Chapter 20 A Different Taste

"These, these are all precious seasonings. I'll tell you how to use them; you'll know once you add a bit to your cooking," Zhao Guang hurriedly explained, as this was his trump card.

Thinking about the food he had eaten here last time, these things might be just as valuable to humans.

"Seasonings? If they can make food delicious, then they must be worth tasting,"

This world's research on seasonings seems to be quite lacking, Zhao Guang thought to himself.

"There's also this, chili alcohol from our region. Give it a try," Zhao Guang said as he brought out his chili oil mixed with alcohol, an important item for trade with the Beastmen; he wasn't sure how it would be received here.

But now that he was here, Zhao Guang wanted to try and open up the market.

"Chili alcohol, do you have more?" Yars asked, somewhat unimpressed. As a noble, he might lack seasonings, but alcohol was something they certainly wouldn't run short of. However, he had never seen such a fiery red color before.

He opened a bottle and then had someone bring him a bowl.

Humans were indeed more meticulous than Beastmen, at least not crushing the bottle's neck as Beastmen would.

"This bottle is quite nice," Yars commented, looking intrigued by the plastic bottle.

"It's plastic, a very special material, nothing much, nothing much."

A chill ran through Yars' heart; Zhao Guang must have had a powerful Mage Group behind him. Otherwise, who could develop a new material? And from Zhao Guang's demeanor, it seemed this material was very easy to produce.

Yars might not have thought much of it, but he could see the potential of this material.

Anyway, it was time to taste the chili alcohol.

After a sip, Yars furrowed his brows. "The taste of the alcohol is quite pure, but it's too harsh." Just a small sip went to his head; what was used to make it so spicy?

If he hadn't been certain Zhao Guang wasn't an enemy, he might have thought the drink was poisoned.

"Different tastes, eh? It seems there really is a difference between humans and Beastmen." Remembering the Beastman who boldly gulped down the chili oil, he found the human approach somewhat more normal.

As Zhao Guang thought this, he quickly added, "This is meant to accompany meals. If you don't like it as a drink, that's fine. Its real purpose is to be added to food, or you can use it as a dipping sauce."

Suddenly, Zhao Guang had an idea, "Actually, if you think the taste is good, you might try mixing it with other alcohols." If Earth people were here, they'd likely think this was a culinary atrocity.

But Zhao Guang didn't care; they were the ones experimenting, not him.

Moreover, the concoction wasn't poisonous. Preferences for flavors are subjective, and if it didn't suit them, it couldn't be helped.

"Hmm, then I will give it a try," Yars said, fetching his own alcohol. But looking at his drink, Yars frowned; too many impurities.

Zhao Guang glanced at it and more or less understood the situation.

It seemed that the alcohol here hadn't been distilled, and even the filtration techniques were not up to par.

For an Earl to be drinking such stuff suggested that if it wasn't targeted, then this world lacked these technologies.

Mages might be able to achieve things on certain levels that ordinary people could not, such as producing refined salt, but these methods were clearly not widely accessible, or they wouldn't be so expensive.

The industrial advantage of Earth was vividly displayed at this moment.

After adding some more, Yars nodded, "The taste is good, worthy of being a professional complement to the meal." He learned the term rather quickly; he's already putting it to use.

Then, Yars added some more to suit his taste better.

In doing this, one must grasp the right amount—it all comes down to feeling.

"Commander, the meal is ready, made with the seasonings Lord Zhao Guang brought."

"Very good, call everyone over, let's try it together. Oh, and the complementing wine as well, today in the camp we'll make an exception, everyone can have a glass."

Zhao Guang nodded; it seems that drinking in the army here is also not permitted.

"Um, I'll pass, I can't hold my liquor."

Yars scanned Zhao Guang from head to toe, "You're just too frail, just like those delicate Mages, can only handle fruit juice." Yars had very little respect for Zhao Guang's demeanor.

It's ironic that he sells alcohol yet doesn't drink it himself, really...

Zhao Guang could only offer an awkward smile; it wasn't that he didn't want to drink, but rather that he dared not to.

One drink and who knows, he might end up in the hospital. Besides, even with ordinary alcohol, Zhao Guang didn't dare to indulge. With so many secrets of his own, what if he blabbed after drinking too much? In a foreign world, he definitely needed to protect himself.

But Yars didn't insist on Zhao Guang drinking; if he didn't drink, it just meant more for himself.

This spicy wine had already become a precious item to Yars. Other nobles in the country probably didn't have it, and if he could bring it out, it would show that his foundations were deeper than theirs.

Having a unique product all to oneself was incredibly beneficial for the elevation of one's family status.

However, how to bind this young man to himself, now that was a bit problematic.

As he pondered this, other officers had gradually arrived at the camp. Due to the number of people, Yars decided to host everyone in the hall—only this place could accommodate so many people.

"This time, our friend Lord Zhao Guang has brought many specialties from their place, and they all taste very good. You guys are in for a treat; next, let's taste together..."

Yars stared at the doorway in shock, where light shone through.

"Damn it, Ocoro, look at the state you're in, go put on some clothes."

Ocoro sniffed disdainfully, "You don't understand, this is art, you uncouth bumpkin."

"Bastard, put your clothes on right now, or don't blame me for being rude."

The other officers in the room seemed to have contracted selective deafness, acting as if they heard nothing. Some studied the floor, others seemed to have discovered the secrets of the ceiling.

It wasn't until Ocoro was forcibly dragged away to get dressed that everyone returned to normal.

Watching them laugh and joke as if nothing had happened, Zhao Guang couldn't help but marvel, truly a bunch of Oscar-worthy actors. The best performers indeed were in these special places.

"Come on, let's try some of these and see how they taste," Yars said with a smile, inviting everyone.

Though no one had started eating yet, the aroma had already wafted out. What kind of smell was this? It was unlike anything they'd ever smelled before. Without saying anything else, this aroma alone was enough to prove the value of these seasonings.