Fish Soup

As June began, the weather gradually grew hotter. The Wildcat Sisters returned to Xiangshui River Cave and began plotting against Lone Wolf Lisbon.

Russell had free time again, so after a full week of intense night fishing, he had explored the entire bank of the Glimmering River.

Twice, he had indeed seen magical light in the river. It might have been pearls nurtured by river clams, or perhaps some kind of treasure. Unfortunately, he had not woken up in time, and when he went back to dredge the area early the next morning, he caught nothing.

All he could say was that it was a pity.

Still, after all that night fishing, he had finally caught several Blind Dragons and had Mrs. Moore cook them into a pot of delicious Blind Dragon soup.

It's all right, but Mrs. Moore put in far too many seasonings... I can't stand it anymore. I need to find an opportunity to have a proper talk with her. Russell made up his mind.

Nobles rarely entered the kitchen. Or rather, nobles rarely entered the servants' living quarters.

The current noble system of the Shadowflame Grand Duchy enforced strict class distinctions. Even nobles had to follow the rules and do things befitting their status—disturbing servants' lives or coming and going through the kitchen did not suit a noble's dignity.

But Russell could not care about dignity. He missed the food from his hometown too much.

"Butler Morris, please summon Mrs. Moore. There are some things I'd like to discuss with her." Russell flipped through a copy of The Story After the Smoke Dragon's Death as he casually gave the order, trying his best to appear calm.

A noble's dignity was still worth maintaining when possible.

"Yes, my lord."

Morris quickly brought over the uneasy Mrs. Moore. Mrs. Moore was not married, but among noble servants, positions such as butler and cook were addressed as Mister for men and Mrs. for women, regardless of whether they were married.

"M-my lord..." Mrs. Moore was usually loud in the kitchen, but before Russell, her voice was quieter than a mosquito's.

"Don't be nervous, Mrs. Moore."

"O-okay."

"Yesterday's Blind Dragon soup was indeed delicious." Russell smiled. "Of course, I think it could be even more delicious with a few improvements."

That counted as praise, yet Mrs. Moore's face instantly turned pale. "M-my lord, was it not to your liking? I-I can try harder, really. I can work hard and make it taste better, truly, my lord."

"Uh..."

Russell sighed helplessly and could only reassure her first. "I said it was already delicious, Mrs. Moore. You don't need to be nervous."

"Oh, thank goodness! As long as you like it, my lord!"

"Your cooking skills are good enough for you to work at Fluorite Castle."

"Thank you, thank you, my lord!" Mrs. Moore instantly sprang back to life, grinning from ear to ear. "I could have applied to Fluorite Castle in the first place, but Mrs. Grammer had taken the position. I didn't want to be her assistant. When Butler Carter asked whether I was willing to come serve you, I agreed right away..."

Seeing Mrs. Moore rambling on without end, Russell hurriedly stopped her. "Let's not talk about that, Mrs. Moore. I think there is still room to improve the Blind Dragon soup."

"I-I don't quite understand what you mean, my lord?" Mrs. Moore shook her head.

"There are too many seasonings in the Blind Dragon soup."

"Ah!"

"Don't be surprised. I mean that you can use less of the seasonings that clash too strongly. You put cinnamon, honey, onions, and black pepper all into it. I can barely taste the Blind Dragon at all." Russell said.

Mrs. Moore clearly had not understood Russell's meaning and began panicking again. "M-my lord, next time I'll definitely work hard to make it taste better."

Seeing this,

Russell gave up on continuing to argue with Mrs. Moore and directly ordered, "Starting today, make a fish soup for every meal. My requirement is this: apart from salt, ginger, and garlic, you may add only one other seasoning. Do you understand?"

"My lord, are you dissatisfied with me in some way?"

"Did you remember what I said?"

"I'll work hard to make it taste better, my lord. Please believe me, truly, I'll definitely work hard to make better Blind Dragon soup."

"Stop!"

Russell could not communicate with Mrs. Moore any further and called out, "Morris."

"My lord, I'm here."

"Did you hear everything I just said to Mrs. Moore?"

"Yes, my lord, I heard it clearly. You want Mrs. Moore to try several different fish soup recipes. Mrs. Moore may have been too nervous to grasp your meaning."

"Then please explain my requirements to Mrs. Moore properly. All right, take Mrs. Moore away."

Russell waved his hand, feeling exhausted.

He even considered replacing the cook, but he could not find anyone more suitable anytime soon, so he could only set the matter aside for now.

Meanwhile, Morris took Mrs. Moore back to the kitchen.

"Oh heavens, I ruined everything in front of the lord! Mister Morris, I ruined everything! The lord must be starting to dislike me!" Mrs. Moore covered her face with her hands and began sobbing. "The lord doesn't like my fish soup."

"Mrs. Moore, you're too nervous. The lord isn't going to eat you." Morris comforted her. "And the lord had no intention of blaming you. You're overthinking it. He merely wants to try fish soup prepared in a new way."

"Really? The lord isn't blaming me?"

"That's right. The lord is generous and kind. How could he blame you over such a small matter? Besides, what happened to you, Mrs. Moore? Aren't you usually quite good at talking? Why can't you speak properly in front of the lord?"

"I-I don't know either. Whenever I see the lord, I can't help getting nervous. I'm afraid I'll say something wrong... Mister Morris, you must tell the lord that I'm very good at cooking!"

"Of course the lord knows. We all know. We've all eaten your cooking, haven't we?"

"That's good, that's good."

"In any case, starting today, one fish soup every day. Apart from salt, ginger, and garlic, you may use only one other seasoning. The seasoning must be different each day. Do you understand?"

"I understand." Mrs. Moore wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and regained her composure. "Why does the lord want this?"

"Just follow the lord's instructions. Don't ask too many questions."

"But fish soup made like that definitely won't taste good. The lord won't blame me again, will he?"

"He won't."

"Then I understand. I'll prepare fish soup right away. Please rest assured, my lord, the fish soup I make will definitely taste good!" As Mrs. Moore spoke, she turned to look around. Not seeing the kitchen maid, she shouted loudly, "Barbara, Barbara! You lazy girl, where did you run off to? Get back here and work!"

"Coming, coming, Mrs. Moore." Barbara's voice came from outside the manor.

"Where have you been fooling around this time?"

"We went to see Lord Kevin, Mrs. Moore. Lord Kevin was so gentle—it actually let us pet it!" Barbara said excitedly. "Lord Eric didn't stop us. Oh heavens, I touched a Phantom Beast!"

Butler Morris had not yet left, and upon hearing this, he sternly rebuked her, "Shut up, Barbara! Keep your mouth shut!"

Barbara immediately came to her senses. News of the Phantom Beast Knight had already been forbidden.

She hurriedly covered her mouth and replied indistinctly, "Sorry, Mister Morris, my mouth is shut."

That evening,

Russell drank a bowl of fish soup containing only salt, ginger, garlic, and black pepper. Though it was not Blind Dragon soup, it tasted even better.

"Excellent. Butler Morris, please tell Mrs. Moore that today's fish soup was very delicious. I hope she keeps up the good work."

"Mrs. Moore will be overjoyed when she hears your praise."