Chapter 53: The Salted Meat of the Meat Capital and the Rumor of the Masked Swordsman
Nestled within an endless expanse of grasslands lay Vaide, the “Capital of Meat.”
Its vibrant energy could be felt even from beyond the city walls.
As promised, we set out to find a place to enjoy some good meat, weaving through the streets packed with people.
However, every restaurant was full.
After being turned away from one establishment after another, disappointment began to show on Chris’s and Rowena’s faces.
At last, we found a tavern with a few empty seats and entered with a sigh of relief.
We immediately ordered the house’s famous meat dishes.
Chris and Rowena had been expecting fresh steaks, but what arrived instead were meals centered around preserved meatsâsalt-cured meat stew and sautĂŠed dried meat.
The disappointment on their faces was obvious.
But the moment they took their first bite, their expressions changed to astonishment.
The depth of flavor that only a professional cook could create.
The concentrated umami of the salted meat, combined with aromatic vegetables and slow cooking, made the meat so tender it practically fell apart.
The three of us devoured every bite, and in the end, we were thoroughly satisfied.
While we ate, I asked one of the friendly servers about the city.
He kindly explained that many businesses in Vaide combined an inn, tavern, and dining hall into a single establishment, and that ever since the new city of Reservoir had been founded, the entire city had become especially crowded.
When we mentioned that we had come from Reservoir, the server looked surprised before smiling.
“If you haven’t found a place to stay yet, we still have rooms available.”
After finishing our meal, we discussed it at the table.
Chris voiced his confusion.
“This food is incredible. So why is this the only place with empty seats? And why aren’t they serving fresh meat?”
I casually asked the server the same question.
He let out a frustrated sigh before explaining.
“The large shipments being sent to Reservoir have caused a shortage of fresh meat throughout the city. On top of that, a wealthy establishment called the Golden Lion’s Roar Tavern has bought up almost everything that’s left…”
Another server joined the conversation.
“We used to be famous for our fresh steaks, but since we can’t get any fresh meat anymore, business has been dead for the past month.”
Then a kind-looking middle-aged man emerged from the kitchen and reluctantly spoke.
“We protested through the guild, but the Golden Lion’s Roar Tavern throws money around. They even hired an incredibly skilled ‘Masked Swordsman’ as a bodyguard. Nobody dares challenge them.”
The Masked Swordsman.
The moment those words were spoken, I silently frowned.
Beside me, Chris gasped.
“No way…!”
Unable to contain himself, he launched into an excited explanation.
“The man who taught me swordsmanship once lost to that Masked Swordsman in the Royal Capital martial arts tournament! My master called him ‘one of the very few opponents he could never defeat in his lifetime.’ Why would someone of that caliber be working as nothing more than a tavern’s bodyguard…?”
Gradually calming down, he voiced his doubts.
Then he looked at me with firm resolve.
“Master! Even just to learn more about this swordsmanâand considering how crowded the other inns areâwe should stay here!”
I turned to Rowena.
“It looks like we’ll be staying here. Is that alright with you?”
Whether she understood Chris’s explanation or simply grasped the situation, Rowena nodded vigorously.
“Yep! So… we can eat tasty meat!”
Her innocent answer made me resign myself to the fact that this would probably become troublesome.
At the same time, though, I couldn’t deny the curiosity growing inside me.
Just who was this person calling himself the Masked Swordsman?
With all three of us in agreement, I informed the middle-aged manâthe owner of the tavernâthat we’d like to rent a room.
“Chris, could you take our luggage upstairs?”
After Chris nodded and left, I stayed behind to hear more from the owner.
“I heard there was once a drunk who drew his sword inside the Golden Lion’s Roar Tavern. That Masked Swordsman put him down in an instant. That’s the talk of the town.”
“The meat supply should return to normal in another two months or so. But small places like ours… by then, we might already be finished.”
After thanking him, I asked one of the servers to have hot water brought up to our room.
Soon, a large tub filled with clean, steaming water was placed inside.
As usual, Rowena and I took off our clothes and began washing ourselves.
Chris instantly turned bright red and started panicking.
“M-Master! Rowena is bathing with us!?”
“Don’t make such a fuss. You’re not a child who’d have strange thoughts just from seeing a kid. Hurry up and wash yourself.”
I lightly smacked him on the head.
Looking thoroughly embarrassed, Chris turned his back and began wiping himself down.
While he did, I told him what I’d learned from the innkeeper.
“For now, we’ll spend tomorrow looking around the city. After that, we’ll decide what to do next.”
“Yes, Master!”
“Chris… wash your back?”
“N-No! I’m fine, Rowena!”
Feeling refreshed after our first proper hot bath in quite some time, we each climbed into our beds.
Exhausted from the long journey, all three of us quickly drifted into a deep sleep.