“Good work today.”
“You as well, Serge-san.”
I walked through the streets with Serge-san, having successfully navigated the session of Dinome-san bragging about his grandson. Thanks to Serge-san skillfully steering the conversation elsewhere, the sun was still high in the sky.
“Still, you certainly made a good impression, Ryoma-sama. That was a splendid display of tact.”
“I just did my best not to step on any toes. It’s your conversational skills that are truly impressive, Serge-san.”
What is this, a conversation between an Echigoya and a Corrupt Magistrate?
“By the way, what do you intend to do with that?”
“I wonder...”
In my hand was a small box containing a single gear. Dinome-san, in a particularly good mood, had given it to me, calling it a “commemorative first piece from a future famous Magic Tool craftsman.” I wondered if it actually had any value.
“Realistically, how much talent does his grandson actually have?”
“Let's see... there are occasional cases where a young child mimics their parents and ends up using magic naturally. It is rare, and it could certainly be a glimpse of talent. However, whether he will continue to demonstrate that talent in the future is another matter.”
“I suppose so...”
“Well, Master Dinome has mellowed out now, but in the old days, he was an incredibly difficult man. But that was simply the flip side of his sense of responsibility toward his work. He was very strict when instructing his disciples. Even considering his bias, if he acknowledged the boy, there is likely some potential there.”
I hoped that expectation wouldn't become a burden for the grandson in the future.
“By the way, Serge-san, I’ve been wondering—what about your guards? Isn't it dangerous to walk around alone? The public safety in this city seems a bit poor.”
Even though he was the head of a large trading company, I couldn't see a single guard with him. It didn't seem like they were following him in secret, either.
“I have stayed in this city countless times. As long as it is before dusk, there is almost no danger. During the fair, security is bolstered, and in places with heavy foot traffic, nothing life-threatening is likely to happen. If I were to fall victim to a pickpocket or a petty thief, that would simply be a result of my own lack of caution. Furthermore, there are those among my business associates who dislike guests bringing unnecessary attendants... and I do have preparations in case of an emergency.”
As he spoke, he lightly tapped the buckle of his belt. At first glance, it looked like an ordinary, high-quality belt with delicate ornamentation.
“Is that a Magic Tool?”
“Indeed. It is one of my collections. When mana is channeled through it, a barrier magic defensive wall is instantaneously deployed. Furthermore, this bracelet is a Magic Tool that creates a smoke screen. It allows me to hide myself temporarily; in the middle of the city, it is highly visible and attracts people who might suspect a fire. As you can see, I cannot fight, but I have several means to protect myself, so please rest easy.”
I see. I didn't need to worry about him when it came to navigating the city.
“What do you plan to do now, Ryoma-sama?”
“First, I’ll find an inn. Since I’m here, I plan to head back after seeing tomorrow’s fair.”
“In that case, let me recommend the inn where I am staying. It is safe, and since it faces the main street, you won't get lost if you use a Shared Carriage.”
Having obtained this information, I headed for the inn. Serge-san still had greeting visits left to do, so we went our separate ways for the time being. However, we arranged for him to guide me for dinner and through the fair tomorrow.
Thirty minutes later, I had successfully secured a room, but I found myself with nothing to do. There were no errands that required immediate attention. The Magic Tools were for tomorrow's enjoyment. For dinner, I had to wait for Serge-san to return. Having already finished feeding the slimes, I was idle.
It would be a hassle if I went out and missed Serge-san. Being here made me realize the convenience of mobile phones all over again. I wish there were a Magic Tool like that. Since I had the time, maybe I’d try making something to pass the hours.
I had that spinning gear in my Item Box, still in its original state. I had iron in my Dimension Home. If it was just a simple change in shape, I could process it with Alchemy. What could I make using those? Ideally, something that would be useful in my daily life.
Thinking under those conditions...
“Wait... quite a few things come to mind immediately.”
An Electric Fan. A Ventilation Fan. An Electric Drill. A Rotary Mower.
For the rotating shafts, I could adapt the structures of carriages and wheels since they were included in my woodworking knowledge. As for the rest, what if I just prepared the necessary parts and incorporated the gear? The gear itself rotated via mana, so I felt like I could make the core functions quite simply. I could figure things out as I built them.
With that, I set to work.
“Ryoma-sama. Are you there?”
“Yes!?”
Oh no, I got absorbed again. Serge-san must have returned.
“Welcome back, Serge-san. It’s time for dinner, right? I’m sorry, could you wait a moment? I’ll tidy up the room.”
I gave him a quick word and rushed to clean the room. Since I felt bad making him wait, I finished by simply tossing everything into my Item Box.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Well then, shall we go?”
The place he guided me to was a shop that felt like a tavern frequented by brawny men. The clientele mostly consisted of muscular men who appeared to be manual laborers. Since it was Serge-san's recommendation, I had imagined a high-end establishment, but the atmosphere seemed surprisingly casual. Or perhaps he had accommodated my preferences.
“The meat dishes here are hearty and satisfying. They pair well with alcohol, and every time I come here, I end up eating too much.”
“Oh, Serge-san! Is the usual seat okay?”
The waitress remembered his face and name. It seemed he really was a regular.
“Please.”
“Certainly. Oh? You have a cute child with you today. Is he your son?”
“My s—!?”
“He is a business associate. Yes.”
While there might indeed be that much of an age gap in appearance, I was at a loss for how to respond. Serge-san also had a slight, wry smile.
“Then, please head to the second floor.”
I followed the waitress to the upper level. As soon as the door opened, a refreshing breeze blew through. The second floor had no walls or windows—only a roof and pillars. Between them, the cityscape, colored by the lights of buildings and people passing by, stretched out before us. Combined with the boisterous atmosphere, it was like a beer garden. However, because each seating area was a private space partitioned by screens woven from tree bark, there were no prying eyes and it felt reasonably calm.
“Your order?”
“Two portions of the usual dishes, please. Before that, a drink—what alcohol do you have?”
“You're in luck, Serge-san. The chef says we got in some better-than-usual Ale today.”
“Then, first some light appetizers and Ale in mugs. Will you have something to drink, Ryoma-sama?”
“The same as Serge-san, please.”
“If it's the same, that'll be Ale, but in a cup?”
“In a mug, please. Don't worry. I am someone who has received Divine Protection from Tekun-sama.”
“In that case, I'll provide the first glass on the house!”
When I presented my Status Board, which disclosed only the Divine Protection of the God of Wine, the woman made her offer.
“Are you sure?”
The board I’d presented with the feeling of a driver’s license had turned into a free drink coupon. I wondered what this feeling was. I started to worry if it was really okay.
“To have someone with the protection of the God of Wine show up on a day when we got good alcohol—that just means we have to let you drink!”
“In the food and beverage industry, the quality of the alcohol affects sales. Many shops are superstitious about such things,” Serge-san added.
“Then, I will take you up on your kindness.”
“Yes! Please wait a moment.”
I shook off my unease and saw the woman off. If anything happened, I could just pay the price.
“Even so, it’s beautiful.”
“This view is the very essence of this city’s vitality.”
“Is it because each individual light is weak? I can see the stars in the night sky clearly. It feels like the natural and artificial lights have blended together just right.”
“The harmony of natural and artificial light. I suppose that is one way to look at it.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting! Here is the Ale and appetizers.”
“That was fast.”
“The Ale and appetizers come out quickly here.”
“Because these two are ordered one after another! Please, both of you, drink up!”
This shop seemed to have a high turnover rate.
“Now, Ryoma-sama, first, a drink.”
“Yes, then...”
“Cheers!”
After clinking our mugs together in a toast, I took a sip of the Ale.
“Mmh!”
The aroma spread the moment I drank it. A sweet, fruit-like scent and... herbs? Enveloped in smooth foam, it flowed easily over my tongue and down my throat. There was little bitterness, and the alcohol didn't seem strong, so it was easy to keep drinking.
“Phew! That’s delicious!”
“It truly is! It pairs well with the appetizers... Mmm, this is also good.”
The appetizer was salted nuts. They seemed lightly roasted, as I could detect a faint nuttiness. The sweetness of the Ale and the saltiness of the nuts were an exquisite match.
“This must be the best thing after work.”
“Not yet. This shop only truly starts once the meat dishes arrive.”
I looked forward to that. I had to make sure not to drink too much before the main event.
“Phew... Come to think of it, were those Magic Tools in your room earlier, Ryoma-sama?”
“You saw them? How embarrassing. Perhaps because I was stimulated by being outside, I just felt like trying to make something and followed my whim.”
“Ho! And what kind of items? If it isn't a problem, would you mind telling me?”
It wasn't anything worth hiding. As a topic for the table, I showed him a small one from among the several I had made.
“How is it?”
“I have thought this for a while, but you have somewhat unusual ideas, Ryoma-sama.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“For example, these 'Electric Fan' and 'Ventilation Fan' items. Both of these are Magic Tools for sending air, correct? Magic Tools for air blowing are not uncommon, but I almost never see one that sends air by rotating blades in this manner. If one simply wants to blow air, one can just enchant it with Wind Magic. That is the common sense for those involved with Magic Tools. Doing so allows one to reduce the labor and material costs of making parts like blades, and makes mass production easier. While parts are sometimes processed to improve usability or appearance, craftsmen who incorporate such mechanisms are in the minority.”
I see. It certainly would cut costs and be easier to make that way.
“I thought it was a similar method to the Magic Cars, though.”
“I felt that as well, but in the first place, the history of Magic Cars began with a memo found inside a historically significant book. It recorded ideas for Magic Tools, and while I hear it didn't record detailed structures at all, there are things that have been successfully reproduced and are still in use today. For example, the 'Heater' that warms a room with hot air. Conversely, the 'Cooler' that cools with cold air. And the 'Cooler Box' that makes it possible to preserve and transport food while keeping it fresh with cold air. I heard that in your shop, Ryoma-sama, you use Barrier Magic and Ice Magic to preserve food. While the method is different, this is the same as a 'Cooler Box.' Your way of thinking might be close to the person who wrote that memo.”
Judging by the way they named things, that person was probably an Otherworlder like me. I couldn't say that, so I just nodded. It was best not to say anything reckless.
“Well, good things don't come that easily, do they?”
“No, there was something here that I think is quite something. This one.”
“Eh? This?”
Serge-san pointed to one of the items I had lined up on the table. It was a Music Box that I personally thought was clunky, looking like an uneven toilet paper holder with small combs attached. When mana was channeled into it, the gears and the attached cylinder rotated, and the bumps on the surface played a nursery rhyme. However, it only repeated a simple melody, like something played on a piano with a single finger.
“Is it really this?”
“Without a doubt. I have seen many Magic Tools as a collector, but a Magic Tool that plays music on its own is truly interesting. While it isn't something useful for daily life, I believe it has sufficient commercial value as a toy. There are many nobles who enjoy such toys, and if you pay attention to the ornamentation, I believe it would sell quite well.”
Seeing him lower his voice slightly, he seemed to be speaking quite seriously. On Earth, the music box was perfected around the Middle Ages in Europe, but I remembered from a university lecture that the prototype was the Carillon—church bells that announced the time—from much earlier. From there, manual ones were automated, and then they were incorporated into clocks as devices to announce the time.
Thinking that far, I remembered the clock I had received from the Ducal House previously. It was also a Magic Tool, and it was a device that lacked any complex internal mechanisms at all.
“Are there no Magic Tools that make sounds like this? I often hear the church bells ringing, and it would be a problem if they were late, so are they used in places like that?”
“None come to mind. There are Magic Tools that sound an alarm along with a whistle, but when it comes to playing music with only a Magic Tool... naturally, commoners gather where traveling performers or bards are, and the nobility employ musicians. The church bells are the duty of monks and nuns, and are also part of a disciplined life and training. Using a Magic Tool as a substitute... there likely isn't such a thing. I've never checked, though.”
Does that mean recording technology doesn't exist either? In that case, I wonder if I could pique interest if I could make things like phonographs and records. Regardless, I understood that the Music Box had more commercial value than I expected.
“It seems you didn't intend to devise this as a product, but I think it's a bit of a waste to leave it alone.”
“If we were to sell it, what would we do specifically? It's impossible for me to make and sell them myself.”
“First...”
“Sorry to keep you waiting! Here is our shop's pride, the Special Steak with Herb Butter.”
The food arrived. The aroma of butter, herbs, and meat rising with the steam whetted my appetite.
“Shall we continue this talk after the meal?”
“Yes. Also, I'd like another Ale, please.”
Serge-san ordered another drink, and I quickly tidied up the prototypes I had laid out.