Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 170: “Thor the Alchemist Travels the Demon Lord’s Domain (2)”
The town of Ortia has a short history.
It was built during the previous Demon Lord’s reign as a distribution hub utilizing the river.
Surrounded by a marshy area, with a river just outside the town.
There are canals running through the town itself, connected to a pond where mermaids live.
To prevent magical beasts from invading, the town is also enclosed by sturdy walls.
Airflow is poor, and there’s nowhere for the humidity to escape.
As a result, on hot days, the whole town inevitably becomes damp and clammy.
Mermaids are a species that live underwater, so humidity doesn’t bother them.
Lizardmen seem to find it more comfortable when their scales are slightly moist.
The only ones troubled by it are the beastfolk, who have a habit of growing out their hair.
Specifically, when they wake up in the morning, their hair might be all puffed up like an explosion.
Hair sticking out in strange directions might block their view or get tangled around their limbs.
That’s why many of them braid their hair or tie it with ribbons and clips.
On top of that, beastfolk have sharp senses.
Those sensitive to humidity and temperature changes get depressed and lose their appetite.
Mayor Guerun-san’s daughter, Sera-san, was one such person.
“Of course, this doesn’t happen every year.”
Guerun-san shook his head and wagged his gray tail.
“But in years like this one, when the temperature is especially high… the beastfolk have a gloomy time.”
“You could have consulted the Demon Lord’s Castle,”
Erte-san suddenly stepped forward.
“My uncle—no, I mean the Chancellor—would have taken care of it.”
“Well, you see. It’s not something that threatens their lives. It’s hard to say something like, ‘Our beastfolk’s hair gets frizzy from the humidity. They’re feeling down. Please help us.’ Her Majesty and the Chancellor are both very busy.”
“Well… that might be true.”
“Also, we have to think about the mermaids, who are part of our community.”
Guerun-san scratched his head vigorously.
“They’re kind folks, the mermaids. If this turned into a big issue, they might feel responsible. When the weather’s like this year’s, they already seem apologetic. After all, the town’s canals are one of the causes of the humidity.”
“…I understand how you feel.”
“This town operates on a system where the beastfolk use their sense of smell to inspect goods, lizardmen transport them to the riverbanks, and mermaids ship them by boat. The dampness only occurs every few years. If the beastfolk endure it, we can manage…”
“Guerun-san, may I ask one thing?”
I interjected.
Something had been bothering me.
It was also a matter of curiosity as an alchemist──
“When the humidity is bad, is it okay for beastfolk to transform into their beast forms?”
““…………””
Huh?
Guerun-san and Sera-san fell silent.
Especially Sera-san—she looked extremely embarrassed for some reason.
“When the humidity is high and their hair is all frizzy, if they transform… they become a beast that looks like a furball.”
“Father!?”
“There’s no use hiding it, Sera.”
Guerun-san folded his arms.
“When beastfolk transform into their beast forms during high humidity, their entire fur puffs up, and they end up looking like a ball of fluff with arms and legs. Normally they’re ‘fluffy,’ but in high humidity, they’re ‘puffy.’ When Sera transformed as a child, she looked like a perfectly round stuffed toy…”
“Father, father, faaather!!”
Whack, whack, whack, whack.
Bright red-faced, Sera-san pounded her father’s back.
Apparently, it was a more serious problem than expected.
According to what I heard from Erte-san, beastfolk transform into their beast forms for scouting and reconnaissance.
In that form, their physical abilities improve, and their senses become even sharper. They use that advantage in battles and monster extermination missions.
But if they become all puffy from the humidity──
“Indeed. Before going on a scouting mission, they have to reduce the humidity and fix their hair. It takes a lot of time.”
Guerun-san must have read my expression, as he added this.
That being the case… we really ought to do something.
“Understood. I’ll think of a solution.”
I said.
“Mabel, could you try using the ‘dryer’ to fix Sera-san’s hair? That should help against the humidity.”
“Leave it to me, Thor-sama.”
Mabel already had the ‘dryer’ prepared.
She must have predicted what I would do. As expected of her.
The cover over the ‘Pendant of the Water Spirit Stone’ can transform into a ‘dryer’ and a ‘security buzzer’ at her will. It’s thanks to the effect of the ‘Rainbow Magic Stone’ gifted by Rukie.
“Sera-sama. May I tend to your hair?”
“Eh, but, but. I couldn’t possibly ask a guest to do such a thing…”
“I am the assistant to Alchemist Thor Canaan.”
Mabel pinched the hem of her skirt and, in a solemn tone, said,
“If Thor-sama has decided to address the town’s problem, then it is only natural that I assist him. That is also my joy.”
“I-I understand. If that’s the case…”
Holding down her frizzed-up hair, Sera-san stepped toward Mabel.
I exchanged glances with Guerun-san.
“Also… Guerun-san, could you tell me about the town’s layout? I want to understand how the beastfolk, lizardmen, and mermaids divide their living areas.”
“Understood. I shall prepare a map.”
And so, Guerun-san, Erte-san, and I began our planning session.
“I see. The town is divided east and west by the canal.”
“The lizardmen live on the west side, the beastfolk on the east, and the central area has the canal and the mermaid quarters.”
“The square next to the canal is the common gathering place?”
“That’s right. After work, we drink with the mermaids and lizardmen there. Everyone brings their favorite food and cooks it by the riverside. It’s the best time of day.”
“That sounds wonderful. I’d love to sneak in and join sometime.”
“Why not just join openly?”
“You’re basically having a party, right?”
“Well, I suppose we are.”
“…………”
“…………?”
“Anyway, based on this layout, we might be able to reduce humidity just in the beastfolk’s area.”
“R-Really!?”
“It’s worth trying, I think.”
I took out the “Super-Compact Simple Warehouse” and retrieved the “Mail-Order Catalog” from it.
I spread it out so that Guerun-san and Erte-san could see it clearly.
“…As I thought, you brought that book with you.”
“Yes. I brought it along to view things from a hero’s perspective during our journey.”
“From a hero’s perspective?”
“My goal is to ‘surpass the Hero’s World.’ That’s why, whenever something caught my attention during the journey, I wanted to think, ‘What would a hero do?’ That’s why I brought the ‘Mail-Order Catalog.’”
“You should at least take it easy while traveling.”
Erte-san looked exasperated.
“Didn’t Her Majesty the Demon Lord and my uncle also tell you not to push yourself?”
“I’m not pushing myself. This is just my normal routine. More importantly, could you take a look at this?”
I flipped through the “Mail-Order Catalog.”
There should be a useful item around here…
Yep. Found it.
“This ‘Absolutely Comfortable Cloud Dehumidifier’ might be able to solve the humidity problem.”
“‘Absolutely Comfortable Cloud Dehumidifier’… That’s an unfamiliar name.”
“W-What is this oddly named item…?”
Both Erte-san and Guerun-san were clearly surprised.
I decided to translate and explain the contents of the “Mail-Order Catalog” to them.
────────────────
Absolutely Comfortable Cloud Dehumidifier
The dampness of the rainy season, laundry that won’t dry, condensation on the windows—humidity problems are everywhere.
Let the “Absolutely Comfortable Cloud Dehumidifier” say goodbye to all that sticky dampness!
Our dehumidifier, using a proprietary method and powerful performance, eliminates moisture in an instant!
There are three levels of power: “Low,” “High,” and “Total Dehumidification.”
It also comes equipped with a “Moist Comfort Mode” that leaves just the right amount of humidity.
“High” and “Total Dehumidification” have astonishing power.
Even laundry on a rainy day dries in no time!
Furthermore, our original “Cloud Network” function is pre-installed.
All dehumidifiers placed in the home will link together to maintain optimal humidity.
(*Requires environmental settings in accordance with our instructions and network access provided by the customer.)
Even large areas are effortlessly dehumidified.
With our “Absolutely Comfortable Cloud Dehumidifier,” say goodbye to seasonal problems!
────────────────
I finished reading the “Mail-Order Catalog.”
“…………”
Erte-san and Guerun-san were silent for a while.
Eventually, they tilted their heads and—
“We understand that the item described here removes moisture.”
“Y-Yes. Even us beastmen can understand that much.”
“But…”
“What exactly is this ‘Cloud Network’?”
They both asked with puzzled expressions.
“‘Cloud’ is a word in the Hero’s World that means ‘cloud,’ and ‘Network’ refers to a connection or linking.”
That’s what the words mean.
As for how that connects to a “dehumidifier”—
“Most likely, this ‘Cloud Network’ refers to a system that links dehumidifiers together. Clouds in the sky break apart, reconnect, and eventually spread over wide areas, bringing rain. In other words, by using a ‘Cloud Network,’ I think you could affect an entire town like a cloud would.”
“No way!?”
“S-Such a thing is possible!?”
“It’s an item from the Hero’s World. Something like this is fairly normal there.”
A massive cloud can cover the entire sky over a town.
If that’s the case, the “Cloud Network” should be expected to cover a similar range.
“Al-Alchemist… How do you plan to realize this ‘Cloud Network’?”
“I’m thinking of using the ‘Traffic Cones’ as a reference.”
“The ‘Traffic Cones’?”
“You know, the defense formation I built at the trading post? That one, using ‘Traffic Cones.’”
“──!?”
Erte-san’s eyes widened.
Beside her, Guerun-san also looked startled.
Apparently, he had heard rumors about the trading post as well.
Previously, I had built a territory defense system using “Traffic Cones” at the trading post.
I arranged “Traffic Cones” shaped like mythical beasts from another world—Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and Qilin—to expand the effect range and increase the power.
The results were remarkable, and we were able to easily capture the imperial soldiers trying to infiltrate the trading post.
In other words—
“That defense formation may have been the ‘Cloud Network’ itself.”
“…How extraordinary.”
“…I don’t quite understand it, but the guest’s words have a ring of truth. As a beastman, I can sense he’s being sincere.”
“I’m always serious.”
To be honest, I’m not entirely certain that the “Five Element Defense Formation” and the “Cloud Network” are the same thing.
But I do think it’s worth testing.
That’s why I want to conduct an experiment here in “Ortia Town.”
If it succeeds—
“From now on, ‘Cloud Network’ might become the standard for magic items. The very concept of magic items could change.”
“The concept of magic items!?”
“A-Ah, you truly do have the hero’s perspective, guest…”
“It’s still just a hypothesis… but if it works, the Demon Lord’s territory might become a nation that completely surpasses the Empire.”
The Empire has a large population.
Moreover, their soldiers achieve strength beyond individual capability by coordinating with each other.
That’s how the Empire has expanded its territory.
But the Demon Lord’s domain can’t do the same.
Not just because of the small population, but also because different races have different areas of expertise.
Of course, that’s also a strength.
Rukie assigns people to roles that suit them best, using the “right person in the right place” approach to great effect.
So, what do you do when the races’ traits differ and make coordination difficult?
The answer is simple: create “cooperative magic items” to compensate.
In the Empire, humans work together to exhibit their strength.
In the Demon Lord’s domain, magic items work together to exhibit their strength.
That way, they can overcome a small population and racial differences in abilities.
If done well, this land could become so prosperous the Empire wouldn’t even compare.
It would also lighten Rukie’s burden.
“…Cooperative burglar alarms… cooperative cleaning robots… cooperative water summoners… Wh-What will become of the Demon Lord’s domain…”
“…Erte-san?”
“What you’re saying is beyond my imagination. How should I even respond…”
“Please calm down. It’s not something that’ll happen right away.”
I gently shook Erte-san’s shoulder as she pressed her forehead to the table.
“Besides, it’s not something I can do alone.”
“T-That may be true, but…”
“If I had an apprentice who could use alchemy, it’d be a different story.”
“An apprentice?”
“I’m the only one who can use the ‘Creative Alchemy’ skill, but surely there are people within the Demon Lord’s domain who can use regular ‘Alchemy.’ If I could take someone like that as an apprentice and teach them the techniques, things would go faster. We’d be able to produce magic items more efficiently.”
“You were thinking that far ahead!?”
“Yes. Once this journey is over, I’m planning to gather Mabel, Agnis-sama… or maybe all the winged fairies and hold an ‘Alchemy Workshop.’ I’ll see who’s the most dexterous and maybe try taking them on as an apprentice.”
“I-I’m relieved. So it’s something you’re planning after the journey is over…”
Erte-san let out a sigh of relief.
“Then how about stopping by the dwarves’ village?”
Suddenly, Guerun-san muttered.
“Beyond the marshlands, there’s a small village where dwarves live. Dwarves are good with their hands. They might be able to help the alchemist… Wh-what is it, Erte? Why are you glaring at me!?”
“…I just felt like our problems might be about to multiply.”
“You two are moving the conversation along too quickly.”
The lecture on alchemy is something for after the journey, after all.
Erte-san, there’s no need to worry like, ‘There are two alchemists… three alchemists… four… Oh, my uncle’s stomach…’
“Back to the topic. I want to try creating ‘Dehumidification Zones’ and ‘Dehumidification Barriers’ using the ‘Cloud Dehumidifier’ to solve this town’s humidity problem.”
I bowed to Guerun-san and said,
“With that in mind, would you allow me to conduct some experiments in the town?”
“Of course! I’d like to ask you to do it myself!”
Guerun-san lowered his large beast ears and drooped his tail.
“This will benefit the beastfolk of this town too. I will gladly cooperate!”
“Thank you. Please tell me the exact directions—north, south, east, and west. Also, if there are any metals that might serve as materials, could I have them?”
“Understood!”
“And Erte-san.”
“Y-yes?”
“Is it alright if we delay our departure by a day or two?”
“In this situation, I suppose I can’t say no.”
Erte-san put her hand on her hip and sighed.
“I will report the delay in the schedule to Uncle Kelve. Alchemist-sama, please write a letter to the Demon Lord as well. I will send it to the castle along with the arrival confirmation letter.”
“Understood.”
Alright then.
This time, I’m not just making a dehumidifier.
I have to build a stable ‘Cloud Network’.
It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth doing.
After all, this is the first step to connecting the Demon Lord’s magic items into a ‘Cloud Network’.
“Then, Guerun-san, please lend me a room where I can work.”
I said,
“In order to build a ‘Dehumidification Cloud Network’ in this town, I will now begin my alchemy.”
And so, I began preparing for the work.
—Mabel’s point of view—
“A-a-amazing. I can’t believe my hair looks so neat…”
Staring into the mirror, the beastfolk girl Sera exclaimed.
Mabel nodded with satisfaction.
It hadn’t been very difficult to style Sera’s hair.
First, she washed it, then applied diluted ‘MAX Silky Smooth Lotion Premium’ and let it absorb.
Finally, she dried it with a ‘Hair Dryer’.
That’s how Sera’s hair turned into a beautiful ponytail.
“I’m glad the ‘Fairy’s Tear’ was useful.”
On Mabel’s shoulder, the winged fairy Lune murmured.
“If you ever need more, please let us know. Just imagining a scene where the alchemist is not present… the fairies can shed tears of sorrow.”
“Please don’t imagine that. It’ll make me want to cry.”
“I think Mabel and I will be good friends.”
“I think so too, Lune.”
Mabel reached out her finger, and Lune bumped it with her tiny fist.
It was a friendly promise between the elven girl and the winged pixie.
“…I’m a bit envious.”
“What’s the matter, Sera?”
“The alchemist’s companions all seem to be having so much fun.”
“Yes. Every day is full of joy… and happiness.”
Mabel closed her eyes and smiled.
“When I’m by Thor-sama’s side, I feel like I’ve become a part of him. Just earlier, when he consulted me about you, Sera, I immediately realized that a ‘Hair Dryer’ was needed. That made me so happy… it warmed my heart.”
Listening to Mabel’s words, Sera unintentionally narrowed her eyes.
The girl in front of her looked dazzling.
She had heard rumors that the alchemist Thor was human and possessed incredible powers.
That’s why she had thought he would be scary.
But Thor was a very kind person.
Even though they only stopped by during their journey, he had earnestly listened to the worries of the beastfolk like Sera.
And now, he was trying to solve the town’s humidity problem entirely.
(If someone like him is the confidant of the Demon Lord, then the Demon Lord must be a wonderful person too…)
Sera had never met Demon Lord Rukie.
All she knew came from stories told by her father.
—The Demon Lord used dark magic to instantly slay the magical beast Gargarossa from afar.
—She negotiated with a fearsome imperial princess and established a trade station in the borderlands.
—She’s rapidly developing mines and farmlands.
To Sera, all of these feats were beyond imagination.
That’s why she thought the Demon Lord was a fearsome being, someone to fear and respect.
(But maybe… the Demon Lord is actually a kind person.)
She must be.
After all, she entrusted someone like Thor as her confidant.
(I wonder… could I also be of some help to the Demon Lord and these people?)
In a few days, the alchemist Thor and his companions would leave the town for the elven forest.
Before then, she wanted to do whatever she could.
—That’s what the beastfolk girl Sera was thinking.
“Your hair looks nice and calm. I think it’ll stay that way for a few days.”
“Y-yes. Thank you so much.”
“Then let’s return to Thor-sama. We should start preparing the meal soon.”
With that, Mabel put her hand on her chin and nodded.
“It looks like things are going to get busy. Let’s make something that can be eaten during work.”
“How about letting him try some local specialties?”
“That’s a great idea, Lune. It’ll make a good story for the Demon Lord too.”
“I’m sure Her Majesty will want to hear stories from the journey.”
Mabel and Lune leaned their foreheads together as they spoke.
Then Mabel turned to Sera.
“I have a favor to ask, Sera-sama. Could you tell us about any local specialties that are easy to eat and nutritious?”
“Ah, yes. Umm…”
Sera thought for a moment.
“How about deep-fried small fish? It’s a specialty of this town, and you can eat the bones too. They’re usually served in sandwiches with vegetables, so I think they can be eaten while working… maybe.”
“That’s a brilliant idea.”
“Wonderful suggestion indeed!”
Suddenly, Mabel and the winged fairy Lune grabbed Sera’s hands.
Feeling happy that she could be useful, Sera couldn’t help but smile.
“The fish are sold at the market along the river. At this hour, there should still be fresh ones. I’ll show you the way.”
Sera instinctively touched her own hair.
On sunny days, getting close to the river always made her hair frizzy.
No one ever mocked her for it. But the apologetic looks from the merfolk, as if saying, “It might be our fault”, always bothered her.
They lived in the same town—she really wanted to get along with them.
(But now—)
Sera’s hair was shiny and neatly tied.
It was straight even without ribbons, like it wasn’t even her own hair.
With this, she could probably talk to the merfolk without hesitation.
(I should give Mabel and the others a tour of the town.)
And she should introduce the alchemist and his companions to everyone.
That person has amazing power. He’s thinking about the town.
And the Demon Lord, who trusts him as a confidant, must be a wonderful ruler.
She wanted to tell as many people as possible about the alchemist Thor and the Demon Lord.
That’s what Sera was thinking.
“Understood. Then I shall guide you, Mabel-sama.”
With conviction, the beastfolk girl Sera declared,
“While we’re at it, I’ll introduce you to everyone in town. After that… I’ll use my beastfolk sense of smell to find the freshest fish in town!”
“Please do, Sera-sama.”
“For the sake of the alchemist!”
And so, Mabel, Sera, and Lune headed toward the marketplace.