Capítulo 909: Chapter 907: Toe Rum
Richard looked with interest at the tavern owner, who appeared to be around forty years old, with a round belly and a stature not tall, resembling a stout oak barrel. However, the horizontal lines on the owner’s face, the strong arms, and the thick calluses on his hands all indicated someone not easily provoked.
The owner wore a somewhat yellowed white shirt and tied a flax-colored long pants, standing calmly behind the counter, wiping glasses. His efficient demeanor was hard to ignore, reminiscent of a character like a retired killer, which was clearly why he could control the crowd.
Richard stepped forward to the counter, the tavern owner raised his head, glanced lazily, and said, “Two guests, you’re from out of town, aren’t you?”
“Why do you say that?” Richard asked.
“Because the boots you wear are obviously not locally made. The area is damp all year round, and local boots tend to have higher soles, while yours are quite shallow,” said the tavern owner.
Without waiting for Richard to react, Bobbobovic next to him couldn’t help but turn to look at the feet of the other diners in the tavern, realizing it was true, and displayed a somewhat approving expression towards the tavern owner.
The tavern owner’s face did not show pride, only maintained a regular expression and said, “Since you gentlemen are from out of town, you might not be used to some of the specialty dishes. I’d recommend common dishes like milk mushroom soup, pan-fried veal steak, and jam white bread.”
“Thanks for your kindness, but we would like to try some specialty dishes,” Richard said, “Please note, we’ll have a serving of rotten quail roast chicken, a serving of black blood clot stewed beef, a serving of salted stinky tofu, two turmeric breads…”
The tavern owner’s face was initially calm, but upon hearing Richard mention the fourth dish, he suddenly looked at Richard with slight surprise, knitting his brows, seeming uncertain.
Richard continued, “A serving of meat sprout lamb chops, a serving of black mushroom white egg soup, and a cup of Toe Rum.”
After hearing Richard’s order, the tavern owner opened his mouth wide and looked deeply at Richard, becoming a bit more respectful. However, he didn’t make any overly bold movements, just whispered, “Please wait a moment, I’ll go instruct the kitchen.”
Finishing his words, he turned and walked out from behind the counter, entering the back kitchen.
About ten seconds later, the tavern owner returned, carrying a sharp steel fork shining with a cold gleam.
The steel fork had only two prongs, shaped like a “U,” designed specifically for hunting. Because compared to a three-pronged fork, a two-pronged fork could pierce into the body of a beast more easily.
The tavern owner brought out the steel fork, immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the tavern. Most looked with curious eyes, wanting to see what the tavern owner intended to do. Some turned their gaze to Richard and Bobbobovic with some mockery. They were regulars, and in their view, Richard and Bobbobovic must have unknowingly offended the hot-tempered tavern owner, causing him to take out the steel fork to teach them a lesson.
Unexpectedly, the tavern owner grasped the steel fork, exerted force, and with a “bang,” stabbed it fiercely into the countertop. The two prongs of the steel fork sank below the surface, while the wooden handle vibrated in mid-air, producing a “buzzing” sound.
Everyone was stunned.
The tavern owner swept a cold gaze over all the seated guests, emotionless, and announced, “Today, the tavern is closing early. Everyone, please leave immediately. If anyone is unwilling, come to the counter, and I’ll have a talk with him.”
People glanced at the tavern owner and then at the still trembling steel fork on the counter. They hesitated less than a second before standing in unison, heading out without hesitation, leaving the place empty in moments.
After all, they really dared not provoke the irritable tavern owner.
Another aspect was that since closing early, they were leaving without paying seemed like they were getting a good deal, so why not do it?
Thus, the tavern was left with only the tavern owner, Richard, and Bobbobovic, along with the steel fork still vibrating in the counter.
The tavern owner laboriously pulled out the steel fork with both hands, threw it to the ground, stepped out from behind the counter, and displayed a respectful expression. He looked at Richard and Bobbobovic and said, “Gentlemen, you must be the noblemen from the west. My master already informed me you would come, though I didn’t expect you to arrive so soon.
Please rest for a bit, I’ll notify my master to come. Also, if you want anything to eat, just let me know, and I’ll have the kitchen prepare it.”
“Something normal, just prepare a bit casually,” Richard said to the tavern owner, not ordering any more specialty dishes, as he felt those specialties might truly be too exotic.
The tavern owner nodded upon hearing and left.
“Wait!”
Bobbobovic then called out to him.
“Sir, is there anything else you need?” the tavern owner turned to Bobbobovic and asked.
“That…,” Bobbobovic rubbed his hands and said, “If possible, I’d like to try the Toe Rum previously ordered.”
“Toe Rum? Really?” the tavern owner confirmed. Toe Rum was part of the code that Richard last ordered as the specialty, but ordering it now indeed surprised the owner.
“Yes,” Bobbobovic nodded, “I heard about this drink a long time ago. It’s said to taste quite good, so I’d like to try and see what the flavor is.”
“Alright–” the tavern owner stretched his tone, appearing somewhat hesitant but not daring to refuse Bobbobovic, thus agreed and headed toward the kitchen.
About half an hour later, the tavern owner returned, serving various foods to the table where Richard and Bobbobovic sat, and said, “Gentlemen, I’ve informed my master, and he’ll be here soon. Please wait.”
“Alright,” Richard and Bobbobovic nodded.
Then, the tavern owner carefully served a cup of golden liquid in front of Bobbobovic, saying, “Sir, this is the Toe Rum you requested. Before you drink, I’d like to say…”
“It really looks quite good,” Bobbobovic said, interrupting the tavern owner, and before he could finish, had already lifted the cup and took a sip.
“Tsk tsk!”
Bobbobovic savored it carefully and commented, “Hmm, it indeed tastes good, a bit refreshing, quite different from the one I drank in Jialan City.”
After his evaluation, Bobbobovic looked at the tavern owner and asked, “By the way, what were you going to remind me of?”
“Uh, actually no, please enjoy, sir, I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first,” the tavern owner said, turning to leave as if staying longer might lead to something unpleasant.
Bobbobovic watched the tavern owner’s retreating figure with slight puzzlement, yet he didn’t care much and took another sip of the rum, showing an admiring look.