Chapter 56 - Red Bear Steak
After finishing the discussion about the flow, Dahlia began drafting the profit contracts for registering magical tools.
First, she confirmed the specifications for the foaming pump bottle, five-toed socks, and the drying insoles. She also added some points regarding improvements to the five-toed socks and continued working on the profit contracts.
The guild member in charge of confirmation and the notary public, Dominic, waited on either side, while Volf, looking worried, observed from across the same table. Dahlia scribbled away, working on the three sets of documents.
To be honest, it was an exhausting task that wore on her nerves.
Just when she thought she had finished, she clashed with Gabriella over setting the profit margin before submitting it.
"I want to make it available to as many people as possible and reduce the spread of foot fungal infection, so I want the lowest possible rate," said Dahlia. Gabriella, on the other hand, argued, "This is the time to secure future research funding."
Although Dahlia respected and relied on Gabriella, and had accepted most of her advice until now, this time, Dahlia couldn't concede.
Volf and Ivano sided with Dahlia, while Dominic supported Gabriella's position. In the end, however, it was settled according to Dahlia's wishes, and the rate remained low.
By then, it was just about lunchtime.
The afternoon schedule was going to be much busier, but Dahlia was too exhausted to think about it.
Lunch had been arranged within the guild, which she gratefully accepted.
Considering Volf's situation, it was clear that a casual lunch at a nearby restaurant would be difficult.
On the fifth floor of the guild, the room they were led to for lunch was very spacious.
The furnishings were clearly luxurious at a glance, and the carpet beneath her feet was plush, almost two levels more than she was used to.
She understood that this must be the room for entertaining nobles, but for someone from the common folk like her, it felt like an unsettling room.
The large table was already set, and there was even a server present, which frankly made Dahlia feel a little self-conscious.
"Are you all right, Lady Dahlia?"
As Dahlia took her seat, Volf, noticing her expression, asked with concern.
"I'm fine. It's just been a little hectic up until now."
She tried to politely cover it up, but the young man in front of her looked even more concerned.
"Volfred-sama, there’s something I’d like to discuss here. I apologize, but could you allow the server to place the dishes and then leave us for a while?"
"Of course, that's fine."
Normally, the next dish would be served after the previous one was cleared, but at Dominic's suggestion, all the dishes were placed on the table at once, one for each person.
Fortunately, there was ample space on the table, so there was no problem in that regard.
The server arranged the glasses, bowed, and then left the room.
"If it’s just the four of us, there should be no problem. Volfred-san, Lady Dahlia, feel free to be yourselves in this room. It will get busy again in the afternoon, so it’s better to relax. Gabriella also agreed to the notarized documents."
Dominic replaced Volfred-sama with Volfred-san and smiled.
Ivano had gone to the office to adjust the afternoon schedule and was not present.
"Wasn't it something like, 'Dahlia Rossetti is an equal friend, allowed freedom of speech without any fear of disrespect.'?"
The woman furrowed her brows slightly and cast a glance at Volf.
"Yes. Dahlia is my equal friend."
"V-Volf!"
Suddenly, the knightly demeanor vanished, and Volf returned to his usual self.
Dahlia reflexively called out his name, but before she realized it, she had dropped the honorific like she usually did, and it was too late to take it back.
"...So it really is as the notarized documents said, huh?"
Without showing any surprise, Gabriella held her glass.
"Volfred-sama, may I serve as the poison taster? Or would you prefer to have the glasses and plates changed?"
"No, this is fine. I appreciate your concern."
Volf answered without hesitation, and Dahlia belatedly understood.
It wouldn’t be unusual for Volf to have a poison taster. The fact that he had eaten without a taster with her in the tower was probably not normal for him.
They began their meal with a toast of sparkling water, but the glass felt unnervingly heavy in her hand.
The hors d'oeuvres were decorated with colorful petals, there was a herb-infused salad, and a white bean soup, all of which should have been delicious, but Dahlia couldn't quite enjoy the flavors.
Trying to shake off her unease, she took a sip of sparkling water, but Volf spoke as he looked at his plate.
"Dahlia, this is red bear meat."
"Huh? Is this the same red bear you threw?"
"Of course, it's a different one, but it's still red bear."
The young man smiled nostalgically as he answered.
The main dish was red bear steak.
Two half-sized pieces of steak were placed on the plate.
"Don’t worry, Dahlia. This one is from a region far from human settlements."
Although that wasn’t exactly the concern Dahlia had, she had to admit it made her feel a bit better.
She certainly wanted to avoid eating a man-eating red bear.
"Red bear does have a strong flavor, but this one has been marinated, so I think you'll be fine, Lady Dahlia."
As Dominique spoke, he had already started cutting with his knife.
"It seems we've lucked out with a delicious one."
"Yes, there’s almost no unpleasant odor."
Dahlia picked up her knife a moment later.
As expected from red bear meat, it had a strong red color, but it was cooked just right.
Taking a bite, the meat was a bit tough, but thanks to careful preparation, she was able to chew through it at the right point.
It was hard to compare it to any other type of meat—it had a unique scent and taste.
This must be what bear meat tastes like, Dahlia thought as she chewed, but then the flavor subtly changed.
The faint bear scent diminished, replaced by a summery green note.
With every bite, the meat's juice seemed to flow from deep inside, and Dahlia noticed a rich umami that had been hidden.
She couldn’t tell if it was due to the meat itself or the marinade, but by cutting the pieces small and savoring them bite by bite, she found the transition in flavors to be absolutely delightful.
Before long, she noticed that everyone was eating in silence, all focused on chewing.
This meat, though, had a flavor that made her crave something sharp to wash it down.
She found herself thinking how nice it would be to drink the dry eastern liquor from before after this red bear steak to wash it down.
Even with the exhausting afternoon ahead, which she would rather escape if she could, the fact that she was still able to have these kinds of thoughts made her feel like she might still manage through it.
"Definitely needs a dry white wine..."
"Black ale pairs well, too."
Catching Dominic's quiet murmur, Gabriella firmly stated her opinion.
As she came to understand that these two could hold their liquor as well, she turned her gaze toward Volf.
He emptied his glass of sparkling water and glanced back at her.
His golden eyes had a hint of disappointment, and Dahlia could feel it clearly. Without thinking, she spoke.
"You're thinking of the dry eastern liquor, aren't you?"
"Exactly."
Upon hearing this, both Dominic and Gabriella burst into laughter.
"To make everyone think of alcohol, what a wicked red bear."
"Dry white wine, black ale, dry eastern liquor... After the first delivery to the Chivalric Order, shall we gather for a celebration and try it again with red bear steak?"
"Sounds good."
"I'm looking forward to it."
Although the thought of the afternoon schedule made her dizzy, the promise of this future pleasure was a taste she could rely on to get her through.
Comments
Post a Comment