Chapter 20

Mayonnaise seems to be very popular.

“…Huh? I refuse, though?”

Yuri, addressing the man who had loudly grabbed his arm, said with a nonchalant air as if it were a bother. At his answer, the man seemed to have seen the end of the world, and he collapsed, his face filled with despair. Everyone hurriedly asked if he was okay, but the man did not respond. He must have been utterly devastated.

In Yuri’s hand was the leftover mayonnaise he had made today. It was the remainder from the potato salad, but since it was to be used for tomorrow’s breakfast preparation, it was both there and not there. Objects with a specific use are not considered leftovers.

Thus, Yuri had flatly refused the man’s offer.

This man, who was being tended to by everyone, was a fairly well-known traveling merchant. Although he had a main store in the capital, Dralheim, his nature as a traveling merchant led him to sell various items from town to town. He left the management of the capital store to his family while he went on trips for procurement and sales. His name was Harrows.

The reason why Harrows was in the hideout of the "Crimson Lynx" was that the "Crimson Lynx" had taken on the task of collecting items for the next town. The handover of goods was generally conducted at this hideout. Since Harrows’ store was popular, it was easier to handle the handover here rather than disrupt his business.

After all, Harrows traveled with all his goods packed into a magic bag. At first glance, he looked like just a traveler, not a merchant. That was Harrows. In his early days as a merchant, he had discovered a large number of magic bags in a dungeon he entered with an adventurer. He still used one of them.

“What… What a tragedy… With such an innovative product…!”

Harrows, dyed in despair, did not faze Yuri. The bowl of mayonnaise was returned to the refrigerator. The old man was saying something on his own, but it was not something Yuri cared about.

“Y-Yuri-kun! Please! I beg you! Could you sell me that mayonnaise?”

“Because I’ve already said no. I’m going to use it for tomorrow’s breakfast preparation.”

“I’ll pay any amount of money!”

“Huh? I don’t need it. I’m not short of money.”

The old merchant shouted that he would pay any amount of money. It seemed like a significant profit, but Yuri did not care. His food, clothing, and shelter were provided by the "Crimson Lynx" hideout, and he had a small income from making hairpins and ribbons with Shushu. He did not need anything special and had no plans to go anywhere, so he was not short of money.

Still, the surrounding people were amazed at how Yuri completely ignored what would normally be a tempting offer. It was no wonder that a sense of “Well, it’s Yuri…” spread among them. Even Ali thought so. Everyone had long understood that Yuri had no interest in making money.

“…Hey, Yuri.”

“Hm? What is it, Yack?”

“You don’t have to sell the mayonnaise, but wouldn’t it be good to teach the recipe?”

“Recipe? The mayonnaise recipe? Do you want it?”

“No, I mean, wouldn’t it be good to teach it?”

Shocked by Harrows’ reaction, Yack suggested teaching the recipe. Yuri, tilting his head in confusion, seemed to find it incomprehensible. To him, mayonnaise was just a familiar condiment. He did not understand the impact it had on everyone.

It was an unknown ingredient, and its versatility was remarkable. No one would have imagined that it could go well with vegetables, meat, and fish. Therefore, it was no surprise that Harrows, who had tasted the potato salad for the first time at dinner, was so captivated by the new condiment, mayonnaise. Everyone except Yuri understood this easily.

“Can you teach me the recipe!?”

“Huh? Oh, sure. It’s pretty simple…”

“Please, teach me!”

Harrows latched onto the offer with great enthusiasm, and Yuri, though confused, explained the recipe verbally. He mentioned that the mayonnaise he made used only egg yolks, but using whole eggs would result in a different flavor. He also recommended using plant-based oils like olive oil or canola oil for a lighter taste. Additionally, he explained that using lemon instead of vinegar or adding herbs could change the flavor.

After explaining the importance of mixing the ingredients carefully to prevent separation, Harrows was trembling with emotion. However, Yuri did not understand why the old man was so moved. To Harrows, the recipe was a golden egg, but to Yuri, it was just a housewife’s recipe.

“Thank you, thank you, Yuri-kun! Of course, I’ll pay you a royalty!”

“Huh? What’s that…? I don’t need it. Mayonnaise is a condiment that can be made at home.”

“You don’t need it?! Knowing such an innovative recipe?! You are so unmaterialistic!”

“Eh…?”

While Harrows was making a big fuss, Yuri was thoroughly confused.

To Harrows, the recipe was worth money, and he intended to pay for it. However, Yuri did not care. Wondering what kind of person this boy was, Harrows turned to Ali, who looked away, clearly thinking, “Don’t ask me.”

After a while, Harrows also realized how naive Yuri was. He could not imagine anyone else being so carefree. This was dangerous. This was risky. So, Harrows came to a conclusion…

“Yuri-kun, you should register with the Production Guild.”

Indeed, that was a good idea. While everyone nodded in agreement, Yuri alone tilted his head in confusion. “What’s the Production Guild?”

The Production Guild, in essence, was a guild that managed patents. Registered recipes and designs could be used by paying a fee. Of course, improvements could be made to the same recipe, but the system was in place to define the original or the creator to avoid disputes.

Additionally, by selling items to the Production Guild, they would be quality-controlled and distributed to merchant guilds and wholesale markets. This ensured that merchants could obtain high-quality products reliably.

Not everyone who made items registered with the Production Guild, especially those with a craftsman’s pride who only sold to people they trusted. However, weaker craftsmen without the means to protect their work could benefit from the guild’s support.

“You should register the mayonnaise recipe with the Production Guild. This way, others can learn the recipe, and no one can claim to be the original. Also, you will receive a fee for the use of the recipe.”

“…No, I’m not the inventor of mayonnaise, so…”

“Yack, take this idiot to the Production Guild first thing tomorrow.”

“Understood, Leader!”

“Huh? Why? Wait, Yack?”

The conversation proceeded without Yuri’s input. However, everyone thought Harrows’ suggestion was a good idea. Additionally, Ali told Yuri to register the ribbons and hairpins as well, which confused him even more.

Harrows, intrigued, asked about the ribbons and hairpins, and Yuri took out the items he kept in his school bag. These were the ribbons and hairpins he made as a side job. While Yuri considered them a hobby, his skill level 50 craftsmanship made them excellent products.

As a result, Harrows asked to buy them, but Yuri refused. He had already promised to sell them to the owner of a clothing store. Breaking a promise was not good.

“These hair accessories will sell. They will definitely sell in other towns.”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

Despite Harrows’ persistence, Yuri had no intention of selling. He bowed and apologized, and Harrows sighed. However, he seemed pleased, holding a piece of paper with the mayonnaise recipe written on it. He even said he would accompany Yuri to the Production Guild the next day. The "Crimson Lynx" welcomed the idea, knowing that a well-known merchant like Harrows would be helpful. …Again, the conversation proceeded without Yuri’s input.

“…Can I have seconds?”

“Sure. We still have potato salad and soup. The meat is out, though.”

“Then, I’d like potato salad and soup.”

“Got it.”

With a cheerful smile, Yuri prepared seconds for Harrows. When the residents clamored for their turn, Yuri politely told them to wait, putting the customers first. Despite his usual gentle demeanor, Yuri was surprisingly firm when it came to distributing food.

The main dish of the day was viper simmered in wine. The meat of the viper had a texture similar to chicken breast or tenderloin. Using wine and salt as seasonings, it was simmered slowly to prevent it from becoming dry. The result was more like a wine stew than a simmered dish.

Yuri chose to simmer the viper in water with wine and salt to prevent inexperienced members like Mag and Yack from making it dry. Additionally, simmering it slowly allowed the meat’s flavor to infuse the soup. Using the broth, he made a clear soup with sliced onions and egg whites.

The viper meat, which seemed flavorless at first glance, became tender and flavorful when simmered in wine. The simple seasoning of wine and salt brought out the intense umami of the monster meat, which sold out quickly. It was especially popular among the girls for its easy-to-eat nature.

“Are you a chef?”

“No, I’m an appraiser.”

“Hmm, that’s interesting… But this dish is very delicious.”

“I have the cooking skill.”

Yuri smiled, but Ali’s silent pressure to not say too much went unnoticed. In this world, casually mentioning one’s skills was considered foolish. However, since cooking and sewing were not combat-related, Yuri’s statement was met with a warm gaze.

The next day, when Yuri went to the Production Guild, the mayonnaise recipe caused a commotion, but that’s another story.

Yuri, living with the mindset of an ordinary Japanese person, often misses the mark in this world. Everyone accepts this, thinking, “Well, it’s Yuri…” He lives a carefree and laid-back life. Maru.

I look forward to your comments and feedback.