Free Web NovelChapter 227: Chapter 74 - An Expensive Appetizer
The tense dinner atmosphere now turned into classic small talk.
Aria’s appearance and the heirloom weapon that had been transferred to it new owner had been the opening small talk, reducing the tension in the main dining room. The swift attack of the previous minutes had faded like an illusion, easily forgotten by everyone.
The head of the Fujimoto family glanced at me and lowered his head.
"Sorry if one of my bodyguards was rude to you and dragged your maid into a trivial matter, Master Weiss."
"If you would be so kind as to propose a suitable punishment for her, then I will hear it."
Unexpectedly, the attitude and behavior of the head of the Fujimoto family turned serious to clear this matter.
Is this the effect of the heirloom weapon having changed owners?
I don’t know, but that statement certainly made the atmosphere at dinner room became tense.
"There’s no need to add unnecessary trouble. I would have done the same thing if a dinner invitation for five people had turned into six people. Preparing a customized meal would have been even more of a hassle with one more person coming up, wouldn’t it?" I replied, reaching for a glass filled with orange liquid.
From the smell and color, it was orange juice in a glass, sweet without being sour.
"I don’t want to add to the problems that are already happening to you."
"Based on Ellen’s information, I can guess that you are in a difficult position... to the point of having to find an Alchemist who can create an Elixir potion," I said while shaking the glass of orange juice before drinking it.
Swiirrll...
Wiiirrlll...
Slurrppp...
By drinking a glass of orange juice, I seemed to ignore the trivial problems that had occurred previously.
It’s not that I’m a coward and can’t demand a proper punishment; I just don’t want to add another problem that will increase my working hours for the Fujimoto family.
The job proposal I received from Ellen was to find a talented Alchemist who could create Elixir potions at a luxury auction, give the name of the candidate, and go home with a box of dirty money that needed to be washed first for a few days.
"You truly understand the problem I’m going through, Master Weiss."
"It’s clear from your desire to supply Elixir for the Fujimoto family. Putting aside your specific goals... making Elixir requires quite expensive raw materials. The slightest mistake in the transaction process for purchasing the raw materials could be a trail that leads back to the Fujimoto family," I casually played with my words, trying to diffuse the tense atmosphere that was currently forming.
It is common knowledge that Elixir potions are expensive and rare commodities, especially the raw materials used to create Elixir potions.
I don’t want to doubt the Fujimoto family’s ability to obtain raw materials illegally; what makes me doubtful is how they obtain those raw materials. The mafia family’s expertise is always moving behind the scenes and hidden from the legal zone.
Honestly, I don’t want to get involved in the shadow battlefield they have prepared to get the raw materials.
But there is one thing that will definitely put them at odds with the business that Princess Amagi is doing.
"Before that, let me say this information... I have a maid who takes care of legal business on something and I hope you don’t touch her business," I continued while drinking the orange juice that tasted sweet in my mouth.
Sluurrpp...
Sluuurrpp...
The sweet taste of orange juice is able to cover up the bitter taste of the dark business run by the Fujimoto family.
"I already knew about that. If I’m not mistaken, that’s the restaurant inside the mall, right?" the Fujimoto head family replied, while scratching his chin.
"Yes, that’s part of it. The restaurant is just a facade and the main business is... on the mall. I’ll use it as a money laundering tool to receive payments from you. Make sure the restaurant or the mall stays busy for a few months."
"I’ve already arranged for that, that’s why I try order some spicy ramen that’s easy for an old man like me to eat."
Through this conversation, my payment method was confirmed.
Well, it was much better than carrying a box full of dirty money and looking suspicious in my room.
I’ll also make sure the restaurant owner who uses my maids’ names to promote her restaurant and Princess Amagi knows about this. Theirs stock will undoubtedly skyrocket, sending them into hysterics. But that’s all their business to take care.
"Don’t force yourself to eat spicy ramen that will cause diarrhea or stomachache."
"Oh, there’s no need to worry about that, Master Weiss. Although I don’t look like someone who likes spicy food, I basically live in an environment with food filled with spicy herb."
"Well, how lucky you are..."
"Ahahaha... yes, I am indeed quite lucky in this matter. Now, let’s end this unnecessary small talk and immediately enjoy the dinner that has been prepared by the proud maids of the Fujimoto family."
Clapp!!
Claapp!!
After saying that, the woman holding the suitcase containing the golden, shining heirloom weapon immediately closed it. Her footsteps retreated, replaced by a maid who suddenly appeared from the shadows.
I could still feel that faint presence through the black hole’s magical resonance, vibrating the tip of the magic cane I held. It was a small warning from the black hole about someone who deliberately lowering their presence to sneak in from the shadows.
Tap...
Tap...
From my side, Elysia and Rina stepped forward, carrying plates covered by shiny iron lid. According to the etiquette of a wealthy banquet, this was a different appetizer from what was already served on the dining table.
In other words, a different appetizer, and a surprise from the head of the Fujimoto family.
"I know you’re not used to eating fancy appetizers that lack flavor. The salty and bland taste you always complain about, Master Weiss."
"That’s why I’m bringing you an new idea for a new appetizer that’s perfect for your taste buds. Wouldn’t you mind trying takoyaki filled with Dungeon Boss meat, Master Weiss?"
After hearing those casual words, my eyebrows raised slightly, and I accepted the two plates of takoyaki placed before me. Elysia and Rina had neatly placed the appetizers before me without any errors.
Swoommpp...
Pooommm...
The shiny iron lid had been lifted, revealing a takoyaki dish filled with chunks of Dungeon Boss meat. It was still unknown which Dungeon it came from.
"Dungeon Boss Meat, huh?"
"That sounds funny because takoyaki is basically two words that contain the recipe and how to cook it. Tako means pieces of octopus, and yaki means grilled using a special mold," I said to comment on the different appetizers at this dinner party.
Right in front of me, two plates containing three takoyaki balls each looked as luxurious as food from an expensive restaurant.
"They’re still in the octopus monster category, though..."
"So it’s still worthy of being called takoyaki. One piece of that meat is around seven hundred thousand gold pieces. If converted to current dollar prices, that’s one hundred and five million dollars. Just for one piece of Dungeon Boss meat."
"Sorry if our appetizer is only enough to cook six takoyaki, Master Weiss."
Although the Fujimoto family head’s words sounded humble and embarrassed at only being able to serve six takoyaki, that exorbitant price was enough to live comfortably for the rest of my life as a normal, average person.
But to the Fujimoto family, who were hosting this dinner, it just seemed like a cheap and mediocre appetizer.
"It doesn’t matter to me."
"Just hearing the price is enough to give me a clue that this cut of Dungeon Boss meat, who is quickly selling for a high price."
My hand immediately went into my pocket and took out my smartphone.
"Let’s see... What piece of Dungeon Boss meat have you bought?"
My hand quickly accessed a webpage containing news about recent Dungeon Raid events. I activated the filter search for Dungeons with marine habitats and Dungeon Bosses. Two matching reports have been found, and the price of the Dungeon Boss meat cut is pretty high for being sold to rich families.
"Aahh... KrakenT and KrakenL, huh?"
"Their taste as a Boss Monster meat is interesting enough to be made into takoyaki."
Without showing any disrespect towards the head of the Fujimoto family, I nodded towards him.
Nod...
"I accept this appetizer with pleasure."
"Thank you for your humility in accepting this appetizer, Master Weiss."
"It’s okay, it’s better than eating a fancy appetizer that tastes bland to my taste buds."
I immediately took a blunt knife that was beside the plate, and my left hand held a fork to take a piece of takoyaki that I would cut with a blunt knife.
By using proper dinner etiquette and manners, I tried to enjoy this appetizer calmly.
Without the sound of cutlery clinking against plates...
No hassle to cut these expensive takoyaki...
And undisturbed by the tranquility filled with dinner etiquette...
Srreesshh...
The chunks of meat from the Dungeon Boss, renowned for their ferocity in the sea, were easily sliced through by a blunt knife. The texture of the brown, lean meat mixed with the spices tantalized my nostrils.
Choommmp...
Even as I bit into the meat of this ferocious Dungeon Boss, the texture of the meat broke apart in my mouth like a chewy jelly.
This is truly a high-quality and expensive cut of Dungeon Boss meat. No wonder each piece sells so quickly, even though each piece can drain a person’s fortune, and the payment is only accepted with pure gold coins.
