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 63

Kikkori was frolicking like a child. Honestly, from my perspective, there are still many areas for improvement, but given the materials available in this area, it can’t be helped.

—

“No way, this is really awesome! Cutting wood is going to be even more fun!”

“That’s good to hear. By the way, did you notice anything?”

“Notice?”

“Yes. Despite having cut down a Katasugi tree, there’s something that didn’t happen, right?”

“Huh? Oh! That’s right! I didn’t sneeze! Katasugi wood is known for its troublesome pollen!”

“Heh heh heh…”

—

I let out a mischievous laugh, just for the sake of atmosphere.

“Hey, hey, don’t tell me there’s something special about this too?”

“Of course. Remember the bracelet you put on?”

“Ah, now that you mention it… could it be!?”

“That’s right. This bracelet is a Pollen-Cutting Ring. While wearing this bracelet, an invisible membrane covers you and repels all pollen.”

—

And not just pollen, it also works against the scale dust that moth-type magical creatures scatter. Think of it as protective against all powdery substances.

Ideally, it would create a barrier that blocks everything, but given the limited materials available, it’s easier and more affordable to produce something with a specific, limited effect.

“Every type of pollen! So, the sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, eye pain, headache, and nausea that come with cutting this Katasugi wood?”

“Can all be prevented.”

“The dizzying effects and confusion, even running around naked from picking Konran flowers!”

“Can all be prevented.”

“The strange drowsiness when near Nem grass!”

“Obviously.”

“The foul smell that sticks to you when you step on Kusa grass, like a mix of all kinds of excrement!”

“You can stay perfectly clean.”

“Awesomeeeeeee!”

—

Kikkori shouted at the top of his lungs and then grabbed my shoulder forcefully.

“I want this! I really want it… but it must be expensive, right?”

“Well, normally, the Super Magic Vibration Axe goes for 25 gold coins, and the Pollen-Cutting Ring for 10 gold coins.”

“Figures it’s pricey!”

“Well, I have good news for you, Kikkori-san.”

“Whoa! News from Mei-san! I must hear this!”

—

Kikkori’s attention was fixed on Mei, his expression filled with excitement.

“What if I told you that if you sign a contract right here and now, the usual price of 25 gold coins for the Super Magic Vibration Axe and 10 gold coins for the Pollen-Cutting Ring—”

“…would be? (gulp)”

“…20 gold coins.”

“That’s right! Just 20 gold coins right now!”

“What a steal!”

—

Mei and I announced the price together, and he bit immediately. It’s refreshing how quickly he makes decisions.

“Ah, what a great purchase. I can’t wait for the magical tools to arrive!”

“Glad you’re pleased.”

“Ahh, I’m really looking forward to it! Anyway, I guess I’ll secure the share of magical tools that will be sold until then!”

—

Then Kikkori went on to cut down the Katasugi tree with the Super Magic Vibration Axe and even chopped it into appropriate sizes.

“Phew, that should do it.”

“Indeed. But there’s something I’ve been wondering about. How do you plan to carry all this cut lumber?”

“Eh?”

—

When I posed this perfectly natural question, Kikkori blinked in surprise.

“Oh, shoot! I haven’t had to do it myself in a while, so I forgot to move the wagon—no, I mean, without arranging a bunch of horses, there’s nothing I can do!”

—

Katasugi wood is heavy. Perhaps a strong adventurer could manage somehow, but normally, you’d need several horses and a freight wagon to haul it back.

“Ugh, so all that cutting was for nothing?”

“That’s not the case.”

“Eh? What do you mean it’s not the case?”

“Ah, I thought something like this might happen, so I developed a magical tool that’s handy for transporting heavy things.”

“What a well-prepared monk you are!”

—

Heh, as a magical tool artisan, it’s only polite to anticipate things.

“Mei.”

“…Yes?”

—

Then Mei began fumbling inside her chest!

“…a Stretchable Lightweight Rope!”

“Oooohhhhhhh!”

“Wait, wait a minute. Hold on, Mei.”

“…Is there something wrong?”

“No, it’s not about what’s wrong. You said you wanted to present the next magical tool yourself, but why from there! And why did you even raise your arm, change your voice, and strike a pose?!”

“What’s going on, Mei! Why did you pull it out from there and even strike a pose?”

“I wanted to try it once, and this seemed like the only suitable place.”

“Wanted to try? What exactly? That place was suitable?”

—

Question marks kept popping up in my mind, but Kikkori, standing there with a broad smile, patted my shoulder.

“Well, well, it’s not a big deal.”

“…Mei, we’re going to swap out that rope.”

“Of course.”

“Why?!”

—

I explained, ignoring the slightly downcast Kikkori.

“First, gather all the cut timber in one place.”

“Hmm, hmm.”

“Then bind it. This rope is stretchable, so just imbue it with magic and pull on one end as if you were using a magical tool, and it will smoothly extend.”

“That’s already amazing!”

“To shorten it, just will it, and it will retract.”

“A revolution in rope technology!”

—

It’s not that big of a deal, really.

“Alright, let’s use this rope to bundle up the lumber… There, that should do it. Try picking it up.”

“Huh? No, no, there’s no way I can lift all this tied up like that. I mean, I have some confidence in my strength, but hey! What is this, it’s light! So light! Hey, I don’t even need both hands!”

—

Kikkori effortlessly lifted the pile of lumber with one hand and began to playfully toss it around. Yes, anything tied with this rope becomes as light as a feather.

“This should make it easy to transport. We have the rope, and just in case, I also prepared a cart.”

“Oh! So that cart must also be some incredible magical tool!”

“…No, that’s just a regular cart.”

“Ah, I see…”

—

Don’t be disappointed. It’s enough if it’s that light.

“But man, this rope, I want this too, but it’s expensive, right?”

“Well, I’d normally want 5 gold coins per piece.”

“What a deal!”

“Hey, wait!”

—

I hadn’t even quoted the regular price yet!

“No, no, but for 5 gold coins, it’s cheap. Everything up to now, all of it’s been incredible.”

“If you’re okay with that, then it’s fine.”

“So, how much was it supposed to be?”

“…Just 3 gold coins.”

“What a deal! Reserve 5 for me!”

“Generous, aren’t you?”

—

And so, Kikkori contracted for all the magical tools I had prepared. Of course, this assumes the success of their branding.

“No, no, I was worried at first, but thanks to you, the work was easier and a big help.”

—

After returning to town, Kikkori thanked me again and even promised to promote me to his workmates.

Alright, that secures my first customer. I gave a substantial discount, but the contract made it worthwhile. Still, this won’t be enough—I need to gather more.