Chapter 66

---

The bath was built in a place with a good view of the river. It wasn't a secret, so it wasn't surrounded by a fence.

"There probably isn't anyone peeping, but the view is a bit too good..."

"If it bothers you, shall I set up a screen?"

Cherina, who had appeared beside him, replied.

"How did the charcoal and washi paper turn out?"

"Both are going well. There should be no problem releasing them as products."

Considering the quality of the washi paper with the bath illustrations, I agreed.

"I'll distribute today's batch of washi paper as samples to the commercial guild. It will naturally spread to areas outside the Veriello Chamber's trade routes."

"You've thought this through, haven't you?"

"We will gradually transfer the chamber's documents from bulky wooden blocks to washi paper. We'll need to gather poor students who usually copy manuscripts to make ends meet."

"Is it okay for the chamber's documents to be seen?"

"We'll handle it properly."

"If you're aware of it, that's fine."

Well, there's no way this woman wouldn't notice such things.

"However, we might need to delay the next departure a bit."

"Departure? You mean the ship?"

"Yes, even if the quality of the washi paper and charcoal is acceptable, we need more time to consider the amount that can be loaded onto the ship."

"Ah, that ship is quite large, isn't it?"

"Even with the charcoal, the washi paper will definitely attract attention. Lighters will also sell well."

"I hope so."

"I'm confident."

When this woman says something, it's convincing.

"Akira, I'm done connecting it."

"Already?"

Whether it's the stone oven or the bath, there's nothing to do until the firing is complete. If anything, I should check the quality of the washi paper and charcoal, but Cherina seems to have finished that, and I've already checked it.

"Is it bad to relax?"

I don't understand the meaning.

"Hmph, since you have time, I'll train you."

"Huh?! No, I don't need it! I've had enough for today!"

"Training is never enough. Give up!"

"Hey! Don't pull me! Ah! My cigarette fell! At least let me finish it! Please! I beg you!"

As I reached for the now 260-yen ultra-luxury cigarette, Hagg's strong arm pulled me closer, making it smaller and smaller. Yarai, noticing this, sighed and picked it up, putting it in his mouth.

"Don't smoke it without permission!"

My soul's cry reached no one's heart.

---

"I... I'm dying..."

"Relax, people don't die that easily."

"No... I'm definitely... going to die from exhaustion..."

I was made to repeatedly lift and lower a log. It was no different from the torture of digging a hole and filling it back up, which apparently existed in the past.

Lift the log, lower it, lift it, lower it, lift it, lower it, lift it, lower it... Oh no! I'm losing my sense of reality!

When I tried to run away, Hagg gently pinned me down with another log.

How can he hold such a thick log with one hand? It doesn't make sense!

I repeated the lifting and lowering of the log, half crying. Yeah, half crying... actually, I was crying for real. Help me.

"Isn't this a bit too Spartan? When I was trained, it took much longer."

"There aren't many who can tell a young lady to do this. If I were your master, I'd make you do it without question. In fact, considering your physical strength, I'd make you do even harder things."

"That's... true..."

Cherina, who tried to help, was quickly talked into submission. Please, try harder.

"Relax, Akira can already use his波动 (wave) to the minimum. His basic physical strength will improve soon. You agreed to train Akira, didn't you?"

"That's true, but I didn't expect it to take so much time."

"Hmph. If you slack off at the beginning, you can't become a warrior."

"But I have no intention of becoming a warrior..."

"Akira! If you have time to talk, put more effort into it! If you don't properly use your波动 (wave), you'll die from muscle pain!"

"Really..."

In the first place, I can't lift the log without using my波动 (wave), and if I let my guard down, I'll be crushed. Why do I have to endure this torture...

"Hagg, the firing is done."

It was Dauro.

"Ah, that's right! Akira, you can stop now."

"Phew..."

I threw the log away and collapsed on the spot. I'm dying...

"What are you doing, Akira? The stone oven is finished, let's make something delicious!"

Ah, this guy is a demon. I'll get my revenge on him mentally someday.

---

The stone oven was already cleaned, with not a speck of ash left.

There was still some residual heat, but it wasn't a problem.

"Damn... If I had mentioned preparing the meal when Hagg started talking about training, I could have escaped..."

"That's... I'm sorry to hear that."

Cherina sympathized with my muttering. We both looked like we regretted it.

"Ah... well, it's fine. Cherina, do you have the ingredients I asked for?"

"Of course. The head chef wanted to come, but he had other business."

"It's not that difficult. I don't know the seasonings, though."

I lined up the all-purpose flour, cake flour, salt, and olive oil that had been prepared for me.

Not only the Veriello Chamber's executives, but Hagg and Yarai were also watching with interest.

"The dry yeast was prepared here. Apparently, you can't get it unless you're part of the baker's guild."

[Dry Yeast (50g) = 285 yen]

I'll have Cherina settle the money later, so my balance remains unchanged.

I sifted the flour, mixed it with salt, dry yeast, warm water, and olive oil. After mixing lightly, I kneaded it into a ball, then flattened and folded it. I covered it with a damp cloth...

"Oh, I need to let it ferment for a while..."

What should I do? If I say it will take 1-2 hours, Hagg will get angry.

I'll make something simple and easy to eat first.

So, I confirmed the new approval and started cooking.

[Salmon Fillet = 212 yen]

[Gratin Dish = 1350 yen]

[Basil Sauce = 598 yen]

[Garlic (10kg) = 1980 yen]

I took out the salmon for the number of people, marinated it for 10 minutes, and arranged it in heat-resistant dishes, drizzled with basil sauce, and added sliced lemons for color.

I placed them in the already warm stone oven to bake.

"Hmm, that looks delicious."

"Meat would have been fine, but I felt like something else."

When I took out the baked heat-resistant dishes, a delicious aroma filled the air.

"It's done."

Ideally, I should have added some green leaves, but I couldn't think of anything. The color is a bit dull, but it's fine.

"Let's eat... Whoa! What kind of fish is this?! It has a very firm texture!"

Without saying "Itadakimasu," Hagg immediately dug in. At least show some respect to the sponsor, Cherina...

The others waited for Cherina to start eating.

"Let's eat... This fish isn't from around here. My father or brother might know, but I don't. The rich and delicate flavor combines the best of red and white fish. The green sauce enhances it, and the olive oil spreads smoothly, making it feel good on the tongue."

"Thanks for the food review as always."

When the young lady encouraged the others, they dove into the grilled salmon and basil sauce like starving children.

"Delicious."

Yarai is as usual.

"Hmm... I didn't understand why you had to make such a grand thing just by baking, but the baking is quite different from direct fire... I heard the bread oven is made like this..."

"Far-infrared heat penetrates the food, cooking it thoroughly inside."

"Far-infrared... I don't know what that is, but it's interesting to know that heat isn't just about direct application."

"You can also bake bread, but I think you need permission."

"Yes. Baking bread is a forbidden territory."

For some reason, I remembered the word "sacred" when it comes to rice.

"Ugh, I hope the next thing I make isn't bread..."

"Is it bread?"

"The dough-making process is similar..."

"If this trial turns out to be bread, we should keep quiet and never make it again."

"That might be for the best. It's safe to make it here, right?"

"Yes, the people here are fine. We're not selling it."

"Then, the dough has risen, so let's continue."

The fermentation was fast due to the high temperature.

I kneaded the dough to release the gas and shaped it again for the second fermentation.

Since this also takes some time, I made some simple grilled dishes with the leftover ingredients.

"This stone oven bakes juicier than direct fire."

"Basically, you can bake meat or fish. Managing the heat will take some practice, but you'll get the hang of it with trial and error."

At least, I think it's much easier to control the heat compared to the stoves commonly used in this town.

"Well, that's all I can do. The rest is up to you to be creative."

"Yes, that's enough."

While the others were enjoying grilled dishes with soy sauce, olive oil, and salt bases, the dough finished fermenting.

The sky was already dark, with a dark orange horizon.

I stretched the dough with my fingers, a skill I practiced at the request of my boss's grandson. No matter how well I do this, it won't increase my salary, which is frustrating.

Honestly, considering the job content and the amount I earn, I feel more fortunate in this world. There are some annoying elements, though...

Now, let's make pizza. I initially thought about making the sauce from whole tomatoes, but it was too much trouble, so I got the commercial sauce approved.

[Pizza Sauce = 317 yen]

I spread the pizza sauce on the stretched dough, arranged the cheese and bacon provided, and put it in the stone oven. Thanks to the heat already in the oven, the cheese quickly bubbled and a delicious aroma filled the air.

"It's done."

I cut the pizza into eight slices and tasted one.

"Hot! ...Yeah, the cheese is richer and more delicious than I imagined. The dough might not be the best..."

The dough, made in a rush, might not have fermented enough, making the texture a bit off. But overall, it's acceptable.

"Hmm, this looks different. ...Mmm! It has a mysterious texture! It looks like a thin bread, but the main ingredients are cheese and bacon! At first, I thought you were being stingy with the bacon, but the overall saltiness is just right with this amount."

"Yes. Extra seasoning would overpower the cheese and sauce. The bread dough is thin, so it complements the toppings."

"Delicious."

"This is... a flavor that makes your tongue fall off."

The reviews are quite positive. Maybe it's well-received because this is a bread-eating culture.

"I'm glad you like it. With cheese, the flavor possibilities are endless. I think this can be adapted into various dishes with some creativity."

"Yes... but is this... bread or a different food?"

"Miss, if you commercialize this, the baker's guild will definitely come after you."

"I understand... In fact, selling the recipe to the baker's guild might be more constructive."

"What, will I get in trouble if I make this delicious thing at home again?"

Hagg frowned as he bit into his third pizza.

"Making it at home is quite gray, but if it's treated as bread, it will be strict. There's no need to take unnecessary risks."

"Humans are completely incomprehensible... The best thing is for everyone to make and eat delicious food together."

"I agree. However, bread is closely tied to the state. If we had connections with the royal family, it might be possible, but we don't."

I remembered the Pig King. If Cherina sells pizza, he will definitely claim it's bread and have her arrested. It's completely out of control.

"If we approach the baker's guild, we can continue making it under the guise of product development."

I see, you won't let me off that easily.

"Well, I'll leave that to you. You don't even understand basic common sense."

"My arm is tingling."

While talking to Cherina, more pizzas were being baked. The Veriello Chamber's people were already taking over the cooking.

"Well, I'm hungry, so I'm going to take a bath."

"Ah..."

Apparently, she still doesn't understand why I'm so obsessed with the bath, so she gives a silly response.

"Just take your time eating."

Without waiting for her response, I went to check on the brick bath. The firing was already done, and it seemed ready for water. This was thanks to the efforts of the dwarf Hagg and the Veriello Chamber's technical executives. Normally, it wouldn't be this quick, especially for something they've never made before. Both are highly skilled.

I'm aware that I'm wasting their skills, materials, and funds, but I think I've made a good profit for Cherina. This is within the range of what I owe her, I think. Probably.

I filled the bathtub with water using a bucket several times.

Boiling water would have been fine, but since we made a mechanism to boil water, I wanted to test it.

Cherina paid for the water and other miscellaneous expenses, laughing it off as less than 100 yen. Those who laugh at a penny will cry over a penny.

I decided to use the lower-quality charcoal from the batch produced for testing. There's no point in using the high-quality ones here.

When the iron pipe, coiled like a spring, was heated, the water inside slowly warmed up, and convection began.

Before I knew it, a bonfire had been set up to illuminate the surface of the bath.

The slight temperature difference made the surface ripple, and if left alone, the water would eventually boil.

I borrowed a screen and arranged it to block the view from the hut. The river was in front of me. The water was brown, but at this time, it wasn't too noticeable. The plants along the river and the flow of the water, illuminated by the bonfire, gave a sense of the local atmosphere.

I moved the bonfire to avoid illuminating the bath too much. Then, the night sky was filled with a sea of stars. Looking closely, a brighter line, like the Milky Way, ran through it. It must be the thickness of the galaxy this planet belongs to. The darkness of the night suggests that this planet is at the edge of the galaxy.

Today, the two moons were more than half full, making the stars even clearer. If all the bonfires were extinguished, it would be an experience like sinking into the starry sky. I remembered the first night I was thrown into the wilderness.

...Sentimentality doesn't suit me.

By the time I noticed, the bath was at a comfortable temperature. I moved the charcoal to the side to prevent it from getting too hot, then took off all my clothes.

I slowly immersed myself in the slightly hot water, feeling my body melt from the inside out.

"Ah~ Hell or paradise?"

I took a towel from the container and placed it on my head. I soaked it in the bathtub once and wrung it out. I've been doing as I please since coming here...

I enjoyed the starry sky floating in the bathtub while smoking.

This might be one of the happiest moments of my life.

My thoughts gradually sank into the water. When I couldn't tell if my body was in the water or among the stars, I was cooked.

"Ugh... It's hot."

I sat on the edge of the brick bath to cool down. The bricks were rough against my skin, which was a drawback. It would be hard to make it smooth without plastic.

While slowly releasing the heat from my body, someone came from behind the screen. I couldn't see clearly because I