Chapter 170 - Episode Forty-Two - Later
“If we were going to go to a dangerous place, I wish you had told Mea about it too……”
Mea puffs out her cheeks.
“I-, I’m sorry, sorry …… Well, it wasn’t much of a danger as a result.”
I didn’t say anything to Mea as I headed to the Ringus, because if I told her, she might start a tantrum on the idea of following me again.
As for me, I don’t want to take Mea to a dangerous place.
“It’s not that I’m sulking…… but I know that Mea is a liability after all, and I understand how Abel feels……”
Mea hangs her head.
The bow was held firmly and forcefully in her hand.
“A-, as I thought aren’t you still a bit sulky?”
“…… No, I’m not.”
I know that Mea has put a lot of effort into her archery training and Ortem carving.
This is especially true since she came to Fage territory and had time to do so.
I also know that she was taught the sword against Euris, but she hasn’t been doing well at all.
I’m sure Mea would like to see what she can do to help.
About Marias, it had already been a day since they had successfully captured Ringus.
The residents who were being held hostage had already been released.
We have a lot of things to find out, but Ringus is in a state of apathy and won’t take anything seriously, and Marias is in a regressed state of infantile regression and can’t carry on a conversation.
Apparently, excessive stress was the cause.
I’m wondering if there was some kind of mental and physical stress that was put on a person if they’re captured by the enemy to keep them from talking.
Looking at the insidious planning and the abuse of forbidden magic up to now, that’s all I can think of.
Riveras nation, a brutal and terrifying enemy.
As a fellow sorcerer, I can only feel disgusted by this inhumane approach.
However, it is strange that there is no trace of the mental interference system’s technique……
As for the treatment of these two, since they couldn’t have it in the Fage territory, they decided to contact the Royal Capital and escort them away.
This is a problem that could develop into a conflict between the Dinrat Kingdom and the Kingdom of Riveras if it’s not done well.
We can’t do anything on our own. It’s better to let someone with a high position make the decision.
I took Mea with me and headed to the blacksmith shop in the Fage territory.
At the blacksmith’s shop, in addition to the master, Rinoa is there.
Rinoa is from a tribe called the Noir tribe, she is strong and possesses ore-processing skills that have been passed down among her people.
I’ve heard that they usually use that knowledge and technology in alchemy, but I was selfish enough to ask Rinoa to create a magic tool for me.
“How is your progress?”
When I called out to her, Rinoa frowned slightly, while maintaining a blank expression.
“Hm…… I’ve been trying to build the actual thing as per the blueprint, and a few problems were raised, so I’m not sure how to handle this area …… Also, there are some things I want to check, so I’ve put them all together here.”
Rinoa said and went into the back of the blacksmith’s shop and came back with a stack of papers in her hand.
I go over each piece of paper and re-issue the instructions.
“This part is …… then, I don’t need to be so precise here. This part is…… Hmmm …… I’m not too familiar with the process of processing magic ore, so I thought I’d leave the details of how to do it to Rinoa-san……”
“I understand. Commander, just in case you seemed to care about the details……”
“Oh, I’ll just avoid the heat-magic polishing method after all…… and I’ll try to rethink the tolerances in this area over here again, so for now, please start on a different thing.”
“…………”
Rinoa frowned again, but I pretended not to notice.
I contributed quite a bit to the improvement of the territory, too, and this much selfishness is acceptable …… right?
By the way, the thing I’m commissioning Rinoa to produce now is a sword.
Although I’m not very good with weapons, especially bows, I was attacked by spirit beasts this time and thought it would be better to have a means of self-defense to protect myself on the spur of the moment without chanting.
I plan to have the demon Lapidestatoa, the demon from the recent demon statue, possess and settled in a lump of metal made from the ore of the important part that I picked up from the ruins of Zeshum, to be used as a material.
Alchemy is my specialty, but when it comes to processing that requires power, it’s not a field I can handle.
There is also the possibility of having Ortem substitute for me, but it’s difficult to replicate craftsman-level precision with it.
If I had a lot of branches of the World Tree, I would be able to carve such an Ortem, but…… there is just not enough money for me to repeat the process of trial and error.
If I can afford it someday, I’d like to go cut down the World Tree.
“Then, please! I know Rinoa-san busy with a lot of things, too, but I don’t have anyone else to turn to. ……”
The owner of the blacksmith shop does not seem to want to handle the vital magical metal, and even when he was asked, he refuses.
In that regard, Rinoa, who is also the deputy leader of the Alchemy Division, has knowledge in that area.
Surely, It’s just the right person for the job.
“…… Even if you expect…… Hmm, I’ll do my best, but…… if a part that bothers me comes up again……”
“Then, should I stay here myself until it’s finished?”
“I don’t want to stop the Commander’s hand because it will slow down the improvement of the territory and I’m afraid he’s going to interfere in a mountain of meddling and distract me, so no.”
I got straightly refused.
I was just about to leave the blacksmith shop, thinking what was the point of staying any longer, when Mea gulped as if she was ready to go, and packed up to Rinoa.
“Wha-, what ……?”
“Please teach the Mea some blacksmithing skills! I’ll definitely return the favor!”
“U-, uhnnn…… this is not something you can learn in a day or two…… Um, and I’m not very good at teaching ……”
…… She refused with great softness.
Mea disappointedly lowered her shoulders.
After checking the progress, I left the blacksmith shop and headed to Lark’s place.
There are many things we need to discuss in the future.
I can’t help but look forward to seeing how far he will allow me to go with the matter of bio-magic.
I would also like to ask for financial support for the production of the magic phone Magiphone, as it will also cost a lot of money.
Naturally, there are still many areas that need to be discussed about the territory issue as well.
When I get to the front of the room, Mea stuck her ear to the door.
“…… What are you doing?”
“No, he doesn’t seem very depressed, so I just wanted to check up on him……”
When I brought Marias and Ringus back yesterday and explained the situation, Lark fainted, pale in the face.
Rinoa said that Lark was even thinking of procuring a wedding ring to send to Marias once the territory was stable and trade with other territories was fully restored.
It’s just too pitiful, and I can’t help but feel sorry for him.
I was worried that he would take it out on me and turn a bad impression on me, but …… for now, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
“…… I was convinced that the reason he was so unhappy was because Marias had set him up, but she kicked Lark in the shins and left by the end of the game.”
Icarus wasn’t the only one who was spreading bad news about the lord, and Marias must have been involved as well.
They must have crafted and attacked behind the scenes in order to coerce Lark.
Ironically, the last blow would not have been aimed, but it would have been the most powerful as a result.
Mea let go of her ears from the door with a slight blush on her cheeks.
“Hmm? What’s going on?”
“…… It seemed like a good vibe, so why don’t we do it a little later?”
When I heard those words, I could pretty much guess.
Perhaps it was Euris. She would often go to his office to run errands.
Before, Marias only paid attention to Lark on the surface and always seemed to be thinking about something else, but Euris had the pretense of worrying about Lark at every turn.
I nodded and decided to go back to my room to formulate another plan to improve the territory.
I hope this will help Lark get out of Marias shock a bit.
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[Book info] I’ll have two volumes of character roughs up in the near future!