“What is the meaning of this, Baron?”
A troublesome customer had once again come to the newly opened Izakaya Nobu.
One of the two customers had been to this store before.
Baron Branton.
A nobleman with a territory near the old capital, and a big fan of card games.
He had made an unreasonable request to rent out Izakaya Nobu for the night, but he ate the katsu sandwich that Shinobu had made for him, saying it was delicious, and then went home.
The problem was the other person.
Shinobu simply couldn’t figure out the identity of the white-haired old man who spoke so politely to the Baron.
He was beautifully dressed and carried a small, round-bodied guitar-like instrument under his arm. Shinobu had no idea what kind of profession he was in.
“I heard that I would be treated to a feast by Baron Branton, who is renowned as a gourmand, so I came all the way from the Imperial City, but the banquet is to be held at this izakaya. Did I do something to offend Baron Branton without realizing it, and this elaborate invitation was written in retaliation?”
“No, that’s not it. That’s not it, Krowinkel.”
The moment the name Krowinkel was mentioned, Godhardt and Arne from the Water Transport Guild, who happened to be there, turned around.
Shinobu thought they might be acquaintances of the two, but she couldn’t figure out where the connections were between the Water Transport Guild Master and the prodigal son.
“The food here is wonderful, Krowinkel. I’m sure you remember the commotion at Princess Hildegard’s wedding the other day.”
“I believe it was the Ankake Yudofu Incident. I recall that it was tentatively concluded that there was no such dish in the Eastern Kingdom, and that it was a young princess’s imaginary food, but has anything new happened around Baron Branton since then?”
“Krowinkel, this is the place. This is the very place that served the Ankake Yudofu. I’m quite fond of it.”
Branton praised Izakaya Nobu with exaggerated gestures.
But Godhardt and Arne didn’t seem to care. They were glancing at Krowinkel as if they had just met a celebrity.
“What! So that store really did exist. Baron Branton, you did a great job finding it when so many of the Imperial nobles couldn’t. I deeply regret saying such rude things earlier, even though it was a misunderstanding.”
“No, it’s fine. But it’s not good to come to a tavern and not enjoy the snacks and sake. Let’s order right away.”
“Yes, yes, let’s do that.”
Branton elegantly raised his hand and called Shinobu, who had already placed the wet towels and appetizers.
“Two ‘Toriaezu Nama’, please.”
“Yes, two draft beers.”
He seemed somewhat proud, probably because he had researched the place beforehand.
He had left a gold coin for the katsu sandwich last time, so he might be a nobleman with a surprisingly mischievous side.
“And, let’s have some recommended snacks. Something warm, if possible.”
“Yes, something warm.”
“I don’t need to specify, but make it something delicious. After all, it’s going into the mouth of the minstrel Krowinkel here.”
“Ah.”
Hearing the word minstrel, something flashed in Shinobu’s mind.
Now that she thought about it, wasn’t the poet Godhart said he liked also named Krowinkel? And that’s what Arnoux said he was aiming for, too.
That’s why the two of them had been looking so bright-eyed like puppies.
Shinobu turned around to tell Nobuyuki about this, but it seemed that he had already noticed it.
He had a good, indescribable smile sealed on his lips, and was busy plating the food for the two gourmets.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Oh, this is…”
Nobuyuki’s choice for the order was oyster gratin.
Nobuyuki usually doesn’t prefer overly fancy dishes, but sometimes he does things like this.
The oyster gratin, with the oyster meat intact and the flavor sealed in with white sauce, was served in the oyster shell.
It looked fun, and it tasted good too. Shinobu felt that the seasoning was a little too much towards the old capital, but that was just a matter of personal preference.
How would these two gourmets judge it?
“Using Teppougai shells to serve the gratin is quite interesting. I believe there was a chef at an inn in the Eastern Kingdom who came up with something similar, but I think that was a hollowed-out watermelon filled with candied fruit. That was interesting too, but this is also quite wonderful.”
“The taste is quite good too, Krowinkel. The heat on the Teppougai is just right.”
Branton, who had eaten the gratin in two bites, was already moving on to the next oyster. The way he picked up the oyster shell with his long fingers was elegant and, as expected, refined.
Krowinkel, on the other hand, had the first oyster in his mouth and was thinking about something.
“Um, did you not like it?”
Shinobu couldn’t help but ask, but Krowinkel didn’t answer.
He just tasted the gratin, closed his eyes, and groaned softly. This kind of customer was rare.
His behavior reminded her of the undercover investigators who came to the Yukitsuna restaurant.
“I see.”
In stark contrast to his previous loquaciousness, Krowinkel said just one word and put his mouth to the beer mug.
From his expression, it was impossible to tell whether he was satisfied or not.
“How was it, Krowinkel? Pretty good, right?”
“Yes, Baron.”
“What, you didn’t like the gratin?”
“No, that’s not it.”
Krowinkel cleared his throat and stared at Nobuyuki.
Nobuyuki also turned to face him.
The minstrel and the chef exchanged glances, as if measuring each other’s abilities.
It was the minstrel Krowinkel who spoke first.
“This is very delicious, but it’s not your true taste. Am I wrong?”
“…You are correct.”
Nobuyuki bowed his head respectfully.
Nobuyuki wouldn’t lie about something like this. He had been well trained in that regard by the head chef of Yukitsuna, Tohara.
“I have deep trust in Baron Branton’s palate. If he recommends a restaurant, I want to taste the essence of its cuisine.”
Shinobu was in trouble when he said that.
The katsu sandwich that she had served the Baron last time was made by her. However, she kept quiet about it because it would be complicated if she spoke up here.
“I have a request for the owner. Please serve me the dish you are most confident in right now.”
“Understood.”
“If the taste satisfies me, I will grant you one wish.”