Chapter 48 Shopping

After having breakfast at the castle, I immediately returned home.

I more or less have other things to do.

The bread has gradually been used up, speaking of that, the natural yeast has also decreased.

Which reminds me, wouldnt the eastern country have rice,miso, and soy sauce?

Since they have katanas, theres a possibility they might have it.

Since I dont know whether or not I could procure it, Ill try asking.

Aah, since its becoming hot, Id sure like some shaved icene.

Something like a freezer I havent seen onene.U~n, cant it be made withfreezing? I should look for one if theres an opportunity.

Perhaps plum juice to prevent summer fatigue might be good too.

Since plum liquor I wont be able to drink thatne.

Eh? Isnt this nothing but food you say?1

Well of course. Eighty percent of lifes pleasures is food. Deliciousness is justice.

In other words, almost every person in this world has only enjoyed twenty percent of life.

I think it can be understood if you look at the recent Prince.

Even today, did he say I want to eat delicious things desperately to that extent?

And with that said, todays plans are to make bread, then go see a magic tool dealer-san and grocer-san during the time it ferments2.Aah, if they have a freezer, Id like a container to make icene. Although its slight different, shall I go to Garam-sans store?

Since its been decided, Ill move into action at once.

First the leavening agent.

knead knead knead knead.

U~n, since Ive made the effort, shall I try give it a twist?

Ill have half of it be regular bread, half of the remaining half will be butter rolls, then the remainder will be honey bread.

knead knead knead knead.

Alright, now well ferment it for one hour to start with

In the meantime, lets go to the stores.

Though I say that, whether or not the eastern country distributes their goods, I dont know.

I started off by asking the grocer-san while searching for plums.

I found out surprisingly quick.

It seems a place named Sirius Firm has recently started a trade.

After hearing of the firms location, I immediately left.Ah, I also bought the plums okay?

Sirius Firm was located close to the castle on the main street.

Hello~. I have something Id like to ask.

I went inside and called out.

By the way the interior, should I say it looks a lot like its from a historical play with an impression of a western wholesale store?3

Welcome.Ojou-chan, are you on an errand for your dad?

Uwa, its been a while since Ive been completely treated like a child.

No, I came here to look for something.

Although its troublesome being treated like a child, wasting time here will also be, troublesome.

Its fine to just confirm the necessary things.

Un, dealing with it like an adult.

Looking

for something? ForOjou-chan? Do we have it here?

Ive heard this company here has recently begun a trade with an eastern country. Because of that, I wondered whether or not you handled the eastern countries unusual seasonings and food, so I came.4

U~n, we certainly do business with the east but Unusual food,nee. We actually have some but doesojou-chanplan to buy it?

Oh, you have it? Id like to see it by all means.

Yes, if possible, could you show me what kinds you have?

That would be a problem Is your dad or mum not here? If itsojou-chanalone, I cant sell it you know.

Well, Im sure it has to do with the price it wouldnt be good to carelessly show it to a child either.

Aah, sorry. I, am called Sakura Fujino. I work as an adventurer. Im 15 years of age.

I made sure to present my adventurers card.

With that, would you be able to show me it?

The man receiving me was surprised at my self-introduction, and surprised again when he saw the adventurers card.

Its been awhilene, these exchanges as well.

But as expected of a merchant. He immediately recovered and responded.

Please excuse me for that. Of course. Now now, please come inside. As I will immediately bring over a sample.

Woah, even his interactions changed.

Could he be rubbing his hands together while inside the reception room? I was lead into the room with that sort of atmosphere.5

The man from just now immediately stepped out once I entered.

As I waited in the room for the time being, the man I interacted with, as well as two men carrying something in their hands, entered.

Sorry to have kept you waiting. The merchandise we currently have that goes in accordance with Fujino-samas request are just these.

What was placed on top of the table was three small barrels and three wooden boxes.

Allow me to explain. Firstly, this one is an alcohol made in the eastern country.

He points to the first barrel. If its alcohol, could it besake? I dont know state inside the barrel but6

Excuse me, what kind of alcohol is it?

Yes, Ive heard its made with grain from the eastern country. Although it has a transparent water-like appearance, its alcohol is stronger than poor wine.

Is it, refinedsake? If thats the case, since it can be used in dishes, it might be good to purchase it.

Is it okay if I smell the fragrance a little?

Of course.

kyupon, the cork was removed from the top of the barrel.

When I smelled it, it had a strong alcohol and a faint sweet fragrance. It seems to besake.

After saying my thanks, I asked for an explanation on the next merchandises.

The remaining merchandise were respectively,miso, soy sauce, dried kelp,katsoubushi, and tea.

Oo, I want everything!

But I was amazed when I heard the price.

For the smallest units, respectively, one barrel ofsake(about 4.5litres) is 30 silvers, one barrel ofmisois 15 silvers, one barrel of soy sauce is 20 silvers, twenty pieces of kelp starts from 10 silvers, two counts ofkatsuobushifor 15 silvers, and approximately five kilograms of tea for 40 silvers.

Although it may be related to transportation isnt that too expensive?

U~n, I want it but

A set of the smallest units would be 1 gold and 50 silversright?

I think the tea is particularly expensive but. Could it be because its a luxury item?

For now, although the price is high, its for the sake of my dearly missed Japanese meals.

Lets buy it all! However, only, the smallest units

Nevertheless, wouldnt they sell rice since there issake?

Excuse me, do you not sell something called rice?

Rice?Aah, since it wasnt an item from the eastern country, it wasnt brought along but, we do sell it.

Eh? If its not from the eastern country, where is it being produced?

Its an item from the southern country but, if youre interested, shall I prepare some?

Certainly!

So it wasnt imported from an eastern countryne.

The rice was immediately prepared. But, when compared to the rice eaten in Japan, its huge.

This is the difference!?

No, I can endure this. Even if its huge, the rice is innocent!

By the way, it seems it was 20 silvers for ten kilograms.

Its strange how it feels very cheap after hearing the price of the tea.

Ah, the rice is brown rice.

I purchased it all in one go, since I naturally couldnt carry it home, I requested it to be delivered to my house.

Even though my recent earnings has been completely used up, Im satisfied.

Now then, next is the magic tool dealer-san. Let us make haste.

I went to the magic tool dealer-san who took care of me in my previous life.

Because that place has magic tools that dont sell well made as a hobby, interesting magic tools will occasionally appear.7!

By the way, about the freezer they sold it.

However, it had a concept of cooling and storing, but it seems there wasnt a concept of freezing and storing.

In other words, it appears its one of the hobby magic tools that doesnt sell.

I immediately purchased it. Though the shopkeeper-like person looked at me with strange eyes. Wasnt it you who made it?

By the way, since it happened to completely be a hobby, the price was 5 silvers, the price was completely dirt cheap.

Its size was around a freezer compartment of a small two-doored refrigerator.

Also, because they had an effect preservation magic tool, I purchased it.

Its said it can preserve the condition of something placed inside this magic tool (box), its incredibly wonderful.

The price was a little under 15 silvers.

But if I have this, if I leave bread in the middle of leavening inside it, I can bake fresh bread anytime.

After requesting these to be delivered as well, I headed towards Garam-sans place.

I discussed with Garam-san whether something like an ice tray could be made.

He got angry.

However, Im not someone who would give up from just that!

For the sake of my objective (shaved ice)!

I repeatedly explained (for around one hour) to the hateful Garam-san about the splendour of shaved ice, and the magnificence of adding ice into a beverage on a hot day and drinking it, and pleaded in order for him to somehow make it.

Whether Garam-san lost to my enthusiasm or not, he finally said Ill try make it!

Partial dents were hammered into thin iron plate for the shape, when they were lined up, I requested to have the dents as large as possible.8!

It seems a prototype will be completed tomorrow. As expected of Garam-san, he works fastne!

After I promised to visit tomorrow evening, I returned home.

When I returned home and prepared the leavened bread, the delivery from Sirius Firm had arrived.

For the time being, I had them carry it all to the storeroom in the basement.

When the people from Sirius Firm left, this time there was a delivery from the magic tool dealer-san.

I received the package, then installed it at a suitable location.

Somehow, I have a feeling the magic tools in the kitchen is steadily increasing

While the bread leavens, I use the free time to prepare the plum juice.

And then dinner preparations.

Although Id like to have a Japanese meal, the rice hasnt been polished and the little time left isnt enough.

Ill have to endure for today.

After what the Prince said in the morning, as expected, or should I say, as I feared

He came right on time to eat dinner.

Well, I also thought hed come right?, and prepared nevertheless.