episode_0118

When I returned to the mansion, I immediately washed my body and changed into new clothes.

An ordinary person might not know this, but since a nobleman was coming, it was necessary to show some manners. In particular, since I had soot all over my body after going to the blacksmith shop, washing was essential.

After getting ready lightly, I looked out the window while waiting for the guests to arrive.

We installed glass windows that were brought in at a high price from far away, and it was possible to look out the window without being hit by the wind.

“Shall we try making this glass later? I don’t know how, but I think it can be done somehow.”

As I was leisurely looking out the window while waiting for a guest to arrive, all kinds of thoughts came to mind. There were endless ways to use skeletons other than simply blacksmithing.

“… … Glass is glass, but if you think about it, wouldn’t we be able to produce textiles right away?”

Meanwhile, a new business opportunity came to mind. I thought it would be a good idea to use a skeleton to create fabric using animal hair or plant material.

Nowadays, most textiles are made in the form of home craftsmanship. Even in my territory, people were making fabric for their own use. In the case of textile production companies in other large fiefdoms, large quantities of slaves were used to make textiles.

Naturally, like iron products, fabrics also had to include a lot of labor costs in the price. People had to make each piece by hand. Although it was not comparable to iron products, it still took a long time and required a lot of labor.

“If we sell fabrics cheaply, the number of people dying in the winter will also decrease. Okay, I guess I’ll look into the fabric side first. If you think about knight’s armor, collaboration with a blacksmith is also possible.”

The idea of textiles occurred to me and I decided to build a textile production plant soon. Although there was no knowledge whatsoever about weaving fabrics at the moment, there were many people with relevant knowledge. The knowledge may be shallow, but all that was needed was to gather people together and have them study it, like the researchers at the R&D headquarters.

Thanks to this, it led to the idea of expanding the research and development headquarters in the future to literally conduct research in various fields.

“Master… … . A guest has arrived… … .”

While I was waiting for a guest and thinking about various things, an Orc Skeleton Mage came by. He was a skeleton that I had assigned to take on the role of butler, and he was responsible for handling all kinds of major and minor issues within the mansion. She was a Skeleton Mage so important that she was responsible for everything from cleaning and laundry to the defense of the mansion.

Anyway, when he heard that a guest had arrived, I immediately turned my gaze towards the main gate of the mansion. When I looked there, I saw a very ornate carriage standing there. What I hadn’t noticed was that he was approaching me for thinking differently.

It was so extravagant that one could almost say it looked expensive, and looking at the knights surrounding it, anyone could tell that it was a nobleman’s carriage. After realizing that the person riding the carriage was the nobleman who had decided to visit me today, I immediately opened the main gate of the mansion.

Because a skeleton was installed where the door’s hinges would be, it was possible to open the door remotely even from a distance.

“Then, shall we greet the guests? Butler, please prepare some refreshments in the living room. We prepared food for the drivers to rest and eat. Oh, the horse may be surprised when it sees the skeletons, so tell the knights to tie it up themselves.”

“I understand… … .”

The Skeleton Mage bobbed its skull up and down at my words and then disappeared.

Even in my territory, my mansion was like my own dungeon. It was as if all kinds of black magic had been applied to it. Naturally, due to that effect, the Skeleton Mage was able to cross space within a short distance within the mansion.

This was possible because black magic was greatly amplified inside the mansion. Of course, I could do it, but moving through space is not that easy, so I tend to restrain myself. The difficulty of moving varies depending on the weight, and with my body being heavier due to the fabric, I had a harder time moving through space than the Skeleton Mage.

Anyway, after dispatching the skeleton I used as a butler first, I headed to the parlor while watching the moving carriage guided by the skeleton mage who had already approached me.

In the parlor, several skeletons were already preparing light refreshments, as if they had received instructions from the Skeleton Mage. Seeing the snacks that were perfect to eat while chatting, I immediately took a seat at the head table.

Although I am a low-level noble called a baron, this is my territory, so it was natural that the head table should be mine. That is, unless a nobleman or royal family higher than a marquis or duke comes.

And, fortunately, the nobleman who came was a count, so there was no need for me to give up the head table.

However, there was one part that could be said to be a little surprising. The point was that the noble who came to where I was was a woman. It’s not that there aren’t female nobles, but it was very interesting because it was my first time meeting one who was actually active. Well, there aren’t that many nobles I met.

“Nice to meet you. I am Count Art, a member of the Royalist faction and one of the magicians of the Royal Magic Tower.”

Even, it was not an ordinary female noble, but a female noble who was a magician.

“… … ah! I am Baron Steele. As you know, I run a rather large blacksmith shop.”

I found it fascinating that it was not an ordinary female noble, but a female noble who was a magician, so my reaction was delayed for a moment. So, I said my greetings to Count Art with a little haste. Since the other person revealed themselves first, it could be said that it was basic courtesy in aristocratic society for me to respond as well.

If I had stayed blank here, I could have ended up ignoring Count Art.

Anyway, after exchanging greetings like that, Count Art covered his mouth with a rather soft-looking hand and burst into laughter. It was the image that often comes to mind when thinking of a female noble.

Especially since she had such a beautiful appearance that made me feel like a noble lady, I even thought that she might really be a model of a female noble.

However, Count Art didn’t seem to know that I was thinking that way, so he raised the hand that was not covering his mouth and lightly twitched.

“It’s a little bit, but if other blacksmiths hear about it, they’ll ask what their blacksmith shop is.”

Count Erd smiled softly and said that too much humility was not good. Of course, it seemed like his words and actions were meant to soften the mood rather than to criticize me. It felt like he was telling me not to find it difficult.

Since Count Art showed his soft side first, I couldn’t help but react softly. Especially because she feels like a noble lady with quite alluring beauty.

Count Art, who created his own gentle atmosphere from the beginning, got straight to the point.

“First of all, do you know why I came to visit the Baron in person?”

“I think you came because the royal family subsidizes part of the cost of purchasing items.”

“Yes. that’s right. But that’s not necessarily the whole reason. In fact, if I wanted to purchase something, I would have done it through the elf girl in the store.”

Since I heard that there was another reason for wanting to see me in person, I became curious as to what the reason was.

And, Count Art began talking as if he would satisfy my curiosity.

“I belong to a school related to alchemy in the Royal Magic Tower. I am interested in simply turning stones into gold, but I am also doing a lot of research into things like making an elixir of eternal life.”

“It’s a pension… … . It’s fascinating. Is there any progress? Ah, is it rude to ask this… … .”

“Excuse me. It would be rude to ask if there is progress in a school that has not achieved any results for decades.”

“Ugh… … .”

I was taken aback for a moment because I had no idea that such a rude thing would come out. However, Count Art burst out laughing again and shook his head as if it was a joke.

“It’s a joke. In fact, those are not the only two things that our school focuses on, and no one cares even if there is no progress. Since it represents alchemy, let’s study it, but that is not the ultimate goal of our school. Oh, let me tell you in advance, it’s really rude to ask about the school’s goals.”

“… … I almost asked again.”

“It’s a good thing I told you in advance.”

Count Art, covering his mouth and laughing, continued his story.

“Anyway, our school is basically conducting research in a direction that can further develop the kingdom.”

“I guess it’s because it’s the Royal Magic Tower.”

“That’s true, but it’s also because the head of our school is a member of the royal family.”

“Yes? The head of the school is a member of the royal family?”

“To be exact, she is a princess. Princess Kemis Barnoal is the head of our school. So we are conducting research to make the kingdom even stronger. The head of the school is not interested in the throne, but he is doing his duty as a member of the royal family.”

Count Art, who brought up a story about a person called the princess, smiled softly and said that the princess was a very nice person.

“For your information, this is a secret… … . Your Majesty doesn’t like the head of the school practicing alchemy. So, in order to continue doing alchemy, which I love, I am focusing on research that will be helpful to the kingdom.”

And, he told me the story about the princess, saying it was a secret. Looking at that, I wondered if I had done something wrong. I was worried that now that I had found out a secret about a member of the royal family, I would be forced to become an accomplice.

Count Art seemed to have understood my feelings and smiled again.

“Don’t worry. It’s a secret, but it’s an open secret. Actually, Your Highness knows this, but you have no choice but to leave it on because it is really helpful.”

Although I felt relieved to hear that there was no need to worry, I wondered why they were bringing this up.

It was clear that he was bringing this up because he wanted something. Therefore, I decided to get straight to the point.

“The Crown Prince has a unique side, and it seems like the princess also has a slightly unique side. By the way, why did you talk about the princess?”

“… … Actually, our school’s budget has been cut quite significantly this time. While the head of the school was researching a medicinal solution that is good for skin care, he got caught by His Majesty… … . No, that’s not what’s important. The reason I brought this up was to ask you if you would like to purchase one of the items we made.”

“Things? What kind of place is it… … .”

When she asked me if I had any intention of purchasing the item, I wondered if she was trying to make a hard sell to me, relying on her reputation as a princess. As I was looking at him warily, as if he were looking at a general merchant, Count Art took out some items from the bag he had brought with him.

The items Count Arth took out were two glass bottles. Of course, it was clear that they were not selling the glass bottle, but rather the unknown things inside.

“These are. These are just samples, and I will explain what they are.”

Count Art, who lightly relaxed his neck while muttering, lifted up the glass bottle on his left and began to explain.

“The liquid inside is an alchemy solution that makes iron harder. You can melt the iron and add it when it is in a liquid state, and it has the effect of making the iron harder when it cools. Blacksmiths say that if iron becomes too hard, it becomes brittle, but this can solve that problem as well. Although it becomes stronger, it also prevents the iron from breaking easily.”

Hearing Count Art’s words, I suddenly thought that Count Art might actually be a drug dealer.

As if my thoughts were clearly visible on his face, Count Art made a loud noise.

“This is real! It’s real!”