Chapter 91 Case File 2: Witch Carnival (12)
The fish was a grass carp caught from the river, weighing seven or eight pounds, its flesh, as you might imagine, tough and stale. Andrei used to just stab this kind of fish with a spear and roast it over the campfire, roasting it until it was half crispy and half burnt, eating half and throwing away the other half.
He had just seen the lich cooking, so he had an idea on the spur of the moment, but he didn't expect the finished product to be so delicious.
The grass carp, whose skin, meat and bones are fried until crispy, does not taste rough, hard or difficult to eat at all. Instead, it has a crispy and firm texture that makes people want to eat more after one bite.
The deep-fried fish, immersed in the broth, rehydrates and becomes succulent, not dry, but rather spongy and juicy. The broth's flavor is incredibly rich and complex, perfectly salty and light, fragrant, spicy, and fresh, with a rich, fragrant bean aroma.
The fish was so large that the clay pot seemed a bit small, preventing the fish from being fully submerged. The head and tail, sticking out from the edge, had a completely different flavor and texture. The uninvolved parts remained crispy and dry from being fried. Even the previously annoying bones were crispy, making them easy to chew and swallow. The aroma was permeating without being harsh on the palate—a true blessing for those who love fish but hate fish bones.
The most wonderful part is the critical point. The pastry is slightly moistened by the soup but not soaked, and it is soft yet crispy, with a beauty that spans two worlds.
The fish head and tail are crispy, the fish meat is chewy, and the belly is soft and absorbs enough broth... Every part has a different texture and taste. It seems that one fish has become several different dishes. What's even more amazing is that there is not a trace of the unique earthy smell of grass carp... It is not bitter, fishy or smelly, and it tastes delicious no matter how you eat it!
The side dishes are equally amazing - the sweet potato starch is soft and absorbs the flavor of the soup. You can taste the sweetness of onions and the fragrance of green peppers in one bite; the onions are sweet with a hint of crispness, and the green peppers are fragrant and slightly spicy... Eating a few bites of fish and then a few bites of vegetables can bring more freshness to people and you will never get tired of it.
Andre even felt that if more varieties of vegetables and mushrooms were added, the grilled fish would become more substantial and delicious.
——Well, next time when you get fish, try to get some more vegetables as well.
The people who were chatting and laughing at the beginning soon lowered their heads and started eating. The table was quiet and the only sounds were the clinking of dishes and chopsticks, the clinking of glasses, and the occasional sounds of praise and comfort.
Jiangyou slurped the soul fire and admired everyone's intoxicated eating expressions. The sense of accomplishment almost overflowed from his ribs.
The delicious dishes were devoured, leaving the tables bare, as if swept by a tornado. Everyone sighed comfortably, their full bellies brimming with satisfaction: "Ah, this is so delicious!"
It was late at night, and everyone helped clean up the trash before leaving. Andre stretched and walked over to Jiang You, who was tidying up the snack bar, as if he had something to say.
"What's the matter?" the lich asked with a smile.
"The two criminals captured tonight were hired by the same person." Andre looked around and saw no one was around. He lowered his voice and said, "That person hasn't been found yet, but I have a suspicion... This might be the work of Augustin van Neumann, the mayor of Eston West City."
"Eh?" Takumi's eyes flashed with gossip, "Why?"
"There are several reasons," Andrei explained. "First, the Witch Forest is located outside his territory, and the witches' beer is one of the most profitable industries nearby. I heard from Aunt Mana that many lords in the surrounding area are scheming to seize the witches' industry, and Baron Neumann is one of them.
"If we disrupt the witches' midsummer carnival and make people believe that the bonfires, alcohol, and food here are hallucinogenic and dangerous, the witches' sales will plummet. Without the support of the beer industry, the entire Witch Forest will lose its economic source and political backing. They will have to seek a new way out, even if it means agreeing to the harsh conditions of the nearby lords with ill intentions."
"Hiss!" Jiang You gasped, "What vicious lords!"
"Yes. Furthermore, I doubt Baron Neumann's intentions in sending me here." Andre frowned. "I think he wants to kill two birds with one stone. If a major incident occurs during the Midsummer Carnival in the Witch Forest, we, the ones responsible for security, will bear the brunt of the consequences and become the target of public criticism."
Jiang You thought about it and nodded in agreement. The two criminals, mingling among so many bizarre tourists of varying appearances and races, all carrying all sorts of strange magical items, were indeed difficult for the Kingdom's knights to detect. If it weren't for the lich, she, by chance, was there, a disaster would have been inevitable.
At such a massive carnival, whether the bonfire was spiked with potions or kerosene, it would have a significant impact on the surrounding crowds. Once the crowd became confused or panicked, it could lead to shoving, trampling, and even bloodshed and widespread casualties.
If a second culprit poisoned her stall, or any other shop, that would be even worse. The shops here are all honorary members of the Witch Forest and have close ties to it. If a customer were killed or injured, it would be a disaster for both the happy visitors who came here to have fun and for the unlucky shop owners!
Of course, if something happened to the shopkeepers or diners, it wouldn't necessarily affect the Kingdom's knights. But there were so many things they could do. For example, if the knights—specifically Andrei—let their guard down and drank a little beer, danced, or ate something they shouldn't at the beer festival, thus ignoring the criminal's presence... they could fabricate as many charges as they wanted, making it impossible to prevent them.
"Just for a little profit, you're so unscrupulous!" Jiang You felt his fist harden again, "It's really abominable!"
"The busiest day of the Midsummer Carnival is over, but there are still two days before the guests leave," Andre warned. "Don't let your guard down. We don't know how many enemies are still lurking in the shadows. If the local lords are behind this, then they can hire as many troublemakers as they want."
"If you smell something wrong, tell us immediately. I don't care if it's just ordinary people quarreling or someone deliberately doing it. Anyway, it's better to be cautious. Arrest the ones with problems first, and we can slowly interrogate the rest." Andre thought, "Well, just to be safe, I need to get you an amulet..."
Jiang You tilted his head. "Hmm?" Amulet? What's that? A magic item?
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