Goblin Heavy Dependence

Chapter 396 Hera and Tasting Delicious Food

The interior of the "Three-Legged Seal" is much more spacious than it appears from the outside. Tables are arranged closely together in the lobby in a crowded yet orderly manner, and the cacophony of voices amidst the aromas of wine and food almost pierces the ceiling.

The dark wooden walls were adorned with a variety of decorations: rusty scimitars stained with reddish-brown blood, tattered pirate flags, strangely shaped pale fish bones, yellowed hand-drawn nautical charts...

They are not obviously related to each other, but together they add a touch of wildness to the tavern, which is unique to Harbor Bay, and distinguish it from other adventurer gathering areas on the continent of Aifara, such as "White Tit".

Even before the sun had completely set, the atmosphere inside the tavern was already incredibly lively, filled with the shouts and noise of adventurers. The light and shadow throughout the space swayed violently with the dim light from the windows and the flickering lamplight, and were blurred and distorted by the sound waves and heat in the air.

But right at the very center of it all, behind the counter facing the tavern entrance, lies a calm that seems to be the eye of a storm.

A woman was standing there.

She looked to be around forty years old and didn't seem to be taking any special care of herself; there were fine crow's feet at the corners of her eyes. Her thick, long, curly hair was a dark green like seaweed and was simply tied back with a rubber band, allowing many unruly strands to break free and fall across her forehead and temples.

Her features were strikingly defined, with a high nose bridge, a well-defined jawline, and a few freckles on her cheeks. Her emerald green eyes were like the sea after a storm, calm yet sharp, gleaming with a languid light that seemed to see through everything.

She wore no makeup and was not dressed up in any particular way. She was only wearing a very ordinary linen shirt, with three buttons casually undone, revealing her clear collarbone and a small tan line. The sleeves were rolled up to her elbows, and you could glimpse the sea snake tattoo that extended from the depths of the sleeves, coiling all the way to her wrists. A dark brown apron was wrapped around her waist, which accentuated her slender and strong waist, and the rest of her body was hidden by the counter.

At this moment, the woman was leaning lazily behind the counter, wiping a glass of wine with her right hand. Her relaxed posture was indescribable, as if she had the noise of the room and the dangers of the adventurers firmly under her control.

Xia Nan had already learned the name of the woman in front of him from Paddy when he first arrived at Suckerfish Bay during the day:

—Hera.

He is also the current owner of "Three-Legged Sea Dog," a century-old tavern.

They had been staying with the adventurers for over a year and were frequent visitors to the "White Tit".

Xia Nan was well aware of the danger posed by a hot and beautiful woman, regardless of gender, in this kind of place.

The combination of nighttime and alcohol-fueled hormones, along with superhuman strength, could turn adventurers into beasts controlled by their desires at any moment.

Under these circumstances, the fact that the woman named "Hera" behind the counter can still so easily and comfortably manage this tavern, which is always frequented by a large number of adventurers, can only be explained by one reason:
—She possessed a threat that was enough to make adventurers wary and dare not let their desires devour their reason.

Perhaps Hera herself possessed considerable strength?
With keen perception, Xia Nan was able to sense the solid aura of a professional emanating from the other party.

It could also be something else entirely, such as the channels she has access to as the tavern owner, her relationship with the three major powers in Barracuda Bay, or the prestige she has built among adventurers through past deeds…

But in any case, this woman deserves his careful treatment.

I witnessed Hera stop a potential shoving match between adventurers at a table next to the counter with just a glance.

Xia Nan's heart sank. She took a deep breath without making a sound, keeping her expression as calm as ever.

I walked slowly forward and sat down at the counter.

"welcome."

"Let's look at the menu, what would you like to eat?"

A woman's slightly hoarse voice reached his ears, and Hera's sea-green eyes were already looking at him.

Her gaze was very discreet, seemingly as if she were treating any ordinary guest, but Xia Nan's exceptional perception allowed him to clearly feel Hera's gaze sweeping over his young face and equipment.

Already used to it.

To some extent, the image of "a young, capable, and well-equipped adventurer" is a label that Xia Nan deliberately presents to the outside world.

He had no intention of "playing dumb to fool others," and this first impression would save him a lot of trouble and also earn him the attention of others when needed.

Since arriving at Sucker Bay during the day, we've wandered from the saltwater area all the way to the cormorant area, getting lost and navigating countless alleyways with Colin without encountering any trouble, thanks in part to his disguise.

A polite slight nod in response.

As if he were truly just a diner who had come here simply to enjoy dinner, Xia Nan looked very intently at the menu hanging on the wall behind the counter:
[Sailor's Stew Set Meal], [Crab Meat Mashed Potatoes], [Glitter Pancakes]...

When a person is hungry, even the most unpalatable food will taste delicious.

Xia Nan had no dietary restrictions, and looking at the menu filled with the specialties of seaside restaurants, she wished she could order every single dish to try.

He couldn't help but hesitate.

At this point, if the menu features a dish that one hasn't tasted in a long time and is one of one's favorites, then that's the final decision, and that's the main course to go with it.

Unfortunately, after scanning the menu twice, he still couldn't find the dish he had tasted countless times in his dreams and longed for.

Seemingly sensing the young adventurer's hesitation, the tavern owner stopped wiping the wine glasses, tilted her head slightly, and leaned forward.

"What's wrong? Isn't anything to your liking?"

I had already planned to find out information about "algae scales" from Hera, and I didn't mind communicating with her. In addition, I really needed the delicious taste from my memories to soothe my fatigue from the journey.

Xia Nan didn't try to hide anything; instead, she directly stated her needs to the other party:
"Excuse me... do you have cream of mushroom soup?"

Cream of mushroom soup?

Seemingly surprised by Xia Nan's words, Hera raised an eyebrow, a hint of astonishment flashing across her face, which exuded the charm of a mature woman.

Having run a tavern for many years, her ability to judge people is naturally beyond question.

The moment Xia Nan stepped into the "Three-Legged Seal" tavern, Hera made her judgment based on her vast experience:
This is a professional.

And they are definitely not the kind of newly promoted, low-level 1 with little experience, but rather seasoned professionals who have already made progress in their careers and may even be planning to change careers.

With this in mind, seeing the other person hesitate while looking at the menu, Hera assumed that the other person was acting this way on purpose and hoped that she would take the initiative to speak, thus creating an opportunity to start their future cooperation.

It's possible he was gathering intelligence or searching for a team. But what's unexpected is that this young man... seems to genuinely just come to order food?

But what about "cream of mushroom soup"?
Is it some kind of underground code? Or does it have some deeper meaning?

At this moment, Hera's mind raced, and she even began to recall the passwords used by the various organizations in Barracuda Bay for relaying messages.

In reality, this manifested as a momentary freeze in his expression and a thoughtful glint in his emerald eyes.

"Of course, sir."

Hera ultimately couldn't recall any secret orders regarding "cream of mushroom soup," but her extensive experience taught her how to handle the situation.

Simply forget your other identities and act solely as a tavern owner. If the other party has ulterior motives, they will naturally react accordingly.

"However, it should be noted in advance that since these are not the official dishes on the menu, although we can guarantee that the dishes are made with care, the final taste may be different from what you expect, and the price will be slightly higher."

"It's okay, just do it."

Upon hearing that the other party could make cream of mushroom soup, Xia Nan's facial expression remained unchanged, but her inner emotions surged, as excited as when she unexpectedly discovered a goblin's lair during her journey.

I already had some expectations in my heart.

With a greatly increased appetite, I casually ordered a few local specialties from the seaside that I hadn't tried before as side dishes.

Then I waited patiently.

The female owner was very hospitable; while waiting for the food, she gave Xia Nan a few tangerines as a pre-meal snack.

It looks no different from the ones I ate in Giethoorn, and the flesh is just as plump and juicy, but the taste is noticeably sweeter with a hint of tartness, making it very delicious.

Seeing that Hera didn't seem too busy, Xia Nan thought that on the one hand, he wanted to communicate with her to lay the groundwork for gathering information later, and on the other hand, he really needed to find a place to stay in Suckerfish Bay. So Xia Nan took the initiative to ask her about the price of staying overnight in the tavern.

“Our ‘Three-Legged Seal’ rooms are divided into three categories.”

"If you are only staying in Suyu Bay for two or three days, I recommend that you choose the third-tier room. Although the environment is average and there are no windows, it is a single room and the price is cheap. You can sleep soundly for a whole night for just five copper coins."

Hera casually brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, squinted her eyes, and smiled as she introduced Xia Nan.

"Of course, if you have higher requirements for the comfort of your accommodation, you can choose the second-tier room, which costs one silver coin per night. The room is much more spacious and comes with a desk. The window faces the street, so you can see passersby. This is the type of room that adventurers in our tavern choose the most."

"As for the top-class rooms, although the price may be a bit higher, at two silver coins per night, the environment and service will absolutely satisfy you. They have a double bed, a balcony facing the sea with a view of the distant harbor, and breakfast is also provided."

"In addition, if you need to stay for more than 30 days, you can get a pretty good discount on the overall price of all three room categories."

Xia Nan couldn't help but be moved.

It is foreseeable that finding the key to the [Dream Corridor] will not be a task that can be completed in a short time, and he will most likely stay in Suckerfish Bay for more than a month.

In this context, a safe and comfortable place where he can rest and recover his mental and physical strength without worrying about anything else during breaks between tasks and after training is extremely important.

There's no need to hesitate about the price. He's not the type to skimp on himself in this regard. It's unreasonable for him to risk his life to earn money, only to have to live frugally when he gets back to town.

After graduating in my previous life, I worked tirelessly, going back and forth between the "company" and the "rental house," until I was exhausted. Just when my career was finally starting to take off, I was transported to another world by truck.

Having been reborn with over eight hundred gold coins in his savings, what's wrong with him enjoying it?
They had already chosen the most luxurious sea-view room that Hera had mentioned as their target.

Security is also guaranteed.

"Three-Legged Sea Dog" is a well-known adventurer's tavern throughout the entire Barracuda Bay. It has been in business for many years and has an excellent reputation. It is also associated with the three major forces in the town.

It's common for people to cause trouble under the influence of alcohol, but if they cross the line and dare to attack or steal from the residents of a room... they'll probably be hanged on the dock the next day as a warning to others.

In some ways, living here is much safer than living with the "white tits".

Therefore, regarding whether Xia Nan decides to stay, there is only one factor left to consider:
—Is the food palatable?

Just as he was pondering this, a waiter in a tavern uniform placed a steaming plate on the table in front of him.

Unlike the creamy mushroom soup that Xia Nan had previously had in River Valley, the creamy mushroom soup in Sucker Bay incorporates the characteristics of the local bay town.

The milky white and slightly yellow broth is made by simmering fish bones for a long time, then adding chopped onions, celery, and radishes. Melted butter and flour turn the broth into a thick and fragrant paste. The evenly sliced ​​mushrooms are gently coated in the broth, and the edges are slightly charred from being seared beforehand.

Besides that, the most eye-catching thing is the two palm-sized, peeled fresh shrimp that take up almost half of the soup bowl.

The glistening, white, and firm shrimp meat is coated in a rich, sweet and savory broth. The flavors of cream and mushrooms blend perfectly with the freshness of the seafood, creating the purest and most delicious taste from the forest and the sea.

But that's not all.

The chef of the "three-legged seal" clearly incorporated his own unique understanding of cooking when making it, showing some of his own "ingenious ideas".

With a gentle stir, Xia Nan even discovered chopped scallops and boneless fish meat in the rich, curd-like broth.

I casually pinched off a small piece of the complimentary garlic bread, which was baked to a golden brown and crispy color. After soaking it in the soup, I placed it in a spoon, along with slices of mushrooms, shredded clams, and fish, and put the full spoonful into my mouth.

hum-

Experience the burst of delicious and mellow flavor from the thick broth on your tongue; as you chew, the flavors unfold between your teeth, creating a rich and layered taste that is never overpowering, perfectly blending with the sweet and tender mushrooms.

Regarding whether to reside permanently in the "three-legged seal"...

Xia Nan already had the answer in her heart.

(End of this chapter)