The Other World Dining Hall (WN) Chapter 24

Natto1 spaghetti

[Wow…]

The elf, Faldania, born in the forest of Sienna, was overwhelmed by the brilliance of the two statues known as the greedy "gold" and the ferocious "red" of the Demon Dragons called "Seven Overlord". Looking up the huge tree, the crumbling ruins remained vivid.

Faldania began travelling away from the forest of Sienna, visiting once a year, which was the center of the large ocean of trees that rejected people other than elves.

The various defense magic that the elves of capital casted, along with the myriad of beasts roaming the forest, and the art of using the grace of the forest to survive; combined with the fact that the capital was at the center of the forest, it would take at least half a month to reach it.

A huge tree standing in the place that rejected people other than genuine elves was the entrance of the place that Faldania aimed for.

Capital of the forest.

A remnant of the age of prosperity 1,000 years ago, left after the fight between the Demon Dragons "Seven Overlord" and the champion of the world, the only remaining elven capital up to date.

Due to the "Great Illness" 1,000 years ago, their number was drastically reduced, and since the collapse of civilization, the elves chose to build a small closed village in abundant forests which then became their "country".

[My father's friend resides here…]

Kept in her bag after she left, she gently touched the letter her father sent her to use.

A letter of introduction to an old friend living at the Forest Capital, written due to his concerns of his young and pa.s.sionate daughter Faldania that traveled alone.

When she was just a hundred years old child, she became a gourmet and started to study about food, as a pioneer of her life.

If there was no particular place to go, try visiting there.

Such a thing was written.

In fact, in order to recreate the dishes of that otherworld, first of all she had to learn her world.

To do that, she needed to visit the elven capital where the mystery of the elven knowledge was still inherited.

Faldania thought so.

[Yes… this way I can unlock as much as I can alone.]

Faldania who came near to the giant tree which was the entrance to the Forest Capital investigated the magic casted there and sighed quietly.

The huge trees were the magic of the barrier.

The magic that repelled approaching enemies so that the forest monsters did not get in was an acc.u.mulation of elven magical skill. It could not be studied in a short time unless by a magician of considerable skill.

Those that did not have magic could not enter the Forest Capital.

Silently opening, for Faldania who learned magic from her father back at her hometown, was a hole large enough for one person to barely pa.s.s through temporarily.

[My father told me to contact his friend at the city with the magic of the letter so I opened it… but it's faster to do it myself than this.]

She judged so and lifted the magic.

Maybe if she tried to cancel the magic… an alarm magic would be activated, so it's more convenient to communicate with the person she came for.

She was a true elf of Sienna forest.

There was no problem for her to visit the Forest Capital.

Thinking so, Faldania weakened the barrier magic only for a while… and entered the last city of elves.

Meanwhile,

[…Oh? The barrier is interfered.]

In the mansion for elves that was grown from a living tree, Christian who worked for research noticed it.

[…Hmm, they're skill is average.]

Originally, the management of the barrier for the forest protection was left to Christian.

As a young elf that lived in the city and had not reached 400 years of age, he learned to wield sword and sorcery in the outside world and possessed high magical skill.

And another warning magic was automatically transmitted to the barrier's administrator when receiving interference such as cancellation was also superimposed to the barrier.

[They're not trying to do it secretly… It's a guest of elves apparently.]

Concluding his hypothesis, he went to examine it himself.

It was straightforward and easy to understand the magic of the barrier. It was clear that they're going to pa.s.s through by temporarily weakening the barrier.

He did not think that it was a lack of skill that they did not notice the alarm magic, it's probably that it's their intent that they did not conceal the fact that they're interfering with the barrier.

[I recall a bit of this cancelling habit… Maybe she has arrived?]

He noticed that the way this unknown magician cancelled magic resembled his friend that he traveled together with for 50 years. Not to mention that half a year ago, he received a letter sent by said friend.

―――It said that his daughter traveled to make more new dishes. She would probably first head to the Forest Capital, so please take care of her with best regards.

How his cute daughter resembled his beautiful wife, how he would not forgive him for a long time if he had strange intentions to his daughter, it was written in various ways even though it should be written minimally.

[Oh well. If she waits for a while, I would find her and go there… Speaking of which, today's the day that door appears.]

It would be helpful if she sought to make new dishes.

That place was the starting point of Christian's new quest… that dining hall.

Faldania unlocked the barrier of the big tree and entered the Forest Capital.

[…Here, right?]

There were countless houses at the capital… made from living trees.

Her father's friend… after asking various elves, she soon found Christian's house.

— Christian's house had an unusual smell for the last ten years.

At first she did not understand, but she got the idea after walking around.

She could smell it from afar.

…Something rotten.

[Excuse me… Long time no see, Christian.]

Fortunately, as soon as she entered the house, a household member appeared.

That person had blond hair and green eyes, a fine sword made of mithril enchanted with magic hung on his belt.

From a human's perspective, that person appeared to be a year or two older than Faldania, but through the eyes of elves, it was obvious when Faldania perceived the magical power that that person was older than her father and had strong magical power.

Her father said that Christian, who was 100 years older than him, lived with his family.

Elves usually made golems if they wanted to hire a person, and no doubt that that face was the same one that Faldania saw back when she was 30 years old.

[Oh, that's right. You must be Faldania. I have heard stories from Edmond. The barrier's magic was wonderfully cancelled. Even the Forest Capital's elves can't do so when they're just about 100 years old. You're truly Edmond’s and Matilda’s daughter.]

[Yes. Thank you very much.]

In return to Christian's generous praise, Faldania's replied a bit shyly.

[Aa, take it easy. There's no need for you to use such polite words. You're my best friend's daughter, and aren't you already an adult? You can treat me as a friend.]

Then Christian said what he was most concerned about.

[Okay…I understand. Best regards, Christian.]

[Aa, best regards, Faldania.]

Then they shook hands and became friends.

[Anyway… what is this smell? Somehow, it smells like something rotten.]

(I see. She is not timid, this girl)

To Faldania who anxiously awaited his reply, Christian said with a wry smile.

[It is rotten in a sense. I'm doing research to rot elf beans2.]

[…What is that?]

Hearing Christian's answer, Faldania frowned.

She knew elf beans.

It was a mysterious plant that when grown, they enriched nutrition deficient soil and as such, were often sowed at withered forest. It was popular among elves as the beans could be eaten.

The freshly-grown ones were beautiful green, the ripened and dried beans were close to pale yellow, and when boiled it was slightly sweet and tasty.

[I know elf beans… but you rot it?]

However, she never heard of someone decaying it.

Elf beans would not rot if they were dried, and most elves were able to cast preservation magic to prevent decay.

Preservation magic was not an advanced magic. Once a magician cast it, food could last for several days.

Of course, the entire race of elves was excellent magicians.

Faldania herself, after purchasing Yakionigiri from the "shop" sometimes, casted preservation magic if she had to carry it for several days until she finished eating it.

Christian, who was a magic swordman, had greater magical skill than Faldania. She was sure he could cast such magic.

[…No, it's not exactly rotten.]

After a little thought, Christian decided to paraphrase.

[Do you know what cheese is?]

First he had to make sure.

[Cheese? The one that humans make? I heard that milk was stored in a dark place for a long time without preservation magic to grow mold. Normally it should become spoiled, but the humans said that it was delicious.]

It was a food not familiar to elves, but she heard about it while traveling near human settlements.

[Exactly. The humans called it "fermentation". It's similar to how they make alcohol. It is one of the preservation methods for humans who cannot cast preservation magic like us. I am trying to do that with the elf beans.]

Replying to Faldania's words, Christian proceeded to talk about a recent exploration.

The elves had no idea how to do "fermentation", so Christian tried his research methods one by one.

[Elf beans? Can you do it?]

[Oh, I can… I've eaten the real thing.]

He nodded with conviction.

He knew what the "finished good" was like. All he had to do was recreate it.

[The thing that you ate… Where in Forest Capital did you eat it?]

On the other hand, Faldania was inspired by food stuff that she had never known, and unexpectedly inquired Christian.

Rotten… "fermented" elf  beans according to Christian.

She thought it might be useful for her quest.

[No, it's not at the capital… Well, in a sense, it is.]

However, the answer was returned ambiguously.

[…What do you mean?]

Not being able to grasp the intention of the words, Faldania listened.

Christian on the other hand, cleared his throat and elaborated.

[About 10 years ago, a door to another world appeared at Forest Capital… that door leads to an otherworld dining hall that offers an unusual dish, where food is served with fermented beans.]

Ten years ago, as the administrator of the forest barrier, he noticed that a door to another world appeared in this forest.

It was the start of Christian's new quest when he entered the door to ascertain its ident.i.ty.

And one more thing he wanted to check.

The question he had after reading Edmond's letter.

When could a young, pa.s.sionate and proud elf that was good at cooking and living peacefully at her hometown suddenly traveled out of the forest thinking of making "new cuisine"?

[Don't tell me…]

Hearing Christian's words, Faldania thought.

To a certain event that started her journey.

[…That reaction. As I thought, you know of the otherworld dining hall.]

It was highly likely that "she saw a tribe that was not an elf that delivered a delicious dish that she had never ate before".

To Faldania's reaction, Christian realized that his hypothesis was correct.

The sound of tinkling and magic trigger echoed.

While listening to that sound, Christian and Faldania entered to the otherworld dining hall.

[Welcome… This is rare.]

The owner saw the new customers and said that.

The owner had seen it before in movies and TV. An elven young man that was a regular and a young elf lady that had been coming for a year.

The two people coming at the same time was a pattern that he had never seen before.

[Oh, she is my friend's daughter. Today I'm treating her… oh, orders as usual, two portions of egg-free Natto Spaghetti please.]

With the bitter memory of eating an egg, Christian ordered.

[Okay.]

The owner nodded and retreated back.

[Natto Spaghetti… it's also a food that the elves can eat?]

While watching the flow of events, Faldania asked grimly.

Other than Tofu Steak and Yakionigiri, she did not know any other food that did not use meat, fish, eggs or milk.

(How many foods are there in this restaurant!?)

The extraordinariness of this restaurant still increased her impatience.

[…Natto Spaghetti has a peculiar smell. It is not popular with other customers. I usually order this.]

He explained such to Faldania.

To begin with, it was very courageous to ask the food which was described “noodle dish topped with sauce which uses rotten beans” in the menu box.

When Christian came to this restaurant for the first time, he would not eat anything except a “dish not using meat, fish, eggs or milk” from the young owner who just succeeded the store.

…Although he became the first fan of this dish after he ate it.

And then, it came.

[Sorry I made you wait! Here's your Natto Spaghetti!]

A young demon waitress that looked around the same age as them brought their food.

Thin and yellow noodle dishes.

Poured on top was sauce using soil-coloured elf beans along with thinly cut dark green smelly herb.

[Well then, let's eat. Don't worry, this dish is very delicious.]

To that extent, Christian took a silver fork and started on his Natto Spaghetti.

Lightly stir the Natto on top with the noddle at the bottom using a fork.

After mixing, bring a forkful into the mouth and chew.

— Yup. Delicious.

Natto Spaghetti was as delicious as usual.

Recently similar things were made in Forest Capital; the unique stickiness, fragrance and astringency of Natto.

The saltiness of Shoyu sauce of this restaurant, which was different from salt, was mixed with soup made from sea gra.s.s and created a rich flavor.

Along with the taste of sea gra.s.s… was raw herb and black pepper.

It was so pale that it became one dish with almost no taste of wheat but the flavor intertwined with the noodles.

(Apparently she likes it.)

While eating it, Christian observed Faldania who was seating in front of him.

She was also eating silently.

She did not think it was unpleasant, eating at the same pace as Christian.

The Natto Spaghetti was eaten at considerable speed.

(Hmm, she seems to be thinking something…?)
Suddenly Christian noticed it.

Faldania was eating her food while thinking something.

(I wonder if she's pondering the taste?)
Well, if she's studying about cooking, she would be picky about the taste.

Thinking so, Christian concentrated on his food in front of him.

He still didn't know. What the girl in front of him was thinking and doing.

The incident occurred after they finished eating.

When the meal was finished, and they were waiting for the bill, Faldania asked the waitress who was retrieving the empty plates.

[Say, the natto used in this noodle dish… I would like to eat it with rice. Can I order it?]

As it was normal, it was extremely easy.

(Wha, what!?)
Christian was astonished.

Natto was eaten with noodles.

He believed that for the last 10 years.

That sense was overturned so easily.

(Ah, impossible! There was no dish of "Natto Rice" written on the menu!)

But the demon waitress lightly tilted her head to those words.

[Err… Please wait a bit. I'll ask the owner.]

She retreated to the back for a while.

[Okay… this is a Western restaurant though.]

While murmuring that, the owner brought it.

White rice served discreetly in a small bowl.

A small dish with thick green herbs and a yellow paste.

A bottle made slightly different from the ones on the table.

And… a bowl of Natto.

The owner placed them in front of Faldania and said,

[Stir the Natto with the soy sauce in the bottle and pour it onto the white rice. Add the green onion and the mustard as you like. They're spicy so add them little by little.]

[Yes, I understand. Ah, I want to take away Yakionigiri too. 3 Miso4 Onigiri5 and the other 2 in any flavor.]

[Okay. I'll make those 2 in negi6 miso flavor.]

After replying, the owner retreated to the back.

[Ex, excuse me! I want the same thing… the rice with natto!]

Looking at the situation, Christian ordered in a reflex.

[Okay. Please wait a moment.]

And the same thing was placed in front of Christian.

[Well~! As expected! Natto really matches well with rice!]

In front of him, Faldania tasted the food with a childish gesture.

Feeling slightly impatient, Christian started to work on his food.

He stirred the Natto steadily and firmly without a concern using a fork.

Next was dashishoyu7… the same sauce used for Natto Spaghetti was added and he continued to stir the Natto.

Finally, following the owner's advice to add the green herbs and yellow paste little by little… tasting the mixture while adjusting the taste carefully.

(…It's certainly Natto. And this…)

The stickiness and flavor of Natto with the saltiness of dashishoyu, along with the mustard added for a hidden flavor and the crispiness of green onion, it's spicy.

It was the first time he ate Natto by itself, but it was also delicious.

Finally, the Natto that was adjusted to Christian's taste was poured onto the rice.

Then, the rice with Natto was carried to Christian's mouth. He was stunned.

It was delicious.

The taste of earth from the Natto.

That… along with the warm white rice, the flavor was enhanced.

It's an outstanding compatibility… for example like best friends comparable to Christian and Edmond who had been friends for a long time.

The slightly sweet and simple rice flavor, combined with Natto which had a strong scent, the taste transformed into a finished state.

Natto was created to be eaten with rice.

It was such a taste that created that outrageous idea.

To Christian, this taste was wonderful.

The daughter of his close friend Edmond in front of him… he saw a girl who exceeded him in terms of taste researching even though her age was a third of Christian's.

Greediness for the taste of food, thoughts unrestrained by common sense, and the courage to recklessly tackle a challenge…

(Aa, this is youth…)

He's convinced. The girl in front of him was already… an independent elf seeker.

After finishing their meal and leaving otherworld dining hall, Christian gave Faldania one information.

[E!? Rice also exists in our world!?]

Faldania was astonished.

It was unexpected that rice was also grown in their world.

Faldania had been travelling for a year.

It did not exist in her home forest Sienna, and during her travels around elven forests and human cities, she had never seen rice grown or sold anywhere.

[Oh, there is. In the Western Continent, rice was their staple food.]

Christian nodded heavily.

Longer than Faldania… there was a time when he traveled for around 100 years.

Rice was rarely grown or seen at the Eastern Continent where Faldania lived, but at the Western Continent, rice was grown more than wheat and was eaten on a daily basis.

The taste was far different from the rice of otherworld dining hall, but it was the same plant.

[He~e… is that so…]

Listening to Christian, determination shone in Faldania's eyes.

Rice. This crop was the one that Faldania sought.

In order to complete "a meal that exceeds the foods of otherworld cafeteria", it was absolutely necessary in the future.

It was the moment her next destination was decided.

(Aa, youth.)

Seeing the determined Faldania, Christian decided to give her something.

[Faldania, I give you this.]

He pa.s.sed a small pot containing Christian's treasure.

[What's… this? Don't tell me… it's a bit different from the one used for Yakionigiri but… Miso? … Don't tell me the way to make Miso is to rot elf beans, no, to ferment them!?]

Looking inside, Faldania confirmed the ident.i.ty of the reddish brown paste from the appearance and the smell and felt surprised.

Her evaluation of "research of fermentation of elf beans" that Christian conducted rose greatly.

She did not know. To think that Miso which is one of the fascinating seasonings used at otherworld dining hall could be made by fermenting elf beans.

[Aa, that's right. Elf bean Miso was created by chance during my years of research.]

Christian nodded.

The way of "making it by chance" was currently researched… that was the valuable item that did not exist anywhere else in that world.

[Take it… apparently this is your favourite?]

[… Really, thank you for everything, thank you.]

Faldania gently received the pot and stuffed it inside her magical bag with an impressed face.

It's a valuable item. She would use it carefully.

She thought so.

[Well then… I'll come back someday.]

[Aa, you should go. Even when you have the lifespan of an elf, it is extravagant to explore the world.]

Sent off by Christian, Faldania resumed her journey.

The other side beyond the sea. Another continent.

Faldania's quest was still going on.

Natto – Nattō is a traditional j.a.panese food made from soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis var. natto. Some eat it as a breakfast food. It is served with soy sauce, karashi mustard and j.a.panese bunching onion.   Elf beans - soy beans if it isn't obvious. Yakionigiri - grilled rice b.a.l.l.s Miso – a traditional j.a.panese seasoning produced by fermenting soybeans with salt and koji and sometimes rice, barley, or other ingredients.   Onigiri - rice b.a.l.l.s Negi - spring onion Dashishoyu – a versatile, umami-rich and slightly sweeter version of soy sauce.