Chapter 534: Why Are You Here

To make earplugs that would fit everyone’s ears just right, we prepared as many different sizes as possible. If the size doesn’t match, your ears start hurting almost immediately, after all. I wanted—even just a little—to deliver something truly good to them.

That feeling must have reached the other craftsmen as well. And the researchers, too. Before I knew it, the researchers had joined in and were making earplugs alongside us. Naturally, Nero was helping as well. Surprisingly, he was quite deft with his hands.

“I think this should be more than enough. Thank you all so much for helping. I’ll be sure to tell everyone who’s crushing magic stones about your efforts.”

“Julius-sama, there’s no need for thanks! Thanks to you coming to this country, we’ve finally begun to see a light of hope. If there’s anything at all we can do, please don’t hesitate to tell us.”

Everyone in the workshop nodded in agreement. It made me genuinely happy. To think I had so many comrades here.

After that, as a sort of break, the conversation shifted to the Holy Sword, the legendary armor, and the Bone Dragon. I’d already heard the general story from Erwin-sama, but hearing it from a different angle offered a whole new perspective.

This time especially, the talk about the armor was incredible. When Erwin-sama told it, the Holy Sword and the Bone Dragon had taken center stage. Well, that was only natural for a boy, I suppose.

In contrast, the craftsmen and researchers were captivated by the mysterious armor that had appeared out of nowhere. Curiosity toward the unknown—that must be it. Everyone’s interests really are different.

I wanted to keep listening, but I still had a mission waiting for me: delivering the earplugs. With lingering regret tugging at my heart, I left the workshop behind.

“Let’s go back and hand out the earplugs to everyone.”

“I’m sure they’ll be delighted.”

Outside the window, the sky was steadily sinking toward dusk. I needed to hurry. I moved down the corridor at the fastest pace possible without actually running.

As I drew closer to the indoor training grounds, it seemed that the loud noises weren’t leaking outside. That would be thanks to the soundproofing magic.

“Good. Looks like we’re not bothering the neighbors. Hm? What’s with that crowd over there…?”

“What could it be?”

A group of people had gathered in one corner of the training grounds. If I remembered correctly, that was where the magic stone crushing was supposed to be happening… Did something go wrong? I was sure I’d told the knights of the Raven Kingdom that they were only there to observe.

“Um, did something happen?”

“Julius-sama, you’re back. Well, it’s just that…”

The Raven Kingdom knight averted his gaze awkwardly and looked toward the scene instead.

Erwin-sama. Erwin-sama was helping with the magic stone crushing! Why…? The reason the knights were still here was probably because they couldn’t stop him even if they wanted to. If that was the case, they should have called Sophia-sama.

“Erwin-sama! Why are you crushing magic stones?!”

When I burst in, everyone temporarily stopped their work. The noise had been tremendous. This would ruin your ears for sure. And judging by the amount piled up, far more magic stone powder had been produced than I’d expected. At this rate, we could probably conduct a purification test on the tainted land as early as tomorrow.

“Julius-sama! It’s fine, really. I made sure to get Sophia’s permission.”

“I-I see…”

It seemed Sophia-sama hadn’t been much of a stopper after all. Then maybe appealing to the king of the Raven Kingdom… no, somehow that didn’t feel like it would work either.

In that case, I needed to think differently. Wasn’t there some way to make better use of Erwin-sama?

That’s it!

“Thank you for helping. Thanks to you, Erwin-sama, the magic stone powder production is really moving along. That said, I have one suggestion…”

“Hm? What is it?”

Erwin-sama tilted his head slightly. Nero, having already sensed what I was about to say, wore a strained expression.

It’s fine, Nero. If something can be used, you should use it while you can. Otherwise, it just becomes wasted treasure.

“Could you use the Holy Sword to grind the magic stones into powder? You know, scraping them with the blade like this…”

“I see! That’s a great idea. That should improve our efficiency even further.”

It seemed to click instantly. Erwin-sama sprang into action without hesitation. The knights swiftly cleared a path for him.

No one tried to stop him. I’d expected someone to protest—something like, “You can’t use the Holy Sword for that!”—but not a single voice objected.

Seeing Erwin-sama off, I turned to the knights and announced their dismissal.

“Erwin-sama has left, so everyone else, please return to your posts as well. Come on now, quickly.”

I needed them gone before Erwin-sama came back. Even as it was, we’d already lost a fair amount of time. I didn’t want anyone saying that because I came to the Raven Kingdom, their original duties had fallen behind.

The knights dispersed reluctantly, their faces clearly unhappy. Did they really want to crush magic stones that badly? From my perspective, it didn’t look fun in the slightest.

“Phew. Good grief. Sorry for the delay. I worked with the craftsmen and researchers to make earplugs. We prepared a wide range of sizes, so please find the pair that fits your ears perfectly. You’re free to take them home with you.”

“Is that really all right? Then we’ll gladly accept.”

With that, everyone began rummaging through the earplugs, muttering things like “not this one” and “maybe this one.” Seeing them accept the gifts without hesitation made me genuinely happy. People holding back is the hardest thing to deal with.

…Right. I should probably try not to hold back myself whenever possible. It leaves a better impression that way.

“Julius-sama, you’ve already made the earplugs? And so many of them…”

Fabienne and Lionel had returned at just the right moment. Lionel was carrying a wooden box that made a light clattering sound as he walked. It was probably filled to the brim with beginner-grade stamina recovery potions.

“Welcome back, Fabienne. You made a lot of beginner stamina recovery potions too, didn’t you? Thank you.”

“It wasn’t just me. The royal court alchemists all helped as well.”

“Then I’ll have to thank everyone later.”

Even if we couldn’t fight for a full twenty-four hours straight, at least we could work without wearing gloomy expressions. Had this workplace become a little more humane? Or had it somehow become even more brutal?

“The earplugs weren’t made by me alone—the people at the workshop helped too. If you want some, Fabienne, please help yourself. There are plenty. Nero, Lionel, you too—don’t hold back.”

“Then I’ll accept gratefully.”

“I’ll take one as well.”

“What a curious shape. In that case, I shall take one too.”

Things were starting to feel rather lively. Maybe I should take one for myself, too.