553 - - 551 Episode I wished...

The taro stew party was a great success. Everyone was satisfied with the event, and I, as the organizer of the event, was also satisfied with the result. However, the seeds I had sown at the end of the party caught me by surprise, and the party ended in an awkward manner. I was the one who thought that the imo-jochu liqueur would motivate the Shilfis, but wouldn't it be better to give them some time to relax a little?

"So, what do we do first?"

The next morning, after the successful potato stew party, even Nomos, If, and Vita, who usually do not participate in breakfast, were present at the breakfast, and as soon as they finished eating, Nomos couldn't wait to talk to them.

Yesterday I managed to convince him that I was too tired to give him an explanation tomorrow, but I had no idea that all the great spirits would gather for breakfast.

Everyone is looking at me with expectant eyes, and I don't think they are in a mood to say anything about after-dinner coffee.

Also, I can see many spirits outside the window. Most, if not all, of them are spirits of the brewery.

I guess they are going to start working as soon as they figure out how to make imo-jochu (sweet potato shochu).

"Ah, before I explain, I want you to promise me one thing Nomos..."

Yesterday, when I was thinking about how to explain about imo-jochu, I realized something bad.

"What, you don't mean to say that imo-jochu is a lie, do you?

Nomos' words drew strong stares from the other great spirits.

I can bear it because I know that none of them will harm me, but I'm still scared because each one of them has a power that is unfamiliar to me.　

"I won't tell such a daredevil lie. I want you to promise me that even if you know how to make imo-jochu, you won't neglect Mel's training. Okay?"

"Mhmm ......."

Nomos was at a loss for words. From the looks of him, he was definitely going to stay in the brewery after he heard how to make potato shochu.

Mel also took a break from the workshop and came to paradise. It's too sad to leave him here. I can't teach him how to make imo-jochu unless you promise me.

"Of course. I received the sake with the promise to teach you Mel. I promise to teach you Mel."

He promised, even though his face says "I'm so sorry" in big letters. Maybe, no doubt, the reward of alcohol had a positive effect.

If I had relied on his goodwill and asked him to educate Mel, Nomos would probably have been very upset.

"However, I want to participate in the new brewing. Mel, I'm going to teach you hard now, so be prepared!"

Yes, yes!

Huh?　My impression is that you have been teaching him strictly enough in the past, but will you be any stricter?

Isn't Mel's face scrunched up a bit?

"Um, nomos. Mel is not a genie, so don't be too reckless, okay?"

"I know that much. I just make them work until the last minute."

"Just in time means ......"

What level of edge are you on?　Don't tell me I'm one step away from death from overwork.

"How I teach is my business. Yuta, you stay out of this and teach me how to make imo-jochu quickly.

"Master, it's natural that your training is severe. You are teaching me a secret that has been lost in the human world. I will make sure that I will learn to the end, even if it is hard. Don't worry!

"...... I see. I'll be rooting for you.

"Yes!　I'll do my best!"

I don't know what it is, but it seems like Mel's craftsmanship has been ignited. He must have been scared for sure just now, but now his eyes are burning like the main character in a sports comic book.

Meral and Merrill Serio's stares are hurting me.

I asked Mel not to do anything reckless, didn't I?　The question, "What is it?

No, it's not. I didn't mean to push Mel too hard, I just wanted to do what was best for him so that he could continue his training. .......

Oh, so this is what you call a pattern of well-meaning intentions that backfires.

When I read this pattern in comic books, I want to say that I can understand it if I think about it a little, but it's surprising that I can't understand it when I'm in the position of the person in charge.

I think, "That's good. Yuta, quickly teach me about imo-jochu (potato shochu).

I don't think anything good will come of this, but they promised, and Mel is willing to do it. I don't feel like I can interfere any more, so I'll just have to check in with him more often to see how his training is going.

"Okay. But the basis of alcohol is the fermentation of grains to produce alcohol, so it's not that different from other alcoholic beverages. However, in my country, we use a fungus on rice called rice koji to make alcohol. Sake is made with rice koji and rice, and imo-jochu is made with rice koji and satsuma-imo. Well, the shochu is distilled. ...... What's wrong?"

What's with the atmosphere of the Great Spirits that's so scary?

"It's Yuta."

"What is it, Nomos? I'm kind of scared and I'd like you to stop making that face if you can."

It doesn't matter. You said sake. Is that the sake you gave us before?　That can be made in a similar way to potato shochu, can't it!"

I see... Nomos will not remain silent when they hear about sake. I must have slipped up. I see... I'm in a lot of trouble.

Nomos, Sylphy, Dine and Dolly have been asking me about sake for some time now.

But I had to keep it a secret because the brewery was like a cave even for spirits, and what would happen if we started making sake as well?

Now that we've reached a certain point with the distilled spirits, I thought it would be a good idea to tell him about the next sake, so I mentioned potato shochu, but it would be a mistake if I told him ...... about sake as well.

"Hey, hey, what kind of sake did Yuta make you drink before? I didn't hear about it.

If, who had been listening to the conversation in silence, joined the conversation with an air of uneasiness.

Come to think of it, the last time I served alcohol was before Ifu and Vita arrived.

"Yuta, you still have some of that liquor left, don't you?"

"IF. I'm in the middle of an important conversation.

"Shut up, you guys drank yourselves a nice drink!"

This is getting ridiculous. Paradise...... will not perish, right?

**

Somehow, we managed to calm down.

I told them honestly that I still had some alcohol left from other worlds and that it was too good to drink, and they agreed that I would definitely invite If and Vita when the time came to drink it.

I know I've been a big help to them, and this problem would have been solved immediately if I'd let them drink it right now, but I just can't take the plunge.

Since soy sauce could be made in this world, there is no problem to use Japanese soy sauce, even if it tastes a little different. But we can't use it.

I sometimes feel like eating sweets, frozen foods, and instant foods, but I end up not eating them.

I think my elixir syndrome is pretty serious. I doubt if I will be able to consume it before I die.

"So, Yuta. How about it, can you make sake and potato shochu in a similar way?"

It was. I had not yet explained how to make potato shochu at all.

And yet I was in a state of exhaustion, while Nomos, who had caused a commotion that almost frayed my nerves, was thinking only about drinking without paying any attention to me at all.

It's great that he doesn't care about me at all while he made If upset, but I feel something is wrong.

"......Yeah, of course they're not exactly the same, but I guess they're similar in principle."

In the extreme, making alcohol means making alcohol, so in principle all alcoholic beverages are similar.

"I see, so how do you brew it?　What is rice malt?"

Nomos is curious. This is going to be a long story.

**

I see, so Yuta's world is that particular about sake brewing. I'm impressed that they grow rice for sake, and even shave the rice and rank it according to the degree of shaving.

Yes, I am impressed. Well, good luck with the rest."

I hate it. I thought all I had to do was explain, but somehow our positions were reversed, and by the end it was as if I was being interrogated.

I was only supposed to explain about sweet potato shochu, but they ended up squeezing me about how to make sake.

I am not convinced. Please be nicer to me.

"Oh, it's just some random knowledge I had as a layman, so I don't think it's that easy to make sake. Besides, I heard that the taste changes depending on the ingredients, the bacteria on the rice malt, and the water, so don't complain if I fail.

Remember, this is only an amateur's knowledge.

"I hope it's not too difficult. And if bacteria and water can change the taste of sake, then it must be possible to make sake that can be enjoyed to the fullest. You are more than welcome. Deanne, Dolly, Vita, please!"

By the way, Dine is a great water spirit, so naturally she knows a lot about water. Dolly is suspected to be all-powerful when it comes to plants. And Vita can manipulate fungi at will.

What's that?　Aren't spirits supposed to be invincible when it comes to brewing?

......It's a bit unfair, but I'll enjoy it if we can make a lot of tasty sake. I'll just wait in anticipation.

"Yuta. I'd like to expand the brewery.

I have told them that they are free to do as they please except in my private area, but the nomos are very conscientious in asking for permission whenever something comes up.

I appreciate their thoughtfulness, and I think it's a great relationship to return that thoughtfulness with trust that I can do as I please.

But the spirits are not at all trustworthy when it comes to alcohol, so we have to give up that wonderful relationship.

Because the nomos and the spirits who are waiting outside are obviously very excited. If we are not careful, most of the paradise could be filled with breweries by tomorrow.

But I am sure that the current brewery is too small.

"...... I don't mind if it's twice the size of the current brewery."

It should be okay if it's twice as big. Let's just watch from a distance to make sure we don't get caught in the middle of this, and when we've finished a good drink, we'll be happy to share it with you.

I have no doubt at all that the sake will be delicious.

Because the spirits will never give up until it is completed. .......