Bonus Chapter 3 – Yuuki and Rhodelia’s Item Development Meeting
A few days before I was to leave on my search for Fira Village, I paid a visit to Rhodelia at the Grail Trading Company.
“Here are your new staff.”
We were in the company president’s office. Rhodelia placed five cloth-wrapped staff on the table in front of me.
“These are even lighter and more durable than the one you used against Alex Kielce. They also have higher heat resistance, so they should be able to withstand your fire magic, My Lord.”
“Sorry to put you through the trouble.”
“Not at all. Our craftsmen were eager to test out some new techniques.”
“I appreciate it. I’ll be sure to pay you—”
“Are you trying to make me angry?”
“Why?!”
“How many times must I tell you?” Rhodelia sighed. “The Grail Trading Company was created to support your reincarnation, My Lord. The only reason our company has survived this long is because you educated our ancestors in Fira Village. And you intend to pay us? What are you thinking?!”
“Am I the weird one here?”
“Given the circumstances, please just accept them.” Rhodelia smiled, covering her mouth. It was clear she had no intention of taking any money.
“Fine. I’ll gratefully accept them.”
“Thank you.”
“In exchange, I’ll give you some information. Something that should be useful to the Grail Company. Or rather, I wanted to tell you and get your opinion.”
“Oh? And what might that be?”
“It’s about the Lord of Phantoms I fought.”
The Lord of Phantoms was a giant suit of armor that a person piloted from within. It had a weakness—it drained the user’s mana and life force—but that was only because it was sealed. The one who sealed it was the ‘Traitor Sage,’ Lyle Carmine. My… son. And the friend of Rhodelia’s ancestor.
“Does your family have any records of the Lords?”
“No.” Rhodelia shook her head. “My ancestors and the infiltration team cut off all contact.”
“To avoid suspicion from the enemy, right?”
“Yes. The Sanctuary Church was powerful, and deeply suspicious.”
“And Lyle stole a Lord from them…”
“As expected of the infiltration team. I am so proud.”
“I’m going to go look for it. When I find it, would you be willing to store it at your company?”
“You would entrust it to us?!”
“I can’t exactly keep it in my lodging. Besides, the technology used in the Lords might be useful to the world. I know you won’t misuse it, Rhodelia. Will you research it with me?”
“…Thank you very much, My Lord.”
It was sudden. Rhodelia dropped to her knees before me and took my hand in hers.
“On behalf of my entire clan, I thank you. Our duty to protect the company and to preserve your legend… it was all correct. I am grateful to have met you in my lifetime.”
“Hey, listen.”
“Yes?”
“I’m just a village guardian deity. Just because 200 years have passed, you don’t need to be so formal. I just want to live a normal life in this era, pretending to be human.”
“I understand your wishes, but…” Rhodelia paused, thinking. “But… serving you is something of an instinct for me.”
“That’s a weird instinct.”
“If I don’t, I feel you’ll just go and do something reckless again. For my clan, you are… well, you are the guardian we can’t leave alone.”
“The guardian you can’t leave alone?”
“You are kind, and clumsy, but you always put us first, and you’re reckless if you’re not watched. That is the kind of person you are. Our ancestors thought, ‘If he returns, we must support him so we never lose him again.’ It was that feeling that allowed them to survive the chaotic era of the ‘War of the Eight Kings.’”
“…I get the picture.”
Well, I suppose it couldn’t be helped. If her entire family had been like this for centuries, I couldn’t expect her to change overnight.
“Fine. Do as you like. But in public, I need you to treat me like a normal boy.”
“I shall endeavor to do so.”
“What’s with that sly smile?”
“However, if you are to be involved with the Lords, there will be danger. You must permit me to design and prepare countermeasures.”
“I can agree to that.”
“Then let us design some new weapons together!”
Rhodelia was beaming. I had a feeling I’d had a very similar conversation with her ancestor, 200 years ago.
“In the end, your whole family just loves this stuff, huh?”
“My clan is one of meticulous artisans, My Lord.”
“I know. And you have a sharp mind for business, too.”
Rhodelia’s ancestor—Gates the craftsman—had been the same. Whenever he had a new idea, he’d come running to my castle to consult with me, and we’d build it together. We’d brainstorm ways to improve the water wheel or make more effective traps. And then he’d go sell them in the town at the foot of the mountain.
They were good memories. It seemed that meticulous nature and business savvy had been passed down to Rhodelia as well.
“—and if we do this, I think we can make a weapon that uses my ‘Mistel Blood.’”
“—Understood. I will arrange for the proper materials.”
“—Make it small enough to hide under my robe.”
“—The cost per unit would be… but considering the strength…”
We ended up getting carried away, excitedly discussing such things late into the night.
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