Putting Aside Nationalistic Bias, It’s Really Delicious

27 – Are You Talking About That Soft and Fluffy White Thing?

Camilla Wagon stood in front of the Britten Estate, deep in thought for a moment.

The reason was simple.

The Britten Estate was incredibly shabby.

There was no need to compare it to the capital of the empire.

Even when compared to the relatively smaller cities called the countryside in the southern region, it was a very small castle.

No matter how you looked at it, the land seemed incapable of providing any money.

It was certainly not the kind of castle that would be suitable for a knight, or even a cook, of Lucas’s caliber.

“Koby, I wonder why he opened a shop in such a small estate.”

“I’m not sure about that either.”

“Hmm… He refused my offer just to open up a shop in such a tiny castle?”

“Yet Lucas seemed to be content with his life now.”

“Koby, I doubt that’s the case.”

To be content with this kind of life?

The choice was completely incomprehensible to her, someone who believed that everything revolved around money.

How much money did she offer?

She had prepared to pay Lucas the salary he desired if he became her personal chef.

She intended to pay more than even the Empire’s Knight Commander or, more than even the continent’s best chef currently working in the palace.

The plan was to make him the highest-earning person among both chefs and knights.

Choosing a life buried in the countryside like this instead of receiving the admiration of everyone?

That made no sense.

This was some kind of protest.

“I can’t imagine it’s the money… What could he want?”

No matter how much she thought, she couldn’t find the answer.

“I guess I’ll just have to find out from them directly.”

She was confident.

Confident that she could give him everything he wanted.

The guards who had been blocking the entrance looked at the carriage with the seal of the Golden Wagon imprinted at its top in surprise.

“Golden Wagon…?”

From that moment on, the territory was in chaos.

An out-of-place carriage sped down the street.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

When the carriage procession reached the front of the knights’ restaurant, the residents of the castle followed her with murmurs.

The first thing Camilla saw was a sign written in unfamiliar characters.

“What’s that?”

“It’s called the Knights’ Restaurant. Apparently, the characters are from Lucas’s hometown?”

“Really? The shape is interesting. It looks like a picture.”

A large bulletin board was located below the quaint sign with picture-like characters.

She read the contents posted on the board carefully.

—-

★★★★★

The Bulgogi rice and fried rice are really delicious.

It’s so delicious that I ate mine and even stole the owner’s serving!

The owner is kind, and the food is delicious.

Recommended Menu: Bulgogi rice and fried rice

-Liana, the territory administrator of the independent author-

—-

“Oh, what’s this? Is this a testimonial written by the customers? Are they trying to increase credibility by posting their reviews after using it? The stars above seem to represent the satisfaction level.”

As she quietly read the bulletin board, the corners of her lips lifted.

Increasing the product’s credibility through customer reviews.

“What an interesting marketing strategy.”

‘As the credibility of the person who wrote the review increases, so does the effectiveness of the promotion.’

Most of the reviews were written by civil officials, knights and commanders, and even by the counts and dukes themselves.

Most of them held power within their domains.

She too, employed a similar method.

They presented the imperial family, including the emperor himself, with the finest products they produced, making them use Golden Wagon’s products.

Seeing the emperor using them, other nobles would envy and follow, and as they did, the value of the products would rise.

Once the products became trendy among the nobles, they would sell at high prices, and the profits could be made through this.

Of course, trends don’t last forever.

At the same time, trends are like waves; the products that become popular among the nobility eventually flow to the middle-class who idolize them.

By producing and selling large quantities of reasonably priced products for them, naturally gaining widespread popularity.

Simply by presenting their finest products to the imperial family, Golden Wagon had managed to sell their products at unbelievable prices.

It was the way Golden Wagon had turned their products into popular items in the capital.

At the same time, it was the way they promoted the Golden Wagon brand within the capital.

‘It’s more ingenious than what I did.’

Writing the personal impressions of users in front of their store.

There was a major drawback to the way she had presented her products to the imperial family.

If the emperor did not choose the items she presented, they would not go out into the world.

It made use of the envy the emperor and nobles have.

What if the relationship with the current emperor was bad?

It was an absolutely unusable method.

Moreover, there was a drawback that if it was not an eye-catching product such as fashion or jewelry, it was difficult to use.

Even if the emperor or the imperial family were to wear them, if the nobles’ attention were not drawn, they would be bound for failure.

But this approach was different.

The fact that the visitor himself wrote his personal impressions was a more intriguing method for the buyer.

Why did they write such an impression?

How delicious could it be?

What on earth is the dish that made them feel such chivalry?

It was the most fitting promotional method for the restaurant.

And it could be applied to even broader fields.

Is it a method that Lucas himself thought of?

If that’s the case, his value could only go up again.

It meant that he was not just a knight who cooks well but also had a business acumen.

‘It’s tempting.’

Camilla, who was carefully observing the structure of the bulletin board, asked Coby.

“Coby, what do you think?”

“Uh, what do you mean?”

She hadn’t noticed that Coby, who was following her, turned pale with admiration for Lucas’s bulletin board review.

“How about this bulletin board? Wouldn’t it be possible to use it in Golden Wagon stores too?”

“Well, it seems like a good approach.”

“Why do you look so pale? You look like someone who’s been caught eating something secretly.”

“Well, that’s what I mean…….”

That’s when one of the impressions caught her eye.

—-

★ ★ ★

★ ★

I drink with my eyes and mouth watering.

At first, I thought it was plain, but.

After eating, it’s heaven.

It goes well with soju.

Please give lots of love to GW soju.

Light alcohol, so good! I’m in a good mood too!

Is your mouth the only thing you use?!

Recommended menu: Coco’s intestine with soju

– Golden Wagon’s Senior Manager (Important future shareholder!) Kobi –

—-

This is Kobi’s reflection.

“Hey, Kobi.”

Camilla’s voice suddenly turned cold.

“Ah, I’m sorry! Writing that I am a future shareholder… “

Kobi bowed his head 120 degrees as she looked down at the crown of his head.

“What did you eat without telling me?”

“Wh-What?”

“Intest…ine? Are you out of your mind?”

“Oh, that, the thing is, that intestine isn’t actually filled with… “

“So there’s fake poop in it?”

“No, no. That’s not what I meant.”

“I didn’t know you were into that kind of taste. And Lucas too. What were you thinking when you were simply asking him to do it? You must consider your chef’s reputation.”

“I misunderstood, ma’am.”

But Camilla wasn’t interested in listening to him.

She was suddenly angry when she thought about it.

“So you ate the food that Lucas prepared all by yourself, huh?”

“Y-Yes?”

“Did this kid just deliver the gift, say what needed to be said, and drink alcohol on top of that?”

“Well, um, about that…”

“Ha, to think he’s the chief manager of our Golden Wagon.”

Koby, who had been watching Camilla’s expression, cautiously asked.

“So, the part about badmouthing the boss…”

“Never mind. Koby, is it the first time you drink and do something crazy?”

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

“If you know, then do better. If you really want to become a boss in the future, try surpassing me.”

“Yes, boss.”

It was a superior’s duty to overlook his subordinates’ strange hobbies.

‘As long as he doesn’t drink in front of me.’

Even if he has strange habits, as long as he does his job well, it’s fine.

Koby would have felt wronged if he had heard her thoughts.

Unfortunately, Koby didn’t have the ability to read other people’s minds.

He was relieved just to be alive.

When Koby looked down in fear, a pink-haired woman came out of the restaurant.

“It’s break time now…”

The pink-haired woman screamed when she faced her.

“Kyaah! Ca, Ca, Camilla?”

“What are you?”

As if she had heard her voice, a familiar face came out from inside.

Jet-black hair, clear dark brown eyes.

He wasn’t dressed in the same fancy armor and uniform as a knight as before, but he wore clean clothes with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looked at her.

As soon as she saw him, saliva gathered at the corner of her mouth.

The doenjang jjigae he had made came to her mind, making her salivate.

“Lucas! You were here! I can’t tell you how impatient I was to see you.”

Camilla exclaimed with an excited voice.

“Welcome, Miss Camilla Wegan.”

“Don’t you think you should be responsible for putting me in this situation?”

***

“What brings you here?”

“What do you mean ‘what’? You told me yourself. If I want to eat, I should come here. So, I dragged my heavy feet to come here.”

Camilla, sitting at the dining table, spoke confidently.

It was a gesture, as she had actually come, to ask him to serve her as a guest.

‘I really didn’t expect her to come.’

He had come all the way to the countryside of Britain to avoid getting involved with the imperial family.

Of course, the fact that he had made a deal with the Golden Wegan trading company was because it was the only trading company that could supply him with the various ingredients and spices he needed.

He had made his refusal to Camila clear, so he thought that the proud owner of the trading company would never come to him.

Why did she come?

She glared at me with her pumpkin-colored eyes and asked.

“So, what’s on the menu today?”

I handed her the menu.

-MENU

-Bulgogi set meal – 10 Silver

-Fried rice add-on – 4 Silver

-Western-style pork cutlet – 12 Silver

-Fish dish – 12 Silver – The menu varies depending on the daily catch.

“What? Why isn’t there Doenjang-jjigae?”

“I haven’t added it to the menu yet.”

“I haven’t tried any of the dishes on this menu.”

“What can I get you?”

Camilla glanced at the menu briefly before putting it down as if she’d made up her mind.

“Give me the usual.”

“….”

“I’d love it if it had that fatty meat in it too. You know what I mean? The thinly sliced beef?”

Camilla spoke with a twitch at the corner of her mouth.

Even as she spoke, her lips were twitching, showing that she was clearly looking forward to it.

“I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to serve Doenjang Jjigae right now.”

Upon hearing this, Camilla’s smile disappeared in an instant.

“I saw on the bulletin that Cobi, Youngju, and even the Knights Commander had dishes not listed on the menu. Why can’t I?”

There were reasons for that.

But she was not the kind of person to listen to those reasons.

“I came here in a carriage, riding for two weeks just to eat the Doenjang Jjigae you made. You should know I hate wasting my precious time, right?”

There was even a hint of discomfort in her voice.

I didn’t plan on sending her away empty-handed either.

In fact, the reason why I couldn’t serve her Doenjang Jjigae right away was something else.

“We’re out of tofu for the Doenjang Jjigae.”

Making Doenjang Jjigae without tofu?

That was no different than eating steamed buns without red beans.

It’s like eating a Mapo Tofu stew without chili and a Tanghulu without sugar.

“… You mean that soft, white thing?”

“Yes.”

“Last time, when I got some from the Knights, there was tofu every day.”

“Well, that’s because we soaked beans in advance or prepared extra tofu in anticipation of your visit, Camilla.”

“….”

“It will take quite a long time. You won’t be able to eat it until tomorrow evening at the earliest.”

To make tofu, you first need to soak the beans, and soaking beans takes a considerable amount of time.

At least 12 hours, if not a full day.

Then, you also need time to grind, boil, and solidify the soaked beans.

If one were to start making tofu now, it would take at least a full day, maybe even longer.

“Will one day be enough?”

“Yes, perhaps you should choose a different menu item.”

But I don’t want to send her away empty-handed after she’s come this far.

I avoided her because of our future quarrel, but I never wanted to chase away someone who came to taste my food.

If I run her off, it’s my own neck that’ll be in trouble.

“It’s okay if that’s the reason. I can wait a day.”

At these words, the anger in Camilla’s voice disappeared.

“Are you willing to wait?”

“Of course. It took two weeks for me to get here. I can’t just leave now.”

“……”

“And since I’ve come this far, I plan to do some legwork to find hidden diamonds in the dirt. Do you really think that’ll be done in just one day?”

“Diamonds? There’s nothing of interest to the Golden Wagon around here.”

“Why wouldn’t there be?”

She pointed at me.

“Lucas, you’re here. Do you know how much I wanted to eat your cooking?”

Her eyes lit up.

“You know how amazing it was when I put that white, smooth, hot thing in my mouth and felt the immense satisfaction, right? Isn’t that right?”

“Miss Camilla, someone might misunderstand if they hear you. Please, just say tofu.”

“What misunderstanding? Who would misunderstand? Did I say something wrong? You also enjoyed the moist tofu soaked in soybean paste soup when I ate it. Didn’t you?”

Where would you find a chef who dislikes someone who enjoys their cooking?

However, speaking in that way could lead to further misunderstandings.

Even now, Liana’s eyes are wide open in surprise.

“Well, that’s true, but…”

The nuance is different. The nuance is.

“Fine, I understand that I can’t have doenjang-jjigae right away, so I’ll stop getting up for today.”

“Are you not going to eat? There are other menus available.”

“No, I don’t want to substitute this long wait with any other food.”

Yet in her eyes scanning the menu, a lingering attachment could be seen dripping.

I’m sure she’s holding back her desire to eat it right now with her patience.

“Today, I want to see the skills of the Imperial Castle chefs.”

As those words ended, the sound of the arrival of the Viscount of Britten could be heard.

“Lucas, I’m looking forward to it. Fill my insides with something that can more than satisfy this wait.”

Her pumpkin-colored eyes gazed at me softly, drawing a gentle curve.

“Just like that time back then.”

Afterward, I headed to the Imperial Castle with the newly arrived Viscount of Britten.

“I need to get the beans first.”

Having made such a bold declaration, I must do my best.

Kobi, who was left there, spoke.

“Lucas, I got the beans.”

“Really?”

“Your Highness insisted that we get only the best quality beans available in the Empire.”

That’s why he went straight there without discussing the beans.

I could feel her determination for the doenjang-jjigae.