58: The Dish Prepared by Zalrock

"That concludes it. I've already provided Memoxy with the same data I submitted to Grogrobeta's governing body, so please handle it appropriately."

"Yes, understood."

Now, the meal prepared by Zalrock was brought out.

Counting the main course, there were four dishes—excluding the white rice served as staple food and the steaming green tea.

"Let me give a brief explanation."

According to Memoxy, these are...

・Simunhana's vinegar pickle

・Kerabie's fried hachinoko

・Sweetened fruit of the aircon tree

・Single-grain roast of rocket corn

Apparently, that's what they are.

Well then, let's hear the detailed explanation while we begin to eat.

"The Simunhana vinegar dish appears to be made primarily from the roots and leaves of the Simunhana plant, which are normally discarded due to their toxicity, but have been rendered safe. The certification confirming this safety was issued by the relevant authority in the Glogrobeta star system, so you can eat it with confidence."

"Hmm, this has a nice sharp kick, or maybe it's the unique texture—interesting, really."

"That's right. It's pleasantly crunchy and chewy, and delicious."

First course: Simunhana's vinegar-based dish.

In the sense that it transforms something originally inedible into something edible, this can truly be called a dish befitting a chef from the Hinomoto star system.

The texture is strangely crisp and chewy—first a rubbery crunch, then a burst of tiny popping sensations. At first, I thought it resembled bird cartilage, but upon further consideration, it's entirely different.

Judging by the sensation on my tongue, it seems the texture comes from cells similar to nematocysts found in Simunhana roots.

The taste starts with a spicy kick, while the vinegar mixed in adds a tangy note, and the perfect balance between the two creates a flavor that makes the rice go down easily.

Of course, it pairs well with the surrounding seaweed and vegetables as well.

Personally, this feels like the perfect appetizer at a izakaya.

"It's exactly as the name suggests—deep-fried larvae of kera-bi, harvested directly from Planet Glogrobeta 1."

"It's creamy and juicy—makes you want to keep eating forever."

"Yes, the outside is crispy while the inside is smooth and rich... delicious."

Second dish: Deep-fried kera-bi larvae.

The fried dish looks exactly like a kera-bi larva, so some people might not be able to eat it no matter how delicious it is.

But if you're okay with the appearance, it's exactly the gourmet delight I was told it would be.

Piercing through its slightly elastic skin releases a burst of savory, nutrient-rich juice that spreads throughout your mouth.

The subtle saltiness and sweetness amplify the savoriness, accelerating your sense of happiness.

Ah, this one makes the chopsticks move too.

No, I must keep them moving.

"Concentrated syrup made from air conditioner tree fruits. This is the fruit of the air conditioner tree, specially cultivated to adjust its flavor, simmered in sugar."

"Wha—! So this air conditioner tree fruit is this delicious...!"

"It's sweet, yet refreshing—like a crisp breeze blowing through your mouth."

Third course: syrup-cooked air conditioner tree fruit.

Just holding one piece in my mouth was enough to understand.

This was already something entirely different.

In fact, once I grasped the secret behind this flavor, I also understood why the fruits of ordinary air conditioner trees tasted the way they did.

But those ordinary air conditioner tree fruits don’t matter at all—right now, what matters is the delicious syrup-cooked fruit before me.

The more I chewed, the more the pleasant sweetness and refreshing coolness spread throughout my mouth.

The conflicting flavors in my mouth, which had been evenly matched by the previous two dishes, gradually settle into harmony.

Peaceful... sacred... and yet so utterly irresistible that I could happily keep eating forever.

"Finally, a single roasted rocket corn. It seems rocket corn produces different types of kernels depending on their part—varying in skin thickness, inner tenderness, nutritional value, and role in seed dispersal. This particular one being offered is known as the 'main kernel,' a particularly rare and nutrient-rich variety among rocket corn grains."

"W-wow, really? It looks like corn, but it's as rich and meaty as...?"

"Delicious..."

Fourth item: a single roasted rocket corn kernel.

Simply that—roasting a special grain to perfection.

Yet incredibly delicious.

When you pick up a kernel nearly as long as your hand with chopsticks, split it open, and bring it to your mouth, the rich, intense flavor of life spreads throughout your mouth.

No, the savory essence doesn't just spread—it pierces through your nose, as if driving straight into your brainstem.

The flavor is undoubtedly corn, yet it's impossible not to sense a strikingly different taste from ordinary corn.

Moreover, the smoky soy sauce flavor, seemingly used during grilling, enhances the taste even further.

Ah, delicious... truly delicious.

"Unbelievable. Truly remarkable...!?!"

Having finished all four dishes, I swish green tea in my mouth to reset my palate.

And, to my dismay, I just realized now.

This green tea is also masterfully crafted.

Even though I'm using a mod to maintain the optimal state, the "optimal state" it's set to is absolutely absurd.

More specifically, it washes away only the lingering aftertastes of each dish in my mouth—particularly the unnecessary ones—resetting my palate to just the right condition.

A pleasant hunger lingers, making me wonder which dish to try next, yet leaving me with a sense of fulfillment that makes me want to put down my chopsticks if I’m already satisfied.

The subtle aroma of tea and even more delicate hint of kelp perfectly fulfill the role of tea served during a meal.

"Thank you for the meal."

Before I knew it, the meal had ended.

All the plates in front of me and Villigianila were empty.

I'm glad you were satisfied. It's also pleasing to see you enjoying the meal so much.

Yes, it was very delicious.

Ah, that was really delicious... I could still eat more, I think.

I am now filled with a pleasant sense of fullness and satisfaction.

"That is so. However, I shall soon depart from the Grogrobeta star system in a few days, seeking the next delicious meal in another star system. Therefore, if you wish to eat again... it will have to be when our paths cross once more."

"I see... then I'll look forward to that moment."

"Yes indeed. If we meet again, I would love to enjoy a meal together once more."

If I were to encounter Zalrock somewhere within the empire again... then I'd like to eat until I'm completely satisfied.

It was just a fleeting moment that made me think that.