#798 Tolerable Thinness of Being

It’s me again.

I just got back from watching a wrestling match. If you asked me if that was really wrestling, I’d have a hard time answering straight away.

Junior, who watched it with me, seemed to enjoy it, especially since his mother was part of the match. 

He keeps asking Platy to wear “that mask.”

And every time he asks, Platy, being the softie she is with kids, turns into Neptune Queen and strikes a pose.

By the way, Norito, because of his age, doesn’t quite get it yet.

Incidentally, there were zero requests for Aileron to transform into Matcha Mucho.

I’ve heard discussions are underway to transform the former Human Kingdom into the Human Bean Republic.

Many influential people are involved. Yet, Letasreit, the instigator, hasn’t participated in any of the discussions.

The concern of becoming entangled as a former ruler is perhaps less a genuine worry and more an excuse to safeguard her time with the beans.

Right now, she diligently nurtures beans in a corner of the farm, just as before, while researching new dishes that utilize them.

It seems Letasreit has absolutely no intention of getting involved in the world of politics anymore.

And, frankly, neither do I.

As the Human Kingdom restarts, I’m leaving matters in the capable hands of the Demon King and the many human feudal lords while I, the master of this farm, will engage in activities befitting a farm owner.

What exactly, you ask?

Well, I have something in mind.

Something I’d long worked to achieve was now on the brink of completion.

The timing is perfect, too.

It’s autumn. 

Every fall, certain creatures appear at my farm.

Salmon. 

In this world, they’re called Sah-Morn, but to me, they’re salmon.

Red-fleshed, fatty, with roe inside.

The simple salt-grilling was indeed delectable, and the belly part, when broiled, had its own charm, not to mention the delight of indulging in raw slices as sashimi or layered atop a seafood donburi – various culinary adventures were pursued.

Yet, amidst them all, a single regret lingered persistently...!

The foil grilling that never came to be...!

...!

How regrettable!!!

Just remembering it evokes the bitterness of that regretful moment...!

Amid such sorrow, I raised my voice and cried before my son...!

I believe that grilling salmon in foil is one of the tastiest methods.

Not just salmon, but with onions, mushrooms, bean sprouts, and even butter, all wrapped in foil.

And then grilled!

After some time, opening that foil to the deliciousness of the salmon, butter, and veggies is just... out of this world!

Having caught salmon last year, I was determined to grill it in foil.

However, that resolution went unfulfilled.

Because I had no aluminum foil.

In a different world, where I’ve spent a considerable time, I managed to reestablish the essentials of life and various implements of civilization...

Surprisingly, aluminum foil was not among those recreated.

Consequently, my inability to partake in the simple joy of salmon foil grilling last year brought tears to my eyes!!!

But I won’t make the same mistake!

I’ve been working on a project since last year!

Following the salmon season and using the idle winter period, I struggled to figure out how to produce aluminum foil!!!

Aluminum foil means I need aluminum! 

I just need to thin the metal out till it’s paper-thin!

...Though I know the concept, executing it is tough.

First, where to get the aluminum?

...I have lots of mana metal, but if I say that, a certain resident dwarf might drop dead.

But suppose I get aluminum, how do I thin it out?

I spent all of last winter thinking about it but came up with nothing.

How do you make such thin metallic foil and roll it up?!

It made me realize how amazing civilization truly is. 

And just like that, winter gave way to spring.

It took some time, but I finally came to a conclusion:

— “Making aluminum foil is beyond me.”

I did manage to make a prototype out of mana metal.

Considering I possess the Hand of Supremacy, I thought I could probably make it if I tried. And indeed, I did. 

I hammered the mana metal thin... and thinner... and thinner until it was as thin as paper. 

It felt just like aluminum foil.

I imagined how tasty salmon would be if steamed with it, but using precious mana metal for disposable foil seems a bit over-the-top, doesn’t it?

For all intents and purposes, mana metal seems to be the most precious metal in this world.

Considering the dwarves, who work with metals, might literally drop dead from sheer awe upon seeing mana metal, it’s probably way more valuable than I perceive.

Using it as disposable cooking material would be wasteful, not to mention a potential insult to those in the metal industry.

Honestly, it’s best to use materials suited for their purpose.

Even if mana metal is versatile, using it for everything isn’t a good idea.

So, my new plan was... 

To delegate the task to someone else.

And who better for metalwork than the professionals, the dwarves?

They’re famed in this otherworld for their craftsmanship.

But I should keep that comment to myself. Some elves might pick a fight over that claim.

Anyway, it was early spring when I placed an order with the Underground Dwarven Empire.

Upon hearing the details, Pops Edward, their king, was taken aback.

— “...Metal as thin as paper...? Whatever for?”

Well, I never expected he’d understand right away, so that’s a reasonable response.

Paper-thin metal would be useless as armor since it’d get slashed through in a fight. 

But that’s not the point. 

Aluminum foil isn’t for battles; it’s a tool for peace.

So please don’t worry.

Would you like 100kg of mana metal ingots as payment?

Thus, negotiations concluded, and the dwarves began crafting early in spring.

Spring ended, summer passed, and autumn arrived.

Salmon migrating season approached, and I thought I wouldn’t make it this year. 

But then, I heard from the dwarves!!!

***

The aluminum foil was complete!!!

What the dwarves delivered was unmistakably aluminum foil! 

It turns out they’d established a method to refine regular aluminum. 

They stretched it out super thin, creating the aluminum foil I imagined!

Way to go, Pops Edward! 

I got a glimpse of the dwarves showcasing their impeccable crafting skills!

“...Don’t mention it, Lord Saint. You always give us such unique challenges, so it feels rewarding on our end, too...!”

Pops’ smile looks weary. 

The journey to this point must’ve been rough.

I ought to show more gratitude. 

Maybe sweeten the deal with some treats?

“We’re also eager to see how you’ll use this peculiar thin metal.”

“Oh?”

“Ah, this aluminum foil has stirred quite a debate in our workshop, see! The most popular theory is wrapping it all over the body as a makeshift armor! And then there was an idea about using it as a weapon, flinging it at enemies to cut through them!”

“...”

“But as for me, I’ve got a different theory. Might it be used to scatter finely and disrupt a sort of magical detection, perhaps? I swear I’ve heard such a talk somewhere before!”

...Well, to satisfy the curiosity of our dwarven friends, shall we give this aluminum foil a try?

My year-long dream is about to come true!