Kays Translations

Chapter 457: The Craftspeople of the Heine Trading Company

After we successfully completed the new star-shaped magic tool and told Rosalia and the others about our time at the House Mulan estate, it was time for dinner. A lavish meal had been laid out in the dining room to celebrate our safe return.

“Everyone is here, aren’t they? Then let us celebrate Julius and the others returning safely. We must give thanks to God.”

“I am truly grateful that my brother-in-law has returned unharmed.”

Following Sister-in-law Daniela’s lead, everyone expressed their gratitude. I also thanked God for everyone’s safety. Lionel had been away from House Heine throughout this period. Had anything serious happened in his absence, the consequences could have been disastrous.

I did feel a little lonely without Fabienne there. Perhaps she felt the same way. I would make sure to speak with her through our ring once I returned to my room.

“Brother Alex, Brother Julius gave us the blueprints, and Sir Edward and I made a new star-shaped magic tool. Would everyone like to watch the stars together afterwards?”

“A new star-shaped magic tool? That is the first I have heard of it, but it sounds exciting. Did you make it with Sir Edward?”

“Of course. We made it together.”

Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela nodded with smiles. It seemed they both approved of the bond between Rosalia and Sir Edward. Father and Mother had not mentioned it while we were at the townhouse in the royal capital, but their reaction suggested that they had given their approval too.

“Rosalia, how is this star-shaped magic tool different from the previous ones?”

“The starry sky moves on its own!”

“The starry sky…?”

“Moves…?”

Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela tilted their heads in confusion. Apparently, neither of them had seen a magic tool that moved automatically. That might mean we had created something rather dangerous. What should we do? We had even left a similar tool at the House Mulan estate.

At this point, all we could do was hope that rumours did not spread too far.

The starry sky we revealed after dinner was breathtaking—so much so that even my elder brothers were left speechless.

As we looked up, the night sky changed from moment to moment. Rosalia pointed out constellations she recognised from her picture books and explained them. Sister-in-law Daniela seemed to know the book too and was astonished that such a secret had been hidden inside the star-shaped magic tool.

The moment I returned to my room, I sent Nero out and channelled mana into my ring. Fabienne responded at once. Her quick reply made me happy; it meant she was always mindful of the ring.

“Fabienne, can you hear me? Is this a good time to talk?”

『Yes. I am alone in my room at the moment.』

“I’m glad. During dinner, the empty place beside me felt strangely lonely. I wanted to hear your voice.”

『So you felt the same way, Lord Julius? I kept glancing at the place beside me during the meal, and Father and Mother teased me about it.』

We had been together almost constantly while staying at the House Mulan estate. It had lasted only a little over a month, yet being together had already begun to feel normal. Even so, we still had a long wait before we could truly live together.

I heard soft laughter from the other side of the ring.

“Oh, by the way, Rosalia made a new star-shaped magic tool with me, and it moves on its own. You do not see many tools like that, do you?”

『Lord Julius, have you only just realised that? “Not many”? That was the first one I had ever seen.』

“Ugh, I wish you had told me sooner. We have probably created something outrageous, haven’t we?”

『Now that you mention it… What did Lord Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela say?』

“They both stared at it with their eyes wide.”

This was not good. It seemed we would have to be more cautious when creating magic tools that incorporated mechanical mechanisms. What had already been made could not be helped, though. Just in case, I asked Fabienne to keep it secret before wishing her good night.

The next morning, after finishing my early sword training, I headed to the Heine Trading Company with Brother Alex and the others. Mira came too, wagging their tail excitedly—probably expecting dried fruit as a reward.

“I’ll come to the workshop as well. I should show my face occasionally, or they might forget me.”

“I do not think that will ever happen.”

That must have been Brother Alex’s idea of a joke. Sister-in-law Daniela was coming too, which would surely raise the craftspeople’s morale. After all, a princess of the kingdom was visiting them for an inspection.

“How are things going?”

“Oh! Lord Alex, Princess Daniela, and even Lord Julius! You have all returned!”

“Yes, we arrived yesterday. I saw the glass pens you made being sold in the royal capital. I was astonished by how advanced your techniques had become.”

“Thank you very much!”

The craftspeople stopped working and gathered around us. They all looked happy, and I noticed something new in their expressions: confidence.

Perhaps, while I had been away from the Heine Margraviate, they had felt responsible for supporting the Heine Trading Company and had given their work everything they had. It seemed my visit to the House Mulan estate had produced a positive result after all.

“Lord Julius, I tried a new design. Would you take a look?”

“Lord Julius, I made a small improvement to a magic tool. I would love to hear your opinion.”

“I am thinking of making this kind of magic tool!”

“You’re certainly popular, Julius.”

Brother Alex and Sister-in-law Daniela chuckled warmly, and I laughed with them. At last, I felt some of the weight lift from my shoulders.

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