Kays Translations

Chapter 286: Fountain Pen

While I wandered around the workshop with Mira in my arms, Nero noticed that I was searching for something and came over.

"Lord Julius, what are you looking for? I can help."

"Oh, it is nothing important… Ah, found it!"

I had discovered an alloy that might serve as the tipping material for the nib. It was extremely hard and difficult to shape, making it unsuitable for the casing of a magic tool, but its durability should make it ideal for the point of a pen.

The nib itself would be made from an eighteen-carat gold alloy. It looked remarkably luxurious, but the flexibility of the gold should also provide an excellent writing feel.

I placed the gathered materials on the workbench. Since I already had some pine wood, I decided to use it for the barrel and cap. Lacquer would have been useful, but none was available, so I would make the most of the natural grain.

I chose a piston-filling mechanism. Turning the knob at the end opposite the nib would draw ink into the reservoir inside the barrel. To prevent leakage, I made the reservoir double-walled and coated the interior with blue-slime water.

"Lord Julius, what are you making?"

"Kyuu?"

"Both of you must keep it secret. I am going to make a fountain pen."

"A fountain pen?"

"Kyuu?"

Nero and Mira tilted their heads, clearly having no idea what a fountain pen was. It would be quicker to make one than to explain it, so I simply asked them to watch.

I quickly formed the nib and tested its flexibility. It seemed promising.

Next, I made the barrel. The Craft skill truly was unfairly useful; it allowed me to work smoothly and reproduce the design exactly as I imagined it.

I gave the cap a screw fitting so that it would not come loose accidentally and spill ink. The comb-shaped ink-flow regulator also appeared to be working properly.

"It is finished. Let us test it."

"So this is a fountain pen…"

"Kyuu…"

Even Mira did not ask to make one, probably because it was far more complicated than a glass pen. It contained many parts. I had designed most of them to fit together without fasteners, but a few still required adhesive.

I wrote on the paper Nero had prepared. The pen moved flawlessly, there was no sign of leakage, and applying slightly more pressure produced a broader line.

"It seems to work. I did not expect the first attempt to turn out this well. My own talent is almost frightening."

"I find your imagination more frightening, Lord Julius."

"Kyuu."

Since the fountain pen was not my original invention, I had mixed feelings about taking pride in it. Perhaps every reincarnated person felt the same way. While I continued testing the pen, lunchtime arrived.

I persuaded Rosalia, who was absorbed in making the magic-stone burner, to accompany me to the dining hall. The weather was clear enough to make eating outside tempting, but it was still winter and far too cold.

The dining hall was empty.

"It appears no one is here."

"Then let us eat quickly and return to the workshop!"

"Rosalia, you must take proper breaks as well."

I chuckled. Rosalia looked capable of working on magic tools all day without stopping. Even I took breaks, so perhaps she was the true craftsperson between us.

That level of single-mindedness might become a problem for a young lady. I needed to teach her the importance of resting.

"Brother Nero, I believe lunch is being served in the salon."

"I see. It receives better sunlight, so perhaps everyone chose it for a change. May we join them?"

"Of course. I will have your meals brought there immediately."

Nero left to arrange lunch, while Rosalia, Lelie and I headed to the salon. Mother, Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela were already there. Brother Cain and Sister-in-law Meeka were probably eating at the territorial knights' quarters, as usual.

Father was most likely eating in his office. Being the head of House Heine looked exhausting. I had no desire to inherit that burden.

"Oh, Julius, we were just discussing you!"

Mother smiled warmly, but something about her expression was unsettling. It resembled the look she wore when preparing to scold me for one of my mishaps.

"R-really? Rosalia and I decided to eat here as well."

"That is good. There is something I wish to ask you. What is this?"

Mother was holding the liquid glue and had evidently tried it. Since she regularly sent letters, I had hoped she would find it useful. Sister-in-law Daniela probably wrote frequently as well.

"It is the liquid glue I made. It lets you seal an ordinary envelope without using sealing wax. How did you find it?"

"It was excellent. Sealing letters is so much easier now!"

What a relief. That was exactly the reaction I had hoped for. Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela, however, looked troubled. What was wrong?

"I would like to give some to my friends. Could you help arrange that? I also believe it would sell well."

Mother glanced at Brother Alex. So that was why he and Sister-in-law Daniela looked uneasy. Congratulations, Brother Alex—more work! We had barely begun dealing with the glass pens, and now there was another product. Perhaps I should keep quiet about the fountain pen for a while.

"By the way, Julius, what is that object protruding from your breast pocket?"

"This? Um…"

Terrifying! Brother Alex's smile was intimidating, and Sister-in-law Daniela's had become strained. How troublesome did I have to be to make even a princess look nervous?

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