Chapter 24: Olive oil gives a nice touch

Olive oil gives a nice touch.

“Master, the meal is ready.”

“Oh, I’ve been waiting.”

The dinner Rudy made was a Greek-style Mediterranean dish. Noemi’s stomach growled as she looked at the dishes placed on the table.

First, there was Yemista with vegetables. Tomato and bell peppers were hollowed out, and the extracted insides were blended into a paste. Then, they were sautéed in olive oil. Rice, ground meat, and tomato sauce were combined and stuffed back into the hollowed-out vegetables.

For the bread dip, there was Taramosalata. Salted cod roe was mixed with mashed potatoes, and then seasoned with lemon juice, grated garlic, and olive oil.

And for the meat dish, there was Kleftiko. Lamb with bones was marinated in olive oil and lemon juice, then wrapped in aluminum foil and steamed.

Lastly, there was yogurt. The yogurt was strained, resulting in the creamy taste unique to Greek yogurt. Mint leaves were placed on top to add a refreshing flavor.

“Wow, it looks delicious again today!”

“Master, your vocabulary is running out again.”

Rudy teased Noemi, who was getting excited at the sight of the food.

“I’m telling you, it’s Rudy’s fault for making such delicious-looking dishes.”

“Aww, come on…”

As they had a similar conversation to yesterday, a drone arrived carrying drinks.

“Master, shall we have an aperitif?”

“Of course.”

Noemi nodded in agreement with Rudy’s suggestion.

“Today’s drink is ouzo.”

“Ouzo?”

“It’s a Greek alcoholic beverage. It’s best enjoyed with water.”

Rudy poured ouzo into glasses and added water and ice. The transparent ouzo turned cloudy and white.

“Now, let’s see how it tastes.”

With anticipation, Noemi took a sip of the diluted ouzo. It had a sweet aroma of anise spice as a base, with the flavors of coriander and other herbs spreading in her mouth. It was refreshing and delicious.

“It has a great aroma and flavor.”

“Mmm, it’s delicious!”

Rudy nodded in agreement with Noemi’s opinion.

The dishes were all generously infused with olive oil and the flavors were exquisite. The refreshing yogurt helped cleanse the palate from the richness, making it feel like they could eat endless amounts.

“Does Rudy like cooking?”

Noemi asked Rudy during their meal, and he nodded.

“I enjoy both cooking and eating.”

“That’s why you know so many dishes.”

“I know a variety of dishes. And there’s a deep reason behind it.”

“Tell me the reason.”

“I’m a space courier, as I mentioned before.”

“Oh, I remember.”

“I transport packages and travel to different planets. But when I arrive at each destination, I’m too busy to do any sightseeing.”

“So?”

“Since I can’t go sightseeing, I compensate by exploring the local cuisine of the planets. And during the travels, I have plenty of free time, so I recreate and cook those delicious dishes.” (T/N: But all the dishes you have made so far come from one planet though)

“I see. That reason isn’t very profound.”

Noemi nodded, and Rudy stared at her face for a moment before speaking again.

“But, Master. I realized something while eating together with you.”

“What is it?”

“Eating with someone else is more enjoyable than eating alone. The food tastes better.”

Noemi smiled and nodded.

“I feel the same way.”

And so, the two of them continued to enjoy their conversation late into the night, discussing magic, chemistry, and various other topics while drinking.

—————–

The following morning.

Rudy, who had accompanied the heavy drinker Noemi, was once again knocked out by a hangover.

“Ouch… my head.”

“You’re feeling dizzy, but are you alright?”

“Master, you’re too strong with alcohol.”

“I think I’m pretty normal…”

“I’m the one who’s supposed to be good at drinking. Yet, I’m no match for this abnormality.”

Rudy sighed in frustration.

“So, what are we going to do today?”

“In the morning, we’ll get on the spaceship. In the afternoon, we’ll work on Master’s house.”

Noemi asked, and Rudy answered, causing her to shrug her shoulders in disbelief.

“You seem busy.”

“It’s because Master’s house is so rundown.”

“But it was you who suggested rebuilding the house, Rudy.”

“You influenced me, Master. You’re a bad person.”

Just like the previous day, Rudy skipped breakfast, muttering, “Let the stomach acid rage,” while Noemi ate her breakfast. Then the two of them entered the spaceship.

The two entered the spaceship’s AI room. The room remained the same, with a massive computer towering in the center, and silence filled the room.

“Hal, what’s the situation?”

“The power repairs have been completed. We are currently in the final check stage.”

“Understood. Sorry to bother you with various tasks.”

“There is still plenty of capacity, so no problem.”

After Rudy contacted Hal, he moved to the console terminal. Then Noemi, who had come along, approached and spoke.

“What’s going to happen now?”

“We’re going to wake up the spaceship’s management AI.”

“AI… I think I’ve heard about it before.”

“Well, in Master’s world, it’s like a talking golem? Something like that.”

“I see, I understand.”

After waiting for a while, they received a message from Hal, who had finished the checks.

“Master, the check is complete. I can restore it anytime.”

“Understood. Start it now.”

“Yes, Master.”

After Hal’s response, the power lamp of the AI server console lit up. Rudy realized that it was now powered on and pressed a button.

The console started up, and a password input screen appeared on the monitor.

A password… No wireless. Wired connectors… This one should work.

Rudy took out a network cable from his bag, combed his hair aside, and plugged it into a port behind his left ear, directly connecting the console to the electronic brain.

Noemi, who was watching the scene from behind, was surprised and spoke.

“Rudy, what are you doing?”

“I’m in the process of unlocking the password. Stand by and let it be removed.”

“No, not that. There’s a thread sticking out of your head.”

“If we’re using metaphors, I’m a homemade brain.”

“Sorry, but I’ll never understand that metaphor in my life. Ah, sorry for interrupting, please continue your work.”

“Sure.”

Without needing to be told by Noemi, Rudy attempted to unlock the password while conversing. Within less than three minutes, he successfully logged in and turned on the power of the AI server.

“Awaken.”

With Rudy’s voice, the previously motionless AI server began to emit light.

“Oh!”

While Rudy remained calm, Noemi was amazed at what was happening with the AI server.

“I am Soliris, the management AI of the cruiser Bianca Flare, belonging to the Galactic Empire Special Fleet.”

A female voice with a mechanical tone spoke to Rudy and Noemi.