Chapter 279: The Contract of the Missing

Oxenfurt Academy’s literary restaurant was washed in fresh sea wind and soft daylight through the windows, lighting a table covered with every sort of delicacy.

The Witchers sat around the table and devoured the food like wolves. Their speed, and the boldness of their manners, left Oxenfurt’s teachers and students staring.

Most of those teachers and students came from decent families, wealthy if not noble. At the party’s behavior, some showed disdain, others curiosity, secretly studying them with strange little smiles.

The Witchers did not care in the least. They worked their jaws and ate heartily.

“Try this limited-serving stewed graygill scale fish...” Linus Pitt pointed at a basin of pale-yellow, creamy fish soup and recommended it. “Graygill scale fish are a specialty of the Pontar delta at Oxenfurt’s sea mouth, where fresh water and seawater meet. The flesh is tender and nearly boneless. Very sought after. I only managed to reserve one portion through a teacher’s privilege.”

Roy put down the caviar pie in his hand, tasted the fish soup, and could not help narrowing his eyes in comfort.

“Now this is enjoyment. The stewed fish I ate before was nothing beside this. But Mr. Linus, graygill scale fish only come from the delta. Aren’t they protected animals?”

The scholar shook his head and explained, “You need not worry about that. Graygill scale fish are protected by limited-catch bans, and the Academy’s natural history department spends effort every year fighting illegal fishing and hunting, so their numbers have remained within a normal range, far from endangered. Besides, though I am devoted to saving endangered animals, I am not some rigid vegetarian.”

“Try this veal marinated in broccoli juice as well ... the restaurant’s signature dish, most popular among Academy students.”

Next, one Oxenfurt Academy-style dish after another refreshed the Witchers’ understanding. These specialties were not only finely plated and astonishing in taste, but also balanced in nutrition.

They were far beyond the rough stews and roasts served in taverns elsewhere.

“Oxenfurt Academy is a place that corrupts a man...” Orin leaned back in his wicker chair, rubbing his slightly bulging belly, and belched with satisfaction. “Aside from Roy’s cooking, nothing has ever impressed me like this.”