Serving the Dishes

Even the smile vanished from Horton's face. He was young, but he knew exactly what the Pandion Family meant, and he also knew what kind of powerful figure had taken notice of Kelton and this restaurant.

The waiter's tone was perfectly normal, but in everyone's eyes, the instant he mentioned the "Pandion Family," the waiter had clearly become somewhat more arrogant.

"I see... Then we'll order something else." Harmon had not lost his reason after all, but his voice was filled with regret.

He quickly ordered several dishes, then handed the wax tablet menu back to the waiter.

The waiter was about to turn around when Suye's voice rang out in the room.

"Waiter, we'll still order the Kelton Salad, but please tell Master Chef that Suye ordered it," Suye said.

"You know Master Chef?" A hint of enthusiasm entered the waiter's attitude.

"We've worked together before." Suye nodded.

"Don't worry. I'll be sure to pass along your message." The waiter was exceptionally respectful toward Suye, even though he knew perfectly well that Harmon was richer than Suye.

The waiter left, and the three people in the room stared blankly at Suye.

Harmon's legs had gone numb from standing, but he still did not want to sit down.

Harmon was very wealthy, comparable to an ordinary minor noble. However, he himself was neither a mage nor a warrior, and he was a foreigner. His status in Athens was very low. That was why he had spent so much money sending Horton to study at Plato Academy.

No matter how hard he tried, because of his foreigner status, Harmon found it difficult to befriend powerful figures or nobles.

Master Chef was not as wealthy as Harmon, and his status was not particularly high either. However, in Greece, only native-born citizens could serve as chefs with the right to perform sacrifices, and such chefs had extraordinary relationships with the priests of the various Great Temples.

He was someone Harmon absolutely could not afford to offend.

"Student Suye, how did you meet Master Chef?" Harmon asked cautiously.

Suye answered honestly, "We only met once. My parents are bakers, and they once worked with him."

"I see." The three exchanged glances, breathed sighs of relief, and slowly sat down.

Horton hesitated for quite a while before asking, "You really only met him once?"

Suye said seriously, "We really only met once. I only ate one meal with him, and I never saw him again afterward."

Horton gave his father a look.

Harmon nodded, and his expression relaxed considerably.

"Put away your wine cup," Harmon reminded him.

Suye picked up the Black Pottery Wine Cup, looked at the bottom of the bottle, then glanced at the three of them before setting it down on his right.

Horton sat to Suye's right.

Senit slowly put away his dagger, frowning as he pondered.

Time slowly passed. One dish after another was brought out, and the three silently ate. Suye occasionally commented on the food, making the three of them uncomfortable.

Suddenly, bursts of commotion came from outside.

"Master Chef!"

"Master Chef!"

"Today is truly lucky..."

"I heard he's the creator of the Kelton Salad."

Suddenly, the main door opened.

A strong smell of cooking fumes from the back kitchen poured into the room.

A middle-aged man wearing a white short robe stood in the doorway. A large apron hung around him, covered in all kinds of stains. His face showed signs of exhaustion, but his raised mustache and delighted eyes made him look somewhat more energetic.

"Little Suye, why didn't you tell me you were coming? We've been extremely busy today. Don't blame Dolphin River for failing to treat you properly." Master Chef, who rarely smiled, personally carried in a ceramic salad bowl and entered with a broad grin as he greeted Suye.

"Good evening, Master Chef. I only came because I suddenly received an invitation," Suye said with a smile as he rose.

Master Chef set down the ceramic salad bowl and opened his arms, but then said, "You've seen what I look like. I won't hug you. Enjoy your dinner, and tell the waiter if you're dissatisfied with anything. We're too busy today. We'll chat when we have time."

"All right. Go on with your work."

Master Chef smiled and patted Suye on the shoulder before quickly walking out.

The three stared blankly at Suye.

This was what he called having met only once? Harmon knew very well that Master Chef had always considered the kitchen more important than the heavens. He even dared to scold Kelton. How could he possibly be so enthusiastic toward someone he had met only once? He had even personally delivered the salad!

Even Kelton had never received such treatment!

"The salad is quite good. Give it a try." Suye reached out, picked up a little, and put it into his mouth. He nodded lightly. The flavor was excellent. It had definitely been prepared personally by Master Chef. Whether it was the ratio of vegetables or the ratio of Salad Dressing, everything was perfect.

The three sat there stunned for quite a while before slowly tasting the salad.

"This is delicious..." Horton's taste had already become completely Greek.

"Not bad." Harmon nodded.

Senit nodded once. He was not accustomed to this flavor, but he found it quite novel.

After finishing the salad, Harmon looked at the Black Pottery Wine Glass, then at his foolish son. Hesitation flashed across his face as he considered the consequences of offending Master Chef. He realized that Master Chef might not necessarily become hostile toward him for Suye's sake. Even if he did, at most, he would refuse to welcome Harmon to Dolphin River. He would not go so far as to call in favors and ask priests to suppress him.

Besides, priests were not difficult for him to deal with. As long as he was willing to make a donation at a temple, he would basically be forgiven.

In the end, he gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and stared at Suye. Slowly, he said, "Now that you've finished eating, it's time for you to make a choice."

"What choice?" Suye asked.

"Your friend or the wine cup." Harmon's voice was icy cold. He could no longer maintain the gentle tone of someone who had everything under control.

"Can I choose neither?" Suye asked.

"No!" Harmon said.

"I think I can." Suye smiled.

Harmon turned to look at Senit beside him.

To Harmon's and Horton's surprise, Senit did not stand up immediately. Instead, he hesitated for several seconds before slowly taking out his dagger.

Harmon's heart jolted. He could see that Senit had been influenced by Master Chef and Kelton behind him.

The owner of Dolphin River Restaurant was the famous Silver Warrior Kelton. He could be called one of the most powerful people in the entire Citizen District, and his influence was even greater than that of a fallen minor noble.

Harmon knew perfectly well that he would never reach Kelton's position in his entire life. His son, perhaps, still had a chance.

At that thought, Harmon glanced at his disappointing son and cursed inwardly. If it were not for Horton, that idiot, he would never have wanted to offend any student of Plato Academy—not even the Three Idiots, who could be expelled at any time.

When Senit stood up, Harmon could not help saying, "Senit, you don't need to overthink this. I've investigated his background. He's only a baker's son. Even if he knows Master Chef, at most they're merely casual acquaintances. There can't possibly be any powerful figure behind him."

Senit had not expected Harmon to be so unable to keep his composure. He said nothing and merely nodded lightly.

Harmon relaxed, then fixed his eyes on Suye once more. For the first time, a vicious look appeared on his face. He said harshly, "Since you've chosen the road leading to the Underworld, don't blame me. Speak up. Will you do it yourself, or shall we help you?"

Just then, the door to the room was suddenly shoved open with a bang.

A new week has begun, so please give me some recommendation votes! Tomorrow is New Year's Day. I wish everyone a happy New Year.