Chapter 66

Good morning from room 0304 of building 5. It's May 10th, and it's seminar day today. I'm Herman. I thought about a lot of things after that, but no ideas came to mind. Well, sometimes it happens. Anyway, I have to report on the bread this time. I don't know if this fluffy bread is a product of alchemy or if it can be baked normally, but since it expanded using the powder made from slime fuel, I think it should be fine to bake. I don't know, though. Anyway, the Abundance Meeting has started as usual with Serena arriving last.

"Well, it's time to start the Abundance Meeting. First, I submitted the previous case to the General Affairs Department under the name of 'urgent.' A report from the royal family has already come in. It seems they are going to give five villages to one of the noble families to create Rurutelhi. Depending on the quality and quantity of sugar and demand, they plan to expand to other territories. However, it will take at least five years before other territories can cultivate it. The royal family will make a profit first. They also plan to present 100 large magic coins to the developer. I have received them. Serena, would you like 50 coins, and 50 for the Abundance Meeting?"

"Yes, that's fine. But I'm starting to wonder what to use them for. Do you have any ideas?"

"Since you still have a long life ahead, I hope you can accept them calmly."

"I understand."

...Dryads are said to live for at least 5000 years. Serena is just over 3000 years old. She will live for a long time. She won't die before I do. Unless I become immortal, it's impossible.

"The Abundance Meeting also has a budget. Please apply without hesitation when you need to use it."

"Well, our seminar doesn't spend much money. Everyone is frugal."

"That's true. Usually, it's just about getting seeds for food. Water management might be more expensive?"

"Water management only requires a place to experiment. After that, magic stones and magic mushrooms are enough. Securing a place to experiment is more important than the cost. Connections are more important than money, so we don't need much money."

"Currently, the seminar funds are accumulating within the annual allocation. If you have any needs, please let me know."

"Next, is there anyone who has a report?"

"If no one else, I'll go. From the north—"

...Requests like wanting seeds or discussing water management locations. The conversation progresses. I don't really understand the names of the foods, and water management is too complicated. In my previous life, I only knew about dams. I thought about water wheels, but in a world with alchemy, undead can be used for power, and golems can lift water. It's hard to apply my previous knowledge. I'm thinking about it, though.

"Is there anyone else with a report?"

...We've been talking for about three hours, and the conversation is finally running out. Is it finally my turn?

"Can I go next?"

"Sure, Herman."

"I have a report on the bread I made using alchemy."

"“Bread?”"

"Wait, is it the bread we eat?"

"Yes, that's the bread."

"...Do you have the actual bread? I'd like to try a little."

"Me too, since I don't often make food with alchemy."

"No, everyone has been eating things made with alchemy. Half of the snacks I brought are made with alchemy."

"...I remember you made cheese from Mahiju seeds. I didn't think you could make bread."

"Wait, what's cheese from Mahiju seeds?"

"Back then, the conversation went to something to put on your face. The cheese was one of the foods that came up. It was a secret technique of the border lord, wasn't it?"

"Yes, that was mentioned. The conversation about the cheese was overshadowed by what came after."

"Well, let's see the actual bread first. We can talk about it later."

"Sure, I'll make some tea."

"Here's the ordinary bread made with alchemy. This is the fluffy bread."

"What's fluffy bread? Bread is supposed to be hard, right? It seems to have become a bit softer recently. Is it because of the wheat flour?"

"That's the ordinary bread. The fluffy bread is really fluffy."

"...Wow, it's really fluffy and soft."

"It's very fluffy. ...The taste seems normal, though."

"Yes, the taste doesn't change. ...So, what did you mix in?"

"It's a powder made from slime fuel."

"Evaporation powder? Isn't that used for alchemical weapons?"

"Yes, the one used for alchemical weapons. ...You mixed it in? When did you mix it?"

"I mixed it in when kneading the dough. When I put the evaporation powder in the alchemical pot with the ordinary dough, it failed, so it seems it only works if mixed into the dough."

"So, it's an alchemical item that requires preparation. ...I'm not sure if we can call bread an alchemical item."

"Bread is... just bread, isn't it?"

"Well, it's strange that food can be made, but it's not impossible."

"Considering what we've done before, this is quite tame."

"Herman has been focused on beauty, but his essence is in food culture. ...It's not a discovery that only alchemists can make, but it's clear that alchemy can be used for cooking."

"I think it's a good achievement. I prefer fluffy bread over hard bread."

"Hmm, you wish for the development of food culture. This is the first step. I'm sure you'll make something else soon."

"Yes, ...I feel like you'll make something else soon. Is there nothing else? Really nothing?"

"...Why are you pressing me?"

"Because you were at a tea party with Melanie the other day. You got a lot of attention. It felt good. I can't forget the look on the face of that guy from the rival seminar."

"...Did you guys not hold back?"

"We didn't hold back at all. My skin was shiny, my hair was silky, and I even put on nail polish. It was fun. They looked at me with envy. I bet they couldn't even taste the snacks."

"...We should send a letter to urge the production of Yugarhi seed oil as soon as possible. If we get even one, it might calm things down a bit."

"Right. Kevin, hurry up. Women's jealousy is scary. ...Make it popular before it's too late."

"I know! ...Damn, more work."

"That's why I was hoping for something more from Herman. ...Is there really nothing else?"

"I only made the bread... Ah, I also made a showerhead."

"Showerhead? What's that?"

"A tool for bathing... I guess. Ideally, it would be best if hot water could come out."

"Hot water comes out of the taps in the dorms, doesn't it?"

"That's only for the noble dorms and the Cool Wind Dorm. The commoner dorms only have cold water."

"That's right. I was surprised when I moved to the Cool Wind Dorm. When I was told to mix hot and cold water, it was difficult to get the right balance. But it's true that hot water is available."

"Only in the Cool Wind Dorm?"

"Yes, the Cool Wind Dorm is mainly for those who stay at this alchemical academy. It's the only dorm that's so large. Did you notice?"

"No, I did notice it was large, but is it large underground too?"

"Yes, it can house about 100,000 people, I think."

"Really? I thought it was more like 60,000 at most."

"No, it's about 100,000. The rooms are smaller, though. The noble rooms in other dorms are about twice the size of the commoner rooms."

"Yes, when I moved to the Cool Wind Dorm, I thought it was quite small. The room is just enough for the minimum alchemical work."

"Many of the Iron Welcome faction have homes outside. ...Actually, those with families are sent outside. There are only Mark and Albert, Deborah and Gabriela here, right?"

"Yes, it's hard to find a partner. It's not easy."

"...Dryads are rare, so there's not much choice, is there?"

"Well, everyone's marriage situation is different. Some have been hurt."

"...Right. More importantly, show us what Herman made."

"It's left in the dorm, so can I make another one? I can make it with just soil. ——It's done."

"How do you use this?"

"You fix it to the tap using this."

"Oak intestines. ...They are reinforced, right? Can we experiment with this tap?"

"Sure."

Serena's answer fixed the hose. When the water was turned on, it came out as a shower, as expected.

"This is good. It seems convenient for washing hair. It might become popular with hair washing liquid. ...It's interesting how the holes can change the effect."

"Yes, it would be nice to use with hot water. Cold water is still too cold for this season."

"...It seems good for men. It's like taking a bucket bath."

"Yes, and there's no hot water at home. Even if there was, it wouldn't make much difference."

"Well, I use cold water to wake up, so this is enough."

In the end, the showerhead was more popular than the bread I wanted to show. Well, this is fine. What should I make next? I want to make something with glass. Is there anything interesting? While looking for hints, I watched the women fussing over the showerhead and thought about it.

Whether you found it interesting or not, I would appreciate your feedback. If you could include your evaluation, it would be great. If you could point out any issues in your review, I could reflect them in my writing. ...Probably.