Vol 1 Chapter 1 (1/2)
Chapter 1 - Worshi+p of Gourmet Food
Episode 01: Meditations de Gastronomie
Part 1
On a rough ates of the capital, there was a stopped car
It was an old car once used by the army, a common type of auto the post-war years
There was no roof to its dimmed silver body, so the two seats were exposed directly to the elements A rolled up blanket and some paperbacks were scattered on the leather-coated seats
The driver of the car was a younga leather frock coat
His age could not be determined exactly, but presumably, he was about twenty years old Still, the face under the hat had yet to lose all its boyish features
At thewith the rear wheel bearing
Although his gentle features i, his hands were oddly accustomed to the use of tools and his movements rese
”I a on the load platform addressed him
Her age was no more than about 12 or 13 years Her white skin seemed almost transparent and was covered by a jet black dress
She had hip-length ebony hair and eyes that were the deep black colour of the night
The black dress was fringed by countless laces and frills These outlines of her were enfolded by metallic protectors on the back of her hands and a rustic tasset Her looks rehts—an odd mixture that could be called neither dress nor arht have been a ribbon, she earing an old, metallic chest
A big lock, tied to her with silver chains
”I a et lost, and now you've even killed the car Are you a good-for-nothing, Huey?”
Putting the book she was reading on her lap, she criticized the driver
The young man named Huey put on an ironic, lopsided sue that didn't match her lovely appearance at all
”Oh, I thought we got lost because you co the map?”
”Ugh” she groaned once and grew silent She chewed on her lips, pouting, and turned away as her cheeks turned red
The young loves that had become dirty with oil
”But it's certainly a bothersoh parts to repair the car We'll have to go borrow some proper tools and materials somewhere”
”you noticed this now?” she sighed, dumbfounded
Their car was currently stopped on a narrow land way that had only recently been hardened
Wherever one turned around, there was just plain wasteland with patches of weeds here and there A blacks to be seen for far and wide!
”Where are you looking that you think you would get soion? You are about the only foolish driver in the whole world ould lose his way in a desolate place like this during this cold season”
”Well, I acknowledge your point about the season”
He looked up at the branches of the withered trees and then shook his head exaggeratedly
”But Dalian it seems we're not the only ones who took this route”
After he had spoken, he squinted his eyes to look in the distance
A carriage was drawing closer to the a cloud of white dust behind it
It was a big two-horse cart—e equipped with suspension, usually only seen at the estates of nobles Athe reins, whereas in the cart itself they could see a young woman
The young driver, Huey, put his tools on the ground and stood up
Black dressed Dalian ju platform and quickly took position behind Huey
Her anxiety reminded one of a little animal unaccustoe, hiding part of her head behind the book she was hugging
The young woman spoke to the chauffeur, upon which he skillfully drew the reins
The carriage slowed down and stopped
The woman opened the door of the cart and poked out her head with a soft smile
”Please forgive my silly question, but do you need help?” the woreen cloak
She didn't look like a overness of a noble's child or the maid of a landlady
Huey sently
”It would seem so We had just lost our hen suddenly the car stopped”
”You have lost your way?” she asked back, bewildered
Their car was stopped almost in the s Moreover, there wasn't any fog nor was the road co et lost
”Uh but, you see, a lot happened underway,” the young irl behind hi for the mansion of Graham Atkinson do you happen to know him?”
”The mansion of Mr Graham?” the woman asked surprised
She exchanged glances with the chauffeur and then nervously straightened herself
”Could it be that you are guests of tonight's dinner party?”
”Yes We were invited by Mr Grahah Anthony Disward Just call oes by the name Dalian”
”Sir Disward? Are you,” she wrinkled her brow for some reason, taken aback
Then she caive my rudeness!”
”I'm called Lesley and I am a servant at Mr Grahae to the e workers for the repair of your car”
”Ah, that would be a big help But,” Huey said and looked back
The shoulders of the girl behind hi faintly
She was behaving like a shy young child, wary of unknown adults
Lesley wrinkled her brow, but then seemed to be struck with an idea
”Miss Dalian uhe”
Dalian twitched at the word ”snacks”
She then peeked out behind Huey and looked up to Lesley
”Snacks of what sort?” she eventually asked with a voice one could barely hear
Lesley smiled, relieved
”H too exceptional, but there is fried bread and”
She started to count with her fingers, but Dalian answered right away, ”We are co at Huey's sleeves
”My, h
The loading platforetables and fruits, fish and meat, as well as lance that all of it was fresh and of high quality
”Are you on your way back froht's dinner party, I suppose?” Huey said, a little surprised, after glancing into the loading platform from his seat
”No,” Lesley shook her head ”The pre-cooking for the dinner party is already done What you are seeing there are the ingredients for the lord's dinner”
”All this, for Mr Graham alone? I certainly heard that he didn't have a family”
”Yes, all of it will be presented to the lord The storage of goods is strictly prohibited The freshness and quality of the ingredients is what makes the quality of the final dish Apparently, htly injured ingredients earlier on that day”
”Aah” Huey sourmet just like I heard in the rumours Do you work in the kitchen of his mansion?”
”Yes that's about right I work as souous smile
Kitchenunder the chef—in other words, trainee cooks The fact that Lesley had been entrusted with the iredients meant that she was a particularly capable kitchen maid
”I see Quite i that Mr Graham's cuisine is on everyone's lips, even in the capital I often see his original cooking style introduced in newspapers and it seems like the representatives of the House of Lords and several wealthy people on theto entice his chef away”
”I've heard such rumours as well,” she shook her head with a serious expression ”But as long the lord is alive, it is absolutely unthinkable that the chef would ever accept such an offer The chef's sole ai the lord savour the most delicious cuisine”
”the treatood, I suspect?” Huey asked amusedly
Lesley thought about it for a moment and replied, ”Mr Graham treats the kitchen staff very well of course, butis that the kitchen at his mansion is the perfect environredients at their own discretion, and even all the ordinary ingredients are of best quality and freshness Moreover, the crops on his land are superior in terms of quality and there's even a forest abundant in fauna”
”Forest?”
”Yes The nearby forest is a good hunting ground There are pheasants, rabbits or even wild boars”
”Aah that's what you'veat the thick forest that expanded before the carriage ”Is that perhaps also the reason why Mr Graham lives on the countryside rather than the capital?”
”Of course After all, Mr Graha one redients'”
”I see,” Huey muttered
In the irl next to hi her cheeks with fried bread wrapped in oil paper Fro on a rapt smile every time she did so
”You see your bread, aren't you, Dalian?”
”Correct,” she answered plainly and bit again into her bread The cautious attitude she had shoards Lesley in the beginning had completely vanished into thin air
While watching her warmly, Lesley said, ”I aently ”As soon as we arrive at the mansion, I can serve you some finer confectionery, but unfortunately this is all I have with oods we presented to an orphanage”
”Orphanage?” Huey asked dubiously
”Yes I always send theoods It's a pleasure to watch the children happily eat even such food”
”So, the person that baked this was?”
”I did You see, I lostconstantly hungry”
The expression that flashed over Lesley's face was a bit mysterious One could not tell whether she was happy or sorrowful
Part 2
The gourmet's mansion was on a hill with a view over the lush forest
Since it had been the residence of the feudal lord long ago, the building was surprisingly large The dining hall of the feast was lined with tables that were adorned with beautiful candlesticks and sterling cutlery
Everywhere one looked, one could see wealthy people, landlords and other people conversing with each other— without exception about tonight's dinner
”Why are there so many people? It's unbearable,” Dalian co herself in the shadow of a post
While adjusting his brand-new necktie, Huey gave a laid-back answer, ”Mr Graham has beco years by doing forward trading with corn Even nohen he has retired, he arranges a dinner party with lots of guests everythat is served at those, you can apparently pride yourself on getting invited”
”what a wretched bunch,” she cursed with quite a gruinated fro in crowds
Another reason for her bad et of countless curious gazes; her exotic black dress stood out even auests, dressed up as they were
Despite her dismissive attitude, there were still quite a lot who approached her out of curiosity
”Good evening, young lady Is this your first visit?”
Addressed by a young noble-lookinghim
The man, however, did not even mind and continued, ”I've attended several ti here is even better than the rumours say! It stands to reason that Mr Graham's company is said to have flourished because of his dinner parties I'm sure you'll love it The recipes he has worked out are of course splendid, but so too are the skills of the cooks that carry them out”
”Cooks?” Huey asked subduedly
The nored by Dalian turned relievedly towards Huey
”Yes, exactly Did you know? Apparently, the chef is able to cook ani them feel any pain I heard that birds and predators kept sleeping comfortably even when their head rolled, or that fish continued to swim in the tank even when they were reduced to head and bones—”
”ould he do such obscure things?” Huey asked, raising an eyebrow
The noble-looking eratedly and shook his head
”That's again a story beyond belief: he see so Adrenalin was it, I think Animals emit adrenalin when they die in pain, which causes the et chewy and the flavour to weaken Of course, that's a difference so subtle we coh”
”Youit just to prevent that effect?”
”Exactly It's splendid how ree? I heard he polished his knife technique and even learned the oriental 'e ofMind you, he has been able to work for several years for Mr Graham”
”quite hard to believe,” Huey voiced his thoughts dryly
The man nodded several times
”Surely! But I think you'll believe it as soon as you've tasted the cooking”
After boasting about the cooking as if he had h spirits
When he went out of their view, Dalian relaxed again
”what do you think about it, Dalian?”
So far he had preserved a sociable smile, but now Huey's mien turned serious at once
”It's absurd No co like that,” Dalian declared coldly
Huey maintained a serious face
”But what if it's the truth?”
The black-dressed girl gazed at the fla on a candlestick and muttered in an even voice, ”That wouldis involved”
”I see,” Huey shrugged casually
He took a pocket-watch out of his coat and bracing himself up, said briefly:
”It's tio”
Graham Atkinson's study was to be found at a silent place, somewhat apart from the dinner party
Outside theone could see the huge forest and the wheat fields on the back side of the mansion Both sides of the roo and were packed with rare books
There were so seats in the centre, one of which was already occupied by a man
He was probably older than fifty
While he was a little short, his body ell-built— far froourmet His appearance resembled much more a soldier in employment, rather than a retired aristocrat
”—I'm impressed”
The first action Huey took after being led to this library was not greeting Mr Grahaside the walls Even Dalian could not help rounding her eyes
”'De re coquinaria' by the gourmand Acipius of the old Rohly valued chef Taillevent 'The Physiology of Taste' by Brillat-Savarin—the greatest gourmet of modern history And the 'Qí mín yào shù' of the Ancient China There are not only recipes, but also books about natural history and physics you could probably count the nuourmet libraries of this level on one hand”
”Heh,” the owner of the study gazed at Huey with searching eyes and gave a laugh ”I see As expected frorandchild of Viscount Wesley Disward You seem to have an eye for books”
”Are you acquainted with lance
Grahanalled Huey and Dalian to take a seat and ordered the butler to prepare some tea for them
”Anyone who is a little familiar hat happens behind the scenes in this country knows about that bibliomaniac! And also about the library he owns, of course”
”What library?” Huey asked back with a straight face
”Playing duirl you've taken with you, 'the Black Biblioprincess' You have inherited it from the Viscount, haven't you? The Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian!”
”I wonder what you mean?” Huey smiled in a ironic manner and inclined his head
Dalian was still wordlessly tugging at his sleeves with downcast eyes Her impassive countenance seemed like a beautiful porcelain doll
”Heh,” Graham sneered amusedly ”Books are splendid You have to use your head to read theht of a human brain makes about 2 of the whole body, but uses up 18 of the daily required calories? Now, the hungrier you are, the more delicious dishes you can eat”
”You read books for the sake of eating?” Huey asked in a jesting tone
But his dialogue partner nodded without hesitation and added, ”Surely and the same applies toyour row, too Gourreatest pleasure under the sun Thus, I spare neither trouble nor expense”
”Hah”
With an aard expression, Huey looked around in the study There weren't just lots of books, but also many tools to exercise
And instead of a desk, there was a personal dining table
The wine cup and plates were all made of expensive porcelain and wouldn't have been out of place in an art gallery In a sense, this study was a splendid, extravagant dining room
”Won't you take part in the dinner party?” Huey asked after a short pause
Although the dinner party should have begun by now, Grahao
”Don't ether with a bunch that won't stop talking about silly ru that holy tianize those because I have no other choice for business Youon incompetent trustees”
”That is unexpected,” Huey muttered to himself
”Why would you think so?”
”No, it's just that everyone was praising your dinner parties so highly, so I was sure you made every effort”
”Why, I do ? Or did you think I would let uests are coly Huey silently shook his head
Grahahed deeply ”Well, but to tell the truth while they are not slacking off, they don't give their best either It's necessary to reduce the grade of perfection, so even those commoners can comprehend the taste Do you knohy?”
”No why is that?”
”In short, for savouring the best cooking, the body of the one eating has to be at least of the same quality Everyone knows that the ood But what about the person eating it? Do you think soans are corroded by tobacco and wine, could ever appreciate the best cooking?” Grahaathered at the dinner party ”I have been working ontoo ry I did all this in order to savour the best cooking I'ourmets!”
While saying so, he paraded his muscles proudly
”I think I can understand what youwith a strained smile, ”We don't see you're talking of, either I alects to live healthily and I'et down to business?”
”Business, huh?”
”Yes Why did you not only invite us to your dinner party, but also to had us coh we have no connection to your business whatsoever?” Huey gave hilance
Grahaht I am not interested in the bunch that's here only to taste my cuisine But you are different, Sir Disward And so are you, Black Biblioprincess please, grant my wish!+”
”Your wish?” Huey asked suspiciously
Graham bowed his head slowly
”I' about the Phantom Book”
A dull light flashed in his eyes Dalian tightened her grip on Huey's sleeves, visibly tensed
”I wouldthe thousands you own The phantom book, which is said to contain forbidden cookery by the chef of Valhalla, the pagan God Andhrímnir,” he said slowly, ”It is called 'The Book of the Ultio and should not exist anymore But you should know about its whereabouts You who inherited the phantoht over knowledge and books The Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian!”
”Why?” Huey repeated his question
Graham frowned discontentedly
”You are a researcher of gournized by everyone You have collected such a giant number of cookery books and you even have one of the best cooks in the country as your e for?”
”I long to savour the best cooking—no ourreatest pleasure on earth It's the ultimate desire and deeply rooted in the hu else was the driving force that led to the progress of our civilization Or as Brillat-Savarin once said: 'The discovery of a new dish confers more happiness on humanity than the discovery of a new star' And I have yet to find it! That true bliss!”
”And that is why you want to borrow the knowledge of the demons?”
Huey gazed at him with pity in his eyes
Graham nodded, ”I sacrificedDid you know that according to soourthens life? But still, I've not yet reached it I don't have much time left Ten, twenty years at ourmet food before my time has come—even if it means to borrow the power of a book whose mere existence is forbidden”
Huey patiently heard Graham out, but in his eyes one could clearly discover bewilderment He shook his head, unable to understand Graham
”how can this be, Dalian?” he whispered to the black-clothed girl, who remained silent
”What are you hesitating for, Sir Disward?” Irritation was mixed in Graham's voice ”Do you want money? There is no reason to hesitate in that case Just write down the sum you have in mind on a cheque”
”you'rein exchange for the books,” Huey sighed, slightly annoyed ”But sadly we're not able to hand out a phantoument's sake, were the owners of that library”
”Why?” Graha rattled for the first time
”Because that book—The Book of the Ulti—has already been lent to soo, that is”
”What did you just say?” Graham muttered in complete bafflement
Still raising an eyebrow, Huey continued, ”In the diary of grandpa no, of randfather, it ritten that the 'The Book of the Ulti' was handed out to soo on a whim We were sure you were the holder of the book e travelled here Since after all, it was shortly after that day that you got widely faourmet—”
”13 years ago? Don't tell roaned deeply and sank down in his seat Then, after a long time of silence, he muttered in a mournful voice:
”It's my head cook”
”Eh?”
”The chef has got the phantom book Apparently, everyone thinks that I have created all the recipes, and that I only have the servants cook the theht about 13 years ago when I employed the current head cook and still what a ooh!” he mumbled and held his head
His i body seemed a lot smaller than before
”What a twist of fate so I have been eating dishes cooked using that phanto? And yet I've not been able to savour the cooking of e of the demons I'm not able to reach my ideal? I firmly believed that hed in grief
Huey silently looked down at hi a sound
”Where is the chef?” she broke the silence
”In the kitchen, I suppose that cook should be preparing ht now”
”I do want to meet the chef Immediately”
”Do as you will There doesn't see any more,” he said in an indifferent tone
They gave each other a nod and stepped towards the entrance of the rooe shadow
Graham addressed their backs:
”Wait! allow me just one more question, Sir Disward Why did you co me the phantom book? Why now, after thirteen years?”
”The books that are lent by a library do have return dates, Mr Atkinson” Huey explained coldly without giving hilance ”Phantoinally, and hence are sealed away Not even we knohat iht back within the time limit”
Graham looked at them in bewilderment
The black-dressed girl turned around quietly and proclaimed in a cold and clear voice
”'The Book of the Ulti' has been lent with a tiht”
Part 3
After leaving Grahaether with Dalian to the kitchen
On the way they passed through the hall of the dinner party
Theits peak Everyone adeh praise
”I don't like this mood”
Huey ular to him
”There is also negative criticism about Grahaered ani Or there are rue of the kitchen And I guess they know about this, too”
”what is so fun about eating all these things?”
Dalian asked back in a earnest expression Huey just shrugged his shoulders
”Why indeed? There are people living in this world that are thankful for anything rare Whatever it is”
”even though there would be countless better ingredients Such fools Just eat bread And if there is no bread, do eat confectionery”
Dalian explained her own opinion with plain words
Ignoring her, Huey continued,
”Of course there areGrahah position Even I thought so until now But if the chef is holding the Phanto to be troublesome”
The black dressed girl didn't answer his
She glanced wordlessly at the scenery beyond the s
A blood-red fullin the far sky
Many cooks were at work in the kitchen
And like one would expect of a ourround ell paved with stone tiles, and on it, many servants, kitchen and sculleryaround
Then there was one person who finished up the giant amount of dishes; the kitchen utensils seemed as if an extension of her body
This ithout doubt, the chef of this mansion Her movements were completely unlike that of the others
The pot danced around in her hands almost as if it had a will of its own and an appetite quickening odour spread out just by her adding spices or sauces When she took a knife, she cut etables with vivid movements and dished them up beautifully like a flower bed, despite that she didn't seerip
Huey seemed captivated and stood stock still for a while, unable to shi+ft his gaze
The chef noticed this and looked up
Surprisingly, the chef was a young woly in her mid-twenties
She finished up the cooking without stocking, put away the knife and then approached Huey and Dalian
”so you were the chef of this mansion?”
Huey asked silently Upon which the chef - Lesley - setically
She was the person who let thee and lead them to the mansion
”I already expected you would come”
Lesley answered looking a bit desolate
”Why?”
Dalian was the one asking back Lesley looked down on her in nostalgia and said,
”I've changed quite a bit in those thirteen years, but you look the same like e met, Black Biblioprincess Or was it your mother that time?”
Dalian didn't answer and just gazed at her
Instead Huey opened his mouth
”You know 'The Book of the Ulti' don't you, Miss Lesley?”