Kays Translations

Chapter 131: Insect-Catching Net

After returning from the knight order’s quarters, I immediately began making insect nets. The handle and the hoop at the end were easy enough. The only remaining problem was the net itself. I considered using lace curtains, but if I requested them, the servants would undoubtedly bring something far too expensive. An insect net didn’t need to be luxurious.

After some hesitation, I decided to weave the net myself. That would let me choose the size of the mesh, and all I needed was thread. The servant who brought it tilted his head in confusion.

“It’s a good thing I have the Sewing skill. It’s useful for more than making stuffed toys. I can even make lace.”

I quickly wove a net with a suitable mesh. Five nets, including a spare, should be enough. I didn’t need a large amount of moonlight-butterfly scales.

While I was testing the finished net by swinging it around my room, Rosalia and Mira arrived.

“What’s that, Big brother?”

“An insect net.”

“Kyu?”

“It’s used to catch insects, like this.”

There were no insects nearby, so I gently lowered it over Mira’s head instead. It fitted perfectly.

“Kyu!”

Mira squealed. I couldn’t tell whether they were protesting or enjoying themselves, but when I removed the net, they looked up at me expectantly. When I caught them again, they bounced around in delight.

“I want to try too, Big brother.”

“All right, but don’t break it.”

I handed Rosalia a net, and she began playing at catching Mira. It was good to see them getting along.

After letting them play for a while, I took the nets to the knight order’s quarters. I also brought preservation jars whose lids formed airtight seals.

By the time I arrived, the killer-bee-honey collection team had already departed, even though it wasn’t yet noon. They certainly acted quickly.

I went to Lionel’s office and rang the chime.

“Lionel, are you there?”

“Lord Julius, how may I help you?”

Lionel appeared at once. A work schedule lay open on his desk. He had probably been forced to rearrange several shifts because of my request, which made me feel a little guilty.

“I made tools for catching moonlight butterflies. They’re called insect nets.”

“When did you make these? I never understand how you produce exactly the tool you need so quickly.”

Lionel’s brows furrowed in equal parts amazement and exasperation.

“They should make collecting the scales much more efficient. Please store the scales in these jars.”

“Understood. Are these for the transformation potion?”

“Yes. The only materials still missing are killer-bee honey and moonlight-butterfly scales.”

Lionel shook his head as though he could scarcely believe that such a dangerous potion could be made from so few materials.

“Its storage and use will have to be strictly controlled.”

“Don’t worry. The target appearance is fixed during compounding. This batch can only transform someone into me.”

“What?”

To copy anyone else, I would have to make a separate batch using that person’s hair as a medium. Obtaining someone’s hair without their knowledge wouldn’t always be impossible, but it would at least make casual misuse difficult.

“There’s only so much anyone can do while looking like me.”

“I’m not sure I agree, my lord.”

Lionel’s strained expression suggested that he believed the opposite.

A thought suddenly occurred to me. If Mira drank the transformation potion and took my form, perhaps they would be able to speak. I still worried about whether they were truly happy with their life. Mira didn’t look dissatisfied, but there might be things they simply couldn’t express.

I would test that after the transformation potion was complete.

For now, I had done everything I could. I would have preferred to gather the ingredients myself, but the current security situation made that impossible.

Perhaps I should use this time to improve my combat ability instead. I had inherited many combat techniques from the game, but my present body was still young. I needed enough physical training to use those techniques properly.

“Lionel, I’m borrowing the training ground.”

“What do you intend to do?”

“Practise swordsmanship.”

“You already receive self-defence training every day.”

“Not that kind. I mean the same training as the knights.”

Lionel’s eyes widened. He clearly thought it would be dangerous.

“It would be terrible if you were injured.”

That sounded suspiciously like he thought I couldn’t do it.

“Very well, Lionel. You’ll be my opponent.”

I took him with me to the training ground.

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