Menu 28: Kawasaki's Full Course – Part One
After finishing our exchange at the market, we returned to the Singing Apple Inn to wait for Mr. Kawasaki. We had heard that Lady Shalltear was temperamental, and she certainly possessed a terrifying, volatile side. However, watching her look at fruit in the stalls on our way back, she looked exactly like the young girl she appeared to be.
"I think Mr. Kawasaki would be pleased with these, I do declare," she had muttered.
Hekkeran took the hint and bought the fruits and seasonings Shalltear had been eyeing.
"Please, consider these a gift for Mr. Kawasaki," I offered.
"...I shan't offer thanks, I do declare," she replied. Her peculiar way of speaking was a bit confusing, but she accepted the bags nonetheless. Once we were back at the inn, she surprised us.
"Humans, you may partake in this as well, I do declare."
She set down a pot of tea and several cups with a dismissive huff. We bowed our heads in gratitude. The tea was truly magnificent. To us in Foresight, Shalltear didn't seem so much "vicious" as she did "difficult to please."
Mr. Kawasaki returned a few hours later, but the atmosphere immediately turned cold.
"What?! You humans have been using Mr. Kawasaki as an errand boy?! What do you think you are doing?!"
Shalltear's mana erupted like a localized storm. She glared at Clementine and Entoma with such overwhelming killing intent and pressure that we collapsed into our chairs, unable to stop our bodies from trembling. Clementine and the others turned pale, their mouths hanging open in wordless terror.
"Easy now, it's fine," Kawasaki said in a calm, soothing tone as he checked the supplies. "Building a connection with the Imperial high command is never a waste of time. We need information, after all."
Shalltear's fury didn't abate. "But for a Supreme Being to serve humans!"
"Don't say that. We just got here. We aren't 'Supreme' anything yet—that's for the future. Our old world is gone, remember?"
Kawasaki's words triggered a thought in my mind. The legends of the Slane Theocracy spoke of gods arriving from different worlds. Is Mr. Kawasaki a resident of another world? "Alright, this should do. Hekkeran, sorry, but I have to head to the castle now. We'll talk when I get back."
"N-no... that's... it's quite alright," Hekkeran stammered, still terrified of Shalltear's gaze.
"Clementine, Entoma, stay here. Shadow Demons, with me."
"YES."
We gasped as demons materialized directly from our own shadows. It was only then we realized that we weren't just being watched by Shalltear—other servants had been monitoring us the entire time. As the demons vanished into Kawasaki's shadow, he picked up his bags and left the Singing Apple Inn.
"Tch! Hey! Clementine! Entoma! I am going out for a while! Keep a proper eye on them!"
Shalltear stormed out of the room, her shoulders tense with rage.
"Man, she was really steamed. Is she gonna be okay?" Clementine wondered.
"...Mr. Kawasaki gave her orders. I don't think she'll go on a rampage... but I'm worried," Entoma added.
The two of them let out deep sighs. We sat there in stunned silence, too afraid to ask what had just happened.
+++
Thanks to the Emperor's letter, I gained entry to the palace without a hitch. However, I was escorted—or rather, monitored—by two of the four knights from the plaza: Baziwood, the man with the goatee, and Leinas, the female knight who hid half her face with her hair.
"Hmm. A fine kitchen."
I wasn't being sarcastic. It was immaculate and well-organized. It had hearths, stone ovens, and even induction-style magical equipment similar to what I'd used at the plaza. It felt remarkably like a modern kitchen. Since I was under supervision, there were no other palace chefs present. Baziwood gave me a stern warning before I started.
"You've been commissioned by His Majesty, but if you make one suspicious move, I will cut you down. Understood?"
"Understood. But I take my cooking seriously. I have no reason or motive to poison the Emperor. I'm just a traveler passing through."
I emphasized that he was a valuable source of information. While I loathed the slavery in this country, getting emotional and losing a prime contact would be a strategic blunder. I had to endure.
"So, Baziwood. Does the Emperor have any dislikes?"
"No, His Majesty will eat anything. But... he has a preference for meat."
Meat. Got it. Researching the diner is Step One.
"And how many people am I cooking for?"
Leinas answered this time. "Three portions: Lord Fluder, Lady Roxie, and His Majesty."
Fluder—that must be the old wizard I saw. They seemed close. Roxie... probably a wife or a concubine.
(The old man means I can't serve anything too tough,) I thought. He looked healthy, but he was still a senior. A heavy steak might not be the best choice. Besides, for an Emperor, a single dish would be too meager.
(Amuse-bouche, Hors d'oeuvre, Soup, Poisson, Sorbet, Entrée, Dessert, Cafe/Petit Fours... that should work.)
A full eleven-course meal would be ideal, but seeing Shalltear's mood before I left, I didn't want to be away from the inn for too long. Entoma and the others weren't exactly a match for Shalltear if she snapped. I wanted to get back quickly, but I couldn't cut corners. I decided on a standard eight-course full course. The palace ingredients were top-tier, but I still felt something was missing.
"Can I use my own ingredients as well?"
"We will inspect them before you begin," Baziwood replied.
I nodded and began pulling items from my Infinite Backpack.
"Wait, wait, wait! How much stuff is in that bag?!" Baziwood shouted as the pile grew.
"It's a Southern magic item. It holds up to five hundred kilograms."
The name 'Infinite' is a bit of a marketing lie, I thought, but it was perfect for hauling supplies.
"Wait until everything is checked."
"Make it fast. Some of these take time to prep."
As the magic casters Baziwood summoned began inspecting the food, Leinas approached me.
"The South has some unusual magic items, doesn't it?"
"You could say that."
They're actually Yggdrasil items, I added mentally. Leinas watched me with an analytical gaze.
"What? You got something to say?" I asked.
"Not something to say, but something to ask."
"Go ahead. I'm not cooking yet."
"Do you happen to have an item that can remove curses?"
"A curse? No, sorry. I don't have anything like that."
Momonga might have something, but I didn't. Leinas's shoulders slumped visibly. Her disappointment was palpable. I wanted to ask what was wrong, but Baziwood interrupted.
"Alright, Sakaki. The inspection is done. Get to work."
I'd have to ask her later. For now, it was time to cook.
+++
Leinas's Perspective
I had hoped that this mysterious traveler, Sakaki, might have a way to break the hideous curse placed upon me by a monster. I serve the Emperor for the sole purpose of finding a cure. If there was someone else who could do it, I would have aligned with them in a heartbeat.
(Baziwood is here to watch us both,) I thought, sitting a short distance away. I watched Sakaki work.
(He's fast...)
His movements were swifter and more precise than any chef I had seen in the palace or my own family's estate.
(Squeezing fruit into juice... is that wine he's adding?)
He squeezed citrus fruits into a bowl, added a clear liquid, whisked it, and slid it into the refrigerator. Then, he heated milk and sugar in a small pan, whisking constantly before pouring it into a metal tray and chilling that as well.
"Right. That's baked."
Ding! He pulled something from the oven—a flat, sheet-like pastry—and set it on the counter to cool.
"His hands are so fast. There's no hesitation," Baziwood noted.
"Indeed," I agreed.
Very little time had passed, yet he had already finished an iced dessert, the cold sweets he'd shown at the plaza, and a baked pastry. He moved with mechanical precision. Next, he peeled boiled eggs, crushed them with a fork, and mixed them with minced onions. But that wasn't all.
"Heave... ho."
He was simultaneously sautéing sliced onions in another pan. He was managing multiple components at once, yet nothing burned. It was as if he had eyes in the back of his head. He added a jelly-like substance and water to the sautéed onions. In another pot, he had been boiling shrimp—rare seafood—and he de-shelled them in a flash. He diced them, mixed them with the egg-and-onion mixture, and put it in the fridge to chill. Finally, he grabbed a pile of tomatoes and began slicing them with dazzling speed.
He said he was a traveler from the South, but what was his true purpose in the Empire? He was suspicious, and I still wondered if he was lying about the curse-breaking items. Yet, I found myself mesmerized by the "magic" of his culinary craft.
+++
Kawasaki's Perspective
They're really staring... It's hard to work with people breathing down my neck. I gave a dry smile but didn't stop. I cleaned and cut the octopus into bite-sized chunks and sliced the squid into rings, then sautéed them in olive oil with a mountain of garlic.
(That's the smell.)
The aroma of toasted garlic is the ultimate appetite stimulant. It pairs perfectly with seafood. I killed the heat once they were lightly cooked; overcooking would turn them into rubber. I seasoned them with salt and pepper and applied a Preservation spell immediately. In the real world, the order of cooking is everything, but here, I can use magic to maintain the perfect temperature and texture. It makes course timing so much easier.
(I wonder if they'll be mad if I use Raging Bull mince?)
Food has power. To live is to eat. To build a friendly relationship, I needed to use my best ingredients to keep their attention on me. I decided to pull out the big guns. I mixed the minced meat with breadcrumbs, eggs, and flour. Once the meat became tacky, I added the leftover minced onions from the shrimp-and-broccoli amuse-bouche, seasoned it with nutmeg, salt, and pepper, and mixed again.
(Perfect.)
I shaped the mixture into three patties, slapping them back and forth to remove the air. The Raging Bull meat was deep red and rich; the quality was evident even before it hit the pan. I seared the burgers in a hot skillet until they were browned on both sides, then moved them to a plate. Since I was going to simmer them, they didn't need to be cooked through yet. I added butter to the same pan, and once it melted, I tossed in a mountain of enoki and shimeji mushrooms.
"About right."
Once the mushrooms softened, I added the leftover tomato sauce from the pizzas. Once the sauce bubbled, I returned the patties to the pan to finish cooking in the liquid. With the main course simmering, I finished the appetizers. I took the chilled tartar and shrimp mixture, added blanched broccoli florets, and arranged them on decorative spoons. I garnished them with pink peppercorns. The balance of the vibrant yellow, the green of the broccoli, and the red of the peppercorns was beautiful. Finally, I wrapped thin slices of cheese, cucumber, and radish sprouts in Prosciutto.
"Alright. Done."
Amuse-bouche: Shrimp and Broccoli Tartar
Hors d'oeuvre: Prosciutto and Cheese Roulade
Soup: Rich Onion Consommé
Poisson: Garlic Sautéed Squid and Octopus
Sorbet: Orange Sorbet
Entrée: Raging Bull Burger Simmered in Mushroom Tomato Sauce
Dessert: Vanilla Ice Cream with Zy'tl Q'ae Fruit Sauce
Cafe/Petit Fours: Coffee and Cookies
I didn't have much time, and I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ingredient selection, but this would be more than enough for a "demonstration." I called out to Baziwood and Leinas.
"It's ready."
+++
This dinner between Roxie, the Old Man, and myself would likely be a unique event. Roxie didn't have high status or the most striking face, but her intellect and character made her the only woman fit to be the mother of the next Emperor. I was certain of it.
"Your Majesty," Roxie spoke up. "Do you truly have the time to host a dinner simply because you found a skilled Southerner?"
"I have no problem," I replied.
This was why I liked her. She didn't care about my title; she was blunt and pragmatic. It was a thousand times better than the women who only saw me as an Emperor.
"Excuse me."
A knock sounded at the door, followed by Sakaki's voice. I granted him entry, and he walked in accompanied by Baziwood and Leinas.
"I thank you for the opportunity to demonstrate my craft tonight, Your Majesty."
Sakaki bowed politely. He was dressed in clean, professional whites. He possessed a level of poise and education that was rare. Usually, someone serving the Emperor for the first time would be a nervous wreck, knowing a single mistake could cost them their head.
"First, an apéritif."
Sakaki placed elegant glasses before us and poured a wine.
"Hoh. You have experience in service as well?" Fluder asked.
"I trained in many roles during my apprenticeship," Sakaki replied smoothly. He didn't even blink at the Court Wizard's scrutiny. He was definitely no ordinary citizen.
"Tonight, I shall serve an eight-course meal: Amuse-bouche, Hors d'oeuvre, Soup, Poisson, Sorbet, Entrée, Dessert, and Cafe/Petit Fours."
"Amuse... what?"
The terms were foreign to us. We had no idea what he was talking about.
"They are the traditional names for the courses in my homeland. Please, enjoy the Amuse-bouche: Shrimp and Broccoli."
He moved three small, decorative spoons from his cart to the table without making a sound. The dish was a vibrant mix of yellow, green, and a red spice I didn't recognize.
"What is this?" Roxie asked.
"An 'Amuse-bouche'—a small gift from the chef to begin the meal and showcase his style. Since it features shrimp, I have paired it with a white wine apéritif."
Sakaki explained the dish, leaving Roxie looking slightly dazed. He bowed and informed us he would prepare the next course. The portion was tiny—just a single bite. Was this really how it was supposed to start?
"Allow me to test it first, Your Majesty," Fluder said. He took the spoon and ate. His eyes widened, and he immediately took a sip of the wine.
"Well, Old Man?"
I knew Fluder had zero interest in food, but his reaction was telling.
"...It is... truly, truly exquisite. The snap of the shrimp, the depth of the egg... and these round berries have a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness. It is simple, yet it demonstrates Sakaki's absolute mastery of the basics."
If Fluder was saying that, I couldn't wait to try it.
"Let us partake then," I said to Roxie.
We each took a spoon and ate the small morsel in one bite. I understood Fluder's words immediately.
(Delicious... even for me, this is a first.)
The rich umami of the egg, the firm texture of the vegetables and shrimp, and the refreshing tartness of the pink peppercorns... it was a revelation. I reached for the wine.
(Sweet...)
The wine had a powerful, fruity sweetness. It stood up perfectly to the acidic notes of the dish.
"It's wonderful," Roxie whispered.
"Yes. Truly delicious."
I felt a pang of regret that the bite was over, but it was immediately replaced by a surging anticipation for the next seven dishes. If this was just the beginning, I was in for a night I would never forget.
+++
Fluder's Perspective
Art. That was the only word for it. It was a masterpiece created from just four ingredients. I have dedicated my entire life to magic, yet for the first time in decades, I felt a genuine spark of interest in a meal.
"Hors d'oeuvre: Prosciutto and Cheese Roulade."
(Beautiful...)
The meat was sliced impossibly thin—Sakaki called it 'Prosciutto'—and wrapped around fresh vegetables. But my eyes saw something else. This dish was infused with the power of magic.
"Sakaki. May I ask a question?" I said after he served the Emperor and Roxie. I had to know if this magic was malicious.
"Unlike the amuse-bouche, this dish clearly possesses a magical aura. Why?"
"...So you have a Talent for that as well?" Sakaki said, apologizing for not explaining sooner. "I had forgotten. In my homeland, we do not have 'Talents' as you know them, but we have our own arts. I am a Cooking Enchanter. I can imbue food with various magical properties."
A profession I had never heard of. Was it a lie? I couldn't tell.
"What kind of magic? Brainwashing? Poison?"
"No, nothing like that. My magic is focused on support and recovery. I can enhance physical strength, intelligence, or speed. I can even boost natural healing or, with the right ingredients, purge curses and poisons. To eat is to live; my art cannot be used for killing."
He explained it as if it were a song, but the magic was entirely outside my understanding of the tiers.
"I noticed you all seemed a bit fatigued, so I've added a recovery effect to this dish. It is quite safe, I assure you."
Sakaki smiled, and I saw no malice in him. Being the most magic-resistant, I took a bite first.
"...Excellent."
"I am honored."
The salted meat was perfectly balanced with a touch of acidity, elevating the flavor of the protein. The fat was rich, unlike any ham I'd tasted. The cheese was mellow and savory, lacking the harsh saltiness or the "milky" smell of local varieties. The cucumber provided a crisp, aromatic crunch. It was simple, but perfectly calculated.
"It is even better if you dip it in the mustard-mayonnaise sauce," Sakaki suggested.
"This white sauce?"
I dipped the roll as instructed and took another bite.
"This... it's like a different dish entirely!"
The original was great, but the mild acidity and the kick of the spice in the sauce doubled the impact of the meat and vegetables.
"Incredible... Sakaki, what is this 'mayonnaise'?"
"A condiment made from eggs and vinegar. Does the Empire not have it?"
Two dishes in, and I knew this "Southern traveler" possessed knowledge and skill that were literally out of this world.
"Next: Soup. A rich Onion Consommé."
Kawasaki served us bowls of a clear, amber liquid accompanied by two small pieces of white bread. "A warm soup to follow the cold starters," he noted.
(It looks so ordinary...)
The broth was transparent, with sliced onions and basil leaves floating in it. It was a dish you could find anywhere in the Empire. Or perhaps that was the point—by serving something familiar, he was forcing us to see the difference in his skill. Roxie tasted it first.
"It's... so comforting. It tastes like something my mother would have made when I was a child... so nostalgic."
I took a sip myself.
(Wait... this is incredible!)
It looked like just onions, but the amber broth was packed with the essence of meat and vegetables. The sweetness of the onions permeated every drop. Just as Roxie said, it was deeply soothing.
"The bread is magnificent as well. So soft and sweet."
"I used high-quality flour and designed it to pair with the broth," Sakaki explained. "Try dipping it."
I tore off a piece of bread and soaked it in the soup. Each was amazing on its own, but together, they were divine.
"Mr. Sakaki... you truly have a gift."
"I have dedicated my life to this path. I still have much to learn," he replied humbly. I sensed no sarcasm or false modesty; he truly believed it. He was like me—a man seeking to master his craft. My respect for him grew.
"Will you serve me?" Jircniv asked suddenly.
"You joke, Your Majesty," Sakaki replied. But I knew Jircniv was serious. Sakaki's skill was far beyond any chef in the Imperial Court.
"Next: Poisson. Garlic Sautéed Squid and Octopus."
Shellfish and cephalopods... rare delicacies from the sea. They were piled high on a deep white plate, smelling strongly of savory garlic.
"Seafood is rare. How did you acquire this? The oceans are filled with monsters," Jircniv noted.
"A friend helped me. He's currently elsewhere, but he's a magnificent swordsman who traveled with me from the South."
Hearing Sakaki talk about his friend—a man named Momon—with such pride made me think he must be a warrior of unbelievable strength.
"I haven't had seafood in a long time," Jircniv said, picking up his fork.
"It is a rare treat indeed," Roxie agreed.
Because the coast is so dangerous, fresh seafood is astronomically expensive. To see this much was a shock. I took a piece of squid.
(Yes. This is it.)
The bite was perfect—a clean snap. The garlic was heavy, just the way I liked it.
"Your friend must be quite a warrior."
"He's a rare talent. Known in the South for wielding two greatswords at once," Sakaki said with a chuckle.
Baziwood's face twisted in disbelief. Wielding one greatsword was a feat; two was impossible.
"I'm sure Momon will make a name for himself in these lands soon enough," Sakaki added. "Please, eat while it's hot."
I didn't want to talk anymore. I just wanted to eat.
"Magnificent. I've always loved octopus, but it's so hard to find. To eat my fill of it like this... I am truly happy," Jircniv said, washing the food down with wine.
The octopus was chewy and savory, a perfect match for the garlic. I looked at the remaining food on my plate and smiled. I couldn't remember the last time I had enjoyed a meal this much.
***
10 Advanced Chapters Available on my Patreon!
https://patreon.com/Well_being