Chapter 73

Good morning from room 0304 of building 5. Today is August 12th, the day of the seminar. I'm Herman. I have guests today. Two of them, to be precise. A female dwarf and a female elf. The elf must be Alison, whom I mentioned before. The dwarf is probably the seminar leader. The atmosphere feels more like that of a superior and subordinate rather than friends, and there's quite an age difference, I think. ...But it's hard to tell the age of elves and dwarves. Beastfolk are hard to distinguish in the first place. As for the Scaled Dragons, if anyone can tell the difference between their lizard faces, please let me know. I hear their hair grows from between their scales. Most Scaled Dragons shave it off, so there are a lot of skinheads. This makes it even harder to tell.

The others I know are the Dryad and the Halfling. Half-Elves are basically the same as Elves. Dryads are extremely rare, I hear. ...But they live a long time. They look just like humans, except for their feet, which are like tree roots. It's hard to tell them apart unless they're wearing long pants. ...And their hair is always some shade of green. But there are plenty of humans with green hair too, right?

Halflings are just small humans. ...But some tall Halflings are about 170 cm. It's hard to tell what makes them Halflings. I heard Deborah's husband is about 180 cm. ...Is he really a Halfling? I hope he's not lying. He's not much different from me. By the way, I'm 187 cm tall, and that's it. I'm a bit above average. I measured with a tape measure, so there might be some error, but let's say 187 cm for now.

The nobles are here early today, and the only one missing is Serena. ...She's always so laid-back. I guess 3000 years changes your perception of time. I'd go crazy if I lived that long. ...But I think even humans live life in a hurry. I think even with a human lifespan, you need to catch your breath somewhere. For now, I'll keep running as far as I can. And right on time, Serena arrived, and the Fertility Guild began.

"It's time. Let's start this month's Fertility Guild. First, we have guests today. They're from the Creation Guild. Please introduce yourselves."

"Got it. I'm Crystal Gearside, a dwarf. I'm the leader of the Creation Guild's seminar, the Harmony Seminar."

"I'm Alison. I'm an elf and a member of the Harmony Seminar. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Bruce Campbell, the seminar leader. Thank you for coming. I'd like you to look at this report."

"Ah, let's see what the Dawn Guild has created."

So, they started looking at the report. It's a slimy report, but there are a lot of interesting things, like whether alchemy with slime has ever been done before. Crystal finished and passed the report to Alison, who seemed surprised.

"Really?! You combined slimes?!"

"Indeed, I was surprised too. This is within the realm of the Creation Guild's techniques. I thought we had created all possible slimes from various materials, but mixing non-materials is something else."

"Indeed. In the Fertility Guild, it's a daily occurrence. Some specialize in crops and spices, and others focus on water management. Mixing crops is a regular part of the process."

"I see. So you mixed crops to create this. I think few in the Creation Guild have tried mixing slimes. I know everyone has made the slime from the Fast Life Herb, but mixing it with other slimes... I thought it wouldn't react with talent."

"Indeed, it didn't react. I could only see a future of failure. ...But the result is right here."

"So, this report is true. ...But it's impressive that you showed us this. This research alone could be a fortune."

"I understand. I also had a new perspective on slimes this time. Theo and I mixed various things, and most turned into alcohol. A few didn't, but anything that produces a liquid turns into alcohol. ...The taste varies, but some are quite good."

"Indeed. The best was the Doddo Yam. That bitter yam makes a surprisingly good drink."

"We called you here to confirm if we can make this public. It's close to the Creation Guild's techniques. Is there any restriction on making it public? As a member of the Dawn Guild, I want to make it public. It seems to be a slime that alcohol lovers can't resist."

"Making it public... Yes, it is a technique, but there are no restrictions. If it gets more complex, it would require a vote from multiple seminars, but slimes and slimes are exceptions. ...I didn't expect something like this to be possible."

"We didn't expect it either. We never thought slimes could produce alcohol."

"Perhaps it's thanks to the new wind from the Dawn Guild. This was created by a first-year student."

"Ah, a first-year. This is something a first-year can make. The range of materials has expanded, so they might have overlooked the basics."

"Well, Herman is special. He's drawn to the moon."

"⁉ Really, the moon. That's an interesting find."

"What does it mean to be drawn to the moon?"

"Ask Brandon when you get back. It's an old Scaled Dragon story."

"That's right. Being drawn to the moon means being blessed by a god other than the Sun God. It's a talent from a benevolent god, not a sin."

"I'll ask when I get back. It sounds like an interesting story."

"This first-year seems to be drawn to something special. He's even involved in recent discoveries by the Illusionary Guild."

"Oh, oh, that's it. If he's involved in that, he's definitely drawn to something strange."

Being called strange is a bit rude. ...But he's more of a unique individual. After all, he has knowledge from his past life in his head. I don't even know what his past life did. He was apparently a salaryman.

"But alcohol is a great discovery. I fully support spreading it. It adds more enjoyment."

"Right, you dwarves love your alcohol. This is great. You can have a different drink every day."

"I was getting tired of ale and wine. I heard the Doddo Yam drink is good, so I'll try making it."

"Hey, Bruce, you can't be mean to alcohol lovers. You can teach them, right?"

"...Sure, but don't spread it too much. Herman's neck is on the line."

"Is there a reason for that?"

"Have you heard of firewine?"

"Ah, the secret technique of the Northern Margrave? I've had it. It's a strong drink."

"You've had it?! That's great to hear. Which one is the Margrave's firewine?"

"What do you mean, there are other firewines?"

"There are many. Many firewines."

"Each type of alcohol has its own firewine. The Fertility Guild's method might differ from the Margrave's, but we have a method."

"Ah, you've revealed the still. Bruce, have you submitted it to the administration?"

"Yes, about a month ago. The reward hasn't come in yet."

"You use it to distill alcohol. It's originally for extracting essential oils, but it can also extract the essence of alcohol."

"Exactly. The essence of alcohol is concentrated to make firewine."

"Interesting. So, the demon that makes this alcohol can be distilled into firewine. Each type of alcohol has its own firewine?"

"Not quite. Firewine can be distilled further. The flavor is lost, but it becomes even stronger. One type of alcohol can produce two or three types of firewine."

"Exactly. Our guild specializes in crops and spices. The variety of alcohol is infinite. The same goes for firewine."

"I see, I see. That's a great future. ...But can I, from the Creation Guild, benefit from it?"

"That's..."

"But you can."

"Herman?!"

"What do you mean?"

"We haven't tried cow's milk yet."

"You need a cow for that."

"Right. But can't that demon make cow's milk?"

"...It could be possible."

"Can the Creation Guild make animals that produce milk? What about the taste and flavor?"

"...I see, you're suggesting we focus on livestock."

"Exactly. Vegetables from fertile fields are delicious. Don't you think good milk comes from good cows?"

"Ha! I see! The possibilities are endless. It doesn't have to be a cow to produce milk."

"Exactly. It could be a goat, a sheep, or a demon. As long as it produces milk, it's good."

"Herman, what's this report about?"

"It's a new slime that produces seasonings. I mixed four types of slime: Mahiju seeds, Mahiju cheese, wheat, and Fast Life Herb. I named it. It produces vinegar, soy sauce, and miso."

"Cheese?! Isn't that the secret technique of the Eastern Margrave? ...What do you think of secret techniques?"

"That's unfair. Only Herman reveals secret techniques without hesitation."

"...I feel bad about that."

"Every time you bring something, it has a secret technique hidden in it."

"So far, claw red, cheese, firewine... three, right? I think there were more."

"Herman is often the reason. Sugar is the same."

"Ah, right. The hair and skin... and the essential oils. ...I've already talked about the essential oils, so that's fine."

"What? At least three secret techniques are leaking. That's abnormal. And sugar is an import, right? Did you make it?"

"Even I can tell about the shine in the hair. It's smooth and shiny."

"Even the scent of this rosemary. Is that it?"

"That's an essential oil. If you use the still correctly, you can extract the essence of scent. The rosemary scent is that."

"This is a challenge for the Creation Guild. We'll make a prototype of this slime. First, we need to think about what kind of demon to create."

"It sounds fun."

"Indeed. The Harmony Seminar has been stagnant for about 50 years. This will turn things around."

"We've been stagnant for about 25 years. It's a refreshing change."

"Indeed, it's a big storm. Things drawn to the moon cause chaos."

"Exactly. But it's fun."

"Ha! It will definitely be chaotic for the next three years. This first-year will cause a lot of trouble."

"Both the Illusionary Guild and the Dawn Guild are involved, and now the Creation Guild. Which guild will be next?"

"...I didn't mean to cause trouble."

"Things drawn to the moon must accept it."

"True. Things drawn to the moon live life in a hurry. At this rate, all but the Eternal Light Guild will be involved."

"? Why not the Eternal Light Guild?"

"They're the eye of the storm. They're already chaotic."

"Right. The only thing left is the elixir of immortality. If you can cause chaos there, Herman, you're the real deal."

"...I have no intention of causing chaos."

"Accept it as something drawn to the moon."

"Cut it out and let me cause chaos."

I'm not sure if I can be at ease, but as something drawn to the moon, I guess I have to accept it. ...I don't know if my past life's memories are just about the moon, but I'll probably keep stirring things up. Next, it might be the Iron Welcome Guild or the Nether Guild. ...Which one will it be? But making the alcohol-producing slime public seems fine. I also revealed the seasoning-producing slime, but it's a useful seasoning. I'll leave the rest to those with culinary talent. But the conversation among the alcohol lovers isn't over yet. ...It's fine since this Fertility Guild meeting is for this purpose. Let's have a good chat until the sun sets.

Whether you found it interesting or not, I'd appreciate your feedback.

If you could point out any issues in your review, it would help me improve my writing.

...Probably.