194: Cutlets

I didn’t end up finishing all the Galvonson pieces, even with Milo’s help when he came in and created me a much larger, solid stone pan. This held four at a time.

The problem I ran into, however, was that I couldn’t store them all as they were ready due to my low mana, so the ones I had cooked at the start were already rapidly cooling down and losing their crispy, crunchy coating.

So with eighteen ready to go, I stored all the raw crumbed ones and infused the stack of cooked ones, checking the buffs just to be sure, which gave me a small shock.

[Uncommon] Infused Galvonson Cutlet

• Greater Earth Magic Potency
• Fire Immunity
• Earthen Core
• +5 Strength
• +6 Endurance
• +6 Dexterity
• +6 Perception
• Minor Stamina Regeneration
• Minor Health Regeneration

These buffs seemed exceptional for the uncommon ingredients, then I remembered I was likely stacking a lot of buffs here with the different rolls, the crust skill, and second simmer, Liane also recognised my pause once I had infused it, because she reinforced to Luis, “Again, no matter what you try here tonight, lips sealed, okay?”

Luis looked confused, looking between me and Liane, but nodded all the same.

“Yeah, of course. You should know, I’m more like my brother. I don’t have a head for politics, and as soon as I can get out and adventure or something, I’m going to,” Luis said with a shrug.

“Brother?” I asked. I didn’t remember meeting a brother at all.

“Ah, I wondered about that when the King said you were his youngest son,” Liane said, as if something was clicking.

“Yeah, I have a brother called Elijah. I think he’s in the dungeon at the moment, but he didn’t want anything to do with politics if he could avoid it and left it all to Kathrine,” Luis explained.

“Kind of sucks for her, doesn’t it?” I asked. I couldn’t imagine being stuck with all the political side of things. It sounded horrible, like a punishment.

“She really enjoyed it at first, but it’s so hard to have a conversation with people. Everyone is trying to get favour or have a bunch of schemes up their sleeves,” Luis groaned.

“You’re an odd one. Most people would love the power,” Liane commented.

“Does he?” Luis pointed at me.

I couldn’t understand what he meant by that. I didn’t have the power of a prince. He could probably have me killed or exiled if he wanted to. I couldn’t do that. I was equally surprised when Liane laughed.

“Luis, he doesn’t even realise he has power. I bet he’s thinking right now, I’m just an orphan, I have no power, or something equally ridiculous,” Liane said through chuckles.

“Hey! It’s not that bad. I know I have a noble house right now,” I tried to defend myself.

Even Luis laughed then. “You think you’re the same as the nobles? If a noble ever called my father Marcus, or my mother Amber, they’d probably lose their status for disrespecting the royals.”

“Oh…” was all I got out.

“No, no, please don’t mistake me. Don’t change. But you’re not just a noble, Trevor,” Luis said, pulling himself together.

I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t contest anything he said, but I didn’t feel like I had more power than a noble. It didn’t matter anyway. What mattered was going to the dinner, asking about the forest, and then leaving the capital.

I shook my head. “Anyway, let’s not worry about all that. It’s time to eat.”

I took the largest slice, which was easily arm’s length in size, and placed it down for Lily to have first, adding just a pinch of fire salt on top. I stored all but six pieces since Micca, Hari, George, and Darren were not back yet and took them out to the dining room table.

Liane went to collect the others from the living room.

“That’s going to be far too large for just dinner,” Milo commented, his eyes going wide at seeing them.

“That’s probably for the best, then. You’ll like these and be able to save some,” I said.

Everyone ate in silence. I took one of the older ones to save the others, but it was still mostly crispy. It had gone a bit soggy on the bottom where the crumb was falling off the Galvonson, but it had a really nice warmth to it from the fire salt, while the bird itself, despite not being very hot by now, was super tender. It was richer and far more earthy than chicken, with an almost nutty flavour.

I watched as Luis clearly checked his buffs, his eyes going wide.

“Just how high can you get the buffs? Also, this even has an ability? How’s that possible?” Luis asked, looking at the others around him.

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“High enough to cause trouble,” Milo said sternly.

“It’s alright, Milo. He’s promised not to share it with others,” Liane said, waving him off.

Milo didn’t seem as convinced.

We were soon interrupted by Micca, who practically exploded through the door.

“I got my class evolution!” she cried out, running across the room, and before I knew it, I was wrapped up in a hug.

“Congrats,” I tried to say, but I was being smothered.

I caught my breath momentarily when she pulled away.

“The earnings, Trevor! We made so much money! Over three hundred gold! As soon as word got out about the jerky, there was a second line outside the shop of people just wanting to buy it!” she said, holding my shoulders.

“That’s amazing.” I couldn’t help but smile. Her happiness was infectious.

Also, Lily was using the distraction to steal the leftover Galvonson from Luis, until Milo noticed and quickly stored his and Jen’s before Lily got to it.

With Hari, Darren, George, and Micca here, though, I quickly pulled out the rest of the cooked ones I had, serving them all up a plate while giving Lily one more. She really seemed to like this one since she was now up to four in total.