Fish Soup

As June arrived, the weather began to warm up. The Wildcat Sisters returned to the Xiangshui River Cave and started plotting against Lone Wolf.

Russell found himself idle again. After a full week of dedicated night fishing, he explored the entire bank of the Glimmering River.

Twice, he did see lights of Magic Power in the river. They might have been pearls nurtured by river clams, or perhaps some kind of treasure. Unfortunately, he couldn't wake up immediately, and when he went to fish the next morning, he found nothing.

It was a pity.

However, through his long nights of fishing, he finally caught a few Blind Dragons, which Mrs. Moore then used to cook a delicious pot of Blind Dragon soup.

"It's okay, but Mrs. Moore used too many seasonings... I can't stand it anymore. I need to find an opportunity to have a good chat with Mrs. Moore," Russell decided.

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

The current noble system in the Shadowflame Grand Duchy dictated a strict hierarchy. Even nobles had to abide by the rules and do things befitting their dignity—disturbing the servants' lives or entering the kitchen was not considered dignified for a noble.

But Russell couldn't afford to worry about dignity; he missed home-style cooking too much.

"Butler Morris, please invite Mrs. Moore over. I have a few things I'd like to discuss with her," Russell said casually, flipping through a book titled Stories After the Smoke Dragon's Death, trying to appear nonchalant.

Noble dignity was something to be upheld if possible.

"Yes, Master."

Morris quickly summoned a nervous Mrs. Moore. Mrs. Moore was unmarried, but among the noble servants, positions like butler and cook were addressed as 'Mister' for men and 'Mrs.' for women, regardless of marital status.

"M-Master..." Mrs. Moore, who usually had a loud voice in the kitchen, sounded smaller than a mosquito when she stood before Russell.

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

"O-Okay."

"Yesterday's Blind Dragon soup was indeed delicious," Russell said with a smile. "Of course, I think it could be even more delicious with a little improvement."

This was meant as a compliment, but Mrs. Moore's face instantly turned pale. "M-Master, was it not to your taste? I, I can try harder, really, I can work harder to make it taste better, really, Master."

"Uh..."

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

"Oh, thank goodness! I'm glad you like it, Master!"

"Your cooking is good enough to work at Fluorite Castle. It's already excellent."

"Thank you, thank you, Master!" Mrs. Moore instantly revived, grinning from ear to ear. "I could have applied to Fluorite Castle, but Mrs. Grammer was already in the position, and I didn't want to be her assistant. Butler Carter asked if I'd be willing to serve you, and I agreed right away..."

Seeing Mrs. Moore rambling on, Russell quickly interrupted her. "Let's not talk about that, Mrs. Moore. I think there's still room for improvement in the Blind Dragon soup."

"Master, I don't quite understand what you're saying?" Mrs. Moore shook her head.

"You put too many seasonings in the Blind Dragon soup."

"Ah!"

"Don't be surprised. I mean you can use fewer seasonings that clash with each other. Cinnamon, honey, onions, black pepper all thrown in—you can't taste the Blind Dragon at all anymore," Russell said.

Mrs. Moore clearly hadn't fully grasped Russell's meaning and started to worry again. "M-Master, I'll definitely try harder to make it taste better next time."

Seeing this.

Russell gave up trying to argue with Mrs. Moore and directly instructed, "Starting today, you will make a fish soup for every meal. My requirement is that besides salt, ginger, and garlic, you are only allowed to add one other seasoning. Do you understand?"

"Master, are, are you unhappy with me about something?"

"Did you hear what I said?"

"I will work hard to make it taste better, Master, please believe me, really, I will definitely work hard to make better Blind Dragon soup."

"Stop!"

Russell couldn't communicate with Mrs. Moore anymore and directly called out, "Morris."

"Master, I'm here."

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

"Master, I heard clearly. You want Mrs. Moore to try several different fish soup recipes. Mrs. Moore might have been too nervous and didn't grasp your meaning."

"Then please explain my requirements clearly to Mrs. Moore. Alright, you can take Mrs. Moore down now."

Russell waved his hand, feeling exhausted.

He even considered finding a new cook, but he couldn't find a more suitable one anytime soon, so he put the thought aside for now.

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

"Oh my goodness, I messed up in front of Master, Mr. Morris. I ruined everything. Master must hate me now!" Mrs. Moore covered her face with her hands and began to cry. "Master doesn't like my fish soup."

"Mrs. Moore, you're too nervous. Master isn't going to eat you," Morris comforted her. "Besides, Master isn't blaming you. You're just overthinking it. Master just wants to try fish soup made with new recipes."

"Really? Master isn't angry with me?"

"Yes, Master is generous and kind; he wouldn't be angry with you over such a small matter. And Mrs. Moore, what's wrong with you? You're usually so eloquent, why can't you speak properly in front of Master?"

"I, I don't know. When I see Master, I can't help but get nervous, afraid I'll say the wrong thing... Mr. Morris, you must tell Master that I'm a great cook!"

"Master knows, of course. We all know. We're all eating your cooking, aren't we?"

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

"In short, starting today, you'll make one fish soup every day. Besides salt, ginger, and garlic, you can only use one other seasoning, and it must be different each day. Do you understand?"

"I understand." Mrs. Moore wiped the tears from the corner of her eye, regaining her composure. "Why would the Master do this?"

"Just do as the Master instructed and don't ask too many questions."

"But this kind of fish soup definitely won't taste good. The Master won't blame me again, will he?"

"No."

"Then I understand. I'll prepare the fish soup right away. Please tell the Master not to worry, the fish soup I make will definitely be delicious!" As Mrs. Moore spoke, she turned to start looking around. Not seeing the kitchen maid, she shouted loudly, "Barbara, Barbara! You lazy girl, where did you run off to? Come and help!"

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

"Where have you been playing again!"

"We went to see Lord Kevin, Mrs. Moore. Lord Kevin is so gentle! He even let us pet him!" Barbara said excitedly. "Lord Eric didn't stop us either. Oh my god, I petted a Phantom Beast!"

Butler Morris hadn't left yet. Hearing this, he sternly reprimanded, "Shut up, Barbara! Shut your mouth!"

Barbara immediately realized her mistake. News about Phantom Beast Knights was already forbidden.

She quickly covered her mouth and replied indistinctly, "I'm sorry, Mr. Morris. I've closed my mouth."

That evening.

Russell drank a bowl of fish soup that only contained salt, ginger, garlic, and black pepper. Although it wasn't Blind Dragon soup, the taste was even better.

"Excellent. Butler Morris, please tell Mrs. Moore for me that today's fish soup was delicious. I hope she continues her good work."

"Mrs. Moore will go crazy with joy when she hears your praise."