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Vol 01 Chapter 15: Bread

The bread commonly eaten in modern Japan is made from wheat flour mixed with eggs, butter, and milk, and then baked after being leavened with yeast.

However, the earliest forms of bread were different. They didn’t contain luxurious ingredients like eggs, butter, or milk. Yeast had not been developed yet either.

It was just a mixture of wheat flour and water, baked to create something like a crêpe batter. It wasn’t inedible, but it wasn’t delicious either.

My taste buds might have gotten used to rather plain food, but I still want to eat something as tasty as possible.

… Eh? Are you saying that I have already eaten a centipede, so I should be able to eat anything?

I never want to do something like that again. That was an emergency situation. I was out of my mind.

Anyway, let’s make some delicious bread.

There’s no cow milk, but there is goat milk. I’m not sure if it will substitute well, but it should definitely taste better than water.

Next, I need yeast.

Yeast is a fungus, as a fungus it can be cultured.

It’s unclear whether yeast exists in the air of this world, but it probably does. It would be strange for yeast not to exist when pigs, cows, goats, deer, grapes, olives, wheat, barley, turnips, and clover are all present and are more or less the same.

It must be here. Probably.

「How do you make this yeast?」

「It’s more about growing it than making it… First, you put dried grapes in a clay pot, then add water, seal it, and then just leave it.」

「That’s it?」

「That’s it.」

I’m sure it’s correct because we made homemade bread during a comprehensive learning class in elementary school.

I wonder why are they teaching knowledge in school that’s only useful in another world.

In the class, we made yeast in a bottle, so it was easy to observe the process… But I don’t have bottles here…

It should be ready in three days. If it doesn’t work, it’ll be a pity, but I can just try again.

◇

「It’s done!!」

I held the finished bread in my hand.

Hot!

I almost dropped it. I carefully tore off a piece, being cautious not to burn myself, and put it in my mouth.

Delicious!!

It’s nowhere near the store-bought bread in Japan, but it’s much tastier than what I usually eat. With this, I can say goodbye to that bland food…

「Is it that good?」

「Try it and see for yourself.」

I brought a piece to Tetra’s mouth. She widened her eyes in surprise.

「…It’s soft!!」

「Right? From now on, we can eat this every day.」

The children eagerly grabbed the bread and started eating. It was a big hit.

Well, now that the mood is lightened, it’s time to bring up the topic.

「According to Julia, King Domorgal’s and King Gilbed’s countries are still suffering from poor harvests. However, King Rosais’ Country managed to produce a decent amount of wheat.」

「…What about it?」

Roswald looked perplexed.

「You’re from King Rosais’s country, right?」

「…Yes.」

「You can go back now.」

I said it quietly.

Aside from Roswald, there are eight others from King Rosais’ Country. If they leave, maintaining the fields will become a bit more challenging.

But that’s fine. Children should be raised by their parents, not by someone like me who doesn’t even know his own parents.

「…Hey, Nii-san.」

「What is it?」

「Are you stupid?」

「…What do you mean by that?」

I don’t see why I should be insulted. I believe I’m saying the right thing. At least, I think it’s right.

「Sure, we loved our parents. But they abandoned us, even if they had no choice, it’s not something that can be forgiven. And even if we go back, we won’t be welcomed. We’ll just be another mouth to feed. And we might get kicked out again. Next time, we could even be sold as slaves. There’s no way we’d want to go back.」

…

…

He’s right.

Returning children to those who once abandoned them isn’t the right thing to do. I should have realized this if I thought a little.

It’s far more likely that they would be mistreated or suffer terribly.

Why didn’t I realize this before…

Ah, I see. Maybe it’s just my own complex. Because I don’t have parents, I might have idealized the concept of parents too much.

I’m just selfishly imposing my own feelings on them, hoping they won’t have to endure what I did.

「And there’s one more thing.」

Saying so, Roswald smiled.

「Everyone loves you, Nii-san. You didn’t abandon us; you saved us. You helped us, who had no connection to you. That’s why…」

「I see…」

Was I the only one who was overthinking things?

「Hey! Is there anyone here who wants to go back to their parents? Raise your hand if you do!」

Ron called out loudly to the other children. No one raised their hand.

「Then, who wants to continue following our leader? Raise your hand!」

Everyone raised their hand simultaneously.

「Hey, you don’t have to go along with the crowd. Anyone who truly wants to go back can do so if there’s a chance. Okay?」

Surely there must be at least one. Weren’t they all crying at the beginning? Calling out their parents’ names?

But even when I called out, no one came forward. Their expressions didn’t change at all. Even if they were just going along with the flow, their expressions should have changed a little, but no one did.

They just looked at me.

What does this mean?

「Most of those who are abandoned by their parents weren’t cherished much, to begin with, or they were mistreated in the village. So, even if they were sad at first, they realized upon reflection that they didn’t want to return. They also know they can go back anytime if they wish. Following you means they don’t have to worry about hunger too. And you are kind. Everyone likes you. Do you understand now?」

Tetra explained to me, with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

I see, so that’s how it is.

Am I really that well-liked…

「Almus-san, are you crying?」

「I’m not crying!! Why would I cry? I’m the leader!!」

Damn, to think I’d cry at this age… Oh, right, I’m twelve now.

「Understood. I will continue to lead this group!! Follow me from now on.」

「「「「Yes, Leader!!」」」」

The children shouted in unison.

Why are they so in sync? Could it be…

「You all expected me to bring this up and were prepared?」

「Did you find out?」

Soyon stuck out her tongue.

「Tetra told us that you said some unsettling things lately.」

Gram filled me in.

So, it was Tetra.

「Ron proposed to use this opportunity to make you cry…」

「Hey, wait a minute. Roswald was the most enthusiastic. He was even practicing his lines.」

「Well, I knew I would be the target. It’s a rare chance to say something cool. And it was you who suggested we all respond in unison, Ron!」

「Don’t pin this on me!!」

They started a ruckus. Not that I intend to scold them…

「Calm down. I’m not angry or anything. Now, let’s eat bread. Today is a party!!」

「…We only have bread though.」

Tetra muttered under her breath.

No need to say unnecessary things, dunce.