Chapter 86: Chapter 86
I was able to reach Kereban without any problems . Didn’t even get attacked by bandits or anything .
“Would you happen to know where the Dinome Magic Tool Workshop is? It seems that’s where I’m supposed to deliver the package . ” [Ryouma]
“It should be in the eastern part . Go straight down this path, and on the 24th street… Erm… Actually, the directions afterwards are a bit complicated . I don’t think you’ll get it even if I tell you . ” [Guard]
“I see . That’s alright . Thank you for telling me that much . ” [Ryouma]
“Well, be careful . Ah, right . If you use the stagecoach over there, your trip should go much faster . ” [Guard]
I thanked the guard watching the gate and went to the stagecoach stop .
There was a stagecoach ready, but it had no curtains or seats . It was basically a giant wagon .
There was only one person inside too: the driver .
“Excuse me . How much would a trip to the 24th street cost?” [Ryouma]
“Get on then . It’s about time to leave . ” [Driver]
After confirming that I had entered the stagecoach, the driver whipped the horses and set off .
I watched the people in town as we passed them by .
It feels like there’s more people here than before, and the road is also that much more congested .
“I’m an adventurer, so there’s a job I need to complete first, but I might go sightseeing afterwards . I hear there’s a fair that’s opening soon . ” [Ryouma]
“Yeah . It opens tomorrow . This time it’s for magic tools . ” [Driver]
“What? Didn’t you come from Gimuru? I’m pretty sure the fairs are popular even there . Actually, I’m pretty sure it’s popular all over the region . The fairs occur six times a year . The main products vary each time, but each time it would be held in the center plaza and stalls of all sorts would be seen here and there . It happens every year, so for us who live here, we’ve already gotten used to it . ” [Driver]
Six times a year? That would mean a fair every 2 months . No wonder they’re used to it already .
“Our income gets a boost each time too, so it’s pretty nice . Hey, try to make yourselves fit!” [Driver]
The stagecoach stopped and more customers got on . This town sure is quite dense population-wise .
At that, the customers grabbed onto the edge of the stagecoach . I imitated them and held onto the edge as well, but what’s going? Is the road uneven or something?
As I was thinking that, a small cart passed slowly on the right side of the road up ahead .
An old man was pulling a cart with barrels piled atop of it, when a bunch of carriages driven by youths overtook him one after another .
The driver of the stagecoach knit his brows . Those young drivers certainly seemed quite reckless with their overtaking, but at the same time, you can’t help but agree that the old man was really going too slow . Either group could be seen as an obstacle depending on the person . I wonder who the driver wasreferring to .
This time it was my fellow passengers who started making a fuss .
When I glanced at the next stop, I noticed a woman with the body of a sumo wrestler standing by the stop .
She put too much strength when she tried to enter the stagecoach that she ended up falling in .
I told her that she just startled me and I wasn’t hurt or anything, but because of that little incident, the woman ended up sitting beside me, and the already cramped carriage became even more cramped .
“Don’t mention it . Good luck on your job . ” [Sumo wrestler?]
I was able to get the woman who sat beside me to lead the way . Thanks to her I was able to safely reach the ‘Dinome Magic Tools Workshop’ .
If not for her, I might have gotten lost . I’m glad I asked for her help .
I took out the package and the job form .
When I passed through the door, a counter was there to greet me . Behind the counter sat a woman with a nice body .
The store was pretty small, though . Kind of like those stores that also doubled as one’s residence .
“Never seen you around here . Are you a messenger? If you need a lamp, we have some over there . ” [Receptionist?]
The woman pointed at the small magic tools lined up along the shelves .
I’m not one of her customers, though, so I told her that I’m an adventurer and that I’m here to deliver a package .
“Yes . Could you please sign here . ” [Ryouma]
“Wait . Dad!” [Receptionist?]
“A delivery, apparently . It’s for you, so it’s be best that you receive it . ” [Receptionist]
“A delivery? …Ah, a component . I thought it wouldn’t make it anymore… Here you go . ” [Receptionist’s Dad]
With the form signed, the job was complete . All that’s left is to report to the guild .
“Thank you . I’ll take my leave then…” [Ryouma]
“Wait . You came all the way from Gimuru, right? At least have a cup of tea first . Nothing expensive, though . Hey, I’ll leave him to you . ” [Receptionist’s Dad]
After the bearded man said that, he went back inside . Meanwhile, the daughter was already pouring a cup of tea .
…Well, might as well, I guess .
“Here . ” [Receptionist]“Thanks . ” [Ryouma]
I took the tea and drank it at one corner of the counter .
Hmm…? This tea… It tastes like coffee .
“Well? Do you like it?” [Receptionist]
“Yeah . It tastes great . ” [Ryouma]
“That’s good to hear . I was a little worried since it is rather odd for a tea . ” [Receptionist]
“I’ve drank something like it before . Did you make it from roasted beans? Or maybe from the root of a flower?” [Ryouma]
“Supposedly, it’s made from the root of a flower called Dante . I don’t know the details, but it’s supposed to be good for your health . ” [Receptionist]
I see . Dandelion (Dante) Coffee, huh . That sure brings me back… When I was still employed at the company, I would aways find the time to drink it everyday .
“Where can I buy this?” [Ryouma]
Sponsored Content
“You like it that much? …An old man from a nearby florist always gives me some of it, but it’s not an actual product and just something he came up with himself . ” [Receptionist]
“I see . Thank you . ” [Ryouma]
Since I know the name of the flower already, I can just make it myself . From my Earthly knowledge, dandelion coffee is made by washing the roots with water, drying it, and then roasting it… Doesn’t sound too hard .
“Thank you for the tea . ” [Ryouma]
“Sorry it wasn’t much . Are you going already?” [Receptionist]
“Yeah . I need to find a place to stay at . ” [Ryouma]
I thanked her and left the store .
But in the same moment I tried to turn the door knob, I felt it open from the other side .
“Oops . ” [Ryouma]
“Oh, my bad—” [???]
When the door opened, the person on the other side and I tried to avoid each other, so we stopped for a moment . But because of that we ended up realizing who the other party was, causing us to be even more shocked .
“Ryoumsama?” [Serge]
“Serge-san?” [Ryouma]
Standing before me was none other than Serge-san .
He called my name too, so it’s not just someone who looks like him .
“Good afternoon . What a strange coincidence . I did hear that you’d be going to the magic tools fair, but…” [Ryouma]
“Indeed . Ryoumsama, may I know what brought you here?” [Serge]
“I had a package to deliver . Adventurer work . It was urgent, so the decision was made in haste . ” [Ryouma]
“What a surprise… I’m currently going around greeting some people I know . This workshop happens to be one of the workshops I’m friendly with . ” [Serge]
“I had no idea . ” [Ryouma]
“Master Serge! You’ve come at last . ” [Receptionist’s Dad]
“Oh! Excuse me . Dinome-dono, it’s been too long . ” [Serge]
“You exaggerate . It’s only been 2 or 3 months at most . You seem to be doing well, though . By the way, would you happen to know this boy here?” [Dinome]
The bearded man appeared once again from inside the workshop, and after a short exchange of greetings with Serge, looked at me with an odd gaze .
“My name is Ryouma Takebayashi . Serge-san is a benefactor of mine . ” [Ryouma]
“Likewise… Dinome-done, Ryoumsama might appear young, but he’s a person worth having a good relationship with . He’s also interested in magic tools . ” [Serge]
“Oh? You appraise him so highly? I’m Dinome . If you’re interested, you can take a look if you want . ” [Dinome]
Sponsored Content
“Would that be alright?” [Ryouma]
“I’m inviting you . It’s fine . Either way, I have something to show to Master Serge, so…” [Dinome]
After saying that, he went in without bothering to hear my reply . Serge-san followed from behind as if he were already used to it .
I bowed my head to his daughter and followed the two of them in .
“It’s here . ” [Dinome]
“Ooh…” [Ryouma]
Beyond the door deeper inside was a room far bigger than anything one might have imagined from the earlier room .
There were four boxes with wheels attached to them . Most probably the rumored magic cars .
Various components and workbenches could also be seen in the corner of the room . On the other side was a large door and a wide window that’s probably meant to allow materials to be brought in and out of the room . The room was bright and open .
“Remember . No touching . Only looking .
Master, over here…” [Dinome]
I don’t really know where to go, though, so I think I’ll just follow Serge .
“Is this the newest model? …It hasn’t changed much . ” [Serge]
“On the outside, perhaps, but on the inside… Not only is it more mobile now, it is also much lighter . Unfortunately, the main problem remains unsolved . ” [Dinome]
“Is it impossible to load anything onto it?” [Ryouma]
“It’s fine as long as it’s light, but any more than that and it’s no good . It’s a delicate problem . And I can’t make the body any lighter without compromising the strength of the body . I can’t sacrifice safety . ” [Dinome]
“That is indeed the problem . Accidents happen even in races, after all . ” [Serge]
This topic about magic car races would come out from time to time . Maybe they’re planning to participate . I guess you could liken the relationship between Dinome-san and Serge-san to that of a mechanic and a sponsor .
At first, I could still follow along, but as the conversation continued, the two maniacs started drifting off into their own world .
I left when they started talking about the number of revolutions .
After that I looked around the workshop, but honestly I couldn’t really understand much just by looking .
Just what are they making?
Hmm?
“This is rather… Normal . ” [Ryoma]
Among the magic cars was something that resembled a normal carriage .
Well, the only real difference was that it could accommodate a horse in front and had a seat for the driver . Maybe this one isn’t a magic car and is instead some other magic tool .
I was curious, so I went back to the two and waited for them to stop talking for a moment .
Sponsored Content
“Dinome-san . What magic tool is that one?” [Ryouma]
“That one? That’s just a normal carriage . A neighbor asked me to fix it . ” [Dinome]
I could easily accept him repairing a normal carriage, but Serge-san, who knew him longer, was confused .
“You accepting normal repair work? That’s rare . ” [Serge]
“Yeah, well…” [Dinome]
While he was hesitating to talk about it, I asked Serge-san why it was so strange for him to repair the carriage .
“He’s gotten a lot more mellow since his grandchild was born a few years ago, but he’s someone who doesn’t work on anything other than magic tools . I thought for sure he’d refer someone looking to repair a carriage to a shop that specialized in that . ” [Serge]
“…Actually, I need money… For my grandchild . ” [Dinome]
The bearded man seemed really embarrassed to say that . His face was beet red .
“Planning to buy him a gift? I can help . ” [Serge]
As the air turned tepid, Serge-san came swinging with a proposal .
But the bearded man, Dinome, refused him .
“It’s not for a gift . It’s for tuition . ” [Dinome]
“For the imperial capital’s academy?” [Serge]
“Yeah . Actually—” [Dinome]
This guy keeps acting like he doesn’t want to talk, but it’s clear as day that he’s dying to .
…Could he be?
“—My grandkid is a genius! He’s only four, you know? He frequently comes to listen to us talk about work . And then my lowest ranking disciple started explaining to him like a big brother . I was wondering to myself what an apprentice was talking all big for, but then… Look at this!” [Dinome]
This guy’s gone full doting-grandpmode and he isn’t even bothering to hide his loose face .
He opened a drawer from the workbench and brought back some cogwheels, then he suddenly picked one from the bunch and allowed his mana to course through it .
“Oho?” [Serge]
The cog started spinning . It seemed to be the same kind of magic tool Serge-san showed me a few days ago . But this one is a lot slower in comparison, and from time to time, it would stop as if it were rusted then start moving again .
“Judging from the flow of the conversation, I take it this was made by your grandchild?” [Ryouma]
“That’s exactly right, boy! Isn’t he amazing? We can’t sell this just yet, but my grandkid who’s just 4 years old actually managed to make this . ” [Dinome]
“He really learns fast . ” [Ryouma]
“I know right! I think he might’ve picked up something because I sometimes worked while carrying him on my back… It’s really shocking, isn’t it?” [Dinome]
“What an enviable kid . I can’t even use enchant magic . ” [Ryouma]
When it comes to people like this, it’s best not to contest them and just agree with whatever they say .
That’s something I learned from my past life . As such, I ended up listening to the guy as he boasted about his grandchild .
Please download our sponsor's game to support us!