Kays Translations

Chapter 127: “Thinking of an Item to Protect Mabel”

When we returned to the Demon Lord’s Castle, Mabel and I immediately announced our engagement.

The announcement was held in the throne room.

Those in attendance were Mabel and me, Chancellor Kelve, and General Reisenga.

Minotaur soldiers and elf members of the magic corps.

Also present were the clothing artisans and the dwarf kitchen staff working in the Demon Lord’s Castle.

Everyone we had connected with since coming to the Demon Lord’s domain had gathered in the throne room.

“—And so it is. The alchemist Thor Canaan has wished to be engaged to Mabel Refrain, and I—Demon Lord’s Rukie Evergard—have granted my permission.”

In front of everyone, the masked Demon Lord Rukie declared it.

That was the official stance of the Demon Lord’s domain.

Few knew the backstory—Mabel’s connection to the Marquis of Misra and the fact that this engagement was partly to protect her.

In this room, only Mabel, Rukie, Chancellor Kelve, General Reisenga, and I—along with Agnis—were aware.

Kelve had informed General Reisenga, and I had spoken with Agnis myself.

Mabel apparently spoke with Agnis afterward, too.

—At any rate, officially within the Demon Lord’s domain, this was a joyous occasion between Mabel and me.

“As you all know, Thor Canaan has already abandoned his former family name ‘Regus’. He declared so before the Empire when he defeated the ‘Magical Beast Gargarossa.’”

Rukie continued, glancing around at the attendees.

“You can understand what it means for Thor to become engaged to a girl of the Demon Lord’s domain, can you not?”

“In other words, Thor-sama has become a resident of the Demon Lord’s domain in both public and private life.”

Chancellor Kelve picked up Rukie’s words.

“Thor-sama has cast aside the Empire and his noble family name, and chosen to wed Mabel of the Demon Lord’s domain. Thor-sama is now officially one of us, someone we must protect as a resident of the Demon Lord’s domain!”

“Oooooooooooh!!”

Cheers rang through the throne room.

The minotaurs and elves clapped their hands.

From outside the windows, there was also a pachi pachi pachi sound—seems like the winged pixies had come too.

It made me happy that everyone was celebrating, but—

“…This is incredibly embarrassing.”

“…Y-Yes.”

Mabel and I whispered to each other.

Mabel’s elf ears were red right to the tips.

Mabel wore a dress that Rukie had prepared for her.

It was made of ‘Wind Magic Weave Fabric,’ so it was breathable and easy to move in. The material was light, so even small movements made the skirt flutter. The lace and ribbons were made from ‘Light Magic Weave Fabric.’ The transparent cloth added just the right accent.

Mabel, who’s already adorable, looked even more mystical than usual. It was amazing.

As for me, I was dressed in formal noble attire.

It was what I had worn when I left the Empire, though the jacket had been newly tailored from ‘Dark Magic Weave Fabric.’ The use of darkness symbolized that I had been “dyed in the colors of the Demon Lord’s domain.”

This jacket signified that I had cast off the garb of the Empire and donned that of the Demon Lord’s domain.

As everyone in the throne room watched Mabel and me—

“Congratulations! Thor-sama, Mabel-sama!”

“Thor-sama is already one of our own in the Demon Lord’s domain!”

“Do you know how many times his magical items have helped us?!”

“The one who brings happiness to us all will now bring happiness to Mabel next!”

“There’s no greater joy than this. We must spread this news throughout the Demon Lord’s domain!”

—They offered their blessings with all their hearts.

It was embarrassing… but still, I was really happy.

That I was engaged to Mabel. That I had formally abandoned the Empire and become part of the Demon Lord’s domain.

It made me incredibly happy that everyone was celebrating that.

“…Still incredibly embarrassing, though.”

“…Y-Yes, it is.”

Throughout the engagement announcement, Mabel and I held hands the whole time.

Rukie, seeing that, seemed to be smiling wryly.

When I looked over at the others… General Reisenga had a satisfied smile on his face.

Beside him, Agnis nodded. When I glanced sideways, Mabel nodded back at Agnis… Oh?

“…Mabel, what’s wrong?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Mabel gave a little evasive smile.

“…I’ll tell you later. But before that… there’s something I need to discuss with the other girls.”

“…Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“…I see.”

If it’s a secret between girls, I guess it can’t be helped.

Knowing Mabel, she’ll tell me everything properly afterward.

Satisfied, I turned back to Rukie.

Rukie waited for the cheers to die down and looked around.

As she cast her gaze, the attendees fell silent once more.

“Princess Sophia of the Empire has already been informed about Thor and Mabel’s engagement.”

After a short pause, Rukie continued.

“Sooner or later, the Empire will respond. But Thor is no longer of the Empire. He is Thor Canaan, the alchemist under the direct command of Demon Lord Rukie Evergard! Let no one forget that. Understood!?”

“””Understood!”””

“Good. Then once again, let us celebrate the engagement of Thor and Mabel!”

Again, everyone cheered.

And so, with the blessings of everyone in the Demon Lord’s domain, the engagement announcement came to an end—

Mabel and I withdrew to our room.

“…Finally, things have settled down, huh.”

“…Y-yes.”

Me and Mabel returned to the room.

Just the two of us.

No, even before this, whenever we did alchemist work, it was just the two of us in the room.

But ever since the engagement announcement… somehow, I feel like the atmosphere in the room has changed.

The engagement with Mabel is partly to protect her as a member of the ‘Marquis Misra family.’

But it’s also true that I consider Mabel family.

That’s why I decided to always be with her.

From now on, Mabel will be my fiancée, my caretaker, and my alchemy assistant.

I’ll have to slowly get used to this new relationship.

“…It feels strange,”

Mabel muttered that beside me in the chair.

“Even though being with Thor-sama like this is usual… somehow, my face feels hot… huh. Huh? Huh?”

“…Yeah,”

We exchanged gazes quietly.

Still uneasy.

Maybe it’s because the lingering excitement from the engagement ceremony remains, even while talking, the topic ends up being about the engagement.

Thinking back on the lively ceremony… makes me restless.

This is troublesome.

Well, it can’t be helped. In times like this—

“Anyway, let’s prepare to make an item for Mabel.”

“Y-yes, let’s do that.”

—So, we decided to begin the alchemy work.

“We’re tired from today’s engagement announcement event, so let’s just decide the plan for now.”

“Yes, Thor-sama.”

“And about Mabel’s ‘Water Spirit Stone Pendant’—”

I spoke while looking at the pendant shining on Mabel’s chest.

“I’m thinking of making a cover to hide the pendant so that the secret of Mabel’s birth won’t be discovered. Since it’s important, I plan to use all available materials.”

Mabel’s ‘Water Spirit Stone Pendant’ shows she is connected to the ‘Marquis Misra family.’

If anyone in the Empire notices that, it would be bad.

So, I will make a cover to hide the pendant.

I plan to incorporate magic items into the cover to protect Mabel.

“That’s why I want to use the ‘Rainbow Magic Stone’ that we got from Rukie-sama for the cover.”

“I-Is that alright? That’s such a precious item…”

“Of course. I think an item made with that magic stone will definitely protect Mabel.”

I took out the ‘Rainbow Magic Stone’ from the ‘Ultra-Small Simple Storage.’

The ‘Rainbow Magic Stone’ has all attributes and has the characteristic of changing.

By using the ‘all attributes’ and ‘changing’ characteristics, you can make a very powerful magic item. It’s perfect for protecting Mabel.

“I’m thinking to give the pendant the ability of a ‘security buzzer.'”

I said.

“That can stop the movement of enemies. If built into the pendant, it should be useful in an emergency.”

“The ‘security buzzer’ did stop the giant centipede’s movement…”

“That’s right. Also, if used in ‘Nosa Town,’ it can call Isaac and the others. Princess Sophia is on our side, so I think she will lend her help.”

“It’s the best item for self-defense.”

“Then, is it alright to give the pendant cover the ‘security buzzer’ function?”

“Yes. Please do, Thor-sama.”

“Got it. Then, the other ability is—”

“…W-wait a moment, Thor-sama.”

Suddenly, Mabel raised her hand and stopped me.

She looked at me with a curious expression.

“What’s wrong, Mabel?”

“If the pendant cover has multiple functions, wouldn’t it get too big? Also, since the pendant will be stored in the ‘Ultra-Small Simple Storage,’ I think it doesn’t need too many amazing functions…”

“Huh? The pendant will be made so Mabel can wear it normally.”

“R-Really?”

“Because the ‘Water Spirit Stone Pendant’ is a family keepsake for Mabel. In that case, it’s natural she wants to wear it all the time.”

I am an alchemist.

I will make it so that protecting Mabel and allowing her to wear the family keepsake can both be realized. My goal is to surpass the world of heroes, so I have to be able to do that much.

“B-But just making the ‘security buzzer’ alone requires a lot of magic stones, right? And to add new functions on top of that…”

“I think Rukie-sama gave me the ‘Rainbow Magic Stone’ so I could do that.”

I held the ‘Rainbow Magic Stone’ in my hand.

The ‘Rainbow Magic Stone’ changes its color every few seconds, from white, black, yellow, blue—

This magic stone holds all attributes: light, darkness, earth, water, fire, wind.

An alchemist can process it to draw out any attribute they like.

“The ‘Rainbow Magic Stone’ has two special functions.”

“Two?”

“One is that the ‘Rainbow Magic Stone’ possesses all attributes. So this stone can absorb magic power of light, darkness, earth, water, fire, and wind. And by using alchemy, it can release that as ‘magic power of a certain attribute.'”

“…Huh?”

Mabel’s eyes widened.

“So that means… the ‘Rainbow Magic Stone’ has a magic conversion function?”

“Exactly. In other words, it can use an enormous amount of magic power.”

Normal magic stones can only absorb magic of their specific attribute.

For example, a ‘Fire Magic Stone’ only absorbs fire magic power found in nature.

When the magic power within the stone is used up, it absorbs fire magic from the surroundings again.

But the ‘Rainbow Magic Stone’ has all attributes.

So it can absorb magic power of all attributes existing in nature simultaneously.

Moreover, the ‘Rainbow Magic Stone’ can transform into any attribute magic stone.

It can release the magic power it absorbed as fire magic as a ‘Fire Magic Stone.’

That means it can absorb magic power of ‘light, darkness, earth, water, fire, wind’ and release it as fire magic.

Absorbing all magic power and releasing it as one kind of magic power — that is the first characteristic of the ‘Rainbow Magic Stone.’

“Amazing. That’s why the ‘Rainbow Magic Stone’ is a treasured item.”

“The amazing part is from here. When I ‘appraise and understand’ it, I found that the ‘Rainbow Magic Stone’ has the characteristic of ‘changing.'”

“Meaning it can freely change its shape?”

“That’s right. So when you use the ‘Rainbow Magic Stone,’ you can add the ‘changing’ characteristic to the material. Look, the ‘Rainbow Magic Stone’ looks like clay, right?”

I pinched the “Rainbow Magic Stone” between my fingers and showed it to Mabel.

“What do you think would happen if we used metal with the property of ‘changing’ for the cover of Mabel’s pendant?”

“Um… Since the pendant cover would change… Eh… No way!?”

“Yeah. The pendant cover would transform into a ‘security buzzer.’”

This is the feature of the “Rainbow Magic Stone.”

It has a high magic absorption rate and can handle various kinds of magical power. Therefore, magic items can be miniaturized.

It can change the shape of the material itself. Therefore, a magic item can have multiple functions.

—It’s an amazing ability, but of course, there are limits.

For example, the size of the material itself cannot be changed.

It’s impossible to make a small pendant cover transform into a large “simple storage” unit.

To make that possible, you would need metal equivalent to that used for the “simple storage.”

But if you did that, the pendant cover would become heavy.

Furthermore, transformation cannot be done infinitely.

I don’t know for sure until I actually try, but I think the number of functions that can be given with the “Rainbow Magic Stone” is about two.

The current “Rainbow Magic Stone” has all attributes but no functions.

It can become anything, but right now, it is nothing.

An alchemist narrows down that potential and gives it functions.

For example, into a “security buzzer.” Or into a “laser pointer.”

—That’s how you use the “Rainbow Magic Stone.”

Using that “Rainbow Magic Stone,” I will make the cover for Mabel’s pendant.

I will give it the function of a “security buzzer” and one more function.

So that when needed, it can protect Mabel.

“…As I thought, Thor-sama, you’re amazing.”

Mabel said that and took my hand.

“I… really wanted to wear my mother’s pendant, too. For you to understand that…”

“Because it’s Mabel, of course. I think about it a lot, too.”

“…Thor-sama.”

“Well, about the second function. I want Mabel to choose it.”

I spread out a “mail order catalog” on the table.

“For me?”

Mabel looked surprised.

“B-but… I can’t read the letters in this book…”

“Yes. So I want you to look at the pictures and pick by intuition.”

Mabel’s spontaneous ideas always help me.

This time, I want to leave it to her.

This pendant cover is something to carry as a keepsake of Mabel’s family.

Choosing based on function might be less meaningful than choosing based on Mabel’s feelings.

Anyway, with the “security buzzer” function, it’s enough to protect Mabel—adding a second function is more like my personal preference.

“Okay, I understand.”

“You can take your time looking. There’s no rush to make it.”

“…Yes.”

Saying that, Mabel began turning the pages.

There was a pause for a while.

While drinking tea, I once again “appraised” the “Rainbow Magic Stone.”

This “Rainbow Magic Stone” can be set with six attributes. It’s enough to make the “security buzzer.” The cover’s material should be light and gentle on the skin, I guess. And then—

“…Thor-sama, what about this?”

Suddenly, Mabel poked my hand.

She grabbed my hand and guided it onto the “mail order catalog.”

Somehow, it felt natural, so I looked at what Mabel was looking at.

What was pictured was—

“A ‘hair dryer’?”

“Yes. It seems to be a magic item to make hair beautiful.”

In the “mail order catalog,” there was a picture of a woman who looked like she had just gotten out of the bath.

Her long hair floated softly, and she closed her eyes with a comfortable expression.

She was holding a strangely shaped tube.

Wind was coming out of it, apparently drying her hair.

“Since Lord Thor chose the item for protecting me, I want… an item to keep me beautiful.”

“Mabel, you’re already beautiful enough, though?”

“B-but, the woman in this photo has very beautiful hair—”

“Mabel’s silver hair is more beautiful, though?”

“…Thor-sama, sometimes you say things like that with a straight face…”

“Eh? Because it’s the truth.”

“…………Thank you.”

“But if Mabel’s hair will become even more beautiful, making a ‘hair dryer’ is fine, right?”

Just as Mabel thought, this “hair dryer” is for making a woman’s hair beautiful.

The “mail order catalog” even says, “With the latest model hair dryer, smooth and shiny hair”—hmm?

“This page… some letters have disappeared here and there.”

“That’s right. There are marks like the paper was scraped off.”

“Because it’s old, the pages seem to have stuck together. The previous owner forcibly peeled them apart. That’s why some letters are missing.”

Let’s try reading only the parts we can. Um──

────────────

With our company’s latest technology dryer, for glossy and smooth hair!

Lately, haven’t you experienced your hair──?

This dryer will solve your──.

Just by using it after a bath, even long hair dries quickly. With our company’s unique── manufacturing method, it protects your hair.

What’s especially excellent is the highest-grade negative── ion.

As everyone knows, negative── ions are included in various devices.

They enhance── and protect the body──.

──smooth── glossy.

────── peace of mind.

Definitely────

────────────

“…I see.”

There’s no doubt this is a magic item good for hair.

You can tell even from the parts that are readable.

But──

“What exactly is this ‘negative── ion’?”

“‘Negative── ion’?”

“Yes, that term exists. But the middle part is missing, so I don’t know what it is.”

Moreover, the word is split at the line break.

Because of that, I can’t tell how many characters are missing.

Since it says “as everyone knows,” I think it must be a well-known term.

“The key is the word ‘negative.’”

“That appeared in the otherworldly hero’s line. ‘Negative’… something.”

“I know it too. But they used it as a combat term.”

“Absolute zero! At temperatures below minus 200 degrees, your bones will freeze solid!”

“The negative cold air freezes the atmosphere. It creates an ice wall before me!”

Referring to those lines──

“I think this ‘negative── ion’ is actually ‘negative teion (low temperature).’”

“I agree.”

Negative teion── ‘low temperature.’ Of course, it means a low temperature.

The reason it’s written as ‘teion’ (low temperature) rather than ‘low temperature’ is probably because it’s imagining an attack magic.

In other words, this ‘dryer’ not only dries hair but also has a function to generate cold air like ‘Ice Storm.’

“But, Thor-sama, this is an item for drying hair, right?”

“That’s right. Normally, there’s no need for an ‘Ice Storm’-like function.”

“Yes. To wash your hair you have to be naked or lightly dressed. Being in such a state means you should be in a safe place. So why would it have a function for attack…?”

“I understand why Mabel doubts that.”

But this ‘dryer’ is an item from the hero world.

You need to think about it based on the common sense of that world where the strongest combat races live.

“But, how about thinking about it the other way?”

“The other way?”

“Since you use the ‘dryer’ after washing your hair, you’re either naked or lightly dressed. So you’re defenseless, right? That’s exactly why it might need a function to protect you in case of emergency.”

“──Ah.”

Mabel’s eyes widened.

She nodded repeatedly, seeming convinced.

“Y-You’re right. When washing hair, you’re defenseless… so even in that state, the ‘dryer’ has combat functions to protect the user!?”

“Because it’s an item from the hero world, such precautions might have been necessary.”

“So that’s what ‘negative teion’ means?”

“Yes. I think that’s the true identity of ‘negative── ion.’ But… I want a little more certainty.”

I flipped through the pages of the ‘mail order catalog.’

“I’ll also look for any other pages where ‘Negative––Ion’ might be written. That way, we might figure out what the missing characters say.”

“Understood. Then, I––”

“Mabel, could you make some tea? If you push yourself too hard, Rukie-sama will get mad. Let’s relax and look while sipping tea.”

“Got it. Please wait a moment.”

Saying that, Mabel left the room and headed to the kitchen.

I decided to carefully examine the ‘mail-order catalog.’

I hope there are other items with the term ‘Negative––Ion.’

Because it’s a word that hasn’t appeared in any of the items made so far.

I hope I find it soon––

“…Huh?”

There it was.

And it was on the page opposite the ‘Hair Dryer.’

It seemed to be an item called ‘Air Purifier.’

But… this is troublesome.

This page was the other half attached to the ‘Hair Dryer’ page.

So this one also had peeled paper, and the text was gone.

Instead of ‘Negative––Ion,’ it read ‘Mai────n.’

It’s even harder to understand now. What a pain.

“Well, it can’t be helped. Let’s try to infer from the function of this ‘Air Purifier.’”

I turned my eyes to the description of the ‘Air Purifier.’

I didn’t need detailed information.

I just needed to understand the power of ‘Mai––n.’ Umm…

“…The ‘Air Purifier’ uses the power of ‘Mai––n’ to clean the air, huh.”

Specifically, it seemed to utilize ‘Mai––n’ to deal with microorganisms.

If that’s the case… the true identity of ‘Mai––n’ is highly likely to be ‘Minus Ion.’

‘Ice Storm’ is a low-temperature storm that freezes large numbers of insects and birds.

By the same logic, Chili could freeze microorganisms—small living things—and neutralize them.

There are almost no organisms that can survive in such extreme cold.

“…But is it really okay to say it’s ‘Negative Ion’?”

What should I do—

If I check through the ‘mail-order catalog’ one by one, I might be able to grasp the true identity of ‘Negative––Ion.’ But that would take time.

My goal is to protect Mabel.

In this case, it’s not that important to make it resemble the items from the hero’s world.

If I add the abilities of the ‘Water Spirit Stone Pendant,’ the ‘Security Alarm,’ and the ‘Hair Dryer’ that manipulates ‘Negative Low Temperature,’ the goal of protecting Mabel will be achieved.

Stopping movement with the voice of ‘Officer!’ and hitting with a wind of ‘Negative Low Temperature’ will neutralize most opponents.

In that case––

“Let’s think while making it. Yeah.”

Or rather, I want to start fiddling with the ‘Rainbow Magic Stone’ soon.

I’m excited to see what kind of effect the ‘Change’ attribute will manifest.

Of course, I’ll add a function to the ‘Hair Dryer’ to send a gentle breeze to dry Mabel’s hair.

Using the ‘Rainbow Magic Stone,’ it should be possible to make it small but high-powered.

I drew the design of a ‘Pendant Cover’ that doubles as a ‘Security Alarm’ and ‘Hair Dryer’ on parchment.

This time, portability needs to be considered.

I have to design it carefully.

While I was thinking like that––

“I’m back, Thor-sama.”

“Ah, sorry for intruding––”

The door to the room opened, and Mabel entered with… huh? Agnis was with her.

Mabel was holding Agnis’s hand, which was bright red.

Agnis was wearing a dress made of ‘Earth Magic Woven Fabric.’

General Reisenga said, “Let’s show everyone in the castle that Agnis can wear cute clothes now!”

Agnis looked down and tightly held Mabel’s hand.

She didn’t try to meet my gaze.

Mabel pushed Agnis’s back gently and made her stand in front of me.

“Agnis-sama wants to convey a proposal from General Reisenga.”

“M-Mabel!?”

“There’s no need to hesitate. I… certainly agree with the general’s proposal.”

“…Oh, Mabel, you’re such a trouble––”

Agnis poked Mabel in a troubled manner.

Then she looked at me, cleared her throat, and––

“I will convey a proposal from Agnis’s father… Reisenga Freizad, to you, Thor Canaan.”

With a nervous voice, trembling,

“If you’re reluctant… you can refuse. Um––”

And so, Agnis spoke the proposal from the general.

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