I Only Baked Bread, but I Was Mistaken for the Best - Chapter 65

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Chapter 65. The Giant and the Confection (1)
The Gingerbread Man.
To be precise, this confection known as the Gingerbread Man first appeared during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England in the sixteenth century.
While ginger-based breads had existed before, the tradition began when bakers used human-shaped molds to create ginger confections to delight their customers’ eyes.
“Truly a brilliant idea, wouldn’t you say?”
“Isn’t it cruel?”
“Out of nowhere?”
“Doesn’t it resemble humans eating humans? Though I suppose humans are naturally hostile to one another, so perhaps it’s fitting. Meow.”
I chose to let Noir’s peculiar perspective go in one ear and out the other.
In any case, this adorable ginger confection rode the wave of great popularity from that moment onward.
Later, a story published in an American magazine in 1875 introduced the tale of a Gingerbread Man escaping from an Oven.
“I’m aware of that tale as well. Doesn’t it end with the creature being devoured by a cunning fox?”
“You certainly remember it that way.”
“Meow! And isn’t that the correct version!”
The image thus formed has persisted to this day, becoming a famous animated film character and even being released as a video game, making it arguably the most famous confection in the entire world.
“But why ginger specifically?”
“Because ginger has been used as a medicinal ingredient since ancient times, and later became a symbol of wealth and power.”
In ancient Egypt, ginger was utilized as medicine, and subsequently became a symbol of wealth due to its precious value.
By generously incorporating such expensive ginger into confections, one could maintain their authority.
“Of course, that’s no longer the case now.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes. Honestly, it pairs well with Christmas in the cold winter, doesn’t it?”
Thanks to ginger’s warming properties and the image that had been formed, the Gingerbread Man became the signature treat of Christmas.
“Christmas has long passed and spring has arrived, but the taste remains delicious nonetheless.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“So let’s bake it quickly. I’ve been wanting to try using that ingredient anyway.”
After finishing my work at the Bakery, my tasks were predetermined.
That was to search for ingredients by moving between the Witch’s House Warehouse and the Kitchen Garden.
Isn’t one of the desires that those who cook possess the desire for ingredients?
Since it’s filled with rare ingredients that cannot be found in reality, I couldn’t simply overlook it.
The ingredient I had decided to use this time was also one I had found in this manner.
“That thing? Meow? Could it be! Is it that!”
Noir was likely thinking of the correct ‘thing’.
“Owner… wouldn’t it be better to reconsider? That is… dreadful….”
“But I’ve made up my mind.”
“Meow… I’ll need beeswax….”
I headed toward the Kitchen Garden while cradling the trembling Noir in my arms.
Chohong greeted me upon my arrival.
But unlike usual, the creature wore a solemn expression.
“Squeak squeak. Squeak!”
“Are you trembling too?”
“Kyuuu….”
“Look at this! Owner! That creature is shaking too, isn’t it! So I’m the sensible one!”
Noir, who had somehow escaped from my arms and now stood beside Chohong, cried out as if protesting.
I was well aware of the creature’s danger, but I couldn’t understand why she was reacting so intensely….
“Just how dangerous is a Mandrake that you’re acting like this?”
“Meow! Owner doesn’t know! That’s… that’s terrifying!”
Mandrake.
That was the name of the ingredient I intended to use.
That plant I’d heard about many times before.
The one whose roots underground resemble a human form, and which supposedly lets out a piercing scream when pulled up.
This plant discovered within the Gate possessed the exact same characteristics.
However….
“I said it wasn’t that bad? And after watching a YouTube video, people said it was bearable enough.”
Unlike the legend that claimed a single hearing could shatter one’s mind, the actual Mandrake that existed didn’t possess such destructive power.
It merely emitted an annoying high-pitched squeal repeatedly.
According to those who had successfully cultivated them, covering one’s ears adequately while harvesting posed no problem.
But Noir and Chohong shook their heads frantically.
“That’s a poorly cultivated one! A Mandrake couldn’t be like that!”
“Kyuuu! Kyuu kyuu!”
“This creature says that the Mandrake she cultivated is far sturdier and fresher than average ones, making it much more powerful! If we’re careless, our ears and brains will burst and we’ll die!”
“Kyuuuuu!”
“Alright. Let’s go check it out first.”
“Sigh… So the long life of a Familier ends here… I never imagined it….”
I followed the two creatures, whose dragging footsteps barely moved forward, to a corner of the Kitchen Garden.
“It looks like ginseng?”
In the ground grew a tall stem alongside delicate leaves.
At its end hung a plump, reddish fruit that resembled ginseng berries.
Ding!
[Mandrake]
▷ A very fresh and well-grown Mandrake. It contains a deep flavor that is both pungent and sweetly fragrant.
▷ Warning: Infused with the vitality of life, it is in an exceptionally vigorous state. When harvesting, you must wear protective gear to an excessive degree! Even that won’t be overkill!
“Huh…. Was the description originally like this?”
It differed from the status window I recalled when I first saw the Mandrake seeds I found in the Warehouse.
Back then, it only warned to be careful of the loud scream.
Now it was filling me with dread.
“Still, I brought this just in case.”
I pulled out the earplugs I had brought separately.
Not the kind you simply insert into your ear canal, but sturdy ones that looked like headphones.
You know, the kind of earplugs you wear before shooting at the reserve forces training ground.
“You two, wear these.”
“Meow. Beeswax really works, huh.”
“No more talking.”
I handed over the earplugs I’d made for Noir and Chohong.
With that, the preparations were complete.
“So we’re pulling it out?”
“Be careful, Owner. That creature’s scream pierces the soul!”
“Got it. Phew. Then…”
I gently scraped away the soil, then gripped the stem portion firmly.
It was firm and sturdy—perfect for pulling out in one motion.
I exhaled deeply, and the moment I applied force with all my might!
SHRIEEEEEK!
The Mandrake came out far more easily than I’d expected.
The exposed root was roughly the size of a newborn infant.
Though it didn’t look like one.
A grotesque figure, as if an old woman had been shrunk down to a child’s size.
I was just wondering if this could really become an ingredient with ginger flavor when—
Blink.
“Huh? Its eyes are opening?”
“Owner! Watch out!”
【Uuueeee…】
“Uuueeee?”
The Mandrake stared directly at me, its large eyes wide and gleaming.
And immediately after, its face twisted into a demonic grimace, and then…
【KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!】
“AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!”
Even with the earplugs on, they seemed barely effective.
The sound pouring from that creature’s mouth pierced straight through to my brain.
My frontal and occipital lobes alike vibrated into mush, and I nearly lost my grip on the creature.
Chohong and Noir were no different.
“Kyuuuuuu! Kyuuuut!”
“Waaahhhhh! Ooooowner! I’m dyyyyyying! Meooooow!”
【KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!】
“Ugh… this is…”
Yes, I admit it.
I underestimated that creature.
But did I really come unprepared with just earplugs?
“Enough! Quiet down now!”
Whoosh—thunk
I didn’t do anything cruel like stabbing it with a blade.
If I did that, all the Mandrake’s essence would drain out, and it wouldn’t develop proper flavor.
But I didn’t soak it in water either.
Ginger’s characteristic pungent taste comes from water-soluble compounds, and if the tissue softens from soaking, it could cause problems when kneading the dough.
So the method I prepared was….
【Squelch squelch…】
“This actually works.”
I simply wrapped the creature in thick cloth and gave it a pacifier to suck on.
The Mandrake, feeling the comfort of being wrapped, didn’t scream at all—instead, it was completely absorbed in the pacifier.
“Ahhh… I’ve watched the Mandrake all this time, but I never knew this. Human farmer, you’re impressive.”
“Kyuu! Kyuu kyuu!”
It was Nuri who taught me this method.
When I asked how to calm the Mandrake, she told me.
‘That’s how ya raise ’em, see. Anyway, just wrap it in swaddling cloth and give it a pacifier to suck on.’
‘Is that enough?’
‘Yep. After that, if ya poke the back of its neck with a needle real good, it’ll pass out. Use that when the time comes.’
Following her instructions, I poked the back of its neck deeply with a needle, and the Mandrake trembled before going rigid.
“It’s not like it’s an octopus or anything….”
“Still, I’m glad it’s resolved. I never want to experience that sound again. Even a dragon would writhe in agony from this. Master.”
“Kyuu! Kyuu kyuu!”
This must be because Chohong, the Fairy of Life, raised it so well.
Growing up healthy and sturdy, its voice grew just as loud.
“So we can start making now? Master?”
“No, while we’re at it, I’m taking more of today’s harvest.”
“W-what did you say? Master?”
“Let’s pull four more.”
Noir and Chohong trembled and covered their ears as they stared at the four stems growing in the ground.
* * *
“Quite a haul.”
“Ahhh… just kill me, Master….”
“Kyuu….”
As I admired the Mandrakes laid out on the counter, Noir and Chohong lay sprawled on the floor, breathing heavily.
“I can’t believe you actually pulled them all. Your obsession with ingredients could be called pathological….”
“No, honestly, from the third one onward, we didn’t even hear screaming.”
I got used to it as I kept pulling them.
The first and second times were loud, but from the third onward, I wrapped it in swaddling cloth and gave it the pacifier before it even opened its eyes, then poked the back of its neck.
“But we heard those horrible screams twice!”
“I heard them too. So get up. We need to eat something delicious.”
“Kyuu!”
“I’m giving you bread, so just bear with it, Master.”
After patting the heads of the two creatures who’d regained their spirits, I fell into thought.
What I’m about to make is a Gingerbread Man.
To do that, I first needed to prepare ginger… or rather, the Mandrake.
“I won’t be using much of it.”
The reason I’d harvested so many in the first place was for storage.
I’d keep one and send the remaining four straight to the Warehouse.
Even that one remaining wouldn’t be fully used.
“I need to extract the juice and make powder from it.”
Gingerbread Men don’t have ginger sliced into pieces going in whole.
First, I rinsed the soil clinging to the Mandrake thoroughly, then chopped it into pieces.
After cutting it to an appropriate size, I julienned some of it further.
“I’ll make powder from these first.”
I placed the julienned Mandrake in a steamer, steamed it, then dried it.
Of course, using the Oven could dramatically shorten the time that took over 12 hours per step.
“Then when it hardens like stone, I grind it and….”
With a grinding sound, once I finished grinding, the Mandrake powder was complete.
The juice was even easier to make.
I grated the remaining Mandrake on a grater, placed it in cloth, and squeezed it firmly—done.
“Now I just use this to make a Gingerbread Man, or rather, a Mandrake Man.”
“That name sounds like it would make quite a noise, Owner.”
“Don’t say weird things.”
I decided to stop before getting caught up in that strange current.
I added the butter and sugar and salt that had softened at room temperature, stirred well, then added eggs, honey, and maple syrup.
I couldn’t forget baking soda, cinnamon powder, and cake flour either.
“And this is when I add the Mandrake juice and powder.”
The moment I poured it in, the Mandrake’s fragrance wafted up strongly.
A pleasant dough was complete—with a comfortable earthy scent that wasn’t unpleasant, combined with a pungent and sweet aroma coexisting together.
Then I rolled it out with a rolling pin….
“Then I refrigerate it for about an hour to harden it.”
“Is that so it’s easier to cut out with molds, Owner?”
“Exactly.”
So there was nothing to do right now.
All that remained was waiting.
In the meantime, I should check if I need any additional materials for the Familier I wanted to summon.
I was thinking about checking what was in the Warehouse again.
Boom!
A loud sound rang out intensely.
“Meow?”
“Chirp?”
Boom
Everyone held their breath as the sound came again.
“Are you there?”
At the sound of a voice drifting through the window, I peeked outside and froze solid.
“There’s definitely someone here….”
And no wonder—a pair of enormous eyes filled the space beyond the window, gazing down at us with an intensity that made one want to leap away.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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