Rising from the Slum City of Reincarnation in Another World ~ Gathering, Hunting, and Living a Slow Life by Eating - Chapter 23

Rising from the Slum City of Reincarnation in Another World ~ Gathering, Hunting, and Living a Slow Life by Eating

Chapter 23   Grape Jam

Continuing with Sunday, afternoon.

The green apple jam had a refreshing taste.

On the other hand, the trial batch of grape jam had a distinct sweetness.

While it may vary based on personal preference, many would agree that grape jam is more delicious.

It was a highly anticipated creation.

We placed the stored grapes into a pot and started boiling them.

“Now, let’s simmer it.”

“Yes!”

In the background, two people were in a cheerful mood.

“Grape jam, grape jam!”

Mīnya sang an impromptu song about grape jam.

Lania, too, looked on with hopeful eyes.

“Hey, hey, Ed-kun. Um, I have a favor to ask.”

Lania’s voice was unusually sweet.

When she, who usually speaks politely, does this, it’s a bit alluring and adorable.

“Oh, um, it’s about the grape jam…”

“Oh, ah, sure. I’ll save a jar specifically for you, Lania.”

“Yay! Ed-kun, I love you!”

She hugged me tightly.

Well, well, today’s Lania is a bit more assertive.

Despite being only six years old, she seems like she could become a bewitching little girl.

The warmth from being close to her is comforting. Plus, she’s overall softer than Mīnya.

There’s a pleasant fragrance in the air.

Damn, I’m a high school boy on the inside, so it doesn’t react, but my heart feels horny.

I’m feeling stunned, my mind in disarray, as the fire within me burns with an unusual coolness, and my libido is sinking

“Doryaaa!”

“Haa haa haa…”

“What’s wrong, Ed-kun?”

“N-nothing…”

I can’t just say that Lania was oddly erotic today.

“I’ll keep an eye on the pot. Take a break, okay?”

“Thanks, I will.”

I step outside into the garden and gaze up at the sky once again.

Today, a flock of Wyverns is flying in a delta formation.

It’s their migration.

There are seven of them.

Are they a family? Or just a random group? Wyverns may not be as powerful as dragons, but they are formidable creatures.

However, Wyverns are vulnerable to the cold.

Someday, I want to battle a Wyvern and try their fried wings. I want to share it with Minya and Lania too.

Battling a Wyvern… but first, I’ll start with Goblins.

In this area, there are also Unicorns, Wild Boars, and Wolves.

I’m not sure if the Unicorns are considered monsters or animals, but since they drop magic stones, I assume they fall into the monster category.

Unicorns are generally timid and flee upon sensing human presence, so encounters are rare.

So if I want to level up through combat, Goblins will be the main target, I suppose.

I crave meat.

There are small, ordinary rabbits and mice around, so maybe I should try making some traps for small game.

I’ve acquired some gold coins, so I could buy meat directly or enjoy meat dishes at the adventurer’s guild or tavern. But what should I do?

Once I spend the money, it’s gone.

So, if possible, I’d like to invest in weapons or something that will be useful in the future.

“Now, should I get back to making jam?”

The first batch is already finished, transferred into jars, and currently cooling. I start heating up the second batch and begin cooking it.

“How is it?”

“I want to eat it soon.”

“Well, yeah. It’s still a bit early for dinner.”

“Y-yeah.”

Today is Sunday, the day for bread and dried meat.

On Earth, “meat and blood” is often associated with “bread and wine,” but in the Raffalier-sama faith, it’s customary to offer “bread and meat.” So we make an effort to serve black bread and dried meat at home.

More affluent nobles, on the other hand, eat white bread and oak steak and decorate their altars with “holy water, black bread, and dried meat,” or so I heard from Mother Tomaria. I’m not sure what the holy water refers to, but since we’re in a different world, there’s a possibility of genuine holy water.

The jam-making continues.

With a small magic stove and not a particularly large pot, I can’t make a large quantity at once. It’s designed for home cooking, not mass production, so there’s no other choice.

In the evening, I delivered ten jars to the Dridon General Store.

“Oh, you brought it. As expected of you, Ed.”

“Yes, here you go. It’s not much, though.”

“No, it’s fine. Let me see…”

They inspect it.

Since it’s in jars instead of pots, the contents are clearly visible. Even small, inexpensive pots are often used for storing salt and other things.

“Okay, it’s good. Thank you, Ed. You’ve been a great help.”

Saying that, they pat my back firmly.

Please stop. I’m not that strong. It hurts.

◇◇◇◇

Sunday night.

Lania still hasn’t returned.

In the end, we decided to have dinner together at home.

Today’s menu:

Black bread, one per person (since it’s Sunday).

Grape jam, apple jam, as desired.

Main dish: Ilk beans.

Sautéed green beans, spinach, and dried meat with garlic.

Boiled fuki (leftovers).

Lettuce and dandelion salad.

Dog barley tea.

I think it has become quite luxurious compared to before.

Especially the amount of meat, which is nearly doubled. It costs the equivalent of two copper coins per person.

In Japanese yen, it’s just 200 yen, but we couldn’t afford it until now.

Melun-san joins her hands together in prayer.

“To Lady Raffalier-sama, we offer our daily gratitude.”

“Every day, you watch over us. Thank you very much. Mereshil La Brail.”

They recite the customary phrase.

“Now, shall we eat?”

Today, we have grape jam.

We already tasted it before, so we know it’s delicious, but our expectations are still high.

Everyone takes a spoonful of jam and spreads it on their bread.

By the way, it seems there is no such thing as a butter knife in this world.

“Mmm… Grape jam is delicious.”

“It’s delicious, indeed.”

“Oh, it’s so tasty.”

“It’s really delicious, isn’t it?”

Everyone enjoys the jam with their bread.

Grape jam is truly a delightful treat.

Although the bread is firm, they chew it slowly and savor each bite.

They also indulge in the flavorful stir-fry, intensified by the savory beef and garlic.

And then there’s the refreshing salad.

They appreciate the variety of flavors.

When a dish has distinct and unique flavors, it becomes even more delicious.