Construction Mage - Chapter 67: Heat

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What was the difference between Clay’s current oven and a pizza oven? To summarize, one used residual heat while the other had an ongoing heat source. Much more contributed to the difference between the two ovens, especially with the levels of heat they could reach and how they managed to do so.

What Clay had recalled regarding the smokestack was one facet of what allowed pizza ovens to reach higher temperatures. With one of the requirements being to hold a steady flame, it needed a place for the resulting smoke to go, which was what the smokestack solved.

That’s right. A pizza oven should be much hotter than what we have here. It should change the texture to something closer to the ideal pizza rather than flatbread.

With an idea fresh in his mind, Clay swiftly hobbled back over to where the kiln was being constructed. He spotted Jorren conversing with Bren and moved to join them.

“That was fast. Did you manage to find a good deal?” Clay asked Bren.

“Sorry for the wait, sir. And I did! Should have enough materials for all the lime mortar we’ll need to construct a two-story guild building.”

“Perfect. Can you begin preparing some now? There’s a change I want to make to the oven.”

“Hmm, is it no good, sir? I was certain it should be working fine.”

“It works, but I want it to be able to reach higher temperatures. I’m thinking of adding a smokestack to it so a flame can continue to burn inside of it.”

“A smokestack?”

“Um, a smoke vent. A place for the smoke to go.”

“I see—well, that’s easy enough, but are you sure, sir? An oven with an open flame constantly burning will be pricier to upkeep. The temperature won’t be stable either, with some spots being hotter than others. There’s a reason why most ovens simply rely on residual heat. It bakes bread more evenly.”

“In that case, we can just install a cap on it. If I want to use it as a common oven, we can close the cap. Do you think that will work?”

The lanky man brought a hand to his chin for a brief moment before nodding.

“Yes. We just need to make sure this smoke vent is properly positioned, and it should be fine. Shall I do so now?”

“After food, first. The pizza is done. Come try it out!”

In contrast to Jorren, who was grumbling away on the side while hard at work with the finishing touches on the kiln, Bren was much more interested by the sound of food. It was understandable; he was a baker, after all. He had also participated in preparing the dough, so he was eager to taste the fruit of their labor.

The two grown men followed their employer back to his abode and went straight toward the kitchen counter. A steaming hot pizza was resting there. It had already been cut up into eight slices.

“This—is truly extravagant,” Bren commented as he took in the smell. 

“Looks strange to me. Never seen anything like it. Not even ol’Jae ever cooked up anything like it, and he worked at a noble’s mansion for years,” Jorren retorted.

“So much cheese was used to create this tantalizing smell. From the aroma alone, I can tell it must be delightful. Too bad this would likely be too expensive for most common folks, or I’d definitely make something similar if I ever get a new bakery up and running.”

As the three men indulged in their lunch, squeals of joy could faintly be heard. Even Clay relaxed as he bit into what was tentatively the worst pizza he had had. Compared with his usual fare, it was still several steps up. Finally, he could eat food that he enjoyed, rather than out of necessity. The familiar taste helped make him feel more at home, just like the toilet had.

While vowing to put in the effort to make a better pizza next time, their moment of bliss was interrupted as a knock rang out. Clay had a visitor.

“Yes, who is it?” he called out as he swung the door open. He had expected it to be an acquaintance, but he was wrong. It was an unfamiliar face. A young boy nervously glanced up at his towering figure for three full seconds before he managed to speak up.

“Umm, are you Clay?”

“Yes. And you are?” he asked as he took a step back.

“A Delver by the name of Sylphira asked me to come invite you to the tavern. I can lead you there if you want.”

“Oh? That’s sudden. Did she give a reason as to why?”

“Um, no?”

“It’s fine. Just give me a second and lead the way. I was going to visit her in a bit anyway, so it works out.”

***

“Haha, see? I told you he would show up!” Dorgan heartily bellowed as he took a swig from his mug.

Beside him were a slender man and woman with pink hair, grinning from ear to ear at Sylphira, as if they had just been vindicated.

The noblewoman ignored them as she handed a coin over to the young boy who had led Clay to them.

“Good job, brat. You can go now.”

Once the boy scurried away, Clay then turned his confused gaze to his friends.

“What’s going on? Is there something urgent to talk about? ”

“No, no. Nothing like that,” Dorgan answered. “It’s just these lads wanted to meet ya!

“Sorry for interrupting your day, Clay,” Sylphira said. “These fools don’t know how to take no for an answer. They couldn’t wait to meet you, so they had one of the errand boys fetch you.”

“Don’t worry about it. I was about to come visit you at your estate anyway. This works out,” he said before glancing over at the two people he was meeting for the first time. “I’m Clay. You two are Sylphira and Dorgan’s party members who wanted to meet me? How can I help you?”

“Greetings,” the man spoke first. “I am Roylan, the man my companions here have entrusted with leadership.”

“Entrust?” Sylphira questioned. “More like we couldn’t be bothered with it and left it to you. Only a shameless scoundrel like you can bear dealing with those nobles every day.”

“You mean nobles like you?” he quipped, enraging the dark-haired beauty.

As they argued, the pink-haired woman curtly stated her name to Clay. “Faris.”

“Umm, what can I do for you guys?” he asked.

Unfortunately, Clay was not destined to receive a response from either of the two veteran Delvers he had just met. One was busy bantering, and the other seemed detached from the matter. His only saving grace was Dorgan.

“Don’t mind them. They mean nothing by it,” the older veteran Delver said. “Roylan likes to drink and banter a little too much, while Faris only opens up to those she’s known for some time. Either way, we called you out here because of the toilet, of course! We’ve just come back from seeing it in action. I’m sure they wanted to purchase one as well.”

“That’s correct,” Faris added.

“That’s fine. Since they’re your party members, I can charge them the same discounted price of one gold coin. I have a few available right now, so I can get it to them later today if they want.”

“You can install it today as well?”

“It depends. It might take some time to install the drainage, so I can’t guarantee anything.”

“Just have Odrik do it,” Sylphira interjected from the side, having excused herself from further arguing. “Anyway, Clay. What was that about you planning to visit me today? Was there something you needed?”

“Oh, I wanted to see Odrik about my commission. I was also going to let you know that I have a few toilets made and ready to meet any Delvers you know, but it seems you had me beat there.”

“Ah, for that staff of yours.”

At her words, the four veteran Delvers gazed at the staff strapped onto Clay’s back. He had learned always to carry a weapon with him if possible, after the ooze attack incident.

“If that is the case, let’s all head back to my place after. We can go fetch the toilets you have first, and present everything to Odrik at once.”

“Are you sure that won’t be a bother to him? Seems like a lot at once. In fact, I don’t mind doing the installation work myself. I’ll likely have to do it for any future customer. I’ve prepared for it, so it should be fine as long as the location is suitable.”

The attention went from Clay to his two clients.

“Whatever works is fine,” Faris muttered.

“Don’t look at me,” Roylan said as everyone turned to him. “I don’t really care about the toilet that much. That was Dorgan putting words in my mouth for me. What I actually wanted to ask about is that water heater of yours that I’ve heard about. 

“Water heater?” Clay repeated, befuddled. “That shouldn’t have much of a requirement. It should work almost anywhere.”

“In that case, what about the dungeon? Think you can have a smaller version that we can carry around?”

The question caught Clay by surprise. Their party had Sylphira in it, so he never considered them as someone who would want a mobile water heater. In the first place, they could just bring along water and fire crystals. It didn’t make sense to Clay why they would want to drag along extra baggage into the dungeon.

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