Chapter 58

Modern kids seem to want instant dashi.

That day, Yūri was at it again.

However, as usual, he had no awareness that he was causing trouble. Not at all. He was simply seeking a better life, more delicious meals, and, as always, ended up doing it. He had no ill intentions. None at all. Perhaps it was precisely because he had no ill intentions that he got scolded even more.

"...So, what is this?"

"...It's instant dashi..."

"What is that?"

"...It's something made by crushing dried ingredients, which can be dissolved to make dashi."

On the dining table sat Alie's alchemy cauldron. As usual, Yūri had borrowed it from Alie and conducted an experiment in excited mode. And it was a success. It was a success.

What Yūri made today was, as mentioned, instant dashi. The reason for this was that Haloz had returned from the sea and delivered a lot of dried ingredients. Haloz simply wanted to know how Yūri would use these dried ingredients. Various dried seafoods, such as katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes), kelp, wakame, and dried sardines, were delivered.

When Yūri saw these, he had an idea. He had a brilliant idea. He thought that if he threw these into the alchemy cauldron, changed the proportions, and tried it out, he might be able to make instant dashi. He threw in the dried ingredients and a small amount of salt, turned on the switch, and to his surprise, it worked. In no time, individually packaged powder dashi was completed.

And so, Yūri was celebrating his success with the instant dashi, while Haloz, who was asking about it, was getting excited, when Alie arrived.

Despite the fact that he had messed up with the tartar sauce the other day, he hadn't learned his lesson at all. In fact, he had continued to make tartar sauce the same way since then. Today, Haloz found out about it and, with a smile, said, "Let's go to the production guild together, shall we?" It was still fresh in his memory. And now, he had even made instant dashi. In Yūri's mind, the alchemy cauldron had become a magical tool for making convenient seasonings.

Indeed, the alchemy cauldron is a wonderful tool that can create various things, ignoring physical laws, when materials are put in. It is influenced by the user's skills and imagination, but generally, similar results can be achieved with the same materials. It is a convenient tool that can produce a certain level of stable output.

...It's not a good idea to point out why he uses it to mass-produce seasonings. Because it's Yūri.

"Didn't you say Haloz brought back some souvenirs today?"

"Yes, I used the dried ingredients I received to make instant dashi."

"So, why do you use the alchemy cauldron to make seasonings like this?!"

"Ouch! It hurts, Alie! Give, give, give!!"

With an iron grip, Alie grabbed Yūri's head and slammed it against the table next to him. However, Alie's anger wasn't going to subside with just that. The onlookers, who were watching from a distance, didn't help at all.

...Meanwhile, Haloz, holding the unknown instant dashi (the individually packaged paper bags were also quite new to him), was looking at it seriously. His merchant's intuition was telling him something.

"First of all, why are you doing this?"

"...Because, while dashi made from dried ingredients is delicious, it takes time to make it from scratch..."

"Huh?"

"Also, when you make dashi, it turns into liquid, but if you make it into powder, you can just sprinkle it to add the flavor of dashi, making seasoning and cooking much easier!"

"...So, why did you think of using the alchemy cauldron for this, Yūri...?"

Yūri's passionate explanation made Alie sigh tiredly. The alchemy cauldron is a magical tool that only those with alchemy skills can handle. Ordinary magical tools don't choose their users. The alchemy cauldron, however, requires a high level of skill to use, making it a high-level magical tool. Therefore, using the alchemy cauldron to create things was a kind of status symbol.

In fact, it is a high-spec existence that can create rare ingots, accurately mix medicines, and even create other magical tools by throwing in materials. It was no wonder that Alie was frustrated with Yūri, who was using it to create seasonings in a way no one had thought of. Why don't you have any common sense, she thought, as a guardian's anger.

"To save time?"

Yūri, freed from the iron grip, tilted his head in wonder. It was a very honest reaction. The onlookers looked away, as if to say, "Wow." Alie, completely deflated, hung her head. She seemed to have realized that there was no way to correct his behavior. ...Dad, you're a bit late in realizing this. It's too late now.

Haloz, who judged that the lecture had been temporarily interrupted due to Alie's deflation, poked Yūri's shoulder. In his hand was the instant dashi (individually packaged in paper bags) that Yūri had made.

"Mr. Haloz? Is something wrong?"

"Yūri, would you sell this?"

"...Huh?"

With a puzzled look, Yūri tilted his head. He didn't understand the meaning of what he was asked. Yūri had made the instant dashi to make daily cooking easier. He just wanted to make his own cooking easier. So, when asked if he would sell it, he was completely lost.

Haloz, after receiving an explanation of the instant dashi from Yūri, had an idea. This finely ground instant dashi could make dashi just by dissolving it in water. Also, because it was in powder form, it was easy to use in stir-fries. This would definitely sell. His merchant's intuition was screaming that it would sell not only to housewives but also to restaurants.

"...This is just finely ground dried ingredients, with a little salt."

"Of course, I understand that."

"I think it would taste the same if you made dashi the regular way."

"Yes, of course, I understand that. But Yūri, you said it yourself, didn't you?"

"...Me?"

"Yes. You said that using this would save cooking time."

To Haloz's cheerful smile, Yūri responded with a lackluster "Hmm." He didn't understand why Haloz was pushing so hard. Indeed, the instant dashi would save cooking time, and that was why Yūri had made it. However, the idea of selling it or trying to sell it still didn't come to mind.

But then, a question came to mind.

"But Mr. Haloz, don't the people around here not have the habit of making dashi?"

"No, they don't. That's why I was also thinking about how to sell the dried ingredients. Of course, experienced chefs would know, but I think it's an unfamiliar culture for the common people. ...Actually, the miso soup you made was more delicious than the one made with just miso, right?"

"Dashi is essential for miso soup."

Yūri said this with a serious face.

This was a point he couldn't compromise on. It's one of the walls that Japanese men with foreign wives often face. Miso soup is not just about seasoning with miso. Dashi is necessary. Seasoning with just miso is hard. The soup is made with the umami of dashi, miso, and ingredients. That's what miso soup is.

"In other words, you're going to recommend this to people who don't have the habit of making dashi?"

"Instant dashi, yes."

"Yes. All they have to do is add it like salt when making soup, right? If it changes the taste, it will definitely sell."

"...Well, in my hometown, instant dashi is almost a necessity."

Originally, Japanese people grow up surrounded by dashi and umami. Instant dashi has become a part of daily life. And if the convenience and deliciousness of instant dashi spread, it might sell, he thought. At least, he thought so vaguely.

"...So, are you going to have me make the ones for sale?"

"...With my alchemy cauldron, right?"

"...Yes."

The moment Yūri asked Haloz, Alie interjected with a low voice. Yūri had anticipated this reaction and looked at Haloz with a questioning gaze. However, Haloz seemed to have a solution in mind. Or rather, he was thinking of having Yūri make the initial batch.

"First, I'd like you to make a few samples as product samples, Yūri. After that, I'll ask other alchemists."

"Will the alchemists take on such a job?"

"Alie, that's the thinking of someone with your level of alchemy skills. ...Everywhere, young apprentices struggle to find work."

The trainees, who seemed to resonate with Haloz's calm words, groaned softly. They were still considered beginners, so they had few jobs they could take on, and the ones they did get paid poorly. Accumulation is important in everything.

Alchemists' skills vary widely, from those who can create rare items to beginners who can only perform basic alchemy. Instant dashi is simple to make, and once they see the real thing and taste it, it's easy to imagine. It's a low-difficulty recipe.

"So, Yūri, let's go to the production guild together tomorrow?"

"...Um, are you going to register the recipe for the instant dashi?"

"Yes, of course. We'll register the tartar sauce recipe too. I think that will sell as well."

"...Alie?"

"Go."

"...Okay."

Yūri, who didn't want to get involved in the complicated rights issues, was about to give up, but Alie shot him down. He knew that even if he complained, Haloz would use various tactics to take him there. It was better to give up and go to the production guild quietly from the start. And once the recipe was registered, Yūri wouldn't have to be involved in the business, and Haloz would handle it well.

In other words, considering the future hassle, it was better to give up and go to the production guild now. Because once the recipe was registered, other alchemists would take over the supply.

"Then, Mr. Haloz, please take care of it."

"Yes, please take care of it."

The contrast between Yūri, who had given up and bowed his head, and Haloz, who nodded with a cheerful smile, was striking. Haloz, sensing the potential of a new business, looked excited. To him, Yūri was a golden goose that casually and innocently dropped various bombs every time.

By the way, as a side note, Yūri also made instant dashi from chicken bones, pork bones, and beef bones, received Alie's fist, and, at Haloz's urging, registered those recipes as well, which were later sold.

By the way, this instant dashi does not contain any chemical seasonings, so it's good for your health.

It's a simple instant dashi made from dried ingredients and salt.

Even so, I think it will make cooking much easier because it's in powder form. Probably.

I look forward to your opinions and feedback.