Kays Translations

Chapter 6: Trash Magic Stone with No Element

In Ethersia, there are no electric streetlights, and indoor lighting isn't very bright, so nights in Ethersia tend to be early. By the way, the lamp-like lights in the rooms are one of the "magic tools" called magic devices. These devices use magic power stored in stones called "magic stones" to generate energy, functioning somewhat like battery-powered household appliances.

Early nights also mean early mornings. Bright daylight is precious, so activities begin as soon as the sun starts to rise. Isamu had woken up to a knock at his door around the time it was starting to get slightly bright outside, just like the previous day. Despite having consumed a fair amount of alcohol last night, he felt quite comfortable upon waking up.

"Good morning."

Isamu descended to the same dining room on the first floor as the previous night and greeted everyone while having breakfast. He fetched a meal for Orihime from the kitchen and placed it at her feet.

Last night, he had checked if there was any unseasoned meat or fish available. He had found a piece of meat from a large bird-like monster called "Spike Goose," and he had requested to have the low-fat portion boiled. He also tried some, and it tasted similar to white duck meat and was quite delicious. Orihime seemed to be enjoying it as well.

"Isamu-dono, good morning."

While observing Orihime at his feet, Isamu heard a voice. When he looked up, he saw Felix with a tray sitting at the opposite seat.

"Good morning, Felix-san."

During the drinking party last night, Isamu had learned that in this place, it's common to address each other by first names among friends, so he had requested to be called by his first name. He was pleased to hear his name being used so promptly.

"Felix-san, where will we be passing through today?"

"In the first half, we'll continue through the rocky plains similar to yesterday. Around noon, the rocks will gradually decrease, and in the afternoon, we'll reach the edge of the wetland area. Then, in the evening, we'll arrive at a town along the highway, where we'll stay for the night. The highways are well maintained, and the weather seems fine, so I believe it will be a comfortable journey."

"Oh, there's a wetland area. Are there many aquatic monsters there?"

"It's a large wetland area called Fotura Wetlands, and it's a place we always pass through when heading to the northern regions from the capital. In the central area, as you've guessed, there are dangerous aquatic monsters, but fortunately, we'll only be skirting the wetlands on our way to Klaufeldt Territory. While the humidity might be slightly higher and the vegetation type may change a bit, it won't feel like we're traveling through a wetland area. Ah, the Spike Goose that Orihime-chan is eating is one of fotura's representative monsters."

"I see. So, it seems we might be able to get the same meat at the inn tonight."

Once breakfast was over, preparations for departure began. While everyone else was getting ready, Isamu was doing something different with Rudolf.

"If you have a few changes of undergarments and clothes, you should be good for now."

"Thank you. I realized yesterday that I didn't have any spare clothes, so I was wondering what to do. This helps a lot."

"No, I should have prepared for it yesterday. I apologize for the inconvenience."

Isamu had gone shopping for new clothes. This morning, Felix had told him that they would only be stopping in smaller towns ahead of Salz Town, so he had hurried to make the request.

In Ethersia, clothes are primarily tailored, and there are hardly any ready-made clothes. Instead, there are thrift stores in moderately large towns, and the store he visited was a thrift shop as well. He bought several tunics and pants, as well as a vest to wear over them, an overcoat, and a cloth bag to put them in. He also selected some undergarments and quickly changed into the new clothes.

"They look good on you."

It felt like he had taken another step toward getting closer to this world.

Contrary to the chaotic first day, the journey afterward was peaceful. On the second day, they successfully passed through the wetland area. On the third day, they crossed grasslands with a bit more greenery. Finally, the fourth day brought them through hilly terrain. From here to the capital, it was all uphill.

While in the carriage, Isamu was asking Annemarie about Klaufeldt Territory. Orihime seemed to be bothered by the scent of his new clothes, as she kept rubbing her body against them, and Annemarie, watching him with envy, answered his questions.

"I see. Klaufeldt's main source of income is the non-attribute magic stones and the assembly of magic devices that use them."

"Yes. However, non-attribute magic stones, as the name suggests, lack any specific attribute, and their applications are quite limited, making them considerably less valuable. People sometimes refer to them as ‘Trash magic stones.'"

"Is that so?"

"Yes, indeed. We started this as a last resort because the production and export of non-attribute magic stones alone were not viable. There was the idea that one could use the magic power from non-attribute magic stones to perform magic, but it turned out to be a failure. The magic power extracted from one's own body and that from non-attribute magic stones simply didn't mix, and the magic wouldn't activate. We continued researching it for a while, but no matter how hard we tried, it was concluded that human magic power and non-attribute magic stone magic power were fundamentally different."

In Ethersia, there are rare mines that produce stones filled with magical energy known as "magic stones." Typically, these magic stones contain the magic power of some attribute, like fire magic stones or water magic stones.

Tools embedded with these magic stones, taking advantage of their magic properties, are known as magic instruments and are traded at high prices. For example, the magic lighting in Isamu’s room that used the light magic stone he possessed is a straightforward example. It is also possible to embed fire magic stones in swords to create flaming magic swords.

Due to their various applications, regions that produce magic stones are usually wealthy. However, there is an exception, which is the attribute-less magic stones that are exclusively produced in the Klaufeldt territory.

As the name suggests, these magic stones contain pure magic without any attributes. Initially, when Isamu heard about them, he thought they might be versatile for things like transformation or as a substitute for one's own magic power. However, it turned out that this was not the case.

Others apparently had similar thoughts, as they initially attempted to use the magic of the attribute-less magic stones to cast spells. However, the results were unsuccessful. The magic extracted from their own internal magic power did not mix with the magic from the attribute-less magic stones, and the spells did not activate.

Research continued for a while, but they were unable to find a way to use them. Ultimately, they concluded that human magic power and the magic power of attribute-less magic stones were fundamentally different entities.

The next attempt was to convert non-attribute magic stones into other attribute stones. If that could be achieved, one stone could replace all other attribute stones, which would be incredibly convenient.

However, this also proved to be unsuccessful. Magic devices consist of a power source, which is the magic stone, a magic circle to control and materialize the magic, and the main body with various functions. For example, in the case of a magic lighting device, it takes the magic power of light from the light magic stone, transforms it into a form of light magic via the magic circle, and materializes it within a lamp-shaped device with a reflector.

The first method attempted was mixing the magic power extracted from non-attribute magic stones with other magic powers, much like mixing paint into water.

However, they couldn't even mix them; they repelled each other like water and oil.

The next attempt was to add the non-attribute magic power to a magic circle that was already working. However, just like when they tried to mix the magic power, they couldn't flow multiple attributes of magic power into a single magic circle.

Afterward, they tried various approaches but all failed. In the end, the non-attribute magic stone was found to be practically useless, serving only as a power source for activating magic devices, ink for drawing magic circles, and practice material for sensing magic power. Moreover, there was limited demand for these functions, and since they could be replaced by attribute magic stones, it was difficult to raise the price.

"I see... It doesn't seem to be going well. You switched to assembly work only because you have the materials for the magic circle and the power source at hand, right?"

"That's correct. The cost of transportation is determined by weight. It's not cost-effective to transport cheap non-attribute magic stones when they're abundant. So, it's more efficient to take on the task of writing the magic circle and inserting the non-attribute magic stone as a set in exchange for assembly work. That's why most of our work revolves around assembling."

"...When we arrive in the capital, could you show me the process of assembly and drawing magic circles?"

"Yes, of course."

"Thank you. Actually, my job in my original world was somewhat similar to designing and creating magic circles here. I thought I might be able to contribute in some way."

Although strictly speaking, I'm a system engineer, so I don't draw circuit diagrams. However, both involve "control," and there should be many shared elements such as algorithms.

"Oh, really!? Did your world also have magic devices?"

"We didn't have magic, so we didn't have magic devices, but we had things we could do and ways of thinking that were quite similar. We had tools for lighting and refrigerating things, and devices that allowed you to communicate with people far away."

As I said that, I remembered. Since I came here during a drinking party, I had almost nothing with me except for a wristwatch.

"Unfortunately, I came here during a meal, so I only have one thing with me..."

I showed my left wristwatch.

"This is a tool for knowing the time."

"That's right. I thought this was a strange bracelet. How do you use it?"

"In my world, we divided the day into 24 equal parts and expressed the time as a number indicating what part of the day it is, which became a universally shared rule. For example, if we said 'Let's meet at the 10th part,' everyone would be able to meet at the same time. This tool here tells you what part of the day it is. As you can see, it's divided into 12 parts, and the short hand points to the current time. Oh, right now, it's around the third and fourth parts."

"Amazing... This is an incredibly useful tool. With this, you can know the exact time even on a dark night when the sun isn't out."

"Yes, but unfortunately, I don't know the precise way to make watches. There are many other tools I have from my world that might be useful here, and I'd like to see if I can adapt them. I want to make new magic devices that only we can create in the Klaufeldt territory. Making those devices is another goal of mine."

"Magic devices that only we can create... That's wonderful!"

"I don't know how long it will take or if I can even create such things, but I want to do my best."

At last, I could see a path where I could use my abilities and perhaps repay the favor. It was the moment a small flame ignited in my heart.

The carriage continued to advance, and in the late afternoon, a forest came into view beyond the gentle hilly terrain.

Due to the terrain's continuous slope from the hills, the forest appeared to be more like mountain woods. 

"From that forest onward, it becomes the Klaufeldt territory. As you can see, there are many trees, and the land here lacks flat terrain, so it's not suitable for agriculture."

Annemarie explains, looking a little sad.

Today we will spend our last night in a town just before the forest.

Tomorrow evening, we plan to arrive at Klaufendamm, the capital of Viscounty Klaufeldt’s territory located in the forest.

While listening to the explanation, Isamu felt a sense of discomfort and asked. 

Did she say inside the forest, not beyond the forest? Am I not mistaken?

"In the forest, you say?"

"That's right, in the forest. Originally, there was a large depression surrounded by the forest with hardly any trees growing there. After investigating, a magic stone mine was found, which marked the beginning of Klauffendam.” 

I didn't hear it wrong. It looks like a town located right in the middle of the forest.

“So that’s how it is…”

“Yes. According to legend, it's also said that a fallen star from the sky landed there. Since then, while digging for magic stones, they gradually expanded the surrounding forest and enlarged the city. Even though they're non-attribute magic stones, magic stones are magical stones. This is a place where stability in mining them is appreciated, and that's why we were awarded a territory, starting with the first generation. There is still a lot of room for expansion, but if we expand the border with the forest any further, security won't be able to keep up, so it's currently on hold.” 

However, despite the fact that there's quite a deep forest, the number of monsters has not been significantly high since ancient times. Rather, that's why it's been said that they turned it into a city even by cutting down the forest because there were few monsters. But even if there are few, and even if they're not monsters, wolves and bears, for example, may attack people when they're hungry. So, they have to protect the residents from such threats, and since they can't increase the number of soldiers further with the current population, their current goal is to develop the city and increase the population.

Annamarie's strong words left a lasting impression on Isamu.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter