episode_0019

I proposed a deal to Gaius.

It wouldn’t be a bad story for him either.

As mentioned earlier, I plan to give a substantial reward, and if necessary, I can also pay an advance amount.

Of course, in that case, I must succeed no matter what.

There is no way to take the money and run.

In the vast empire, there is nowhere beyond the reach of a duke’s gaze.

I will chase after them to make them pay for their sins, no matter how far it takes.

“Boss, tea…”

“Forget the tea. Just bring some water.”

“Understood.”

I didn’t even bother to listen to Galen until the end and replied.

The tea he served me last time was quite shocking.

I’d rather drink water than that kind of tea.

Eventually, Galen placed two cups of water on the table and stood at a distance.

The hideout, which had felt ominous just moments ago due to the kidnapping incident, transformed into a place for negotiations.

Gaius and I sat facing each other across the table, and the three men became my attendants 1, 2, 3.

After swiftly drinking the water Galen brought, Gaius cautiously threw out a topic.

“Are you proposing a deal with me to commission the creation of magical tools?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“I consider it an honor to be able to assist Gongja. However, due to my own shortcomings, I’m not certain whether I can fulfill the commission, so if possible, I would like to gather some information.”

His eloquence was quite impressive for a commoner.

He modestly elevated the other party without overdoing it and, in the process, cautiously made his demands.

The series of actions seemed natural, as if this kind of situation was familiar to him.

Perhaps he had dealt with several nobles while working as a craftsman.

Anyway, what he said was true.

Whether making a deal or not, one should at least know what they are trying to create.

“I want to make a pen that can be used in empty space.”

“A pen for empty space, hmm….”

Gaius furrowed his brow, lost in thought.

Watching him, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Wasn’t he a craftsman with considerable skill in creating magical tools?

If even he deems it impossible, then most craftsmen would likely give the same response.

If you think about it, it’s practically impossible.

Even if it were possible, it would take quite a bit of time to find a craftsman with skills surpassing Gaius.

So he continued to ponder for quite some time.

In the silence, only his sighs echoed in the hideout.

Then suddenly, he looked up and met my eyes, scratching his head awkwardly as he spoke.

“I’m sorry. It’s a unique item, and it has stirred the craftsman’s soul.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Yes, I believe it could be of help to Master Kong.”

He said with a refreshing smile.

He can make a lot of money, and I can get the item I want.

It was a moment when both parties were satisfied with the deal.

Just when everything seemed to be going well, Gaius hesitated and spoke up.

“Um… I’m sorry, but I have a favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Could you help me with a problem regarding food procurement…? I, of course, know that my actions were wrong. I’m just worried that it might cause a delay in making Master Kong’s magical tool…”

Gaius rambled on with excuses.

I readily replied to him.

“Yes, go ahead.”

Once I started targeting Gaius in earnest at the tavern, there would be restrictions on his activities day and night.

As a result, if I couldn’t obtain the necessary materials, the production period would be extended.

I can’t let this hinder making a gift for Luna.

After resolving Gaius’s food procurement issue, I returned to the hideout.

And then, we began to have in-depth discussions about the magical tools.

Gaius explained about mana storage and maximizing efficiency, but honestly, I didn’t understand any of it.

I just kept repeating the request to use the most expensive materials because good things are good.

“How would you like the appearance to be?”

“Not too flashy, but not too plain either.”

It was considering Luna’s taste.

If I made the appearance too flashy and she felt repulsed, wouldn’t that be disappointing?

After finalizing our consultation, before I knew it, it was already past midnight and dawn was approaching.

It had been a long time since I stayed up all night in the entertainment district.

Handing him a hefty sum under the pretext of ingredients, as we stepped outside, the cool dawn air felt invigorating.

Perhaps even ordinary air feels pleasant when you think it might help you.

Come to think of it, at this hour, the moonflowers must be in full bloom.

The moonflowers at Duke David’s estate and the ones in your room must all be blooming, bathing in moonlight and exuding beauty.

Thinking of you admiring the flowers in your room before going to sleep, I set off.

The night air was still cool, but my heart felt warm indeed.

* * * * *

How many days had passed since then?

It was after the usual swordsmanship training.

As I lay on the ground, having endured a thorough beating, my father spoke to me.

“It seems you’ve been going out late quite often. Is there something going on?”

“I went out for personal matters, nothing of concern. But if it worried you, Father…”

“No, it’s fine. Don’t mind me. Just remember, after me, you will have to lead the territory and the family.”

“Yes, I will always keep that in mind.”

I couldn’t bring myself to say that I was in the midst of making Luna’s gift.

It was too embarrassing.

It felt contradictory that it was hard to talk about it to family who should know better than anyone else.

After my father returned to the mansion, leaving me alone, I blankly gazed at the sky.

So vast and blue.

The white clouds drifting with the wind suddenly seemed beautiful.

Someday, we’ll lie in a field like this, gazing blankly at the sky.

When hungry, we can have a simple meal in the field and leisurely enjoy some tea.

Feeling the breeze, I indulged in such a pleasant daydream.

Eventually, I got up and returned to the mansion.

Later, as always, I had a meal with my family.

My body was still not fully recovered, and my arms trembled, but I managed to replenish my nutrients somehow.

Towards the end of the meal, Mother spoke.

“Albert, I bought everything you talked about. But will this really turn into money later?”

“Yes, it will definitely become a big sum of money.”

“Hmm… If you say so…”

Mother still shook her head as if she didn’t understand.

Of course, it was a natural reaction.

After all, those items were just ordinary tea leaves.

But just one year.

In a year, the situation would change.

The subtly flavored tea leaves that no one wanted to buy would be used as a cure for an incurable disease and would rise in demand as the main ingredient for mana circuits.

So, all we had to do was quietly wait.

Until competent wizards released their research results.

After finishing the conversation with Mother, Father, who was next to me, spoke.

“Albert, a report about the hot spring has come in. As you said, they dug deep, and now hot water is flowing out.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“Yes, it is. But now, isn’t this just the beginning? We might have to move quite busily for a while.”

Father seemed quite pleased.

He must have been happy that the family and estate situation was improving.

I was also extremely happy because I felt like I was helping to relieve the burden on Father, who felt responsible as the head of the family.

By the way…

“I’ve never been to the hot spring with Luna.”

At that time, the David family’s hot spring was quite famous.

It was one of the few hot springs in the empire and there were rumors that it helped with fatigue recovery and skin care.

Perhaps because of this, many nobles visited with their wives, and it brought in a considerable income.

However, neither Luna nor I, who were the owners of the estate, had ever been to the hot spring even once.

We had visited for inspections several times, but we had never truly enjoyed it, not even once.

This time, when it’s completed, I will definitely go with Luna.

I firmly resolved.

Time passed, and it became late afternoon.

I walked familiarly and found the hideout.

I was here to meet Gaius.

As I entered the hideout, Gaius and three gnomes were happily chatting.

Not long ago, I was a victim and a perpetrator of a kidnapping incident, but as we spent time together, it seemed we were becoming close.

Everyone who noticed me immediately stood up and bowed their heads.

At the same time, four voices could be heard.

Three of them were probably used to it, so they would just go along with it…

“Du Mok, nice to see you.”

Why does Gaius call me Du Mok?

No matter how much I think about it, it seems like it’s transferred from those three.

Anyway, wasn’t my purpose for coming here because of the Madogu?

I decided to leave the Du Mok situation alone and move on to the main point.

“What happened?”

Thud-.

Gaius placed a small wooden box on the table.

As he did so, he said,

“It’s completed.”

Finally, the gift to give to Luna was completed.