Horizon of Glory
"The Annals of Exploration and Empires," Book III, Chapter XVII, Page 211 In the annals of history, few epochs have been as rife with the promise of adventure and the peril of the unknown as the Age of Discovery. It was a time when the very fabric of the world was being stretched, its edges frayed by the bold hands of explorers and conquerors. Among these intrepid souls, one name, has been etched into the annals of legends. The Wars of the Roses, a conflagration that had consumed the heart of empires and forged kings from the crucible of blood and fire, had at last given way to an uneasy peace. It was in this aftermath, amidst the smoldering ruins of a world reshaped by conflict, that Byron's journey began. Armed with a relic of untold power, the "Navigation Logbook," he set forth into the uncharted waters of the world, where the mundane and the magical intertwined in an intricate dance. The high seas, a vast and uncharted canvas, stretched before him, a horizon that whispered of untold riches and the promise of peril. Great ships, their sails billowing like the wings of colossal birds, traversed these waters, their cannons thundering a challenge to the very gods of the deep. It was an age of ambition, a testament to the unyielding spirit of mankind's quest for dominion over the unknown. Beneath the waves, ancient beings from epochs long past slumbered, their legends carried on the creaking timbers of ships and the roar of cannons. Byron, undaunted by the shadows that lurked beneath the waves or the tempests that raged above, carved out a kingdom from the chaos that enveloped the world. His fleet, a specter of doom, became a symbol of his indomitable will, a force that would not be challenged lightly. This is a saga, a tale woven from the threads of history and magic, adventure and power, and the eternal quest for glory. It is a narrative that compels the heart and captures the imagination, a story that resonates through the ages, a reminder of the heights to which humanity can aspire when driven by the winds of ambition and the tides of destiny. Let this account, penned by the hands of the most esteemed historians and literature masters, serve as a beacon for those who seek to embark upon their own voyages of discovery. For within the pages of this epic tale lies the essence of the human spirit, a spirit that seeks, that conquers, and that endures.
HoG - Chapter 18
Chapter 18: Gout Meal, Each with Their Own Schemes
Byron feigned fascination, but internally, he was on high alert. This "cookbook" was not an ordinary object that could be deciphered with a mere glance of 'Echoes of History.' Without a doubt, it not only contained forbidden knowledge but was also an anomaly imbued with some form of supernatural power!
His mind raced. "Salman seeks to resolve the conflict between his supernatural abilities and his illness; conventional medicine is utterly ineffective, leaving him no choice but to turn to 'Forbidden Knowledge' outside his sequence. This is likely his justification for crossing the moral line and consuming 'humans' as his primary sustenance.
And the 'humans' most akin to him are probably chefs like me! However, since previous chefs have vanished without a trace rather than in the captain's quarters, this anomaly must have certain prerequisites for its effects to manifest. There's no need for a direct confrontation just yet."
The 'Navigation Log' did not record every secret it encountered. But once a record was made, it was undoubtedly connected to Byron in a critical manner. For instance, at present, a sailing ship is the fundamental unit of survival at sea, and being on the same ship is indeed a matter of life and death for all aboard.
Byron acted as if it required great willpower to tear his gaze away from the cookbook. He placed the tray with three dishes and one soup before Salman with utmost respect and did not forget to apologize:
"As a chef, I am always eager to collect various new and unusual recipes. Please forgive my rudeness. Captain, please enjoy the dinner I have prepared for you."
In accordance with noble dining etiquette, Byron unveiled the appetizer soup—bream soup. This immediately diverted Salman's attention, who had been watching him with interest.
The 'Gourmet,' at the moment of unveiling the dish, seemed to see a flash of light. The fish meat, skin, and gelatin from the bones had all melded into the soup, resulting in a bowl of milky purity. Adorned with a piece of bright green celery, it was visually appealing.
The entirely different approach from what he had seen before made him eager to pick up the silver spoon and taste it. His bloody eyes lit up, and he exclaimed:
"Fresh! So fresh!"
A 'Gourmet,' at the first-tier attendant level, acquires the passive ability 'Toxin Identification,' enabling them to discern all foods toxic to humans. Even if cast into a primeval forest they've never visited, they would never be poisoned or starve to death.
He had never considered that the "curse" upon him was actually just because he ate too well, rather than being cursed by wealth. Once he started drinking, he couldn't stop, and in no time, he consumed the bowl filled with the melted purines in the soup.
"Ha, unlike the fish soup I've had in the past, which relied on various precious spices to mask the fishiness, only to mask the true flavor of the food as well. Nor did the butter, cream, or egg yolk overshadow the dish. This is the taste fish should have.
My lips, tongue, and stomach, senses that had gradually become dull, seemed to be filled with vitality again. It's too delicious!"
His eyes sparkled with tears, and he no longer cared about dining etiquette, opening the other three dishes himself.
The first plate contained four or five lobsters cut in half, with butter and garlic. Most self-proclaimed noble upper-class individuals did not consume this type of seafood in the past, even viewing it as a kind of insect. Almost all catches were fed to livestock, the poor, prisoners, and servants.
It was only after, the King of France, highly praised this dish at his palace banquet that it gradually gained popularity among the upper class. The current cooking method was only boiling, with a relatively single flavor. There still weren't many people eating it, leading to an abundance of lobsters in coastal areas, including this uninhabited island.
The perfectly cooked lobster meat was plump and chewy, paired with the seafood's soulmate, garlic sauce, and Salman was instantly conquered by it.
The second dish appeared somewhat peculiar. The shell-like head had a bright enamel color, and the ruby-like meat grew in a soft, snake-skin-like sheath. From the sheath extended smooth, transparent tentacles. These tentacles were equally vibrant, with necks in flesh tones, marble, and gray, and bright orange tips.
When he realized what it was, Salman was taken aback, somewhat uncertain:
"This is... a barnacle?"
Byron pretended to be profound, wagging his finger.
"No, no, no, this is not an ordinary barnacle, but the king... cough, the most delicious gooseneck barnacle in the world!"
The 'Navigation Log' revealed that gooseneck barnacles in both worlds shared similar habits, attaching themselves to marine flotsam and were found in the world's oceans, available for harvesting year-round. In this world, they were not widely consumed, but in Byron's previous life, they were one of the most expensive seafood items.
The cooking method was remarkably simple. Add some ginger shoots and salt to the pot, bring the water to a boil, and then add the barnacles to boil. Blanching in clear water brought out the best freshness. No additional seasoning was needed; its inherent deliciousness was already astonishing.
After repeatedly confirming that the barnacle was non-toxic, Salman skeptically skewered one and put it in his mouth. His eyes lit up as he experienced an unparalleled sweetness exploding on his tongue, making him feel as if he were floating.
"This taste... it's like the essence of the entire ocean is bursting in my mouth, with countless fish and shellfish dancing on my tongue. This flavor, which I've never experienced before, is just too delicious!"
By the time he reached this point, Salman was already teary-eyed. He felt that what he had eaten before was garbage. 'So, I absolutely cannot die; if I die, I'll never taste such good food again!'
Gourmet food strengthened his will to live but also made him eat... more.
The last dish, though not rare, was already his favorite—another purine bomb: mutton. Byron had also thoughtfully prepared it in two ways: cumin lamb chops and hand-pulled lamb.
On a 'Gourmet's' ship, the supply of spices was naturally abundant, including not only chili but also cumin, pepper...
The cumin lamb chops were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the hand-pulled lamb was soft without being mushy, tender without being tough, fresh without being gamey, and paired with garlic paste, eliciting satisfied exclamations from Salman.
Accompanied by a glass of beer chilled with cold water, it was extremely comfortable, a supreme pleasure in life. What fur-clad garlic-peeling fairy, I'm already in heaven now!
"I'm so satisfied, Mr. Byron, you are the most excellent chef I've ever seen!"
Byron, on the other hand, watched him eat with relish and couldn't help but think of the goats in the pen next to the kitchen, bleating for a while. And the pirates who kept lining up to go in and come out with their belts tightened, each with a look of fatigue on their faces. His face turned a bit green.
In this era, sheep were brought onto sailing ships as a necessity, not only as a rare source of fresh provisions but also for a more important purpose... Ugh. The discipline on warships far surpassed that of pirate ships, and Byron had never witnessed such things with his own eyes before. But these much more lax pirates were different, almost destroying his worldview.
He swore that he would never eat mutton from the 'Maneater' in his life. He wouldn't eat it even if he were beaten to death. If he became the captain, he would definitely add a rule to his 'Ten Pirate Commandments': Sheep can only be used for eating!
Salman felt the spiritual light of his appetite, which had been thirsty for a long time, become more lively after being completely satisfied. He looked at Byron with increasingly greedy eyes:
'Main course: my own kind! The higher the culinary skill, the more similar to me, the better the effect. The 'Oddity · Bloody Mary's Culinary Recipes' I stole from the 'Bloodthirsty Congregation,' squeezing out all the culinary knowledge to make the finest 'main course.'
Unfortunately, I don't know what the 'Judgment Inscription' to activate this oddity is. I can only use its most basic function and study the only recipe from it. But it's already enough for me to hold a ritual to completely solve the trouble on my body.'
'Soon, very soon. No chef can resist the charm of this cookbook, Mr. Byron, choose it as your reward. If one cannot discern its secrets, even low-sequence supernaturalists will be powerless, let alone a mere mortal boy. You... will be mine sooner or later!'
It was just that he didn't know if it was an illusion. The pain that normally only flared up at dawn was now showing signs of impatience to come out and wreak havoc.