The liquid Elsa had begun preparing in the prototype pressure cooker was what many would call "fond" or "bouillon."
In the modern world of Earth, these served as the "dashi" or stock of a dish—a foundation for stews, a base for soups, or a starting point for sauces.
In the world of Ars, people simmered a medley of ingredients—sinewy meat, chicken carcasses, bone marrow, vegetables, and fruit—resulting in something caught between a fond and a bouillon. Jin simply referred to it as "Western-style stock."
Normally, it took hours of simmering to develop a deep, rich flavor, requiring a significant amount of time before the base was complete.
They were currently testing how much they could shorten that window by using the pressure cooker.
The recipe they were following was the standard Hourai Island blend.
It consisted of Gond-caribou bones, dried sardines, kombu (a type of seaweed very similar to it), the cores of marunegi, shiitake (mushrooms resembling the edible kind), and capri milk.
The Gond-caribou bones were imported from the demon territory, while the dried sardines came from Tatsumi Bay. The kombu had been harvested by the Mermaid unit in northern Hourai Island, and the marunegi and shiitake were grown in Topaz's fields.
The result was a fusion stock that blended Eastern and Western sensibilities.
By adding more meat, fish, and vegetables, they could create a Western-style stock with even more complex, layered flavors.
While it didn't pair well with many traditional Japanese dishes, it was exceptionally suited for soups, risottos, and stews.
Even when used as a secret ingredient, it had a way of significantly boosting a dish's umami.
"Jin-nii, what if we prepared this in front of everyone?"
Elsa, who had been watching the pot as it began to whistle, turned toward him.
"Ah, that's a great idea. If it's ready in ten minutes or so, we can finish it while giving the presentation. That way, the attendees can actually taste it."
"If we're giving them a taste, it might be best to just add salt and serve it as a soup."
By adding a pinch of salt and straining the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve, they could produce a simple, elegant soup in moments.
"Yeah, let's go with that."
Jin calculated that once they realized such a delicious soup could be made with nothing but this stock and a little salt, every leader would be eager to see the pressure cooker popularized.
As they discussed the plan, ten minutes passed, and Elsa turned off the heat.
The magic tool integrated into the lid detected the temperature; as soon as the heat source was cut, it began to gradually vent the pressure.
While the pressure remained high, a barrier prevented the lid from being removed.
This safety feature ensured that no one would be scalded by a sudden burst of steam and that the lid wouldn't go flying off.
"How does it feel to use?"
"Not bad. But it might be better if the handle were a bit longer."
The prototype they had made was a small saucepan intended for one-handed use.
The version they unveiled at the World Conference would likely be a large stockpot—a two-handed model capable of serving all the attendees at once.
"We'll need to make the large version and make sure we're used to handling it."
"Eh?"
Elsa's eyes widened in surprise.
"I... have to... perform the demonstration?"
The idea seemed to catch her off guard.
"Is that a problem?"
"..."
Elsa thought for a few seconds before nodding firmly.
"...I'll do it."
"I'm counting on you."
They decided to develop a full lineup, ranging from massive pressure cookers capable of serving thirty people to small units designed for just two.
Naturally, the largest model was slated for its debut at the World Conference.
"For the heat source, we should use the improved magic stove."
The original design was based on the magi-stone stove Jin had built in Kaina Village, but this version used magi-crystals to generate more intense heat, making it suitable for large-scale cooking.
"Now, as for the materials..."
Jin considered the logistics for a moment before issuing instructions to Laojun.
"Laojun, can you buy up iron from various countries? Try to do it in a way that doesn't disrupt the local markets."
Though he had considered using the resources on Hourai Island, he opted to purchase them instead to stimulate the global economy.
His personal assets were, quite frankly, growing uncontrollably.
Living in a self-sufficient environment without taxes meant his income simply piled up. Even though it arrived at irregular intervals, the sums were staggering.
Even Jin, who was generally uninterested in finance, worried that if he didn't start spending, he might inadvertently stall the circulation of wealth.
"Understood. I shall instruct the Quinta units across the nations to begin procurement."
Laojun moved immediately.
The Quinta agents, disguised as merchants, purchased the iron and sent it to Hourai Island via the nearest Warp Gate or transporter.
By carefully managing the pace of these purchases to avoid a sudden spike in market prices, Laojun began collecting iron ingots from across the world.
"An invitation to a harvest festival?"
"Yes, My Lord. It arrived at the Village Chief's house this morning."
In Toka Village, the neighbor to Kaina Village, the wheat harvest had just concluded.
It had been a successful year, and they wanted to hold a grand celebration that doubled as a party for surviving the previous winter's famine.
"Understood. We'll head to Kaina Village tomorrow."
When Jin handed the Western-style stock Elsa had prepared to Soleil, she immediately began making a cold soup.
She simmered it with Devil's Potato <Devil Bulb>, marunegi, and capri milk, then finished it with finely chopped mountain leeks.
Meanwhile, Luna prepared a barley risotto.
She added the Western-style stock to the grains, seasoning it with salt, pepper, marunegi, shiitake, wine, and a small amount of rice for texture.
A fruit salad featuring citran served as the perfect accompaniment.
"Yeah, this is delicious."
And so, their dinner that evening consisted of a menu built entirely around the stock from the prototype pressure cooker.
"Toka Village, huh..."
"The village where Lishia-san lives."
"That's the one..."
Jin wore a slightly awkward expression. For one reason or another, he hadn't been in touch for a while.
Despite being neighboring villages, which suggested frequent contact, that very proximity—combined with his own hesitance—had somehow led to them drifting apart.
The geography didn't help; Togo Pass loomed between the two settlements. With the journey taking nearly two days each way, there was little to no interaction between them.
In truth, it was simply that Kaina Village was exceptionally remote.
"Even so, there's not much point in building a railway, a road, or digging a tunnel just for this..."
Jin was capable of such feats, but when he considered the long-term consequences and the impact on the region, he was reluctant to intervene so drastically.
Moreover, he felt there was little point if the infrastructure only connected two small villages.
Lishia was working hard as a fledgling lord. Knowing she was independent and determined was part of why he hadn't worried about her.
"...I suppose it's no wonder if she thinks I'm heartless."
"Jin-nii, Lishia-san isn't the type to rely on others. She's someone who strives to solve her own problems."
"Is that so?"
Jin remembered the Lishia he had first met—the girl filled with anxiety, wondering what she was capable of and what her duty truly was.
Having spent so much time looking at the grander scale of the world, Jin realized he needed to reflect on the things closer to home.
"I should bring a gift."
"Mm. Taking one of these pressure cookers would be a good idea."
"Yeah, you're right."
Jin and Elsa began talking, carefully selecting gifts and celebration supplies to bring with them.