"I know Grandpa Chen from my childhood," Paramita began as they sat down. "His name is Chen Feng. He was a knight under my father's command. During a beast attack, he injured his leg and couldn't heal properly. Afterward, he stayed at our house for a while, helping with chores. I was too young back then, but I have lots of memories playing with him. Eventually, he opened this restaurant."
"I thought you just liked the food here, so you came." Ranav sipped from his water bottle.
"That's also true," Paramita replied with a smile. "Grandpa Chen is originally from the Kurmanchal region. His village was destroyed during a beast stampede, and he lost his entire family. He came to our county searching for work, and Dad recruited him for his experience in combat. When he was injured and couldn't fight anymore, he stayed at our home. He'd often make fried fish for me, it's a specialty of the Kurmanchal region, and I loved it. After he opened this restaurant, I started coming here to enjoy his cooking again."
"That's a tragic backstory," Ranav said, his expression softening. "Didn't he marry later?"
"No, he never remarried. He has no family, and that's why he hasn't renovated his restaurant. Once he's gone, there will be no one to continue the business. He only makes regional food, and he's excellent at it. Most of his customers are from the extreme north or are longtime locals."
"From a business perspective, that's not great. But I can relate to his situation."
"Dad tried several times to invest in his restaurant, but Grandpa Chen refused. Until recently, he ran this place all by himself. A few months ago, he found an orphan boy from his region and brought him here. He's training the boy now. I hope he'll carry on Grandpa Chen's legacy. It would be a shame for this restaurant to close."
At that moment, a boy around twelve years old approached their table, balancing a tray of dishes. "Miss, your dishes are ready," he said politely. Carefully, he placed the plates on the table, bowed, and added, "If you need anything, please call me."
"Wang Lin," Paramita said, "this is Ranav, my friend. Remember him, okay? Oh, and bring us two bottles of mountain spring water. Thanks."
Wang Lin bowed again and replied, "Hello, sir. Please call me if you come back later. I'll bring your water now." Shortly afterward, he returned with two bottles.
"This water is from the Strirajya's hot springs," Paramita said, passing a bottle to Ranav. "It has miraculous effects for curing diseases. People from the extreme north believe it's a blessing from the water goddess. Grandpa Chen receives it as a gift from northern customers. You can't buy it here… go ahead, take a sip."
Ranav unscrewed the cap and took a sip. Instantly, he felt spiritual energy flow through his body, rushing to his dantian without any meditation.
"Is this water rich in spiritual energy?" he asked, astonished.
"Yes," Paramita confirmed. "But most of its energy dissipates during transport. Mom told me that at its source, the spiritual energy is so dense it looks like a fog covering the area. I want to visit the Strirajya Sect when I grow up. Meditating there must be incredibly beneficial for advancement."
"What's the Strirajya Sect?" Ranav asked.
"You don't know?" She seemed surprised. "It's a sect in the north, near the White Mountain Range. Only female mages can join. There are no men in the sect, and they rule the entire Strirajya region. It's outside the Mayura Kingdom's borders."
"This is the first time I've heard of any sect," Ranav admitted. "Aside from the three kingdoms, I haven't learned much about the world."
"That's understandable," Paramita said gently. "Village schools don't have libraries, so your opportunities to learn about the world were limited. Still, your knowledge for your age is impressive. We have a library at home, you should visit it. And once you join a magic school, you'll have even better resources to learn more."
She paused, then added, "Now eat. The food will get cold."
The two began eating the fried fish.
"This dish is called Arsa," Paramita explained. "It's a traditional fried fish dish from the northern region. The rohu fish is marinated in turmeric, red chili powder, ginger-garlic paste, and local northern spices. Then it's shallow-fried in mustard oil, which gives it a crispy, golden exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender."
Pointing to a small bowl of sauce, she added, "This is made from hemp seeds. Hemp is a type of cannabis, but don't worry… it's completely safe. The sauce is a unique specialty of Grandpa Chen's village. It's made by grinding hemp seeds with spices, garlic, and green chilies."
Finally, she gestured to a glass on the table. "This is called Chach, a buttermilk-based drink flavored with spices. It's a cooling beverage, also from the north."
"I'm impressed by how much you know about these dishes," Ranav said in amazement.
"I watched Grandpa Chen prepare them when he stayed at our home," she replied. "He taught me the steps and the ingredients."
"This fish fry is incredible," Ranav said, savoring the flavors. "And the sauce amplifies the taste even more. I thought cannabis was only used as a drug… I had no idea the seeds could be this delicious. Does it have any mental effects?"
"No," Paramita reassured him. "The seeds don't have the same effects as the leaves. Don't worry, I wouldn't offer you anything harmful."
"That's a relief," Ranav said, chuckling.
"Drink a sip of water; it'll enhance your taste buds."
When they finished their meal, Ranav leaned back in his chair, satisfied. "That was the best meal I've had in a long time. Thank you for introducing me to these regional specialties. Without you, I might never have discovered this place."
Paramita placed two silver coins on the table, thanked Grandpa Chen, and led Ranav outside. It was already afternoon. The weather has become a bit colder already.
"We should head back," Ranav said. "It's getting late, and Aunt Vedika will worry about us."
"Don't worry," Paramita said confidently. "This is our town, and all the patrol officers work under Dad. She won't be worried."
"That's a relief, but I still want to return and rest. Let's hire a carriage."
"Okay."
They approached a carriage nearby and climbed in. As they settled in, the coachman started the journey back. Ranav glanced out the window, squinting.
"I think I just saw your boyfriend," he said.