Chapter 5: The Burning Trader and Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
The overwhelming production power created by the Industrial Revolution turned Briticia into a major trading nation.
Its momentum was astonishing, accounting for roughly forty percent of global trade.
As for Britician-registered ships, they nearly made up half of the worldās merchant tonnage.
“I-I can see it! Itās the Londor Dock!”
A sailor on deck shouted in joy.
The River Thames was bustling with activity, with steamships towing coal barges and small boats loaded with cargo crossing paths.
Among them, a trade ship with its sails furled slowly made its way upstream.
At the Londor Dock that came into view, massive stone warehouses lined the area, filled with the creaking of cranes and the shouts of workers unloading cargo.
On the shore, rows of carts waited to transport the goods.
“We finally made it backā¦”
As the ship docked, the sailors disembarked one after another.
Advertisements for imported goods plastered on warehouse walls, stacks of wooden crates, and the dome of Saint Paulās Cathedral faintly visible through rising smoke.
Before their eyes stretched the lively scenery of a bustling port town.
Seeing the familiar sight, they let out sighs of relief.
“It really feels good to stand on solid ground againā¦”
“Yeah, nothing but ocean as far as the eye could see. I donāt want to look at the sea for a while.”
“It was tougher than I expectedā¦ especially with the seasickness.”
Their first voyage had been more grueling than anticipated.
Recalling the endless days surrounded by nothing but sea, the sailors sighed.
This ship had just returned from its first overseas trade voyage.
It had exported Britician cotton products to the nation of Romaria along the Inland Sea.
In return, it brought back iron ore, now in high demand due to industrial advancements.
A three-month journey had just come to an end.
“Letās leave the cargo checks and paperwork to the staff and go get something to eat.”
The one who suggested it was Matheson, a blue-eyed young man who had recently started his own trading company.
He had personally boarded the ship and led the trade.
“Sounds goodā¦ Iām starving anyway. Iāve been craving something good.”
“Finally, we can say goodbye to those bland ship meals we had to eat every day.”
“Letās eat something decent and get our energy backā¦”
Wearing navy wool coats, knit caps, and matching boots, the four men followed Matheson into the workersā district.
“ā¦Hey, we just started this company, butā¦ are we really going back out to sea again?”
“ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦”
No one answered.
The four men who had set out with grand ambitions were now completely drained.
They spotted a charming-looking restaurant and, as if escaping the topic of their voyage, opened the door.
“Welcome!”
Emma came rushing over, her short skirt fluttering.
The four of them sat at a table.
“What would you like to order?”
“ā¦ā¦Ah.”
At Emmaās question, they all suddenly spoke at once.
“Weāre back in Briticiaā¦”
Returning home after so long was comforting.
It was comforting, butā
“I forgotā¦ this is Briticiaā¦”
“After coming back from Romaria, itās hard to expect much from the food here.”
“We just got freed from the sea, and now weāre stuck with bad food? Thatās not exactly encouragingā¦”
Remembering how bad the food was back home, they all held their heads in despair.
“Miss, weāve decided.”
“Yes!”
“Bring us the best thing this place has.”
“The bestā¦?”
“āThe least bad option.”
“What!?”
Emma looked shocked, having expected them to say “the most delicious.”
Matheson began to explain.
“Sorry. In Romaria, we had things like risotto with butter and cream, or pasta with olive oil and tomatoes.”
“Just hearing that makes me miss itā¦”
“They use tomatoes, onions, eggplant, zucchini, seasoning it with salt, oil, and herbs. Along the Inland Sea, there are also dishes with octopus, squid, and anchovies.”
“That sounds amazingā¦”
Emma listened, completely captivated by the unfamiliar dishes.
“In that case, how about pasta?”
“ā¦You can make that?”
Matheson tilted his head at the unexpected suggestion.
He had never heard of a place in Londor that served pasta.
“Yes! Itās really delicious!”
“Alright, then weāll have pasta. Iāll leave the sauce to you.”
“Understood!”
As Emma hurried off, the sailors exchanged wry smiles.
“Letās not expect too much. This isnāt Romaria.”
“Exactly. It wouldnāt be fair to compare it.”
“Right, this is Briticiaā”
“Letās brace ourselvesā¦”
Preparing themselves for “Britician food,” they waited for their meal.
“Thank you for waiting!”
“Wooooah!?”
When the pasta was placed before them, they couldnāt believe their eyes.
The mound of golden pasta was spaghetti, a classic thickness that paired well with any sauce.
The meat sauce on top was slightly thick, sitting firmly at the peak.
Sprinkled cheese and parsley added a perfect finishing touch.
“H-heyā¦”
“No wayā¦”
Though it was a large portion, it was beautifully presented, showcasing Tatsuyaās attention to detail.
The difference in quality left them stunned.
“Letās try it.”
At Mathesonās words, they all took a bite.
“!?”
They immediately looked at each other.
The sauce, rich with the flavor of ground beef, blended perfectly with the acidity of tomatoes and the depth of red wine, delivering satisfaction from the first bite.
The melted creamy cheese added a unique saltiness and smoothness.
The pasta was cooked al dente, perfectly coating the sauce.
With every bite, the texture of the meat and onions came through, along with the umami and sweetness of the tomatoes.
“This is amazing!”
“You can get pasta this good in Londor!?”
“This is incredible! Even in Romaria, I didnāt have anything this luxurious!”
The sailors shouted in amazement.
Matheson said nothing, devouring the pasta in silence.
Despite being the smallest, he ate with the force of a whirlpool.
“Itās not even gone yet, but Iām ordering another!”
“Me too!”
“Same here! Bring four more servings!”
“Yes!”
In no time, they finished the meat sauce.
Naturally, their hands reached for the consomme soup.
“What!?”
From the clear amber broth, the flavor of slowly simmered beef bones and vegetables could be felt.
It was lightly seasoned, letting the ingredients shine.
Though subtle, it had depth and elegance.
“Haaaaaā¦”
They exhaled in relief.
After enjoying the delicate aftertaste, the desire to eat more rose again.
“I thought there was no good food in Londorā¦ but I guess I was wrong.”
“Definitely.”
Just as they murmuredā
“Thank you for waiting!”
Emma returned at the perfect moment.
As she placed the next servings, all four reached out at once.
Forks clashed, sparks flew.
Like a fencing match, a fierce battle for pasta began.
“I ordered it!”
“So what!?”
“Thereās more coming, just wait your turn!”
“Slurp slurp slurp!”
“Hey! Thatās not fair, Matheson!”
Taking small bites wasnāt fast enough.
In the end, they all leaned in and devoured the pasta directly.
“Hehe, you all get along so well.”
Emma smiled as she brought more pasta.
Finally, Matheson, who had been silently eating, looked up.
“We started a small trading company together, with friends from way back.”
It seemed the four of them had been close for a long time.
“From here on, we want to expand trade to Indio and even the Far East.”
“Letās do it! I canāt wait for the next voyage!”
“Yeah! Weāll make the company big with major trade!”
“The sea is calling us!”
Though they had just returned from a long journey, their spirits were reignited.
With their stomachs full of delicious food, their motivation surged.
Their fading dreams and ambitions burned brightly once again.
“Miss, bring more! The food here really gives you energy!”
“Yes! Itās giving me energy too!”
“Owner! We can come back tomorrow, right!?”
“Of course.”
“Thereās a place in Londor that serves food this good! Even we, who were called failures, can make it!”
“Exactly!”
Once they started talking, they couldnāt stop.
Their passionate voices filled the restaurant and even reached people passing outside.
With bright smiles on their faces, the sailors laughed.
And the next day, they would return to Mikeneko in an unexpected way.