Magic Maker - How to make magic in another world - - Chapter 14

Magic Maker – How to make magic in another world –

Chapter 14   Innocence and childishness

Marie and I rode in the carriage, while Dad and Mom were on the driver’s seat.

Other villagers were also riding in carriages.

The ride was uncomfortable.

But in this world, I couldn’t afford to be luxurious, and more than anything, I was happy that we were going to the city, so I didn’t feel too stressed.

As my sister and I excitedly talked about our anticipation, we journeyed on.

We advanced on the highway, passing through plains and forests.

We passed by people who seemed like travelers or merchants on the way.

We exchanged nods and hurried on.

And three hours later…

“I can see it.”

At Dad’s words, my sister and I turned our gaze forward.

It’s the city.

It seems to be sturdily built more than I thought.

There’s a defensive wall, gatekeepers, and people waiting to enter.

It feels quite spacious, but I wonder if this is still considered a mid-sized city.

I can’t tell for sure since I’m not looking from above.

We lined up and underwent the gatekeeper’s inspection, then we entered Istria.

After passing through the main gate, there was a straight road.

However, it curved to the left in the distance, and I couldn’t see far.

There are narrow paths, but the main road doesn’t seem to be straight.

I couldn’t see the overall structure due to the buildings. It didn’t seem to have a grid-like structure.

Perhaps that’s why it gave off a somewhat cluttered impression.

It’s like an undeveloped city, a work in progress.

But since this was the first time I had come to a place with this many people since I was reincarnated, I wasn’t disappointed.

Rather, I felt a strong sense of excitement.

Maybe I can get some information about magic here.

We parted ways with the villagers for now.

We’ll meet up later.

As the carriage moved carefully, Dad turned back and said, glancing over his shoulder.

“First, let’s do some shopping. Then, we’ll visit the blacksmith and head home.

Don’t wander off or you’ll get lost. Stay close to us at all times.”

“Got it.”

Ah, it’s natural for them to be like this because we’re children.

I probably won’t be able to investigate freely.

And even if I want to research something about magic, I’m not sure what to look for.

There’s no library in this country, and stores selling books are rare.

I can only look around to see if there’s something else.

Well, that’s okay.

I’m still a child, so I can’t explore freely, but once I grow a bit, I’ll be able to come to the city on my own.

Let’s keep an eye out for that time.

I feel impatient, but forcing my wishes will only make me seem like a selfish child.

I try to be a relatively good kid, but these efforts would be in vain.

So, for now, it’s fine.

There’s the presence of magic, and there’s still some research to be done.

I’m getting a bit tired of it, but it’s a world of difference from having nothing.

Now, let’s observe the cityscape.

First, there are many buildings with a mix of wood and stone.

The construction looks crude compared to modern times, but for this era, it probably looks normal.

Our clothing is simple and the colors are plain.

Men are mostly in shirts and trousers, and women often wear dresses.

To be precise, the shapes may vary in parts, but it’s mostly the same.

People on the streets have a similar feel.

However, I spotted people like soldiers or mercenaries wearing armor.

They’re a bit unusual since we don’t have them in the village.

Actually, oh well, I really feel like this is a different world.

If there are swords and armor, having magic isn’t too surprising, I think.

While slowly walking down the street, we stopped in front of several shops along the way, and Marie and I were left waiting in the carriage.

Most shops are small, and going in with a large group can be bothersome, it seems.

There are hardly any large stores; mostly they are individual shops.

So, I didn’t have any complaints.

Just a bit bored.

But still, my sister is acting a bit strange today.

She’s even more cheerful than usual and seems a bit restless.

While waiting, she looks around absentmindedly and is more alert than usual.

“What’s wrong, sis?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing at all.”

“Really? You seem a bit unsettled.”

“…Well, it’s just normal.”

It’s not normal.

Clearly, something is bothering her.

But it doesn’t seem to be in a bad way.

If that’s the case, maybe I shouldn’t bring it up.

Thinking that, I didn’t ask any further questions.

After visiting several stores, the wooden crates and barrels increased in the back of the carriage.

There wasn’t much space for me and Marie, but somehow, it was becoming enjoyable.

You know, there’s something exciting about a carriage full of stuff compared to an empty one.

Don’t you think? Is it just me?

“Alright, we’re done with shopping. Next is the blacksmith.”

The blacksmith. The sound of that word has a bit of romance to it.

But it’s not relevant to me.

I can’t use swordsmanship, and above all, I prefer being a mage over a swordsman.

When we heard ‘blacksmith,’ Marie’s restlessness reached its peak.

Her feet started trembling.

It’s the kind of shivering you do when you’re cold. It’s rare for Marie to be like this.

Is there something at the blacksmith’s?

Thinking that, I found it somewhat amusing and just observed Marie.

Then, after progressing quite a distance into the city and reaching narrow alleys, the carriage stopped.

“Alright, everyone, get off.”

“We’re all going in? Is that okay?”

“Don’t worry about it here.”

We got off the carriage and looked up at the store.

Since we’re children, it looks like a pretty big store, but it’s a regular one.

It’s spacious enough for all four of us to enter without a problem.

The sign shows an illustration resembling a sword and shield, with ‘Glast the Blacksmith’ written on it.

When Dad entered, we followed.

Inside, various weapons and armor were displayed.

Swords, spears, axes, hammers, shields, armor, and various others.

I looked around for something related to magic, but as expected, there was nothing.

There was a morning star. But this isn’t a magical weapon.

It seems like something a priest might use, though.

“Ah, welcome… Oh, it’s you, Gawain.”

The man who came out looking listless was around the same age as Dad.

He had short hair and let out a sigh when he saw us.

He was slender but had a toned body.

“What a way to greet me. A valued customer, aren’t we?”

“Ah, right, sorry about that. Let’s see, you came to pick up the order, didn’t you?”

“Yeah. Is it ready?”

“I’ve crafted an excellent one. It’s for the young lady’s sword, after all.”

“Oh, I should introduce myself properly. I’m Glast. This… ah, I’m like a friend of your dad’s here.”

“Um, hello. I’m Mariann.”

“Hello. I’m Shion.”

As Marie and I greeted him, Mom next to us smiled happily.

Glast nodded approvingly and turned to Dad.

“Your kids are surprisingly polite, beyond what I’d expect from your children.”

“I’ll hit you.”

“Stop that. Your punches really hurt. Anyway, let me grab the sword. Wait here.”

Without further ado, he went back inside. He returned promptly, holding a small sword in his hand.

As he mentioned earlier, could this be Marie’s sword?

“Here you go. I’ve shortened the blade and lightened it for a child’s use. I think it’ll be easy to handle. The scabbard has some decorations, so it should look quite stylish.”

Marie glanced at Dad.

Upon Dad’s nod, Marie received the sword from Glast.

The scabbard had some gem-like embellishments. The surface of the scabbard was adorned with beautiful patterns, resembling a sword one might expect a noble to possess. It looked far from cheap.

When Marie drew the sword, the blade was revealed.

I see, it’s definitely short. Perhaps even shorter than a wakizashi.

Still, it was about the length of a longsword at its limits.

And it seemed to be quite a well-crafted piece even to an amateur’s eye. It appeared to have a sharp edge.

After she sheathed the sword again, Marie bowed to Glast.

“Uh, thank you very much.”

“No worries. I’ve received the payment. But I put quite an effort into making it, so it’s sturdy and can cut like crazy. Be careful with how you handle it. Not many kids around your age have their own swords. By giving it to you, it means your trust goes a long way. Don’t betray that trust.”

His choice of words was rough, but undoubtedly, his feelings for Marie were conveyed through them.

Though we had just met today, he had probably heard about us from Dad.

From Glast’s perspective, we might be like his nephew or niece.

Upon Glast’s words, Marie clenched her lips tightly and made a serious expression.

Marie was serious by nature. Without a doubt, she wouldn’t do anything to betray that trust.

“But still, I can’t believe that Gawain has kids… It’s unbelievable.”

“Hey, Glast. Don’t say unnecessary things.”

“Huh? In his youth, he was a prodigal son, traveling the world and involving me in all sorts of nonsense. During that journey, did he fall in love at first sight with Emma-chan and decide to live in the Lystia country?”

“G-Glast! W-Would you like me to make sure you can’t talk anymore?”

“Yikes, scary, stoooop, the kids are watching.”

Dad’s veins were popping out, and Glast was desperately calling for help.

Their relationship seemed quite deep.

Feeling somewhat envious, I also felt happy seeing Dad making this kind of face.

Dad regained his composure and looked at us, cleared his throat, and straightened up.

His face was still red, and Mom was giggling in the background.

“A-anyway, w-we’ll come back another time! And, visit our place once in a while. Don’t just work all the time.”

“I appreciate the invitation, but surprisingly, business is doing well. We have regular customers who come suddenly for repairs or advice.”

“Why not hire someone? You have the money, right?”

“Well, yeah. But I want to use it to expand the store. Until then, I thought I’d manage on my own. Well, it’s holding up somehow, and there are no major issues at the moment. It’s just difficult to take breaks. Besides, it’s because you come to see me. Isn’t that good?”

“…Occasionally, yeah. Well, I’ll come to visit. From now on, I’ll bring the kids with me sometimes.”

“Oh, I see. Hehe, next is the little monk, right? Ah, no, it’s Shion, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah, well, I did receive some training, in a way… But I’m not really cut out for it, so I’m thinking of trying my best in a different field.”

“I see. Well, parents and children are different. What the parent is good at doesn’t always mean the child will be good at it too. Things you can do, things you can’t do, things you want to do, and things you don’t want to do. If you live being mindful of just these four things, you’ll have a reasonably enjoyable time.”

“The words of someone who has turned their passion into a job carry weight.”

Seeing Glast with a childlike smile, Dad laughed in amazement.

“Heh, even with this, it’s quite a hassle. In various ways. Well, it’s fun though.”

“Your next dream, when you expand the store, I’ll send you a flower or something.”

“We’re going now. Sorry for the intrusion, Glast.”

“Yeah. Come back again!”

Waving enthusiastically at Glast, both Marie and I waved our hands.

We left the shop and got on the carriage, and the scenery began to pass by.

“He was a nice person, Glast.”

“He’s not a bad guy. Just a bit rough in his speech and actions.”

“Oh, you used to be somewhat like that too.”

“I-I was? Uh, I don’t remember the old days.”

Beside Mom, who was laughing happily, Dad averted his gaze.

It seemed that both of them had their own experiences.

I didn’t intend to pry too much into it though.

Beside me, Marie was happily hugging her sword.

“I’m so glad. Sister was fidgeting because she was getting a sword, huh?”

“W-Well, yes. Well, that’s right. I was so nervous and couldn’t calm down. I still am.

My birthday is coming up, and Father told me he’d buy me a sword.”

“But why did you hide it? You could’ve just told me normally.”

“It’s not like I was hiding it… You know, Shion wouldn’t be getting anything, and only I would… I felt a little bad.”

“It’s a birthday gift, right? Besides, I’m your little brother, and I don’t want a sword. There’s no need for Sister to worry.”

“…Shion, you should be a little more selfish.”

“I am selfish. Sister does a lot for me.”

“It’s not about that.”

Then, what is it about?

Oh, I see. It’s about asking for something.

Come to think of it, have I ever been given something?

Sister gets things like sweets, clothes, and swords, bought for her.

I haven’t received anything.

But I don’t really want anything.

If there were something magic-related, I’d want it.

Even if I wish for something that doesn’t exist, I won’t get it.

So, I don’t really have anything I want.

“Okay, let’s head back. Is there any place you want to stop by?”

When Dad asked, we shook our heads.

“Shion, is there something you want? I can’t afford something expensive, but if it’s within reason, I can buy you something.”

“Nah, I don’t want anything. It’s okay.”

Upon my immediate response, Mom and Dad exchanged glances.

“Are you really sure? You don’t need to hold back.”

It seemed like they were concerned about me, just like they were about Sister.

Maybe because I don’t really desire anything.

But, yeah, I truly don’t want anything.

As I was about to decline again, I spotted something in the distance.

I didn’t immediately recognize what it was.

However, the shop that caught my attention took away my interest in one fell swoop.

“Um, what about over there?”

I pointed, and the three of them shifted their gaze to where I was pointing.

Their reactions were varied.

Sister looked surprised.

Mom seemed troubled.

Dad frowned.

“That place… it’s a place you don’t need to know about, Shion.”

『Fairy Emporium』

That’s what’s written on the signboard of that shop.

For some reason, the moment I saw those words, I felt an unsettling atmosphere.

It was even present inside the carriage.

Dad and Mom seemed to avoid the Fairy Emporium for some reason.

Without immediately grasping the reason, I voiced my curiosity.

“Could it be… they sell fairies or something?”

“Have you heard about it somewhere?”

“No, not really. I just recalled that Dad mentioned something about people who procure fairies before. Could it be related?”

Considering the words that came to my mind and the attitudes of my parents, I had a vague idea.

Fairies have a humanoid appearance but are small.

It’s unclear if they’re creatures or something akin to phenomena.

There’s a lot I don’t know about fairies.

This is about the extent of my knowledge.

However, even with this limited knowledge, I could make a reasonable guess.

Fairies have a humanoid appearance. There are people who procure them.

And… there are people who buy them.

Buying something that resembles a person, treating it like a pet.

That seems to be the case.

Even if we don’t know if this world has pets in the usual sense, just the fact that these ‘pets’ resemble people might make it hard for many to accept.

Dad seemed to be contemplating, his face contorted in thought, like this was quite a dilemma.

“I’m sorry. I was just curious, so you don’t need to worry about it. Shall we go back?”

I just didn’t want to cause any trouble.

But for some reason, my words didn’t seem to alleviate my parents’ worries.

In fact, it made them look a bit sad.

“…Yeah. Let’s go back.”

“Uh, yes, let’s do that.”

An awkward exchange took place between Dad and Mom, and the carriage continued down the street.

I thought it was difficult.

Being adept at handling situations as a child seemed to be this challenging.

I wish I could handle things as smoothly as my sister.

Sometimes, my adult side gets in the way.

A child who’s too straightforward might be less troublesome and easier for parents to handle, I think.

But at the same time, they might worry, or they might even feel sad, thinking that they’re enduring it, or wishing that they could trouble them a bit more.

I’ve never experienced being a parent, but I’ve experienced being an adult.

So I understand a bit.

How adults might feel about their children.

I glanced at the Fairy Emporium.

A seemingly affluent family emerged from the shop, and the child was holding a large jar.

Inside it was something small and humanoid.

For some reason, that scene etched itself into my mind.