Kays Translations

Chapter 92: “Putting together the Ideas for the ‘Robot Vacuum Cleaner'”

──Thor’s point of view──

Two days after visiting Princess Sophia.

I decided to start developing a “robot vacuum cleaner” in my workshop.

“Thank you, Mabel and Agnis, for your ideas. You’ve really helped me.”

“No need to thank me. I’m just your assistant, Thor-sama.”

“Agnis is also happy to have stayed with Princess Sophia.”

Mabel and Agnis smiled.

Beside them, the civil servant, Erte, was watching us with a tense expression.

This is my workshop located in the Reisenga territory.

The room has a large desk with several sheets of parchment laid out on it.

These are the idea sketches created by me, Mabel, Agnis, and Princess Sophia.

I haven’t looked at them yet.

We’re supposed to present them under the supervision of Erte, the bureaucrat.

But—

“The letter from His Majesty and the Prime Minister hasn’t come yet…”

I had asked through the winged fairy, Pixie, and they agreed to take it on.

But I guess it might have been impossible because of their official duties.

“Erte, have you heard anything?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

Erte shook her head with a serious expression.

“But if the response is difficult, I’m sure my uncle will contact us.”

“Right.”

“Yes.”

By the way, I’ve asked Erte to attend the operational check of the “robot vacuum cleaner.”

I planned to have him look at and check the three sets of ideas we’ve come up with, but—

“I think you’ll hear from them later. In the meantime, how about proceeding with checking the ideas on your side?”

Erte said this after thinking for a moment.

“Understood. Let’s get started then.”

“I’ve been looking forward to this.”

“I’ll help too,” Agnis said.

Erte, Mabel, Agnis, and I gathered around the desk.

Together, we started turning over the sheets of parchment that had been placed face down.

What appeared were various pictures and writings.

Some were drawn by me, some by Mabel.

The round, small writing is probably Agnis’s. The neat writing is probably Princess Sophia’s.

It’s clear that personality shows in handwriting and drawings.

But that aside—

“Alright, let’s start with the ones that Agnis and Princess Sophia came up with.”

“Y-Yes. I’ll explain it.”

Agnis gathered and spread out the idea notes they had made.

Then, looking at us with a shy face, she said,

“The idea that Agnis and Princess Sophia came up with is a ‘Spider-type’.”

With that, Agnis began reading out the writing on the parchment.

──────────────────

“Robot Vacuum Cleaner: Spider-type”
Written by: Sophia Dorgaria

This idea was conceived after the appearance of the magical beast “Gargarossa” in the mountainous region.

It adds eight legs to the disc-shaped “robot vacuum cleaner” from the Hero World.

The legs can move freely, allowing it to overcome obstacles.

It can move easily over grass, sand, or rocky terrain. Additionally, the height of the vacuum itself can be adjusted, ensuring it won’t miss any dirt, dust, or traces of magical beasts on the ground.

This is just a suggestion from a layperson, but I would like to request adding a feature where it can shoot threads.

If Thor-sama’s “Magical Weaving Cloth” is used, it would surely be strong and stretchy. If it were turned into thread, it could be wrapped around branches or similar objects, allowing the main body to move through the air.

That would increase its speed and make it easier to avoid magical beasts.

By the way, the idea for the thread feature was proposed by Agnis-sama.

Agnis-sama is very imaginative.

I was able to talk with them a lot. We weren’t allowed to sleep in the same bed because the maids objected, so we had separate rooms. But I had a very fun time until we fell asleep.

However, it was unfortunate that my nightgown was too small for Agnis-sama.

Though our heights are about the same, the chest area seemed too tight for them.

I envy her.

If possible, I too wish I could have a chest like Agnis-sama’s…

──────────────────

“—T-That’s all!”

Agnis slammed the parchment down with a thud.

“T-That’s about it! From here on, it’s personal information about the princess! I’d like to keep it a secret!”

“U-Understood.”

By the way, Agnis drew the design for the “Spider-type.”

The text was written by Princess Sophia. She was quite enthusiastic, even writing about their sleepover.

…It must have been a lot of fun for her.

“But… a “Spider-type” that shoots threads.”

I had thought about making it a “Spider-type” too.

But I hadn’t come up with the idea of adding a thread-shooting function.

The “robot vacuum cleaner” is a golem. It can be made into a spider shape, but adding the thread-shooting feature is difficult.

Yeah. It’s tough. How could I make that work…?

Man, this is tough. Agnis and Princess Sophia both came up with ideas that far exceeded my expectations.

It’s hard to deal with such difficult proposals. What a pain…

“Thor-sama. You seem happy, don’t you?”

When I noticed, Mabel was peering into my face.

“You have such a great smile, you know?”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

At Mabel’s words, Agnis and Erte nodded in agreement.

“Princess Sophia said she had thought of something difficult…?”

“Why is it that you have such an excited look on your face, Alchemist-sama?”

…Well, that’s because I couldn’t help but imagine the finished product.

It seems like it will be difficult to make, but it’s a great idea—a cleaning robot in the shape of a “spider” that spits out thread.

It seems like it would be easy to clean ceilings and pillars as well.

After all, it’s great to get ideas from other people.

On my own, I wouldn’t be able to make something that goes beyond my own imagination.

As expected of Agnis and Princess Sophia. They came up with something great.

“Anyway, for now, let’s make a regular ‘spider-shaped’ one. The thread-spitting type seems like it will take time, so it might be something for future development.”

I looked around at everyone and said.

“Next, I’ll present what Mabel and I came up with. Mabel, could you read it out loud?”

“Yes. What Thor-sama and I came up with is the ‘Snake-shaped’ robot.”

Mabel flipped over the parchment on the desk.

There, drawn, was the snake-shaped “cleaning robot” I had designed.

──────────────────

‘Cleaning Robot: Snake Shape’
Written by: Mabel Refrain

The concept of the ‘Snake-shaped Cleaning Robot’ is a ‘dodging’ golem.

By making it long and slender, it becomes easier to avoid obstacles. Also, it can slip into gaps, so it never misses debris or traces of magical beasts. It can also hide from enemies.

I had suggested a centipede shape, but with so many legs, it would be too fragile and prone to breaking.

Thus, we decided to go with the ‘Snake-shaped’ design with no legs.

It’s specialized in magic detection, so the cleaning function is an option.

By attaching a bag to the tail, it can collect dust and debris.

Additionally, the snake’s mouth opens wide enough to swallow small animals or magical beasts and trap them in the bag.

If you place it in a grain storage facility, it can eliminate pests and rats, thus protecting important food supplies.

For the villages in the Demon lord’s realm, or for home maintenance, please consider using the ‘Snake-shaped Cleaning Robot.’

──────────────────

“—That’s all.”

“…Impressive. Thor Canaan-sama, and Mabel too.”

“…It’s so typical of an Alchemist-sama to casually suggest general use as well. I see… You mean to make it usable for purposes other than magical beast investigation?”

Of course.

Since we’ve made it, it would be a waste not to have others use it.

If we place a few of these in the Demon lord’s castle, cleaning will become easier. Pests and rats will be eliminated as well. If we make them the same color as the castle walls, they won’t stand out.

Eventually, I want this ‘robot vacuum’ to become something that’s “just there.”

—When I said this to Erte,

“…What about having snakes slithering around the room? Wouldn’t that be unsettling?”

“That’s true. For household use, let’s make sure it moves quietly.”

“…Well, then I don’t think there will be any problems.”

Erte nodded.

“I understand that this ‘Snake-shaped Cleaning Robot’ is excellent. It will surely be a powerful tool for magical beast investigations, even if it’s not suitable for household use.”

“Agnis and Princess Sophia didn’t think of the snake shape, though!”

“Yeah. I’m glad they liked it.”

This “Snake-shaped” robot was the result of a long discussion with Mabel, and I’m very confident in it.

By the way, attaching the bag to the tail was Mabel’s idea.

Rather than storing the trash in the main body, it goes into the bag on the tail. By swapping out the bag, we can collect as much trash (or small magical beasts) as we want. It can even swallow clues of magical beasts and store them.

It’s like a rattlesnake style, with a mechanism attached to the tail.

“With this, I think the Demon lord and Uncle will be satisfied. They should grant permission for its use in magical beast investigations.”

“Thank you, Erte.”

“By the way, we still haven’t received any ideas from the Demon lord or my uncle, have we?”

“That’s true. They should have contacted us by now…”

“Here we are!!”

Just as we were talking, pixies with wings flew in through the window.

“We’ve returned like flames!!”

“We fluttered back all soft and breezy! Please praise us!!”

The pixies zipped around the room.

When I extended my hand, they gently landed.

“We’ve completed our task with passion!” “Being near Alchemist-sama feels so fluffy~”

“Thank you. Good job.”

I sat the two pixies down on the table.

The red-haired, passionate ‘Fire Pixie’ and the green-haired, fluffy ‘Wind Pixie’ pressed their cheeks against my fingers. Then they closed their eyes, making content faces.

“So, did the Demon lord or the Chancellor say anything?”

“The idea for the ‘Cleaning Robot’ was something the Chancellor thought of on his own!”

“The Demon lord also acknowledged that! It’s amazing!”

The Chancellor came up with it all by himself?

“…I see. As expected of the Chancellor.”

Kelve-san is thinking about the security and stability of the demon lord’s domain and the people’s hearts.

And what I am about to create is a golem.

Does that mean Kelve-san designed it in a way that people who see it won’t be frightened, but feel reassured?

“Thank you. So, what about the Chancellor?”

“…Well, you see…”

“…I got permission from Her Majesty the Demon lord and tried to find a place for him…”

The fairy-winged beings have serious expressions on their faces.

Something must have happened.

“And then… the Chancellor was sleeping in the hall.”

“He was face down in front of a pillar. There were pieces of pillar scattered around him.”

…

What in the world was Kelve-san doing?

“He was mumbling in his sleep. ‘I’ll come up with something amazing.’ ‘I won’t lose.’ ‘If I apply physical stimulation, ideas will…’”

“There were parchment papers scattered around. I got them with permission from Her Majesty the Demon lord.”

Saying this, the fairy-winged beings took out four sheets of parchment from the ‘ultra-small portable storage’ they had stored them in.

On them was drawn—huh?

“This is… a circle?”

“It’s a circle, yes.”

“It’s just a circle mark, so…”

“Uncle… what does this mean?”

Three of the four parchment sheets have large circles drawn on them.

It looks like the illustration of the “robot vacuum” from the ‘online catalog’ that was sent as a sample has been traced exactly.

The last sheet is… crumpled into a ball. Even when opened, there’s nothing on it.

What could this be?

“Uncle… did he come up with nothing?”

“Well, that might be the case…”

“Even the Chancellor has times when he’s not feeling well.”

Erte, Mabel, and Agnis are nodding as they look at the parchment.

“…No, it feels like there’s something else.”

Something’s bothering me.

Kelve-san is someone who provides me with hints for new ideas.

If this was something he wrote, then there must be some meaning behind it.

Maybe… he’s trying to test me again.

The three parchment sheets.

They all depict circles and spheres.

The fourth one is a crumpled parchment.

If this is a message from Chancellor Kelve… what could it mean?

For example… what if the circles drawn on the three parchment sheets represent the views from front, back, left, right, and top, as if showing a three-dimensional shape?

What if the fourth sheet, crumpled into a ball, is to make it clear that this represents a three-dimensional object?

‘Circle’ and ‘sphere.’

Flat and three-dimensional.

What it means is—

“The Chancellor is suggesting creating a spherical ‘robot vacuum’!?”

I had completely missed that.

If it’s spherical, it can roll anywhere.

It’s much more efficient than adding legs and having it walk.

Since there are fewer parts, there’s also less chance of failure.

If it’s made from a soft material, it can even bounce. It can easily overcome obstacles.

With a sphere, you can deflect attacks, and it can rotate to absorb impacts.

If it charges at high speed, it should be able to deal damage to enemies as well.

Since the contact area is small, it’s not ideal for cleaning, but the goal this time is to search for magical beasts.

As long as we can trace the magical power, skin, or remnants of the magical beasts, that’s enough.

Just as Chancellor Kelve suggested, a sphere would work without issue…

“Chancellor. Did you think this far ahead…”

I may have been too caught up in the form of the ‘robot vacuum’ from the ‘online catalog.’

The Chancellor suggested a new form: a sphere.

Impressive.

His ideas might be even more out there than mine.

“…Excuse me, alchemist-sama.”

“What is it, Erte?”

“Isn’t this just a mistake in writing?”

“Didn’t the Chancellor say to Her Majesty ‘I’ll think of something,’ and then draw this?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Do you really think someone who said that would leave behind a mistake and then fall asleep?”

“…Y-You’re right.”

Erte nodded.

“What do you think, Mabel and Agnis?”

“…Um. I’m sure the Chancellor did give Thor-sama ‘inspiration,’ without a doubt…”

“Since the Chancellor is Father’s colleague, I’d rather avoid commenting on it!”

Huh?

Mabel and Agnis look a little uncomfortable.

Well, that’s fine.

I’ll find out later by asking Rukie and Kelve-san.

“I’m glad I came to the Demon lord’s domain after all.”

There are people here who have ideas I couldn’t even imagine, and they help me grow.

Because I came here, I was able to meet Princess Sophia. She also gave me new ideas.

I get ideas from everyone and create new things.

It’s so much fun.

I need to make sure to write a proper thank-you letter to Kelve-san.

“Then, as planned, let’s make three types of ‘robot vacuums.’ Mabel and Agnis, you’ll be assistants, and Erte, please check what we make.”

“Yes, Thor-sama!”

“I’ll make sure to do so!”

“Y-Yes.”

And so, I began making three ‘robot vacuums.’

──A few hours later, at the Demon lord’s Castle──

“I apologize! Your Majesty!”

In the throne room, Chancellor Kelve was bowing deeply.

“After requesting Your Majesty to allow me to think of a design for a robot vacuum… I couldn’t come up with anything… and then, I fell asleep. This Kelve, a lifelong disgrace…”

“………”

“As Chancellor, I am ashamed. Please, grant me a harsh punishment!”

“Well… Kelve.”

“Rewards and punishments are the foundation of a nation. One cannot be careless! So, please—”

“Raise your head, Kelve. You cannot even speak in such a state. Now, sit down.”

“…Yes.”

Chancellor Kelve lifted his body and knelt on the floor.

Seeing this, Demon lord Rukie opened a parchment she had been holding.

“Actually, just a short while ago, I received a letter from Thor through the fairy.”

“Thor must have been angry, right?”

Kelve slumped in disappointment.

“…I am prepared. I have disappointed Thor, so please tell me what the letter says.”

“Mm, very well. Then, listen carefully.”

Rukie spread the parchment and began to read aloud.

“‘──Thank you. Chancellor.'”

“Ah, as expected, Thor is angry… huh?”

Chancellor Kelve tilted his head.

Perhaps he thought he misheard, as he looked up at Demon lord Rukie and asked.

“I’m sorry. Your Majesty, could you please repeat that part?”

“‘Thank you. Chancellor.'”

“……….? ????”

“I will continue reading.”

“…Yes.”

“‘The idea from Chancellor is wonderful. You have opened my eyes. With the ‘spherical robot vacuum’ you proposed, I will surely find the location of a new breed of magical beast. Alchemist Thor Canaan expresses my deepest gratitude.’──It is written here.”

“………”

“I don’t understand. What is going on?”

“I… I don’t know either… what is happening…”

Chancellor Kelve clutched his head.

Demon lord Rukie, with her arms crossed, spoke.

“Kelve, what were you doing yesterday?”

“After finishing my duties as Chancellor, I was thinking of ideas while gazing at the moon in the hall. I couldn’t come up with anything, so I drew the shape of the full moon, rolled up the parchment, and… I hit my head a few times in an attempt to come up with something, but I couldn’t think of anything… and then I lost consciousness.”

“Don’t go too far with the head-hitting; repairs will be troublesome.”

“I noticed when I woke up that the paper I had written on was gone.”

“The fairies Pixie and the others came. I allowed them to take the parchment.”

“Was it that one with only a circle drawn?”

“Thor wrote that you proposed the spherical robot vacuum.”

“Now that you mention it, there was also the rolled-up parchment.”

“So, that was the hint for the spherical ‘robot vacuum.'”

“………”

“………”

For a while, there was silence.

“How amazing is he!? That person!”

“I must have greatly underestimated Thor’s talent…”

Chancellor Kelve shouted, and Demon lord Rukie sighed as she held the parchment.

“That person… from the scribbled mistake you left behind, came up with a new idea for the ‘robot vacuum’… Everything, to Thor, must be a hint for developing magical items.”

“…Your Majesty.”

“Mm?”

“If everything is a hint for developing magical items, then… is there a way to stop that person…?”

“No, there is no way.”

“…Ah. To think that from my scribbled mistakes, such an extraordinary item would come to be… I was hoping to get something harmless, something halfway decent, but… my scribbles have turned into a hint for an extraordinary item…”

“Thor wants to exchange letters with you.”

“What did you say!?”

“‘Chancellor always makes me notice new perspectives. When in the Demon lord’s Castle, I would like advice on item creation, and when in the workshop, I hope we can exchange information through letters sometimes,’ it says.”

“W-Wait… if we do that…”

“You will end up providing Thor with hints for his magical item development.”

“…Please, Your Majesty.”

Chancellor Kelve pressed his forehead to the floor.

“If that happens… the common sense will collapse! I don’t know how Thor will interpret my words! That person twists my words and actions in unexpected directions… and creates extraordinarily powerful magical items!”

“That’s true.”

Demon lord Rukie gazed off into the distance.

Imagining Thor observing Kelve’s work, she gave a wry smile.

Perhaps because of their contrasting personalities, Thor finds inspiration in Kelve’s actions and thoughts, she mused.

It must be a real problem for the earnest Kelve, though.

“You two should discuss and decide together. Thor has no ill intentions, after all.”

“I… I will tell the truth about this!”

Chancellor Kelve shouted.

“I will tell him that I didn’t come up with any ideas. The only thing on the parchment was just a scribbled mistake. Once I explain that, Thor will…”

“That can wait until after the magical beast investigation is done.”

Rukie returned to her royal tone as she said.

“Right now, it’s before the joint magical beast investigation with the Empire. If it becomes clear that the ‘robot vacuum’—no, the golem—was born from a mere scribbled mistake, some might doubt its function. Wait until the investigation is finished before telling Thor the truth.”

“S-So, until then…?”

“We’ll have to claim that Chancellor Kelve gave Thor the best inspiration for his magical item development.”

It would likely be a storm of praise.

Chancellor Kelve and Alchemist Thor, working together in the Demon lord’s realm.

That’s something that cannot be helped.

Even if Kelve trembles, his forehead pressed to the floor, the correction cannot be made. Not for now.

“You said just a moment ago that you wanted a harsh punishment. For someone as responsible as you, this might be the punishment.”

“…Ah.”

“By the way, how about sometimes acting as Thor’s advisor? That could be your reward… No, wait. Why are you sneaking toward the pillar? What? Are you afraid of losing your common sense…? I… I get it! I won’t say it again. I’ll forgive you for occasionally exchanging letters with Thor! So calm down, Chancellor Kelve!!”

Thus, Thor’s letter shook the throne room…

In the workshop, the development of three ‘robot vacuum (golem)’ prototypes continued…

Afterward, following correspondence with Sophia in the town of ‘Nosa’…

The day arrived for the joint magical beast investigation between the Demon lord’s realm and Princess Sophia’s army.

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