Chapter 9

The next morning, I decided to eat the smoked meat that had been left overnight.

"Ah, it’s properly heated through."

The pork was well-dried, and when I sliced it with a knife, it was thoroughly heated and browned all the way through.

Perhaps because it had been left overnight, there was no smoky smell.

I sliced it by cut and lightly fried it with olive oil.

Juicy meat juices overflowed, and the aroma of the smoked meat was truly appetizing.

After cooking the meat, I placed it on a plate, added some Aonoko and Tobihigo, and it was complete.

After preparing the portion of water for Lent, it was time for the meal.

When I ate the sliced pork, the meat juices spread in my mouth.

"Ah, the flavor of the smoked meat!"

The meat was properly smoked and had the taste of smoked meat.

However, something was missing. The flavor of the smoked meat was there, but it felt insufficient.

"Maybe it’s the seasoning..."

Since there was no salt, I skipped the salting and air-drying process this time.

Normally, I would rub salt into the meat for flavoring and to kill bacteria, but I skipped it because there was no salt.

As a result, the meat had the flavor of smoked meat but lacked a certain punch.

"I really need some salt."

Is there any rock salt somewhere in this forest?

If I had salt, the smoked meat would be complete, and I could also make salt-grilled and salt-cured meat.

I didn’t realize how inconvenient life would be without just one seasoning.

In that sense, my previous life, which was filled with food, was a happy world, even though it was a lot of work.

Oh, reminiscing about the past won’t do any good.

Even though it lacks a bit of punch, I’ve still made a proper smoked meat. It’s a new variation of olive oil-fried meat.

This is delicious enough, and it’s a good thing that the range of meat dishes has expanded.

After finishing breakfast, I decided to go into the forest with Lent to gather food.

I had used up the Aonoko and Tobihigo I gathered on the first day, and the Gravelingos and Pink Cherries were also gone.

There are crops growing in the field, but it’s too early to harvest them, so I need to gather food from the forest.

This forest has a wide variety of food, so there should be plenty of edible things if I look for them.

Today, instead of heading south to the lake I’ve explored before, I decided to go north.

I’m still not familiar with the terrain here, so I walked as straight as possible from home and marked the trees with my knife.

After walking for a while, I saw an unfamiliar plant.

It had plump, bud-like fruits growing on it, covered in green skin, and I couldn’t tell what was inside.

Maybe it’s filled with cotton or something?

【Mochi Mochi Fruit】

A fruit that grows in this forest. The skin contains a chewy fruit. In some regions, it is eaten as a staple food instead of bread.

When I approached, the information came to me from my knowledge.

"A staple food instead of bread!?"

I couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise at this information.

I thought I wouldn’t be able to eat grains like rice or wheat for a while, but I found a substitute unexpectedly.

It seems that this fruit contains a chewy substance inside.

This will add a significant sense of satisfaction to meals that would otherwise be lacking. I can’t help but be happy.

I immediately approached the Mochi Mochi Fruit and peeled the bud-like skin.

Inside was a large, white, mochi-like substance. When I poked it with my hand, it had a pleasant elasticity.

When I pulled it with my hand, it tore with a bit of resistance.

It had a texture closer to naan rather than mochi.

When I tried it, a chewy elasticity spread in my mouth.

"The taste is like a rice flour bread, I guess?"

That’s the best way to describe it. It has a faint sweetness like rice.

It might be delicious even when grilled. I have mugwort at home, so I’ll try mixing it in and eating it.

I got carried away and finished eating it quickly.

In my palm, three slightly larger seeds remained. These black seeds will swell and grow.

"Unlike mountain vegetables, it gives a sense of fullness."

The feeling of it filling my stomach is very satisfying. Indeed, having a staple food makes a big difference.

"I should gather more of these. And some seedlings too. I want to grow them in the field in front of my house."

Not only will I gather them, but I also want to grow them in the field.

I pulled out the Mochi Mochi Fruit as usual and stored it in a pot.

I put it in the basket Lent was carrying.

Since it’s a staple food, I can never have too much of it.

I might even make a dedicated field for Mochi Mochi Fruit. I’ll make it a bit larger for the future.

◆

The northern part of the forest has more weeds growing in clusters compared to the southern side.

In some places, the ground is completely covered by weeds.

It’s difficult to walk through such areas, but occasionally, unexpected things can be found if you pay attention.

【Otokirikusa】

A perennial herb that grows in sunny spots. It has the effect of stopping bleeding and reducing inflammation.

【Itandrin】

The roots have antibacterial, antitussive, and diuretic effects, and the young shoots can be rubbed on wounds as a medicine. It is also an edible mountain vegetable, and the leaves and stems can be eaten.

【Shakkaku】

Effective for muscle tension, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Among the weeds, there are also medicinal herbs growing in clusters.

Of course, there’s a possibility of getting sick or injured in this world.

Since there’s no doctor in this forest, I need to treat myself if I can.

Fortunately, thanks to the blessing of the Plant God, I know how to mix medicines, so I should actively make them.

"Hmm? I smell something familiar."

While gathering Otokirikusa, I suddenly noticed a distinctive smell.

Following the smell, I found a familiar herb.

【Dokudami】

The fresh leaves have a unique smell and contain antibacterial components. It is effective for abscesses, swellings, and otitis media. It also strengthens capillaries and improves constipation through its diuretic effect. When used externally, it is effective for acne.

It’s called Dokudami because it corrects (or straightens) toxins.

In my previous life, it grew everywhere, and its distinctive smell left a strong impression on me.

I remember my grandmother skillfully killing it with boiling water when it was growing in a friend’s yard.

It seems that a similar plant grows in this world as well.

"This smell is nostalgic, but it still irritates my nose."

It’s a plant that is often disliked, but it has many effects and is called a ten-herb.

The smell is bothersome, but in a world without medicine, it’s very reassuring.

Of course, I want to transplant and cultivate it, but I don’t have a place to grow it right away.

For now, I’ll gather the minimum amount needed and plan to transplant it later.

I need to make a dedicated field for medicinal herbs.

Still, it was a good idea to explore the opposite side. Thanks to this, I found the Mochi Mochi Fruit, which can be a staple food, and discovered many medicinal herbs.

I need to work harder to enrich my life. As a first step, I need to expand my fields again.