episode_0067

“I should start moving the stage of my activities.”

The destination has been decided.

Knowing that Jill was following closely behind, it’s burdensome to continue operating in the South.

Although there is still much to be done in the South.

There is also plenty to do in the North.

I have never visited the North until now, so there must be dungeons and whatnot piled up.

“Let’s head to Taebyeop City.”

The destination this time is Taebyeop City.

It is the largest industrial city on the Northern continent and the spiritual capital of the Dwarven race.

And it is where Taebyeop machines are most advanced.

“I’m a bit concerned about Yerina, but…”

The Northern continent is soon to be under the control of the Ice Lord.

Going to the North means a significant increase in the chance of encountering Yerina.

However, in the South, there are Jill and Lulia, while in the North, there is only Yerina, so the chances of being caught are halved.

It may seem like a miraculous calculation, but let’s just go with that.

The reason for heading to Taebyeop City is firstly to create a Mana Device.

A Mana Device refers to tools operated by mana.

Processed Mana Stones are also Mana Devices.

Machines powered by mana as fuel are also called Mana Devices.

Among them, Taebyeop machines, developed mainly around Taebyeop and steel, are unique Mana Devices developed only in Taebyeop City.

Unlike magic, which has limits set by innate mana and talent.

Taebyeop machines allow anyone to use that magic.

As long as you have enough money, that is.

What I want to create is that Taebyeop machine.

In other words, I want to delve into the field of Mana Engineering.

The top expert in that field is undoubtedly Yulia Pentenburg.

A witch who has mastered everything about Mana Engineering through self-study for 300 years, Pentenburg.

She is capable of building a city that surpasses modern standards in this fantasy world, so her genius is beyond words.

So should I hold onto Yulia’s coattails and beg?

There is no need for that.

Although the industry, such as Mana Stone crafting, relies heavily on minor talents and artisans, it is a narrow industry.

Mana Engineering is a broad industry with engineering schools and societies dedicated to teaching it.

Even if it’s not Yulia, there are many experts who are close to her level.

When it comes to comparing work speed and efficiency, the strengths of others may become more prominent.

In that sense, Taebyeop City is the place where the optimal results can be achieved.

While we’re at it, we can also clear nearby dungeons.

Obtain Mana Stones.

Create Mana Devices.

And recruit a few helpers.

It couldn’t be better.

“Are we leaving now?”

“We should start getting up.”

“… ”

Cornelia’s lips twitch, seeming regretful.

She doesn’t seem to have any intention of removing her small, white hand from mine.

As I cover Cornelia’s hand with my other hand, she flinches and pulls away.

Then, with a soft sound.

After removing my hand, she looks back at me.

“Take care of yourself. Don’t overdo it.”

“Got it.”

“If you run out of money, come back anytime.”

“Can I come back even before running out?”

“Of course…”

“You know, to see your face. As a survival check.”

“It’s like you’re about to die or something…”

“You’re not going to die. It’s just a joke.”

Cornelia taps my chest as if resentful.

Money aside, even if Cornelia falls, I will take care of her.

I am the one who saved Cornelia, but I am also the one who imprisoned her in the shackles of Briumga, causing her to suffer.

That responsibility will never disappear.

“Hurry and go. You’ll miss the train.”

“Thanks. Rest well.”

“I’m the one who should be thankful. For the Mana Stones and the brief stop… Thank you for everything. I’ll be waiting.”

Suppressing her regret, Cornelia waves her hand with a pained expression.

I wave back and, with Mijeong, head towards the Cologne City Hall.

There is no time to stop.

Riding the train and running through the night, we get closer to Basel.

When I open my eyes, it’s already morning after the sun has risen.

Mijeong is chewing on my arm as usual.

“Meow.”

“Sigh.”

She’s nibbling on my arm.

She used to be more considerate, but now she doesn’t care whether I’m awake or not.

She probably thinks my body belongs to her.

“Ouch. That hurts.”

“This… mark. Stays.”

“Why leave a mark?”

“I don’t know. Just. Want to leave it.”

“Sigh. Do as you please.”

Since the mark will disappear soon anyway, I decide to let her nibble to her heart’s content.

In fact, before it disappears, a new mark will appear, so it will eventually disappear.

But I can’t keep pressuring her.

Mijeong is the technical expert in our party.

From now on, Mijeong is a versatile tool capable of using up to 3rd-level magic in the electricity and fire system.

In the slave market, even the temporary workers were looked down upon, but later it turned out that in the technical field where the site couldn’t function without them, there were plenty of cases.

I don’t want to be the protagonist who declares, “Try doing well without me,” and leaves to take a picture of the aftermath.

“Hey. The other side hasn’t asked yet.”

“…Ask, I will. Don’t rush me.”

“Okay. Hurry up. We have to go down soon.”

“Okay.”

So, I’ll make sure to ask plenty.

Isn’t this employee welfare?

If there’s an owner as dedicated to welfare as me, tell them to come and see me.

“Come to think of it, Mi-jeong was also judged as a monster.”

Although I tend to forget, Mi-jeong is a vampire.

In other words, a monster.

Even if you bring your ear to her chest, you can’t hear her heartbeat.

Touch her body and it feels cold.

Except for the fact that her eyes glow red when she awakens, she’s just like a regular human.

“I wonder what would happen if I use Weak Point on her?”

So, I suddenly became curious.

What would happen if I used Weak Point, a trait that reveals a monster’s weakness, on Mi-jeong.

Since I haven’t had many opportunities to obtain Weak Points and vampires are not common monsters, I have no experience using Weak Points on vampires.

“Wait, can I lift you up for a moment?”

“…Okay.”

So, I’m really looking forward to this.

I grab Mi-jeong’s arms and lift her up straight.

I activate the trait, Weak Point.

“Oh.”

“…Oh?”

There is only one weakness indicated.

The neck.

Unlike humans, the heart doesn’t stop, so the neck is not a weak point.

Do I have to cut off her neck to kill her?

I’ve learned something new.

“…Huh.”

Slightly.

I gently wrap my hands around Mi-jeong’s neck.

But Mi-jeong just calmly lets me support her weight without any resistance.

Is this really her weak point?

Why is she so fearless?

What would she do if I twisted her neck like this?

“…It’s hot.”

“I’ll let go now.”

“…Uh. It’s, good, meaning. It’s hot. I like it.”

As I try to remove my hand, Mi-jeong gently pulls my hand closer to her neck and presses it against it.

It seems she trusts me that much.

It was worth using my skills to save her in Cali’s unique dungeon.

The cost of burying her is already enormous, so I couldn’t just let her die so easily.

“Phew. We’re here, Hwi.”

“…If your back hurts, I can carry you.”

“What kind of thought process is that?”

Finally arrived at Basel.

I came here to rest after finishing my work at Elvengard and Cologne.

It feels like the travel time is longer than the rest time.

Men who manage two households must experience this kind of suffering every day.

I can relate a little bit.

Of course, I’m not saying I’m a trash who manages two households.

Splash.

Walking through the streets of Basel where shallow water flows, carrying Mi-jeong, a pleasant sound echoes.

It’s nice that there’s no one around in the early morning.

As expected, people like me feel more comfortable when there are fewer people around.

Carrying Mi-jeong while she closes her eyes in fear of the flowing water.

I hum a tune and soon arrive at Tay’s workshop.

“We can use this place as a safe house.”

To communicate with Alicia and Mia, we need a safe house where we won’t be noticed by the main heroines.

We need an address to receive letters.

So I was thinking about how to find a house that is affordable even if the documents are insufficient and has tight security.

But there was no need to worry.

Tay’s workshop is where I visit every time I get a high-grade magic stone.

In fact, it’s practically my base.

And Tay is trustworthy, so the security is perfect.

Good.

From now on, I can contact them at this address and let Alicia and Mia know.

“Is it still open?”

Tay clearly said to come by this afternoon.

It’s still early in the morning, so the work is probably not finished yet.

The VIP waiting room is also nice and cozy.

It seems better to rest in the workshop waiting room than to spend money on a hotel room.

The feeling of being frugal is still strong because the days of being frugal were so intense.

“Please make yourself comfortable. If you need anything, feel free to call.”

“Is room service available here?”

“Of course.”

“Then, let’s have breakfast. Something warm and spicy but not too filling.”

“Yes, yes…”

Wow.

The staff here are well-trained.

They even provide breakfast?

I could slap a 5-star hotel in the face.

After having breakfast.

I have dessert and tea after the meal.

I read the newspaper for a while.

I give Mi-jeong some blood, play with her, and tease her, and before I know it, it’s almost noon.

“Aaaahhh!!!”

“Oh. What’s this.”

“······Surprise.”

A scream tears through the wall.

Is that Tei’s voice?

What could have happened?

Worried, I quickly got up.

I hear the sound of the elevator moving.

And as the elevator door opens, Tei appears, holding a box in her arms.

“What do I do······. Investor. Investor, I. I······.”

“Don’t cry, just tell me slowly.”

“I. This time, the magic stone······. Seems to have failed······.”

“······.”

With a face as if the world is crumbling.

I should comfort her in times like this.

I shouldn’t be having these thoughts.

But I can’t help it to the point where······

‘I want to take a picture and show it to her later.’

Tei’s teary face right now is too cute.

I have a strong desire to capture this moment in a photo.

“Are you even listening?!”

“Uh, yeah. I am. It went well, right?”

“You’re clearly not listening! It’s ruined!”

This is why we need a madogu.

To preserve these precious moments for a lifetime.

Ah! I should have gone straight to Taepyung City as soon as I regressed!

Regret is overwhelming.