Chapter 596: Celebrations Are Wonderful
It’s a banquet.
We brought out the dishes from earlier and added more since the number of guests has increased. The condition was that everything had to be made from ingredients sourced from the Es River basin.
I had anticipated that Es, Neneto, and Skos would come, so I prepared extra, but I certainly didn’t expect the participation of unfamiliar God-class Spirits. Even if they did drop by unexpectedly, I imagined it would be small Spirits flitting around.
We had pilaf wrapped in young grape leaves, deep-fried broad beans mixed with herbs and onions, marinated eggplant, sliced assorted vegetables, and lentil soup.
For the main course, there was grilled white fish (perch), chicken—though I usually make it with pigeon, I felt a bit reluctant to cook something so familiar from Japan—stuffed with herbs and spices and simmered to tenderness, along with beef steak.
There were also sweets that looked like thick-skinned fried dumplings. They were made from a pancake-like batter wrapped around nuts and coconut, then fried and soaked in sweet syrup. They were so sweet that I hesitated to serve them, but they were a popular treat around Es.
There were dishes made from finely chopped vegetables. Perhaps due to the scarcity of firewood around Es, many dishes cooked quickly, often turned into paste. The common folk would stuff or dip flatbread cut in half or quarters into these dishes.
I ended up releasing a lot of food that I made but wouldn’t eat myself. I don’t really need all those spices and herbs, and the sweets here are way too sweet!!!
I suppose the food is suited to the health and climate of those working here. But then again, they’re Spirits, so compared to eating salt straight, I’ll consider it healthy enough since it’s properly cooked!
For the humans, I added smoked salmon and less sweet cheese muffins, caramel muffins with pears, and more meat dishes.
And then I couldn’t resist adding some mapo tofu. Spicy food, just like curry!
“Such skillful creations.”
“I can smell the essence of Es from the food…”
Asas, your choice of words!!!!
“Today, Wanwan will eat not bones or meat, but proper food.”
Hearing the handsome young man say “Wanwan” gives me mixed feelings. He could just say “I” like Es and the others, you know? I mean, he’s managed to maintain his human form for this long. Sorry for serving you bones.
“Congratulations on the founding!”
The Spirits around us seemed restless, ready to start eating before the celebrations, so I hurriedly raised my glass.
“Congratulations!”
“Congratulations!”
“Cheers to you!”
“Best wishes!”
“Congratulations!”
“Congratulations!”
“Hoho, let us offer our blessings once more.”
“Blessings!”
“Blessings!”
“How joyous!”
“How wonderful!”
Following Es’s words, Asas and Wanwan echoed, and one by one, the Gods offered their congratulations. It came in the form of words, sounds, and light, but it was clear that everyone was celebrating.
I raised my glass and drank the celebratory wine.
“I am grateful. I never expected to reach this day so swiftly and smoothly. —I didn’t think we’d celebrate this day with one in ten people here being a God.”
Karn observed the Gods who had already started eating.
“…”
Haulon wore a smile as he moved around, pouring drinks for the Gods.
I think he was pouring drinks when we had a picnic by the Es River too. He could probably drink on his own, but I guess it’s a way of connecting with everyone.
There were Spirits mimicking Haulon and following him around, pouring drinks, but it seemed he hadn’t noticed.
“I wonder what it feels like to have a bunch of God-class Spirits trailing behind you…”
Dinoss sipped his wine while watching Haulon.
“It seems he’s doing his best to ignore them.”
The Butler squinted at Haulon.
“Something strange is happening over here! It’s amazing!”
“I can hear beautiful music in my ear! Incredible!!”
Chris and Dean were delighted.
The strange phenomenon was due to Spirits invisible to humans taking the wine cups, pouring drinks, surrounding the food, and eating one after another. From Chris’s perspective, it looked like glasses were dancing in the air, and food would float, only to disappear.
The music Dean mentioned was likely the language of the Spirits, not in human words.
“I think Note is also pretending not to see this?”
Retze remarked to the excited Chris and Dean.
“Isn’t it a beautiful and fittingly cheerful scene for a celebration? It would be a shame to ignore it.”
Ash slowly tilted his glass, a faint smile gracing his lips.
Not a scary face, but a proper smile. It’s nice to see.
The flickering bonfire softly reflected the water. The small Spirits that weren’t eating played with the flowers floating in the water prepared by Soleil, diving in and frolicking in the soft light on the surface.
Haulon, looking a bit troubled, still seemed in good spirits, and Karn silently sipped his wine, the corners of his mouth lifted.
Celebrations are wonderful.