Menu 25: Sukiyaki-Style Nikujaga and Seafood Gratin
A night's sleep had finally allowed me to push back the nightmare triggered by the sight of Princess Renner. I had thought I'd moved on, but it seemed those "eyes" of hers were a deep-seated trigger for my trauma.
"Yuri, forgive me, but could I trouble you for some tea?"
"Of course. I shall prepare it immediately."
I watched Yuri bow respectfully and sank back into my chair. I'd told Momonga I was feeling under the weather, so he'd handled the formal greetings with the King and Gazef. Establishing the connection was enough; we could hammer out the details of our alliance later if any problems arose.
As I sipped the fragrant tea Yuri provided, my nerves finally began to settle. Even though I knew Princess Renner and that woman were entirely different people, the fact that I'd nearly suffered a breakdown was a testament to how weak I still was... Or perhaps it was only natural. Being stalked, having my restaurant stolen, watching the woman systematically destroy the business of every owner who tried to help me, and finally being subjected to an attempted kidnapping... yeah. Thinking back on it, it would be weirder if I wasn't traumatized.
"Where is Brain?" I asked, noticing his absence.
Yuri's brow furrowed slightly. "He mentioned he had an acquaintance in the city and went to gather information. I informed him that if he is not at the gate by sunset, we will leave without him."
Wow, she's cold toward outsiders, I thought. I finished my tea and waited patiently for Momonga to return.
"By the way, Yuri, what do you like?"
She tilted her head, confused by the question. "What food do you like?" I clarified.
"Such things are far too good for a servant like myself," she replied.
(Sigh... still a long way to go...)
I wanted the NPCs to develop more human-like personalities, but my "Nazarick Peace Project" was moving much slower than I'd hoped. I remembered Pandora's Actor advising me that I'd have to change the environment around Momonga first if I wanted to see real results. It was going to be a long haul.
+++
Since Kawasaki was "indisposed," I met with King Ramposa and the Captain of the Guard alone. They offered profound thanks to us—for identifying the allergy and for providing the testimony that proved Gazef's report was the truth.
"This will give me the leverage I need to question the nobles who insisted Gazef was lying," King Ramposa said.
I watched him carefully. Even as a King, his position was far from secure. It felt strange to watch the political maneuvering from an outsider's perspective.
"I wished to thank Mr. Kawasaki personally, but..."
"My apologies, Your Majesty. He is currently resting as he is quite exhausted."
I'd used the excuse that Kawasaki was drained, and the King took it in a very... specific direction.
"Ah, I see. To imbue food with such powerful effects must take a heavy toll on his physical condition. Please convey my deepest apologies and my gratitude to him."
(He's making some very generous assumptions,) I thought. Still, correcting him would be more trouble than it was worth.
"I shall tell him," I replied. Better he thinks Kawasaki is a self-sacrificing miracle worker than a literal God of Food, I figured.
"What are your plans now, Lord Gown?"
"We've only just arrived in these lands," I replied after a moment's thought. "We wish to see more—the Empire, the Theocracy, the Council State, the Draconic Kingdom... the joy of travel lies in the discovery of new things and new people."
I maintained the cover story that we had only stopped in the Kingdom because of Gazef's invitation.
"Will you head to the Empire next?" Gazef asked, his expression clouding slightly.
"Kawasaki mentioned he wants to open a restaurant," I said with a chuckle. "We're looking for a good location while observing the culinary culture of each nation. But... yes. I think E-Rantel would be an ideal spot to eventually settle."
It was close to Nazarick and had a respectable Adventurer's Guild. King Ramposa smiled broadly.
"Then, when your travels are over and you decide to open your shop, visit me once more. I shall provide all the assistance you need to establish your business."
He noted that with our "foreign" appearances, we would likely face difficulties without a royal backing.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. If we do open a shop in E-Rantel, please let us know if you require anything. I shall provide my wisdom and strength in return."
It was a win-win: the King gave Kawasaki a business, and I gave the King power and counsel. Plus, Kawasaki had mentioned that the lands around the Kingdom were quite fertile and that he'd prefer a spot near E-Rantel based on what Brain and Nigun had told him.
I bowed to the King and left the throne room with Gazef.
"Lord Gown," Gazef said as we walked. "Please tell Mr. Kawasaki that the servants at my estate loved the pizza he shared. They were overjoyed."
"I'll tell him. He'll be glad to hear it."
I smiled to myself. That was just like Kawasaki—he always made sure to look after everyone, not just the people at the top. I headed back to the guest suite to collect my friend.
+++
"So, King Ramposa offered to help you set up a shop in E-Rantel. Oh, and Gazef said thanks for the pizza you gave his housekeepers."
"I see. 'Kindness is its own reward,' as they say. Though in this case, it literally paid off," Kawasaki remarked. He was already rolling up his sleeves. We had arrived at the estate Sebas and Solution were using as their base in the capital.
"Wait, you're going to cook? Shouldn't you be resting?" I asked.
Sebas and Solution were out gathering information, and the Shadow Demons guarding the place let us in. Kawasaki laughed.
"Cooking is how I rest, Momonga. Besides... don't you want to try a dish that Touch Me used to love?"
"A dish Touch Me-san liked?!"
I was genuinely surprised. Kawasaki nodded. Now I'm definitely interested, I thought.
"Just wait and see. Go read a book or something."
He headed for the kitchen, and I asked Yuri to prepare some tea for me while I waited. I pulled a book from my Item Box and settled in.
+++
I scanned the jars of spices and seasonings collected at the safehouse, tasting a few.
"This is... close to soy sauce," I murmured. It lacked depth and aroma, but the base was there. I tried the next one. "Strong acidity... is this a primitive mustard?"
The flavors were off—too strong here, too weak there—but the fundamentals of seasonings seemed universal. However, I didn't have the time to experiment with unknown variables, so I pulled my own trusted supplies from the Item Box.
The dish Touch Me loved was one Sebas also counted as a favorite: a richly seasoned Nikujaga. At my restaurant back home, I called it "Sukiyaki-style Nikujaga."
"Beef, potatoes, onions, and scallions."
I kept the ingredients simple. Usually, I'd add carrots or tofu, but I smiled as I remembered Touch Me's specific dislikes. He hated carrots, peas, and tofu. When I cooked for him, I always left those out.
Cooking was my therapy. I sliced the Raging Bull ribeye into three-centimeter strips, roughly chopped the onions along the grain, peeled the small potatoes and soaked them in water, and sliced the scallions diagonally. Finally, I mixed sake, sugar, and soy sauce in a cup to create the warishitabase.
"In goes the beef tallow."
Since it was sukiyaki-style, the procedure was the same. I melted the tallow, removed the solids, and seared the beef. Once the meat changed color, I poured in the base sauce.
"This really is just sukiyaki," I muttered. I call it Nikujaga because of the potatoes, but let's be real. I had no intention of changing my signature style, though. I added the potatoes and other vegetables, simmering them in the sauce. I added a little water to prevent the sugar from burning.
"Perfect."
I sampled a potato. The sauce had penetrated deep into the center. I covered the pot and let it sit; stews and braised dishes always taste better as they cool because the flavors settle. I made enough for three grown men—Momonga, Sebas, and myself would make short work of it.
"And for the side, miso soup and pickles."
That was the classic Nikujaga set. I whipped up the soup and prepared some salt-massaged cucumbers. Now, for Solution. I'd scared her earlier, and she was working hard, so she deserved a reward too.
"Gratin? No... let's make it a Seafood Gratin."
I still had the octopus and shellfish from our island trip, plus some squid from my stores. It would be far superior to a plain gratin.
"Squid, shrimp, clams, and scallops. That should do it."
I added some shimeji mushrooms and onions to round out the flavor. I set to work, knowing Sebas and Solution could return at any moment. I prepped the mushrooms by hand, sliced the onions, and tossed the seafood with a splash of white wine to enhance the aroma. I heated olive oil in a pan and sautéed the mushrooms and seafood.
"That smells great."
Once the mushrooms softened, I seasoned the mix with salt and pepper. I removed the seafood and juices from the pan, then added butter and the onions.
"Now for the roux."
I added flour to the softened onions, cooking it until the "raw" smell vanished. Then, I gradually whisked in milk, letting the sauce thicken before adding more. Once the bechamel reached the right consistency, I seasoned it with salt, pepper, and consommé. I preheated the oven—an Yggdrasil item I'd installed here specifically for times like this.
"Not bad for a first try in a while."
The bechamel was rich with the flavor of butter and milk. I folded the seafood and mushrooms back into the sauce. Just then, I heard a knock. It was Yuri.
"Is Sebas back?"
"Yes. He is currently reporting to Lord Ainz."
"Perfect timing." I poured the seafood mixture into a heat-resistant dish, smothered it in cheese, and slid it into the oven. I turned the heat back on under the Nikujaga and miso soup.
+++
Sebas's Perspective
Gathering information in the capital was a slow process. While we had gained some trust and heard many rumors, very little of it was truly worthy of the Supreme One's ears.
"We shall try a different approach tomorrow, Solution," I said. "Perhaps the jewelers who cater to the nobility?"
"I agree," Solution replied, looking out the carriage window. "The criminal organization 'Eight Fingers' is also a concern. While they are likely no threat to us, the possibility of Talent-holders among them makes them worth investigating."
We opened the door to the estate and froze. Standing there was someone who should not have been there: Yuri Alpha.
"Welcome back, Lord Sebas. Solution. The Masters are waiting for you."
The color drained from my face. Why are they here? Was our reporting inadequate? Solution looked equally pale. A thousand possible failures flashed through my mind. Yuri urged us forward, and we moved to the meeting room.
"Lord Ainz, Sebas and Solution have returned."
"Enter," Ainz's voice rang out.
He closed the book he was reading and looked at us. We moved to kneel, but he stopped us.
"My presence here is a coincidence. There is no need for such formality. I receive your reports daily, but I wish to hear your subjective thoughts. How does the capital look to you? How deep does the corruption go?"
I felt a cold sweat down my back as I reported on the factions of the nobility and the shadow organization known as Eight Fingers. Ainz listened with his eyes closed.
"You have done well. Both Kawasaki and I are aware of your hard work."
The door behind us opened, and the rhythmic squeak-squeak of Kawasaki's footsteps approached, accompanied by an incredible aroma.
"It is not exactly a reward, but I have not yet eaten. Let us share a meal together," Ainz said with a kind smile.
Sharing a meal with our Masters? The thought was almost unthinkable.
"Sit down before the food gets cold," Kawasaki said firmly.
"Y-yes, sir!"
I took the seat indicated—a massive bowl of white rice, the Nikujaga, miso soup, and pickles. I noticed a small bowl containing a "Golden Egg." Solution was served a bubbling gratin, and a second portion was placed for Yuri.
"Here you go, Momonga."
"Thank you, Kawasaki."
Kawasaki served Ainz personally before sitting down with his own portion.
"Thank you for the meal!" they said in unison.
I picked up my chopsticks, my heart racing.
"Don't put the Golden Egg in the meat yet," Kawasaki warned. "The flavor changes. Try it as it is first."
"Understood."
I looked at the Nikujaga—thin slices of beef, small whole potatoes, and onions that had turned a deep, savory brown. I took a bite of the onion.
(It's... intense!)
It was sweet and savory, with a concentrated flavor that demanded a mouthful of rice. It wasn't "salty" in a bad way; it was just incredibly rich. I found myself devouring the rice alongside the tender onions.
"It's a bit strong, but delicious," Ainz remarked.
"It's sukiyaki-style, so the seasoning is heavy. But it makes you want more rice, doesn't it?" Kawasaki replied.
I reached for a potato. It was perfectly intact, yet so soft that my chopsticks passed through it effortlessly. Inside, it was stained dark with the sauce. The starchy, fluffy texture of the potato combined with the umami of the beef broth was heaven.
(The meat is perfect—firm but tender.)
It had the bite of real beef but was perfectly braised. The saltiness of the cucumber pickles refreshed my palate, only for my appetite to return even stronger.
"Sebas, seconds?"
I looked down. My mountain of rice had vanished.
"I... I shall fetch it myself—"
"Don't be stupid. I'm already getting up to get some for Momonga and me. I'll get yours too."
Kawasaki snatched my bowl and disappeared before I could protest. I felt a wave of guilt for letting my Master serve me, but Ainz just chuckled.
"Wait for him. He wants to show you the 'proper' way to eat it. He can be a bit of a micromanager when it comes to food."
A few moments later, Kawasaki returned with the bowls.
"For the second round, you do this," he said, piling the remaining beef and onions onto my rice and drizzling the sauce over it. "Then, you crack the Golden Egg... and drop it right in the center. Behold: The Nikujaga Donburi."
"Oh... that looks spectacular," Ainz said, his eyes gleaming.
I followed Kawasaki's lead, breaking the golden yolk.
(This is... the perfect meal.)
The rich, creamy yolk wrapped around the intense, savory beef and rice, transforming the dish into something entirely different.
"A bowl like this is what a man needs," Kawasaki said, shoveling the food into his mouth. Ainz used a spoon to carefully mix his. The atmosphere was so warm, so casual... I realized this might be the true nature of our Masters when the mask of leadership was removed. I took a bite of the egg-covered rice and knew I was tasting the cuisine of the heavens.
+++
Solution's Perspective
I watched Lord Sebas eating like a common laborer—shoveling food into his mouth with rice and egg clinging to his white beard. I couldn't help but let out a small, silent giggle. It wasn't a slight; it was clear that Lord Kawasaki had chosen the gratin for Yuri and me because he knew our preferences. I dipped my spoon into the cheese and white sauce.
(This is incredible...)
The gratin was packed with seafood—the red of the shrimp popped against the white sea of the bechamel.
"Careful, it's hot," Kawasaki warned.
I blew on the spoon and took a bite. Even then, the heat surprised me, but the richness of the butter and cheese... and the deep, savory notes of the seafood and mushrooms...
(Delicious...)
I could feel the warmth spreading through my body. Being a Shoggoth, I felt the energy and the flavor permeate my entire being. Beside me, Yuri let out a long, blissful sigh.
(Compared to this, the 'chefs' in the capital aren't even worthy of the name,) I thought. Their preparation, their seasoning, their very attitude toward the craft—it was all inferior. I had been enduring the local food only because I was told not to waste it, but I never enjoyed it. I remembered being served a "gratin" at a noble's estate that was nothing but a mystery mess.
(Squid...)
I savored the unique texture of the squid, refusing to simply swallow such a masterpiece.
"Is it good?" Kawasaki asked, leaning over the counter.
I felt a flush of embarrassment for being so lost in the meal that I hadn't noticed him approaching. "Yes, Lord Kawasaki. It is wonderful."
"I am eternally grateful for this honor," Yuri added.
Kawasaki laughed it off, but I knew Lupsregina and Narberal would be green with envy if they knew what we were eating.
"This wine pairs perfectly with the gratin," Kawasaki said, placing glasses before Yuri and me and pouring a white wine. We both turned pale at the thought of being served by him, but he stopped our protests.
"Don't worry about it. I'm a chef. Serving the food is my job. Don't take that away from me."
He sat back down with his own glass. "Momonga? Sebas?"
"I'll pass," Ainz said. "I'm not much of a drinker."
"Me as well," Sebas added.
"You guys are no fun," Kawasaki grumbled, putting the bottle back. I took a sip of the wine and my eyes widened. It wasn't strong, but the acidity and sweetness of the grapes were perfect. More than that... I felt a surge of vitality.
"That's my special 'Buff Wine.' Just drinking it gives you a status boost."
I was once again amazed by the sheer variety of his skills.
"White wine and seafood are a classic pairing," Kawasaki said with a grin. I scooped up another bite, focusing on the shrimp and scallops. The shrimp was sweet and springy, and the scallops melted into the bechamel.
(Every single bite is perfect.)
My heart and my body were both full. Watching the two Supreme Beings talk so happily together, I took another sip of the wine.
"Oh... this truly is a blessing," I whispered.
***
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