episode_0038
by fnovelpia
38. Canned Food!
After receiving Athena’s proposal, Taisy and I left to take over the guard shift.
Though Taisy, who was dragged along by the scruff of her neck, grumbled like an aggrieved puppy…
“I didn’t lose… I found an opening, and if I’d had just a little more time, I would’ve won…!” “Yeah, yeah.”
After that, everything went smoothly as we met up with Liliana and Ellara to take over.
We alternated in two-hour shifts moving between the break rooms, and the first night of guard duty ended without incident.
Unlike Taisy, who sprawled on the sofa and snored away, I couldn’t catch a single wink of sleep…
I redesigned the blueprint for the canned food to report to Erica.
All it took was sealing food inside a steel can plated with tin.
Compared to the piano, it was a far simpler structure.
“Plating the tin is simple enough…”
The steel mold could easily be mass-produced through casting.
The issue was the tin plating—there was no way this era had electroplating methods.
Fortunately, since this was a fantasy world, lightning-enchanted weapons were a dime a dozen.
So even this wouldn’t be too difficult.
But the problem that continued to nag at me was…
“Sterilization. If I gloss over this part, most of the canned food would end up spoiled.”
It’d be a disaster worse than just resorting to jarred preserves.
In the modern era, vacuum-sealing and high-pressure sterilization were possible…
But even in this medieval fantasy world, using steam pressure was out of the question.
Of course, given enough time, I *could* develop the machinery myself…
“Starting from the generator, hydraulic or steam-powered devices would need to be designed separately for mass production.
Not to mention an automatic cooling system to spray water or steam to prevent overheating—that’s impossible right now.”
There was no way to pull it off in such a short time.
And to even check for microorganisms, I’d have to create a microscope too…
In two days, when we return to Redmain, my liege will have to depart for war again.
I can’t let her eat slop even then.
No matter how much I agonized over it, I couldn’t think of a sterilization method that didn’t rely on steam pressure.
In the end, without catching a single moment of rest in the break room, I returned to my quarters.
“Should I even bring this up?”
Early in the morning.
Outside Erica’s quarters.
I stood there, arms crossed, groaning to myself as I agonized over the decision.
I hadn’t found a surefire sterilization method, and the vacuum-sealing process was still unclear.
Unlike the piano or the stove, no concrete solutions came to mind.
Since I wasn’t sure if it’d even work, asking for support felt a little insecure.
I paced anxiously outside Erica’s door, lost in thought—
“Why are you loitering around like a puppy that needs to pee?”
Erica suddenly opened the door, greeting me.
“How did you know—” “I could hear your footsteps.” “Ah… Sorry for waking you so early.”
I hastily bowed my head in apology.
But Erica shook her head, reassuring me.
“Don’t worry, I wasn’t asleep… I was up all night chatting with a guest.”
A guest?
For a moment, I wondered if it was a man, but I quickly pushed the uneasy thought aside.
Erica treated me well, but it was only as a capable subordinate she prized.
I resolved not to overstep and meddle in my lord’s private affairs.
However, the person who stepped out behind Erica had short, sky-blue hair and eyes, accentuated by glasses.
A woman exuding intellectual charm, dressed in a stylish suit.
At a glance, she looked both aristocratic and highly educated.
She bowed politely to me—a commoner—and greeted me in a soft voice.
“I’m Alice Verachia. Please, just call me Alice.” “Uh… Cain. Nice to meet you.”
I hurriedly bowed deeply in return.
But Alice, smiling benevolently, grabbed my shoulders and straightened me up.
“There’s no need for such formality with me.”
Erica cleared her throat, signaling Alice to back off.
Noticing the hint, Alice chuckled good-naturedly and released me.
Erica introduced us properly to ease the awkwardness.
“This is Alice Verachia.
Brilliant, capable, and from a prestigious noble family—an earl of ancient lineage.”
She added that Alice had arrived unexpectedly last night.
She had chosen Erica as the one to save the suffering people from the greedy O’Youngje.
They’d spent the night discussing governance quite pleasantly.
Just as Erica was about to introduce me, Alice shook her head.
“I already know who this gentleman is.”
Huh. A noble from an ancient and esteemed earldom addressing *me* with respect?
But Alice didn’t seem the least bit humiliated—instead, she began heaping praise on me.
“Cain. Erica Grace’s treasure and a peerless engineer.
Take one step, and inspiration strikes.
Five steps, and a blueprint forms.
Ten steps, and you create something never before seen in this world—a true genius.”
Wasn’t that something Cecilia had casually made up?
Why was she repeating it word for word?
The excessive flattery was both embarrassing and cringe-inducing.
Yet despite the grand assessment, Alice carefully watched my reaction as she continued.
“But I hold you in higher esteem than most.” “Is that so?” “Yes. The things you create are remarkable, yes, but they’re inventions for *the many*.”
Inventions for the many?
Had I ever made something like that?
“Starting with thermoelectric bulbs to keep people from freezing in winter.
Stoves followed, and then pencils and books affordable for anyone.
Unlike other artisans who grovel before nobles, making only for their pleasure.”
Before the piano, the “Lyra”—once the finest instrument—had been crafted exclusively for nobles.
Other advancements like expensive paper or castle construction were also meant for the wealthy.
But aside from the piano and the hot-air balloon, my inventions had been cheap enough for commoners—which deeply moved her.
She admired how thoughtfully I ensured ordinary people could learn.
That was why she’d sought *Erica* out, not Cecilia or others, wishing to serve under her.
“Would you care to share a packed meal while we talk further?” “A packed meal?” “Ah, forgive me. Alice loves packed meals a bit too much.” “It’s efficient to eat while working or reviewing documents.”
True to her intellectual demeanor, she valued efficiency.
When Erica promised to have her personal chef in Redmain prepare a fine lunchbox as thanks, Alice brightened.
For some reason, I had a feeling this would end tragically…
Lost in thought, I was startled when Erica addressed me.
“My fox. So, why *were* you pacing outside my door?”
Arms crossed, Erica finally got to the point.
I scratched my head and answered honestly.
“Well… I’ve finished the blueprints for a new invention, but…” “Oh? That sounds promising.”
Erica raised an eyebrow, looking pleased.
Scratching my head again, I handed her my notebook.
“Is this… a tin can? It seems small.”
Erica grasped the structure instantly.
I bowed my head and began explaining slowly.
“It’s a way to preserve food long-term, preventing spoilage like in a lunchbox.
If we stored ingredients this way, soldiers could have nutritious, tasty meals instead of slop during campaigns.”
“So, my lovely little thing… Did you come here seeking praise?”
Erica patted my lowered head.
Being stroked by this 151 cm woman felt strangely surreal…
I hurriedly elaborated on my hesitation.
“I haven’t figured out vacuum sealing or a sterilization method yet.” “So it might fail?” “Yes… That’s why I was debating whether to experiment further before reporting.”
At my words, Erica stroked her chin thoughtfully.
Then she asked,
“Were you afraid of tarnishing your perfect record?” “No.” “Afraid of failure itself?” “Yes.”
Erica arched a brow, surprised.
I bowed deeper and confessed honestly.
“I’m worried the food might spoil and make you or the soldiers sick.” “…My health matters more than your reputation?”
Reputation?
I’d never cared about that.
In fact, since I was desperate to resign, a rising reputation would only be a nuisance.
The sole reason for making canned food was so I wouldn’t have to eat slop if dragged into war.
And if I botched the sterilization and Erica got sick from eating it…
My head and neck would part ways in an instant—so caution was non-negotiable.
Thus, I nodded in agreement.
“Ah! Really! *Hah…!*”
Erica placed a hand on her hip and let out a strange breath.
Her face reddened, and she fanned herself as if trying to cool down.
“You keep wagging your—no. *I* must get used to this now…”
Then, in a tender voice, she said:
“Have I not told you?
I believe in you more than myself.
So don’t fear failure—just build it.
And if you fail, remember I’m here for your next success.”
I didn’t fully understand, but… was that permission?
I bowed deeply in gratitude and headed to the workshop where Brook and Aiter were.
────────────────────
After Cain left, Alice let out a laugh.
Her beautiful face bore not mockery but a hopeful smile.
“A truly remarkable man. More than I’d heard.” “Do you think I’d call just anyone my treasure?”
Arms crossed, Erica puffed out her modest chest proudly.
Alice simply smiled at the sight.
“Canned food… It will surely change the world.”
If food could be preserved long-term, the world *would* change.
Those traveling far would no longer starve or suffer malnutrition.
Gazing at Cain’s retreating figure, Alice murmured to herself.
“Not just that. Everything he creates… will make the Frontier Empire mightier, a land where its people flourish.”
Erica nearly corrected her—Cain belonged to *her*, not the Empire—but stayed silent.
Alice’s words about changing the world stirred fierce agreement.
After all, the Empire would soon be hers.
All that mattered was that Alice worked hard by her side.
0 Comments