Kays Translations

Chapter 36: Reunion at The Inventions Fair

　The Inventions Fair, an initiative unique to the empire. For Lute, who had just joined the empire, the scene before him was very new.

"I see. This is amazing."

　It is different from the ordinary market. There are no fancy shops or food stalls, and most of the stalls are simple, spread out on the ground. It's a simple thing, and just by looking at it, you can see that most of the people doing business here are on an individual scale.

　Many of the items for sale were also interesting. They ranged from small items to works of art, and there were even some items that were so small that one could not tell what they were from the outside, and some that could have been considered junk.

　Chaos in a good sense was the impression Lute felt. The fact that it was crowded, but not as crowded as an ordinary market, also emphasized the uniqueness of this place. It was not an obviously unusual place, like a foreign country or a battlefield, but just a little bit unusual.

"I expected it, but..."

　Lute smiled a little, thinking that he wouldn't get bored with this.

"Shopkeeper. What is this?"

"Oh. That's a ring made by an apprentice craftsman I know. The workmanship is a little lax in some areas, but that's why it's cheap. How about a little present for the girl you're interested in?"

"Unfortunately, I'm not blessed with that kind of relationship. If I can find a partner, I'll buy it."

"Right. Then when the time comes, come to the Rabilt craft shop in the back of the street over there. That's my shop."

“So you own a proper shop? Why did you come all the way to the Inventions Fair?"

"I'm just trying to help out. I can't have these guys in the store, but it's hard on the apprentices. So I take this opportunity to help them out a little bit. Many craftsmen are very loyal. ”

“So you’re giving favors in anticipation of growth. You're a good guy”

"That's right! Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to keep my store open! Well, come back again, customer!"

"Oh"

　First, it was a small craft shop that displayed apprentice goods.

"Shopkeeper──"

"Oh, that's-"

　Next was a craftsman who was laying out wood carving models.

"Shopkeeper──"

"Oh, you're a very discerning customer..."

　Next is a shady peddler who spoke at length about how the artifact was a prestigious item.

"Shopkeeper──"

“It's the land of Rimuru—”

　Going with the  flow he mixed in with the caravan.

　He wandered around the market aimlessly, peeking in at interesting stalls as he went. Repeating this process over and over again, Lute enjoyed the Inventions Fair to the fullest.

　Along the way, Lute had an interesting encounter.

"So, this pattern is a traditional pattern from a distant western country."

"I see. Interesting."

"──Huh? Could you be that customer from back then?"

"Hmm?"

　When Lute was peeking at the stalls dealing with unfamiliar patterned fabrics, he heard a voice that sounded familiar to him.

　When he looked in the direction of the voice, I saw a slightly familiar face. It was the strange young waiter at the Umineko-tei restaurant, where Lute had snuck in on his first day at Sandelica.

"Oh, you're from that restaurant. Rick, right?"

“Oh, you remember me!?”

"Well, I will never forget that night."

"...... what can I say, I'm really sorry for the inconvenience."

　Rick bowed his head with an apologetic expression as Lute told him that he remembered him because of the troublesome incident.

"It's over. And I didn't care about it in the first place. Wait a minute. I'll just do some shopping and we'll talk a little bit. I was shown something good. I'd like to take this."

"Ah, yes, thank you."

“By the way, shopkeeper. My question is, do you still have this type of fabric? You don't have any on hand right now, but I'd like to buy some of the other items if possible."

"Thank you very much. We'll be here all the time during the Invention Fair, and we also carry them at the main store, so please come by anytime."

"Oh. That's good to know."

　After giving the payment for the fabric, Lute left the store.

"I'm sorry. I made you wait."

"Eh, no! Or rather, I'm sorry for interrupting your shopping."

"Don't worry about it. Even if you say shopping, it's basically just chilling."

"Is that so? Despite that, it seems like you're willing to buy a lot of clothes from that store you just went to. Is it that good?"

"It's a rare item. It seems to be a store that handles a lot of imported textiles. While selling apprentices' works, they were also displaying fabrics that had recently come in."

"Heh. If it's an imported product you certainly can't get it very often.."

"Right?"

　Lute laughs as he plays with the purchased fabric with one hand.

　He looked like a child who had discovered a treasure, which was more than a little surprising to Rick. From his previous impressions of Lute, he did not think he would show much interest in fabrics.

"Do you like fashion?"

"Hmm? Oh, I'm not particularly interested in textiles. If anything, I like rare things. That's why I'm in the Inventions Fair."

"I see"

"What about you, Rick? You're here for something, aren't you? Shopping?"

"Ah, no, um... To tell you the truth, I'm going to open a store with my sister."

"……huh?"

　Lute naturally leaked out his voice to what was said while looking a little embarrassed.

　Because of their previous encounter, Lute remembered the boy in front of him well. He was the one who had created the fried potatoes served at Uminekotei, and he was clearly a bright boy who must have had a higher education. That was Rick.

　The boy who said his future dream was to be an inventor apparently took the first step toward his dream at this invention fair.

"What kind of things do you sell?"

"No, it's not that big of a deal, is it? It's something I came up with, but it's not a big invention. It's just a convenient accessory."

"Don't be modest. It's amazing enough to be able to make inventions at your age."

"Haha ....... It's embarrassing to be praised so openly."

　The way he scratches his cheeks a little awkwardly is that of a boy of his age. That is why it stands out even more. The boy named Rick has intelligence like a beautiful star.

　Lute does not know what kind of things Rick has invented. Still, considering the words they have exchanged, his track record with fried potatoes, his intelligence that defies his age, and his ability to actually put ideas into action, there is a good chance that his inventions are worthy of being considered.

　It's a well-known fact that the Inventions fair is a place to discover talent, and the boy named Rick is probably a rough stone that was rightly buried in the city well.

"Okay, I've decided! Please guide me to the store. If I see something interesting, I'll buy it at your price."

"Ugh!? No, you don't have to worry about that!?"

"It's not like that. I am just curious about your invention. ──Oh, I'm really curious. I wonder what kind of things you make."

　Lute was secretly determined. He had to find out about the boy in front of him. Was Rick just a gem in the rough, or was he something more? He was determined to find out for sure what he was, and whether he was the kind of lethal drug that should not be left unattended.

　It's not a personal interest. As one of the top people reigning over Sanderica, this was his opinion as one of the aristocrats who held the Grand Duke's rank in the Froysel Empire.

"Haha, don't be so scared. The original purpose of the invention fair was to find new technologies and brilliant inventors. Now I hear it's gone from its original purpose, but it's fun to try to follow the original idea here, isn't it?"

"Well, how can I say it, it's strangely embarrassing to show something you've made yourself to someone you know..."

“What are you talking about, you idiot? Don't shy away at a point like this. It's times like this when you have to go for it. Otherwise, you won't get ahead, will you? Where are the inventors who are shy about their inventions? Now, get on with it and show me the way!"

"Ah, wow, ha, yes!"

　And so, although he was a little pushy, Lute began moving toward Rick's stall.

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