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 54

The Furenzu Commerce Guild agreed to handle the matter I had requested, as they were reaching out to all their contacts.

Later, Mei and I headed to Loath’s drugstore because there were some items I thought we might need soon.

The store had a large sign carved with “Loath Drugstore” and was a stone, box-shaped building, set a bit off the main street where not many people passed. Down the street, stray cats were hissing at each other threateningly.

Upon entering, the distinctive smell of medicine hit my nose. The shop wasn’t very large, with medicines densely arranged on multi-tiered wooden shelves. It seemed chaotic at first, but upon closer inspection, the medicines were well organized by symptoms and uses.

Mei looked intrigued as she picked up a bottle containing a large snake. No, that’s from the shelf with vitality medicines!

“Is Loath around?”

I approached the counter and called out. From the back, Loath responded with a loud “Oh!” and appeared. He now wore glasses, which he hadn’t before, and his apron was quite dirty with stains that looked like splashed soup, though the stains were still fresh, probably from mixing medicines.

“It’s been a while, but your timing is perfect. Actually, I was thinking of coming here soon to ask for Aloy herbs and some other magical herbs.”

“Really? I can take your request. I’ve also asked Furenzu, but they’re currently taking on any job.”

“Is that so? That’s a relief. So, did you come here looking for a job today?”

Loath asked with a smile, but I had other matters to attend to.

“No, actually, I was wondering if you have silicone oil?”

“Silicone oil, you say? Hmm, you always want something quite peculiar.”

“Difficult?”

Yes, a peculiar request indeed. Silicone oil is derived from corn, but it’s so versatile that it can be considered a universal oil.

“That’s strange to hear.”

“The raw material for silicone oil, corn, is hard to come by. It’s a plant that is difficult to grow and find. Additionally, the areas where it grows are often infested with dangerous monsters. The adventurers’ guild has been increasing their fees because of that. It’s gotten to the point where it’s not feasible to order it because there would be no buyers at this rate.”

I see… Corn is indeed sensitive to environmental changes and prone to die off easily. It also has many natural predators, making it difficult to grow.

“Then, why not cultivate it?”

“What? No, no, you must be joking. I’ve never heard of anyone successfully cultivating it.”

Well, if I were at my mansion, where it is being cultivated extensively…

Of course, the easy solution would be to go back to the mansion and get it, but I’ve decided to handle things within this town for now.

“Hmm… Is it difficult because of the need for careful management of fertilization and watering?”

“Yes. Even a slight change in temperature or weather can drastically change how it needs to be handled. It’s a plant with no easy answers.”

“That’s not necessarily true. Although it requires careful attention to various factors, that’s precisely why you should rely on tools to manage the difficult parts.”

“Tools, you say?”

Loath adjusted his glasses, his voice filled with skepticism.

“You talk as if you’ve cultivated it yourself.”

And indeed, that’s exactly the case. It is being extensively cultivated at my mansion.

“There would be some costs involved, but if it’s feasible, would you like to try it?”

“Of course. The price of silicone oil is skyrocketing, and most customers are settling for substitutes. But a substitute is just that, a substitute.”

The quality is significantly lower compared to silicone oil. If it could be mass-produced, that would be preferable.

Hmm, another job opportunity has come my way. However, I must first ensure the branding is successful.

“When do you think that could be possible?”

Loath was now thoroughly interested in the conversation.

“We must first succeed with the branding. That said—”

I shared the same information with Loath that I had with Furenzu. Loath nodded emphatically.

“Actually, I know someone who is in trouble. Let me talk to them about it. Oh, and although it’s difficult, it’s not impossible. Take this with you. It’s the last bottle, but I’ll give it to you.”

Saying that, he placed a bottle of silicone oil on the counter.

“Thanks, that really helps. How much do I owe you?”

“No need. You gave me that valuable flower before; consider this a thank you as well.”

“That makes me feel a bit guilty… Anyway, I can’t mass-produce just yet, but I’ll need it eventually, so I suppose I should go and collect some corn.”

“What? But as I mentioned earlier, there are few to be found, and the areas where they grow are dangerous mountains swarming with monstrous beasts.”

“No problem. I’ve already been to that mountain once for material gathering.”

You mean the mountain you climbed with Hazan and Alecto.

“You’ve been there? To such a dangerous mountain?”

“Yes, I went hunting for Heavy Bison and ended up hunting various other things as well, but that was the main goal.”

Loath stared at me with wide eyes and his mouth slightly agape.

“What? What’s the matter?”

“I’m just speechless with surprise.”

Really? Was there something so surprising about that?

“Sigh, you truly are an unbelievable child. I’ve felt this way since we first went to the guild together.”

I couldn’t tell if he was impressed or exasperated by my actions.

“Well, if that’s the case, I would indeed appreciate your help.”

“Understood. Oh, and could I take this too? I’ll also listen to any requests you might have.”

“Ah, then I’d like to ask you to gather some things from around here.”

I received a paper from Loath listing the magic herbs he wanted. Hmm, it looks like I could gather everything from that mountain.

“Master, may I also purchase this?”

“What do you plan to do with that vitality medicine…?”

What would one even do with a jar containing an entire snake?

We completed our purchases and left Loath’s shop, then headed to the Adamant Forge.

“How are things going?”

“Huh, scouting the enemy? Well, I don’t mind.”

“Not exactly. Hmm, you’ve started working with magic silver, I see.”

This is just perfect.

“Hmph, I’ll make something that surpasses even my son, whether it’s iron or magic silver!”

He was quite confident, apparently sobered up enough to be motivated, but we’ll see how that confidence plays out.

“Could I take some of that powder?”

“Huh? What are you going to do with that? Well, I’m happy to get rid of it.”

He grimaced but gave permission. What I collected was the powder left from working with iron and magic silver. Well, the magic silver was provided by me, after all.

Now that we had gathered what we needed, Mei and I headed to the Magic Guild. Quite some time had passed; it was just past three o’clock in the afternoon.

“Guuuyuuuuuu…”

And the first thing I saw upon entering the guild was Alecto, making a strange noise and spinning his eyes as he slumped over the desk.

Yep, business as usual.

“Is the spell formula ready?”

“That’s the first thing you ask? Isn’t there something else you should say in this situation?!”

“Just show me the spell formula.”

If he can spout such nonsense, he should be fine.

“Ugh, here it is.”

“Hmm…”

I examined the magic paper, the Magic Seer, which contained the spell formula. It still had its rough edges, but it was passable.

“Alright, this should be good enough for now.”

“Yes, yes, I suppose it’s back to redoing it, right? Wait, what did you just say?”

“…I said it’s good enough for now.”

“Go—Yaaayyyy!!!”

Even though he had been spinning his eyes moments ago, he now began bouncing around joyfully. Such a mercurial fellow.

“Just to be clear, this means you’re just starting out.”

“Aw, you could share in the joy a bit more, you meanie, especially with a child!”

“Quiet. Next, we’re working on processing the magic core. We can’t even begin to discuss magic tools without it.”