Chapter 537: Long-arm Shrimp
The long-arm shrimp from Naruadeid isn’t the small snack you catch in the river and fry up; it’s a decent-sized shrimp caught from the sea. Its shell is relatively soft, and it’s often cut in half with the shell still on for cooking.
It’s a local specialty around Naruadeid, and the first time I tasted it, it was in a simple garlic, salt, and olive oil pasta. That long-arm shrimp was incredibly sweet, plump, and delicious.
And now, here we are.
“Today, we have prepared the famous long-arm shrimp from Naruadeid, served with a sauce made from a very rare fruit that is as difficult to obtain as a precious ruby.”
The chef proudly presented what was clearly a tomato sauce. I couldn’t help but turn serious.
“It originates from Blue Spirit Island and has recently begun to trend among the upper class, but due to its perishable nature, fresh ones are rarely found around here. Today, thanks to the generosity of Lord Soleil, we have prepared this for you. Please enjoy at your leisure.”
With that, the staff member cheerfully walked away. Maybe he was the head chef? I couldn’t tell since he wasn’t wearing a chef’s uniform.
“Sorry for the letdown… It’s not exactly rare…” Soleil averted her gaze slightly.
“No, it is rare. I think it’s very rare,” I replied.
“Yes. For us, the long-arm shrimp is simply more uncommon.”
Haulon chimed in, and the butler delivered the final blow.
“I believe it’s all about the taste.” And for me, tomatoes are vegetables.
I had been explaining to both Haulon and Soleil that tomatoes are vegetables, but somewhere along the line, a game of telephone must have occurred, and in this world, they seem to be considered fruits.
But since I can’t clearly define the difference between vegetables and fruits, I kept my mouth shut. After all, there are cases where something is “definitely a fruit” and others where it’s “Huh? The fruit is actually a flower’s receptacle?”
At this point, I’m fine with colorful things like tomatoes and sweet ones being classified as fruits. So at least let eggplants and cucumbers be vegetables. But then again, there are white eggplants and yellow zucchinis… It’s confusing.
And now, the shrimp, which used to be the star of the dish, is overshadowed by the tomatoes! Can we please think about the balance a little more?
“I’ll prepare some larger long-arm shrimp for you later…” Soleil said, looking at me.
“Please do.”
If you sauté the tomatoes well to bring out their sweetness, then place the salted shrimp cut in half with the flesh side down, the essence and saltiness will seep into the tomato sauce—just a slightly oval-shaped linguine would be perfect.
As I was lost in thought, Haulon spoke up.
“So the ‘red jewel’ from Blue Spirit Island is this tomato. I thought it was a different kind of tomato since it was referred to as a fruit.”
Haulon poked at the square-cut tomato with her fork.
In this world, there is indeed something called “tomato.” They’re cultivated for ornamental purposes due to their toxicity.
“However, this means that Lord Soleil is quite close to you, Lord Jean. Serving this tomato is certainly not a mistake,” the butler said as he brought the pasta to his mouth.
“Looks like you have some female company, Jean,” Haulon raised an eyebrow and looked at me.
Was she teasing me a little, or was it mostly surprise?
Just because there are more men in Kanum doesn’t mean I don’t have female acquaintances! I do! Like Soleil, Faramia, and Marlu. I’m practically on friendly terms with Soleil, having seen her in her underwear.
“I see, so the name Jean that occasionally slips out is what you go by there?” Soleil said, nodding in understanding.
“Over there… What do you go by here?” Haulon asked, scrutinizing me.
“Soleil. Soleil Nii, or Nii-chan, I guess,” I replied. Well, I haven’t actually used Nii-chan.
“…You have the same name as the lord of Blue Spirit Island,” the butler said, staring at Soleil.
The fact that Soleil is the lord of Blue Spirit Island is widely known. Still, I doubt the average person in Kanum is aware of it. The butler isn’t an average person, though.
“Nii-sama is the lord. —But before I know it, I’ll probably end up being the lord myself,” Soleil seemed to have given up on that front.
“Lord… I thought it was something like Lord Karn…”
“You’re just doing whatever you want, aren’t you…?”
“That’s just your imagination.”
The butler and Haulon looked like they wanted to say something, but I wasn’t going to listen!
“Ah… You two seem very close, don’t you?” Soleil’s voice trembled as she looked at the two of them.
Wait a minute, Soleil, are you feeling a bit emotional? Why? Is it just my imagination?
“Note over there was the one who introduced me to Auro and Kiel,” I thought maybe I should have invited those two as well.
“Auro and Kiel—those two are my friends as well. Should I ask what kind of relationship you have with them?” Soleil asked the butler directly.
It’s pretty obvious they’re assassination buddies, but is that really a safe question to ask?