Chapter 50: Grandmother Walks!
“I can’t believe that old hag beat me to it, but thinking that Toma made this sake for me makes it easier to swallow my pride.”
“I’m glad you’re pleased. So, about the matter I requested in my letter?”
“Of course, I’ve given it careful thought.”
Grandfather pulled out a parchment and held it up for my father and me to see.
Fatigue Recovery Medicinal Sake: Chōmeishu (Longevity Sake)
Blood Circulation Medicinal Sake: Reihashu (Cold Break Sake)
I had no objections, so the decision was made on the spot.
Both will feature the crests of the Bayerlein Dukedom and the Roxfall family and will be sold in 750-milliliter bottles, accompanied by a 20-milliliter serving cup. Due to the high cost of the medicinal ingredients, each bottle will be priced at a hefty 6,000 Gazel.
Although they use distilled Horse King sake as a base, the alcohol content in the medicinal sake is significantly lower. It seems the medicinal sake base reduces the alcohol content, which is fine since its primary purpose is medicinal rather than alcoholic.
“Heh heh heh. Now I’ve beaten that old hag!”
“‘Beaten’?”
“She only has Affelpop, but I have Chōmeishu and Reihashu. I win! Hahaha!”
Was that really a contest worth having? Grandfather can be so playful.
After naming the medicinal sake, Grandfather was in an excellent mood. Together with my father, mother, Siegvalt, and Grandfather, we traveled to Axel Territory.
To our surprise, Grandmother came out to greet us at the entrance.
“Baba!”
Siegvalt, cradled in Mother’s arms, reached out his hands toward Grandmother.
“Oh my, Sieg-chan. Come here, let Grandma hold you.”
“Dada!”
At that moment, Grandmother stood up from her wheelchair and began walking toward us.
“Wha—!?”
Grandmother was walking! Father, Mother, and I were speechless with astonishment.
“Thanks to Toma-chan, I can walk again. Thank you.”
“It’s wonderful that you can walk, Grandmother!”
“I must have worried everyone.”
Grandfather was openly sobbing. Didn’t he already know this? Even the household staff were moved to tears.
Through her relentless rehabilitation, Grandmother had regained enough strength to walk, even if only a little.
“Madam,” Sebas said as he brought over the wheelchair. Grandfather took Grandmother’s hand and helped her sit down. Siegvalt then climbed onto her lap, and Grandmother cradled him with a gentle smile.
“Soon, I’ll be able to take Sieg-chan for a walk. Please wait just a little longer.”
“Dada!”
Father’s reason for coming to Axel wasn’t just to visit Grandmother.
Previously, on my way to Axel Territory, I was ambushed by soldiers from the Lightstar Marquisate.
As a knightly baron, Father wouldn’t be taken seriously if he directly confronted the Lightstar Marquisate about this. So Grandfather reached out to them instead. Their reply had finally arrived.
“The individuals in question were once affiliated with our house but no longer serve us. Therefore, their actions have no connection to us.”
The soldiers had been discarded like lizard tails. Not understanding this, they had repeatedly insisted they were acting on the Marquis’s orders.
Frankly, I don’t understand why they ever trusted the Lightstar Marquis. It should have been obvious they’d be betrayed and abandoned.
The only explanation I could think of was that their families had been taken hostage.
“That bastard! Not only did he target Toma, but he’s also insulted me. I’ll make him pay!”
Grandfather’s anger was palpable.
“I will destroy the Lightstar family. The mere thought of them sharing the same noble rank as me disgusts me!”
I, too, have my grievances with that house.
I’m angry, and I want to prove them wrong. But my hatred doesn’t burn as fiercely as it does for Tiriah Scum, the so-called divine messenger.
Looking back, I realized why—my parents in my past life were far worse. Nothing can compare to that.
“Lord Rob, it will take time, but I will ensure that house is punished. Please grant me some patience.”
“I understand this won’t be a simple matter. However, when the time comes, I’d like to lead the charge.”
“Spoken like a true warrior. I’ll count on you when the time comes.”
“Thank you.”
“Toma, bear with it a little longer.”
“I’ll leave everything to you, Grandfather. Please handle it.”
I might have the influence to mobilize the temple, but I have no intention of doing so.
I can’t trust a temple that worships that false god’s messenger. Though, taking over the temple and using it for my purposes wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Back in Ashud Territory, I taught Jin and Ram how to make medicinal sake.
We expanded the sake brewery and hired more workers.
Ashud Territory was becoming a major hub for sake production.
Horse King sake alone generates more revenue than the territory’s taxes. That money is funding port construction and other infrastructure improvements.
The territory’s development is a good thing. I hope it continues smoothly.
“Master Toma, a new sake is reportedly being sold in the eastern region,” Lord Dardale said during a visit.
I had anticipated that stolen malt might eventually be used to create a competing sake. To prepare, I had warned the temple, which has a vast information network. This new sake had now emerged. I only hoped it wasn’t made with the stolen malt.
“They say it’s as delicious as Horse King sake.”
“If it helps meet demand, I’m glad. We can’t keep up with the demand for Horse King, after all.”
Despite increasing production, Horse King sake remained in short supply. Another delicious sake entering the market wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
“Where is it being made?”
“I believe it’s produced in the Bettenbaums Territory under Viscount Fayatt.”
“Viscount Fayatt? That name sounds familiar…”
Where had I heard it before?
“They’re relatives of the Lightstar Marquis.”
“Ah, that’s it!”
A branch of the Lightstar family. I had heard of them during my time in that house.
If this sake was made with the stolen malt, that would be a serious problem.
“Lord Dardale, the sake may be fine in small amounts, but excessive consumption could cause health issues. Please monitor it closely.”
“Understood. I’ll ensure it’s watched carefully.”
If someone knowledgeable about brewing used the stolen malt, they could produce decent sake. However, the malt was designed to deteriorate outside the altitude of our brewery.
Sake made with the deteriorated malt can cause health issues if consumed excessively. While it wouldn’t be fatal, it could lead to vision problems, joint pain, and fatigue. Selling such sake would be disastrous.
Still, there’s no guarantee they’re using the stolen malt. Just because they’re related to the Lightstar family doesn’t mean they’re villains… I hope.