The Disappointing Way Flour Was Treated

“I was surprised. Even though he is the Head Guard of a remote region, he has incredible skill. His ability seemed like it would work even among knights of powerful nobles.”

“Well, that’s because the Head Guard was originally a knight of a powerful noble.”

“Hey, do not say unnecessary things.”

Al called out to Chuck, who had put up a good fight. When a nearby guard said that in response, Chuck hurriedly stopped him.

“Is there some kind of circumstance behind that?”

Caro said that to Chuck.

“Must I answer?”

“It is fine if you do not wish to say it.”

Chuck asked Caro that.

“Well, it is not something I need to hide, but actually…”

Chuck began speaking.

“Originally, I served as a knight to a certain high-ranking noble. However, with the noble’s wife whom I served… I entered what one would call an affair. That came to light, and I was banished. Then I drifted to this town, and since I had no particular work, I began working as a guard, and before I knew it, I had become the Head Guard.”

“I do believe adultery is something that cannot be forgiven, but you have been through hardships.”

“It helps to hear you say that.”

Caro offered words of sympathy in response to Chuck’s words.

“But the amazing thing about the Head Guard is that his current wife is the woman who was that noble’s wife.”

“Hey, do not say unnecessary things!”

When the same guard from earlier said that, Chuck stopped him with an embarrassed look.

“That is amazing.”

Caro said that in surprise.

After that exchange, Kent and the others entered the guards’ station and decided to explain why they had come this time.

“Actually, the reason we came here this time is that we heard you were not coordinating well with the Town Head and the others, so we came to confirm the details.”

“I see. So that is what this is about. By the Lord’s notice, we changed our attitude toward the residents, but we have received no instructions regarding coordination. If the Acting Lord will stand between us and handle it, I believe there will be no problem?”

When Kent brought up the main topic, Chuck answered. From the guards’ side of the story, it seemed they had not been coordinating as before because they had not received instructions.

“I understand. In that case, it seems we can handle it easily. While I am here, coordination should not be a problem, but it seems we will need to discuss the matter again regarding the future.”

“That is acceptable.”

The discussion between Kent and Chuck ended, and after leaving the guards’ station, Kent and the others went out into the town.

“It feels a little more lively than when we came last time.”

“Yes. Since the entry tax was abolished, people from outside can now enter the town casually, so I think a flow of people has begun. However, unless there are goods that can only be obtained by coming to this town, I think it will be difficult to increase the number of people beyond this.”

As Caro said, this town was located away from the highway, and it seemed to be a place where travelers and merchants did not stop by on their way to their destinations. Unless people visited this town with some kind of purpose, it would be difficult to increase the absolute number.

“I would like to say we should build a hot spring facility… but I used that idea last time…”

“Huh? A hot spring facility? I love baths. Let’s definitely build one.”

Caro reacted to what Kent casually muttered. It would be good if there were natural hot springs, but if they had to dig, they had no tools, and even with Kent’s device, excavation was impossible.

“Sorry… That might be a little impossible. Let’s think of something else.”

“What a shame. I thought you would somehow manage it, Kent-san…”

Caro looked very disappointed.

Perhaps out of their usual habit, Kent and the others unconsciously entered a bakery.

“Welcome.”

There were several customers inside the shop, and the shopkeeper said that while dealing with them.

“Kent-san, the prices have dropped quite a lot compared to when we came before.”

“You’re right. If they lower them this much, I wonder if they can make a profit.”

When they visited this bakery last time, flatbread had been sold for 120G, but this time it was 40G, less than half the price. From Kent’s brief experience in running a bakery, he immediately noticed something strange about the price.

“I believe it was being sold for 120G when we came a little while ago, so why is it 40G now?”

Since Kent felt that even if distribution costs had decreased, selling it at a price lower than in Tior would be difficult, he asked the shopkeeper.

“Actually, the price of flour crashed badly… or rather, a huge amount was brought in with people saying they did not care if it was free, they just wanted us to take it. Apparently, the flour made in this town was supposed to be wholesaled to Tior’s Bakers’ Guild, but that plan fell through, so it all ended up remaining as stock. The farmers apparently secured enough for themselves to eat, subtracted the portion for taxes, and still had a massive amount left over. Since flour supposedly has no use other than making bread, they could not find buyers, and if they were only going to discard it anyway… that is how it ended up.”

“That is such a waste.”

Caro said that after hearing the shopkeeper’s story.

“Kent-san, can anything be done?”

“Is flour really not used for anything besides making bread?”

“That’s right. I have never heard of it being used for anything else.”

After hearing the shopkeeper’s answer, Kent was made to think once again about how terribly flour was treated after he came to this world.

“Flour is such a versatile ingredient, though…”

“Is that so? This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

When Kent said that, Caro replied in surprise.

“Since you only saw the finished dishes, you might not have noticed, but…”

Kent told Caro about the many dishes using flour that he had served her up until now.

“So I had eaten all sorts of things without realizing it…”

Caro seemed to have received a small shock. After that, they bought bread that was being sold for lunch and left the shop.

The three of them sat down in an open spot in the square at the center of town, and Kent and Caro observed the flow of people while nibbling on the bread they had just purchased. Al had not said a word for a while and was sipping mineral water little by little.

“Al, you haven’t said a word for a while. Did your stomach start hurting or something?”

“No, that is not it. On the contrary, I am getting energized by basking in the sunlight.”

“Is that what they call photosynthesis?”

“Yes. Photosynthesis.”

Kent, worried, spoke to Al.

“What is photo-syn-the-sis?”

Caro asked curiously. Kent ended up explaining photosynthesis in detail to Caro, the process by which plants absorb sunlight and convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. Incidentally, since Al had absorbed Kent’s knowledge and skills when they formed their contract, she understood it without Kent needing to explain.

“I see. So oxygen is necessary to burn things. And plants had such an important role. Then is it bad to recklessly cut down trees and develop land?”

“That’s right. But even after developing land, it is possible to coexist by planting trees together with it, so I think it would be fine as long as things are carried out while making plans around that.”

“I see. That will be useful.”

Caro took notes so that she would not forget the conversation they had just had.

Afterward, Kent and the others had a light meal, looked around the shops, investigated prices and such, then decided to return to the Town Head’s house.