Loop Mob – A Mob’s Interdimensional Travel Caught in a Loop

Chapter 45: After the Emergency Crop

Now that the experimentation with the enchantment spell is on track, we can’t neglect the matter of emergency crops. By this time next year, the southern regions are expected to have a poor harvest, causing some turbulence domestically.

Sweet potatoes are planted in May to June and harvested around October to November.
Buckwheat, with summer and autumn varieties, is sown from April to June, and the harvest takes place in July to August for summer buckwheat and October to November for autumn buckwheat.
Potatoes, both spring and autumn varieties, are planted from February to March, with harvests in June for spring planting and November for autumn planting.

Even though Carol-san did her best to cultivate these before we went back home, they are ultimately products of the experimental farm. We need to promote these to the farmers while also preparing for a promotion in the royal capital soon. Autumn and winter are social seasons, and the viscount needs to work hard.

“But if everything becomes bountiful, won’t we have excess?” worries the baron, who is both a son-in-law and a younger brother obsessed with agriculture. I get it. Normal people don’t know about events for the next year. Barley, which the commoners will eat, has already been harvested sufficiently, and autumn is busy with grape harvesting. However,

“We can process the surplus into alcohol,” I suggest.

“Alcohol?!”

Still, I don’t really know how to make alcohol. I did visit a beer factory once.

“I think we can ferment it after saccharification, similar to making barley beer. Then, distill and age it,” I explain.

“Distill, what’s that?”

Oh, right. Distillation isn’t widespread in this world. I roughly explained distillation.

“I see, different substances have different boiling points. There’s a technique to separate them,” says the baron, now interested.

“Oh, no, I only heard a bit from a merchant…” Professor Kabaneru is now intrigued. Sorry, Hyamo-san, for using you as a source again.

“What do you think, Clement? Does it seem feasible?” asks the viscount.

“Yes, in principle, it’s simple. With the right equipment, we can start anytime,” I reply.

“Good. I’ll fully support you. Get started right away.”

Huh, what’s that? Right away?

Starting right away indeed meant starting really soon. The next day, experimental equipment was brought in. It turns out to be Clement-kun’s old toy from his science days. For today, we focused on the distillation experiment.

“Boil this wine like this…”

I’m not a hardcore science guy, so I only know the basics. A heat source under the flask, a glass tube at the end, leading to another flask. Using life magic fire for heating and life magic water for cooling, we circulated the area around the glass tube to prevent dripping. This was the most troublesome part.

“Even though it’s life magic, controlling multiple spell formations simultaneously is impossible. Alexei-kun, you’re truly amazing,” compliments Professor Kabaneru. Hey, that’s not the point now.

Soon, drops of alcohol were collected, and most of the alcohol evaporated from the wine.

“Alright. Please taste both.”

Everyone cautiously brought a spoonful to their mouths.

“This tastes like regular hot wine, Vanshow, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s right. Distillation separates the evaporated alcohol.”

“I see! Fantastic!”

Then the separated alcohol. Is it called brandy before aging, or should we call it vodka?

“Cheers! This is strong!”

“Is this the same as the dwarves’ fire spirits?”

“I don’t know, but it’s probably the same technique.”

“Amazing! To think we can make the dwarves’ secret fire spirits in our territory!”

The conversation seems to be getting bigger. Wait, was distilled alcohol a monopoly of the dwarves?

The viscount’s mansion suddenly became busy. In particular, the baron, standing up, summoned the butler and gave various instructions. Professor Kabaneru was also taken somewhere, creating an atmosphere like a war. Seizing the opportunity, I quietly left the viscount’s mansion and, as usual, went to my master’s place.

“Well, my lord, if alcohol is involved, things are bound to become like this,” my master said, seemingly exasperated. Indeed, there are many people whose lives are messed up by alcohol, but is that so?