That serving of "Jungle iron cannon" didn't go to waste in the end.
Expensive dishes prepared from such rare ingredients rarely come in large portions. After Shalan forced down a few pieces while gagging, Altaïr and Erik each took a share, and the dish was finished.
It wasn't until the plate was cleared away that Sajji came strolling back, carrying several drinks.
Looking at Shalan, whose face was smeared with tears and snot as if she had been through an interrogation, the Felyne found it difficult to understand.
If you don't like it, don't eat it, meow. Why not just walk away like I did, meow? Is there really a need to force it into your mouth, meow?
He pulled out a small handkerchief and handed it to Shalan. "Wipe yourself, Auntie Shalan, meow. Your nose is running, meow."
"I told you not to call me Auntie, meow!" Shalan snatched the handkerchief, her eyes fierce. "Call me Lady Shalan, meow!"
"Fine, fine, Lady Shalan, meow," Sajji agreed dismissively.
Boss Altaïr was right, meow. This gal is just like one of those stubborn grandmothers; as long as you humor her, even if it's just lip service, she's easy to handle, meow.
"The food is here!" The young receptionist Lillian came jogging over again, holding a platter. "Jungle millstone, please enjoy~!"
This dish was served cold. Looking at the small cubes of pink meat on the plate, Shalan's expression immediately became wary.
"What is it this time, meow? Don't tell me it's Congalala stomach sac or something, meow?"
"Congalala stomach sac is indeed a famous dish around here, and it's no cheaper than the iron cannon from before, but this isn't that."
Altaïr felt a wave of realization; under Isis's influence, his knowledge of regional delicacies had deepened significantly. Otherwise, how would he know any of this?
"This is Yian Kut-Ku Gizzard, also known as the gizzard-liver."
Shalan finally relaxed and skewered a piece with her fork. "It's crunchy and chewy, meow. The texture is a bit like cartilage, meow."
Then came the third dish, Yian Garuga Crispy Claw, followed by the fourth, Royal Ludroth sponge...
"Wait, why is the food here all so weird, meow?! Aren't there any normal ingredients, meow?!"
The two men and one Felyne all looked at her simultaneously. Didn't you order all of these?
After a succession of four or five strange main courses, they finally reached the grand finale.
This time, the young receptionist Lillian wasn't the one serving. Instead, several Felyne Chefs dressed in pristine white chef uniforms worked together to carry out a tray covered by an ornate cloche.
The leading Chef saw Altaïr and gave a slightly surprised nod by way of greeting.
He then turned with the other Felyne Chefs toward Shalan and bowed. "Distinguished guest, meow. This is the hidden dish acclaimed by gourmets everywhere as 'phantom cuisine', the Ruby Basarios, meow.
There are fourteen variations in flavor, designed to transport you into a Jungle dreamscape, meow."
With that, the Chef lifted the cover, revealing several small portions of pale pink cold soup on the tray. The exquisite small bowls, carved from Ice Crystals, emitted a cold mist, looking hazy and possessing a dreamlike beauty.
Altaïr couldn't help but bury his face in his hands. So this was what the so-called phantom cuisine referred to? "This is more like it, meow! This is the kind of delicacy that befits my status, meow!" Shalan's spirits soared. She cared far more about the presentation than the flavor of the food itself.
"Please enjoy, meow," the Chef said as he and the Felyne Chefs withdrew.
Shalan couldn't wait. Raising her small spoon, she scooped a bit of the cold soup, which looked like pink crystal and had settled into a semi-solid jelly in the cold air, and popped it into her mouth.
"Mgh-meow..."
"Lady Shalan, is it good, meow?" Sajji leaned in close to press for an answer.
"It tastes... very sophisticated, meow."
"So, is it actually good, meow?"
"You... you're still young, you wouldn't understand, meow." Shalan turned her head away. "This... this is a complex flavor that only mature adults can appreciate, meow."
"Strategy meeting, meow!"
After a feast so expensive it made even a 9★ Palico's heart ache, though the actual experience had been undeniably subtle, the group was summoned by Shalan to her exceptionally luxurious cabin.
This surprised Altaïr; he had expected Shalan to take advantage of the warm, brilliant afternoon sun to set up a lounge chair outside and nap.
To think she had taken the initiative to organize a strategy meeting?
Then again, while Isis gave off the impression of being a bit dim-witted for an elder, her strength and experience were beyond doubt. Once things turned to serious business, she ought to be reliable after all.
Three pairs of eyes looked at Shalan expectantly, waiting for her next words.
"..." Shalan's expression gradually stiffened.
In that previous team, it was never her turn to organize the strategy meetings. Consequently, after her forceful cry of "strategy meeting," she had no idea what to say next.
After waiting a few seconds, Altaïr let out a silent sigh. "You could start by deciding on a direction for our investigation."
"Ah, right! Investigation direction, meow!" Given a starting point, Shalan's brain finally began its difficult gears turning. "What is our investigation direction, meow?"
Three pairs of eyes continued to stare at her.
But this time the silence didn't last long. Shalan had a sudden flash of inspiration. "Let's hear the scholar's opinion, meow!"
This was exactly the right question for the right person. Erik, whose mind was entirely preoccupied with entering the Jungle, had naturally considered these matters; in fact, he thought about them all day long.
Already eager to participate, he spoke up immediately. "First, let me briefly explain the situation regarding the several investigation teams that have already entered the Jungle.
The largest group consists of the scriveners from the Royal Paleontology Scriveners. They have formed more than one investigation team, and there are even several highly experienced field scriveners who have set out separately to conduct individual research.
Their primary focus is on the locations where the Hyper Monsters were previously discovered. It would be difficult for us to cut in there.
Next is the Elder Dragon Observation Team... ah, wait."
Erik looked at Altaïr with a hint of nervousness.
"I know about the Elder Dragons," Altaïr said with a wave of his hand, sensing his concern. "When I was in Loc Lac, I even participated in The Desert Feast. You could say I've seen an Elder Dragon species before."
"Oh, then I'm relieved." Erik let out a sigh of relief. "The Elder Dragon Observation Team suspects that the abnormal activity of a certain Elder Dragon is causing all of this.
Therefore, they are responsible for investigating the status of several registered Elder Dragons within the Jungle. The Hunters accompanying them are all high-rank Hunters dispatched directly by the Guild headquarters. Again, that's not something we can get involved in." "Yeah." Altaïr nodded; he was carrying some personal motives this time, so he certainly couldn't be trailing behind the Guild's people.
"Then there's the Frenzy Virus Research Institute. They are only responsible for one thing: taking samples across various regions to confirm if there are any signs of the Frenzy Virus appearing. Nothing else concerns them.
That's basically the situation with the investigation teams entering the Jungle."
"What about the Wycademy? Did they not send anyone this time?" Altaïr pressed further.
"Not for the time being. The Wycademy staff are working with the Professor and his team to study that Duramboros. Once they have results, they might come along with the Professor.
If we merge with them, we might end up being the largest investigation team out there."
"I see. I have a rough understanding of the situation now. Do you have a specific direction for the investigation?"
"I do! Here's what I'm thinking!"
Erik pulled a map of the Jungle region from his satchel and spread it out. "The goals of the Elder Dragon Observation Team and the Frenzy Virus Research Institute are very clear; we don't need to worry about them, just ignore them.
The Royal Paleontology Scriveners' investigation teams are concentrated in the large area south of Metapetatto, including the southeast and southwest. After all, so far, every Hyper Monster has been discovered in these areas.
My idea is simple: we head toward the northwest (the northeast is the sea)."
"Why, meow? According to what you said, no Hyper Monsters have been found northwest of Metapetatto, meow?" Shalan asked, puzzled.
"Exactly! That's the key!" Erik snapped his fingers. "Just because no Hyper Monsters have been found in the northwest yet doesn't mean there aren't any in the north!
The Scriveners are too experienced. Whether it's biological surveys, geological surveys, or interviewing local villagers, any investigation method we can think of, they've definitely already thought of it.
That includes investigating the northwest of the Jungle; it must be in their plans, it's just not a high priority right now. They likely intend to finish their concentrated investigation of the south before heading north.
But at least so far, there haven't been any particularly significant discoveries in the south.
There's no point in eating the Scriveners' dust by following behind them. We can head northwest one step ahead of them; we might just find something before they do!
Of course, the probability of finding no clues at all is higher. But since you two have 'impure' motives anyway and aren't strictly here to uncover the truth, I assume you don't mind?"
Erik made no effort to cover for them, speaking the blunt truth directly.
Altaïr and Shalan looked at each other.
"It seems... we really don't mind that much."
"It's decided, meow! We're heading north, meow!"
(Translated by yourtl.app)
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TL NOTES — LORE SECTION
Some terms and creatures referenced in this story may be unfamiliar to readers new to the Monster Hunter universe. The following entries provide additional context.
MONSTERS
Ruby Basarios — A rare subspecies of the Basarios, distinguished by its deep crimson carapace. Like its common counterpart, it is a juvenile rock wyvern that camouflages itself among rocky terrain, but its shell carries a distinctive reddish hue that makes it highly prized. Here, it serves as the base ingredient for the Guild's "phantom cuisine," a dish so rare and visually striking that it earns a legendary reputation among gourmets.