounding a round piece of meat covered in dark red sauce.

Hot steam rose from it.

“It’s hamburger steak with demi-glace sauce.”

“You know your cooking.”

“When I’m in port, visiting famous restaurants is my only hobby. I don’t really drink.”

Ahab inverted the can, emptying the contents onto a small plate.

A wonderful dish was complete.

Holding the fork, he felt like he was in a high-end restaurant.

He cut the hamburger steak in half. Made with half pork and half beef, it had a rich, meaty aroma.

The steak was so tender he could eat it with just a fork.

Ahab took a bite.

“…?”

The taste was incredible.

Each chew released rich juices that filled his mouth.

“…Wh-what is this…?”

The minced onions added a spicy sweetness, preventing it from being greasy.

The sweet and sour demi-glace sauce created an unbelievably deep flavor.

The slightly blanched carrots were crunchy and addictive.

Even more surprising were the fire-baked potatoes.

Cutting one open released a cloud of steam.

“Eat the potatoes with butter.”

“Butter…”

It was one of the few dairy products that could be taken on board, as milk couldn’t be transported.

Everything was meticulously planned for consumption at sea.

Ahab cut a cross in the potato and added butter.

The butter sizzled and melted into the potato.

The rich, melted butter spread, making the smell even more appetizing.

He cut off a piece and tasted the soft potato with its salty, savory flavor.

“…Delicious.”

Ahab, having devoured the hamburger steak and buttered potatoes, sighed contentedly.

He stared at the cans in the box, speechless.

“All of this contains such wonderful dishes…?”

“Yes. I’ve made six types, so you won’t get tired of just hamburger steak.”

Ahab’s hands trembled.

Passenger ships offered proper meals, but merchant and cargo ships lacked space for supplies.

They ate dried bread or bland soup.

Catching a fish meant meat for the first time in ages.

But to eat such wonderful dishes on board…

“How expensive is this canned food?”

“It’s easier to store than bottled food, and you can heat it and eat it right away, but it’s half the price.”

“…Good heavens. This is revolutionary. Britannia’s voyages will be divided into before and after canned food.”

Cainchel nodded, pleased with Ahab’s praise.

“I’ll provide as much canned food as you want during this voyage. And I’ll match the Maritime Union’s highest compensation.”

“…Hmm.”

Ahab crossed his arms, pondering.

But not for long.

“A sailor should die on a ship. I was saddened that everyone was drinking because there was no work. Give me two days. I’ll gather my best sailors.”

Captain Ahab extended his hand. Cainchel took it, and Ahab squeezed tightly.

“But employer, I have one request.”

“A request?”

“Canned food… Can I have another?”

Cainchel smiled and placed the entire wooden box before the captain.

“Eat them all.”

Outside, the carriage was loaded with the same wooden boxes, enough for dozens of sailors for a month.

* * *

Departure preparations were swift. Captain Ahab gathered about twenty sailors, enough to crew a small merchant ship.

He gave Cainchel and Gawain the best cabins, though they only had two small beds where a tall person’s feet would hang off.

With Captain Ahab’s shouts, the anchor was raised.

The ship would soon leave Liverpool.

Swish…

Swoosh…

Days passed. The sailors became addicted to Cainchel’s canned food.

“I never imagined such food on a ship!”

“Without canned food, we’d be eating gruel. That bastard Craig doesn’t even remove the fish heads, so I feel sick every time.”

“Hoo, the chili con carne yesterday was great. What’s for today?”

“Canned food sales start next year. It’s pricey for one meal, but I’ll buy a box for emergencies.”

The great thing about canned food was its convenience.

Bottled food required transferring to a bowl and heating. Canned food didn’t.

And unlike bottled foods with meat sauce or pickles, canned foods contained fully cooked meals.

The sailors’ happy exclamations with each new menu were proof enough.

“I have to tell my childhood friend to save money. All merchants will sell canned food.”

“Agreed. And it lasts three years! How is that possible?”

“I opened a can this morning and almost fainted when I saw a hamburger!”

Cainchel sat on the deck, watching the waves.

‘I’m glad everyone likes it.’

A smile appeared at the sailors’ conversation. He was initially disappointed that he could only 담을 [pack] up to 5 stars.

But the result was explosive. Even a 5-star dish was rare in Britain’s best restaurants.

Enjoying it anytime, anywhere, would cause a sensation when sales began.

“It’s about time…”

Three days had passed since they set sail. The voyage was smooth, and they’d reach the New World early.

Then, Cainchel saw a pure white stream of water rising beyond the horizon.

There was no hostility.

But he instinctively knew it was a Sea Serpent.

A monster that caused huge tidal waves and smashed warships.

Sometimes mistaken for Blue Dragons, they were different species.

But their physical strength rivaled a fully grown dragon.

It was the Overlord of the Sea for a reason.

Cainchel shook Gawain, who was snoring in the cabin.

Gawain mumbled, drooling, “Wh-what? I thought it would take a month. Are we there?”

“Gawain, hyung [older brother/friend]. A Sea Serpent is approaching. We need to prepare to chase it away.”

Gawain woke instantly.

“What about the Surströmming?”

“Captain Ahab is moving it to the deck.”

“Is that so?”

Cainchel’s plan was simple.

Even if he couldn’t track it by scent, the Sea Serpent would be waiting in the Argon Republic.

First, near the New World, he’d hunt the Sea Serpent once the ship was safe.

Gawain smacked his lips.

“Canned food is good, but sea snake is best for stamina, right?”

Cainchel was curious about the taste of Sea Serpent too.

“Right? Can’t we do something about it later?”

“Hmm. Later is fine.”

“It’s a promise!”

The two Sword Masters’ eyes reflected the 모습 [figure] of a giant sea snake, potentially the best harvest of this expedition.