00:00Lina brought out a portable gas stove then set a clay pot on top. The two nobles watched in
00:04amazement. This was their first time seeing soup boil right in front of them. As a noble-born young
00:08lady, the girl had only ever eaten dishes that had already passed poison testing, which meant
00:12everything she ate was cold. She longed desperately for a warm meal, though she came from a prestigious
00:16family. Her parents had passed away years ago. She was raised by her uncle. Soon, the ingredients
00:21for the hot pot were served. Several pieces of pure white tofu. As the broth heated, the tofu
00:26quivered gently in the simmering soup. Lina scooped them out for the girls. Drizzled hot
00:29broth over the pieces, and sprinkled chopped scallions on top. A simple pour over, and the tofu dish was
00:34complete. The tofu was warm and silky. The moment it touched their tongues, it slid effortlessly down
00:39their throats, sending gentle warmth deep into their stomachs. The girl tried a bite, and for the first
00:44time in ages, a smile bloomed on her face. The owner brought out tamagoiki tempera next, and her smile
00:49grew even brighter. Charlie's usual order was salt-boiled edamame and fried chicken, but what he
00:53truly loved was nanban chicken. Seeing that only their table remained, the owner said he could run out,
00:58buy the ingredients, and make it fresh for Charlie. But the moment he stepped out the door, an unexpected
01:03visitor arrived. A bespectacled man named Tommy, the tax collector of this otherworldly kingdom.
01:08Lina first served him a small appetizer, and a glass of beer. While preparing her own staff meal,
01:12she waited for the water to boil, and tossed in a handful of spaghetti. Tommy spotted it immediately,
01:17and said he wanted that. Lina couldn't make anything too complicated, so she decided on Napoliton
01:22spaghetti. She started by sautéing thick-cut bacon, until it rendered fat. Then added onions and green bell peppers.
01:27Once they released their aroma, she mixed in tomato ketchup. Finally, she tossed in the drained pasta,
01:32and stir-fried everything together. In their otherworldly nation, fresh vegetables were a
01:36rarity. Yet this dish contained tomatoes, onions, and peppers. A luxury by their standards. Lina
01:41explained that the ingredients, were meant for the owner's late-night snack, and she had quietly
01:45taken some to cook with. Tommy twirled a forkful and took a bite. At first, he tasted sweetness,
01:49followed quickly by the unique sweet, tart brightness of tomatoes. The flavors blended perfectly with the
01:54pasta, and the heat was spot-on. Still, he found the taste a bit childlike, so Lina handed him grated
01:58cheese, and Tabasco sauce. Tommy sprinkled a little cheese first, and the blend of tomato and cheese,
02:04became even richer. Then he grabbed the Tabasco. Lina warned him that it was very spicy, and only a few
02:08drops were enough. But he dismissed her nagging, and poured in nearly half the bottle. It was intensely
02:13spicy, yet the heat complemented the tomato's sweetness and acidity. Mixed into this layered flavor,
02:18were the bitterness of the peppers, the gentle warmth of the onions, and the satisfaction of thick-cut
02:22bacon. It was a taste unlike anything he had ever experienced in his life.
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