Rebirth in a Ruined Nation! The Life of a New Strategist Starting From Now - Chapter 13

A Reform for Food Preservation! (4)

“So by heating them, you can prevent them from rotting?”

“Why did the food last longer if you heat the jars?”

“Why do you need to let the air out?”

“How long will they last after being opened?”

While taking little bites out of the dishes, I answered Rays-sama’s unending barrage of questions. Honestly, I was just an employee that created canned food in the past, so how did he expect me to know the detailed mechanism behind the method!?

By the way, the dishes I was eating right now were simple dishes that could be cooked in the frontline, like dried meat with vegetables, soup, and a stir-fry of vegetables and meat. 

For the jam, it was used on the flat, hard bread commonly available as a military ration.

Not exactly fancy dishes, but simple enough for the soldiers to cook them on the frontline.

“My end goal was to make them last for at least 6 months, but depending on the ingredients, tools, and the maker, it should be possible to make them that lasts a year…”

“It can last that long!?” Not only Rays-sama, but even Lapilia-sama and Grants-sama look shocked.

“Yes, but as I’ve said, it depends on the ingredients, tools, and the maker…”

While ignoring my words, the three of them stared earnestly at the canned foods.

A few moments later, Grantz-sama let out a sigh.

“…If what Roa said is true, then this canned food might truly bring a ripple through the entire continent.”

“Yeah, but as Roa said, they are still in the middle of experimenting. Roa, the 10th Division will give an official fund for your canned food experiment. Choose some kingdom official you trust, then gave me the official letter recommending them, I’ll also allocate manpower for your research. Diku.” (Rays)

“Y….Yes, sir!”

“Help Roa in this research as his assistant. In exchange, you’ll be exempted from all your duty expect for training.”

“Yes, sir!”

“If you need more help, ask Grantz. Grantz, I’ll be leaving the selection of personnel to you.”

“Yes, sir.”

After he finished giving those orders, Rays-sama stood up and left. 

Fyuuh… I somehow survived that. While I was stroking my chest in relief inside of my head, Rays-sama turned to me again.

“Roa, follow me to my office. The rest of you, clean up.”

After he said that, Rays-sama continued walking away, so I hurriedly followed him.

***

“I said I’d like to talk to Roa alone, though.”

I was in Rays-sama’s office, alongside Rays-sama and Lapilia-sama. Grantz-sama followed Rays-sama’s order and left the office, but Lapilia-sama decided to stay.

“I refuse. As your sword, I cannot leave you alone with him!”

It seemed like Lapilia-sama wouldn’t budge.

Rays-sama made a troubled expression, but in the end he gave up.

“Alright. You can stay, but you have to apologize to Roa. Your earlier words are rude, Lapilia.”

“But…” Lapilia-sama hesitated, but from her expression, it seemed like she also thought her words were going too far, so I heard her say, “My bad…” with a tiny voice.

“It’s fine. I understand your feelings, Lapilia-sama.” 

Actually, Lapilia-sama’s reaction made sense. Rays-sama and Grantz-sama, who trusted me despite only knowing me for barely half a month, were the strange ones.

To be fair, there was now way a skinny former official like me would pose a threat to a knight like Rays-sama. That might be the reason Granzt-sama was fine with leaving Rays-sama alone with me.

“Now that’s done, let’s get to the main business. Roa, where did you get your knowledge about canning?”

Rays-sama asked me with a serious expression. I already knew that I wouldn’t be able to fool him with a vague answer like what I did to Rufa, so I’ve already prepared a suitable answer.

“To be honest, I don’t really remember.”

“You don’t remember?”

“As you both know, my hobby is to collect battle records from various eras and that hobby started from when I was a child, so I think I got the knowledge about canning from one of books I’ve read before. Since the knowledge about canning didn’t have any relation with battle, I didn’t really read it seriously.”

“But since you remembered the knowledge, the book itself should’ve left some impression on you, right?”

“Yes. That’s why I think it might be the book I read in Gedland when I was a child.”

“Gedland? Pardon me for asking, but didn’t you say you’re from Rudektrad?”

“Yes. To be more precise, I was born in a fishing village near Gedland. My father was a fisherman, so he would often go to Gedland to sell his fish. I often accompanied him, so I think I got the knowledge about the canning method from the book I read back then.”

“Your father gave you, a young child at the time, a book?”

“I’ve always been a bookworm since I was a child. I heard that ever since I learned how to read, I’ll stay quiet as long as I’m given a book to read.”

This was the answer I’d prepared in case they questioned me about the canning method. Now, I need to convince them.

“I see, so there’s a possibility that it was knowledge from beyond the sea…ah?, speaking of which, where are your parents now?”

“My father died in the sea when I was 15, while my mother died last year because of an epidemic.”

“Ah, my condolences. I pray that your parents have found their happiness in heaven.”

“Thank you.”

Although Rays-sama still looked doubtful, he stopped asking questions. He probably thought it would be useless to ask any more than this.

“The strength of your memory is beyond my expectation. Roa, From now on, if you remember any useful knowledge like the canning method, tell me first. Depending on the content of your knowledge, I’ll give you support.”

With those words, our conversation was finally finished.

The next day…

“On the occasion of your appointment as the member of the 10th Division, His Majesty wanted to meet you, Roa.”

It took me a while to digest Rays-sama’s words. 

?

T/N: Mc survived his first crisis, now come the next crisis, meeting with the King! As always, please leave a comment on any mistake in this chapter. Thank you~