Chapter 15

In modern Japan, the bread that is commonly eaten is made by mixing flour with eggs, butter, milk, and other ingredients, then letting it rise with yeast before baking.

But early bread was different.

It didn't contain luxurious ingredients like eggs, butter, or milk.

Yeast hadn't been developed yet either.

It was simply a mixture of flour and water that was baked, similar to crepe batter.

It wasn't inedible.

But it wasn't tasty.

Even though my taste buds had become accustomed to a coarse diet, I still wanted to eat something delicious.

What!? You mean I should endure because I can even eat centipedes?

No way. That was an emergency. I was out of my mind.

Anyway, I'm going to make delicious bread.

I don't have milk, but I do have goat's milk. It might not be a perfect substitute, but it will certainly taste better than water.

What I need is yeast.

Yeast, as the name suggests, is a type of microorganism.

It needs to be cultivated.

It's a mystery whether yeast exists in the air of this world, but it's probably there.

It would be more unlikely for yeast not to exist given that pigs, cows, goats, deer, grapes, olives, wheat, barley, turnips, and clover are all present.

It must be there. Probably.

"How do you make yeast?"

"It's more about increasing it rather than making it... First, you put dried grapes in a pot, add water, and seal it. Then you just leave it."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

I learned this in a hands-on class at elementary school where we made bread. It should be correct.

Is it really appropriate to teach knowledge that is only useful in another world in class?

In the class, we used a bottle, so we could see the process...

But there are no bottles here...

If I leave it for three days, it should work. If it doesn't, I'll just try again.

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"I did it!!"

I picked up the completed bread.

It's hot!

I almost dropped it.

I carefully tore a piece and brought it to my mouth.

Delicious!!

It doesn't compare to the bread sold in Japan, but it's much better than what we usually eat.

This will free us from our coarse diet...

"Is it that good?"

"Try it and you'll see."

I brought the bread to Tera's mouth.

Tera's eyes widened.

"...It's so soft!!"

"Right? From now on, we can eat it every day."

The children started grabbing and eating the bread one after another.

It was a huge success.

Well, now that the atmosphere has relaxed, I'll bring it up.

"According to Yuria, the countries of King Domorgal and King Gilbert had poor harvests again. But King Rosais' country managed to get a decent amount of wheat."

"...So what?"

Rosward looked puzzled.

"You're from King Rosais' country, right?"

"...Yeah, but..."

"You can go back now."

I said this quietly.

There are eight others from King Rosais' country besides Rosward.

If they leave, maintaining the fields will be a bit more difficult.

But it's fine.

Children should grow up with their parents, not with someone like me who doesn't know their parents.

"...Hey, big brother."

"What is it?"

"Are you stupid?"

"...What do you mean by that?"

I don't deserve to be insulted.

I'm saying the right thing. At least, I think I am.

"I did like my parents. But they abandoned us. Once. No matter how unavoidable it was, I can't forgive them. Even if I go back, I won't be welcomed. It will just mean more mouths to feed. And I might be kicked out again. This time, I could be sold as a slave. I don't want to go back."

...

...

You're right.

Returning children to parents who once abandoned them isn't right.

It's something you can understand if you think about it calmly.

The chances of them being mistreated or suffering are much higher.

Why didn't I realize this...

Ah, I see.

It's just my own complex.

Maybe I idealize parents too much because I don't have any.

Maybe I'm just imposing my own desires on them, not wanting them to go through what I did.

"And one more thing."

Rosward smiled.

"Everyone loves you, big brother. You didn't abandon us and helped us. Even though we had no connection to you. So..."

"I see..."

I was the only one thinking strange things.

"Hey! Is there anyone here who wants to go back to their parents? Raise your hand!"

Ron called out to the children loudly.

No one raised their hand.

"Then, who wants to follow the leader from now on? Raise your hand!"

Everyone raised their hands at once.

"Hey, you don't have to go with the flow. If you really want to go back, you can. Okay?"

Surely there must be at least one.

After all, everyone was crying at first.

They were calling their parents' names.

But even when I called out, no one stepped forward.

No one changed their expression.

Even if they were going with the flow, they should have changed their expressions. But no one did.

They just stared at me.

What does this mean?

"Being abandoned by your parents means you weren't loved or were mistreated in the village. So even if you were sad at first, you might not want to go back when you think about it calmly. You can always go back if you want. But if you follow you, you won't have to worry about starving. And you're kind. Everyone likes you. Do you understand?"

Tera said this as if to advise me.

I see, is that it?

I'm that well-liked...

"Mr. Almus, are you crying?"

"I'm not crying!! There's no way I would cry. I'm the leader!!"

Damn, crying at this age... Ah, I'm twelve, right.

"Got it. I'll continue to be the leader of this group!! Follow me from now on."

"Understood, Leader!!"

The children shouted in unison.

Why are we so in sync?

Could it be...

"Did you expect me to bring this up and prepare for it?"

"Did we get caught?"

Soyon stuck out her tongue.

"Tera told us that Mr. Almus sometimes says unsettling things."

Gram explained.

So it was Tera.

"Since we had the chance, we thought we'd make the leader cry!!" Ron said.

"Hey, hold on. The one who was most enthusiastic was Rosward. This guy was even practicing his lines?"

"Because I knew I would be the target. I wanted to say something good. And the one who suggested we all shout at the end was Ron!"

"Don't pin the blame on me!!"

They started a big commotion.

I have no intention of scolding them...

"Calm down. I'm not angry. Let's eat the bread. It's a party today!!"

"...It's just bread, though."

Tera muttered.

Shut up, idiot.

Well, it's possible to make it rise with natural fermentation too.