Kays Translations

Chapter 127: Thinking of an Item to Protect Mabel

A few days later, when we returned to the Demon Lord’s Castle, Mabel and I immediately announced our engagement.

The announcement was held in the throne room.

Those present included Mabel and me, Chancellor Kelve, and General Raisenga;

Minotaur soldiers and elves from the magic corps;

as well as the clothing artisans and dwarven kitchen staff who worked in the Demon Lord’s Castle.

Everyone we had connected with since coming to the Demon Lord’s Domain had gathered in the throne room.

“—And so it’s decided. The alchemist Thor Canaan has asked to become engaged to Mabel Refrain, and I—Demon Lord Rukie Evergard—have granted permission.”

In front of everyone, the masked Demon Lord Rukie declared it.

That was the official stance of the Demon Lord’s Domain.

Few knew the truth: Mabel’s connection to the House of Marquis Misra, and the fact that the engagement was partly intended to protect her.

Only Mabel, Rukie, Chancellor Kelve, General Raisenga, Agnis, and I knew.

Kelve had informed General Raisenga, and I had spoken with Agnis myself.

Mabel apparently spoke with Agnis afterward, too.

—At any rate, officially within the Demon Lord’s Domain, this was a joyous occasion between Mabel and me.

“As you all know, Thor Canaan has already discarded his former family name, Regus. He declared as much before the Empire when he defeated Magical Beast Gargarossa.”

Rukie continued, glancing around at the attendees.

“You can understand what it means for Thor to become engaged to a girl of the Demon Lord’s Domain, can you not?”

“In other words, Thor-sama has become a resident of the Demon Lord’s Domain in both public and private life.”

Chancellor Kelve picked up Rukie’s words.

“Thor-sama has cast aside the Empire and his noble family name, and chosen to wed Mabel of the Demon Lord’s Domain. Thor-sama is now officially one of us, someone we must protect as a resident of the Demon Lord’s Domain!”

“Oooooooooooh!!”

Cheers rang through the throne room.

The minotaurs and elves clapped their hands.

From outside the windows came the sound of pattering applause. The winged pixies seemed to have come as well.

It made me happy that everyone was celebrating, but—

“…This is incredibly embarrassing.”

“…Y-Yes.”

Mabel and I whispered to each other.

Mabel’s elf ears were red right to the tips.

Mabel wore a dress that Rukie had prepared for her.

It was made from Wind-Element Magical Weave Fabric, so it was breathable and easy to move in. The light material made the skirt flutter with every small movement. The lace and ribbons were made from Light-Element Magical Weave Fabric, whose transparent texture provided the perfect accent.

Mabel was already adorable, but she looked even more ethereal than usual. It was wonderful.

As for me, I was dressed in formal noble attire.

It was the formal outfit I had worn when leaving the Empire, although the jacket had been newly tailored from Dark-Element Magical Weave Fabric. The darkness symbolized that I had been “dyed in the colors of the Demon Lord’s Domain.”

This jacket signified that I had cast off the garb of the Empire and donned that of the Demon Lord’s Domain.

As everyone in the throne room watched Mabel and me—

“Congratulations! Thor-sama, Mabel-sama!”

“Thor-sama is already one of us—a member of the Demon Lord’s Domain!”

“Do you know how many times his magical items have helped us?!”

“The one who brings happiness to us all will now bring happiness to Mabel next!”

“There’s no greater joy than this. We must spread this news throughout the Demon Lord’s Domain!”

—They offered their blessings with all their hearts.

It was embarrassing… but still, I was really happy.

That I was engaged to Mabel. That I had formally abandoned the Empire and become part of the Demon Lord’s Domain.

It made me incredibly happy that everyone was celebrating that.

“…Still incredibly embarrassing, though.”

“…Y-Yes, it is.”

Throughout the engagement announcement, Mabel and I held hands the whole time.

Rukie, seeing that, seemed to be smiling wryly.

When I looked over at the others… General Raisenga had a satisfied smile on his face.

Beside him, Agnis nodded. When I glanced sideways, Mabel nodded back at Agnis… Oh?

“…Mabel, what’s wrong?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Mabel gave a little evasive smile.

“…I’ll tell you later. But before that… there’s something I need to discuss with the other girls.”

“…Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“…I see.”

If it’s a secret between girls, I guess it can’t be helped.

Knowing Mabel, she’ll tell me everything properly afterward.

Satisfied, I turned back to Rukie.

Rukie waited for the cheers to die down and looked around.

As she cast her gaze, the attendees fell silent once more.

“Princess Sophia of the Empire has already been informed about Thor and Mabel’s engagement.”

After a short pause, Rukie continued.

“Sooner or later, the Empire will respond. But Thor is no longer of the Empire. He’s Thor Canaan, the alchemist under the direct command of Demon Lord Rukie Evergard! Let no one forget that. Understood!?”

“Understood!”

“Good. Then once again, let us celebrate the engagement of Thor and Mabel!”

Again, everyone cheered.

And so, with the blessings of everyone in the Demon Lord’s Domain, the engagement announcement came to an end—

Mabel and I withdrew to our room.

“…Finally, things have settled down, huh.”

“…Y-yes.”

Mabel and I returned to the room.

Just the two of us.

No, even before this, whenever we did alchemist work, it was just the two of us in the room.

But after the engagement announcement, the atmosphere somehow felt different.

My engagement to Mabel was partly meant to protect her as someone connected to the House of Marquis Misra.

But it’s also true that I consider Mabel family.

That’s why I decided to always be with her.

From now on, Mabel would be my fiancée, caretaker, and alchemy assistant.

I’ll have to slowly get used to this new relationship.

“…It feels strange,”

Mabel muttered that beside me in the chair.

“Even though being with Thor-sama like this is usual… somehow, my face feels hot… huh. Huh? Huh?”

“…Yeah,”

We exchanged gazes quietly.

Still uneasy.

Perhaps the excitement of the engagement ceremony still lingered, because every conversation somehow returned to the subject of our engagement.

Thinking back on the lively ceremony… makes me restless.

This is troublesome.

Well, it can’t be helped. In times like this—

“Anyway, let’s prepare to make an item for Mabel.”

“Y-yes, let’s do that.”

—So, we decided to begin the alchemy work.

“We’re tired from today’s announcement, so let us only decide on a plan for now.”

“Yes, Thor-sama.”

“And about Mabel’s ‘Water Spirit Stone Pendant’—”

I spoke while looking at the pendant shining on Mabel’s chest.

“I’m thinking of making a cover that conceals the pendant so no one discovers the secret of Mabel’s birth. Since it’s so important, I intend to use every material available.”

Mabel’s Water Spirit Stone Pendant showed that she was connected to the House of Marquis Misra.

If anyone in the Empire notices that, it would be bad.

So, I’ll make a cover to hide the pendant.

I plan to incorporate magic items into the cover to protect Mabel.

“That’s why I want to use the Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone Rukie-sama gave us for the cover.”

“I-Is that alright? That’s such a precious item…”

“Of course. I think an item made with that magic stone will definitely protect Mabel.”

I took the Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone from the Miniature Simple Storage.

The Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone possessed every attribute and the property of transformation.

By using the ‘all attributes’ and ‘changing’ characteristics, you can make a very powerful magic item. It’s perfect for protecting Mabel.

“I plan to give the pendant cover the function of a Security Buzzer.”

I said.

“That can stop the movement of enemies. If built into the pendant, it should be useful in an emergency.”

“The ‘Security Buzzer’ did stop the giant centipede’s movement…”

“That’s right. If it’s used in Noza Town, it can also summon Isaac and the others. Princess Sophia is our ally, so I’m sure she’ll help.”

“It’s the best item for self-defense.”

“Then, is it alright to give the pendant cover the ‘Security Buzzer’ function?”

“Yes. Please do, Thor-sama.”

“Got it. Then, the other ability is—”

“…W-wait a moment, Thor-sama.”

Suddenly, Mabel raised her hand and stopped me.

She looked at me with a curious expression.

“What’s wrong, Mabel?”

“If the pendant cover has multiple functions, will it not become too large? Besides, I thought the pendant would remain inside the Miniature Simple Storage, so perhaps it doesn’t need so many extraordinary functions…”

“Huh? The pendant will be made so Mabel can wear it normally.”

“R-Really?”

“The Water Spirit Stone Pendant is a keepsake from Mabel’s family. Of course you would want to wear it all the time.”

I’m an alchemist.

I would make protecting Mabel compatible with allowing her to wear her family keepsake. My goal was to surpass the Heroes’ world; I had to be capable of at least that much.

“B-But just making the ‘Security Buzzer’ alone requires a lot of magic stones, right? And to add new functions on top of that…”

“I think Rukie-sama gave me the ‘Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone’ so I could do that.”

I held the ‘Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone’ in my hand.

The Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone changed color every few seconds—white, black, yellow, blue, and onward.

This magic stone holds all attributes: light, darkness, earth, water, fire, wind.

An alchemist can process it to draw out any attribute they like.

“The ‘Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone’ has two special functions.”

“Two?”

“First, the Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone possesses every attribute. It can absorb light, dark, earth, water, fire, and wind magic. Through alchemy, that energy can then be released as magic of any single chosen attribute.”

“…Huh?”

Mabel’s eyes widened.

“So that means… the ‘Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone’ has a magic conversion function?”

“Exactly. In other words, it can use an enormous amount of magic power.”

Normal magic stones can only absorb magic of their specific attribute.

For example, a ‘Fire Magic Stone’ only absorbs fire magic power found in nature.

When the magic power within the stone is used up, it absorbs fire magic from the surroundings again.

But the ‘Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone’ has all attributes.

So it can absorb magic power of all attributes existing in nature simultaneously.

Moreover, the ‘Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone’ can transform into any attribute magic stone.

It could absorb fire magic and release it as though it were a Fire Magic Stone.

That means it can absorb magic power of ‘light, darkness, earth, water, fire, wind’ and release it as fire magic.

Absorbing every type of magic and releasing it as one chosen attribute—that was the Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone’s first special property.

“Amazing. That’s why the ‘Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone’ is a treasured item.”

“The truly amazing part comes next. Identification Grasp showed me that the Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone also possesses the property of transformation.”

“Meaning it can freely change its shape?”

“That’s right. So when you use the ‘Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone,’ you can add the ‘changing’ characteristic to the material. Look, the ‘Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone’ looks like clay, right?”

I pinched the “Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone” between my fingers and showed it to Mabel.

“What do you think would happen if we used metal with the property of ‘changing’ for the cover of Mabel’s pendant?”

“Um… Since the pendant cover would change… Eh… No way!?”

“Yeah. The pendant cover would transform into a ‘Security Buzzer.’”

This is the feature of the “Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone.”

It has a high magic absorption rate and can handle various kinds of magical power. Therefore, magic items can be miniaturized.

It can change the shape of the material itself. Therefore, a magic item can have multiple functions.

—It’s an amazing ability, but of course, there are limits.

For example, the size of the material itself can’t be changed.

A small pendant cover couldn’t transform into a full-sized Simple Storage.

To make that possible, you would need metal equivalent to that used for the “simple storage.”

But if you did that, the pendant cover would become heavy.

Furthermore, transformation can’t be done infinitely.

I don’t know for sure until I actually try, but I think the number of functions that can be given with the “Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone” is about two.

The current “Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone” has all attributes but no functions.

It can become anything, but right now, it’s nothing.

An alchemist narrows down that potential and gives it functions.

For example, an alchemist could turn it into a Security Buzzer or a Laser Pointer.

—That’s how you use the “Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone.”

Using that “Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone,” I’ll make the cover for Mabel’s pendant.

I’ll give it the function of a “Security Buzzer” and one more function.

So that when needed, it can protect Mabel.

“…As I thought, Thor-sama, you’re amazing.”

Mabel said that and took my hand.

“I… really wanted to wear my mother’s pendant, too. For you to understand that…”

“Because it’s Mabel, of course. I think about it a lot, too.”

“…Thor-sama.”

“Well, about the second function. I want Mabel to choose it.”

I spread the Mail-Order Catalog across the table.

“For me?”

Mabel looked surprised.

“B-but… I can’t read the letters in this book…”

“Yes. So I want you to look at the pictures and pick by intuition.”

Mabel’s spontaneous ideas always help me.

This time, I want to leave it to her.

This pendant cover is something to carry as a keepsake of Mabel’s family.

Choosing based on function might be less meaningful than choosing based on Mabel’s feelings.

Anyway, with the “Security Buzzer” function, it’s enough to protect Mabel—adding a second function is more like my personal preference.

“Okay, I understand.”

“You can take your time looking. There’s no rush to make it.”

“…Yes.”

Saying that, Mabel began turning the pages.

There was a pause for a while.

While drinking tea, I used Identification Grasp on the Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone once more.

The stone could hold all six attributes—more than enough for a Security Buzzer. The cover material should be light and gentle against the skin. And then—

“…Thor-sama, what about this?”

Suddenly, Mabel poked my hand.

She took my hand and guided it to a page of the Mail-Order Catalog.

Somehow, it felt natural, so I looked at what Mabel was looking at.

What was pictured was—

“A ‘hair dryer’?”

“Yes. It seems to be a magic item to make hair beautiful.”

In the “Mail-Order Catalog,” there was a picture of a woman who looked like she had just gotten out of the bath.

Her long hair floated softly, and she closed her eyes with a comfortable expression.

She was holding a strangely shaped tube.

Wind was coming out of it, apparently drying her hair.

“Since Thor-sama chose the item that will protect me, I would like… an item that helps me remain beautiful.”

“Mabel, you’re already beautiful enough, though?”

“B-but, the woman in this photo has very beautiful hair—”

“Mabel’s silver hair is more beautiful, though?”

“…Thor-sama, sometimes you say things like that with a straight face…”

“Eh? Because it’s the truth.”

“…………Thank you.”

“But if Mabel’s hair will become even more beautiful, making a ‘hair dryer’ is fine, right?”

Just as Mabel thought, this “hair dryer” is for making a woman’s hair beautiful.

The Mail-Order Catalog even said, “Smooth, glossy hair with the latest-model dryer.” Hmm?

“This page… some letters have disappeared here and there.”

“That’s right. There are marks like the paper was scraped off.”

“Because it’s old, the pages seem to have stuck together. The previous owner forcibly peeled them apart. That’s why some letters are missing.”

Let’s try reading only the parts we can. Um──

────────────

With our company’s latest technology dryer, for glossy and smooth hair!

Lately, haven’t you experienced your hair──?

This dryer will solve your──.

Just by using it after a bath, even long hair dries quickly. With our company’s unique── manufacturing method, it protects your hair.

What was especially remarkable was the highest-grade “minus──on.”

As everyone knew, “minus──on” was used in all kinds of devices.

It enhanced── and protected the body──.

──smooth── glossy.

────── peace of mind.

Definitely────

────────────

“…I see.”

There’s no doubt this is a magic item good for hair.

You can tell even from the parts that are readable.

But──

“What exactly is this ‘minus—on’?”

“‘Minus—on’?”

“Yes, that term is here. But part of the word is missing, so I don’t know what it means.”

Moreover, the word is split at the line break.

Because of that, I can’t tell how many characters are missing.

Since it says “as everyone knows,” I think it must be a well-known term.

“The key is the word ‘minus.’”

“That appeared in the otherworldly Hero’s line. ‘Minus’… something.”

“I know the term too. But the Heroes used it in combat.”

“Absolute zero! At temperatures below minus two hundred degrees, your bones will freeze solid!”

“The freezing air chills the atmosphere. It creates a wall of ice before me!”

Referring to those lines──

“I think this ‘minus—on’ is actually ‘minus teion’—minus low temperature.”

“I agree.”

“Minus teion” meant “minus low temperature”—extreme cold.

It was probably written in that dramatic form because it evoked attack magic.

In other words, this “Hair Dryer” not only dried hair but also had a function that generated cold air like an Ice Storm.

“But, Thor-sama, this is an item for drying hair, right?”

“That’s right. Normally, there would be no need for an Ice Storm-like function.”

“Yes. To wash your hair you have to be naked or lightly dressed. Being in such a state means you should be in a safe place. So why would it have a function for attack…?”

“I understand why Mabel doubts that.”

But this Hair Dryer was an item from the Heroes’ world.

I had to reason from the common sense of the world where the strongest combat race lived.

“But, how about thinking about it the other way?”

“The other way?”

“Since you use a Hair Dryer after washing your hair, you’re either naked or lightly dressed. In other words, you’re defenseless. That may be precisely why it needs a function to protect you in an emergency.”

“──Ah.”

Mabel’s eyes widened.

She nodded repeatedly, seeming convinced.

“Y-You’re right. When washing your hair, you’re defenseless… so even then, the Hair Dryer has combat functions to protect the user!?”

“Since it’s an item from the Heroes’ world, perhaps such precautions were necessary.”

“So that’s what ‘minus teion’ means?”

“Yes. I think that’s the true identity of ‘minus—on.’ But I want more certainty.”

I flipped through the pages of the Mail-Order Catalog.

“I’ll search for other pages that mention ‘minus—on.’ That may reveal the missing letters.”

“Understood. Then, I––”

“Mabel, could you make some tea? If you push yourself too hard, Rukie-sama will get mad. Let’s relax and look while sipping tea.”

“Got it. Please wait a moment.”

Saying that, Mabel left the room and headed to the kitchen.

I decided to examine the Mail-Order Catalog carefully.

I hoped there were other items that used the term “minus—on.”

It was a word that hadn’t appeared in any of the items I had made so far.

I hoped I would find it soon—

“…Huh?”

There it was.

And it was on the page opposite the ‘Hair Dryer.’

It seemed to be an item called ‘Air Purifier.’

But… this is troublesome.

This page was the other half attached to the ‘Hair Dryer’ page.

So this one also had peeled paper, and the text was gone.

Instead of “minus—on,” only “mai────n” remained.

That was even harder to understand. What a nuisance.

“Well, it can’t be helped. Let’s try to infer from the function of this ‘Air Purifier.’”

I turned my eyes to the description of the ‘Air Purifier.’

I didn’t need detailed information.

I only needed to understand what “mai────n” did. Let me see…

“The Air Purifier uses the power of ‘mai────n’ to clean the air…”

Specifically, it seemed to use “mai────n” to deal with dust and microorganisms.

If so, “mai────n” was probably “minus teion” after all.

An Ice Storm was a low-temperature storm that froze large numbers of insects and birds.

By the same logic, it could freeze dust and microorganisms and render them harmless.

There are almost no organisms that can survive in such extreme cold.

“…But is ‘minus teion’ really correct?”

What should I do—

If I searched the Mail-Order Catalog page by page, I might discover the true meaning of “minus—on,” but that would take time.

My goal is to protect Mabel.

For this item, faithfully reproducing something from the Heroes’ world wasn’t especially important.

Adding the Water Spirit Stone Pendant’s power, the Security Buzzer, and a Hair Dryer that controlled minus-low-temperature wind would accomplish my goal of protecting Mabel.

The cry of “Omawarisan!” would stop an enemy’s movement, and a blast of freezing wind would neutralize most opponents.

In that case––

“Let’s think while making it. Yeah.”

Or rather, I want to start fiddling with the ‘Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone’ soon.

I’m excited to see what kind of effect the ‘Change’ attribute will manifest.

Of course, I’ll add a function to the ‘Hair Dryer’ to send a gentle breeze to dry Mabel’s hair.

Using the ‘Rainbow-Colored Magic Stone,’ it should be possible to make it small but high-powered.

I drew a design on parchment for a Pendant Cover that also functioned as a Security Buzzer and Hair Dryer.

This time, portability needs to be considered.

I have to design it carefully.

While I was thinking like that––

“I’m back, Thor-sama.”

“Ah, sorry for intruding––”

The door to the room opened, and Mabel entered with… huh? Agnis was with her.

Mabel was holding Agnis’s hand, which was bright red.

Agnis wore a dress made from Earth-Element Magical Weave Fabric.

General Raisenga had said, “Let everyone in the castle see that Agnis can wear adorable clothes now!”

Agnis looked down and tightly held Mabel’s hand.

She didn’t try to meet my gaze.

Mabel pushed Agnis’s back gently and made her stand in front of me.

“Agnis-sama wants to convey a proposal from General Raisenga.”

“M-Mabel!?”

“There’s no need to hesitate. I… certainly agree with the general’s proposal.”

“…Honestly, Mabel.”

Agnis poked Mabel in a troubled manner.

Then she looked at me, cleared her throat, and––

“I’ll convey a proposal from Agnis’s father, Raisenga Freizad, to Thor Canaan-sama.”

With a nervous voice, trembling,

“If you’re reluctant… you can refuse. Um––”

And so, Agnis spoke the proposal from the general.

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