March 15th was Elsa Randol’s birthday.
The celebration took place on Hourai Island, in the Great Dining Hall of the laboratory.
"Happy birthday, Elsa."
"Thank you, Jin-nii."
"Happy birthday!"
"Congratulations!"
The entire Jin Family had gathered on the island to celebrate. A massive birthday cake sat atop a large table draped in a white tablecloth—a masterpiece that Perido and her team had completed after much arduous effort.
The sponge cake had been the most difficult part. Since Jin didn’t know the exact chemistry behind it, the process had required significant trial and error.
It took several attempts just to realize they needed cake flour. Without sifting, the batter would clump; without the right whisking technique, it wouldn't rise. They went through several more iterations experimenting with butter and milk alongside the flour, eggs, and sugar.
Even after incorporating the butter and milk, they spent dozens of attempts finding the perfect mixing ratio, baking temperature, and timing. The failed experiments were fed to the fish in the preserves, so at least nothing went to waste.
The fresh cream had been the next hurdle. Although a culture of cheese-making existed in this world, for some reason, no one made cream. Typically, the fat content of milk is around four grams per hundred grams, varying by season. Even with a centrifuge, the amount of cream that can be extracted is meager. That was likely why it wasn't a common ingredient on Planet Ars.
For the same reason, butter was not particularly widespread either. As a side note, cheese was primarily produced in mountain villages like Moft Village in the Kingdom of Elias. The most common variety was cottage cheese, made by adding vinegar to warmed milk to separate the proteins. Using a lactic acid bacteria culture known as a bulk starter allowed for a wider variety of cheeses.
But back to the party.
This particular cake was loaded with Airbeils—strawberries—which were Elsa’s favorite. It was a dessert that captured the very essence of spring.
Fuuu!
"Well done."
Applause broke out as Elsa blew out the beeswax candles in a single breath.
"...Thank you. I'll cut it now."
Elsa personally began slicing the enormous cake for everyone.
"Mm, this is excellent."
"If Reinhard says so, then this wine is a winner," Jin remarked.
Reinhard had taken a sip of the sparkling wine Marcia brought and immediately took a liking to it.
"Most sparkling wines are made sweet for women and children, but this one leans dry."
Indeed, on Ars, sparkling wine was usually produced with a high sugar content.
"It's delicious."
Elsa was drinking a non-alcoholic carbonated juice—ripe bitis (grape) juice diluted with sparkling water.
"It really is!" Hanna added, clearly enjoying the flavor as well.
"Goodness, to think such a wine existed!" Louis Waltz Count Kuzuma, a nobleman from Blue Land in the Kingdom of Egerea, was equally impressed. "And from an unnamed brewery, no less!"
The wine was a brandless vintage from a new, up-and-coming producer.
"This is better than the wine served at Prince Ernest's birthday party," Louis continued. He had recently attended the royal celebration in the capital. "Our country needs to focus more on promoting such industries..."
He cast a brief glance toward Beena, who was one of the figures leading the charge for industrial growth.
"These topopo chips are wonderful," Beena said. Currently pregnant and strictly avoiding alcohol, she was snacking while sipping on a ramon squash—a drink made of ramon (lemon) juice, carbonated water, and sugar. Her pregnancy had progressed enough that her belly was quite prominent.
"Oh, that reminds me—thanks for the tip the other day, Jin. The caramel-coated popcorn you taught me about is a huge hit."
"I'm glad to hear it."
By offering sweet varieties alongside the standard salty ones, she was reaching a much broader customer base. These foods and magi-devices were providing a healthy stimulus to the Egerean economy.
"Now, I suppose you're just waiting to see your grandchild's face?"
"Well, yes. Though even Jin-sama can't help with that..."
"Indeed, children are a blessing from above; there's no telling when one will arrive."
In a corner of the room, Milowina, Mine, and Martha were deep in conversation. Jin instinctively decided it was safer not to approach them and drifted in the opposite direction.
"Jin, this is so good!"
"Jin-sama, it'sh delishiou-sh."
"Marikka, don't talk with your mouth full; it's bad manners."
Sion and Marikka were currently devouring fried chicken—or rather, fried kokarisk. Although Elsa wasn't fond of the bird, she had prepared it today for the guests. They had used several different spice blends, allowing everyone to enjoy the various aromas.
"Don't eat too much yet. There’s more coming."
"Okay."
Just as Jin spoke, the Golem Maids emerged with trays of fresh dishes.
"Here we go."
"Wow!"
First came the sushi: gomoku-zushi, inari-zushi, and kappa-maki. Since people's tastes regarding raw fish for nigiri-zushi were inconsistent, Jin had left it off the menu this time.
Next were the steamed rice dishes: sekihan, sansai-okowa, and maruon (chestnut) okowa. These were joined by sandwiches, jam buns, and pancakes.
"I don't know where to start!"
"Eat as much of whatever you like. We have plenty of tea, too."
The selection included green tea, hojicha, brown rice tea, Te-e, Kuhe, and Peruhya tea.
"This little one seems to like the porridge," Berche said, feeding Juliana a spoonful.
"She’s already starting to stand up and walk, you know," Stearena noted.
"I bet you can't take your eyes off her for a second."
"She’s just so precious," Vivienne cooed as she and Stearena fussed over the baby.
"This is such a nostalgic taste," Goose murmured while eating the sansai-okowa.
Jin overheard him and asked, "Did they have okowa in Mitsuho and Fusou as well?"
"We did. Though it wasn't quite as good as this."
Given that their culture utilized rice and mochi, it was a logical development.
"But I never thought of putting maruon in it."
"Is that so?"
As someone who loved chestnut okowa, Jin found it essential, so Goose's comment was a bit surprising.
"I think it was partly because we couldn't harvest many chestnuts there," Goose added, offering his own analysis.
Reiko moved through the crowd, capturing everyone’s happy expressions with her camera. She had already taken over a hundred photos.
When the timing felt right, Jin walked over to Elsa.
"Ah, Jin-nii."
Elsa was enjoying her cake at her own steady pace.
"Today is... fun."
"Yeah, it is."
Jin took Elsa's hand and led her outside for a moment.
The sunlight was soft, and the sky was a brilliant blue. On Hourai Island, situated on the Tropic of Cancer, spring had already arrived.