Dream Life

January 24th.

We were taking a stroll through the city of Ezzarington, guided by Lawrencia and Primrose, the Duke of Ezzarington.

The first to head was a major chamber of commerce called the Paston Chamber of Commerce, which handles groceries.

After a brief introduction, you arrive at the table and are briefed on the products you are handling.

"The main commodity of our Chamber of Commerce is cereals. We collect various types of cereals not only from around Ezarrington, but also from the barn areas of the central Empire, and sell them to major cities in the southern region, starting with the imperial capital…"

Paston prepares a plate and puts out a sample of grain there.

"We handle barley, wheat and other wheat as well as soba, rice and corn. We also handle a wide range of legumes in this way…"

I hear about rice and react unexpectedly. Because I knew that there was rice in this world as well, but I had never seen the real thing before.

But I'm slightly disappointed to see what's in front of me.

(I knew he was close to the long grain. I didn't expect to find a short-grained seed like Japanese rice...)

As I stared at the rice to my hand, Paston stopped explaining, "Is there anything you care about? I've heard."

"Is this the only kind of rice? Because I thought there was a variety of rice, just like wheat and barley."

My question seemed unexpected, and Paston hastily called in an employee in charge of cereals. And when I checked with that employee, the answer came back, "I've never seen it, but I've heard of rice in different colors".

The color seems to be red, maybe a primitive species like ancient rice.

Even if I find rice, I don't intend to deal with Japanese liquor production immediately.

Because making sake and soy sauce in a different climate is not easy.

I'm not sure of my memory, but the koji I need to make sake and such is a form of mold, and Asia should have been native on Earth. Mold means it's hard to grow without more than a constant temperature and humidity.

Its koji bacteria, but I have heard that they are in the shell, but this continent of Tria has a climate close to Europe and the koji itself may not be present.

Without the presence of koji bacteria, we cannot turn rice starch into sugar and we cannot make sake. Maybe the starch can be saccharified in a different way, but the liquor made with it cannot be called sake.

Even if Koji is found, Japanese liquor production is delicate, difficult to manage temperature and humidity, and success is unlikely without a brewery.

Brewing is a technique that deals with “organisms” such as yeast and koji, unlike the world of one or zero scientifically, like a physical phenomenon. In fact, even beer and wine brewing can be hands-on by craftsmen to grow tasty liquor.

When trying to make sake, there is no artisan first. I mean, we need to raise artisans from scratch. I have only a degree of knowledge that I went on a tour to Zuo, but it takes a long time even on the condition that I have a senior Mr. Doo to raise him.

Distillery breweries didn't have craftsmen either, but the technique of separating alcohol from other ingredients using the difference in boiling point, if I say so. In other words, it can be described as a technique that uses physical phenomena.

I'm not going to say that distillation is easy, but brewing is less advantageous in terms of trial and error because it takes longer than distillation to produce results. Even more susceptible to the climate.

Perhaps, even if we could find Koji and take it to fermentation, it would take enough time for Doo to replace it a few times to make it taste satisfactory. Naturally, I'm not in the world knowing what sake tastes like.

This is on the condition that we have satisfactory materials. It is not a realistic story to even think about making the right rice for booze and rice.

If we could, it would be after we had advanced technologies like ancient civilizations with a blend of magic and mechanical engineering.

I am not going to get my hands on Japanese brewing, but I am interested in rice as an ingredient. Because if there is rice, there will be more variations in cooking without soy sauce or miso.

While I was thinking about it, Paston was starting to explain another product.

"... sugar is made from sugar cane made in the south. The Chamber of Commerce sells this from the Central Region to the Eastern Region…"

The southern part of the empire is called the Wale Peninsula and is characterized by a mild climate. The southern part of the peninsula is said to be relatively precipitated and suitable for the cultivation of sugar cane.

"... other rarities are made in the south. Many spices in particular are made in the south. The Chamber of Commerce has an exclusive agreement with nobles with territories in the south…"

That explanation went on long enough.

"Sir Zacharias is here, so I thought it would be an introduction to alcohol, but at this time we only have barley and honey to deal with. In a few moments, we'll start working on the wine, but unfortunately it hasn't arrived here because we're just about to start shipping."

After you say that, give your employees a look.

"I don't know if you'll be satisfied, as I think Sir Zacharias and the Rockhart family have had many great barley drinks at the Dwarf Festival, but this time we've got ales for sale to the Blacksmith Guild Branch"

That's what I say and start lining up tin goblets.

"I think this time of year ale is sweeter than usual because it is brewed carefully......"

Tasting spreads sweet aromas and refreshing acidity like apples and plums.

That was one of those dishes that made me think it was for Dwarves.

Subsequently, dried fruits and rare spices are purchased.

"How was it?," Laurencia asked.

"That was a lot of fun. That's just what they call the Empire's best trading city. I never thought there would be more ingredients I'd ever seen."

Laurencia nods contentedly at my words.

"Didn't you think of any new sweet Sweets ideas?

That's what Primrose asks. Sounds like you like something really sweet.

"We had some interesting ingredients, so maybe we can. Maybe a little adult."

When I say that, not only Primrose, but Liddy also shows interest.

"What happened? I can't imagine."

"Not yet, keep it to yourself. I'm not sure what I think. If you succeed, you should be able to cook as well as dessert."

"You can tell me," I insist, "but I can't say it because I don't know if I'll succeed if I can't afford a little more time. I bought a lot of materials, so I think I can handle it.

Leaving the Paston Chamber of Commerce, he now travels on foot.

As I walked, I was thinking about the Paston Chamber of Commerce not coming to talk about distilled liquor.

(I thought you'd want me to sell some distilled liquor. Does that mean there can't be a business meeting in front of the Duke's maid? Or is the information that Scotch's stock is low going so far? Either way, I'm glad we didn't have to have any trouble...)

He spent about an hour and a half at the Paston Chamber of Commerce, which was about an hour until noon.

After this it's not blah blah and window shopping either, but it's supposed to peek into the shops around here and have lunch at the hotel restaurant about five hundred meters away.

Not only is the commercial district of Ezarrington united in a stone building called the Imperial Style, but it is a beautiful city decorated with orange roofs and white walls.

Because of the proximity of Teito, famous for its glass, and the ease of maritime transport, there are also many glass windows. As a result, it feels bright compared to the city I've seen before.

Laurencia explains a lot and peeks into the store. Strangely enough, the people of the city look like they usually do, even though there is a Duke's house warrant and if we put together escorts there are more than thirty groups walking.

Of course, the voices are constantly hung and welcomed by the two of them, but I don't think they are explained in advance for security reasons. I admire the Duke's house, which can afford so much security, even if it's always safe.

"It's a good city," I say, and Laurencia nods loudly, naturally.

"It's because your father has great hands," he said, straining his chest.

The security is good, the supplies are plentiful, and the city is filled with smiles. There is no doubt that Lord Etherlington's rule is going well.

"You're absolutely right," Laurencia smiled happily. I thought that the Duke's family meant that my parents and children were less affectionate, but when I saw him like this, I felt Lord Ezzarington loved my family, and I was even more fond of him.

Lunch was a hotel restaurant that Viscount Radford also used, which tasted satisfactory. They also heard Viscount Radford knew him, who seemed war-torn at first, but not ashamed of his reputation as a leading restaurant, including service.

After lunch, he headed to the Ezzarington branch of the Blacksmith Guild in the East End of Ezzarington City.

Ride the carriage and arrive at the guild in enough time.

The city's blacksmiths mainly manufacture and repair Fourth Corps weapons. Not only that, but we also make weapons for the mercenary regiment based in Ezarrington and adventurers in nearby towns and villages, a large branch of over one hundred and fifty Dwarves and nearly two hundred human blacksmiths.

However, no one has drunk Scotch because they have not participated in the Dwarf Festival and have not yet come to the training.

By visiting such a blacksmith's guild, I have already delivered a barrel of Scotch.

We were better off alone from here, but we're together because Laurencia and the others really wanted to accompany us.

I was going to attend the banquet on the second night, just like the city of El Dredd, where the Eastern Governor's Office was originally scheduled. But Lord Ezarrington himself is here, and you can't just throw out this many important people (VIPs) and drink with Dwarves. The banquet with the Dwarves is going to be on the way home, and I haven't given them the Zack collection this time around.

Our arrival has already been notified when we go to the Guild reception, and we will be immediately put through to the Assembly Room.

There were more than fifty veteran dwarves waiting in the assembly room to greet us warmly.

"Well done. Well done for coming," says Ivan Kemp, branch manager, slapping my two arms. As usual, it hurts a lot because they get bashed in with hammer-engineered arms, but they are welcome and keep grinning.

Where the excitement of the Dwarves subsided, my father greeted me on behalf of the Lockhart family.

"... Now if you'll excuse me..."

Where my father said that, a discouraged voice leaks, "You should just let the duke or something drink over here".

My father laughs bitterly but keeps talking.

"We want to exchange cups with you all on your return from Imperial Capital, so forgive us. In doing so, we also plan to give you a taste of the Zack collection!

I told Laurencia and the others, "Block my ears," just before that, and I'll wear earplugs, too.

Shortly thereafter, the joyous voice of the Dwarves rocks the assembly room. The Lockhart family faces are used to dealing with them by blocking their ears or putting earplugs in beforehand, but the Ezarrington family escorts continued to suffer from delays in dealing with them, holding their ears even as the Dwarf's joyful voice subsided.

Laurencia and the others escaped because they had explained it in advance and had warned them just before, but the escorts didn't know when it was time to explain it in advance alone, and they seemed to have taken damage.

"So this is the rejoicing voice of the Dwarves... it's more than a rumor..."

Laurencia groans in a grudge.

"You're really close to the Lockhart family with Dwarves. 'Cause I've never heard your father so happy to give you alcohol."

I had no choice but to have an ambiguous laugh.

■ ■ ■

Around 3pm.

The Duke of Alexis Ezarrington was satisfied with the reports of his men who distributed them to the city. He was secretly sending many of his men out to the city to avoid useless confusion and to clean up rumors.

"Rencia and Rose seem to have done well. Now the Grand Duke won't be able to get his hands on it."

"That's right. The ladies were originally liked by the city folks. There are also reports that the people were smiling at this initial behavior. I thought it was superimposed first."

When Count Adolph Rednapp, a belly-hearted man, said so, the Duke tried to consult him to strike his next hand.

However, a subordinate headed to the blacksmith's guild came to report, so he decided to listen to the story first.

"... the Lockhart family was very welcome and the Dwarves saw the ladies favourably,"

"That was good. Now there are rumors coming from the Blacksmith's Guild."

When Uncle Rednap says so, his men say, "I'm afraid," and deny it.

"The officials told me that the blacksmiths do not recognize that the ladies are Lord Zacharias' candidate for bride. In fact, I spoke to a Dwarf blacksmith, and he replied:“ You can't be Zach's wife. "

"Why is that? Didn't you see it as amicable? to Lord Etherlington's question," You are right, "but

"The blacksmith says," Zach's daughter-in-law will not serve those who don't understand his heart. "

Lord Ezarrington and Uncle Rednap are increasingly confused.

"What's going on," said Uncle Rednapp, stuffed.

"Officials say they seem unhappy that the Lockhart family won't be attending the banquet tonight. If you're a woman like Sir Zacharias' wife, you should persuade your parents to attend the Blacksmith Guild banquet. I don't know why..."

Lord Ezarrington roared "Uhm," prompting me first to "let me hear exactly what I heard," he said.

"Now I will tell you exactly what I have heard. This is what the official said.“ The Lockhart family is Dwarf's friend. Dwarves entertain their friends with alcohol no matter what they leave behind when they come from afar. Even if His Majesty the Emperor says no, no matter what the difficulties, the Dwarves will have a welcome feast. I heard the Lockhart family shy away to go out to the Duke's dinner this time. If I could be the wife of Master Zacharias, I would have persuaded my parents to attend the Guild banquet ”. That's all I've heard."

The dukes heard the story and lost their words.

"What do you think we should do, Adolf?

"What to do...... this is the only place to go to our blacksmith guild. Sir Masaias is a man of honor. Even if Your Excellency orders you to go to the Alliance banquet, you will not refuse the dinner you have already promised. I was wondering if Sir Masaias would say no if we went to our guild."

Lord Ezarrington silenced for a while on Uncle Rednap's story. And slowly opens his mouth.

"That would be good...... no, this is a good opportunity. If the blacksmiths refuse, our relationship with the Blacksmith Guild looks better through Lockhart. That way, Lockhart can look like he's with us. The question is will the Dwarves admit my participation..."

"Let Zacharias take care of that. If he says so, the Dwarves will undoubtedly admit to participate. Wouldn't he read your thoughts and admit to participate?"

"Right. But let's talk to Lord Clement about this. He is more familiar with Zacharias' character than we are. With Ignacious, it would have been a little easier, but those who aren't there have no choice."

Lord Ezarrington calls Marquis Seawell to explain the situation.

"You should tell the Alliance that immediately. Let me explain this to the Lockhart family."

Thus began an unprecedented plan for the Duke of the Empire to attend the Blacksmith Guild banquet.