Knights, Let’s Smash Them

56 – Let’s try the legendary red pepper crisp (3)

From noble mtl dot com.

Arthur Tarantino had been disapproving of the event from the start. He, of course, does not hate Lubern, the planner.

Arthur already knew about the rumors of Lubern Alroy floating around.

During the great expedition three years ago, including the Battle of the Lechenberg Plain, he could not deny the fact that the monarch he served received great favor.

But a cooking contest?

If most of the event hadn’t been funded with his own money, Arthur would never have allowed it.

Even though it had just entered a period of stability, the Rupel estate was still sitting in a pile of debt.

Even if the relationship with Baron Kirten continues to exist.

In order to improve Rupel’s poor economic situation, the amount of bonds he borrowed from the surrounding territories was sufficient.

What Edwin Carlton, the treasurer, is talking about turning into a surplus is actually a matter of about a month.

Closing the hole in the leaking jar doesn’t mean that the money that was leaking will come back.

A cooking contest in that situation.

No matter how much it is a long-term investment for future returns.

It was an event that was absolutely unsuitable in the current situation of Rupel Mansion. Why would a ceremony held in the imperial palace be held in a northern territory on the outskirts?

When Judge Arthur was a child, he once attended a cooking contest held in the Imperial City.

I still vividly remember how extravagant and luxurious the event was.

For that matter, the food was terribly tasteless.

As the second son of Viscount Tarantino, it could be said that he had an aristocratic appetite, but the spice-filled food served at the cooking competition was simply unbearable.

So I didn’t expect much this time either.

The stage was prepared in earnest, and the captain of the 3rd Division of the Black Lion Knights was invited.

Apart from preparing hard on their own, what reason would there be if ‘cooking’ was terrible in a cooking contest?

But this dish…….

First of all, the smell was different. There is nothing that is pickled in oil and glistening. A savory yet light scent that comes from the crispy coated skin.

The visuals make your mouth water even if you don’t like chicken dishes and even fried foods.

If the food had been prepared by his wife, he would have picked up her legs first, forgetting about his dignity as a vassal.

But this is a contest venue where thousands of spectators are concentrated.

Arthur Tarantino exercised his patience, suppressed the urge and tore the flesh with a fork.

The seaweed rising from the exposed white and red flesh.

When you bring the meat that is just cut enough to eat and put it in your mouth, the chewy yet moist flavor of the meat fills your mouth.

“This is…… Oh my god this is…….”

To the point where I couldn’t speak properly.

Overwhelming taste dominates.

Mimi(美味).

Arthur Tarantino opened his closed eyes and looked at Luberne passing the loudspeaker to him.

“Before I speak of this flavor, I will use my legitimate powers as Judge Rupell! From now on, the recipe for this food will be protected under the Ruupel Act!!”

This food will be the representative dish that will decorate Rupel’s manor. A delicacy that cannot be tasted in any territory or region, much less in the capital city!

Arthur Tarantino had no doubt that.

***

Arthur Tarantino, who cast a sudden acceleration, raised 10 points without hesitation. The reactions of the other three judges were not particularly different.

“Since I started drinking, I’ve paired all kinds of food together, but there’s no perfect pairing. The side dishes I’ve been eating so far…… ?”

Latheon had an expression of disbelief. If that guy, who doesn’t particularly care about alcohol, says that, it means that it’s really delicious.

“It is delicious. I can’t help but say this. Perfectly delicious.”

“I agree. What an amazing taste.”

Earl Dionaos Rupel is also popular.

Having personally tasted it, I honestly couldn’t deny it either. Crispyness that can only be felt from freshly fried fried chicken.

The salty seasoning that permeates deep into the soft meat, rather than being covered in batter, adds to the savory taste.

Without a doubt, it was 10 points.

“10 Points, 10 points, 10 points, 10 points!! A total of 40 points, currently the highest score and a perfect score!!”

I shouted, and Harland shrugged as if it was a natural result. The corners of his mouth lifted gently, revealing his pride as a chef.

“Ah, an extremely powerful opponent from the beginning! Will there be another perfect scorer?”

When I stir up excitement, the reaction from the audience gets even hotter.

Participants’ faces turned pale.

Because the first runner has a perfect score, most of the contestants have lost their confidence. However, there are not a few people among them who do not shrink but rather spur the finish.

Perhaps they are the strongmen who will compete against Sanders Fried Chicken.

“Then, the next runner who is ready, please come up.”

At my word, several cooks came up.

Most of the reviews were far below Sanders Fried Chicken.

“Although it is plain, it lacks impact. But not too bad. If it came out for the first time, I’m sure you would have enjoyed it. 7 Points.”

“It’s a pity the tempura batter. Crispness is lost. 6 Points.”

“We will give 8 points in common.”

Seeing as the chefs who advanced to the final round after competing in the preliminary round, there were few dishes that went below 5 points.

The rainbow chicken, sprinkled with ground strange vegetables in the middle, was really great.

It ended with Judge Arthur showing a feeling of nausea and a total of 20 points.

The reason why it received even 20 points is because the yellow chicken was sprinkled with cheese powder, giving it a subtle prinkle feeling.

Of course, even for me, a modern person, I feel like eating it.

The couple, Countess Arthur and Rupell, who were not used to this kind of food, actually didn’t just swear, but spat out merciless criticism.

‘I just sprinkle cheese, why did you add red and green?’

I never knew in my wildest dreams that rotten food would appear in the cooking contest.

Just about to taste the 10th dish.

A work that can confidently throw a win has appeared in Sanders Fried Chicken.

“This is a dish called crispy red pepper chicken.”

A man with strong eyes, not suitable for his skinny body, said. Was his name Baker?

The crispy red pepper chicken he brought has a distinctly different appearance from chicken that has been served so far. Instead of almost no batter, the glossy skin is unique.

And the chicken that adopted this recipe was very familiar to me.

“…… ?”

“Isn’t that fried??”

“Yes.”

As soon as I sniffed it, a familiar scent wafted up. Distinct pepper flavor.

Although it is called Crispy Red Pepper Chicken, this was undoubtedly the chicken in reality.

I looked up at the man’s face in surprise.

Reproduced with this level of quality? Could it be that he is a possessor?

However, the man was clearly nervous. No matter how you think about it, it’s not an attitude that a possessor would show.

No, there’s no way the possessed person would be frying chicken in this outskirts cooking contest in the first place.

This was purely coincidental.

A very, very desirable coincidence.

I handed out chicken to the judges.

They also seemed to be bitten by the similar tempura menu.

As soon as I saw the lightly grilled chicken, my eyes changed.

The committee members are afraid to hand it out and taste it one bite at a time.

As expected, the lines that opened the fire for the first time.

It was Judge Arthur Tarantino.

“…… I want this to be registered as a protected recipe.”

The twisted desire for possessiveness was unmistakable, though.

***

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding!!

Lubern Alroy rang the bell that was on the stage.

It was the sound announcing that the contest had ended.

Out of 20 contestants, two failed to submit their dishes on time.

It was as if they were eliminated automatically, but there was no sign of regret.

Rather, it was because he let go of his hand and acknowledged his shortcomings as if he were relieved.

As surely as he is talented enough to advance to the finals, he must have been a talented person with personality.

To Lilia Hebron, the princess of the Duchy of Hebron, the methods of all these competitions felt very chivalrous and aristocratic.

From noble mtl dot com.

A contest in which 20 talented people gather at the same time and show off their different skills in front of the public.

There are people who win, but not only losers are remembered.

All of them were honored cooks.

However, no matter how obsessed with the result, Lilia Hebron only prayed that the first ‘Crispy Pepper Chicken’ she had tasted would win her championship.

“All evaluations have been completed, but there are three chickens that are effectively tied.”

Lou Verne Alroy shouted at her audience with a troubled expression on her face.

Sanders Fried Chicken.

Crispy red pepper chicken.

And finally, the ‘Wife’s home’ chicken with bright red sauce that makes your tongue feel hot just by looking at it.

All three chickens were tied with a total score of 40 points.

Three people who will receive the prize money have already been decided, but who will take how much is the key.

“Then…… The ranking will be evaluated by a guest from our knights.”

Lou Verne Alroy said so, and she pointed to herself.

A thunderbolt fell on Lilia who was just waiting for the outcome.

“That’s right, if it’s Lillia-sama, everyone can understand.”

The blonde-haired knight commander who was sitting next to her said with a smile. Because it was a special situation, the members of the Snow Leopard Knights knew their identities.

“Ha, but…… Isn’t this too harsh?”

“You can evaluate purely by taste!”

“It’s so easy to say, but… ….”

Lilia has already been captured by Crispy Pepper Chicken. Doesn’t she have no choice but to make a biased judgment?

But she was also right that there was no one more suitable than herself.

There is Count Rupel among the judges, and it wouldn’t look very good for someone of a lower status to decide the ranking.

She is the only princess of the Duchy of Hebron, and her status is more than sufficient.

In the end, Lilia went down the stage pretending she couldn’t win. She was still in her robe, so no one recognized her.

“You are a special guest from our Knights. Then, taste each bite and report the results!”

Knock.

All three dishes smelled so delicious. Lilia swallowed the saliva she had started to collect on her own and popped the first runner, Sanders Fried Chicken, into her mouth.

‘How delicious would that be? In my mind, there is only crispy red pepper chicken…….’

It was Lillia’s taste that she believed so.

The moment she tasted her crispy batter, she was taken from the tip of her tongue to her stomach.

Her wife’s home chicken was also spicy, just right for Lilia’s taste, but the crispiness of Sanders Fried Chicken is an indescribable quality.

“Ooh, Seungri is…… !! Sanders Fried Chicken…….”

As she spoke in a trembling voice, Lou Verne raised both of her hands and shouted.

“Yes, the moment I spoke, the winner was officially confirmed! Harland from Sanders Village! I am the winner of the 1st Rupel Cooking Contest!”

“Waaa!!”

I’m sorry, crispy red pepper chicken…….

I don’t think I’ll be able to go back to the old days…….

Lilia thought so and shed her tears.