That Time a Shut-in for 300 Years Continued to Make Antiques , but All of It Turned out to Be Cheat-Level Magic Tools - Chapter 49

“No, I said anything is fine, but not anything too weird, okay?”

“Blushing is gross!”

Hazan answered with a troubled look, but really, what was he thinking?

“…With Master and Hazan-san?”

“No, what are you imagining, Mei?”

Indeed, I’ve enabled learning functions, but there’s no need to learn about that!

“I don’t particularly want to request anything strange. I just want help gathering the necessary materials.”

“Well, if that’s all, leave it to me! Time for a B-rank adventurer to shine!”

That’s quite reassuring.

“Ugh, am I still stuck on constructing spell formulas?”

Alecto approached with a stagger in his step, grumbling. I examined the spell formula he completed, but it’s still somewhat lacking. Though, it has improved considerably compared to the beginning.

“Didn’t I tell you that balance between Law and Chaos is crucial? This formula leans too heavily towards Chaos. There’s also too much waste in this spatial expansion formula. Too much waste in a spell formula means a higher burden on the finished magical tool, reducing its durability.”

“Uuuuu, is it still not good enough?”

Tears welled up behind his glasses. It’s truly pitiful, but…

“Alright, alright. I was planning to take Alecto along for material gathering tomorrow anyway. Join us.”

“Eh! Then tomorrow, the spell formulas are…”

“Yeah, you can work on them at night after we return.”

“…You really are merciless, despite your looks.”

Alecto knelt down on his hands and knees, dejected. Hazan, looking pityingly at Alecto, said that.

Rude. I was thinking it’s not good to stay cooped up inside too much, so I decided to take him outside.

“Well, anyway, it’s tomorrow. Today, we’re heading back to the inn.”

“Ah, yes! Thank you for your hard work!”

“Alecto, make sure you finish these and these and these by tomorrow.”

“Eeeeeek! So much~~~~!”

“…Brother, are you perhaps a sadist?”

“…Rude. Master is super sadistic.”

“No, Mei, is that supposed to be a compliment?”

Somehow, even Mei started to think I’m a sadist, which is quite unexpected. But anyway, for today, Mei and I headed back to the inn.

“…Oh, it’s the owner?”

Upon returning, I was greeted by a servant with dead fish eyes. She used to work at the reception. However, it seemed like she hates working so much. The tasks she’s being forced to do are far more reasonable compared to what this woman had Carol do, yet she looks so pained.

Well, that serves her right as a punishment.

“Hey! That kind of attitude towards guests, no good!”

“Hm?”

“Ara ara.”

A woman showing a clearly displeased attitude was reprimanded, but the one who spoke was a very young girl.

Mei looked on with interest, but hm, why is there a child here?

“Shut up! You’re just here to help, aren’t you?”

“But what she’s saying is right, isn’t it?”

The woman glared at the girl, but Urel came over and admonished her. The woman showed a face as if she’d been slapped, and Urel continued.

“As a senior, you should be setting an example. Besides, Edson-dono is the owner. Such disrespectful behavior is unacceptable, not just towards him but to any guest. Please reflect on this.”

“Uh, gr…”

“Reflect, okay?”

“Y-yes, I understand!”

And then she hurried back to work. It seems she really hates the idea of the collar activating.

“Sorry. When I let my guard down, I end up like that.”

“That’s fine, but who is this child? It seems there are other children around too.”

“Isn’t the owner a child too?”

“Hmm…”

I was tilted my head by a child. I’m still a whole head taller than them!

“Huh? I heard that Carol had given permission…”

“Permission…? Oh, are you talking about the hands?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Urel responded with a smile. Although I did say they could do as they liked…

“It seems there are many children here?”

“Yes. Actually, these children are from an orphanage.”

“An orphanage, huh?”

“Yes. I became close to the director of the orphanage due to some circumstances. They’re having a tough time right now… so it’s become busier here too…”

I see. They’re helping out at the inn, and in return, they get paid wages. It seems they also provide meals, but not just by making them— the children take turns cooking.

“Um, is there any problem? The children are working hard, and the guests say they find it soothing to watch them.”

“Huh? Oh, no problem at all. I told Carol, I’ve left the management to her.”

“Oh, thank you!”

It seems the sudden request from Carol was also due to these children.

That’s not a bad thing at all, and there’s no problem.

“Miss, you’re beautiful~”

“Is she your mother?”

“That’s rude. She must be an older sister.”

While we were talking, children had gathered around. They seemed curious about Mei in her maid outfit, but I just seem to be seen as a younger child.

“Ha ha, what about dinner?”

“Oh, we’ll take it.”

“Then, let me show you to your seats so you don’t get lost!”

“Huh? No, you don’t need to pull me by the hand, hey Mei, do something!”

“…Master, I cannot simply dismiss the pure intentions of a child…”

Damn, somehow I ended up being fed by a little girl at the table…

◇◆◇

Last night was noisy, but this morning I came to the mountains with Hazan and Alecto to look for the materials we needed.

“Hi, hi, are we still walking?”

“You lack stamina. Don’t say such pathetic things.”

“Well, it’s been quite a distance here.”

Hazan gave a wry smile. Oh well, it’s only about 20km at most.

“Shouldn’t we have used that magical vehicle for this?”

“If it were just me, I would, but this material gathering needs to eventually be something Alecto can do too.”

“Eh! Really?”

“Look, the purpose is also the rebuilding of the magic guild. And yet, what are you going to do if you don’t move?”

“Uh, uh, it’s all so tough…”

Of course, it is. We’ve lost many rights, and with no magicians in our ranks and virtually no capital, we’re starting from zero.

“But you have quite the stamina, brother. Mei aside.”

“Ah, I’m wearing magical shoes that reduce fatigue.”

“That’s not fair! You’re using such things!”

“Then make them yourself.”

“Eh? But how do I make them?”

“Figure it out yourself.”

“Aw, you really are a sadist…”

Oh well, anyway, we continued deeper into the forest to find the materials.