Chapter 280 - Chapter 247: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire?
"
It was incredibly efficient, making all my past struggles feel pointless.
After club activities, I challenged myself to create thin, mortar-like `[Earth Wall]` using `White Clay`. After several failures, I finally managed it just as the club ended.
Shou-kun. Watch your MP, okay?
"Ah, right. My maximum MP is lower because of storage expansion."
Even so, thanks to the `Red Armor Bear`'s mantle and the `Azure Moon Ring`, my MP recovery was insane.
`[Earth Wall]` inherently consumed little MP, and making it thin like mortar used only single-digit MP. Dispensing a trickle of water with `[Purification]` was almost the same.
Creating `[Stone Wall]` to act as bricks did take double-digit MP, but even that recovered in about a minute.
"The bottom part is complete now."
Can you tell me what it's like?
"Yeah. Uhm, so…"
"The very bottom is where the firewood burns. The flames heat up the iron plate installed above, which then smokes the wood chips on it.
The smoke and heat from the chips will then transform ingredients into smoked food in the central section I'm about to build.
Finally, the smoke that rises to the very top will exit through the vent. Hopefully…"
I see! Very clever!
"Well, I don't know if it'll work perfectly from the start."
The central part I'm making now will first be the grill section for placing ingredients. It's just a few iron rods laid across. A bit higher up, I'll put some iron rods for hanging things.
Once both sides are stacked, it'll be the front door. Oh right, I need to go cut wood. And I forgot to bring hinges… For today, a temporary solution will have to do.
………
……
…
"Woof!"
"~~~♪"
"Ah, welcome back."
The return of Lupi and Sweee from playing around probably meant it was past 10 o'clock.
It was perfect timing, as I was just finishing the last layer, with only the top slab (a stone plate) left to put on as a lid.
"Just a bit more. Here, have a snack."
"Woof-un."
"~~~♪"
I stepped down from the table I was using as a stool and handed the two some `Torotoro Dried Papu Fruit`.
Before closing the lid, I should check one more time.
That's [Civil Engineering Skill], isn't it?
"Yeah. It's so convenient, isn't it?"
I concentrated, confirming the strength of each component.
No issues on the outside… a quick look around the inside… It's fine.
[Civil Engineering Skill has leveled up!]
"Ah…"
Congratulations!
"Thanks. Well, I guess it's because I was making earth and stacking stones."
I got onto the table, for the final lid… but before that, I created `White Clay` and let water soak into it.
Conscious of the finished image… size, thickness, good.
"
The lid sealed perfectly, and now the smoke should flow out through the vent.
"Phew. I think it's done."
[Applied Earth Magic Skill has leveled up!]
[Stonemasonry Skill has leveled up!]
It leveled up again!
"I guess making something a bit more intricate gives more skill experience. Alright, down I go!"
I got off the table and re-tied my boots.
Now, time to gather some firewood for a test run.
"Shall we go?"
"Woof~"
"~~~♪"
If this works, I'll make `Bacon` with `Ranziboa` meat.
I've got sugar, salt, and pepper, so I should be able to make delicious `Bacon`.
Still, I really need to find wheat or rice soon…
………
……
…
"Prep's all good. What time is it now, around 10:30?"
Yes. Just past it.
"Roger. Alright, let's get this done quickly… Since we're at it, let's ask the `Fire Spirit` for help."
I took out a `Fire Spirit Stone` from my inventory and asked it to ignite. Whoosh, a spark flew, and the stacked firewood began to burn. Amazing…
Since it didn't seem like it would go out, I piled crushed `Papu Tree` scraps onto the iron plate and placed it over the fire.
Uhm, can't you just burn it directly?
"No, because I need to smoke it. If I put it directly in the fire, it'll just burn out too quickly."
The iron plate heated up nicely, scorching the chips, and thick smoke began to rise, so I said,
"Alright, in it goes~"
I arranged three dried `Oranjack` on the grill section and closed the wooden lid.
This should be fine, but… I need to check if the smoke is actually coming out of the vent!
"Lupi, let's go check the smoke!"
"Woof!"
Stepping outside, I saw smoke even before reaching the side of the `Storage`.
After confirming the smoke was properly venting from the exhaust port…
How long until it's ready?
"Hmm, I'll try for about 15 minutes first."
Actually, it's a problem that I can't see it once the lid is on. Is it about time I figured out how to make glass?
But even if I were to make blown glass, starting from raw materials would be too difficult. Magic or `magic tools`… I wonder if Argenta-san would know?
The three of us strolled leisurely to the end of the embankment and came back. Was it about 15 minutes?
…I feel like I might have smoked it a bit too much.
"Well, even if it's not perfect, it should still be edible, just crispy. Ah, thank you."
I signaled the `Fire Spirit` to finish and extinguished the flames.
Putting on gloves, I took out the iron plate. The chips were blackened but not burnt out, so perhaps it was just right?
"Now, how is it…?"
When I removed the wooden lid, a wave of heat escaped, revealing amber-colored dried `Oranjack`.
"Oh, looks like a success?"
Amazing!
When I placed it on a wooden plate, Lupi wagged her tail, impatient.
But, I should probably taste it first. Burnt food probably isn't good for you.
"Hold on a sec. I'll just taste it."
It was a small `Oranjack`, so I took a big, bold bite directly…
"Delicious!"
"Woof!"
"Sorry, sorry. Here, you can have two."
The fishy smell of the dried fish had completely transformed into a fragrant savoriness, making it crispy and snackable.
Smoked `Flower Trout` was good too, but this had a different kind of deliciousness.
Lupi was crunching on it head-first. Looks like she's found another favorite food.
It looks delicious…
"This is easy to make anytime. But more than that, I want to make `Bacon`."
Bacon!?
"I think I can make it with `Ranziboa` meat."
As we were talking, a system message appeared.
"[Travel to some areas of the Demon Kingdom is now possible!]"
""Eh?""
The `Demon Kingdom`… there were rumors that it might become a starting area with an update, but has it already? No, 'some areas'?
"Does this mean an update is coming soon? Even though we're in the middle of a `World Quest`?"
Ah, isn't it possible this is a result of diplomacy, not an update?
"Oh, that's right. There were rumors about Princess Anshia doing trade and such…"
The talk about getting along with other races… I already protected and brought the `Fairies` who were in the `Republic` to my island.
Instead, it seemed like they got along with the `Demon Kingdom`…
Shou-kun. You might be called by Bell-buchou or Seth (Miki).
"Huh? It has nothing to do with me, does it?"
No, it's just that… they might think it's Shou-kun again…
Yeah, you're right…