A Creative Alchemist Enjoys His Freedom – After Being Banished from His Hometown, He Is Now Free to Create Magical Items with Incredible Effects Under the Control of the Demon King - Episode 10

Episode 10: “Thinking about storage and work space”

　──Thor’s point of view──

“Thor-sama, please open your mouth.”
“It’s alright, Mabel. I can feed myself.”

　Evening.
　I was having dinner in my room.

　When I was in the empire, I’d heard rumours that 『the people in the Demon King’s territory eat the demon beasts raw』, but that wasn’t the case at all.

　Mabel had brought me freshly baked bread, hot soup, and meat dishes.
　The bread was a little hard, but sweet nuts were kneaded inside. The soup was also rich, and on top of the meat dishes herbs were used to enhance flavour.
　Or rather, it was more delicious than the food I had in the Imperial City.

　In front of me was the elf Mabel, watching me eat with glee.
　I had been nervous when I first started eating, but I was used to it now because I knew Mabel was a good person.
　However──

“I am in your debt, Thor-sama. Let me repay you.”

　It was annoying when she tried to feed me whenever she got the chance.
　Every time she tried to bring a slice of meat to my mouth, my eye was drawn to her wide-open collar.
　Anyway, I did find that elves have very nice skin.

　But Mabel looked serious.

“Thanks to Thor-sama, I am able to learn magic. He also repaired my mother’s pendant. If I continue to accept your kindness one-sidedly, the pride of the noble name of the elves will be ruined. Please allow me to repay your kindness.”
“Really?”
“I absolutely must!”
“Okay. I’ll get it back someday.”
“Someday?”
“I still don’t know anything about the Demon King’s territory.”

　I said.

“So, when you have some free time, I’d like you to show me around the castle and the territory.”
“I understand. I guess it’s the first step in repaying your kindness.”

　How many steps were there to the finish line, Mabel?

“With the Demon King’s permission, I will be showing you around the castle and territory in the near future.”
“After all, you need the Demon King’s permission.”
“Only at the beginning. The Demon King is a generous person.”

　……Really?
　When I saw him in the throne room, he seemed pretty arrogant, though.
　I also felt that he was a very capable person in power.

“Is there anything else you would like?”
“What if I wanted another room?”
“For that, we’ll need the Demon King’s permission.”
“That’s right.”

　This was my room in the Demon King’s castle.
　The room had a bed, a table, a chair, and a desk. Besides the entrance, there were two doors on the wall.
　One led to the warehouse next door, and the other to the toilet.
　By the way, there was no bathroom.
　Apparently there was a large public bath in the castle, but I still felt uncomfortable soaking in the tub with everyone from the Demon King’s castle.

　There was a large window near the bed.
　From the window, I could see the forest I passed through and the scenery of the Demon King’s capital city.
　It seemed like a nice environment. In fact, it was much better than the room I lived in back in the Imperial City.
　However, in order to open an alchemy workshop, I needed another room.

　His Majesty the Demon King had intended me to use the warehouse as a workshop, but there were many valuable items there. There were mountains of books from other worlds and things that could be used as materials.

　The processes of 『Creating』 (restoring) and 『Processing』 could sometimes involve the use of fire and chemicals. If not careful, this could damage the books and materials from the other world.
　To avoid that, it would be better to have a room dedicated to working…

“What can I do, Thor-sama? If you would like a room, I will go to the Demon King now and ask for permission.”
“The room is fine for now. Before that, please give me a tour of the castle.”
“Got it”
“The sooner the better… Could you do it tomorrow?”
“Of course. I’m happy to be able to accompany you, Thor-sama…”

　Saying that, Mabel bowed her head to me.

“If you have any other requests, please feel free to let me know. I, Mabel Refrain, will do my best to fulfil your wishes, Thor-sama.”
“You don’t have to risk your life, okay?”

　I said.
　But Mabel just gave me a gentle smile.
　──Did she really understand?

　After a while, the meal was finished, and Mabel left the room.
　I brought out the 『Mail Order Catalogue』 from the warehouse and spread it out on the desk.

“…Is there a magic item to create a workshop?”

　Thinking about that, I turned the page.
　The first page of the catalogue contained the table of contents.

　Speaking of items that could be used as a workshop… 『Storage』 perhaps?

　…『Storage』, huh?
　To think of it, the heroes from another world had the ability to store items. I read about it in a history book when I was in the Empire.

　This ability was called by various names, such as 『Storage Box』, 『Inventory Skill』, and 『Item Box』.
　It was the ability to store a large number of items in a separate space, and it seemed that anything stored there could be freely taken out at any time.
　Perhaps the items were being automatically organised internally.

　That was a unique ability of the hero.
　There was no one with the same abilities in the current empire.

　To begin with, I didn’t even know if it was a skill or an item-based ability.
　It was exactly the 『Lost Technology』 of the heroes’ time.

“That 『Storage Box』 was one of the reasons why the hero was so strong…”

　Even if you carry a lot of items, it won’t become too much of a burden.
　What’s more, you can take out your favourite items whenever you want.
　It’s a very useful ability for both travelling and combat.

　If I could create something to replace the 『Storage Box』, it might provide a clue to surpassing the hero’s 『Strength』.
　It seemed worth a try.
　If all went well, I might even be able to create a 『workshop』 within the storage space.

　I opened the 『Mail Order Catalogue』 and opened the storage item page.
　If this were a book from the hero’s world, I think there would be something similar to the 『Storage Box』.

“…Is this it?”

　I stopped in the middle of the book.
　What was posted there was a metal warehouse. There was an explanation. That was─

“It looks compact, but the inside is incredibly spacious! You can store everything in it! It’s easy to organize! You can take things out as you like!”

　──It’s the same ability as the hero’s 『Storage Box』.
　Amazing. It really happened…

　The name of the item was 『Simple Warehouse』.
　Height: 2 metres, width: 3 metres, depth: 3 metres.
　It was made of metal and had a large sliding door.

　The photo showed the foreign exterior warehouse; that was all that was visible.

　The description said, 『The size of another dimension that goes beyond the conventional wisdom…! Please check the size when you actually use it.』 『Another dimension』—in other words, there was a 『Broad space』.

　If so, this might be something that creates a separate space inside, for a 『Storage Box』.

　A hero who once came to this world stored items in another dimension.
　And this book was from the world of heroes.
　It wouldn’t have been surprising if items with the same abilities were listed.

“…Let’s give it a try.”

　My goal was to surpass the hero.
　I would create useful items like those in the hero’s world and spread them throughout the Demon King’s territory.

　Make the Demon King’s territory a much more convenient place to live than the Empire.

　I decided to use my 『Creative Alchemy』 for that purpose.
　So, let’s try and see if I could make this 『Simple Warehouse』.

“Activate 『Creative Alchemy』.”

　I activated the skill.
I looked closely at the 『Mail Order Catalogue』 page and checked the abilities and parameters of 『Simple Warehouse』. I checked whether I could copy it with my skills.
   『Creative Alchemy』 answer was──

──────────────────

『Simple Warehouse』 (Can be created with 『Creative Alchemy』. However, you currently lack magical power.)

Required magic power
　Magic of the Earth (conditions met)
　Wind Magic (Conditions met)
　Dark Magic (lacking)

──────────────────

　It could be made.
　However, it seemed I didn’t have enough dark magic right now.

What was needed for the 『Simple Warehouse』 was earth magic, wind magic, and dark magic.
　It seemed that the magic of the earth surrounds the space, and the magic of the wind fills the space with air.
　But couldn’t you create a separate space for storage without enough dark magic?

『Dark magic』 literally meant darkness, emptiness, or nothingness.
　Dark magic only had a negative image in the Empire, but emptiness and nothingness were necessary.
　Without empty space around, people couldn’t move.
　You could put things in a bucket or a room because there was nothing inside.

　So it makes sense that a large amount of dark magic would be needed to create empty storage space inside a 『Simple Warehouse』.

　However, the amount of dark magic I could use was still limited.
　That was because I was in the Empire until recently. Light magic was strong there, and dark magic was weak.

　In that case… what should I do?
　It looks like it would take some time to fully absorb the dark magic.

“It would be nice if there was someone nearby who had a lot of 『Dark Magic』.”
“Excuse me. Is Thor Regus here?”

　Suddenly, there was a knock.
     The 『Dark Magic』 overflowed from the gap between the doors.

“──The necessary 『Dark Magic』 has been absorbed. You can now create a 『Simple Warehouse』.”

　A voice said it in my head.

“Huh? Who?”
“I am the Demon King, Luquier Evargard! Thor Regus. You are in there, right!?”
“Ah, yes.”

　When I opened the door, I found the Demon King, Luquier Evargard.
　It was the same figure I had seen in the throne room.
　He wore a black robe and a silver mask on his face.
　Mabel was standing next to him. It seemed that she had guided the Demon King Luquier to this point.

“I’ve come here to talk to you about something. May I come in?”
“Y-Yes.”
“No, you don’t have to kneel. I’m here incognito, so make yourself comfortable.”

　I stand up, as I am told.
　I looked at the Demon King from the front.

　This was the first time I’ve seen Demon King Luquier up close.
　As expected of a demon king, his appearance was full of dignity.
　His expression was obscured due to the mask. His height… somehow, I have a feeling he was taller than me.
　The mask and the jet black robe were probably magic items.

    My instincts as an 『Alchemist』 told me that it was something powerful.
　I was interested, but it seemed dangerous to touch it carelessly.

　Blonde hair spilt out from under the hood.
　He could be a woman, but I sensed a pressure from his voice that transcended gender.
　That was why I reflexively dropped to my knees.

“First of all, let me express my gratitude, Thor Regus.”

　The Demon King coughed and then said this.

“I am grateful that you allowed Mabel to use magic. This person is my childhood friend and is very dear to me. I am grateful that you have helped her overcome her troubles. Thank you, Thor Regus.”
“Those are kind words, Your Majesty the Demon King.”

　I answered while bowing my head slightly.
　I was originally a noble, so I was well versed in how to deal with situations like this.

“I’ve been indebted to you since I came to the Demon King’s territory. I’m glad that my alchemy has been of some use to you.”

　That was the truth.
　I was abandoned by the Empire, forced into a carriage, and brought in here.
　I was so grateful to Mabel for the warm welcome she gave me.

“…You are different.”
“Is that so?”
“It seems that those who came from the empire during the reign of My Father── the previous Demon King, were frightened and could not speak properly. Well, apparently they just left immediately without even saying hello.”
“……It’s different for each person.”
“You are so calm. Hmm. Interesting. Interesting… but.”

　The Demon King looked at me with interest.

“I have suspicions. I wonder if you are up to something.”
“So you saw through me.”
“Are you up to something?!”
“Actually, I’m thinking about making this.”

　I showed the Demon King the page of the 『Mail Order Catalogue』.

“It can be assembled in two hours. It’s a simple warehouse that won’t break even if 50 sheep stand on it. Can I make it? I want to use it as an alchemy workshop. If the bedroom and the alchemy workshop are together, I feel restless.”
“…You’re really different.”

　Demon King Luquier sighed.

“Can I ask you something? Alchemist Thor.”
“Yes, Your Majesty the Demon King!”
“Why are your eyes shining?”
“I was so happy to be officially recognised as an alchemist by the head of the country.”
“…What is your purpose?”

　Demon King Luquier said.

“You’ve come here as an envoy of the Empire. The role of an envoy is to communicate. However, not only have you repaired Mabel’s pendant, you have also improved her constitution. What is your reason for going to such lengths—what is your goal? Please tell me.”

　I didn’t know what to say when he asked that.
　I was abandoned by the Empire and came here.
　The Duke and the soldier who had brought me here treated me as a sacrifice to the Demon King’s  territory.

　But it was hard to explain.
　It would be troublesome if things got complicated and the way I was being treated changed.
　So, if I were to answer honestly…

“It’s about surpassing the hero.”

　I said.
　The Demon King was at a loss for words.

“Surpassing the Hero… means?”
“Ah, yes. To be precise, it’s about creating magic items that surpass the hero’s world.”
“That’s ridiculous! Heroes possess great skills and come from a world far more advanced than ours! You’re saying you’ll surpass that hero’s world!?”
“Fortunately, we have the documents.”

　I pointed to the 『Mail Order Catalogue』.

“The shapes and abilities of magic items in the hero’s world are written here. I don’t think I can make an exact replica, but I think I can make something similar.”
“…………”
“Hmm? Do you, by any chance, know about the source of the hero’s power, Your Majesty? Could it be something called 『Indispensable Electricity』 that is mentioned in this book? But if the source of the hero’s power is 『Indispensable Electricity』, then it can’t be used in this world, right? So does that mean it becomes a magical power after all? What do you think, Your Majesty?”
“…………”
“Oh, sorry. I got sidetracked. The reason why I want to create a magic item that surpasses the hero’s world is because, to me, heroes are transcendental beings, so I can’t understand them at all. But if I create an item from their world and actually use it, maybe I’ll be able to understand the hero. When I say I want to surpass the hero, I also mean that I want to understand them…”
“Thor Regus.”

　Suddenly, the Demon King muttered in a grave tone.
　He stared at me from behind the mask.

　Oh no. I had gotten carried away and talked too much.
　When it came to the topic of alchemy, it was my bad habit to get carried away.
　My opponent was the Demon King, Luquier Evargard, who stands at the top of the demon race.
　Normally, he was not someone I could talk to casually…

“My Demon King’s territory was once defeated by a hero from another world; you know that.”

　Demon King Luquier Evargard said.

“Thor Regus. You wish to surpass that hero. Is that right?”
“……Yes, that’s right.”
“Really”

　Demon King Luquier took a deep breath, then

“Haha. Interesting. You’re very interesting! A person from the Empire, in the Demon King’s territory, creating an item that surpasses the hero—how interesting! Go ahead and try it, Thor Regus!”
“Is that ok?”
“I am also known as the Demon King. I believe you have the ability to do so. I will fully accept your ambitions.”

　The Demon King declared it proudly.
　Thank goodness he wasn’t angry.
　Moreover, he accepted my purpose as it was.
　Mabel had said that the Demon King was a generous person, and it seemed that was true.