Chapter 27

    A New Liquor for the Strong Drinker

    The power of a bear’s nose… had been frequently used these days to observe changes inside the sealed wooden barrels, whose interiors were completely hidden from view. The tar-sealed wooden barrels proved to be quite effective in preventing leaks. The porous wooden stoppers released a scent of liquor that Kit found somewhat familiar from his previous world. As the fermentation progressed, the alcoholic aroma of these brews grew increasingly potent.

    The three yeast starters he had purchased separately from different brewing families each produced vastly different results. One barrel emitted a sharp, nose-stinging scent filled with intense alcohol. Another had a slightly sour, pungent odor. The last barrel—Kit’s favorite—had a rather smooth and mellow aroma, not too overpowering, with a well-balanced sweetness from the sweet potatoes.

    There was no doubt—this was a high-quality sweet potato wine.

    Once the simple distillation apparatus and the small wooden barrels—engraved with elegant designs on polished iron bands—were delivered on schedule, it was time to open the fermented sweet potato barrels. Inside, the liquid had turned cloudy, forming frothy bubbles on top, and its color had changed. The pungent, overpowering scent filled the entire area, leaving Kit dizzy for a moment. Afterward, sterilized coarse cloths were used to strain out the remaining solids, gradually clarifying the liquid. The children then poured the filtered liquid into nine medium-sized barrels. Fortunately, Kit had estimated the volume perfectly, leaving no excess to be wasted.

    The leftover mash from the fermentation process was piled together with fallen leaves to be turned into compost. The filtered liquor, now in barrels, was left to mature for another two weeks in a dark, cool room. Although the nuns and the children did not fully understand the complex process, none of them questioned it or wasted time with inquiries. By now, they were used to seeing such activities. As long as there was something new and exciting to do, they were satisfied.

    The second harvest of the year was approaching. This time, Kit had passed down the method of making sweet potato slips, along with several planting techniques, to the younger siblings blessed by Lord Landbruh. For the third planting of the year… he would observe from a distance. He wanted to see how skilled his younger siblings had become.

    However, the yield turned out to be far greater than expected, forcing him to abandon his original plans.

    The sweet potato crop…spanning a total of eight acres—produced an astonishingly abundant harvest, far exceeding their target. The largest warehouse at the church became so packed that the walkways within it felt noticeably cramped. Even though the storage facility was now completely full, there was still a substantial amount of produce left with nowhere to store it. Thus, additional land along the mountain path was cleared, and a request for expanded storage space was submitted to the Church of Foris and the village chief. Following approval, two massive warehouses were constructed along the roadside.

    The landscape along the mountain path leading to Redwood Church had transformed. The sturdy, towering red pine warehouses stood grand and imposing, resembling fortress walls—but within them, there were no guards. Only sweet potatoes and grains were packed tightly inside these structures, built upon an exceptionally strong foundation. The costs for this project were covered by another two gold coins from the church’s funds—a well-spent investment.

    Since they already had an excess of sweet potatoes, Kit suggested they replace some of the crops with peas, Job’s tears, barley, and wheat. The children—who had been diligently learning how to cultivate sweet potatoes—appeared somewhat disappointed. Until now, they had only been allowed to practice their farming skills on a single small row next to the church. Kit could only console his younger siblings, reassuring them while praising their excellent retention of planting techniques.

    The primary water source near the grand church still held plenty of water. It seemed sufficient for them to farm for a third round and provide drinking water until the following year without issue. However, the farmlands in the lower areas were facing drying water sources. That meant they could only cultivate sweet potatoes there.

    Kit stood puzzled after inspecting the large pond atop the mountain. He still could not figure out why the water in this elevated area remained abundant while lower regions dried up. It was likely due to geological formations—something he lacked knowledge of—that naturally retained clean water from the mountains above… Or perhaps, it was the work of someone with a solemn, sorrowful face. The boy sat down, gently patting the ground in thanks. It seemed as if this land itself was a very good child.

    After living in this world for some time, he realized he had developed a deep respect for supernatural forces.

    Maybe it was because he had personally encountered and talked to them? Plus, the incredible power was real and palpable…

    .....

    After sowing all the grain seeds, the fermented liquor began improving in quality. The stronger alcohol content made the creator of this beverage grin with satisfaction. He took a small sip, feeling the burn in his throat. Anna, James, and the two nuns also had the chance to taste it. They recognized it as something new, but none of them could offer much opinion.

    “Why don’t you take it to the mead brewers in the village? They might be able to give you a proper assessment.”

    “This is a throat-burning hot drink with a rather peculiar taste. I can’t quite describe it.”

    “But I like it. Drinking it makes me feel hot—like I’ve gained extra strength. Hahaha.”

    After hearing the opinions of several church members, Kit felt that what Sister Lisa had said was not an exaggeration. Their feedback wasn’t particularly helpful. So, he opened two barrels of sweet potato wine and carefully poured them into plain, undecorated small barrels. As for the batch with the highest alcohol content—he decided to keep it aside. His plan was to distill it into an even stronger liquor as an offering to Lord Landbruh.

    The three mead-brewing families were intrigued by this new sweet potato-based beverage. They unanimously suggested aging both types of wine for a longer period to intensify the sharp alcoholic heat. Additionally, someone offered a bitter herb used in brewing to neutralize unpleasant odors while enhancing the drinking experience.

    Strangely, bitter alcoholic drinks that induced intoxication were more well-received than sweet-tasting ones.

    Kit examined the unusual herb. It did not resemble hop flowers, yet it had a faint, refreshing fragrance similar to mint. He decided to dedicate one-third of all fermented liquor barrels to testing it. With his plan set, the young man requested to purchase more of the herb, and all three brewing families gladly sold it to him at a low price. On his way back, the boy had to carry the strange herbs along with an empty small wooden barrel.

    Although he had skipped the boiling process, the acquired herbs were still placed into some barrels and labeled separately. The remaining portion was stored in the herb room. Afterward, James continued serving as an excellent laborer—lifting and shaking the heavy fermentation barrels to mix the liquid inside. This method helped the yeast work more efficiently, further enhancing the quality of the beverage.

    Now, all that was left… was to wait for the unseen microorganisms to transform these liquids until they were ready to drink… If those herbs truly improved the taste of the fermented liquor, he would have to boil and incorporate them after distillation.

    (Hmm… Am I making wine? Or beer? Or liquor?) The boy could only wonder. Since he wasn’t an expert, he had to experiment first to build experience.

    The waiting period was unbearably dull. Whenever he had free time, Kit would ask permission from both mothers to go for walks in the forest. By now, they were reassured—since someone blessed by the Goddess of the Forest would face no danger—so they agreed to his request.

    However, Kit would always beckon James to come along. Additionally, there was little Alan, who had been glued to James ever since planting the herb garden, and Ethan, the troublemaker, who insisted on riding on Kit’s shoulders the entire time. Meanwhile, Lynn could only pout with envy, as the vast forest was unsuitable for a little girl skilled only in gardening and sewing. So, the third brother promised to bring her back something delicious as compensation.

    (Having a little watchtower riding along isn’t so bad—even if his hands are a bit restless.) The sight of a seven-year-old boy perched atop his thirteen-year-old brother as they strolled through the woods was particularly endearing.

    The blessing from Goddess Foris allowed Kit to understand the details of every plant species in the forest. However, since he was still unfamiliar with his power, his awareness did not yet extend across the entire forest—only within a small radius of a few kilometers. Even so, that range was more than sufficient.

    Feeling as though he had a vast encyclopedia in his head, Kit took on the role of a knowledgeable teacher, explaining important facts about plants that none of them had encountered before. This tree’s sap is edible—and it’s sweet and delicious just before winter. The bark of that tree, when boiled, makes a drink with pain-relieving and fever-reducing properties. These sharp-leaved grasses—if you dig up their roots and roast them—you’ll get a bitter-tasting beverage that boosts energy.

    Everyone who followed along listened intently to every word spoken by the one blessed by Foris. Especially Ethan, who had exceptional eyesight… No one yet knew that this youngest sibling also had an outstanding memory.

    Before long, they arrived at the wild berry thicket that Kit had set his sights on. The bushes grew near a gently flowing stream, keeping them fresh and vibrant. The area surrounding this small waterway remained lush and green, in stark contrast to the outer forest, which had withered significantly. Kit decided to dig them up for further care, as he would need a large quantity of berries in the future. In addition to serving as mother plants for propagation, these berries would be used to create fragrant fermented liquor and sweet treats to offer to Lady Foris.

    A low shrub that likely bore fruit similar to blueberries, along with another plant that—according to the knowledge granted by Lady Foris—resembled raspberries, was carefully uprooted. A small experimental planting plot beside the church had already been prepared in advance, ready for these wild berry bushes to be transplanted immediately.

    On the way back, Kit stopped by to check on the various herbs he had previously gathered. He also visited the divine mushroom grove—a name he had playfully given it. His keen nose continued to scan the surroundings… but then, an unpleasant scent hit him first.

    The wind…gusted against his face for a brief moment, as if warning him of danger.

    “Brother Kit, two white-furred creatures, over there…” A chubby little arm pointed in the direction just reported to his older brother. Ethan’s eyesight was just as sharp as his nose—prompting Kit to ruffle the boy’s hair affectionately while offering multiple praises.

    “Brother James… two white wolves. Can you handle it?” Kit turned to his older brother, only to see that he had already gripped a short sword and a small axe tightly in his hands. The blades and axe heads, purchased long ago, had been modified with custom grips to fit perfectly—crafted with precision by Sister Anne, who was blessed by the God of Craftsmanship.

    James smirked slightly, side-eyeing Kit without responding. The younger brother rolled his eyes before drawing a nearly-handspan-long knife that he always carried.

    “Alan, look after little Ethan, okay?” Kit led the two young ones to hide inside the hollow of a large pine tree. He smeared damp soil from nearby onto their cheeks, making them giggle, before using the remaining dirt to coat the hollow entrance—masking their scent.

    “I’ll be back soon. Stay quiet, alright? If we’re lucky, I’ll bring back some wolf pelts as a souvenir. Hehehe.”

    Finally, both sides confronted each other. The massive wolves, nearly half the size of James, bared their fangs menacingly. Kit found it odd that they had ventured so far. Then, his gaze flicked to their bodies—gaunt, ribs protruding visibly beneath their fur.

    The prophecy from Lord Landbruh must have already begun to take effect on a large scale. Even the wild animals were not spared. These wolves were suffering from extreme starvation, forcing them to wander beyond their territory in search of food. And today, they had come across two massive chunks of meat…

    Emerald-green eyes shimmered under the sunlight. The fierce gleam in the gaze of one blessed by the forest bore down upon the two emaciated wolves. Kit hoped they would retreat without bloodshed or casualties. But hunger was an overwhelming force.

    They…did not want to starve to death…

    …In the end, only the strong survive.

    Kit had understood this rule of the wild since his days as the towering bear, who was like the lord of the forest.

    The two sharp knives in his hands tightened into his grip, resembling the razor-sharp claws ready for battle.

    How amusing it was that these blades were forged from the very claws of the body he had once lived in.

    A strange sense of familiarity settled in his hands. The blood-drenched memories of slaughtering wolves resurfaced vividly in his mind.