In a small village tavern, two merchants and five adventurers, unable to enter the Ghost Spider Forest due to the setting sun, gathered around a table, praising the tavern's food.
"Big brother's at it again, going on about Faroum."
A man said, watching his brother—the tavern owner—with a thick, bushy beard and muscular arms. Squinting, the owner was boisterously chatting with the guests. As he spoke, the man placed a steaming bowl of soup and two large pieces of bread on the table where Leben sat in a corner of the tavern.
"Hahaha. Vikurr's always been like that, so you just have to let him be."
Leben replied to the man who brought the food.
"Hmm. You know what he always says: 'Except for perfume, there's hardly any liquid that can be priced higher than Faroum.' This time, he's bragging about Faroum made from swamp carp to every guest who walks in. What's so great about that stinking fish sauce…"
The man snorted as he spoke to Leben.
"Vidrr, you should understand. Actually, I ought to thank that viscount over there for listening to Vikurr's stories instead of me. Hahaha." Leben said.
"Oh? Now that you mention it, didn't you come with that nobleman? What's the occasion? Have you decided to become his knight?" Vidrr asked.
"No, not at all. We're just travel companions on the way to Ves-Dinas. He said he's participating in the tournament… so, travel companions but also competitors? Hahaha. But he's a terrible pathfinder. Left alone, he might not arrive until next spring, so I'm guiding him too." Leben explained.
"Oh, the tournament… it's that time already. Anyway, he seems very sociable. He quickly made friends with the other guests, clinking glasses, and now even with my brother…"
Vidrr crossed his thick arms and glanced at Vikurr, who was deeply engaged in conversation with Sallin.
*****
"Next, you spread dried herbs in the large jar. Dill, coriander, and oregano are the basics, and I grind dried lion beans to add a spicy kick."
Vikurr explained enthusiastically, licking his lips and opening his mouth wide. He was describing the process of making Faroum—the seasoning in the soup—to Sallin, who sat attentively.
"Oh, so that's the secret behind the spicy taste I just felt. It refreshingly stimulates the palate; the flavor was excellent."
Sallin responded, nodding thoughtfully.
"Then, you add the swamp carp. Small ones go in whole, and large ones are cut into pieces. Usually, people think you remove the innards and heads, but that's not the case. The fish heads and innards are left intact. Then, you cover them with a layer of salt about two fingers high. Repeat this until the jar is full, and the preparation for Faroum is complete. After that, let it sit in the sun for a week to ten days. Then, stir it periodically for a month, and when it's fermented, skim off the liquid that rises to the top—that's how Faroum is made."
Vikurr continued, his voice brimming with pride.
"It takes a lot of effort. Swamp carp… isn't it usually made with sea fish? The Faroum our family chef used was made from mackerel." Sallin remarked.
"Hmmm. Faroum made from mackerel… that's also considered high-quality Faroum. Your chef has good taste. But the finest Faroum is made from swamp carp." Vikurr boasted.
"I can see why. A soup with such an excellent taste is rare."
Sallin said, savoring the soup he'd just tasted after Vikurr's explanation and nodding again.
*****
"Let's raise a toast to Viscount Orid's victory in advance!"
Shouted a man who stood up from the seat beside them. He was one of the adventurers escorting the merchants.
That evening, upon Sallin's promise to cover all expenses, the group expressed their respect and camaraderie faster than anyone, ordering an enormous amount of food and drink.
"To Viscount Orid's victory!"
"Ah, it's a shame. If it weren't for this caravan escort request, we could've watched Viscount Orid's match!"
One adventurer lamented.
"Hahaha. Indeed."
Sallin replied with a pleased laugh to the flattering words.
"Oh… now, our tavern's pride dish should be ready. I'll bring it right away. Prepare to be amazed."
Vikurr said, hurrying toward the kitchen with quick steps.
A moment later, Vikurr emerged, struggling to carry a large tray with a dish emitting hazy steam, drawing the attention of everyone in the tavern hall.
"Hohoho. Please try it. It's a swamp carp dish made by adding eggs to the remaining flesh after skimming off the Faroum." He announced grandly.
Following Vikurr, a thick, musty smell crept into the tavern hall, approaching everyone's noses.
A damp, beastly fur smell, like that of an animal caught in the rain. The stench of rotting meat and blood from a carcass hunted by a wild beast. The aroma of death from a massive sea creature washed ashore.
It was an indescribably terrible, disgusting, and frightening stench that words like 'awful' or 'scary' couldn't fully capture.
"Ugh! What is this smell!" Someone shouted.
"Oh, come on, just take a bite, and you'll never forget this taste."
Vikurr said cheerfully, quickly scooping a piece from the tray with a spoon in his other hand and shoving it into the shouting man's mouth.
"Ugh! Uwaaah!"
The destructive taste of the fermented swamp carp twisted the taster's entire body and shattered his senses. A dish more powerful than any weapon was in Vikurr's hands.
The grim reaper with a tray and spoon approached, his red eyes glowing ominously in the eyes of everyone in the hall, advancing toward the people cornered in the tavern.
"Hohoho. It smells a bit, but you'll get used to it quickly. Come on, everyone, try it. Try it."
Vikurr urged with a laugh.
That day, a vivid nightmare of a foul stench and a steaming dark shadow chasing them was etched into the hearts of many.
*****
A few days later, arriving at the southern gate of Ves-Dinas—Black Lion's Gate—with Viscount Orid, Leben noticed changes greater than the changing seasons.
The streets were filled with more knights than ever before. At the gate under the city walls, banners with family crests, the neighing of horses, and the glint of armor reflecting sunlight dazzled the eyes.
The entire city was abuzz with the festive atmosphere in anticipation of the upcoming Grand Tournament.
Laughter echoed, and the streets were filled with voices. The aroma of grilling meat and baking bread wafted from every corner, and the fragrant scent of perfume followed the steps of noble ladies, tickling the nose.
The clatter of horseshoes interrupted conversations, causing people to raise their voices even louder.
The vibrant energy of the city seemed to permeate one's entire body. After passing through the city gate, Leben introduced Sallin to a weapons shop where he could get a Reich lance tip decoration for the jousting competition. He also picked up an ash wood lance he'd pre-ordered and headed to the inn where he planned to stay for a while, lying down to rest his weary body from the long journey.
"Phew… that was tough." Leben muttered.
Though the bed was hard, it felt much softer than a damp sleeping bag in the forest or a rock by the river, and soon his body relaxed, and sleep overtook him.
*****
The next afternoon, still early, Leben sat inside the quiet Shackle Dawn. Before coming to Shackle Dawn, he'd asked the gate guards about Kein and Reave's whereabouts.
Learning that Kein was at the western gate, he arranged to meet him at Shackle Dawn. After that, he went to preview the jousting arena built in the wide area northwest of the city, where he would soon compete. He then walked back through the city streets, observing the ships filling the harbor, and arrived early at Shackle Dawn to secure the best seat. He ordered food to fill his hungry stomach and two beers to prepare his stomach for the larger quantity of alcohol that would soon follow.
"Is Nia buying today?" someone asked.
"No money, no money." Nia replied in the usual playful tone.
"What are you talking about? I heard you take several requests a day from the Adventurers' Guild." Reave countered.
"Ugh! Why are you snooping around behind me, Reave?" Nia shot back.
"I'm not snooping; you're already famous in the guild."
"No money. Spent it all." Nia insisted.
"Tsk…" Reave clicked his tongue.
From outside Shackle Dawn, through the open window facing the alley, familiar voices reached Leben's ears clearly.
The bickering voices of Nia and Reave brought a smile to Leben's lips.
-Clank. Bang-
"Long time no see!"
Nia burst through the door first, greeting Leben with energetic flair.
"Have you been well, Red Droko Nia Calagon!"
Leben stood up from his seat to welcome the approaching group.
"Did you have a good trip, sir?"
Reave followed Nia, greeting Leben more formally.
"Thanks to you, I did." Leben replied warmly.
"Look at this! My new half spear!"
Nia ran to where Leben was seated and proudly showed off the half spear strapped to the waist.
-Clang-
"Mmph!"
Before Leben could react, Nia stumbled forward, and the half spear's blade flew from Nia's hand, passing by Leben's face and embedding into the wall behind him.
"Are you okay, sir?" Reave exclaimed.
"Nia… you, after so long, to the Sir knight…" Reave scolded.
"S-sorry." Nia stammered, a rare crack in the usual confidence.
The three, startled by the sudden incident, approached to check on Leben, who was frozen in place.
"Hehe… it's fine, it's fine."
Leben said, quickly composing himself. For a moment, it seemed like the late Sir Allan was coming to greet him, but he waved his hand with a smiling face and greeted them.
A long-awaited reunion. Though not as coincidental as their first meeting, the gathering of like-minded friends was filled with laughter.
"I brought some ice wine from Bucure for you all to enjoy in Ves-Dinas!"
-Pop-
"Try it. It's much sweeter than regular wine. To describe this exceptional taste… once you taste it, you'll keep coming back for more." He said with a grin.
"Oh! Ice wine from Bucure!" Reave marveled.
"Smells good." Nia added.
The cheerful sound of the wine bottle being uncorked filled the air, and the sweet aroma of grapes spread to everyone seated.
After tilting the wine bottle to fill everyone's glasses, Leben placed a small earthenware jar on the table with a meaningful smile and said,
"Have any of you heard of a versatile seasoning called Faroum?"