Na-Isekai Ako
Chapter 15: Glass, Spice, and Everything Nice

Chapter 15: Glass, Spice, and Everything Nice

Katherine moved through the market, her thoughts swirling.

There was an item she’d been craving for days, something simple yet deeply comforting.

She could almost taste it—sweet, fragrant, and rich.

Vanilla, she thought wistfully.

In this world, vanilla didn’t seem to exist, at least not under the same name.

And yet, something told her that there was still hope.

She just had to find it.

The bustling market around her felt far removed from the quiet farm where she used to visit during vacations, but Katherine smiled, remembering how she used to spend her days there, helping her grandfather tend to the plants.

He had always been so knowledgeable about all kinds of plants—especially the exotic ones. Vanilla beans, she thought, I know how they look.

She couldn’t help but feel a rush of nostalgia as the memory of the farm flooded her mind.

Back then, she used to sit for hours in the garden with her grandfather, watching him care for the various plants.

He’d taught her how to distinguish each one, and among them were the vanilla orchids he grew with so much care.

She remembered how the pods hung from the vines, long and dark brown, their scent filling the air.

It was one of the most magical parts of her childhood.

That knowledge, gained from so many quiet afternoons, was one of the few things she had been able to bring with her into this strange world.

And now, she was going to put it to use.

Her search led her to a familiar face—Gledis, the kind woman who had given her bread just days ago.

Katherine smiled as she approached her stall. "Good day, Gledis!" she greeted warmly.

"Ah, Katherine! What a pleasant surprise to see you again," Gledis responded, her face lighting up. "How have you been, dear?"

"I’ve been well," Katherine replied, her tone friendly. "Actually, I’ve been searching for something. I was hoping you might be able to help."

"Of course! What are you looking for?" Gledis asked, her curiosity piqued.

Katherine leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "I’m looking for vanilla. Do you have it?"

Gledis blinked, clearly puzzled. "Vanilla? I’m afraid I don’t know that one. What is it?"

Katherine paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. She had to explain this carefully—after all, vanilla wasn’t something Gledis would likely have encountered before.

She smiled, thinking back to her grandfather’s farm and how he’d explained the plant’s characteristics to her so many times.

"It’s a dark brown pod, long and slender, with tiny black seeds inside. When you split it open, it has this rich, warm aroma. People use it in baking, for flavoring drinks, and in all kinds of delicious recipes. It’s very sweet and fragrant," Katherine explained, her voice laced with a fondness for the ingredient.

Gledis looked thoughtful but uncertain. "Hmm... that doesn’t sound familiar. Let me take a look through my supplies."

Katherine felt a flicker of hope. "Thank you, Gledis. I appreciate it."

As they walked together through the stall, Katherine’s eyes scanned the display of dried flowers and herbs.

She was about to give up when something caught her eye—a bundle of dark, long pods tucked between some other plants. The shape, the color, the way they were arranged—Katherine’s heart leapt in recognition.

"That’s it!" Katherine exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "This is what I’m looking for!"

Gledis looked down at the bundle Katherine was pointing to, confusion still etched on her face. "You think this is it?"

"Yes!" Katherine replied, picking up the bundle with trembling hands.

She could smell the familiar, rich scent right away. "This is it!"

Gledis gave Katherine an amused look. "This is called Aethervan. Well, yes, we have this. It’s not a common item, though. People shy away from it because the flower is quite pretty, but the long beans that come with it—" she waved her hand dismissively, "they get avoided. People don’t like the look of the beans. It’s not the most appetizing appearance."

Katherine blinked, then looked down at the bundle in her hands, resisting the urge to laugh. They avoid it because of how it looks?

If only they knew.

In her old world, vanilla was one of the most expensive and sought-after ingredients. Bakers, chefs, and perfumers alike would pay a fortune for high-quality vanilla beans.

And yet, here, people dismissed it just because it looked unappealing?

This world is sitting on a goldmine, and they don’t even realize it.

Katherine smiled, holding the bundle carefully. "I don’t mind how it looks. This is perfect. It’s the flavor that matters, and this is exactly what I need." She turned to Gledis with eager eyes. "If you have more of this, I’d like to buy everything you have. I think this will be a great ingredient year-round."

Gledis raised an eyebrow, surprised by Katherine’s enthusiasm. "Well, if you say so. I’ll gather what we have. But you’re right—it’s not something that sells much around here."

As Gledis moved to the back of her stall, Katherine’s heart soared. This is it. This is the key ingredient I’ve been searching for. She had recognized the familiar scent, and it brought her a sense of comfort to know she could use it to recreate the flavors she missed.

It was almost like a small piece of home had come with her.

Before long, Gledis returned with several more bundles of Aethervan.

Katherine happily paid for them, grateful for Gledis’ help.

"Thank you so much, Gledis," Katherine said, a sense of accomplishment in her voice. "This is exactly what I needed."

"You’re very welcome, dear. I’m happy I could help," Gledis replied, a smile tugging at her lips. "But now, you must tell me what you’re planning to make with all of this. It seems very special to you."

Katherine smiled, a little secretive. "Let’s just say it’s going to be something that makes people smile. You’ll see. I’ll bring some samples for you when I finish them."

Gledis smiled back.

With the vanilla secured, Katherine felt a sense of relief.

But there was still one more ingredient she needed.

Cassava, she thought.

A root vegetable she’d used many times before. She wasn’t sure if they would have it here, but she had to try.

"Gledis," Katherine asked, turning to her again, "do you have cassava? It’s a type of root vegetable, kind of like a potato, but with a slightly different taste."

Gledis looked at her, clearly puzzled. "Cassava? I don’t know that one. But we do have several root crops here—maybe you can find what you’re looking for."

Katherine followed Gledis through the stall to a large wooden table, where a variety of root vegetables were stacked. Gledis pointed to a few types, but none seemed to be what Katherine had in mind.

Then, she saw it—a root that was rough, a little dirty, and not at all glamorous in appearance. But Katherine recognized it immediately.

The thick, starchy tuber looked like the cassava she knew from her past life.

"Kamote!" Katherine exclaimed. "Yes! This is it!"

Gledis looked at the root in Katherine’s hand, raising an eyebrow. "Kamote? Yuca? Not many people buy it, though. It’s a bit... rugged-looking."

Katherine grinned, holding the root close. So this is called yuca here. She hadn’t recognized it by name at first, but now that she had it in her hands, there was no mistaking it.

"Yes! This is exactly what I need," she said with enthusiasm. "It’s so versatile—people use it for everything. It’s perfect for my recipe."

Gledis chuckled, clearly amused by Katherine’s excitement. "Well, if you say so. I’ll get you as much as you need."

Katherine nodded. "I’ll take it. Thank you."

Gledis wrapped up the yuca, and Katherine paid for it along with the Aethervan.

As the weight of the two ingredients settled in her hands, she couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction.

She had it.

She finally had it.

The missing pieces to her plan—the key to something that could change everything.

She had no grand ambitions when she first arrived in this world. She only wanted to survive, to find a way to make life comfortable. But now? Now she had an opportunity.

And she wasn’t going to waste it.

With the ingredients secured, Katherine sent them off with her servant to the carriage and smiled to herself.

I’ve got everything I need.

Now, there was just one more thing to do.

She needed to speak with Zamir in Elseid.

Tightening her grip on her coin pouch, she turned away from the market stalls and made her way toward the toy maker’s shop, her mind racing with possibilities.

***

Katherine strolled into Zamir’s workshop, her mind still buzzing with excitement.

The scent of wood and paint filled the air, and the soft sound of carving echoed through the space. Zamir was hunched over his workbench, his usual brooding self, carefully carving what appeared to be... tiny wooden teacups?

Katherine blinked. "Zamir, are you—are you making dollhouse teacups?"

Without looking up, Zamir let out a dramatic sigh. "Yes, Katherine, I have abandoned all aspirations in life to become a master teacup artisan."

Katherine gasped, placing a hand on her chest. "Truly inspiring. The world needs more tiny beverages."

Zamir finally glanced up, his expression unreadable. "What do you want?"

Katherine grinned, unbothered by his tone. "I have a business proposition for you!"

Zamir groaned. "That sounds dangerous."

"Oh, it absolutely is," Katherine said cheerfully. "I need you to make me a glass with a cover. A small jar with a lid. Very simple."

Zamir blinked. "A glass? Katherine, I work with wood. Do you see any glass-blowing equipment in here? Because I don’t. That’s because I don’t make glass things."

"Yes, yes, minor details," Katherine waved her hand dismissively. "You’re a genius. You’ll figure it out."

Zamir rubbed his temples. "Flattery doesn’t work on me."

"That’s why I’m using persistence instead." She gave him an innocent smile.

He exhaled through his nose, staring at her for a long moment. "So, let me get this straight. You want me, a toy maker, to suddenly invent glass production because...?"

"Because I believe in you, Zamir."

A pause.

Zamir squinted. "That was unsettlingly sincere."

Katherine laughed. "Listen, you’re already making teacups. This is the next logical step in your evolution."

He groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "You’re exhausting."

"And yet, here you are, still listening to me!" She clasped her hands together. "So you’ll do it?"

Zamir sighed deeply, clearly regretting every decision that led him to this moment. "Fine. But I’m not promising perfection."

"I’d be suspicious if you did," she teased.

Zamir muttered something under his breath before pushing aside his carving tools. "Alright. If I’m doing this, I need details. How big? What shape? And why in the world do you need this?"

Katherine’s eyes lit up. "Oh! I thought you’d never ask!" She leaned forward eagerly, ready to explain her master plan.

Zamir stared at her, already regretting giving her an opening.

"Of course you have a master plan," he murmured. "This is going to take all day, isn’t it?"

Katherine grinned. "Oh, absolutely."