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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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Childbirth is a difficult ordeal, even in 21st-century Korea.
Especially in the Almaina continent, where medicine and nutrition are underdeveloped.
To exaggerate slightly, one in ten women die during childbirth.
“Nobles, merchants, and serfs alike are sensitive to childbirth.”
Even if a woman survives childbirth, her body is often weakened.
Whether rich or poor, seeing a frail new mother would evoke concern.
And in such times, seaweed soup is excellent for postpartum recovery.
“It’ll definitely be a hit. Some postpartum care centers even serve seaweed soup for every meal.”
I sat on a chair near the hearth, watching the soup simmer.
The savory and salty aroma of seaweed.
With a bowl of rice, it would be a perfect meal.
It’s a shame there’s no kimchi, but just thinking about it makes my mouth water.
“My Lord, or rather, young master, I’ll handle the cooking. Please rest.”
Noble young masters, or rather, lords of a village, don’t cook.
The most they do is butcher and grill game they hunted.
“It’s alright, Chloe.”
I’m the only one on this entire continent who can make seaweed soup.
It’s been simmering for about 20 minutes, time to try it.
“Bring two bowls and spoons.”
“Aren’t you eating alone?”
It’s normal for nobles to enjoy delicacies alone.
But meals are best enjoyed with company.
Especially with a beautiful woman.
So, when we’re not in formal settings, I let Chloe eat with me, using the excuse of looking after her.
Of course, I also treat her as comfortably as possible.
Thanks to that, Chloe has started speaking more casually to me.
‘Thinking about making money and developing products all the time is exhausting…’
“Let’s eat together.”
As I poured the seaweed soup into bowls, its unique oceanic scent wafted up.
To me, it was a fragrant smell, but Chloe looked slightly wary.
Born a serf, she probably couldn’t afford to be picky, but…
That doesn’t mean she has no reservations about unfamiliar food.
“It looks a bit strange, doesn’t it?”
Chloe nodded.
“It’s strange with all those thin, green strips floating around. It looks like… like…”
She can’t say it directly since I made it, but I know what she’s thinking.
That it looks like something pagans would eat.
Seaweed soup is considered delicious only by Koreans and Japanese. Other foreigners find it strange, even repulsive.
Those unfamiliar with it might even describe it as soup with green plastic bits floating in it.
I know how it would be perceived without proper presentation.
Other nobles would call me a freak who sells bizarre food.
Of course, I’ve prepared countermeasures for this.
“Actually, I heard this seaweed is used as a very special medicinal ingredient in the East.”
“This weed from the sea?”
Chloe tilted her head.
“I saw it in my father’s study when I was young. There’s an edible seaweed that grows between rocks by the sea. In a country called Joseon, they use it as a health tonic for new mothers.”
Many people in the Almaina continent are fascinated by the mystique of the Orient, the unknown world.
There are stories about Prester John, a king who believes in Deus, ruling somewhere in the East.
And tales of a mythical city where the entire palace and castle are made of gold are believed to be true.
As a result, there isn’t a single noble who hasn’t been scammed by someone selling medicinal ingredients, artwork, or jewels supposedly from the East.
Chloe, upon hearing that it was a tonic from the East, relaxed her guard.
“I was hesitant because it looked like a strange weed, but it’s medicine? Amazing.”
I took a spoonful and tasted it. It’s the seaweed soup I know.
Ah, it would have been better if I had added some dried fish.
“It’s savory and delicious. Try it, Chloe.”
She hesitated, unsure about the unfamiliar food, but took a spoonful.
She squinted at first, as if expecting a strange taste, but…
“It’s savory and delicious?”
One spoonful, two spoonfuls.
She started eating like a squirrel munching on acorns.
“I thought it would be bitter since it’s medicine from the East, but it’s really good.”
Hearing that the first Korean dish I made in this world is delicious makes me proud.
“It’s even better with rice.”
I scooped some rice into her bowl.
Chloe smiled after tasting the warm rice and seaweed soup.
“You should try it too, young master.”
This combination can’t possibly taste bad.
The savory taste of seaweed and the white rice.
Even the people of Toscana would love it.
I took a bite, and it was so delicious that I almost cried.
“Even nobles would love this.”
Its appearance might be a problem, but if I market it as an Eastern elixir, people will line up to buy it.
A mystical elixir from the East, good for new mothers, extremely rare.
With all three elements that fascinate nobles, it’s bound to sell if I can demonstrate its effectiveness.
“Now, we need to see how effective this ‘medicine’ is.”
Strike while the iron is hot.
I should start by testing it on the pregnant women in this village.
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The villagers of Bio were quite interested in their new lord.
In a world without newspapers, their usual concerns revolved around trivial matters like their neighbor’s broken barn.
But Fabio was different from other lords.
Being different is enough to spark conversation, and Maria, a newlywed from the village, was naturally interested in the lord.
“Our Lord seems like a good person.”
Even kings are criticized behind their backs.
So, it wouldn’t be strange to hear gossip about the lord, but…
“Right? He’s the only one who cares for lowly people like us.”
“I don’t understand why he’s providing so much food, as if childbirth is such a big deal.”
Childbirth might be a big deal to Fabio from 21st-century Korea, but in the Toscana Empire, it’s considered a normal part of life.
Women, or rather, wives, give birth to at least five to seven children in their lifetime, sometimes even ten, regardless of their social status.
“He’s giving away salted meat, flour, and barley flour like it’s nothing.”
Fabio’s support was limited to women who were over nine months pregnant or who had given birth within the last two months.
And they received enough salted meat, flour, and barley flour to feed four people.
Why provide enough food for four people to support one pregnant woman…?
Because that’s the minimum amount needed to ensure adequate nutrition for the mother before and after childbirth.
“What’s it like giving birth?”
Maria asked, looking at her slightly swollen belly.
“It’s nothing special. It just hurts a lot on the day you give birth.”
The woman advising Maria chuckled.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of. Everyone does it. And these days, perhaps because the young master has the midwives and us wash everything thoroughly with lye, no one dies during childbirth anymore.”
“I haven’t heard of anyone dying during childbirth recently.”
It’s no exaggeration to say that stories of women dying during childbirth were commonplace in this village.
One in ten women died.
So, the small church in the village held funerals for mothers who died during childbirth about twice a month.
“And that seaweed, or kelp, which the Lord said is a precious medicine from the East, is amazing.”
The seaweed that villagers ate only out of desperation.
Pregnant women near their due date were required to eat it at least once a day.
“It’s hard to use the toilet after giving birth, but eating that helps, and your body recovers quickly. I was back on my feet in two days!”
Of course, Fabio never witnessed this directly.
He ordered all women who had given birth within the last two weeks to rest at home.
“Maybe it’s because I’m eating well, but that kelp from the East seems amazing. My body recovered so quickly after giving birth. I’m thinking of sneaking some out for my husband.”
“Is that so…”
“So, you should eat some too, Maria. It’s good for pregnant women.”
Fabio intended to sell the kelp as an expensive medicine for pregnant women, like in Korea, but…
It has already become known as a panacea within the village.
And Fabio went straight to the Duke.
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