“H-hey, Reinhold-san. What in the world is this?”
From the opened jar, “it” slithered out onto the floor.
This eerie creature, covered in a slick, slimy substance, appeared to be still alive, and it slowly crawled across the floor.
Godhart had never seen a creature called an octopus in his entire life.
He knew about squid, though.
If you didn’t know about squid at Izakaya Nobu, you were a complete amateur.
Squid was the former weakness of the captain of the guard company that defends the Old Capital, Berthold, also known as <The Demon>.
It looked a lot like that creature, but he wondered if this “octopus” was also edible.
The unexpected appearance of this unusual guest caused a sudden commotion in the pub.
Some of the customers even screamed.
Gernot, who usually boasts composure even in the council meetings, maintains a straight face, but he has retreated to the wall with his plate of Napolitan.
The only ones who remain calm are Taisho, Shinobu, Eva, and the young wife of the company captain, whose name he thinks is Hermina.
Women are strong in times like these.
Before long, Hermina deftly captures the octopus and pushes it back into the jar.
The two guardsmen seem to be stunned and unable to do anything. He wondered if the city could really be protected by such men.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize it was still so lively.”
Reinhold scratches his head apologetically.
The customers jeer at him to get a grip, but Godhart is focused on Taisho’s expression.
That is the look of a chef.
He must be assessing whether the octopus is marketable.
If Reinhold’s octopus is an ingredient like squid, being able to transport it to the Old Capital while still fresh is a significant advantage.
Fish that has been dead for a long time is inedible, but if it can be transported alive, that’s a different story. The freshness should be relatively well-maintained.
“Perhaps,” Godhart turns to face Reinhardt.
He had thought of him as a well-bred young master, but this man may have deliberately brought up the octopus here.
If that’s the case, he’s an incredibly shrewd strategist.
Come to think of it, what was Godhart doing when he was Reinhold’s age? Wasn’t he just spending his days fighting?
“Hmm.”
“What’s wrong, Godhart-san? Why are you groaning? Your eel will get cold.”
“Oh, ah, you’re right.”
Shinobu discreetly replaces his lager, which has become lukewarm during the commotion. Such consideration is rarely seen in other establishments.
While he’s gulping down the lager he’s been brought, Reinhold is suggesting that he give the current octopus to Taisho.
“What do you think? I’ll give you this octopus, so could you try cooking it? Of course, I won’t charge you.”
“That would be great, but it will take some time.”
“I don’t mind. The night has only just begun.”
The surrounding customers also seem interested in the conversation, and there is a sense that they are listening intently.
They are all hoping to get a taste of the leftovers.
Taisho’s movements were swift once he decided to prepare the octopus.
He quickly dispatches the octopus in front of Godhart and the others, and has Shinobu grate some daikon radish.
“Usually, just rubbing it with salt is enough, but this octopus seems to have firm flesh, so I’ll rub it with grated daikon radish as well.”
Although Shinobu usually waits tables, her skill in grating daikon is impressive.
In no time, a bowl full of grated daikon is ready.
The customers’ throats gulp in anticipation. It would be a waste to leave now.
Apparently, there are various ways to eat octopus, and they are ordering lager and preparing for the long haul.
Eva, who had been wiping the floor where the octopus had crawled, rushes around taking orders.
Lager, poured to the brim in steins by Hermina, is carried to the tables one after another.
Since Taisho’s hands are full, there are no additional snacks. So, conversation blossoms at every table.
At the tables, topics like witches and such are being discussed, but Reinhold and Godhart’s interests are different.
“This year’s harvest festival is likely to be even bigger than usual.”
“Since the Backeshoff Trading Company is gone, the management of the grand market is likely to be troublesome.”
“It’s better than having most of the profits taken away.”
The harvest festival itself is still several months away, but preparations must begin soon. For the Water Transport Guild, the allocation of the grand market held at the same time as the harvest festival is important.
Merchants from all over the Empire gather at the grand market, which is held only once a year. The profits are large, but the hardships are not small.
If there is any negligence in the transportation of goods at that time, it will affect the reputation of the Water Transport Guild.
“So, both the octopus and the grand market require careful preparation?”
“That’s right. We need to have a thorough meeting with Eleonora as well.”
“Yes, you’re right. And where should we have the meeting?”
Reinhold asks a question that doesn’t need to be asked, seemingly on purpose. Judging by the smile on his lips, he probably knows the answer.
“It’s decided. At this establishment, of course.”
While they are talking about this, it seems that the preparation of the octopus is finally complete.
Taisho uses his masterful knife skills to thinly slice the washed octopus.
“First, we have sashimi.”
The sashimi served on the plate is as beautiful as white flower petals.
When it was crawling around on the floor, it looked like some kind of monstrous servant of a twisted god sleeping in the depths of the deep sea, but now it has transformed into a very appetizing form.
He picks up a slice, dips it in soy sauce, and puts it in his mouth.
“…I see.”
He couldn’t help but voice his surprise at the plump texture.
It has a firm taste when chewed.
He has eaten fish sashimi many times, but this is a different kind of deliciousness.
“It’s softer than when I ate it in the northern town…”
While saying this, Reinhold also picks up two or three slices of sashimi.
Not to be outdone, Godhart also extends his chopsticks, savoring the surprisingly firm flavor of the octopus.
This should go well with Riesling.
“Excuse me, Shinobu-chan. Riesling over here.”
“Oh, me too, please.”
Once one person orders, it’s as if a dam has broken, and orders for Riesling flood in.
Even Gernot, who was suspected of being afflicted with a strange disease that only allowed him to eat Napolitan, is secretly picking at it with white wine in hand.
It matches.
As expected, octopus sashimi goes well with Riesling.
The chilled, dry Riesling enhances the flavor of the octopus many times over.
Indeed, octopus is a suitable ingredient for sashimi.
The Old Capital doesn’t have a custom of eating fresh fish raw, but if live octopus can be procured from the northern port town, that’s a different story.
This could be quite profitable.
The sashimi is quickly cleared away, but just as if he had timed it perfectly, the next dish appears.
“Now, next is octopus karaage.”
The karaage, made by deep-frying chopped-up tentacles, has an intense aroma.
Why is it that the smell of oil can exert such a violent temptation on the stomach?
This calls for lager.
Godhart’s instincts as a drinker strongly assert themselves.
“Shinobu-chan, toriaezu nama over here!”
“Here too!”
“And here!”
He takes a sip of lager, restoring his mouth to normalcy.
Octopus karaage.
Chicken karaage is a specialty menu item at Nobu.
Is octopus such a strong ingredient that it can compete with that same karaage?
He picks it up with his chopsticks and stares at it intently.
*Pakuri*
After taking a bite, he realized his mistake.
Octopus is not meant to be eaten as sashimi.
It’s meant to be eaten as karaage. God created it for that purpose.
Thinking about it that way, the strange appearance makes sense.
That suspicious and eerie appearance was to hide this deliciousness from humans.
And, of course, it goes well with lager. It’s a nice touch that it’s seasoned with a bit more spice than the chicken karaage. This taste is addictive.
“Do you like it?”
Shinobu asks as she brings refills of lager.
Godhart nods vigorously and declares.
“The octopus karaage is wonderful. It goes well with toriaezu nama, too. From tomorrow, this will be my usual. Of course, I’ll eat eel sometimes, but when there’s octopus, it’s karaage.”
“You like it that much?”
“Yes, I like it very much. I wonder what the poet Krowinkel would sing about my current feelings.”
“Poet…?”
Reinhold pokes Shinobu, who doesn’t seem to understand, in the elbow and comes to her rescue.
“Godhart-san, surprisingly, likes poetry and stories. Krowinkel is a minstrel who sings only about food. He’s even compiled his poems into a book.”
“Oh, there are all kinds of people.”
Shinobu, impressed, is pushed an empty stein.
“I have to show that I have some education, too. You can’t be a guild master with just brawn, you know. Right, Reinhold-san?”
“I’m a little lacking in the brawn department.”
Saying that, Reinhold tries to make a muscle on his thin arm, but Godhart grabs his neck and forces a toast.
“Who cares? You don’t need muscle to manage the guild. You’re doing a good job of it so far.”
“O-okay…”
While giving a hesitant reply and sipping his lager, Reinhold picks at the karaage. Then the next dish arrives. It’s a small bowl.
It seems to be mixed with some kind of stem, and it’s piled up modestly at the bottom.
He feels like it would be better to serve it generously in a large bowl.
“The last dish is takowasa. It’s a little spicy, so please be careful and eat it little by little.”
Translator’s Note
Takowasa or tako-wasa is chopped octopus marinated in wasabi.
He sighs softly.
After the upward trajectory of sashimi and karaage, this last dish is a bit of a letdown.
However, knowing Taisho, he must have something in mind.
For example, it might be a dish that sobers you up with one bite. Thinking about it that way, it feels somewhat appreciated.
Taisho said to eat it little by little, but it’s probably just a threat.
He grabs a generous amount of the takowasa with his chopsticks.
He sees Shinobu trying to stop him, saying “Ah,” but it’s too late.
He throws it all into his mouth at once.
*Tsun*
The next moment, he feels a pain between his eyebrows and the bridge of his nose that he has never experienced before.
He involuntarily closes his eyes and washes it down with lager.
What is this? It’s more painful than spicy. But it’s not an unpleasant sensation.
He chews on the remaining takowasa in his mouth. The plump texture he tasted in the sashimi remains, and a refreshing spiciness that is neither salt nor spice creates an exquisite taste that spreads in his mouth.
“A-are you alright? Eating so much at once…”
Instead of answering Shinobu and Reinhold, who are looking at him with concern, he throws another mouthful of takowasa into his mouth. This time, it’s just one bite.
And then, lager.
It’s delicious.
This is delicious.
“Reinhold-san.”
“Y-yes.”
He clasps Reinhold’s hand, who has straightened his back, with both hands.
“I approve of the investment. Let’s sell octopus. Let’s make it so that we can eat octopus in the Old Capital anytime.”
“Yes!”
He toasts again with Reinhold, who nods vigorously.
He feels like it’s been a long time since he’s had such delicious sake.