Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 94

Bruno looked at the dish in front of him with a cautious expression.

“Is this really a dish made by a chef who has just barely shed his apprentice status…?”

On the plate was a sauté made with young lamb.

The lamb, raised only on milk, was grilled with plenty of butter and cream. It was a signature dish of Epicure.

The meat was so tender that it didn’t even require a knife, and the taste was excellent.

And what about the garnish? The presentation was amazing.

It had only been ten days since Cainchel started working at Epicure.

Yet, he was learning about French cuisine as quickly as a sponge absorbs water.

This was possible because Cainchel possessed innate culinary and gastronomic skills.

Bruno, unaware of this fact, could only see Cainchel as someone with immense talent.

With this level of skill, he could easily handle a line chef position, overseeing a specific section, or even a sous chef role, assisting the chef and taking responsibility for the entire restaurant.

What was even more impressive was that Cainchel’s cooking skills were still growing.

“I’d almost want to pass on everything I have to him and entrust Epicure to him…”

However, Bruno vaguely sensed that Cainchel had some other goal in mind.

He wondered if the day would come when he could hear about it.

Unbeknownst to Bruno, who was lost in such thoughts,

Cainchel was finely chopping spices to make a bouquet garni [a bundle of herbs used to flavor soups and stews].

Celery, leek, parsley stalks, bay leaves, thyme, etc., were tied together with thick thread and stored for use during cooking.

Before he knew it, Cainchel was in charge of appetizers, soups, and even some desserts.

This was possible because Cainchel’s skills had grown tremendously in a short period.

Of course, the fact that there was a shortage of staff also played a role.

Bruno said,

“We have two reservations today. Prepare three servings each of salmon and lamb.”

“Yes, Chef.”

After answering, Cainchel began preparing the ingredients in earnest. Of course, he didn’t forget to watch Bruno cook.

‘When cooking fish as a sauté, you have to keep discarding the oil to minimize the fishy smell. Instead, you have to keep drizzling olive oil to ensure the fish cooks evenly.’

Even the chef’s smallest gestures contained meaning. Cainchel paid close attention to not miss anything, learning Bruno’s French cooking techniques.

Epicure usually operated on a reservation basis. However, there were occasional customers who came without a reservation.

“Bonjour, welcome. If you take a seat at one of the tables, I’ll bring you water right away.”

The customer who visited Epicure late in the afternoon was wearing a thick cloak from head to toe.

A clear voice, like a bird chirping, flowed from within the cloak.

“Before I sit down, I’d like to know if you have anything I can eat here.”

“Do you have any dietary restrictions?”

“I don’t eat meat or fish.”

Without meat and fish, the number of dishes that could be made was greatly reduced.

However, Bruno, as someone who had been running a restaurant for a long time, spoke in a gentle voice.

“Are you okay with milk or eggs?”

“Not really those either…”

Deep wrinkles appeared on Bruno’s forehead. It was rare to have a customer with such a particular palate.

French cuisine uses a lot of butter and cream, even when stir-frying vegetables.

“I’m sorry, but it seems difficult to offer a full course meal. How about ratatouille [a French vegetable stew] or french fries as a single dish?”

“I’ve eaten so much of that on the way here that I’m tired of it. I want to eat something else delicious. If it’s impossible, I’ll go to another restaurant.”

The cloaked customer, as if accustomed to this kind of treatment, turned to leave.

And then, a gurgling sound echoed from within the thick cloak. It seemed they had been starving for quite some time.

Hearing that sound, Cainchel gestured to Bruno.

“Chef Bruno, if it’s okay, may I cook something?”

“They’re quite a picky customer. Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

Cainchel quietly nodded. No matter how he thought about it, he was curious about the customer’s identity.

‘It’s gone now, but I felt an immense aura along with that gurgling sound.’

The pressure was similar to that of Hector, the Swordmaster. It felt like facing a giant ancient tree.

“Then at least make something they can eat.”

The customer sat at the table in the farthest corner of Epicure, being even more careful not to let the cloak slip off.

Why was someone with such great power hiding their identity so thoroughly?

He was curious, but for now, they were just a customer.

Cainchel quietly headed to the kitchen. He wondered what kind of impression the customer would have after eating his dish.

@

‘A delicious dish that doesn’t use meat, fish, butter, or eggs.’

It was an order that no chef could easily answer. What kind of dish could you make without butter and cream, which were staples of French cuisine?

However, Cainchel’s close friend, Abel, was a half-elf. He could eat meat just like humans now, but his tastes might change at any time.

He had prepared a few menus in anticipation of that time. Now was the time to use them.

Cainchel boiled beans in a large pot.

He was planning to make a vegetable stir-fry that tasted like sausage using these.

First, he lightly drizzled olive oil on a heated pan and slowly began to stir-fry minced onions.

When the onions turned brown and a rich caramel aroma could be felt, he added a spoonful of vegetable bouillon.

Then, an unexpectedly savory aroma, hard to believe it was made only with vegetables, began to spread.

Adding minced chili peppers and garlic added a pungent aroma that made his nose tingle.

He added fennel seeds, sage, oregano, and basil to create a rich flavor.

He had used freshness recovery on the sage leaves that would be stir-fried with the beans in advance.

Then, the half-wilted sage leaves transformed as if they had just been picked.

‘The beans are well-boiled. Now, shall we create the sausage flavor?’

Cainchel placed the smoked salt and paprika he had prepared in advance on the counter.

If he added these and stir-fried them well to create a smoky flavor, the beans would taste like sausage.

It was an achievement that came about while researching whether he could make Wild Duck in the kitchen.

Sizzle! Sizzzzzle!

As he began to stir-fry the beans in the pan in earnest, a smell like grilling well-smoked sausage began to emanate.

Bruno, surprised, asked,

“Chef Cainchel, didn’t the customer say they didn’t like meat or fish?”

“Take a closer look. It’s beans. I’m just using smoked paprika, salt, and various spices to create a sausage-like flavor.”

“You’re combining various flavors to create a completely different taste?”

Cainchel placed the well-stir-fried beans on a ladle and handed it to Bruno.

Bruno looked at it with a suspicious gaze. It was definitely beans. But why did it smell like sausage?

One of his senses, either his nose or his eyes, must be lying.

In the end, he decided to entrust the judgment to his tongue.

Bruno put the beans in his mouth and chewed.

“…The texture is definitely that of beans, but how can it taste like sausage…?”

Moreover, it didn’t just end with the beans tasting like sausage.

When he closed his eyes, the flavors of numerous spices stimulated Bruno’s taste buds.

“Did you perhaps use the bouillon left over from making ratatouille?”

Cainchel quietly nodded. The bean dish was made purely with vegetables.

“Now, I’ll add cornstarch and stir-fry it one more time, and it’s done.”

“Sausage-flavored beans… And it’s delicious. If the customer in the hall has never eaten meat before, it seems like they’ll have an amazing experience.”

Cainchel was just as excited.

He had made a sausage-flavored bean dish for a customer who couldn’t eat meat or fish.

He wondered how much experience he would gain.

@

Nimuë was the first sword of the Wind Tree Clan. The direct bodyguard of the Elven Queen and the guardian of the World Tree Yggdrasil [a mythical tree central to Norse cosmology].

The reason she had embarked on this journey across Britannia was because she had been entrusted with a great mission that would determine the fate of her clan.

‘Greedy humans…’

Nimuë unconsciously caressed the sword she was wearing at her waist. If she was ever in danger of being exposed, she was ready to draw it at any time.

The Wind Tree Clan had been holding back the advance of the Seven Deadly Sins for nearly half a year to protect the Green Mountains.

As a result, countless humans were able to save their lives.

However, when the forest burned and the elves’ power weakened, the humans captured them and enslaved them.

There were many people who desired elves with their near-immortal lifespans and beautiful appearances.

In the end, the Wind Tree Clan had to hide in the deepest part of the Green Mountains.

The reason Nimuë, who loathed humans, had come to a human city was simple.

To reach her destination, she had to cross the border to Deutschland [Germany]. That was impossible with her own strength alone.

Nimuë knew that a half-elf living here had saved the lives of her comrades.

She was sure that if she asked for help, he would grant it.

‘At least I can trust a half-elf.’

It had been three days since she came to Citizen to find him. But another problem was troubling Nimuë.

Elves cannot eat meat, either mentally or physically. She had no choice but to eat things like french fries or vegetable soup. But even those contained things like butter or lard.

It was a truly painful situation for Nimuë.

Few people would accept her picky orders with a smile.

Most of the time, she had to show them the gold she had before they would reluctantly prepare a dish.

In the end, after visiting several restaurants, she came to a store called Epicure.

“Here is your order.”

“It’s a bean dish.”

“Please call me anytime if you need anything.”

On the surface, it was a common stir-fry of vegetables and beans. But the smell was different.

Had she ever encountered a dish that looked so delicious before?

She had checked several times, but there was no meat in it at all. That meant it was made purely with vegetables.

Nimuë took a spoonful of the bean dish and brought it to her mouth.

‘…It’s savory and sweet like a well-ripened walnut. What is this? It’s so delicious!’

Moreover, it had a subtly spicy flavor that made her want to eat more and more.

Elves had a pride in being superior to humans in cooking vegetables and mushrooms.

But this was the first time she had eaten beans cooked in this way.

‘What is this savory taste…’

In Nimuë’s position, who didn’t know it was the taste of meat, it was simply amazing.

Nimuë emptied the entire bean dish in an instant and shouted.

“…Could I have another plate?”

“Yes, I’ll bring it to you right away.”

In the end, she emptied three plates.

Nimuë was confident that she wouldn’t lose to even a Swordmaster when it came to swordsmanship.

But when she thought of the human who made this dish, she felt strangely defeated.

‘How can I eat a dish made by a human so deliciously…’

But her heart had been pounding strangely since a while ago. Was it because she ate a bean dish full of various spices?

Her ears turned red to the tips, and she couldn’t sit still.

“Here’s the bill. Keep the change.”

Nimuë placed a sparkling silver coin on the table and got up as if being chased by something.

‘It was so delicious… I want to eat it again… Huh? What am I thinking!’

She didn’t want to admit that she had fallen in love at first sight with a dish made by a mere human.

Nimuë wasn’t the only one who was shocked by the bean dish.

Cainchel, who had been staring at the Jomakyung in the kitchen, almost shouted without realizing it.

[5-star dish ‘Sausage-Flavored Bean Dish that Even an Elf Would Fall For’ has been completed.]

[The customer is completely smitten with the dish you made.]

…

…

[You have created a dish that did not exist before.]

[The sense of coming up with new menus has been absorbed into the ‘Brilliant Road’ skill.]

[Brilliant Road: 4/5]

The First Sword of the Elf #1