Kays Translations

Chapter 143: “Testing the Effects of the Lotion (Part 2)”

—Meanwhile, in Noza Town—

This was the reception room of Princess Sophia’s residence in Noza Town.

After the completion of the lotion, I made an appointment to meet with Princess Sophia.

Agnis and I visited Noza Town, showed the “MAX Silky Smooth Lotion Premium” to Princess Sophia and Dorothy-sama, and explained its effects.

Princess Sophia was impressed, but Dorothy-sama seemed a bit skeptical.

So, we decided to have her actually try it out first.

We dropped a diluted version of the “MAX Silky Smooth Lotion Premium” on the back of Lady Dorothy’s hand to check if it suited her skin.

After confirming there were no issues, we handed her the whole bottle.

After that, Dorothy-sama moved to a separate room to use the lotion more thoroughly, and then—

“This… this is! What a wonderful sensation!”

—As soon as she returned, Dorothy cried out in delight.

“I must apologize for doubting you earlier, Alchemist-sama!”

And she did so while kneeling formally.

Dorothy deeply bowed her head, then smoothly slipped into a formal kneeling posture.

In the Heroes’ world, this was the deeply respectful posture known as “dogeza”—kneeling with one’s forehead against the floor.

“This lotion has solved my worries! The areas that used to itch when I wore clothes now feel completely fine. No tingling, no prickling. It’s wonderful!”

“Alright, alright. You don’t need to kneel like that.”

“Y-Yes…”

Dorothy stood up.

Then, spreading her arms wide in front of me, she said:

“As an apology, I’ll offer myself as your test subject, Alchemist-sama. Please, go ahead and tickle me!”

“…Excuse me?”

“W-Well, according to Her Highness, you always personally confirm the effects of your magical items.”

“Yes, I did mention that,” Princess Sophia nodded in response to Dorothy-sama’s words.

“During your meetings with the Demon Lord and the magical-beast investigation, you personally stood at the front and verified the effectiveness of your creations. I told Dorothy-sama all about your courage.”

“So please, verify the effect of this lotion using me.”

Dorothy said this with sparkling eyes.

In other words, “Please tickle me,” apparently.

It seems Dorothy-sama was genuinely moved by the effects of the “MAX Silky Smooth Lotion Premium.”

She must have really struggled with sensitive skin.

She had trained hard to sharpen her detection ability, and the resulting sensitivity had made ordinary contact painful. I could hardly imagine how difficult that must have been.

Moreover, Dorothy-sama is the younger sister of the next Archduke.

For someone of such high status to offer herself as my test subject shows serious determination.

Honestly, I respect her for it.

And for me, having Dorothy-sama as a test subject is helpful.

If she’s that ticklish, she’s the perfect person to confirm the lotion’s effectiveness.

I was also curious about exactly how the lotion had changed her skin. I should respect her determination and conduct the test properly—

“Yes! That experiment will be conducted by Agnis, Thor-sama’s loyal aide!”

—Just as I was thinking that, Agnis suddenly raised her hand.

“Things like that should be done by Agnis. Otherwise, Her Majesty or Mabel would get mad!”

“Is that so?”

“It’s so!”

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

“And also…”

Agnis leaned in close to whisper in my ear.

“Her Highness Princess Sophia is standing behind Dorothy-sama with the lotion bottle in hand… It’s really bothering me. It’s like she’s saying, ‘I’m next.’”

“…True.”

When I looked in that direction, Princess Sophia quickly hid the bottle behind her back.

She wore a calm smile, but there was definitely something scheming about it.

“If Thor-sama were to tickle Dorothy-sama, and then Her Highness said, ‘Now it’s my turn,’ it would be hard to refuse. That would be very dangerous…”

“As expected of Agnis. A strategic mind straight from General Raisenga.”

“No, this isn’t a strategy or tactic. It’s a girl’s intuition.”

“…Intuition?”

“If I were in the same position, I’d be lining up behind Dorothy-sama, too—n-no, anyway, I believe it’s best for Agnis to conduct the experiment.”

“Got it. Then I’ll leave it to you, Agnis.”

And so, Agnis gently tickled Dorothy-sama to test the lotion.

Dorothy-sama stood with her arms spread wide, eyes closed, as if steeling herself.

When Agnis touched the back of her hand—

“How does it feel, Dorothy-sama?”

“I can feel Agnis-sama’s touch. But it doesn’t tickle at all.”

With a blink, Dorothy-sama’s eyes widened.

She nodded repeatedly, clearly moved.

“It feels as though I’ve returned to the time before I trained my senses. I can feel ordinary touch normally again. The painful sensitivity and excessive ticklishness are gone!”

“How about your sense-detection skill?”

“That works normally. Thanks to the lotion, I can now control the sensitivity. This is amazing!”

Good.

It looks like the “MAX Silky Smooth Lotion Premium” is working exactly as intended.

Well, since it’s an item from the Heroes’ world, I wasn’t too worried.

Besides, the winged pixies had all worked hard to provide the ingredient.

If it had failed, it would have been due to my own shortcomings. I’m really glad it succeeded.

“Now then, Agnis-sama, no need to hold back. Please, continue… Hmm? Oh my?”

──Or so I thought, when Dorothy tilted her head.

“Is something wrong, Dorothy-sama?”

When I asked, Dorothy touched around her armpit area and said,

“No, it’s just… the sensation inside my clothes…”

“Is it still prickly?”

“That part’s fine. I’ve been using a strong moisturizing lotion on the itchy areas.”

“…Huh?”

When I asked, Dorothy looked over at Princess Sophia.

Dorothy hesitated, her face flushed, so Princess Sophia explained on her behalf.

“I shall explain on her behalf. Miss Dorothy has sensitive skin, so she was feeling an itchy sensation where the straps of her undergarments touch her skin.”

“I see…”

“Yes. That’s why she’s been wearing strapless underwear, but it seems there was still a bit of irritation. So she applied ‘MAX Silky Smooth Lotion Premium’ a little more thickly on the areas where it touches her skin.”

Princess Sophia explained calmly.

Dorothy’s earlobes turned bright red as she whispered into Sophia’s ear.

“…I see, the underwear slipped and is gradually falling down.”

“Y-Your Highness! Why are you saying it out loud like that!?”

“I have nothing to hide from Thor Canaan-sama!”

Princess Sophia declared confidently.

Decisively—and for some reason, with a great deal of dignity.

“To Dorothy-sama, Thor Canaan-sama is the person treating her sensitive skin. He’s effectively her doctor. There’s no need to be embarrassed when reporting symptoms to a doctor.”

“W-Well, yes… That might be true, but… wah, wahhh!?”

“Miss Dorothy?”

“N-No, it’s just… um, the underwear… It’s slipping further!? It won’t stop falling!?”

Dorothy clutched desperately at her chest.

Could it be…?

“Miss Dorothy, you said you used the lotion a bit thickly—did you dilute it with water? You didn’t use it undiluted, did you?”

“Of course not. I mixed water and lotion, about a 1:1 ratio…”

“…What?”

“Actually, I spilled a bit of the lotion on the table… and I didn’t want to waste it, so I used a cloth soaked in water from a dish to mix and apply it. I didn’t think it would be a problem…”

“Ah. That’s the cause, then. In that case, Agnis and I’ll step outside.”

I turned my back to Dorothy.

“While we’re gone, please wash off the lotion.”

“Eh? Eh? Eh?”

“A 1:1 ratio is practically undiluted. Your underwear is definitely going to fall off.”

“Eh—eeeeeeeh!?”

“We’ve already tested that, by the way.”

The instruction to dilute it with ten parts water wasn’t an arbitrary guess.

Mabel, Agnis, and I had reached that ratio through repeated testing.

It had been a difficult process.

When we tested it undiluted on our hands, we slipped and couldn’t stand back up.

Mabel tried to help me and slipped as well.

Mabel’s underwear slid straight down. Later, we tested the lotion’s heat resistance while Agnis released fire magic, and because the effect remained intact, she also ended up in a difficult situation…

Honestly, those tests could have caused a serious misunderstanding if we hadn’t already been engaged.

That was how we determined the proper ratio: one part lotion to ten parts water.

“Please follow the instructions and dosage from now on. Understood, Dorothy-sama?”

“Y-Yes… I’m very sorry.”

“Alright, then Agnis and I’ll be waiting outside.”

After warning Dorothy-sama to follow the proper dilution instructions, Agnis and I stepped into the hallway.

Five minutes later—

“…I’m terribly sorry for the trouble.”

When we entered the room again, Dorothy bowed her head deeply.

“I’ve truly experienced the power of an alchemist’s item… with my own skin. I’m so sorry. I don’t think I deserve to use this lotion…”

“No, no, I made it for you to use. Please go ahead.”

“Is that really okay?”

“Of course. This incident taught me that I should dilute it before giving it to anyone else.”

Diluting it tenfold, however, produces a large amount.

For someone using it regularly, storing and preparing that much liquid would be inconvenient.

That was why I had given Dorothy-sama the concentrated lotion, but the delivery method clearly needed improvement.

So this wasn’t solely Dorothy-sama’s mistake. I shared the blame.

Mabel, Agnis, and I had made plenty of mistakes during testing too—though we had agreed never to mention them again.

Anyway.

“What will you do? If you promise to properly dilute it to ten times with water, I’ll give it to you as is. If that’s too hard, I’ll take it back and give you the diluted version.”

“Of course, I promise to follow the instructions properly!”

Dorothy nodded with a serious expression.

“On the honor of Dorothy Listan, I swear! If I lie or fail, I’ll accept any punishment!”

“Please allow it, as well, Thor Canaan-sama.”

Princess Sophia followed up on Dorothy’s words.

“I’ll personally ensure that Dorothy-sama uses the lotion correctly. Also, I’ll keep the secret of this lotion safe. So please, may we keep the undiluted lotion as it is?”

I see.

Well, if Princess Sophia is vouching for her, then it should be fine.

“I understand. Then, please use it carefully.”

In the end, I decided to give her the lotion in its undiluted form.

“If you dilute the contents of that bottle tenfold, it should last for a while. It might even help cure your sensitive skin. If it doesn’t, I’ll come up with a better solution.”

“Truly… thank you very much.”

“But I’m glad you were able to wash it off quickly. This lotion is quite potent, and it’s usually hard to remove. I’m impressed you managed to wash it off in just five minutes?”

…Huh?

Why are you averting your eyes, Dorothy-sama?

And why are you holding down your jacket and skirt…?

“I would also like to thank you on Dorothy-sama’s behalf.”

Princess Sophia stepped forward and bowed her head to me.

Meanwhile, Dorothy, her face bright red, was hiding behind Princess Sophia.

“If it’s not too much trouble, could I also receive some of that lotion?”

“Of course. There’s still a little left at the workshop, so if that’s okay with you—”

“That would be more than fine. In fact, just using it once should be enough—”

“…Your Highness Sophia?”

“No, it’s nothing. More importantly, I just remembered something important.”

As if it had just come to mind, Princess Sophia clapped her hands.

“We received new correspondence from Archduke Kharon. I shall relay the message to you as well, Thor Canaan-sama.”

With that, Princess Sophia retrieved a letter from the shelf.

She nodded toward Dorothy before opening it.

“There has been movement in the imperial capital. The Council of High Officials will investigate ‘that box’ as expected. According to Archduke Kharon, a unit specializing in stealth and capture will be dispatched.”

“Stealth and capture techniques…?”

“I heard of them while I lived in the capital. They’re a special unit serving the imperial family.”

I see.

The Empire places importance on many types of strength—swordsmanship, magic, projectile weapons, and so on. It makes sense that the imperial family would employ a unit skilled in stealth and capture tactics.

“We’ll conduct our own investigation as well. Dorothy-sama’s Lady Omawarisan Unit is in charge, so we should uncover some clues soon.”

“Y-Yes. We’ll handle it.”

Behind Princess Sophia, Dorothy nodded repeatedly.

“We have no intention of causing trouble for the Demon Lord’s Domain. But if something happens to us and the cause remains unknown, confusion could follow.”

“That’s why you’re sharing this information with us.”

“Our Grand Duchy and the Demon Lord’s Domain have a friendly relationship, after all.”

Dorothy said that, offering a somewhat awkward smile.

Seeing that, Agnis also smiled.

Until recently, the Demon Lord’s Domain had no nation it could truly call an ally.

So hearing Dorothy-sama—Archduke Kharon’s relative—describe their relationship as friendly made Agnis happy.

“I understand. I’ll report all of this information to Her Majesty the Demon Lord.”

I said.

“And… just in case, I’ll also prepare countermeasures in the event something does happen.”

“Thank you very much, Alchemist-sama.”

“Oh, right. There was one more thing I meant to give you all.”

Princess Sophia took out several documents.

They bore the crest of the Grand Duchy and her own signature.

These are—

“‘Residence Permits’?”

“That’s right. I had them issued so people from the Demon Lord’s Domain can enter and leave Noza Town and the surrounding area freely. Archduke Kharon approved them, of course.”

The documents contained the following statement:

‘The bearer of this letter is a dear friend of mine.
I, Sophia Dorgalia, take full responsibility for the bearer and their companions.
Please treat them with the utmost respect.’

There were several permits, bearing the names of Mabel, Agnis, and me.

As expected, none had been issued in Rukie’s name.

If one openly declared, “This person is Demon Lord Rukie Evergard,” the townspeople would panic. That couldn’t be helped.

“I was originally planning to give these to you after the meeting with Her Majesty the Demon Lord, but as a token of thanks for the lotion, I’ll hand them over now.”

“Thank you, Princess Sophia.”

“Thank you very much!”

Agnis and I both bowed our heads to Princess Sophia.

Princess Sophia really was remarkable.

Through these written permits, she was demonstrating the friendly relationship between the Grand Duchy and the Demon Lord’s Domain.

They would make travel and exchange with the border towns and villages much easier.

For us, this is more than we could have hoped for.

“I’ll inform Her Majesty the Demon Lord of this and make sure she thanks you properly.”

“No need, that lotion is thanks enough.”

“But that was just leftover stock. You deserve something more proper from Her Majesty—”

“The lotion will be fine.”

“…Your Highness?”

“I’d truly like to have just a little of that lotion. If Thor Canaan-sama could deliver it, that would be more than enough.”

“Y-Yes. If that’s all right with you…”

“It’s no problem at all. Yes, it’s a promise.”

Princess Sophia took my hand and linked her little finger with mine. It was the “yubikiri genman,” a pinky promise passed down from the Heroes’ world. With the words “yubikitta,” the promise was sealed, and she smiled in satisfaction.

“Well then, if we receive any information about ‘that box,’ we’ll let you know right away.”

“Y-Yes. I’ll be counting on you, Princess Sophia.”

“Please do!”

Something about this feels a little off… but, well, whatever.

If Princess Sophia wants the leftover “MAX Silky Smooth Lotion Premium,” I don’t really mind giving it to her. She was originally in poor health, after all. She probably wants to take care of her skin.

With that, we left the mansion, being seen off by Princess Sophia and Dorothy-sama.

Some time after we left Noza Town, Agnis suddenly stopped walking.

“…Thor-sama.”

“What’s wrong, Agnis?”

“Actually… I’d also like a bit of that lotion.”

“Huh? Didn’t you say, ‘It’s too hard to use, so you don’t need it’?”

She had suffered quite a bit during the testing.

The swimsuit made from Earth-Element Magical Weave Fabric… no, that memory was sealed away.

“Just in case.”

With a serious expression, Agnis declared this.

“I think I should also train in handling that lotion, just in case. How should I put it… Princess Sophia seems to be coming up with a new way to use it…”

“I’m not really sure what you mean, but… yeah. That’s fine.”

I had called it leftover stock, but a considerable amount remained.

Trying to use all the winged-pixie tears had produced far more lotion than expected.

It was currently sealed away simply because I had no suitable use for so much of it.

“Also, you don’t have to be so formal about it. After all… we’re engaged, right? You can use it freely if you want.”

“…Thor-sama.”

For some reason, Agnis turned her head away with a pout.

“Thor-sama sometimes catches me off guard.”

“…I do?”

“You do.”

“Got it. I’ll be careful.”

“…No need to be careful.”

Saying that, Agnis took my hand.

“Even that side of you… Agnis accepts it. Because Agnis is… your fiancée.”

“…I see.”

“…Yes.”

Before I realized it, Agnis and I were holding hands.

We left the town and were on the way back to the Demon Lord’s Domain.

General Raisenga’s men were waiting in the border forest. If we continued like this, they would certainly see us holding hands. Yet neither of us wanted to let go, so we entered the forest hand in hand.

“…Hey, Agnis.”

“Yes, Thor-sama?”

“Your skin is already so smooth… do you really need lotion?”

“…Thor-sama, you really don’t understand a woman’s heart.”

Saying that, Agnis flashed an oddly fearless smile.

“That’s why, from now on, Agnis will… teach you, together with Mabel.”

“…Please go easy on me.”

“Yes, Thor-sama!”

And so, in the end, we stayed hand in hand all the way back to General Raisenga’s mansion.

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