Ch.396Flower Canyon. Neriden Canyon (2)

The caretaker guided the Iron Walker party to a luxurious inn.

The inn was uniquely built atop a small rocky mountain, with complex intertwining structures serving as both stairs and terraces, creating a peculiar atmosphere reminiscent of scaffolding at a construction site.

Perhaps it was like viewing a castle on a high mountain. What was certain was that ordinary commoners would have to spend an entire year’s salary just to have a single meal in such a place.

While adventurers might manage, the menu units visible from afar were neither copper nor silver coins, but gold coins—meaning only those with considerable skill could frequent such an establishment.

“It certainly exudes an elegant atmosphere.”

“Beneath this rocky mountain lies a deep water vein. In the past, there was a mineral spring at the top. Then a businessman bought the entire mountain and began using that water to cook rice and bake bread. Because the water tastes so good, they still sell it as a business.”

“Water business. That’s the first time I’ve heard the term used that way.”

When one says “water business,” it typically refers to a tavern—and often euphemistically to establishments selling more than just legitimate drinks. To actually call a business selling real water by that term would normally be wordplay. To think someone was making a fortune from selling water… it was something to see in this long life.

“Is it that different from the water around here?”

“Well… this land experienced warfare, didn’t it? Though thousands of years of mining and excavation have reduced them, metal debris remains buried deep in the ground. While plants can filter it themselves, people need several procedures to make it drinkable. But the water vein beneath that rocky mountain isn’t connected to other veins, so it’s exceptionally clean. Naturally, it tastes better too.”

“I see. So that’s what it means.”

Viktor nodded as he sat down with his party members at the good spot recommended by the caretaker.

Even ordinary urban waste would contaminate water sources eventually. There was no need to elaborate on how toxic the harmful substances flowing from weapons designed for total annihilation would be. It was fortunate if there were only weapons. Considering the Age of Eclipse, it was a relief that biochemical or biological weapons hadn’t leaked out.

“Since you are distinguished guests, we shall serve only the finest. Not a single detail should be out of place.”

“Understood, Honorable Caretaker.”

The caretaker placed the order on their behalf, and prettily dressed waitresses served glasses of cold water, chilled as if freshly drawn, with the clicking sounds of their shoes.

“Hmm. So this is the famous spring water.”

*Sip*

Taking a sip, a pleasant refreshing sensation filled his mouth and throat. Indeed, water of this quality was worth selling at a premium.

What was that saying about the highest good being like water? He could somewhat understand why such a maxim had emerged. The other party members seemed to share Viktor’s thoughts, as the dwarf brothers had placed a pitcher beside them and were gulping down the water.

“Whew! I think this is the best water I’ve ever tasted in my life!”

“I agree.”

“Oh? But you dwarves live in mountains, don’t you? Shouldn’t you be able to draw plenty of such water?”

“Nah, you don’t understand. Dwarves don’t live in mountains with water veins. If water leaks while we’re digging for minerals, the mine is shut down that very day. And even if the water vein is separate from the mineral vein, living inside a mountain means all kinds of dust falls into the water, making it taste strange.”

“I see…”

“That’s why we dwarves love alcohol. Since it’s hard to find clean water, we quickly turn it into alcohol before it goes bad.”

“I understand.”

Honestly, Berkman’s last statement was difficult to comprehend. Doesn’t both water and alcohol contain the same moisture? If water spoils quickly, wouldn’t alcohol also go bad quickly? It seemed like he was just trying to justify his love for alcohol somehow.

But regardless of the reason, seeing how the dwarves praised it so highly, the mountain’s water must be of exceptional quality.

“Here is Neriden’s specialty. Flower tempura.”

“That’s tonkatsu.”

“No, no. It’s wrapped in flower petals before frying, so it’s flower tempura.”

“…”

The first dish they encountered was definitely not tonkatsu but flower tempura.

When they said flower tempura, Viktor had thought they might fry individual flower petals, but it was actually pork wrapped in flower petals and then fried. Whether the petals contained honey or it was added during cooking, the subtle scent of honey was quite novel.

“Hmm, let’s see…”

*Crunch, crunch*

“Oh, what an unusual texture.”

With each bite, there was a slightly bitter taste from the flower petals, mysteriously filled in by the sweetness of honey, and just as both flavors slid down the throat, the juices from the well-fried pork filled the mouth.

Simply covering meat with flower petals and frying it wouldn’t create such a delicate flavor. This was as much about the chef’s skill as it was about the ingredients. The artistry of bringing together seemingly disparate ingredients into a single dish through frying—this was surely a skill that could only be acquired through decades of practice.

By the time they had emptied about half their plates, the salad began to arrive.

Though called a salad, it was more like a seasoned dish—flower stems pickled in vinegar to make them tangy, mixed with flower petals and honey.

“This is stem salad. Please enjoy.”

“A sticky salad. That’s another first.”

Dipping the salad into his oil-filled mouth, it was yet another unique flavor. He had expected it to be overwhelmingly sweet since it was mixed with honey, but surprisingly, the sweetness was only briefly noticeable before giving way to a pleasant acidity.

The flower stems still had their core intact, providing a good chewing texture, and the sap from the flower petals interspersed throughout enhanced the flavor even more.

“This is quite good. I never knew flower stems could make such a dish.”

“When you gather stems from edible flowers, such dishes become possible. Now, have a cup of tea.”

“What’s this?”

“It’s tea brewed from flowers. Please drink it without stirring.”

“Hmm? Oh, it’s layered.”

He thought it might be cold tea since it was served in a transparent glass, but it was warm.

Even more fascinating was that the tea was separated into layers, divided as precisely as if painted with different colors, stacked in five distinct layers.

“This is another remarkable skill. Did they brew different flower petals and layer them?”

“That’s right. If mixed, you wouldn’t be able to appreciate this beautiful presentation.”

“Indeed. That’s certainly true.”

Clearing his mouth of food with tongue movements while leisurely savoring the tea, Viktor could tell that not only the tea but also the glass was of exceptional quality.

The volume was so precisely calculated that with each sip, exactly one layer disappeared—a precision almost like magic. Whether machine-made or handcrafted, it was surely a technique refined over many years.

“This is interesting. It feels like eating layered ice cream.”

He couldn’t remember the last time he had sipped tea while cooling it. In fact, he might never have done so before.

In the early days of adventuring, he had brewed tea with premium leaves and savored it, but he had always drunk it hot rather than cooling it with gentle blows.

After savoring the five different flavors of tea, they were served vanilla ice cream with honeycomb ice cream filled with honey, and honey bread.

He took a bite of the honey bread—thick toast with grid-patterned cuts topped with honey and whipped cream—then cleansed his palate with vanilla ice cream before putting a small piece of honeycomb in his mouth.

The sticky yet soft texture was like chewing gum filled with honey. Yet its firmness, which refused to dissolve in saliva, desperately prevented him from saying how delicious it was.

The meal continued for quite some time, and it took an hour for the Iron Walker party to clean their plates.

“If you’re finished, please take a moment to rest. There’s a place with a beautiful view ahead. It’s a lovely spot where you can see the flower garden at a glance.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Do locals frequent this place?”

“Yes, they do. But today I’ve issued a prohibition on its use.”

“I see.”

Viktor nodded. It was appropriate handling by the caretaker, as crowds would not only be disruptive, but mixing gods and humans would inevitably create chaos.

He had come not to receive worship from citizens, but to enjoy the ambiance of this land.