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 60

“Welcome back!”

As I stopped by the inn, a lively little girl approached me, energetically welcoming me. It seems the children from the orphanage are still diligently fulfilling their duties.

Some children were busy cleaning the floors and taking out the trash, while others were attending to guests in the dining area. They were all hard at work. It was a stark contrast to those two who, despite maintaining appearances, were clearly reluctant on the inside.

“Welcome back, owner. Oh? Isn’t Miss Mei with you today?”

“Ah, actually, I just stopped by on my way back. I’m heading to the Magic Guild soon, but I thought I might bring some snacks. Would it be alright to ask for some late-night bentos?”

“What? Don’t be ridiculous! Dinner preparations are already done! You’re just creating extra work—argh!”

I heard the man’s screams and the sound of him collapsing. The collar must have induced a nightmare. He never learns.

“He’s the same as ever.”

“Ha ha, well, he has improved somewhat.”

“Improved, you say, but just the other day when he was teaching the children chess, which was admirable, he tried to make them gamble.”

Carol and Urel chuckled. Of course, the collar’s punishment was promptly administered. It’s good he’s learned to cook properly, but his inherently foolish nature isn’t so easily cured.

“By the way, the head of the orphanage sent his thanks. He said he’d like to greet you personally sometime.”

“I didn’t decide anything, and there’s no need for formalities.”

“I did tell him that the owner doesn’t fuss over such matters, but he seems quite serious.”

Well, that’s hard to say. I have a lot on my plate right now.

“It might be tough right now. I’ll think about it when things settle down. However, if it’s a matter of a job due to some trouble, that’s a different story.”

“Ha ha, then I’ll pass that along.”

“Oh, would sandwiches be okay to prepare?”

“That’s fine, thank you.”

“I wanna make sandwiches!”

“Me too!”

“Oh, that’ll save me some trouble.”

Watching our exchange, the children eagerly volunteered to make sandwiches. Then that guy had to say something sullen.

“Well then, go ahead. Make sure you learn the proper way from that gentleman.”

“Yes!”

“What? Hey, hey, you’re joking, right?”

However, the children were earnest. They quickly gathered around the man to learn how to make sandwiches.

Thinking I had saved myself some effort was naive. Make sure to teach them properly. Well, if you slack off, you’ll just be punished.

The sandwiches the children made might have looked unsightly, but they tasted quite sufficient. The imperfections were almost endearing.

Sandwiches were prepared for Mei, Alecto, and me. Mei can eat and taste, after all.

When I returned to the Magic Guild and mentioned the sandwiches, Alecto was the first to pounce.

Drooling and half-standing like a dog, it almost looked as if I never fed him.

In fact, Mei thoughtfully prepares tea and snacks several times a day apart from meals.

Then, as he exclaimed with a lively face that he could now rest, I retorted, “These are sandwiches, you can eat them while you work, right?” His face instantly clouded over, exuding an air of despair.

Well, I let him rest during the meal anyway. Pushing too hard only worsens efficiency.

After telling him that the children made the sandwiches, Mei commented on how delicious they were, gracefully eating in the manner of a maid serving a noble. Meanwhile, Alecto, sandwich in each hand, stuffed his mouth while covetously eyeing my sandwich.

You are really hopeless… Anyway, once we finish eating, you’ll have to get back to work. After all, I need Alecto to learn a thousand spells in three days.

“What? You were serious about that?!”

“Of course, you fool.”

Alecto’s expression reverted to one of despair. No matter his look, the tasks ahead remained unchanged.

◆　◇　◆

The next day, I decided to give Alecto some tasks and have him stay at the guild to focus on crafting magical tools, constructing spells, and creating magic stones.

Initially, I was worried he might slack off if left alone, but surprisingly, he tends to handle his responsibilities well. He’s slow to learn, but I give him credit for that.

Well, he might seem useless compared to Mei and me, but in comparison to many of today’s magicians and sorcerers, maybe he’s actually competent… No, perhaps that’s going too far.

It’s better not to praise him even in my mind; he’d probably get cocky and start showing off.

Today, I have an appointment with someone Roth introduced me to, a client who wants to cut down a Catastugi tree.

So, I head to the meeting place in the square, a strangely cozy spot frequented by couples. At several benches, people seem to be whispering sweet nothings to each other, close enough that heart symbols might as well be floating above them.

It appears we’re practically invisible to them. We’re completely out of their sight.

“Hey, what are you looking at?! Why are you only looking at other maids, that’s awful!”

Well, not entirely invisible. Apparently, some men had been looking at Mei instead of their girlfriends, earning their ire.

Some were even frustrated, wondering how such a young and beautiful woman could have children. Wait? Does Mei look like a mother?

“…It’s rude to suggest that the master is my child.”

Ah, right. I knew it! There’s no reason why Mei would look like she has children!

“Don’t cause trouble, Mei.”

Even so, I felt bad that Mei was seen that way because of me, so I apologized. After all, Mei is a maidroid, a type of golem, so the idea of her having children is absurd.

“Master, there’s no need for you to apologize. But, to avoid further misunderstandings, shall we link arms dramatically?”

“Why would we do that?”

When I responded, Mei pursed her lips in a pout. The gesture was quite adorable, and I was reminded of the high quality of the maidroid I had created. It sounds like self-praise, but it’s true.

Even if we linked arms, it would probably just look like a child playfully clinging to his mother. The thought was somewhat depressing.

Yet, amid the romantic ambiance of the square, there was an anomaly. Among the benches crowded with couples, one bench stood out with a distinctly different occupant.

It was a man, a middle-aged guy, dressed in baggy pants and a hemp shirt, complete with a belly band and a twisted headband.

Beside this man was a long-handled axe, propped up against the bench as if to mark his territory.

Perhaps because of his attire, and because he just didn’t fit the scene, no one else seemed willing to approach his bench.

And then it hit me. This man with his indescribable appearance must be the client I was supposed to meet today—