Chapter 753: Chapter 18 Distance

“I thought you were going to take me to the Knight Order’s cafeteria.”

“I guessed you’d prefer a local restaurant.”

“On what basis?”

“Your personality.”

This was an argument that left no room for dispute. Gongsun Ce found no point to quibble and turned his head aside.

The afternoon sunlight was slightly weaker, shining on the un-melted roadside snow; people in the Inner City District, wrapped in scarves and coats, came and went, their leather shoes and long boots tapping the road’s surface, the sound forceful yet unhurried, as elegant and dignified as the city district itself.

The time was now 3:30 PM. Most restaurants had finished serving lunch and had not yet started dinner. Fortunately, the capital was large, and for locals familiar with the area, there was always a place to eat at any time. Alandia had brought him to a restaurant not far from the Knight Order’s headquarters, which served all day on workdays. Gongsun Ce glanced at the small menu which was only in the common language and felt quite unaccustomed.

“Do these places not have pictures on the menu…” Gongsun Ce muttered, “What in the world is a Sunday Roast? A roast meat combo for Sundays?”

“It’s a traditional dish from the Country, roasted slices of meat, roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and Yorkshire pudding,” explained Alandia.

“That sounds rather good, I thought Country cuisine was just fish and chips.”

“That’s a common stereotype.”

Is that really a stereotype? There are so many restaurants in Cangdu, but few advertise authentic Country cuisine, mostly serving pizzas and burgers—that’s all stuff from the federation across the ocean.

Gongsun Ce called over the waiter and ordered, “A serving of this roast, please.”

“Thank you.” The young man quickly noted it down, “And for you, madam?”

The Knight from Dawn returned the menu, “A fish and chips, but substitute the chips with a salad.”

Gongsun Ce had just taken a sip of lemon water and started coughing violently, pounding his chest with his hand. The waiter asked with concern, “Are you alright, sir?” He waved his hand to indicate he was fine, and, barely catching his breath, glared and exclaimed, “You’re eating this?!”

“Yes,” Alandia blinked.

“Can’t you act a bit more dignified? You, with your status and aura, eating something so… common? Is it really appropriate?”

“You might be mistaken, Mr. Gongsun. I am not a noble.”

“You are not?”

Gongsun Ce’s beautiful illusion shattered. He had always thought Alandia, with her graceful demeanor and strong capabilities, must have come from some notable family, with titles a mess and a bunch of servants attending her every time she stepped out. Thinking carefully, the idea that a daily city-strolling detective hailed from nobility didn’t really make sense. But miss, with your demeanor and aura, eating fish and chips is just… a waste of talent…

Gongsun Ce raised his hand weakly, “Change my roast to fish and chips, thanks.”

The waiter looked at him with a rather peculiar gaze and took the order.

Gongsun Ce collapsed on the table, glaring at the lady opposite him with resentful eyes. Alandia asked the waiter for a newspaper and began reading. The newspaper blocked his view, revealing only a brown hunting cap.

“…you know, Alandia,” Gongsun Ce made awkward conversation, “you must be quite famous in the capital, right? But we’ve been out so long and no one has asked for your autograph.”

“I’m wearing a hat.”

Well, it seems your hat is also a ‘Heart Phase Weapon,’ almost like Superman who can’t be recognized with glasses on. Do people usually greet you when you go out? Hey Alandia, what a coincidence, you not only look just like the Knight of Dawn but even share her exact name.

It seemed the Knight of Dawn wasn’t in the mood for chat. Gongsun Ce boredly imagined a scene of Alandia taking off her hat and everyone being shocked to the point of homage, until the waiter brought their lunch.

“Damn…”

“You might try to find a more eloquent expletive, Mr. Gongsun.”

“Holy Mother of King Morton.”

“More eloquent, not cruder.”

The contents of the plate indeed exceeded Gongsun Ce’s expectations. The fish he remembered was sections of mackerel or small fried capelin, but those tiny fishes compared to what was on his plate could only be described as delicate: two huge, steak-sized fillets wrapped robustly in a golden, thick batter, glistening with fresh oil. The visual impact was so intense it felt like two hammers striking his brain, evoking awe and making him want to stuff the stuff into a boss’s mouth and flee.

Beside the fried fish was a mountain of freshly fried thick-cut chips. Gongsun Ce stared blankly and ate two, consoling himself that at least the chips tasted normal. With a courage-like confronting the highest pinnacle, he picked up a knife and fork, cut a small piece of fish, squeezed some lemon juice, dipped it in white tartar sauce, and thrust it into his mouth.

“Wow…”

The first thing he felt was the greasiness; the thick batter significantly intensified the unique flavor of this dish. The fish itself was tender, but almost flavorless. The entire dish’s flavor depended on the sauce and lemon, presenting an arduous challenge even for Gongsun Ce’s well-traveled stomach. He spoke with a fork in his mouth, in agony, “If I had committed some crime, God should strike me down with lightning, not make me eat this.”

“You chose it yourself, Mr. Gongsun,” Alandia reminded him.

“I know!” Gongsun Ce gritted his teeth as he tackled the dish, “I really don’t understand why you like this…”