Chapter 412 – Ancient Melody

“Welcome back. How was the gathering?”

When we returned to town after finishing our collection, Forset, who had been talking with residents in the town square, noticed us and called out.

“We gathered lots!”

Marceska answered energetically.

“Thanks to you, we’ve acquired various souvenirs.”

Seeds and saplings of fruits like pineapple, coconut, and banana. Additionally, various herbs, mushrooms, and more – the collected items were diverse. On top of this, we were told we could even receive rice seeds. Our food situation back home would be enhanced in various ways, one could say we were being thoroughly taken care of. Rosemary also seemed to be in good spirits, though her expression was hidden.

“That’s wonderful. Well then, shall I give you the rice seeds and such before we forget?”

“Weren’t you in the middle of a conversation?”

“No, we were just talking about the wyverns from earlier.”

The Halvaronis people, who had been smiled at by Forset, hesitantly spoke to us before bowing their heads.

“Um, well. We were talking with Lord Forset to convey that we had seen something wonderful. Once again, thank you very much.”

“My apologies for the disturbance,” I responded with a bow of my own.

After exchanging a few words with the residents, Forset turned back to us and said, “Well then, everyone, please come this way.”

We followed Forset’s lead through the town. As he guided us, Forset turned to Claudia and said, “This is a continuation of our discussion from last night’s dinner, but everyone agreed regarding Princess Claudia’s teleportation to Halvaronis and the restoration of the old capital.”

Hmm. Indeed, this wasn’t something to discuss openly where the residents could hear.

“In that case, I’ll apply the spell formula later.”

“Please do.”

“Speaking of which… Is it alright for Halvaronis’s defense with Lord Forset and Sion away from Halvaronis?”

“Well, there are Golem soldiers within the city itself, so I think we can be reasonably secure. If teleportation is possible, we can rush back if anything happens, and that’s another reason everyone agreed.”

Indeed. We could also be notified of emergencies through prayers to Claudia.

While having such conversation under Forset’s guidance, we arrived at a place behind the Tower – that is, near the rice fields.

The slope leading down to the underground lake was effectively utilized as terraced fields. Illuminated by the soft light pouring down from the ceiling area, it was quite a scenic view.

At the bottom of the slope, a watermill could also be seen. Besides the watermill, there were several other wooden structures.

Forset seemed to be guiding us toward those huts.

A watermill… Perhaps it’s used for rice polishing?

“This is a storage facility related to the rice fields,” Forset said, opening the storage facility door and bringing out rice seeds in bags from inside.

“Thank you very much.”

“So this rice plant is similar to wheat,” Grace remarked while looking at the rice seeds.

“Hmm. Similar to wheat… then, could one make alcohol from rice as well?” Auria voiced her thoughts in response.

A frank impression, but… yeah. I’m also curious about various things in that area.

“Ah, we do make alcohol as well. We remove the rice husks and ferment it, you see.”

Hmmm? Could it be they have koji?

“This is it. We add water and salt to this and further ferment it, and we were using it as a secret ingredient in yesterday’s dishes as well.”

When I asked to see it in more detail, Forset showed me the rice koji.

The distinctive smell, yellowish color, texture…

…It was unmistakably rice koji. It seems they make salt koji besides alcohol and use it as seasoning too. No wonder yesterday’s meal suited my taste.

Considering Kagehisa’s memories as reference… according to books, koji’s history dates back to before the Common Era and has quite ancient origins.

Meaning, if rice was transmitted to the moon, it wouldn’t be strange if koji was transmitted simultaneously.

Hmm. Precisely because I know about it, it’s somewhat difficult to ask if they have miso or soy sauce…

“It can be used as seasoning too.”

“Yes, indeed. It’s convenient as it makes various things delicious. If you’re taking the rice seeds, how about this as well? Though it does require temperature and humidity management.”

“That’s… very generous, but isn’t it valuable?”

“Indeed, we do treasure it. As it’s by the Moon King’s mercy, I’d be happy if you would value it too. I’m sure the Moon King would be pleased if it brought joy to people on the surface.”

Forset said this with a smile.

…I see. Because the community is small, it’s positioned more as the settlement’s common property rather than a secret tradition. Hmm… Even without this, we’ve already received various things, and besides the carbonated water server, we need to give something back to balance things out.

However, it seems they don’t have miso or soy sauce.

In that case, what we need next would be soybeans… I wonder if other legume plants could serve as substitutes.

That… will require research, I suppose. While I can’t focus only on rice, miso, and soy sauce, I’d say we’ve acquired quite a good goal.

Once production becomes possible, we could export the manufacturing methods back to Halvaronis, and if it seems likely to generate any profit, we could consult with Halvaronis each time and pay royalties – that would be the reasonable approach.

Well, it’s somewhat premature to mention anything at this stage when nothing has taken shape yet.

“Um, this is the magic tool for making carbonated water. This one is for shaved ice. And this is the magic tool for making cotton candy.”

“Oh ho.”

The elders blinked in surprise at the various magic tools we brought into the Tower’s conference hall.

We decided to bring the various magic tools stored on the Sirius to the Tower and give them various things in return for all we received.

“This is amazing! It crackles in your mouth.”

…Marceska’s impression is easy to understand from my perspective, but for those who don’t know, it probably makes no sense. Would they understand if they knew beer?

“First, let’s demonstrate.”

“Then, I’ll handle the shaved ice.”

Ashley took charge of the shaved ice, while Marlene handled the cotton candy magic tool. They each operated them to produce carbonated water, shaved ice, and cotton candy, handing them to the elders.

The elders might basically be soft on children. The elders, receiving shaved ice and cotton candy from Ashley and Marlene, were breaking into smiles. It was a scene that could easily be mistaken for doting grandparents and grandchildren.

“Using Water Magic to make snow results in this, hmm. Then you eat it with thin syrup made from fruit juice poured over it.”

“Oh! It’s like clouds somehow…”

“If you eat shaved ice too quickly, you’ll get pain around your temples, so please take your time.”

With that warning, not only the elders but all of us received portions, leading to everyone trying the drinks and food.

“So sugar becomes like this? How mysterious.”

“Sweet, cold… delicious.”

“Yeah. I like this.”

“Indeed, indeed, that’s right, that’s right.”

Sion widened her eyes, Sigritta had a calm reaction but steadily brought spoonfuls to her mouth, and Marceska brightened her expression. There was one person who blended in with Sion’s group without any sense of incongruity, but I decided not to mind it.

Sigritta seemed to have reached a stopping point in her drawing work. We asked her to come to the conference hall because we were showing various magic tools, though she might still have work to do.

“Pineapple… was it? I think I might like this.”

“It’s sweet and delicious.”

Since the shaved ice syrup was pineapple, Princess Stephania and the others also seemed to be enjoying the new flavor.

“Oh my. This is, how should I say, innovative!”

“Hmm. Quite interesting.”

Forset and the elders’ reactions weren’t bad either.

“And this serves as play equipment. You can match or arrange the pictures and numbers written on the paper to enjoy various games.”

When I took out cards and arranged them on the table, everyone’s gaze gathered.

We decided to leave darts and billiards for another opportunity. Claudia’s spell formula was also activated, so we could return to Halvaronis whenever necessary.

“Play equipment, you say. That sounds intriguing.”

“Indeed. Halvaronis has few entertaining things.”

“The various magic tools also seem to be the type that produces luxury items rather than necessities. With this many novel things, the residents will surely be delighted.”

“It’s also good that the raw materials are easy to procure.”

It seemed supply and demand had matched. It was unexpectedly well-received.

“Well then, shall we try the play equipment right away?”

I had prepared several sets of rule papers and cards.

Forset grouped with Sion and the others, while the elders divided among themselves, each group becoming engrossed in the cards.

“Well then, I’ll serve as the musician.”

To liven up the atmosphere, Irmhild played her lute. As a cheerful melody began to flow through the conference hall, the elders widened their eyes.

“Oh? That tune…?”

“Hmm. The details seem different, but… I often heard this in my childhood. However… to think someone from outside would know a similar tune.”

The elders stopped what they were doing with slightly suspicious expressions. It was Claudia who answered their question.

“…This is a tune I taught Irmhild. So it was… passed down on the moon too.”

She said this with a quiet smile.

Ah, I recall we once discussed how music might reveal roots sometimes. I see. Among the tunes Irmhild knows, there are some that originated from the moon.

“I see… So that’s how it was.”

“Meaning this tune is the original of the tune we know?”

The elders closed their eyes with deep emotion. Then, with peaceful expressions, they listened to the melody played by Irmhild, who wore a happy expression.