Re:START/If {Book 1.0}
Chapter 31: The Girl’s Reason and Path for He (Part 02)
Opening her eyes heavily, Fiola began to sit on the bed while wiping her still sleepy eyes. He was immediately surprised that Odo was nowhere near him, looking to his right and left he quickly found the boy sitting on the floor. Exhaling with relief and a little messy hair, he came down from the bed.
“Mr Odo, what are you doing? Manage the agenda for your plans today—?”
His mouth closed quickly as he watched the boy shed tears. Sitting please with a parchment paper in hand and a few more on the floor, Odo shed tears and clearly sobbed. Fiola was stunned to see the child, speechless and only speechless in silence.
“So, yes .... So that's what happened .... Really, stupid I ever felt like that.”
Blood dripped from Odo's nose, not just one but up to a few drops until it stained the papers. Swallowing spit heavily, Fiola asked, “What ... that's the report you got from Miss Lisiathus yesterday? About ... the children of the orphanage ..”
Odo gasped at the voice of the fox woman. Looking at and wiping away the tears and nosebleeds, the black hairdresser wearing a brown tunic replied, “Ya .... It's about them. Their reasons, what built their identity and shaped them to date.”
“What ... do you say?” Fiola was perplexed to hear that, staring in astonishment and completely unable to catch what Odo was talking about.
Putting the file scattered on the floor, the boy tied it with a fiber rope and put it into the Dimension Bracelet. Taking a deep breath, he smiled faintly as he looked at the black-brown woman. At the look of his eyes really look sad, a little reddened and obviously he did not briefly when crying sobbing.
“It's okay, I just realized how naive I am this ...”
Fiola simply fell silent and simply stared speechlessly. Getting a look of wonder from the woman in charge of escorting and watching him, Odo sighed and turned his eyes away. Glancing flat at him, he said, “I was only touched because of the report .... What they experienced ... was indeed truly a torment.”
Fiola looked in disbelief hearing that, Odo in him was not a child who would shed such tears just from reading a pitiful report. The boy turned around, then walked towards the door saying, “Come, we go down and have breakfast!” Fiola took a deep breath hearing that, trying not to think further about what was troubling his mind.
“Ya ..., Mr. Odo.” He changed his posture with transformation magic into the form of children, then walked following the child out of the room.
What Odo did before was one of Perception Speculation's functions. With the words contained in the report, the boy imagines entering into the report and bearing witness to one of the tragedies caused by his father's selfishness by undertaking the First Astral World Expedition. By doing so, Odo felt the sensation of directly witnessing the atrocities of what was happening at that time and could clearly estimate some things that were not listed in the report.
.
.
.
.
Arriving at the first floor of the inn, Odo and Fiola went to the hall to dine with the other guests at the inn. Most of them were indeed traders like what was seen last night, there was absolutely no increase in the number of Odo's observations.
Walking into the hall room which was quite spacious, he was surprised because the arrangement of his table was not too foreign to the child. A round table with four chairs surrounds, arranged a few meters per table and fills most of the hall room that has been prepared for the breakfast of guests.
The place has a wooden floor that is tight and very neat and well maintained. The ceiling of the place is also made of shiny black painted wood and has beautiful carved decorations and some hanging crystal lights for lighting. Observing around, there are several servants who are in charge of serving and supervising the hall room that is being used by guests until ten.
Odo and Fiola took out a plate that could be taken right after entering, then browsed through the contents of a special table full of food for their breakfast. Looking at the way the presentation was used, the black hairdresser in mind said, “Similar to a buffet ...”
The menu presented is very diverse and quite a lot considering it is now winter. There are twelve main side dishes, six types of soups and three desserts. Among the menus, there are, what had attracted Odo was a raw Fugu fish that was cut thinly and served on small plates such as flower petals with a garnish of lemon pieces and boiled cucumbers.
In addition, there is also Shashlik which is a type of sheep satay that is pierced by iron rods, Kashel lamb leg soup, and various other processed meat dishes. At the table that is arranged elongated and full of cuisine there is also a lot of seafood such as Bouillabaisse (buyabes), which is a boiled dish of fish and shellfish.
Before he could choose, the child's plate was filled by Fiola with two dried breads and a piece of smoked spice sauce. Before he reacted, some of Shashlik's skewers were already hitching a ride on his flat plate. The boy looked up and stared without saying anything. As if he did not care about it, Fiola took another dish with a metal spoon and refilled Odo's plate to the brim. The black haired child let out a fretful breath.
“You are still growing, so eat a lot!” fiola said cheerfully.
“Mbak Fiola ..”
“Hmm?”
“Can you please hold my plate? I'm gonna tie a shoelace.”
“Ah, sure.” Fiola received a plate filled with food from the boy. But at that time, he realized that Odo could force food on the plate to him. As he expected, the black hairdresser walked around and took out a new plate.
“Eeeh?” Fiola was wide-eyed with his mouth open, completely panicked and confused. Approaching the boy, he hurriedly asked, “Master? Mr Odo? Why take it again? This how?”
“That's allotment Mbak Fiola .... Just spend it.”
“A ..”
At that time Fiola was really aware that the child named Odo was not very fond of being disturbed when choosing food. Standing in confusion, he saw his employer choosing breakfast very carefully. Odo took only one dry loaf, a few large shells with spices, and a bowl of pumpkin vegetables which he had requested from the innkeeper who stood guard at the special table.
“Master, why don't you choose meat? Here it looks like the special menu of meat, loh.”
“Hah?” Odo stared in annoyance.
“See, they also mostly take meat dishes.”
The two of them turned towards the table full of conglomerates who were eating meat for breakfast. They stared back, visibly disturbed as Odo and Fiola looked at them while eating.
“That's right, Sir. Our roast is the best menu,”, continued the innkeeper who stood guard at the special table of food. “The original and specially made used sauce from us, a combination of spices from our empire and kingdom. The meat is also optional, the fat is suitable and the roasting uses a special temperature,” continued the waiter while taking a plate and was about to fill it with a special roast meat he talked about.
“No need,” said Odo before the innkeeper prepared it.
“Eh?”
Looking with a flat gaze, he again firmly said, “I said no need.”
“Ya ..” The waiter trembled at the boy's gaze.
Ignoring this, the boy walked towards one of the tables quite far away from the merchant group, then sat down without thinking of those who were starting to stare at him. Fiola followed, sitting with the boy while carrying a large portion of superfood because of his own actions.
Not paying any heed to Huli Jing's astonished gaze sitting opposite her, the child began to eat her breakfast with a fork and knife. Sighing lightly, Shieal with the highest authority finally asked, “Why are you so short-chosen when eating? Isn't that not good?”
Odo lowered his cutlery onto the plate when he heard that, staring flatly in annoyance at not being able to calmly eat the food. Back lifting the cutlery, the boy said, “Please don't mind my diet. What I eat is up to me, it's not Fiola.”'s business
Huli Jing was silent, she felt that the gaze and words the child spoke were not just ordinary annoyance. Taking a light breath, the fox woman said, “Alright. I will not protest anymore ..., from the first you did like to choose such foods.”
When Fiola had given up and no longer protested what the boy had chosen for breakfast, suddenly a man who looked like a chef came to their table. Carrying the meat that was offered to the boy, he put it on the table while firmly saying, “Master, why at least you try it first?” The servants of the inn behind the man could be seen panicking and shaking their heads, but none of them stopped the man who was about thirty years old and above.
Odo turned his head and stared flatly at the man who stood with pride. The man was wearing white clothes, a chef's hat, and an apron. Judging from anywhere, Odo could only catch the man as a chef. But as he considered his slightly haughty attitude, the child's calculation magic was active and he came to some conclusions about the green-eyed man who came.
“Sorry, I can't eat it,” replied Odo.
“Why? At least try one bite first ...”
“Takkak.”
“Why?! The aroma is very tasty and tempting, try to breathe first the aroma of the best roast meat our place!”
Odo was silent, inhaling the aroma of the food that was very tasty. Fats, spices, and fragrant savory oils can be smelled clearly. But even though he knew all that, the child still replied, “This is indeed delicious aroma, but thank you. I won't eat it.”
“Why!?” Unfortunately the chef hit the table with his left hand and made almost all the food on it scattered. Looking up at the table, Odo muttered, “Ah, what a pity the food.” The boy did not care at all about the man, what else were the other guests who started whispering in the back.
The man grew irritated and challenged as a cook. Holding Odo's shoulder, he smiled lightly and said, “Master ..., wait a minute. I will definitely bring a super roast meat for sure! YOU WILL definitely eat with gourmand!” The chef pressed Odo's shoulder as he said that.
“Why the hell are you all .... After all, who is this Uncle?”
“Ah, sorry to introduce yourself late.” The man raised his hand from Odo's shoulder and began to lower the hat he was wearing, then placed it in front of his chest and slightly lowered his head. Raising his head and staring at Odo, the man said, “I am Potz Porzan .... Head Chef and Owner of this Porzan Inn. You can also call me Porzan to-XII.”
“Hmm, Head Chef and Owner, yes.” Odo was not at all surprised to hear this, as if he had known it from the beginning. Smiling lightly, the boy reached out his hand and invited the man to shake hands.
“I Odo. Greetings, Uncle Porzan.”
“Hemp! I'm not shaking hands with you until you eat my best meal!”
“Then, yes already.” Odo paid no heed to that, facing towards the plate with food already scattered. Instead of eating the meat offered by Porzan, the child prefers to eat the shells that have been scattered on the table.
It was like an insult to the self-esteem of a chef, Porzan XII was upset until his forehead shriveled and his teeth clenched. “Akh! Goddamnit! Wait right here! I will bring you the best food in this place! It's free, so don't run!” porzan. He turned and moved from the place. The servants of the inn behind him were shocked to panic at the man's words.
“Wait, Uncle Porzan ..”
The green-eyed man's footsteps came to a halt, turned his head annoyed and said, “What?!”
“Please .. use beef or lamb only. Do not like the dishes you bring, please use beef or lamb that only.”
“Ah, can't you eat boar meat? The texture is good, loh.”
“Iya.”
“OK! In that case, with my best cooking ability, I will definitely make you eat it!”
The man also left. Due to the riots he made, the people in that place gave unfriendly gazes towards Odo and Fiola. The innkeeper approached them, then bowed several times and apologized for the behavior of the Chief Chef and their Boss.
“Sorry! Pardon me! Please forgive Mr. Porzan, he has always been like that when it comes to things like this..”
The innkeeper cleaned the table and changed the tablecloth. Before Fiola and Odo came to their senses, all the food they had brought was gone and their table looked like it had not been used at all. Fiola's stomach rumbled, until Odo sounded and made him stare flat at the fox girl.
“Mbak Fiola can take again, loh. No need to adjust with me.”
“Tak can! I'm not allowed to eat before you eat!”
“Tersubject ...”
They eventually waited until the promised dish Porzan XII came. No more than half an hour, the green-eyed man in chef's clothes came carrying a tray on which were two hot stone plates filled with roast meat. It was a kind of steak, placed on hot stones and marinade sauce in a separate small container. The fragrance instantly filled the room, making the other guests interested in the food the Chief Chef had brought.
“Please enjoy!” he said as he presented it to Odo's table.
Hearing the man's voice, Odo put a person named Porzan on the list of troublesome people in his head. Sighing lightly, the boy turned his head towards the chef and said, “This ... pork again, loh.”
“Ekh?!” Porzan was surprised the boy could tell. From the outside and the aroma that was there, clearly it was very similar to beef. Even so, the child is aware that it is meat that is made.
“Speaking what you are, the aroma is obviously beef. Is Mr Odo's sense of smell problematic?” said Fiola. The woman's saliva began to come out when she smelled the delicious aroma of the dishes. The sound of his stomach even began to compete with the gurgling of oil coming out from the flesh on top of that hot rock.
“Try Mbak Fiola eat.”
“Hmm!”
Fiola picked up the available forks and dinner knives, then began to pick up a piece of the grilled meat. Putting it in her mouth, the woman was surprised with her eyes wide open because it felt really good. Sweat splashed and a warm feeling as if churning from inside his body.
“Ehmm~ Uenak~ once ~!! What's this! It tastes like wild boar, but it tastes completely different!”
“Eh?!” Porzan was surprised to hear that. Holding both shoulders of the child and facing him, Porzan asked, “Why can you know!? Though have not tasted it at all!!” The child's body was shaken, until he closed his eyes and his eyebrows twitched slightly.
“Ahaha, from the aroma is also clear ..”
“Eh?” Porzan stopped shaking it.
“While it is true that it is very beef-scented, but that is only because Uncle uses his fat oil, right? In fact it is indeed ground pork plus a little other meat.”
“A ..!!” The man was completely wide-eyed and released a hand from Odo's shoulder. Trying not to panic, he straightened up and said, “Although so, why don't you try it first!? It's delicious! One bite, please!”
Odo looked away, completely uninterested or even unshakable in his appetite at the sight of the meat served on the hot stone. Although the gurgling sound of fatty oil when touching a hot stone plate sounds tempting, but for the child still does not make him interested.
One of the merchants eating in the hall approached as they continued to be noisy, then entered into the conversation, “Why don't you try it first, otherwise let me eat it,” said the man in the scarlet scarlet suit while he was about to take a tray from Porzan. But before the man who came to pick it up, Porzan pulled the tray and did not let him take the steak reserved for Odo.
“Master, this is not for you.”
“Come! He's just a man with no taste for class who doesn't even understand the greatness of your cooking! Let me taste it!”
Hearing what the red-clothed man said, Odo was offended and got up from the seat. He got up and faced her, then said, “What did you say? No taste?” ask Odo annoyed.
“Yes .... Even though you smell this smell in the morning, you still do not realize how tempting this cuisine is. If you don't have no taste, then what else?”
“That's right, Mr. Odo. It's delicious,” said Fiola who had spent the portion. Although he said he would not eat before Odo, but the woman actually finished her meal.
Not paying attention to Huli Jing's words, Odo and the man in red remained staring at each other sharply. Taking one step back, the blond man said, “I, Aprilo Nimpio, as one of the Lorian Trade Union Executives here stated that you have no proper taste as a noble!”
The atmosphere in the hall turned silent as the man loudly and proudly said. Odo stared unconcernedly, while Porzan stared at the blonde man's astonishment. When the atmosphere fell silent for a moment, the child's Perception Speculation was active and he closed his nose before blood flowed out. Some things he felt and did in mind, making him momentarily speechless confused.
Odo glanced at the Chief Chef, but he raised his shoulder as a sign of not knowing what the man who claimed to be the Trade Union Executive said.
“Ah, Mr Nimpi—”
“Call me Aprilo, I don't like being called by surname.”
Odo put on a list expression, one more person entered into the list of troublesome people in his head. Taking a light breath, the boy calmed down and started talking, “Eng, did you say an Executive of the Trade Union? So, what right do you say like that to me?”
“I know that you are Odo Luke who is famous as the Black Dragon Killer! But! As a Culinary lover I do not accept your treatment of Mr. Porzan's cuisine! You know, this is the best dish I've ever eaten!”
“Ah, she's sort of Foodie apparently,” minded Odo upon hearing that. But as he looked straight at the merchant Union Executive's eyes, Odo's Perception Speculation reactivated and blood came out of his nose. Aprilo was surprised, in a panic he asked, “You okay?”
“Yes ... No problem.” The boy immediately rubbed his nose with the back of his hand, then said, “By the way, you are a Culinary lover, ‘kan? Then, I challenge you!” odo said while pointing to Aprilo.
“Challenging myself?” The thirty-year-old blond man looked puzzled. Staring astonished with his green eyes, he asked, “In terms of cooking?”
“Yes! You say this is the best food, then of course I challenge you about what the best food is like. That way, you just know whose tastes are lower!”
“Wait a minute!” Porzan entered the conversation, he interjected, “It's the same as saying that my food is not good. I don't accept that!”
“Yes, therefore I challenge you,” said Odo. The child got carried away and no longer spoke formally.
It was the quarrel of the food lovers, Fiola who saw it did not understand what was important from it. The Huli Jing basically had the lowest taste of everyone in the place and would definitely say it was good or good if the food was edible. In other words, he did not really care about the origin food it could make him full.
In the end, a cooking match was held in the hall with a jury including the Trade Union Executive, a merchant who was his subordinate, Fiola himself, and an innkeeper. The main cuisine is grilled meat, free of any type of meat and making four servings within an hour.
Odo is given permission to cook in the kitchen and the chefs there are chased out by their Chief Chef. The existing material is free from the kitchen by the two people, but in such a case indeed in the match is superior to Porzan because the kitchen is the place of power.
The time provided was completed and an hour passed quickly. From the kitchen, Odo and Porzan brought trays from the kitchen and presented them to the four judges who had been waiting for them. Odo brought two servings first, then only brought two flaws after putting it on the jury table because he could not bring it all at once. It was different from Porzan who could easily carry all the trays at once.
In front of the four judges, steak dishes were served and no form was present, be it Odo or Porzan cuisine. Very similar, from a combination of vegetable decoration and how to put meat on a hot stone plate. The only thing that is different, Odo's cuisine looks more thick and fatty because it uses beef.
“Hmm, it turns out you can also cook yes, Mr. Odo,” said Aprilo as a judge. He sat between Fiola and his subordinate who was a man in a black hair red suit. Next to Fiola, sat the innkeeper who was nervous about being dragged into the strange behavior of his Boss.
“That's right, honestly I also do not support there are small children can cook like that. Moreover, while chopping meat he was very expert. What because it comes from the Luke Family, that's why Mr. Odo ..”
“Already, quick assessment ...” The boy went to one of the tables, then pulled up the chair and sat down limply with a pale face. Blood flowed from his nose, swabbed several times until it was slightly imprinted on the back of his right hand.
The judging began, the first dish that was eaten was Porzan's. When eating it, they simultaneously showed a satisfied face and smiled widely. One bite was not enough for them, whether it was the innkeeper until the Executive, all ate Porzan's dishes.
Seeing that Odo was not at all daunted. Porzan smiled proudly, feeling victorious with it. But when the child's cooking turn was eaten by the four judges, with just one bite they lowered the cutlery.
“Haha, victory is clear,” said Porzan.
But as the four jurors shed tears happily, the Chief Chef was wide-eyed. They literally shed tears while eating one bite of Odo's cooking, completely satisfied with just one bite.
“A-What is this .. why are my tears .... Is beef always this good? It feels like the hard work of the farmers who care for the cows is delivered to me,” said Aprilo as he wiped tears with the sleeves of a suit.
“Truely, Mr .... It's too good,” sabung his subordinates.
Looking at the expressions of all the judges, the spectators who were mostly merchants were tempted and ended up tasting Odo's cuisine. With just a small piece of it, they immediately shed tears and were completely satisfied.
“What is this .. it feels like to be a family member at home ...”
“Pengin go home, meet mamah.”
“Enak once .... It feels like hovering.”
Although their comments were different, but clearly everyone was completely satisfied in just one bite. Unbelieving their words, Porzan took a fork and knife, cut out Odo's steak, dipped it in sauce and ate it.
When it enters the mouth and is chewed, the meat easily enters the throat after a few chews and the taste just explodes inside. It made Porzan wide open, gaping wide while looking at the ceiling as if there was an angel who picked him up with a cow ride.
“How, Mr Porzan?” ask Odo. The boy pulled a tissue cloth from his nose, then smiled lightly.
The man dropped the cutlery. Turn around to face Odo, then lower his cock hat and put it to the front of his chest. Staring with awe, the beige-bristled hair man said, “Enak .., no doubt this is very tasty. How can ... You make this kind?”
With a light smile the boy said, “That's the recipe you made, you know. How to cook, temperature settings, and other things, I just imitate it. You know, I'm very good at imitating.”
“If this is using my recipe, why can it taste so different like this?”
“Meats, I only use beef ...”
“Aneh .... The meat should not be this fresh and it has been frozen for a long time. Why it tastes so savory, and also the texture is very soft .... Cooking time is only one hour whereas ...”
“Hmm, want to know?”
“Of course ..., if possible ..” The man looked inside and really wanted to know.
“I use Honey. Before the raw meat was steamed, I soaked it in honey. Mr. Porzan is so focused on cooking that he doesn't see how I process meat, does he?”
The boy placed his right elbow on the table, then took a light breath and momentarily closed his eyes. Looking at the man's incomprehensible expression with those green eyes, in the child's mind smiled inwardly knowing some beneficial things.
“What is honey for? Doesn't that even ruin the smell?” ask Porzan.
The boy got what he wanted. Smiling kindly, he replied, “Ah, you don't know yet apparently. The honey has an enzyme to break down protein and make the meat more tender, so the texture can be obtained even if cooked in a short time. Actually it would be better if you use pineapple that is cut into pieces and used as seasoning, but now is not the season, anyway.”
“Terus ... fresh taste present in that one bite? The aroma that seemed to explode in the throat earlier what?”
“That's cinnamon and added pepper. That I combine with soy sauce, a spice that Mr. Portanz says comes from the empire. Ah, I also brought spices from outside the kitchen ..” The boy took something out of his pants pocket, then showed it to the man before him. The seasoning was shaped like an oak tree ore that had just grown from a twig but was more oval and somewhat dark green.
“What ... it?”
“It's a medicinal spice named Cebe Ja— I mean, Long Pepper. It's a kind of herbal plant, the tree can grow in lowland and rocky soil. Well, pretty much in the woods around the hills. I often take there for seasoning food with salt if I kluyura— I mean, hunting in the forest.”
Taking it from Odo, Portanz observed it and only found out there was a medicinal plant that could be used as a spice. Staring at the boy, he asked, “What is this reason there is a fresh and slightly spicy taste that explodes after being swallowed?”
“Yes. Basically it's a kind of pepper and steamed, so it can also be a substitute for pepper and can also serve as a body warmer. It felt like it could explode like that probably because it was cold. Well, honestly I haven't tasted it myself.”
The man was completely shocked to hear that, only being able to fall silent and stare with eyes as if stunned by what was before him. He realized that the ability to cook that he always proud of is not much. He feels the best in town, but the truth is that it's just that.
“You ... know a lot about such a thing, yes. Have you ever explored this? I mean, kitchen affairs or something...” Porzan began to lose his confidence, lowered his head and started to grimly.
“You don't have to be that pessimistic. Your cooking is amazing. As you can see for yourself, I'm just copying your recipe.”
“It is precisely because of that .... All I did was use my grandfather's recipe. Actually ... This place is a famous restaurant in the Luke region of its time. But since my father became the successor, this place has suffered a setback.”
The man was back in his hat. Pulling a chair from the column, he sat down next to Odo and started talking, “When he died and this was passed down to me, he said, this place is so bad that it has to use unused space as a lodging room to get additional income .... You know, actually the second and third floors were the place for restaurant customers first.”
Hearing what he said, Odo briefly grinned darkly and immediately seized the opportunity. Sitting facing the man and extending a hand, he said, “How about we cooperate, Mr Porzan XII?”
“Cooperation?”
“Ya ..., cooperation!” speak the boy with passion. Lowering his hands and stretching them both wide, he said, “Actually I will soon open a place of business, let's just say it's a big store.”
Putting both hands down on the lap, the boy smiled happily and again said, “There I want to sell ingredients for your cooking, you know, of course that ingredient will be very unique to the foodstuff and will definitely develop your cuisine .... When necessary, I can also help you research the food ingredients.”
“What do you want to say? An offer like that .. feels suspicious. I'll admit that your knowledge and ability in cooking is great. But this place is mine, my palace .... I already have my own partner, can not easily agree with you.”
“That's right, Mr. Luke.” Aprilo is in talks. Directly embracing Porzan's shoulders, the Trade Union Executive's man smirked and said, “If you don't invite me into the conversation, I won't agree to the offer.”
Odo smiled faintly hearing that. He really understands the way a trader thinks, he also has that kind of thing in mind even though it is not clearly shown. For a trader the opportunity not taken is the same as a loss.
“You've planned this from the beginning, right? Make Porzan challenged and until something like this happens, everything just to show what you have and invite us into talks like this, is it true?”
“Now, you praise myself too much.” Odo just smiled kindly hearing that.
“Dasars .... Are you really a kid? It's spooky ..”