Chapter 26: Adventurers and Merchants
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With the arrival of autumn, Jin and Ram’s Horse King production has reached a stable level of quality.
Currently, the two of them are brewing one barrel each day.
The brewing process for Horse King consists of several steps:
Steaming Process: Steaming horse barley… the elasticity after steaming is crucial.
Layering Process: Sprinkling sake malt on layers of steamed horse barley every five centimeters… uniform thickness is key.
Initial Stirring: Stirring to promote initial fermentation… requires delicate handling.
Heavy Stirring: Stirring to encourage main fermentation… vigorous mixing is essential.
Jin and Ram have clear strengths and weaknesses, so I suggested some division of labor.
Jin, skilled and meticulous, handles the elasticity check after steaming and the initial stirring. Ram, strong and able, manages the heavy stirring. For the other steps, they work together.
Once every five days, I brew a five-barrel (90 liters) batch. On my own, that adds up to seventy-two barrels per year, all designated as premium sake for now.
Jin and Ram aim to produce 360 barrels per year. At first, their batches were 80% second-grade and 20% first-grade, but recently it’s closer to half and half. They even managed to make one premium-grade barrel, which made them ecstatic, hugging each other in celebration.
Production is progressing well, but I’d like at least 30% of their output to be premium-grade. Since it hasn’t even been a year yet, I’ll consider it a success that they’ve come this far.
Then one day, I got a little brother!
A chubby, rosy-cheeked baby brother.
“Waaah, waaaah!”
“Oh, are you hungry? Hehe.”
Unlike back then, Mother is eating well now, so her milk production seems healthy. I remember when I was so hungry I thought I might starve, and I’m relieved my brother won’t have to experience that.
His name is Siegvalt.
With Siegvalt around, the mansion feels brighter. Mother, Father, and even the servants seem enchanted by him.
“Master, there’s an envoy from the Marquis of Lightstar.”
“Understood. Siegvalt, I’ll see you later.”
The moment Father heard “Marquis of Lightstar,” his expression froze.
I’ve heard that Marquis Lightstar retired, and his son Badras is now the head. When the transition happened, Mother and I were taken in by Father.
Why would the Marquis of Lightstar send an envoy here? I’m curious.
I discreetly peeked around the corner to catch a glimpse of the envoy’s face. I recognized him; it was Pernia, Badras’s lackey. He’s made some snide remarks to me in the past.
I want to know what they’re discussing, but I can’t exactly eavesdrop on the office.
Fifteen minutes later, Pernia left, visibly annoyed.
I knocked on Father’s office door.
“Father…”
“…Toma? What’s the matter? Come in.”
Father waved me in with a gentle hand.
“Um, about the envoy…”
“Oh, the envoy. It was nothing important. Aren’t you heading to the brewery today?”
His tone was as kind as usual, but there was a hint of sorrow.
“I am going to the brewery… Is this my fault?”
“What are you talking about? What could you have done wrong? The matters concerning the Lightstar family have nothing to do with you. Don’t worry about it.”
“…”
I can’t imagine why the Marquis would send someone if it wasn’t related to Mother and me. It feels like they made some unreasonable demands.
“Really, it’s nothing. Go on now.”
“…Alright.”
Even if they demanded something unreasonable, Father wouldn’t share it with a child like me. I can only hope he’s not pushing himself too hard.
At the brewery, I resumed brewing and took charge of the heavy stirring.
“Toma, is this right?”
It was Ben.
He’s become invaluable as a heavy-stirring assistant. Today was a steaming day, so we took a break from dungeon exploration, but recently, he’s been helping with stirring before we head to the dungeon.
“Master Toma, could you check on the finished Horse King?”
“Yes!”
Jin called, and I headed over.
The brewery occupies three sections of the old tunnel system. I use one of them, and the remaining two are where Jin and Ram’s batches of Horse King are stored.
Each barrel is clearly labeled with its production date.
Ram removed the lid from a barrel made forty-five days ago. The adults can peer right in, but I have to use a stepladder to look inside.
—Transformation: Information View!
Almost premium quality—it’s at 51% alcohol. The taste is fine, but if the alcohol content reached 55%, it could be designated as premium.
“It’s close to premium quality. You both did well! Keep working hard every day, and you’ll get there.”
“Thank you!” they replied in unison.
They’ve truly poured their sweat and tears into this. Having watched their dedicated efforts, I feel that these results are only natural.