Chapter 210 - Chapter 186 Alcohol After 20
"Okay. So, about an hour’s wait."
What will you do while you wait?
"I’m thinking of building a simple stove here so I can cook."
It’s debatable whether I’ll use it for the live stream, but it would be good to be able to cook here too. Oh, if it rains during tomorrow’s live stream, I’ll definitely need it…
Will you build it in the backyard?
"No, I’ll build it inside. Somewhere on the right after entering the front door."
Eh? But, the smoke…
"Oh, I think it’ll be fine if I just open the wooden window above."
I see.
Actually, the lighting in this building must have come from some other magic tool. The wooden window high on the wall seems mostly for ventilation. Right now, I’m relying on the Light Spirit, so I don’t have trouble with light, but I wonder if they used magic lamps in the past?
………
……
…
Shou-kun, it’s almost an hour.
"Oh, alright, let’s check it."
Yes!
I’ve gotten used to building stone kilns, so it didn’t take long… actually, no, that’s not quite right. I could quickly prepare the stone bricks, but I completely forgot about needing clay and had to go search for it. Thankfully, I found some on the way back to the mountain.
"Now, how is it…"
[Magic Brewer: Operating]
"Raw Materials:
・Grapeful Wine
Brewing Menu:
・Grapeful Vinegar… Time required: 30 minutes"
It’s done!
"Alright, alright!"
It seems the brewed wine can be directly turned into vinegar. But there’s no need to make a huge amount all at once, so…
"For now, I’ll turn half of it into Grapeful Vinegar."
The wine… will you drink it?
"No, I’ll treat it as cooking wine. A wine stew with Greydeer or Forebit meat would probably be delicious, wouldn’t it?"
I’ll have to look up some recipes, but I’ll try making it on Sunday. No, before that…
"Can we drink alcohol in IRO too?"
Yes. That’s what I was wondering…
"Let’s appraise it for now."
I took the barrel off the [Magic Brewer], opened the lid, and activated [Appraisal].
[Grapeful Wine]
"Alcohol made from Grapeful fruit. Good balance of sourness and sweetness, not too bitter, so easy to drink.
Cooking: Can be used as a seasoning."
"Is it delicious?"
I don’t know.
My dad once made me try beer, but I didn’t think it was particularly tasty. It felt like a bitter, sweet carbonated drink. I’ll try a little…
"Ngh!? What is this! It’s sour! It’s nothing like what it says!"
Could I check the official page quickly? I think it might be because we’re minors…
"Ah! Oh, right, of course. Sorry, could you do that? In the meantime, I’ll start preparing the Grapeful Vinegar…"
Yes!
As I transferred half of the contents into the jar I’d brought, I thought about it. Mion was probably right; it was likely because underage drinking is forbidden. But then, what about sweets that contain alcohol, like marron glacé…
"Waf!"
"~~~♪"
"Oh, welcome back. Did you find anything interesting?"
I asked Lupi and Sweee, who had returned, and Sweee nudged Lupi’s pouch… Did they pick something up?
"I wonder what. I don’t really imagine things growing by the sea… huh?"
Opening the pouch revealed small yellow fruits… Are these mandarins? No, given the size, maybe kumquats?
[Camlus Fruit]
"Fruit from the Camlus tree. Ripe ones are very sweet and delicious.
Cooking: Eaten raw or stewed. Alchemy: Used as an ingredient for antidotes."
"Ohh! That’s amazing!"
"~~~!"
"Wafun!"
Both of them looked smug. I gave Lupi a good petting, and for Sweee, Dried Grapeful, I guess?
I’m back. Is that a small mandarin?
"No, I think it’s a kumquat. They’re sweet and delicious when stewed with sugar. Oh, sorry! How was it?"
Yes. It seems alcohol tastes strange to underage players. However, if it’s not explicitly in an alcoholic state, just having an alcoholic flavor, it’s apparently fine.
"Ah, I see. Good…"
It would be too sad if I made wine stew and it tasted completely off. "~~~?"
"This? It’s wine… I wonder if Sweee would find it delicious? Sweee is the Queen of the fairies, so I assume she’s an adult AI. Actually, for an AI, it probably doesn’t matter if she’s considered an adult or not…
I feel like she’d get drunk with just a little bit.
"Ah, I’m starting to think so too. This won’t do, but can you show me where the Camlus Fruit grows? I’ll gather some and make compote… something sweet for you."
"~~~!"
Before going to gather, I quickly set the Grapeful Vinegar to brew. I tapped the [Magic Brewer] and started brewing the remaining half. Compote is fruit stewed with sugar, right?
"Yeah. This time, we have the honey the fairies collected."
I see!
I’ll make a bit extra and have it for dessert during tomorrow’s live stream. Compote after fish dishes feels a little out of place, though. Maybe candied fruit would have been better?
………
……
…
On the opposite side of the lighthouse. A little way into the mountains, several Camlus trees grew, and I understood. The Camlus trees, though overgrown, were planted in terraces, giving the impression they were properly cultivated in the past.
"Almost ready?"
For the Camlus Fruit, I just poke a small hole with a bamboo skewer and boil it in water, Fairy Honey, and a little Greenberry Fruit juice. Finally, I add a splash of freshly made Grapeful Wine and bring it to a boil once more.
"Alright, it’s done."
It’s so glossy and looks incredibly delicious…
The Camlus Fruit smells really good. No, is that thanks to the Fairy Honey?
"Sweee, just a little longer. At least until it cools down a bit. And wipe your drool."
"Waf…"
Sweee’s eyes sparkled, and she drooled, making even Lupi look exasperated. Ideally, it would be better chilled in a refrigerator, but I can’t make it cold here.
"Lupi. Keep an eye on Sweee so she doesn’t sneak a bite."
"Waf!"
I moved the pot to the counter. The Grapeful Vinegar should be ready soon. I think I’ll make carpaccio for tomorrow’s live stream, if I manage to catch some fish, that is…