novelnext Chapter 138 Are you my captain?
Chapter 138 Are you my captain?
He never expected that a simple manipulation of space and time would bring the legendary King Arthur out of Avalon.
Watching Artoria pick up another skewer of grilled sea fish, her eyes slightly narrowed as she ate, looking utterly blissful, Bai Yu could only sigh softly.
Before we've even found a chef, another big eater has appeared.
The sea breeze was gentle, the sunshine was warm, and the aroma of barbecue was rich. Laughter and chewing sounds mingled on the deck. The aimless drifting that had been caused by the malfunctioning clock suddenly felt urgent because of the food.
Artoria was completely immersed in the delicious food and the warm sea breeze. At this moment, she was no longer the bored king of Avalon, nor the knight wielding the holy sword, but just an ordinary girl who felt incredibly happy when she ate delicious food. On this unfamiliar yet warm blue sea, she was enjoying the most pleasant and relaxing time.
The barbecue on the deck was still sizzling, and the aroma of fresh and savory food wafted far in the warm breeze. With each bite of new food, Artoria couldn't help but let out a soft hum of satisfaction and delight.
She put down the grilled fish she had just finished eating, reached out and picked up a chilled exotic fruit that Matsumoto Rangiku had handed her. Her fingertips touched the cool, sweet peel, and with a gentle squeeze, the sweet juice flowed down between her fingers.
She took a small bite, and the cool, sweet and sour flesh melted on her tongue, bringing a refreshing and vibrant quality that Avalon fruit had never experienced before, creating a wonderful pairing with the savory and salty meat grilled over charcoal.
Artoria's eyes lit up suddenly, and she instinctively covered her mouth, but she couldn't help but smile. It was the purest joy of a young girl, without any trace of the dignity and solemnity of the King of Britain.
"What... what kind of fruit is this? It's so delicious!"
Artoria wiped the juice from the corner of her mouth somewhat embarrassedly, and looked at Matsumoto Rangiku beside her, who was smiling brightly, and said, "In Britain, even at the most prestigious banquets in the royal palace, there is no fruit with this kind of taste. Also, although the fairy fruit of Avalon is sweet, it lacks this refreshing and cool taste, and it does not have such a rich aroma."
Matsumoto Rangiku laughed even more heartily upon hearing this, swirling the wine in her goblet, which shimmered with a crystalline luster: "This is a fruit unique to the Grand Line. It tastes best chilled, refreshing and sweet."
As she spoke, Matsumoto Rangiku poured Artoria another glass of chilled fruit wine. The amber liquid emitted fine, cool air, and the aroma of fruit and wine intertwined, making it extremely tempting.
"Try this."
Artoria carefully took the glass, first sniffing it lightly, then taking a small sip. The cool liquid slid down her throat, without the heavy spiciness of British ale, but instead with a gentle sweetness and fruity aroma. As it slid down her throat, she felt as if she were enveloped by a gentle sea breeze, so comfortable that she slightly closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling gently.
"Good wine..."
Artoria couldn't help but exclaim softly, "British wines are either strong and pungent or bland and tasteless. Avalon is all about spring water and nectar. I have never tasted such a smooth and delicious drink. Everything about this sea is more wonderful than I imagined."
Bai Yu then placed a skewer of crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside sky island prawns on her plate. The prawn meat was plump and bouncy, coated with a layer of slightly sweet secret sauce. After taking a bite, the delicious juices burst in her mouth, a rich interplay of freshness, aroma, sweetness, and saltiness that made Artoria's eyes widen instantly.
She chewed slowly, her face almost overflowing with surprise. After putting down her utensils, she couldn't help but speak earnestly, comparing the food she had eaten before.
"In Britain, even the royal meals consisted mostly of roast meat, dark bread, thick soup, and simple fruits and vegetables. The cooking methods were monotonous and simple. The roast meat was only seasoned with salt and simple spices, the bread was hard and rough, and the thick soup was simply made by stewing ingredients. It was enough to fill one's stomach, but it was far from delicious."
Artoria's gaze fell on the sizzling ingredients on the grill, her eyes filled with nostalgia and emotion.
"As a king, I have eaten at countless state banquets and seen the most magnificent tables, but all those dishes combined cannot compare to the taste of this simple skewer of grilled meat in front of me."
"Avalon goes without saying. In this eternal paradise, there are only unchanging fairy fruits and springs. The taste is so bland that it is almost tasteless. There is no smoke, no heat, no aroma of oil, and certainly no mouthwatering flavor. After staying there for a long time, even my taste buds seem to become dull. I almost forgot that food could be this delicious."
Artoria reached for a piece of roasted, fragrant meat, took a large bite, and the perfectly marbled fat melted in her mouth, the rich aroma filling her entire palate. Blissfully, she puffed out her chest slightly, her voice filled with awe for the vast ocean: "The Grand Line is amazing!"
Nico Robin leaned against the cabin, gently turning the pages of the book in her hands. Hearing this, she looked up and smiled, "The food on the Grand Line is far more than this. Every island has its own unique ingredients and dishes. If the compass needle returns to normal, we can travel to different islands and taste even more delicious food that you've never seen before."
"Really?" Artoria's eyes lit up instantly, her azure eyes sparkling with anticipation. The gloom that had settled over her loneliness in Avalon was now completely dispelled by the delicious food and the unknown surprise.
"That's wonderful! By the way, sir, are you the captain? Please let me join your crew! I'm determined to taste all the delicious food on this vast ocean!"
After watching Bai Yu finish speaking, Artoria eagerly picked up a skewer of grilled vegetables. The vibrant green vegetables were grilled to a perfect tenderness, and the sauce made them refreshing and not greasy, offering a completely new taste experience. Artoria ate with great relish, her blonde hair swaying gently with her movements. A little bit of sauce clung to her collarbone, but she was completely unaware, immersed in the ultimate pleasure brought by the delicious food.
"I have no objection. It would be wonderful if Artoria could join us."
Seeing this, Matsumoto Rangiku enthusiastically kept pushing various delicacies in front of Artoria. Iced drinks, fresh fruit platters, and steaming grilled skewers were served one after another. The two quickly became friends because of the food, chattering about which grilled skewers were the best and which fruit wine was the smoothest.
A gentle sea breeze blew, the sun shone brightly, and the ship drifted slowly on the calm sea. The chaos of the logging pointer had long been forgotten by everyone.
With a skewer in one hand and a glass of fruit wine in the other, Artoria savored the delicious flavors from the Grand Line, her heart filled with happiness and contentment.