Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 285

‘Sorry, Bishop. It seems like it’s your turn to step up from here.’

Then, the laughter of the Slime Homunculus Bishop echoed cheerfully.

Of course, only Cainchel, who was connected to him mentally, could hear it.

― Heh heh heh. An explanation, you say? That’s a piece of cake for this body. I’ve been bored for a while since you haven’t called me, partner. Anyway, I’ll make it simple and clear enough for even an Orc to understand.

‘I’m counting on you.’

Bishop was a very reliable partner, except for the occasional random appearance from between his legs.

Cainchel appropriately trimmed the fat from the story that Bishop was rambling on about and conveyed it to Talmus.

“The first alchemist, Phillius Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, theorized that the world is composed of four elements.”

Talmus’s eyes widened at the long name that was even difficult to pronounce.

“I’ve never heard such a name before. Is he someone who lives on another continent?”

“No. He is a man who reached the realm of a demigod in a human body about five thousand years ago and is still called the Great Sage. It is not known whether he lived or died after that.”

Talmus narrowed his eyes and looked at Cainchel. He seemed suspicious that Cainchel possessed knowledge that even the tribe’s shamans did not know.

“How on earth do you know something that even the tribe’s shamans don’t know?”

“That’s… To tell you the truth, I was sold as a slave to a human alchemist when I was very young, and I lived as a test subject until recently.”

“Oh, is that true? Then the reason you awakened Mystic Arts is….”

“There is a saying among humans that a crisis becomes an opportunity. The thing that he was making, even buying slaves to create, was an auxiliary tool that made it easier to feel Aura [a life force or energy field]. Thanks to that, I was able to become this strong, so as a result, I am just grateful.”

Believable lies flowed out of his mouth without even wetting his lips.

This was possible because he was simply adapting and recounting Bishop’s experiences.

Talmus listened to Cainchel’s story, constantly exclaiming in admiration.

He even clenched his fists at the part where Cainchel killed his master with his strengthened power and escaped from the laboratory.

“…So that’s what happened.”

“What I’m talking about now is using the knowledge I gained at that time. Anyway, the four elements that represent alchemy are fire, water, wind, and earth. Since the brand was lifted with a dish using fire, there will definitely be some kind of reaction with the rest.”

“Hoo… So, if we make and share dishes using water, wind, and earth, we can get rid of the brand?”

“It’s not certain, but it’s worth trying.”

Talmus grabbed his axe and stood up from his seat.

“Then we need to catch a skilled cook. Loiten! Prepare my personal aircraft right now! It’s time to set out!”

Cold sweat ran down Cainchel’s cheek.

The armor and weapons that the Orcs were wearing felt strangely like they had been touched by humans, and they were all stolen.

‘So that’s why the tribe’s name was Fireblight Raiders.’

Cainchel blocked Talmus, who was about to run out right now.

“There’s no need to do that. Alchemists made the test subjects make the food they would eat. I can do a few simple dishes.”

“Really? Then we can share the food you make.”

“Rather than that, it would be better for a comrade who has lived as a member of the tribe for a long time to make it. There are people who are not happy that I received the title of ‘Gran’ [a title of respect or leadership]. In their eyes, I will still be seen as an outsider.”

Talmus stroked his chin. It was definitely a valid point.

“Okay. I’ll assign some of my tribe members who have excellent skills. But can you teach proper cooking to those who can only grill meat over a fire?”

Cainchel grinned and pounded his chest.

“Leave it to me. I’ll make them able to cook at least one dish in fifteen days… no, a week.”

“You are truly trustworthy. I think I did a really good job accepting you as a member of the tribe.”

To think I would come all the way to the New World and teach cooking to Orcs.

If I told this story to Abel, he would roll around laughing for half a day.

But that’s what makes it even more meaningful.

‘If I can teach cooking to Orcs, I can do it more easily with other races.’

The transmission of cooking.

This was essential if he wanted the dishes he made to remain even after a thousand years.

* * *

The Orc warrior Abhim refused to learn to cook from Cainchel until the end.

“Oh, Talmus! What are you telling me, making me learn from that greenhorn [an inexperienced person]? Besides, hasn’t that guy been living with humans until recently?!”

“Are you so upset that you lost the duel? This is also to save the tribe. Are you still going to ignore the hundreds of thousands of fellow Orcs who are living as slaves?”

“……Ah, no. I will do it.”

In that way, several Orcs, including the warrior Abhim and the shaman Loiten, were selected as apprentice chefs of the tribe.

Cainchel first headed to the warehouse where they kept the items they had plundered from humans.

“Gran Gray. You said you would teach us how to cook, but why did you come to a place where junk is piled up?”

“You need tools to cook. There are some kitchen knives that look useful over there.”

Except for a few seasonings that he had prepared in advance, he could not use the items in his dimensional pocket.

That’s why it was an unavoidable choice.

The kitchen knives were rusty, but they could be sharpened well on a whetstone.

In addition to that, he could also find cutting boards and stoves.

Cainchel’s eyes lit up when he found a turquoise-colored pot.

Roasting something over a fire is the oldest and most basic cooking method.

That’s why the next thing to try was water cooking, which is at the opposite point of fire.

Cainchel explained to the Orcs, who were wearing indifferent expressions, how important water is in cooking.

“Basically, water symbolizes life. You can’t combine the two flavors by grilling meat and vegetables together. But if you put them in a pot with spices and boil them, they will harmonize.”

If fire enriches the taste of the dish, water combines several tastes into one.

In particular, most of Ottoman cuisine used pots. It is characterized by mixing various herbs and all kinds of strange spices.

‘I have to teach cooking to Orcs who are starting to cook for the first time. Then the perfect menu is a stew that you can eat just by cutting the ingredients and boiling them.’

The basics of pot cooking are mixing flavors. The basic formula is liquid, meat, and vegetables. The longer you simmer it at a low temperature, the more delicious it becomes.

But before that, you must first learn how to prepare the ingredients.

Cainchel grinned as he looked at the vegetables that the warriors had procured from nearby.

“Let’s start by practicing how to handle a kitchen knife.”

“I understand, Gran Gray.”

Perhaps because he had earned the title of Great Warrior representing the tribe, most of the Orcs were very polite.

Abhim held the kitchen knife in reverse and shook it in front of Cainchel’s eyes.

Even the largest kitchen knife looked like a fruit knife when Abhim held it. But it seemed enough to cut the ingredients.

“Do I just have to tear what’s on top of that to shreds with this?”

“To be exact, it’s called dicing. Basically, you have to leave the roots of the onion. Otherwise, it will lose its center when you cut it, and the shape will not be beautiful. Of course, let’s start by cutting it as evenly as possible since it’s the first time.”

“Like this?”

“Hmm… You’re doing well.”

Cainchel taught the Orcs how to hold a kitchen knife, recalling what he had learned at the Stanise Knight Training Center.

Orcs are basically a warlike race that starts wielding weapons as soon as they are weaned.

And they handle most weapons well.

Perhaps that’s why they became completely accustomed to handling kitchen knives in half a day.

In particular, Abhim’s achievement was great. He was basically good with his hands, and he moved his hands to the point of death with the determination to be recognized by Talmus.

He has a talent for cooking. There was a reason why Talmus strongly recommended him.

‘It’s a bit slow, but that’s because I’m too fast, so let’s just say it’s average.’

The shaman Loiten had a sensitive tongue and was skilled at handling fire.

If each one was lacking, they could make a plausible dish if they combined their strengths.

“I think we can start cooking now. Water, along with fire, is a medium of taste and gives presence to spices and various seasonings. Moreover, if you have enough time, you can break down everything from meat to vegetables and turn them into a nutritious broth.”

Perhaps the fate of the tribe depends on the one dish they will make from now on.

Loiten, as well as Abhim, who did not like Cainchel, were listening intently so as not to miss even a little of Cainchel’s explanation.

“First, I’ll show you a demonstration, so try to follow along. The dish I’m going to make today is oxtail stew simmered with various vegetables. It melts in your mouth and is a sweet and wonderful dish.”

The Orcs’ eyes lit up. They had never made a proper dish before.

But it’s not that they don’t know the taste. They had grilled looted bread or smoked ham over a fire.

Now they are going to challenge that with their own strength.

Cainchel drew his kitchen knife and began to prepare the ingredients needed for the dish.

At the same time, the kitchen knife moved at an incredible speed.

“Huh, huh?!”

Abhim’s face turned pale.

What five Orcs had done in an hour was finished in just five minutes.

“……How much do you have to handle a kitchen knife to move so fast?”

Cainchel replaced his answer with a smile.

He will surely burn with competitiveness and practice his knife skills even harder.

The dish he is making now is for demonstration purposes. He decided to use only basic techniques, excluding as much skill as possible.

The well-prepared oxtail is seasoned with only very basic seasonings such as black pepper and salt.

Then, add a little oil and cook it in the stove for about 20 minutes until it turns golden brown.

“Any kind of stew contains fragrant vegetables. This time, I’m going to use carrots, celery, and two leeks. Pour about two spoons of olive oil into the pan, add the pre-chopped vegetables, and stir-fry them.”

“Sniff sniff. That fragrant smell is cloves. The scent is so strong that it seems good for getting rid of the gamey smell of meat.”

“That’s right. This will make the dish very special.”

Loiten learned most of the usage of seasonings and spices used in stew in half a day.

The shaman also serves as a doctor. His experience using various herbs to treat injured tribesmen shone.

Abhim for cutting.

Loiten for flavoring.

Wouldn’t a very good dish be made if the two Orcs joined forces?

Cainchel sprinkled salt and pepper on the cooking vegetables, then added various herbs.

“Rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf, these will add deep flavor and aroma.”

Stir-fry the vegetables and spices for about 10 more minutes while the meat is cooking.

Then the ingredients in the pot turn brown.

Seeing that, Abhim asked in a sarcastic tone.

“It looks like it’s burnt no matter how I look at it. Weren’t you good at cooking?”

“This is not burnt, but caramelized. I’m going to add a little flour to this to make it thicker in order to bring out a richer aroma and sweetness. Then the flour will absorb all the remaining seasonings.”

And when he added a little beer, the malt inside began to caramelize, creating an incredibly wonderful scent.

Abhim unknowingly flared his nostrils. He thought it was a failure, but it turned out to be part of the cooking process.

Cainchel grinned and began to peel off the blackened parts and mix them with tomato paste.

This is where all the essence of the taste is dissolved.

“……Cough, cough. T, the smell is no joke.”

Now, put the well-cooked oxtail in a pot and pour water until it is submerged, and the preparation for simmering the stew is finished.

“Now, all that’s left is to simmer it very slowly so that all the flavor in the bones comes out. People usually say that time works magic.”

Loiten, as well as Abhim, who did not like Cainchel, began to drool with their lips slightly open.

“Slurp……”

They looked like they would collapse if they couldn’t eat the stew right now.

“The firepower is weak, so I’m going to simmer it for about half a day. Until then, let’s practice putting the ingredients in the pot and stir-frying them.”

“……I understand.”

Smelling the rich smell of the oxtail stew boiling in the stove, the Orcs put strength into the hands holding the pot.

* * *

When Cainchel took out the finished oxtail stew from the stove, cheers erupted from the apprentice chefs.

“F, finally……!”

“……It’s done!”

“To make us wait for 6 hours, if it doesn’t taste good, I’m just going to…….”

“What are you talking about? The smell is so amazing, of course it will taste good.”

As expected, all races show similar reactions in front of delicious food.

When Cainchel opened the pot, the tender oxtail that had been simmered thoroughly revealed its appearance.

The thick broth contained the flavors from the vegetables and meat, giving off a rich smell.

In the end, Loiten, who couldn’t stand it, ran over with a wooden bowl. He felt like he would collapse if he couldn’t eat this right now.

“First of all, there is something we need to do before eating the dish.”

“Yes? W, what is that…….”