Unique to the culture. Limited to the region. I don’t think there’s anyone who isn’t attracted to these words. Even I, who say this, have been to Susukino in Hokkaido to eat miso ramen. After eating miso ramen, I went into a tori (chicken) izakaya to have a drink. The overwhelming energy there was almost traumatizing. But the tsukune (chicken meatball skewer) was delicious.
It’s Shuri here. A nice guy living underground. Recently, Garn hasn’t been coming, so I’m bored. Food is still being delivered, so I won’t starve, but I’m bored. I’m bored. I said it twice because it’s important.
“What happened to Garn?” “He’s busy. Just eat and stay quiet, criminal.”
Huh? The cook is incredibly rude and curt. He doesn’t look at me and has a grim face. It doesn’t seem like we’ll be able to get along… Feeling sad, I start eating my meal. Steamed potatoes and vegetable scrap soup… Let’s add a little twist to this. I drink the vegetable scrap soup and take the steamed potatoes in my hand. I take out some potato starch. I secretly got it from Garn. I mix the potatoes with the potato starch, light the stove, and fry it in a pan. That’s all there is to it. This potato mochi, or “imomochi” for short, is like a snack eaten in Hokkaido. The chewy, sticky texture combined with the sweetness of the potato is an irresistible dish. Ideally, it’s best enjoyed with soy sauce or miso sauce, but since I don’t have any, I wipe up the remaining soup and take a bite.
Hmm, I still feel like I need something else.
“Oh, you’re eating.”
Just as I’m thinking this, Garn shows up. As usual, he’s holding some snacks and fish sauce. Is that work ethic of yours really okay?
“…You’re making something tasty again.” “I have one extra. Would you like to try it?” “Oh, I’ll take it.” “It’s even more delicious if you dip it in fish sauce. So, please share some with me too, pretty please?” “You’re going to bow down just for that?”
Of course. It would be tasteless without it. Garn comes closer and holds out the jar containing the fish sauce.
“Is this good enough? Um, what kind of food is that?” “It’s called imomochi. It’s a snack made by making potatoes chewy and eating them.” “Potatoes again? Are you trying to become a royal purveyor for a country or something?” “Huh? Can you really achieve that with just potato dishes?”
What a cheap world… If I spread instant noodles, I could probably become the wealthiest person on the continent. Oh, I’d like to try making some instant preserved dishes too. I’ll give it a shot next time.
“Well, if there are potato dishes this delicious, you probably could.” “Then why don’t you spread the word, Garn?”
I have no intention of quitting the mercenary group. Besides, potatoes can grow almost anywhere (even in wastelands), and the yield is pretty good, so they’re easy to obtain. If this spreads, wouldn’t it help prevent famines? While I’m thinking this, Garn grabs the iron bars of the cell and stares at me intently. Scary?!
“Are you serious?!” “Yeah. When I’m free, I’ll teach you. Potato dishes, wild plant dishes. It’s not often you find someone who can cook together, so wouldn’t that be fun?”
Plus, when I cook alone, Lill (the hamburger steak junkie) tries to secretly replace the dinner menu, so I need someone to keep watch. The beef consumption is just ridiculous, and it’s causing problems.
“Do you have any idea how valuable this is?!” “How valuable… Isn’t it enough if it’s delicious, sparks conversation, and fills your stomach? Isn’t that what cooking is all about?”
I understand that restaurants and such have to prioritize profits to some extent, so this might sound idealistic. But I don’t think there’s anyone who starts a restaurant thinking, “I’m going to make a fortune! I’ll become rich!” It’s more like, “I want lots of customers to eat my cooking and say it’s delicious!” right?
“…So you’re that kind of person.” “I’m not sure what you’re thinking about… But I am who I am.” “I see. That’s enough.”
Saying that, Garn calmly lets go of the iron bars. Then he eats the potato mochi, looking frustrated.
“Damn it. Why do I have to watch over such an easygoing guy? And why did I give him a kitchen knife like it’s nothing? It’s almost like helping him escape. Yet he doesn’t try to escape. What an easygoing, stupid guy. But his food is delicious… This has a unique potato warmth with a strange chewy texture. There’s no dryness typical of potatoes, and it melts in your mouth. It’s even more delicious when dipped in fish sauce. The saltiness and flavor are just right.” “I’m sorry, but that’s the only one I have. There wasn’t much.” “I’ll bring you more! Make as much as you want! Geez, I’ve really lost it. Why did you get caught knocking over the lord’s wine glass anyway?” “It’s simple.”
You’d understand if you saw it.
“If he drank from that as it was, the lord would probably collapse and nearly die.”
At those words, Garn’s gaze instantly sharpens. So scary!
“What do you mean?”
His voice is low, so low! Eek, why is this person so angry?
“Don’t cower in fear. Tell me. Would the lord have died if he drank that wine?” “Um, well, he might not have died, but…” “What? Could you detect poison in the wine?” “N-no, it’s not the wine. It’s the glass.” “The glass? Don’t tell me there was poison on it!” “Eek, n-no, it’s not poison. The same trick might only work on the lord…” “What? Is it some kind of magic-engineered toxin that only affects the lord?” “I-it’s nothing that elaborate.”
I hesitantly say.
“The lord has a metal allergy, right?”
At those words, Garn freezes.
“Al… what did you say?” “Allergy. When he touches metal products, his skin breaks out. His skin turns red, gets hot, and his body becomes itchy.” “Nonsense.”
Garn says, crossing his arms.
“The lord has wielded a sword on the battlefield himself. If he got itchy holding an iron sword, that wouldn’t work at all.” “Well, from what I saw, it’s not that severe of an allergy…” “Besides, I’ve never heard of an illness where you can’t even wear metal armor.” “It’s a matter of constitution. And there are metals that don’t easily trigger allergic reactions, even in metal armor.” “Huh?” “Like gold or silver… those have weaker metal allergy reactions.” “Wait, wait. The wine glass you knocked over was made of silver. If what you’re saying is true, that shouldn’t cause this allergy thing.” “That’s exactly it.”
I recall that scene as I speak.
“The handle and the inside were plated with polished iron.”
You wouldn’t notice unless you looked closely. I thought it was strange that the lord’s hand was red. Then I saw that the handle wasn’t silver, but iron. The inside was also plated with iron. In this world where refining relies on magic engineering and senses rather than machines like in modern Japan, there’s no technology to remove allergens, and even the technology to mix different metals into alloys is rare. If you pour mulled wine into that and drink it, something terrible would happen.
The cause of metal allergies is metal ions leaching from the metal and coming into contact with the skin. Nickel is particularly bad, but I don’t remember the others. I’ve seen what happens when nickel isn’t removed enough to not be a concern. Some people get inflammation from iron necklaces. Unless it’s an iron cup made with modern steel manufacturing, you can’t eliminate the worry. If it touches mucous membranes, it causes mucositis. If it enters the bloodstream, it can cause systemic dermatitis. If that happens, it’s a big problem. Your body will be in pain, hot, and writhing.
In other words, metal ions would dissolve on the inside of the glass filled with mulled wine. Drinking that would cause inflammation in the throat and esophagus. It could even spread to the stomach and intestines. And if that’s digested and enters the bloodstream, it’s game over. There’s nothing you can do at that point.
“B-but if what you’re saying is true, those symptoms should have occurred much earlier. That glass has been in use for a week.” “That’s why it’s so insidious. Allergies don’t improve unless your constitution changes. Moreover, as the body’s immune system overreacts to the metal ions that have entered, it gradually worsens. And then one day, suddenly, allergy symptoms severe enough to make you collapse occur.”
The reason I know so much about this is because it happened to my father. He had a tooth break and had metal put in during dental treatment. Then one day, suddenly, his whole body became itchy! He was rushed to the hospital and it didn’t become serious, but afterwards, he had the metal removed at the dental clinic and replaced with something else. This time, it was something that wouldn’t cause an allergy. It was shiny gold. After hearing the full explanation, Garn was bewildered.
“I can’t believe… that was about to happen.” “Well, it’s fine as long as that wine glass isn’t used anymore. The person who gave it probably didn’t know about this either, right?” “…I can’t make this decision alone. I’m going to consult with someone trustworthy.” “Oh, I see…”
They have meetings even for the use of a single wine glass?
“Absolutely do not tell anyone else about this. Got it?” “Huh? Yes.”
For some reason, I’ve been strongly warned. Well, even if I told others, they probably wouldn’t believe me. After all, I just pulled out memories from back then and some vague knowledge.
But I would learn that this problem was far bigger than what I had been thinking. It was the next day.
Check out my Patreon for early access to upcoming updates. Patreon Link
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Chapter 27
Unique to the culture. Limited to the region.
I don’t think there’s anyone who isn’t attracted to these words.
Even I, who say this, have been to Susukino in Hokkaido to eat miso ramen.
After eating miso ramen, I went into a tori (chicken) izakaya to have a drink. The overwhelming energy there was almost traumatizing. But the tsukune (chicken meatball skewer) was delicious.
It’s Shuri here. A nice guy living underground.
Recently, Garn hasn’t been coming, so I’m bored.
Food is still being delivered, so I won’t starve, but I’m bored.
I’m bored.
I said it twice because it’s important.
“What happened to Garn?”
“He’s busy. Just eat and stay quiet, criminal.”
Huh?
The cook is incredibly rude and curt.
He doesn’t look at me and has a grim face. It doesn’t seem like we’ll be able to get along…
Feeling sad, I start eating my meal.
Steamed potatoes and vegetable scrap soup…
Let’s add a little twist to this.
I drink the vegetable scrap soup and take the steamed potatoes in my hand.
I take out some potato starch.
I secretly got it from Garn.
I mix the potatoes with the potato starch, light the stove, and fry it in a pan.
That’s all there is to it.
This potato mochi, or “imomochi” for short, is like a snack eaten in Hokkaido.
The chewy, sticky texture combined with the sweetness of the potato is an irresistible dish.
Ideally, it’s best enjoyed with soy sauce or miso sauce, but since I don’t have any, I wipe up the remaining soup and take a bite.
Hmm, I still feel like I need something else.
“Oh, you’re eating.”
Just as I’m thinking this, Garn shows up.
As usual, he’s holding some snacks and fish sauce.
Is that work ethic of yours really okay?
“…You’re making something tasty again.”
“I have one extra. Would you like to try it?”
“Oh, I’ll take it.”
“It’s even more delicious if you dip it in fish sauce.
So, please share some with me too, pretty please?”
“You’re going to bow down just for that?”
Of course. It would be tasteless without it.
Garn comes closer and holds out the jar containing the fish sauce.
“Is this good enough? Um, what kind of food is that?”
“It’s called imomochi. It’s a snack made by making potatoes chewy and eating them.”
“Potatoes again? Are you trying to become a royal purveyor for a country or something?”
“Huh? Can you really achieve that with just potato dishes?”
What a cheap world… If I spread instant noodles, I could probably become the wealthiest person on the continent.
Oh, I’d like to try making some instant preserved dishes too. I’ll give it a shot next time.
“Well, if there are potato dishes this delicious, you probably could.”
“Then why don’t you spread the word, Garn?”
I have no intention of quitting the mercenary group.
Besides, potatoes can grow almost anywhere (even in wastelands), and the yield is pretty good, so they’re easy to obtain. If this spreads, wouldn’t it help prevent famines?
While I’m thinking this, Garn grabs the iron bars of the cell and stares at me intently.
Scary?!
“Are you serious?!”
“Yeah. When I’m free, I’ll teach you. Potato dishes, wild plant dishes.
It’s not often you find someone who can cook together, so wouldn’t that be fun?”
Plus, when I cook alone, Lill (the hamburger steak junkie) tries to secretly replace the dinner menu, so I need someone to keep watch.
The beef consumption is just ridiculous, and it’s causing problems.
“Do you have any idea how valuable this is?!”
“How valuable… Isn’t it enough if it’s delicious, sparks conversation, and fills your stomach? Isn’t that what cooking is all about?”
I understand that restaurants and such have to prioritize profits to some extent, so this might sound idealistic.
But I don’t think there’s anyone who starts a restaurant thinking, “I’m going to make a fortune! I’ll become rich!”
It’s more like, “I want lots of customers to eat my cooking and say it’s delicious!” right?
“…So you’re that kind of person.”
“I’m not sure what you’re thinking about…
But I am who I am.”
“I see. That’s enough.”
Saying that, Garn calmly lets go of the iron bars.
Then he eats the potato mochi, looking frustrated.
“Damn it. Why do I have to watch over such an easygoing guy?
And why did I give him a kitchen knife like it’s nothing? It’s almost like helping him escape.
Yet he doesn’t try to escape. What an easygoing, stupid guy.
But his food is delicious…
This has a unique potato warmth with a strange chewy texture.
There’s no dryness typical of potatoes, and it melts in your mouth.
It’s even more delicious when dipped in fish sauce.
The saltiness and flavor are just right.”
“I’m sorry, but that’s the only one I have.
There wasn’t much.”
“I’ll bring you more! Make as much as you want!
Geez, I’ve really lost it.
Why did you get caught knocking over the lord’s wine glass anyway?”
“It’s simple.”
You’d understand if you saw it.
“If he drank from that as it was, the lord would probably collapse and nearly die.”
At those words, Garn’s gaze instantly sharpens.
So scary!
“What do you mean?”
His voice is low, so low!
Eek, why is this person so angry?
“Don’t cower in fear. Tell me. Would the lord have died if he drank that wine?”
“Um, well, he might not have died, but…”
“What? Could you detect poison in the wine?”
“N-no, it’s not the wine. It’s the glass.”
“The glass? Don’t tell me there was poison on it!”
“Eek, n-no, it’s not poison.
The same trick might only work on the lord…”
“What? Is it some kind of magic-engineered toxin that only affects the lord?”
“I-it’s nothing that elaborate.”
I hesitantly say.
“The lord has a metal allergy, right?”
At those words, Garn freezes.
“Al… what did you say?”
“Allergy. When he touches metal products, his skin breaks out. His skin turns red, gets hot, and his body becomes itchy.”
“Nonsense.”
Garn says, crossing his arms.
“The lord has wielded a sword on the battlefield himself. If he got itchy holding an iron sword, that wouldn’t work at all.”
“Well, from what I saw, it’s not that severe of an allergy…”
“Besides, I’ve never heard of an illness where you can’t even wear metal armor.”
“It’s a matter of constitution. And there are metals that don’t easily trigger allergic reactions, even in metal armor.”
“Huh?”
“Like gold or silver… those have weaker metal allergy reactions.”
“Wait, wait. The wine glass you knocked over was made of silver. If what you’re saying is true, that shouldn’t cause this allergy thing.”
“That’s exactly it.”
I recall that scene as I speak.
“The handle and the inside were plated with polished iron.”
You wouldn’t notice unless you looked closely.
I thought it was strange that the lord’s hand was red.
Then I saw that the handle wasn’t silver, but iron.
The inside was also plated with iron.
In this world where refining relies on magic engineering and senses rather than machines like in modern Japan, there’s no technology to remove allergens, and even the technology to mix different metals into alloys is rare.
If you pour mulled wine into that and drink it, something terrible would happen.
The cause of metal allergies is metal ions leaching from the metal and coming into contact with the skin.
Nickel is particularly bad, but I don’t remember the others.
I’ve seen what happens when nickel isn’t removed enough to not be a concern. Some people get inflammation from iron necklaces. Unless it’s an iron cup made with modern steel manufacturing, you can’t eliminate the worry.
If it touches mucous membranes, it causes mucositis. If it enters the bloodstream, it can cause systemic dermatitis.
If that happens, it’s a big problem. Your body will be in pain, hot, and writhing.
In other words, metal ions would dissolve on the inside of the glass filled with mulled wine.
Drinking that would cause inflammation in the throat and esophagus.
It could even spread to the stomach and intestines.
And if that’s digested and enters the bloodstream, it’s game over.
There’s nothing you can do at that point.
“B-but if what you’re saying is true, those symptoms should have occurred much earlier.
That glass has been in use for a week.”
“That’s why it’s so insidious.
Allergies don’t improve unless your constitution changes.
Moreover, as the body’s immune system overreacts to the metal ions that have entered, it gradually worsens.
And then one day, suddenly, allergy symptoms severe enough to make you collapse occur.”
The reason I know so much about this is because it happened to my father.
He had a tooth break and had metal put in during dental treatment.
Then one day, suddenly, his whole body became itchy!
He was rushed to the hospital and it didn’t become serious, but afterwards, he had the metal removed at the dental clinic and replaced with something else. This time, it was something that wouldn’t cause an allergy. It was shiny gold.
After hearing the full explanation, Garn was bewildered.
“I can’t believe… that was about to happen.”
“Well, it’s fine as long as that wine glass isn’t used anymore.
The person who gave it probably didn’t know about this either, right?”
“…I can’t make this decision alone.
I’m going to consult with someone trustworthy.”
“Oh, I see…”
They have meetings even for the use of a single wine glass?
“Absolutely do not tell anyone else about this. Got it?”
“Huh? Yes.”
For some reason, I’ve been strongly warned.
Well, even if I told others, they probably wouldn’t believe me.
After all, I just pulled out memories from back then and some vague knowledge.
But I would learn that this problem was far bigger than what I had been thinking.
It was the next day.
Check out my Patreon for early access to upcoming updates. Patreon Link
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