Magic Maker - How to make magic in another world - - Chapter 105

Magic Maker – How to make magic in another world –

Chapter 105   Let’s start developing weapons

The training workshop classes are only four days within a week. Four consecutive days of classes, followed by three days of complete rest. There’s no concept of assignments, and whether to study independently is up to the individuals.

Too many days off? No, in this world, it’s actually considered working too much. For ordinary nobles, working three days in a week is considered diligent, excluding the head of the family. Even nobles who aren’t labeled as “hedonistic nobles” generally don’t work long hours. On the contrary, laborers like soldiers, maids, and butlers have hardly any days off. Most nobles spend more than half of the week as holidays.

By the way, even among commoners, in a normal household, there are two days off per week, and proper break times are observed. Shops that are open at night are usually closed in the morning and afternoon, and those open in the morning and afternoon are mostly closed at night. In other words, working hours are generally from morning to around the evening.

Moreover, there are few shops that open early in the morning, and most usually open around noon. Assuming a shop is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., considering opening preparations and post-closure cleanup, the workday amounts to eight to nine hours.

Upon realizing this fact, I thought, “Yes, modern Japan is far more like a ‘black’ company,” and “We work more in the convenient modern era,” or so I thought. Well, at least that was the expectation.

“And then?”

With those words, Queen Milhya, looking utterly exasperated, shot me a glare. I had sensed her feelings, but I had no intention of backing down.

“Well, you see, is there any work?”

Starting from today, we have three days off. I hadn’t had much time off until recently, so this was my first complete break in a while. In the days immediately after treating the lazy syndrome, there were treatments for the applicants, so it wasn’t a full holiday. Despite this rare three-day break, I came to the queen’s office in the castle and deliberately made a request.

“You have worked enough. you hardly had a chance to rest since coming to the capital. Enjoy the rare holiday. Take a stroll around the capital and give your body a good rest.”

“I thought so too. However, it’s not that simple.”

“…What? Is there a problem?”

I widened my eyes and stared straight at the queen.

“It seems I have a personality that can’t endure being idle!”

“I don’t need to know!”

It seemed I had involuntarily shouted. The queen let out a deep sigh and held her head. By the way, today she was not in casual attire but in neat clothes, well-groomed. The sloppy appearance was apparently only for her private space, the library.

“Listen, taking a break is an important task. I have allowed you to do so, but you work too much. Considering the burden of lazy syndrome treatment during training, you should take it easy on your days off. This holiday is for the nobles, but it’s also made for you.”

“I appreciate your concern. But I can’t relax. When I think about it, I’ve been studying since I was five, or even earlier. I’ve been researching magic, taking on requests for monster subjugation, listening to someone’s pleas, helping around the house, and practicing. In other words, I hardly have any memories of resting!”

That’s right. Since the reincarnation, there was a waiting period of several years from infancy to growth, but after that, there were hardly any memories of properly resting. Of course, it wasn’t that I was busy working all the time. I was either studying with my mother or studying on my own. Since I found the Trout, I started researching magic, and from then on, there was even less free time. After various events, I realized that I hadn’t had a proper day off.

“Do you hate taking breaks that much?”

“I do. Please give me something to do. If not, let me continue my magic research.”

“…I cannot allow that. Wait a while until I secure a place where you can use magic without any problems.”

“Then something else, even menial tasks, please let me do something.”

“What kind of life have you lived?”

Looking back now, schools and companies work people too hard. Why do people work more even though the world has become more convenient? Maybe the people in this world work less.

“It’s like a black life.”

“Black…? I don’t quite understand, but I don’t want to hear the details. Is it a life like that of a slave?”

“Well, yeah. It’s like being a corporate slave… haha.”

“Haha, not quite. Well, understood. Not for work. There was a job I intended to ask you for after the lazy syndrome training was over. I thought about postponing it because I didn’t want to push you too hard.”

“I understand. I’ll take care of that.”

“I haven’t explained anything yet…”

“If I’m going to do it anyway, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later, right? It’s obvious that it’s better to do things ahead of time rather than postponing. Time is limited.”

That’s a valid point, but ordinary people need to rest to some extent.

“Well, fine. The job I was planning to ask you for is the ‘development of tools to counter the demons.'”

“In preparation for the next Scarlet Night, I assume.”

The Queen nodded slowly. Perhaps due to her external demeanor or focus, her facial expressions remained limited.

“It may not be immediate, but it’s better to devise countermeasures. I can’t determine the exact timing of the next Scarlet Night, but I expect it to be around ‘two years from now.’ Until then, we need to prepare techniques for humans other than you to counter the demons.”

Two years later.

“How about Lightning Lamps? The light from Lightning Lamps was effective against Wraiths.”

“Of course, I’m considering that as well. However, it’s not entirely reliable, and, above all, it’s just a defensive measure. It’s somewhat lacking as a countermeasure.”

“I see… So, we need effective weapons.”

“Yes. That’s why I want to borrow your wisdom. I won’t say immediately, but we need to develop, produce, and distribute it before the next Scarlet Night. It can’t be confined to the domestic market alone.”

“Can it be exported or purchased by other countries?”

“It might be difficult. Kings of other countries still don’t believe in demons. They won’t easily accept such dubious information. Therefore, I plan to negotiate with the Merchant Guild to have the developed weapons against demons stored in the guild’s branches. They can be used in case of emergency. It’s an inadequate preparation, but it’s better than having no means of counteraction.”

“Even the Lightning Lamps?”

“Yes. Both are useful as daily necessities. Even without our intervention, the Merchant Guild has negotiated and already exported a considerable amount. Duke Balkh continues production while selling to the guild, so there should be no problem.”

Come to think of it, he did mention something like that. Duke Balkh probably anticipated this and spread Lightning Lamps and Thunderstones throughout the five countries. His face appeared in my mind, with a knit smile and white teeth showing. Well, he probably wouldn’t go so far as to think of it that way. In any case, it means the economic benefit to Istria, the profits for the Merchant Guild, and the preparations for the defense of other countries during Scarlet Night are all coming together. Whether the kings of other countries are aware of it is a subtle matter.

“Hmm, it’s quite challenging. A weapon, huh?”

“I don’t mind if it’s a tool. Armor is fine too. The problem is the situation where we have nothing. But if possible, we want something that can defeat the demons. The demons may not necessarily appear in the vicinity of Shion’s location. It’s for that situation. Also, when Scarlet Night arrives, you will have to fight against the demons. Are you okay with that?”

“Yes, I understand. At the current stage, there is probably no one else who can oppose them besides me. I don’t intend to overlook it either.”

The reason isn’t just that, though. It’s a bit insensitive, but I’m actually looking forward to it. That’s something I can’t tell anyone, though.

“Well, I’ve been thinking about various things, so it’s okay. Let’s take on the development of magical tools.”

“Yes, I’m counting on you. We’ve hired an expert in that field for the development. I want you to cooperate with that person. I’ll contact you and arrange a meeting in the early afternoon. I’ll also tell Egon to visit the mansion later. I’ve already informed him about the development of magical tools, not ordinary tools.”

“Understood. I apologize for taking on more work when you’re busy.”

“Don’t worry about it. For now, there’s no more important matter than your case. It should be given top priority. Of course, I don’t intend to engage in idle chatter.”

It feels like I’ve been given a stern warning. From now on, I should probably refrain from this kind of thing. I guess that’s the feeling—like, “Please spare me from this kind of request next time.” It seems that being a Queen involves an incredibly large number of tasks, so it’s only natural.

However, when it comes to matters related to the lazy syndrome or magic, I can’t easily discuss them through intermediaries. Even though Egon claims to be well-informed about the situation, he probably doesn’t know everything.

“Ah, Shion. It’s good to work, but don’t forget to rest. I don’t want you to collapse.”

“Yes, I understand. I won’t push myself too hard.”

“I can’t trust you, but well, that’s fine. Also, regarding the matter of your escort, I apologize, but Rafina Spel will be returning to Zeppenlast. Therefore, she won’t be able to serve as your escort.”

“Rafina? Why on earth…”

“Each person has their own circumstances. Zeppenlast has vast land but is likely lacking in manpower. It seems to have been a sudden decision, and the Spel family has already left the capital. They were concerned about you but told me not to worry. Really, using the Queen as a messenger is unheard of.”

“I’m sorry, I see… I understand.”

I wonder if something happened. When someone tells you not to worry, it makes you worry. But it’s Rafina we’re talking about; even if there’s an issue, she’ll likely overcome it. We’ll surely meet again.

“It seems that you’re not fated for an escort. With your abilities, there shouldn’t be any problems, and you don’t plan to leave the capital, do you? You might not need an escort.”

Surveillance is still in place, though.

“Yes, that’s right. So, please go ahead without an escort. I feel uncomfortable when someone follows me around.”

“Very well, that concludes our discussion. You may leave.”

“Yes, thank you for your time.”

I bowed to the queen and left the office. Outside, maids, butlers, and attendants were lined up. They had been asked to leave during the conversation. When they noticed me, they immediately bowed. It was an unfamiliar reaction, but it couldn’t be helped. Winona, who stood at the edge, looked lost, but when she saw me, she showed a relieved expression. Unlike before, Winona is now allowed to accompany me inside the castle.

For now, I’ll go home. I have some free time until noon. It’s only a few hours, but I found myself pondering how to spend this free time. Modern people, or rather, Japanese people, really have a deeply ingrained slave mentality. That’s what I thought on this early morning.