So well, as you can hear, Damsel Scarlet seems to possess the same memories as I do. However, shes perfectly playing the part of being a young lady of the Ducal House Chaudgal.

Makes sense. Most would be compelled to do so if born as a daughter of a ducal family.

I was speaking with Sword through the wireless transmitter, bringing him up to date on what happened earlier.

Id love to have a long, nice chat with her, so I want to invite her to Char, but would that be okay with you?

Sure. Want me to stay away?

Why?

Sword laughed, Kay, then Ill sit in.

First I accepted her invitation to a tea party. Since I had been invited on a public occasion, I received a written invitation, before I visited.

Damsel Scarlet, you have my deepest gratitude for inviting me on this fine day, I lightly kissed the back of her hand.

Im a woman, butit cant be helped since Im visiting as a guy. Normally youd have a maid or a valet if its a man bring a present for her, but Im a commoner.

When I considered asking Sword to play that role, Swannyboy said, I must become someones valet in due time, so how about I help you as part of my training?

So I asked him to take care of that part. His manners were clumsy at best, but he was unexpectedly suitable for being a valet.

Here you go. I somehow managed to reproduce some sweets. Though there existed some ingredients I couldnt get my hands on, she explained and encouraged me to try her sweets.

Hmm.

Milk can be procured in a town called Gheenie. However, its only consumed in Gheenie because of the lacking means of transport. Malt sugar and honey are the only sweeteners Im aware of. For nobles it should be simple to obtain honey. Malt sugar is easy enough to produce, but its a source of income for me, so I cannot sell the production method.

Damsel Scarlet widened her eyes.

Milk isI see. It does make sense, doesnt it? I mean, its shelf life is rather short. Still, malt sugareven now that you mention it, I can only recall it as a vague memory that something like this might have existed The cheat is strong in you, isnt it, young man?

Im not a man. Call me Ms. Indra, if you have to add any titles at all.

Why does she insist on treating me as a guy despite me denying it with all I have?

Do you know anything about Baking Powder?

Its not that I cant make it. If you want to keep it simple, itd be a mixture of carbonated water and citrus juice, right? As a noble daughter of a ducal family it should be simple enough to procure natural, carbonated water, no? But, carefully creating it in a workshop would be more comfortable on top of better-tasting.

Yeah I did bake yeast-based bread in the past, but I never went as far dabbling with sweets. I liked the process of making sweets, however.

Her articulation was gradually becoming more casual.

I used to be crazy about fermentation. I made all kinds of stuff in that direction. As for Baking Powder, I was curious why something such as Aluminum-free had appeared on the market, and investigated it further. As a result I found out that it used the creation of carbon dioxide through a chemical reaction between alkali and acid. Thats why its fine to use anything as long as it foams. Carbonated water will work as well.

Heeh!!

Hey, a young noble lady doesnt go Heeh!!, right? Your maids are surprised (despite remaining expressionless).

Umm, if your cheat works to such an extent, theres another question I want to ask. Did you create Soap?

Of course.

For reaaaaal!?

Hey, your maids have started to become unable to keep up their poker faces!

Calm down. I brought it with me as a gift. Curry Powder, too.

H-H-H-How d-d-did yo-you m-m-m-manage t-to m-m-m-make s-s-s-s-soap!?

Ahh, Im the type who explores everything. At some point I also researched how to make Caustic Soda. I recreated that by using magic. It might be possible to produce it normally if you build the necessary tools and equipment, but magic will be indispensable for most parts of it. After all, you need electrolysis. By the way, its also a truly strong poison.

Hearing that, Damsel Scarlet was dejected.

Would it work with lightning magic?

No, it wouldnt. The lightning magic in this world is no electricity. And its pointless if you dont use magical electricity.

She let her head hang, crestfallen.

Now, now, Im planning to build the facilities and teach workers for selling Soap in the near future. Ill share my own soap with you until then, so dont be disappointed. I guess Ill pass you Caustic Soda, if you can make it yourself. Its very poisonous, though.

If you have finished Soap, Id like to request that. To be honest, I never made Soap before.

I see. I suppose you normally wouldnt make soap yourself.

When I tasted the black tea, I was slightly surprised.

Hmm This is quite good, I blurted out unintentionally.

Well, it was tasty enough to make me do that.

If you like, you can have some black tea as my thanks for the Soap. Its a black tea I had cultivated while using the full power of a ducal house.

In short, Damsel Scarlet acts as supervisor, huh?

Thanks. As might be expected, I havent gone as far as getting involved with black tea. Our place is all about making liquor. All my servants love their booze, and thus theyre brewing while even growing the raw materials.

After looking astonished for a moment, Damsel Scarlet giggled, Somehow you dont seem to be a commoner at all. If I had to say, it reminds me of my chats with Prince Elias.

Mmh? Why does she bring up the crybaby-prince here?

Ill tell you the rest at our next meeting, Damsel Scarlet said with a meaningful smile.