Chapter 647: Tacos
It seems that the work to create a passage down into the Labyrinth is reaching a critical point. Or rather, I have a feeling that the Demon Beasts will soon start to stir again. Once the Guild and the workers pull back, we plan to head in together.
Since entering the Labyrinth means losing track of time, I’m currently busy with my tasks.
On Blue Spirit Island, I’m distributing sweets to the Changelings, catching shrimp with the children using the Ex-Staff, and selling tacos to tourists.
I had planned to make pizza since I have an oven, but once I fire it up, even with the Chilling Plate inside, it gets unbearably hot. So, I prepared a large batch of corn tortillas and fillings instead.
All I need to do is grill the tortillas and then let the customers choose their favorite fillings and sauces. I also have a crispy fried version of the tacos, but frying them isn’t feasible right now.
“My lord’s cooking is too good for those outside the island…” Auro bites into a taco with a smile.
With a gentle smile and a handsome face, he wears a white shirt with his suit jacket removed. Honestly, fast food doesn’t suit him at all.
“Ahh~ The meat has flavor, the meat♪ Sometimes the Demon Beast meat has flavor, but it tends to smell~” Marlu, dressed in a classical maid outfit, seems to be in high spirits, almost ready to dance.
“Hmph, those who go to other shops are blind.” Kiel takes a bite of his taco.
Though he has the same face as Auro, it somehow suits him much better.
“The tomatoes are delicious, and drenching it in lemon is great too. It’s a local specialty.” Soleil adds.
“How about squeezing some orange on it?”
“Yeah, I’d like to push for orange as a drink too.” Soleil smiles at Kiel’s blunt suggestion.
Hey, this is my shop, you know? The narrow space facing the small plaza in the dining hall is mine. The dining hall is run by someone else, and I only open this place on a whim.
I intended it for tourists, but most of the customers are familiar faces—Grandfather Paorul, the children, and some employees.
“Nii-sama~! I want this and this!” A child points at the long-cut skirt steak and onions.
The fillings are prepared in transparent glass containers, arranged so they’re visible. There are three types of sauces and lemon cut into wedges.
“Okay, okay. That’ll be one copper coin.” I’ve made it easy by setting a flat rate of one copper coin.
Two medium sausages or a couple of decent loaves of bread would cost about one copper coin and a small copper coin… in Kanum, that is.
Since this is an island, the price of meat is a bit higher. While the price of durable and transportable wheat isn’t much different, due to firewood costs, it’s about 20-30% more. On the other hand, seafood is cheap.
In reality, it’s not processed meat that lasts long, and the lettuce and sauces come from the House in the mountains, so one copper coin probably isn’t enough. But since I made and transported everything, I’m offering it at a reasonable price. Meat is cheaper if bought in the Fortress City.
I grill the tortillas, stuff them with the requested fillings, and drizzle on the chosen sauce before handing them over.
“What a luxury…” Orlando exclaims in surprise.
He’s surprised, but come on, Orlando, this is your third one! I can sense he wants to conquer them all.
This has completely turned into a service for the locals rather than just for tourists. It’s hot, and maybe I should have sold gelato instead?
In this world, the medical situation is dire, and just getting a stomachache can bring one close to death. While the islanders have doctors and pharmacies, I can’t provide care for the tourists heading back today, so I didn’t even consider it.
The production and transportation efficiency in this world is poor. People gather in livable areas, living in fear of Demon Beasts and beasts, and their lives are dictated by the weather. Nakahara is in a state of war, and the supply routes are cut off, leaving us helpless.
This area has developed shipping routes, making it much more convenient than elsewhere. It feels like we’re within the benefits of the various goods gathered in Naruadeid. I can get herbs, ingredients, and necessary items just by paying, without having to transport everything myself.
Soleil helped arrange the connections for that.
“Master, Master, me too, me too!”
“Alright, alright.” The Ex-Staff, which I had leaned against, pops up, asking for tacos.
It holds up a branch to show the container filled with ingredients.
“This meat—I’ll take the recommended ones!”
So, I choose a combination that I think the Ex-Staff would like.
“Ex-Staff, shrimp is delicious too!”
“We caught some big ones!” The children gather around the Ex-Staff.
Since we often go shrimp, crab, and shellfish hunting together, the Ex-Staff is quite popular with the kids.
“Master, shrimp too!”
“I’ll grill the shrimp separately, so just wait a moment.” The shrimp I’m talking about isn’t for the tacos; it’s the ones I caught with the children this morning.
Is grilled shrimp okay? I’ll have one too. The sweet shrimp around here are delicious!
“The King’s Branch is too friendly…” Soleil turns her face away, looking as if she might faint.