In a corner of the Tulip Tavern—

"Here is the menu. Please take a look and see what you would like to eat."

The waitress handed a parchment menu, which looked about eighty percent new, to the pair. Ryohei Tanaka reached out, took it, placed it on the table, and opened it curiously.

The first page clearly listed the categories: Meat & Game, Fish & Aquatic Products, Soups & Stews, Dairy & Eggs, Breads & Staples, Desserts & Preserves, and Alcohol & Special Drinks.

Ryohei Tanaka scanned it roughly, then flipped to the back to look at the illustrated introductions.

He consulted Lucoa's opinion and, after ruling out a few dishes that looked unpalatable to him—such as the "Happiness Bird Set," which consisted of a raw Happiness Bird egg plus raw meat from various parts of the bird—he instructed the waitress:

"Aside from the ones I just mentioned, bring one of everything else."

"Eh? Everything?"

The waitress, pen and order pad in hand and ready to write, looked at Ryohei Tanaka in shock, unable to resist confirming what she just heard.

"Correct."

Ryohei Tanaka closed the menu and nodded gently.

"Understood. Please wait a moment!"

Having confirmed the order, the waitress bowed respectfully and turned to make the arrangements.

Ryohei Tanaka looked across the table—

Lucoa was resting her fair hands on the edge of the table, fingers interlaced. She propped her exquisite chin on her knuckles, and along with it, her bountiful "fruits" were also resting on the table edge.

He couldn't help but say, "We're in public, pay attention to your posture!"

It looked quite indecent!

"Eh? But this is more comfortable," Lucoa said, though her body obediently leaned back, straightening her waist and back.

Those voluptuous curves trembled slightly with the movement.

Seeing this, Ryohei Tanaka recalled something he had read online about how "people with full figures get tired shoulders easily." He looked at Lucoa's shoulders curiously and asked:

"Lucoa, do your shoulders get sore too?"

"Hmm—after turning into human form, my shoulders do feel heavy occasionally."

Lucoa raised a slender hand to rub her smooth, rounded shoulder. She lifted the eyelid of her left eye to look at Ryohei Tanaka, a glint of slyness passing through her gaze.

Ryohei Tanaka didn't suspect anything. He looked surprised and thought to himself: So your shoulders get sore too!

"Since I've admitted as much, aren't you going to offer something, Ryohei-kun?"

Lucoa hummed softly.

Ryohei Tanaka was surprised, then laughed. "Next time your shoulders are sore, if I'm free, I'll give you a massage."

"I'll hold you to that!"

Lucoa immediately sealed the deal. The corners of her lips lifted into a charming, enchanting smile that actually stunned Ryohei Tanaka for a moment.

"..."

As the two chatted, the tavern waitress began serving the dishes.

Salted Ham and Smoked Venison Platter, Volcanic Lava Sausage, Blue-Eyed Amberjack Sashimi, Dragon Breath BBQ Platter, Steamed Ladyfish, Creamy Mushroom Stew, Roasted Flamingo, Wine-Braised Three-Tailed Ox Cheek, Knight's Meat Pie, Sugared Rosewood Pear...

Dish after dish of "very otherworldly" cuisine was presented. Ryohei Tanaka gestured for Lucoa to begin their lunch.

He had noticed it while ordering, but it was confirmed now: the cooking methods in this place... or rather, this country, were relatively primitive. They mainly revolved around "sashimi," "steaming," "roasting," and "stewing."

As he tasted them one by one, Ryohei Tanaka found the seasoning to be quite rough.

However, that didn't mean the food wasn't tasty. In Ryohei Tanaka's opinion, several dishes were actually quite good.

For example—

"Try this."

Ryohei Tanaka used a silver fork to tap the porcelain plate containing the Roasted Flamingo, recommending it to Lucoa:

"The taste of this is quite good. The skin is crispy, the inside is tender and juicy, the texture of the meat fibers is distinct, and it's not greasy at all..."

"And the dipping sauce—sweet, sour, slightly spicy, with a fresh fruity aroma—is very interesting!"

The seasoning of the Roasted Flamingo was also quite rough, but with the harmony provided by the dipping sauce, the flavor became rounded—evolving into a rich deliciousness with great depth!

If the full score was 10, Ryohei Tanaka was willing to give it an 8.5!

"Hmm... really? Let me try."

Hearing Ryohei Tanaka's praise, Lucoa, who was currently dealing with Garlic Butter Roasted Crab Legs, immediately grew interested.

She ate the half-crab leg on her fork in one bite, then used a silver knife to gently slice a piece of meat from the Roasted Flamingo.

Lucoa speared the meat with her silver fork, dipped it thoroughly in the bowl of red sauce, and put it in her mouth—

Chewing with her cheeks puffed out like a little squirrel, she soon nodded repeatedly, expressing her approval.

...

The meal lasted for two hours.

There were thirty-five dishes in total. Ryohei Tanaka only took a bite or two of each, but even so, he ended up with a full belly.

By the time he and Lucoa finished dining, there weren't many customers left in the tavern.

Ryohei Tanaka stood up from his stool, waved a waitress over, and said to her:

"I'd like to meet the chef who made the Roasted Flamingo."

"Eh?"

The waitress froze for a moment, a confused expression appearing on her face. She asked cautiously:

"Excuse me... was there a problem with the dish?"

"No problem at all."

Seeing her reaction, Ryohei Tanaka knew she had misunderstood. He quickly waved his hand and explained:

"I'm very interested in that red dipping sauce and wanted to exchange some ideas with the chef."

"I am also a chef. I can trade a recipe..."

Thinking that this world, or perhaps this tavern, might not be able to gather the ingredients he might name, Ryohei Tanaka corrected himself:

"I can pay for it, or, I can help him improve a recipe."

"..." The waitress's expression turned subtle as she looked at Ryohei Tanaka. So, he's eyeing our tavern's sauce recipe!

You really don't hold back! And your tone is way too big—offering to help our head chef improve a recipe right off the bat!

Do you know who our head chef is? He's a famous chef ranked highly in the entire Royal Capital!

However, the waitress certainly didn't dare to voice these complaints. She was just a server and couldn't afford to offend a tavern guest. She could only bow and say politely:

"I am very sorry, I don't have the authority to grant that... but I can ask our boss for you."

"I'll trouble you then," Ryohei Tanaka said with a smile.

"No trouble at all!"

The waitress waved her hand quickly, then turned to find the boss.

Ryohei Tanaka, bringing Lucoa along, followed behind...

~~~

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