It was only just past eight in the morning, but Lorenz’s shop was already open.
"It’s huge..."
The building was so massive it was hard to believe it belonged to a mere traveling merchant.
Jed Alamold opened the side service entrance intended for employees and stepped inside. Jin, Kachea, and Karlich Gauller remained outside to wait.
(Well, his trading business is likely half-charity anyway. He probably organized the caravan to gather information at the request of the state—or rather, Paerova,) Jin mused.
While Jin was lost in thought, the shop door opened and Lorenz stepped out, accompanied by Jed.
"Jin-san, Kachea-san, welcome. Lord Karlich Gauller, it has been quite some time."
"Good morning, Lorenz-san."
"G-Good morning."
Jin and Kachea returned the greeting, while Karlich gave a polite nod.
"Now then, Jin-san, I heard that you require a magi-crystal?"
"Yes, that’s correct."
"Hmm..." Lorenz’s expression clouded over.
"The four I delivered yesterday were the last of my stock. All I have left now are five pieces that aren't even half that size."
"I see..."
Even Jin wasn't bold enough to announce here and now that he could use Fusion to merge smaller pieces into a large one.
"Are magi-crystals really in such short supply?"
"Indeed. As you may already know, they cannot be mined on this continent at all."
But the Lauren Continent had such plentiful mineral deposits, Jin thought.
"I have already placed an order with the royal capital, but it won't arrive on such short notice."
"That is a problem..."
"Quite a pickle," Jed Alamold added, matching Lorenz’s grimace.
However, a voice suddenly rang out as if someone had just realized something. It was Karlich Gauller.
"Ah, perhaps..."
"Karlich, do you have an idea?"
"Yes. There is Eira-dono. Eira Shiata. She should have several in her possession for research purposes."
"Ah, her..."
Upon hearing that name, Jed Alamold’s face soured even further.
"In the past... I have purchased a total of ten crystals for her according to her requests," Karlich said, proving his value as an Auditor with his precise memory.
"...I suppose I’ll have to introduce them eventually. Very well, let’s go see her."
Seeing Jed’s visibly reluctant attitude, Jin sensed there was more to the story. He leaned in and whispered a question to Karlich.
"Um, what kind of person is Eira Shiata?"
"Eira-dono? She’s a woman in her late twenties—a magi who is quite dedicated to her research..."
"I see."
Based on that description alone, Jin couldn't understand why Jed looked so displeased.
However...
"Um... Jin-san, maybe..."
It seemed Kachea had an inkling.
"I—I might be wrong, but since she’s in her late twenties and apparently single... I suspect she might be quite prideful."
"Ah, I see."
"...And if she’s 'dedicated to her research,' I imagine she doesn’t spend much time socializing..."
It was a sharp insight.
"She’s probably... how should I put it... such an eccentric that even Lord Jed finds her difficult to handle."
"Oof."
Once Kachea put it that way, Jin started to get the same feeling.
"...Jin-dono, shall we go?"
"Ah, yes."
Jin and the others followed Jed Alamold, whose mood had clearly plummeted.
"...Is Eira-dono staying at Lord Paerova’s place?" Jin asked, noticing they were heading back the way they had come.
Jed shook his head. "No. It’s the research wing located right next to it....I expect you’ll be assigned a room there eventually as well, Jin-dono."
As they walked, the research wing came into view. Since it was adjacent to the regional administrator's mansion, Jin had seen the building before, but now he finally knew its purpose.
It was about two sizes smaller than the administrator's mansion, but it was still massive compared to the other buildings in town. It was a two-story stone structure, roughly the size of a small elementary school.
"I'll go get permission from Lord Paerova first, so please wait here," Jed Alamold said, noting that since the buildings were adjacent, it would only take about five minutes.
"Ah, in that case, may I go fetch my assistant golem? It’ll be much more efficient to have him there for the repairs."
"Understood. I’ll clear that with Lord Paerova as well."
"Thank you."
With that, Jin headed back inside the mansion.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Jin was the first to return. Naturally, he was accompanied by his assistant golem, Hope.
"Ho-ho, so that is the rumored assistant golem. The craftsmanship is so fine it’s hard to believe it was made from scrap materials. You appear to be a remarkably skilled engineer, Jin-dono."
Karlich offered Jin his praise. Just then, Jed returned as well.
"Sorry for the wait. I’ve reported to Lord Paerova. He gave his approval regarding Jin-dono’s golem as well."
"Thank you very much."
Jin thanked Jed.
"Now, shall we?"
The group, now numbering five with the addition of Hope, headed for the research wing standing next to the mansion. Since the grounds were connected, it was a short walk.
"Eira should be in the first room on the first floor."
The windows of every room were closed, and the building was silent. When the group entered through the front door, they saw a row of doors lining the hallway. Each was likely a room assigned to an individual researcher or craftsman.
"How many people live here?"
"Hmm? At the moment, Eira is the only magi. Other than her, there are two woodworkers, three blacksmiths, and three clerks."
The ratio made it very clear how precious magi were.
"This is it."
A handwritten nameplate reading 'Eira Shiata' hung next to the door. Jed knocked, but there was no response. He waited a moment and then knocked again, harder this time.
"...So noisy."
After about five minutes, the door finally opened. A woman with messy red hair peered out, looking like she had just rolled out of bed. This was apparently Eira Shiata. She looked thoroughly displeased.
"Oh, Jed-san. What do you want?"
Seeing the secretary, the woman’s expression softened slightly.
"Sorry for the early visit. We have an urgent need for a magi-crystal. Karlich mentioned you might have some in your stock."
"Nn... A magi-crystal? Yeah, I’ve got about three. What for?"
"Well... Do I really have to say?"
"Of course. If I’m handing over research materials, I need to know what they’re being used for."
"True enough. They are needed to repair a mana stand."
At this, Eira’s eyes widened slightly.
"Repairing a mana stand? Is that even possible? More importantly, who is doing the repairs..."
She trailed off as she finally noticed Jin and the others standing behind Jed Alamold.
"Hey! Is the engineer who can do those repairs among you? If so, speak up!"
Overwhelmed by the intensity of her tone, Kachea instinctively hid behind Jin.
Jin, meanwhile, was thinking to himself that Kachea’s prediction had been spot on.