The Other World Dining Hall (WN) Chapter 22

Fried Seafood Platter1

At dusk, Gard, a dwarven glass worker, climbed the mountain and asked Guilem who walked beside him.

[I wonder… can I ask you one thing?]

[What?]

His prideful beard shaking, Guilem who walked with bright eyes replied to Gard’s inquiry.

[Why are we climbing the mountain?]

Gard asked the fundamental question.

[What the… I told you before. We’re going to eat a meal today because it’s Satur’s Day.]

Guilem replied as a matter of course.

On the other hand, Gard was a bit irritated and asked further.

[Guilem… I don’t know what you’re thinking but you said that we’re going to eat “fish” and alcohol.]

Guilem was a dwarf, a race who loved drinking alcholol and specialized at crafting and even brewing alcohol.

Guilem was the best at brewing alcohol among the dwarves.

In addition, Guilem made a “new drink”.

If Guilem said that it was “delicious alcohol”, then it tasted delicious.

That’s the way it was.

[Oh, the restaurant we’re going now, it has many delicious fish and alcohol. It was the first time I ate “a delicious fresh fish”! I was surprised.]

Gard exploded at the laughing Guilem.

[So why are we going to the mountains if we’re going out to eat fish!?]

A long time had passed since they started to climb the mountain.

He did not see any water spring or fish around here.

He did not understand a thing what Guilem was saying.

[Oh, that’s because there’s a restaurant ahead of us. Just a little more.]

(Is there even such a thing!?)

Gard was further angered by Guilem’s words.

If there was an idiot who was opening a restaurant in such a place, it was necessary to see whether their head was sane or not.

Gard grumbled whether there really was a restaurant ahead of them or not.

He lovingly stroked his favourite Battle Axe that was slung over his back.

[We’re here.]

Guilem pointed with his short and thick finger and declared that they had reached their destination.

Gard, who saw what Guilem was pointing at, without thinking of it… he clasped his Battle Axe tightly.

[Oi,… ahead of us is just a digging hut.]

A hut made of stone cut from the mountain.

From a dwarf’s point of view, it was a shack that couldn’t even be called a cabin.

Far from opening a restaurant, there seemed to be no one living inside.

[Oh, I built it. I don’t specialize in carpentry so it’s a little clunky.]

Not knowing Gard’s thoughts, Guilem laughed heartily.

[Hey, Guilem… I thought you were my “friend”.]

Dwarves had more stubborn tempers compared to other races.

It was a fact, and Gard disliked being insulted.

This was no way of teasing.

He thought so, and he tried to pull his favourite Battle Axe.

[…What’s that door?]

Gard who found a door at the back of the cabin which didn’t even have a front door raised his voice doubtfully.

At the back of the cabin was a black door, well-maintained with brass handle.

It was a good craftsmanship work, as opposed to the poorly made cabin.

[It’s the door to the restaurant that sells the fish and alcohol.]

Guilem declared to his surprised friend.

[It’s the entrance to the otherworld dining hall.]

Hearing Guilem’s speech, Gard had a stupid face exactly like Guilem’s when he found the door.

‘Chirin chirin’, the door opened.

[Welcome.]

[Oo, I came.]

The dwarf had better experience, and Guilem was used to greeting the middle-aged owner.

[…Is this a different world?]

Gard looked around as this was the first time he visited.

Even though the sun was setting, the customers could clearly see inside the brightly lit restaurant.

Most of them did not live at dwarven cities. Some of them were like monsters and demons.

They did not seem to fight, they just ate vigorously, and they were drinking alcohol.

(Indeed, this seems like another world…)

Gard was convinced by the interior.

The place where unusual races gathered together was not an ordinary place.

[So, what’s the combination for today’s seafood fries?]

[Aa, they’re squid rings, cod and scallops today.]

To start, Gard asked “the combination for today” in a familiar manner and the owner also replied familiarly.

[Ah, I see I see. For now, I’ll ask for two servings for both of us. Then, we want two mugs of beer and a bottle of whiskey. That is all.]

[Yes, thank you sir.]

[I’m counting on you owner. I got tired from climbing the mountain. Gard, this way.]

He quickly ordered before he got a seat, urged his friend and went to an appropriate table.

[Fuu, finally I can take a break.]

The chair’s too high for a dwarf’s legs, but it was comfortable.

[By the way, Guilem, you, you asked for “beer” and “whiskey”, but are they the delicious alcohol that you talked about?]

[Oo that they are.]

Guilem leaned back and answered Gard’s question.

[Here, there are unknown liquors. And they’re all delicious. Because I said so.]

[What?! Is that so?]

To those words, Gard was surprised.

The alcohol called “new liquor” was said to be a visionary drink for the dwarves since Guilem started to sell them a couple of months ago.

After its maturity, the dwarves inside the town bought it until it was sold out, and it could not be bought elsewhere.

In addition, it was said that the human merchants who had connection with the dwarves said that their usual alcohol was too strong for their taste and was not popular for races other than the dwarves until now, and they might buy it for souvenir.

Dwarf drinkers were not allowed to buy enough to resell it as business.

Currently it was only available among dwarves due to the small amount that were made, but the amount made including those made by other liquor craftsmen would increase, and if the taste spread, it will be drunk by tribes other than dwarves.

And it was Guilem who made it.

That was not a lie.

[Really. That’s fun…]

In response, Gard rocked his short legs under the table.

Guilem was watching him while grinning… and also swinging his legs under the table.

Then, they waited for a while.

[A, thank you for waiting! I brought your beer!]

The waitress who was a young girl wearing otherworld costume brought their beer. It was the first time Guilem saw her face.

Her left hand was clutching two large glasses with handle.

She put it down one by one in front of Guilem and Gard.

[Oo! It finally came! I’ve been waiting!]

[Ho ho! Is this a drink from another world? It’s quite beautiful!]

The two people cheered at the beers that were placed in front of them.

Brought by the waitress was an orange coloured liquor with white foams like cloud on the surface.

[Please wait for a while for the rest of your order! Well then, enjoy!]

Speaking quickly, she went away to collect the empty dishes from guests who had finished eating.

[Well then!]

[Let’s drink!]

The two dwarves briefly clinked their cups, opened their big mouths, tilted the glasses, and poured the beer inside their mouths.

The beers that contained bubbles made hissing sounds; went through their throats and into their stomachs.

They gulped all of it until the glasses were empty.

In a blink of eye, the two large cups were emptied at the same time.

[[Puha~!]]

They breathed out simultaneously.

[Oo! This beer is really delicious!]

[Isn’t it!? It’s weak but the feeling when it went down the throat was unbearable! It’s even better when you drink it cold! I always drink it when it’s cold!]

Guilem replied to Gard with his eyes wide open.

He was also surprised at first.

The taste of beer was similar to the ones made from wheat, but when it was chilled the taste became different.

Then he realized it.

That a chilled beer was best drunk when your body was tired.

The cold beer like the spring water in the shade of this mountain was the liquor that Guilem always asked first after climbing the mountain.

[I’ll take another serving!]

[Of course! …Hey little girl! Two more beers please!]

[Yes, of course!]

He asked the waitress who was cleaning the tables for refills.

[…However, this glass cup is really good.]

While waiting, Gard stared at the empty glass cup.

A was a straight tube with a handle and no ornament.

It was clear enough to see through it…

[It looks like transparent, clear alcohol… I’m going to try to recreate it.]

As a glass craftsman, he gave his frank opinion.

Usually, the glass cups that Gard made were works of art with various elaborate ornaments applied to the surface.

But this time, he noticed, seeing a crystal clear cup without any extra decoration.

[Clear liquor itself is a decoration… other decorations are just obstructions.]

[Oh, I thought you’d say that.]

To his friend who gave the same opinion, Guilem laughed cheerfully.

Then the two friends waited while fidgeting…

[Sorry I made you wait! I brought your beers and fried seafood platters!]

[[Ho ho!]]

They cheered at the appearance of the young girl who brought their refill and food.

[Aha… so this is the good fish dish that you recommended…]

Gard looked at the food that was gently placed in front of his eyes.

On a white plate were 3 kinds of deep-fried food put on top of a pale green leafy vegetable.

Three large ones shaped like tree leaves, three like round rings, and three small round Kawahara stone shapes.

[Oh ho, it seems to be delicious indeed, but fish…]

Gard’s face expressed half doubt and half expectations. The question was whether it was really delicious or not.

Gard’s common sense did not believe that the fish in front of him was delicious.

The Dwarven City where Gard lived was surrounded by mines.

Naturally, the sea was far away. The fishes that were sold at the city were heavily salted.

They couldn’t fish at the river flowing nearby. Influenced by the land patterns, they smelled like mud and contained lots of small bones.

For Gard, fish was “salty anyhow, muddy and contains lots of bones”.

It was not that it can’t be eaten, but it was not delicious.

[Try to eat it. It’s a fish made to shape like a leaf, the rest are shellfish and squid. They’re all sea creatures.]

Guilem who knew the deliciousness of fish took a red and a blue vials from the top of the table, wanting to use them including the white sauce on the plate.

[Really, is that so…]

At least, the otherworld alcohol was delicious.

Believing that, Gard tried the fried seafood.

Pierce the fish with a fork and lift it to your mouth.

He opened his mouth widely and put it inside.

(Oooo!?)

It was a taste that Gard never experienced.

The first thing tasted was the coating used for deep-fry.

The good taste of oil and wheat. It lightly flitted with a smell that stimulated the stomach.

(Is, is this the taste of fish!?)

And beneath the coating, the taste that was unbelievable to be fish.

The thin and subdued fish, in a hot fluff, it gently collapsed inside the mouth.

Fresh white but solid fish.

There was not much of the fishy smell; the bones were also not inside.

It mixed with the light taste of fried coating.

(I can’t believe it!)

Gard acted according to his instincts.

Gard took his beer with his empty left hand and gulped it down.

The taste of fish and beer intermingled in his mouth.

It was the best compatibility for Gard.

(Not yet! I’m still not satisfied!)

After swallowing, Gard reached for the other two.

First of all, the fried squid, fried in a ring shape.

(Squid is it!? This is also delicious!)

Unlike the fried fish… it had a pleasant “chewiness”, pushing against his teeth firmly.

It was firmly cut inside the mouth by biting, and the delicious taste that was different from fried fish spread in his mouth.

Gard threw the squid rings one after another into his mouth, chewing while enjoying the taste, and in a blink of eye, he ate it all.

(The end… Oh!?)

And the last fries, the scallop, were superb.

The taste of shellfish under the coating was stronger than the other two.

The moment it was bitten, it broke into little pieces.

To that feel and taste, it was very regrettable that its size was small.

It was finished in an instant.

[…They’re really good! The fish and the liquor!]

The delayed impression came out after their meal ran out.

[Oh right, Guilem! You always come here… yeah?]

Gard, who praised Guilem jealously, noticed it.

Guilem was eating the food like himself.

…Making the most of the 3 sauces.

[The combination of tartar sauce and fried fish is the best! Shoyu and sauce are not bad, but tartar sauce is the best!]

With the light fish and fragrant coating, a soft sour taste was added.

While admiring the best combination, Guilem devoured the fried seafood and the beer.

[…O, oy Guilem, what is that?]

Gard asked, trembling a little.

Noticing the change to his friend, Guilem told him about another charm of this restaurant.

[Oh, this one is tartar sauce. For eating fish, this one is indispensable. It’s made of boiled eggs and taste sour, but it’s really delicious when it’s mixed with fried fish. In the red bottle is Shoyu, it is not only salty. This guy is incredibly compatible with fish dishes, if you put a little bit, it jump starts the taste of freshly baked fish.

The last blue bottle is the sauce. It has a moderate taste that’s quite complicated and also fits non-fried fish. In a sense, it’s quite versatile.

Which sauce you want to eat with the seafood. The fish used in fried seafood platter changes every time, so it’s a problem…]

[Why didn’t you say so!? That kind of thing is important!]

Trembling with expectation, Gard shouted.

Even the things up to that moment were incomplete.

In other words… it would become more delicious, wouldn’t it?

He could not forgive his friend who kept silent about this, but now there was something that he must do.

[Excuse me; I brought your whiskey ―――]

[Hey, young lady! I want to order 3 more fried seafood platter! As soon as possible!]

[――― Hiya!?]

Two last orders. Hurrying up to the waitress who brought two glasses with big ice lumps that didn’t melt for a long time and a bottle containing dark brown, clear liquor.

[Oh, miss! I want 3 more portions! This restaurant is delicious, but the amount is too small for a dwarf!]

Guilem also added his order in a familiar manner.

[Oh, today I will eat and drink a lot! This time it’s my treat!]

[Oh! I’d thought you’d say that!]

While waiting for their next orders, the two people drank…

Open a more sophisticated whiskey, pour it into the glasses and they talked while drinking.

[Kuhaa~! All the alcohols at otherworld are delicious! Is this the garden of the gods!?]

[Maybe! None of this is unlikely in our world!]

While drinking the whiskey in minutes, their mouths did not stop.

[Maybe that’s it!? Do they still have more delicious fish and liquor!?]

[Of course! Especially the Seishu3 sake made from rice of West continent! Besides, wine is different from this one!

Even if it’s fish, there’s plenty cuisines besides deep-fried! I want to come back every day already!]

[I agree with you!]

While agreeing with Guilem, Gard realized.

Why did Guilem build a hut in front of the door, and why…

Next morning.

Gard who woke up at the floor of the shack jumped up.

(…It’s seems it’s not a dream.)

He was worried that yesterday was a dream or something, but he realized what was different.

In his hands, as proof that he went to the restaurant, was an unopened bottle of whiskey that he embraced like a son.

(Well, there’s no way dwarves can lose their minds to that level.)

Yesterday, both of them continued to eat fish and drink alcohol.

They emptied bottles of whiskeys and stacked lots of plates.

And the dwarf also lightly brought a huge pot to go; the young girl of demon tribe came and told them that the shop was closing.

(…I must thank Guilem.)

He aimed at glance at his friend who was still sleeping and snoring.

Delicious liquor and delicious food. And a wallet that was nearly empty and a glass bottle of delicious alcohol that he bought.

If he got this much, there were a lot of things he must give back.

(First of all, I have to make this cabin more convenient…)

Gard made a plan for the future.

A mountain hut made of stone that was outstandingly beautiful was built, and it will be a useful resting place for travelers and merchants visiting the Dwarven City.

The hut was made by a dwarf, the manager of the cabin, and it was made so people could rest inside, but there was one mystery.

It was a heavy-duty steel door at the back of the cabin, made so that it could be hardly broken in.

The dwarves that made this cabin said that there was nothing behind the door with no key. Only a very small room.

Then why did they make a door as if placing it before a treasury without any meaning in the first place?

Only they who made it know why.