Chapter 15: Rubber

“What’s the matter, you called me out of the blue. I’m busy with my research, what’s that?”

“Will this do, Master?”

“Oh, thank you, Galatea.”

After sending Chris off, I went with Galatea to visit Bowman in his workshop. Following my instructions, she put the wood she had cut on the floor.

I really wanted to talk to him outside, but he was working with the furnace all the time, so I had to come here.

“I want to talk to you about something. I’ve started to do business with the Harrison Chamber of Commerce, but I hear the roads are bad. I’m thinking of improving the wheels for the wagons.”

“Oh, you’re right, that road’s no better than a beast’s path. So it’s difficult for wheels made out of wood. You can make wheels out of iron, but they’re strong but heavy, so they’re not convenient for horses to pull. Oh, you mean you want me to quickly make a wheel out of aluminum alloy? You’re a hard man to please.”

Bowman chuckled at my words. I did think about metal wheels, but that’s not what I’m looking for right now. I pointed to the wood Galatea had brought with her and explained.

“No, I’ll ask for that at some point, but for now I want you to prioritize this. We’re going to use it to make a new material.”

“This is a rubber tree. How do you use it? Even if I made a wheel out of it, it wouldn’t be very good.”

“Oh, I don’t intend to use it as wood. We’ll use its sap. The World Library taught me how to use it.”

I use the “World Library” while touching the sap dripping from the severed part.

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Rubber Sap The sap that overflows from a rubber tree. The solidified sap can be used to make rubber balls, erasers, etc and by adding acid and heat, elasticity can be increased and various products can be produced.

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It’s probably because my understanding of the other world has improved after touching the aluminum alloy. I was able to gain more knowledge of the other world from the World Library than I did when I touched the rubber tree before.

“I see.  Master intends to make tires.”

“You’re right Galatea. This rubber sap becomes more elastic when it’s heated with acid. I’ve asked Vigna to get some slime for the acid.”

“Hmm, I guess you’re all set. An elastic material. Sounds like a lot of fun. It can be used for a variety of things. Are you going to wrap that rubber around the wheel?”　

Hearing my words, Bowman replied happily. As expected, he had an idea of what a tire would look like from the conversation between me and Galatea.

“The existence of this will change the world. Rubber can be used in many other ways. It will be possible to invent all sorts of things for daily necessities.”

“That’s right, it’s useful, but it’s a little plain, isn’t it?” 

I grinned as Bowman replied. It’s certainly not as flashy as mithril alloys or potatoes that restore magic power.

But that’s not what’s important. There’s a big reason why I chose rubber.

“You’re wrong Bowman. I want to make it so that anyone can make this without using Souzi’s furnace. Theoretically, it could be made with technology from this world.”

“Anyone can? Are you sure about that? That’s not going to give us a territorial advantage.”

“I don’t care. The Harrison Chamber of Commerce needs to get stronger. Besides, if I have my “World Library”, my god-like mind, and your manufacturing capabilities, I know we can make something even better than rubber. And rubber is unlikely to be used in battle.”

“Bakamon (fool), even though you’re a kid, you use your mind in such strange ways. I don’t really care though.”

“Master, Bowman-san. Vigna-san has returned.”

When I said that, Bowman’s face twisted for a moment as if he was remembering the past. Oh no, I slipped up. Perhaps out of concern for me, Galatea calls out to us. Nice assist, Galatea-chan, seriously nice Galatea!

“I’m back. This box is amazing. It really doesn’t dissolve even with slime acid.”

“Mithril’s very strong. And my mapping skills are accurate, right? The slimes must have been where I marked them to be. I looked at their habitat and the geography of the area, then I targeted them.”

“Hai hai, you’re amazing. Even so, what’re you going to use this for?”

Having said that, Vigna was holding a small box made of mithril alloy which she brought into the workshop. How will I explain it to her? She’ll sulk if she feels left out.

“I can’t help it. I’ll explain it to you, you stupid muscle brain.”

“What? I’ll cut it out. Just use it quickly. You’re the one who’s thinking up all these great ideas right? I don’t care if I don’t understand.”

What is she going to cut out? Isn’t this girl too scary? And she doesn’t even want to listen to the explanation anymore. However, I can see that she trusts me from her expression. If so, I have to succeed. 

“We’ve got all the ingredients, Bowman, Galatea, let’s do it.”

“Yes, I’m on it.”

“So it’s an experiment Master. I’ll do my best to help.”

And so our rubber tire creation began.

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