Kays Translations

Chapter 04: The Seven-Layer Engraved Dragon Furnace Blue Magic Staff, Kyanos

“So, you want me to explain about the out-of-place artifact(OOPArt)…?”

I glanced at the magical staff, Hendenshaw, resting on the table.
It’s being called an OOPArt, but honestly, it’s not like it uses some insane, otherworldly technology. There’s no secret, super-advanced method behind its creation. I just carved and shaped it, layering its structure a bit, and that’s it.

“You know how magic stones work better when they’re closer to a spherical shape?”
“I do.”
“Well, this staff, Hendenshaw, uses electric crystals—oh, wait, Gremlins, I guess. It’s made from Gremlins I collected at the Okutama Substation. First, I carved the Gremlins into a sphere, then crushed the fragments into powder to use as a polishing agent, and—”
“Hold on.”

Just as I began explaining, the Blue Witch abruptly cut me off.

“Are machine tools still functioning in Okutama?”
“You mean machines that run on electricity? No, they’re not working.”
“Then how did you process it?”
“Well, uh, I used carving tools, like chisels.”

I mimed using a chisel with my hand, but the Blue Witch shook her head in disbelief.

“That’s impossible. I’ve heard that the Witch of the Eye has gathered surviving engineers to research this, but the Gremlins are supposed to be too hard. I don’t really get the specifics, but I’ve heard they’re extremely difficult to shape, even with precision equipment. Nobody has successfully processed a Gremlin. There must be some secret technique you’ve discovered and are hiding. Spill it.”

Uh… what?
I mean, what do you even say to that?

“I’m just… good with my hands.” 

I admitted honestly.

The Blue Witch started tapping the table irritably with her fingers.

“Don’t give me that crap! If it were that simple, I’d have polished this magic stone into a sphere ages ago. Look at this Gremlin in your staff. What is this? Huh? You didn’t just shape it into a sphere—you made a sphere within the sphere! It’s insane. No human could pull off something like this. Be honest. What did you use? Laser processing? Huh?”

She leaned in, demanding answers, but there really isn’t any secret technique. I just carved it like I said.
But if I repeat, “I’m just good with my hands,” she’ll assume I’m lying.

Given the intensity of her vibe—clearly someone who’s been through a lot—it wouldn’t be surprising if she decided I was lying and killed me.

So, I decided to demonstrate right then and there.

“Uh, okay. Can you lend me that magic stone of yours, Blue Witch-san? I’ll shape it into a sphere right here. I even brought a knife with me.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Do you know how much blood has been spilled over this one magic stone? By the time I killed the wizard from Iruma and took it, over 800 people had already died for it. There’s no way I’m handing it over so easily.”
“Oh, uh, never mind, then…”

Jeez, what a cursed item. Scary.

“In that case, do you have any spare Gremlins? I can process one here and show you. It works even with smaller ones, but the bigger the piece, the more obvious the result will be.”
“So you’re insisting you can process it with just a knife, huh? Fine, let’s see it, then.”

The Blue Witch stood up, saying she’d fetch a Gremlin, but halfway to the door, she turned back and shot me a cold, distrustful glare.

“Don’t run away. I’ll be right back. And don’t touch anything.”

I nodded rapidly, almost frantically.
Seriously, stop threatening me—it’s terrifying.

Sure, maybe I look suspicious to her, but to me, she’s like a mafia boss. Sure, we’re having a conversation, but whether that conversation guarantees I get to live is still up in the air.

I sat there stiffly for a while, trying to behave, but the Blue Witch seemed to be rummaging around upstairs, making a racket as she moved things around. At one point, I heard the sound of a pile of PET bottles and empty cans collapsing, followed by some colorful cursing. I figured it’d take her a while and let myself relax a bit.

As I glanced around the room, I noticed various trinkets scattered about. There were some houseplants I didn’t know the names of, a cactus, and a fishbowl with medaka fish inside, lined with colorful stones and floating aquatic plants. There were rabbit and bear dolls hugging heart-shaped cushions near a toy house, giving the place a surprisingly girly vibe.

If I ignored the blood-stained gunsmith kit on the workbench, it could easily pass for an ordinary living room where a normal woman lived.

Feeling restless, I started getting the itch to run away.

This is so uncomfortable.

Come to think of it, the last time I visited someone else’s house was back in elementary school, when I delivered homework to a sick classmate. As for visiting a woman’s house? This is the first time in my life.

In anime, the protagonist always seemed excited when visiting a heroine’s house. Turns out they had guts of steel. I’m just awkward and desperate to escape.

As I mentally mapped out an escape route and glanced toward the back door, I noticed a music box on a shelf by the window. It was the type that plays a melody while the figure on top spins—one of those rotating music boxes.

“Wait, what!?”

That’s… the second-season, made-to-order-only Magic Girl Logical☆Einstein Ai-chan model music box!?

“Holy crap! This is my first time seeing one! It’s one of the fifty legendary music boxes in the world!”

No way this is a fake, right?

I rushed over to take a closer look. True to its status as a made-to-order masterpiece that sold out instantly, the attention to detail was immaculate.

“Wow. Wow, wow, wow. Look at the intricate lace on the skirt! This must be hand-stitched. Truly artisan-level work. And the Humanity Diamond on the chest—wait, is that an actual diamond? That’s not something you’d normally put on a kid’s product! This is completely aimed at grown-up collectors!”

I decided to wind it up to hear its sound. But the key wouldn’t turn. Thinking it was just stuck, I applied more force, only to feel the distinct resistance of something broken inside.

“So, it’s broken, huh?”

I was tempted to click my tongue in frustration. What the heck is the Blue Witch doing? Doesn’t she know this is a precious, highly valuable collector’s item? If it’s broken, she should’ve sent it in for repairs! Doesn’t she understand its worth? Idiot!

“Sigh. Alright, fine. Guess I’ll be the one to step up here.”

Borrowing some tools from the gunsmith kit on her workbench, I carefully dismantled the music box, making sure not to damage it. Upon inspecting the inner workings, I saw that one of the gears had shifted, likely due to a drop or impact.

Good thing it’s just this. It’ll be an easy fix.

The frame of the music box had been warped from a significant shock, but the design cleverly incorporated slack into the structure, allowing parts to pop loose rather than break. Ingenious. I should take notes for my own work.

Admiring the craftsmanship, I quickly repaired and reassembled the music box before winding the key.

Soon, the melody of the anime’s opening theme played in beautiful, clear tones.

“Ohhh, nice~. Now I want to rewatch the anime.”

Too bad the Blu-rays I bought have been reduced to glorified frisbees now that electricity’s a thing of the past. Curse you, Gremlins.

As I rested my chin on my hand and enjoyed the tune, I suddenly heard a noise behind me.

In an instant, I remembered the situation I was in. All the blood drained from my face.

The Blue Witch had explicitly told me not to touch anything.

And I had very much touched something.

This is bad.

I’m gonna die!

Sweating bullets, I turned around slowly, trying not to provoke her. Peeking out from narrowed eyes, I braced myself for her wrath. But instead of anger, I saw something completely unexpected.

A tear slid down her cheek from her closed eyes.

Wait. What? Why? What emotion is this?

The Blue Witch was quietly captivated by the music box, the weight of her emotions making her reaction far too intense for what was essentially a children’s anime opening theme.

“S-So you really like this song, huh? I mean, I like it too, but I think you’ve got me beat.”

Eventually, the music box wound down, the melody coming to a stop. The Blue Witch turned away to wipe her tears. When she faced me again, her expression and tone were far softer than before.

“Thank you. I thought I’d never hear it again.”

“Oh, uh, no problem. You must really love this song, huh?”

“It was my sister’s music box. We used to listen to it together.”

“Ah, I see. That’s a refined taste she had there. I’d love to meet her sometime.”

And if possible, convince her to give me this music box. I’d even trade half my collection for it.

Just as I thought this, she dropped a bombshell that pierced me like an arrow.

“My sister’s dead. She passed away from an illness.”

“Oh.”

Welp. That’s awkward.

So it’s a keepsake… Damn it. I shouldn’t have touched it.

“You’re a good person. I’m sorry for how I treated you.”

As I awkwardly shifted in place, the Blue Witch, who had been so cold up until now, softened her posture and apologized with an almost bashful expression.

Her change in attitude was like night and day. Fixing that music box must’ve been a huge deal for her.

That’s right—despite appearances, I’m actually a pretty nice guy. Glad we cleared that up.

“I’d like to properly thank you for repairing the music box.”

“Oh, nah, it’s not a big deal—”

“Do you need any supplies? It must be tough living alone in the mountains. You’re welcome to move to Ome. I’d gladly have you there.”

“No thanks.”

I turned down the Blue Witch’s outrageous proposal for a reward with a firm shake of my head.

Why would I move to an area with other people when I’m thoroughly enjoying my solitary life in the mountains? Sure, living alone in the wilderness can be tough, but the sheer joy of the isolation outweighs all the downsides. No way am I giving that up.

Despite my clear refusal, the Blue Witch kept insisting, meddling where she wasn’t wanted.

“It might not have seemed like much to you, but what you did means a lot to me. I can’t be at peace without properly thanking you. Is there anything I can do for you? Anything at all?”

“…Anything?”

When I asked for confirmation, the Blue Witch nodded, only to suddenly freeze as if realizing something terrible. She hastily added:

“W-wait, nothing inappropriate, okay!?”

“Then how about you don’t talk to me, stay away, and don’t let me see your face again?”

“!?”

When I stated my deepest desire, the Blue Witch froze, visibly shaken, and dropped the small lump of gremlin material she was holding to the floor with a clatter.

Her bizarrely strong reaction made me tilt my head, and it took me a moment to realize that she’d completely misunderstood.

“No, no, no! It’s not like I find you gross or hate you or anything! It’s just… purely that hearing your voice or seeing your face makes me feel like I’m going to throw up. Wait, no, that’s not what I meant either! Ah, crap, I’m making it worse! That’s not it! It’s not like that, I swear!”

As I despaired over my complete lack of communication skills, I spent the next hour painstakingly clearing up the misunderstanding.

I think I managed to fix it—probably.

Apparently, the Blue Witch had never encountered someone as socially inept as me before. It took a lot of effort to make her understand that I wasn’t singling her out and that “I’m not uncomfortable because I dislike you; I’m uncomfortable because I struggle with all human interaction.”

It’s not personal, I swear. Just… keep a healthy distance, and I’ll be grateful.

“… … …”

The Blue Witch eventually seemed to get it. She went to her closet, pulled out a storage box labeled “Halloween Costumes,” and retrieved a cheap-looking white mask. She put it on, walked to the corner of the room, and silently gestured to me as if asking, “Is this okay?”

“This is much better.” 

She visibly relaxed.

I felt a little bad for putting her through all that trouble, but at least now I could finally breathe freely again. Once her face and skin were completely obscured and her human presence seemed to fade, even the fact that she was a beautiful woman didn’t matter anymore. With her looking less like a person, I wasn’t scared anymore.

Now that that awkward detour was over, we returned to the main topic.

The Blue Witch had doubted my skill in processing gremlins, so I decided to demonstrate.

I picked up one of the small gremlin fragments that had fallen on the floor and showed her the unprocessed state.

“Watch closely.” 

When I hit the fragment with a sound at its natural resonant frequency, a weak, limp beam of light shot out, like a sputtering leak. The Blue Witch winced and covered her ears.

“You saw that, right? That’s how much magic power this gremlin has right now. I’m going to shape it into a sphere and increase its output.”

“…?”

“What? My voice? Oh, you mean the one I just used? Yeah, it’s that screaming-beaver-like sound. Sorry, but that’s the only spell I know. My bad if it’s annoying.”

“… … …”

The Blue Witch looked like she had a lot to say, but she refrained from asking anything.

No questions? Great. Time to get to work.

Without a proper vice to hold it in place, shaping the tiny, rice-sized gremlin fragment with just a knife was a nerve-wracking task. I should’ve brought a magnifying lens.

Still, precision is my one redeeming quality. After about ten minutes of careful work, I managed to create a perfect sphere.

“It’s done. I didn’t polish it, but the output should be noticeably higher now. Let’s give it a try.”

When I hit it with the same resonant frequency, a much more powerful beam shot out, straight and swift like a spider shooting silk. Though her face was hidden behind the mask, I could tell the Blue Witch was shocked.

“See? Now do you believe me?” 

I asked.

The Blue Witch was silent for a moment before taking out some drawing paper and writing on it with a pen. The handwriting was round and cutesy, completely at odds with her cool appearance. The contrast was enough to mess with my brain a little.

“You should hide your abilities. If word gets out, every witch and wizard in Japan will come after you.”

“…It’s that serious?”

Her reaction was so over-the-top that it left me genuinely alarmed.

Sure, I pride myself on being the world’s best wand craftsman, but I didn’t think my skills would make me a target. I mean, maybe if I were a president or a billionaire, but a craftsman? Really?

As I looked skeptical, the Blue Witch flipped to a new page and wrote:

“You’re like someone in a world of bows and arrows who can make machine guns. Be aware of what that means.”

“Uh… wow.”

As specific examples were laid out, I slowly began to grasp the magnitude of the situation.

This is the kind of thing that could completely change the world. That’s terrifying. If my abilities and identity were exposed, it would almost guarantee kidnapping and confinement!

…But isn’t it kind of exciting to hold a power that can change the world?

Honestly, I want to create tons of overpowered, high-tech magic wands that only I can make, sell them, and bask in the glory. Forget restoring electricity—just bring back online auctions! I’d love to grin smugly as I watched the bidding wars for my wands skyrocket!

But it’s a futile dream. Online auctions are gone for good, never to return.

In this regressed society, where you have to physically peddle your goods, I wouldn’t survive. Just hearing the phrase “sales pitch” gives me chills.

As the Blue Witch suggested, I probably have no choice but to live quietly, staying under the radar.

Surely there must be some way to reveal my top-notch creations to the world without showing myself or interacting with anyone.

“Thanks for everything today. I’ll drive you back to Okutama. Let me know if you ever need help.”

The Blue Witch held up a piece of drawing paper for me to read. The words “Stay for lunch?” were scribbled out with two lines.

Looking outside, the sun was already past its peak. If it would take three hours to get home, I’d barely make it back before dusk.

It was definitely time to head out.

Though the supply run had been full of unexpected events, it was fruitful. Still, I was exhausted.

It seemed she was also going out of her way to accommodate my extreme aversion to people. It was best to leave now.

“Can I occasionally come to Ome to restock supplies?”

When I asked, the Blue Witch nodded silently.

Good. As long as I had that assurance, everything was okay.

From now on, I’d make sure we avoided running into each other, and she’d likely do the same.

We’d probably never meet again.

I was grateful for all the information she shared today.

Sure, the conclusion I reached—“just keep living as I have been”—made it feel like the exchange was pointless, but at least I was no longer plagued by uncertainty about my situation.

The food issue was now solvable, and with no hope for online auctions, improving my lifestyle further seemed nearly impossible.

Now that I understood my circumstances, I could see where my future was headed.

It would likely be a long string of monotonous days.

I’d keep my head down to avoid attention, hoard my exquisite magic wands, live quietly, age alone, and eventually die in peace.

Dying alone? I’m fine with that.

But it’s a shame I won’t be able to share my creations with the world.

Ah, so that’s how it goes—life doesn’t always work out perfectly. Well, at least the prospect of my dream “quiet death” is looking more realistic.

…Wait.

Hold on a second.

As I strapped on my hiking backpack and grabbed my lantern, ready to leave, an idea suddenly struck me.

I froze mid-motion, focusing intently on the inspiration that had just hit me like a lightning bolt.

The Blue Witch, noticing my sudden immobility, tilted her head in curiosity.

That’s right.

The Blue Witch.

She had patiently dealt with my extreme social aversion and refusal to communicate.

She must have been deeply grateful for the music box repair, as she had tolerated so much for my sake.

She might even be willing to listen to a bold request.

Asking doesn’t cost anything, right?

Would it be rude to make such a presumptuous request after only just meeting her?

Wouldn’t it be audacious of me?

What if she refused and became upset?

I stood there for several minutes, overthinking the consequences while completely frozen in place.

But in the end, I decided to try.

The Blue Witch had been patiently waiting for me, silently and without saying a word, when I suddenly froze and lay motionless.

Even though I’d already built up some goodwill, finding someone this understanding of a socially awkward person like me is incredibly rare.

Actually, this is the first time I’ve ever met anyone like that. Even my own parents cut ties with me when I told them, “I want to live without meeting anyone and survive off online auctions.” They blew up and completely disowned me.

So, yeah, if there’s anyone I could make this kind of proposal to, it’s this person.

“I have a favor to ask.”

When I said that, the Blue Witch tilted her head slightly and gestured for me to continue.

I went for broke and asked:

“Would you be willing to act as a sales outlet for my magic wands?”

Truth be told, even back during the online auction era, I wasn’t completely cut off from other people.

When I bought something, the delivery company would drop it off at my door. And when I sold something, they’d pick up the package from my doorstep.

I didn’t see anyone face-to-face, but my online auction business relied heavily on the work of those companies.

Now, I want to entrust that “delivery service” role to the Blue Witch.

Here’s the plan: I stay at home crafting magic wands. The Blue Witch collects my finished products, conceals their origin, advertises them, negotiates with buyers, sells the wands, and brings the earnings (or supplies) back to me.

This way, I can stay holed up at home and focus entirely on my hobby!!!

The only flaw in this genius plan is that the Blue Witch has absolutely no reason to take on such a complicated set of chores. But she happily agreed on the condition that I make her a custom wand for free.

That’s a win-win deal for me!

Having a famous figure use your product is amazing publicity. The Blue Witch essentially governs Ome City on her own and supposedly has connections with other witches. She’s likely well-known. If I make her a wand, every time she uses it, its reputation will grow. In fact, just carrying it around would be a great advertisement.

I don’t want my face or name to become widely known, but I do want the brilliance of my wands to spread far and wide.

After receiving a blue magic stone from the Blue Witch, I returned home and immediately began processing it.

The last wand I made, using a gremlin the size of a marble, had a double-layered core. That was as far as I could push it because the small size made it difficult to go beyond that without breaking it.

However, the blue magic stone I just received was palm-sized. While it’s smaller than my prized “Octa Meteorite,” it’s still plenty big. The stone’s roughly spherical shape also means less material loss during carving.

With this, I could achieve a six-layer core… no, maybe even seven layers!

By candlelight, I worked day and night without rest.

At some point, I noticed my hands trembling and my vision blurring, only to realize I hadn’t eaten in 24 hours. Reluctantly, I thought about going out to fish, but when I opened the front door, I found a paper bag full of food and firewood waiting for me.

What the…? A fairy?! No, it’s definitely the Blue Witch’s doing.

Inside the bag were a can of corned beef, a container of fresh lettuce, and salted rice balls. Considering the current state of the world, this was the perfect nutritional balance. Rice is a rare luxury, and I’m incredibly grateful.

With the Blue Witch supporting me like this, I can fully focus on my work.

The time I used to spend gathering food each day is now completely freed up, which is a huge relief.

For three days and nights, I devoted nearly every waking moment, aside from eating and sleeping, to processing the magic stone.

Occasionally, I felt the gaze of fairies from outside the window, but once I entered a state of intense focus, their presence no longer bothered me. Around the time I began working on the fifth layer, I realized my current tools weren’t sufficient for the intricate processing. Half resigned, I sent the Blue Witch a letter requesting additional tools. By the next day, the tools I had requested were delivered right to my doorstep.

This is amazing. She can deliver anything! It’s like I have my own personal delivery service while everyone else is stuck in the apocalypse.

In the end, it took seven days to complete the entire process, including crafting the wand’s handle, assembly, and protective finishing touches. Once I finished, I stretched my stiff shoulders, quickly wrapped the completed wand in paper, and left it at the entrance. Finally, my work was done.

What a massive project. Initially, I estimated it would take two weeks. I had even placed the empty containers back at the entrance and included a note with my estimate. However, thanks to improvements in my technique and the development of new methods, I was able to cut the timeline significantly.

Yes, yes. I produced an excellent piece, and I gained valuable experience in the process.

The wand I made for the Blue Witch using the blue magic stone is the pinnacle of my craftsmanship.

At first glance, it looks like an ordinary wooden wand, but the core is reinforced with metal, ensuring durability. It won’t break from a little rough handling.

I also put a lot of thought into the design. The wood is engraved with shallow Celtic-inspired patterns, highlighted with inlaid silver. To top it off, I engraved the Greek word for “blue” that I thought sounded the coolest—“Kyanos”—as the wand’s name. Every detail and decoration is designed to complement the beautiful blue gemstone set at the wand’s tip. Even the adhesive used for assembly was tinted with blue dye to ensure the overall design remained harmonious.

There’s no other artisan who could craft a better magic wand than this. Behold my masterpiece!

The next morning, the Blue Magic Wand: Kyanos, which I had left at the entrance, was gone.

I hope the Blue Witch uses Kyanos to achieve great things.

Of course, I’d be happy even if she simply displayed it as a decorative piece.

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