CH 8

Vol. 1 Chapter 8

White Beets

Translated by Raizu

[Hmm, it’s really difficult.]

I was staring at medical books in the church library.

It’s all because I’m thinking about improving public health.

In fact, even in the Kingdom of Amoros, where no virus has been discovered, the concept of public health exists.

It’s just an empirical rule, but it seems that it’s been known for a long time that diseases can arise from corpses, sick people, and filth.

A bad atmosphere called miasma is generated from corpses and sick people, and there is a theory that this is the cause of illness.

It is true that contagious diseases are more likely to occur in unsanitary places, and it is a correct way of thinking if we only consider 『Cause and Effect』that『You will get sick if you go to a polluted area』.

In fact, keeping pigs in the city is not only for winter food, but also seems to improve hygiene since the pigs feed on feces and garbage.

…but if pigs roam, wouldn’t they carry infectious diseases…?

I’m confused, but it’s difficult to explain viruses in an era without microscopes.

No matter how much I tell them to “keep it clean”, if I can’t give them a convincing explanation, no one will follow me.

…how can we improve everyone’s sense of hygiene…

I was at a loss, but since I couldn’t explain the reason, I came to the conclusion that the only thing I could do was to “force” it.

I’ll have to become a feudal lord to even start with a forcible approach, like, “I want to do this, so listen to what I say.”

If the number of sick people decreases as a result, everyone should be satisfied.

There is a way to approach the importance of hygiene from statistics like Nightingale did, but I lack the ability and data for this.

A nurse, a statistician, and a social activist, Nightingale was a great person… I now understand her greatness.

It’s not something that can be imitated easily.

…I have to reach a greater height… if I don’t get promoted and get a territory of my own, I won’t be able to achieve my goals…

At this time, a clear path to my vague goal was beginning to emerge.

My father, Rudolph, told me to “be strong”, but he may have wanted to tell me to gain territory through military exploits.

…..but, it’s military exploits we are talking about…

I sighed and closed the thick medical book.

Then, I noticed the presence of people nearby… Reverend Rinel and Giroude.

…isn’t it kind of an unusual combination…?

I tilted my head thinking about the relationship between the two.

[Fufu, it looked cold outside, so I invited him in.]

When reverend Rinel explained, Giroude scratched his head while laughing sheepishly.

[I’m sorry, Jiro, if only you could learn the letters…]

[Young Master, you promised not to bring that up again.]

Giroude interrupted my words and rubbed his nose.

I don’t know about such a promise, but if he himself wants to wait outside, it can’t be helped.

It’s not like I’m forcing my will on the adult Giroude.

[Were you still studying medicine today?]

Rinel asked after glancing at the book in my hand.

[Yes, a bit of the miasma theory… I believe that a clean life wards off illness, but what do you think, Reverend?]

Reverend Rinel hummed at my question.

[It is true that plagues are less likely to occur in monasteries that purify themselves according to the precepts and are kept clean.]

But, he added a [However].

[I can’t conclude that it’s because of the miasma. It could be the food, or it could be the protection of the Gods.]

Reverend Rinel’s answer was purely theoretical.

It’s true that epidemics are more likely to occur in cities, but it would be dangerous to conclude while the cause is still unknown.

It is a common occurrence in the world that the damage spreads due to the wrong method that started with good intentions.

My knowledge can probably be considered heresy here.

[I understand well, I’m telling you not to judge.]

I nodded and the reverend smiled. It was a gentle smile.

[As expected. It’s a pity, if you become a monk…]

[Reverend, you promised not to bring that up again]

When I interrupted reverend Rinel’s words by imitating Giroude, including his expression, the reverend burst out laughing. I couldn’t help laughing too

Giroude was dumbfounded.

========

Rona happily ran up to me when I walked back to my house a little early.

[Varian-sama, white beets have arrived.]

[Really?]

Rona remembered that I said “I want to see” white beets before.

Giroude said [Hehe, this is it] and walked away.

This guy is always acting weird… Could it be that it’s Giroude’s fault that my mother, Rushieno, was worried about the relationship between me and Rona?

When I smiled wryly at Giroude, Rona took my hand and dragged me to the kitchen.

Hers was a hard and rough palm.

When we arrived at the kitchen, Rona’s mother and Rolo were there.

[Varian-sama, my child has done something rude.]

Rona’s mother frowned when she saw me and Rona’s holding hands.

Rona, realizing this, yelped an [Ah] and let go of my hand. Her acting fidgety afterward was really cute.

[Nah, it’s alright. She was just too happy.]

Rona’s face became bright red to the ears, as I joked around.

[Really, Mom, just please get out for a moment!]

Rona took it out on her mother and kicked her out of the kitchen.

Such a girlish embarrassment.

Rolo was also grinning, but immediately turned away when Rona stared at him.

[This is it], said Rona with a bright red face, and placed the white beets on the table.

[Eh, this?]

I looked at it intently.

It looked just like the “radish” I know of.

It has a slightly distorted shape, but it’s relatively large.

About the size of Varian’s childish palm.

[The leaves are also edible, right?]

[That’s right.]

Rona answered my question.

If I had to say, those leaves would be “spinach”?

It looks delicious when fried in oil, but in this world oil is a valuable commodity and cannot be wasted.

[I want to try eating a little.]

[Fufu, I thought you would say that.]

Rona, who heard my muttering, said, [This is the soup], and showed me the pot.

It appeared to be white beets boiled in salted water.

[Hmm, let’s see.]

When I looked into the pot, there was a strong smell.

I scooped out just one piece with a spoon and put it in my mouth, feeling a strong earthy smell. It smelled like a field on a rainy day.

…Ugh, this is…

I exhaled through my nose then started chewing on it.

…..hmm, it’s sweet…

I could taste the sweetness from the white beets.

However, it’s hard to say it’s delicious because the smell gets in the way.

[It smells pretty bad, but it’s sweet.]

When I muttered, Rolo laughed and said, [I don’t really like it either].

…..Hmm, sweet radish… I feel like I’ve heard of it somewhere… I know spicy radish, but…sweet radish?

I harrumphed.

Next, I put only the broth in my mouth.

[It’s still sweet, but the smell is…]

[I know right? It’s easier to eat the leaves.]

Perhaps I was making a strange face, as I saw Rona giggling.

[Let me bite the tip for a second.]

I broke the tip of the white beetroot and chewed it.

[Ah, don’t eat that part.]

[You’ll get a stomach ache.]

Rona and Rolo warned me.

There’s no custom of eating raw vegetables in Amoros region.

Is it because there’s issues with the freshness?

When I crunch the white beets, the smell was still strong.

[Thanks. I learned a lot.]

When I thanked them, they laughed and said, [Don’t mention it, it’s cheap].

========

At dinnertime.

Rudolph called out to me while I was eating with my family.

[Varian, I reckon you were doing something in the kitchen.]

Apparently someone was watching me, or at least telling on me.

I didn’t do anything wrong, so there’s no need to panic.

[Yes. I was shown the white beetroot.]

By the way, today’s soup contains white beet leaves.

Rona and Rolo said, “The leaves are delicious”, but to me they are hard and gritty.

[Hmm, why? Are you hungry? Doesn’t it taste good?]

Rudolph seemed to have taken an interest in my eccentricities.

[I heard that the edible part is large, so I was interested… I think I have come up with a new type of provision.]

[Provisions? You, Varian?]

It was my brother Robel who responded to my words.

[Yes. I’m thinking of making preserved food.]

Researching military provisions is a convenient way to deal with criticism, but if preserved food is enriched, the winter food situation may improve.

[Oh, did you come up with something?]

[Yes, I read in a book that shredded cabbage will last longer if you pickle it in salt.]

It’s a lie of course. I hadn’t read such a book.

In order to popularize sauerkraut for vitamin supplementation, I came up with the idea that it would be good to make it a provision item.

In Japan, there were many examples of retired military personnel bringing back provisions and spreading them.

[Hmm… not bad, but you have to carry fragile pots to carry pickles, and salt is expensive… it’s difficult.]

I see, it seems to be difficult in terms of cost.

Even so, Rudolph seemed to seriously consider my proposal.

And that made me happy.

[So Varian has been reading a book to help fulfill his gluttonous stomach!]

Everyone laughed at Robel’s exaggerated shocked response.

My visit to the library seems to be seen as a kind of eccentricity.

So I also joked back by saying [How did you find out].

It’s a good family.

Both Rudolph and Rushieno are beginning to recognize my eccentricity as a personality, and Robel is someone I can rely on as my older brother.

[Father, I want a younger brother. Because I want to be like my older brother.]

When I pretended to be innocent and teased Rudolph, he choked and spat out the soup.

[Oh dear, what shall we do?]

Rushieno was delighted as if nothing had happened.

The whitebeets will bring about a revolution in the Amoros Kingdom later, but this is still in the future