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 13

Episode 13: “Demon King Luquier and Chancellor Kelve are Worried about the Alchemist Thor”

　──That night, in the throne room of the Demon King’s castle──

“Thor-dono has made a 『Storage box』────!?」

　Chancellor Kelve’s shout echoed through the throne room.
　The masked Demon King, Luquier, reprimanded him.

“Don’t yell out of nowhere, Kelve. You don’t need to be surprised.”

“This is what surprised me! I’m sure Her Majesty the Demon King also knows about the 『Storage Box』 used by the heroes, right!?”
“I know. It’s a skill that allows you to store a large number of items. It’s apparently called various names, such as 『Storage Box』, 『Inventory Box』, and 『Storage Space』.
“Yes. That was one of the reasons why the heroes from another world were so strong.”

　Kelve remembered the oral traditions that had been handed down from generation to generation.
　Naturally, that included information about the hero’s 『Storage Box』.
　The hero, summoned from another world, was able to pull out a large number of items from the air or from a small bag.

　It was a terrible threat to the demons who were fighting them.

　Just when they thought he was using his bare hands, he suddenly brought out a large sword, and just when they thought they had wounded him, he pulled out a huge amount of potions from a small bag; it was too much for them to handle.

“When you see a hero, you can be sure that 100 items will appear.”

　This was a proverb that was still passed down in the Demon King’s territory even today.

“In the first place, the 『Storage Box』 is such a valuable ability that even some heroes don’t possess it.”
“I know. If all the heroes had possessed it, the demons might have been annihilated…or so my father said.”
“To think that Thor-dono created that dreadful 『Storage Box』…”

　Chancellor Kelve felt the bl00d drain from his face.

“This is a serious matter, Your Majesty! We must do everything we can to prevent Thor from monopolising the 『Storage Box』!!”
“I think that’ll be fine, Kelve.”
“Why!?”
“Because he said he would make for Mabel and me as well.”

　Gosuxtu.(ごすっ)(TL: maybe shocked.)

　Chancellor Kelve accidentally hit his forehead on a pillar.

“Wh-What’s wrong? Kelve!”
“…He’ll make one for Your Majesty the Demon King and Mabel… a hero’s storage box. This will shatter the concept of rare items in this world… What will become of the Demon King’s territory from now on?”
“Well, calm down, Kelve.”
“Sorry, I got distracted.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to startle you. Thor asked me to speak to Kelve.”
“To me?”
“Thor said, ‘As the Demon King’s personal alchemist, I want to do things the right way.'”

　Demon King Luquier announced it with a bright and cheerful expression.

“And Thor promised to be an ally of our Demon King’s territory. Those were very meaningful words. So I think I’ll try to trust him.”
“Yes. I also believe that Thor-dono is a trustworthy person.”

　Chancellor Kelve nodded, shaking his head to regain his composure.

“That person honestly submitted the 『Foot Bath』 that he made.”
“Yeah. That’s just the way he is.”

　The Demon King Luquier shook her legs violently on her throne.

“What a troublesome guy! I’ve never seen anyone like him. Really, I can’t take my eyes off him. He really is a troublesome guy! Right!”
“Your Majesty the Demon King.”
“What is it, Kelve?”
“With Thor-dono, has something happened?”
“…There’s nothing that happened. Why?”
“No, it’s strange, but Her Majesty seems to be in a good mood.”
“I was just having a casual conversation with Thor.”
“Just a casual conversation, is it?”
“That’s right. We put aside our positions and spoke to each other in a way that allowed us to understand each other. And so, I decided to trust Thor. That’s all.”
“I understand.”

　Chancellor Kelve straightened his posture and bowed to Demon King Luquier.

“I have sworn allegiance to the Demon King, Luquier Evargard. If Her Majesty has decided to trust Thor-dono, then I have nothing to say. I also trust Her Majesty.”
“Yes. Kelve has always helped me out.”
“I’m glad to hear that. By the way, Your Majesty.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about marrying Thor and Mabel.”
“──What!?”
“I suppose you are not so keen. However, I think a political marriage would be the best way to keep Thor-dono tied to this Demon King’s territory. It would be far too dangerous to let go of such a talented person. Mabel or anyone else would be fine for marriage. Should we tie the knot?”
“────”
“Then, if the baby is left with its mother, it will be an ideal hostage for Thor-dono. I don’t want to suspect him, but I think we need some insurance.”
“Hostage…huh?”
“I understand your reluctance.”
“Yes. I don’t feel like it. Actually, I don’t think it’s something we should do.”

　Demon King Luquier shook her head.

　She was told that Thor was not an emissary but a hostage in the Demon King’s territory.──-She knows he was sent as a sacrifice.
　There was no way that she could arrange a political marriage for him and hold him as a hostage.
　That was something she must never do, as Thor’s master and as a friend who knew each other’s secrets.

“I cannot allow a political marriage that ignores Thor’s wishes. If he himself says he wants to marry someone from the Demon King’s territory… that’s a different matter, but even so, I will never allow a method like taking a hostage!!”
“I apologise if I have offended you, Your Majesty.”

　Chancellor Kelve obediently backs down.

“However, this is for the sake of Her Majesty and the Demon King’s territory. Please understand that.”
“I know, Kelve.”
“Thank you.”

　Chancellor Kelve also bowed to Demon King Luquier.

“Thor-dono’s alchemy skills were so incredible… I seem to have lost my composure as well. I will be more careful from now on. I am truly sorry, Your Majesty the Demon King.”
“Um, well. You mustn’t lose your cool, Kelve. Making Thor marry someone out of nowhere… seriously.”
“By the way, Your Majesty the Demon King.”
“What’s this time?!”
“Why are you facing outside?”
“…I was just curious about the view outside.”
“Could you please turn to me and talk? If possible, could you remove the mask of  『Recognition Inhibition』…”
“Ahh! Don’t try to intrude into the maiden’s heart!”

　Without thinking, Demon King Luquier raised her voice.
　It was strange.

Under the mask of 『recognition inhibition』, her cheeks were getting hot.

　It was after she heard Chancellor Kelve say that Thor and Mabel would be married off in an arranged marriage.
　Involuntarily, she imagined what would happen after the two had married like that.

　She was sitting alone next to Thor and Mabel, who were now a married couple, drinking tea together. It was a very lonely scene, even though it was supposed to be a tea party for the three of them.
　She didn’t really know why she thought that.

“──Sorry. It seems I was the one who lost my composure.”
“No. I was the one who said something rude.”
“I know that Kelve cares about the country. I will be careful about Thor. If that guy loses the profit of the Demon King territory, I’ll let you know right away.”
“Thank you”
“By the way, Kelve.”
“Yes, Your Majesty the Demon King.”

“Do you think Thor would do anything to harm the interests of the Demon King’s territory?”
“I don’t think so.”
“”Absolutely.””

　That seemed to be the consensus.

(Because he only thinks about making magic items.)

　She really thought he was a troublesome guy.
　That was why she wanted to be there to watch.
　These were──not the feelings of the Demon King, but those of the demon girl, Luquier.

“It’s getting late. I think it’s time to go to bed.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Your Majesty.”
“You must be tired, Kelve. A lot has happened today.”
“There were a lot of things that happened.”

　Demon King Luquier and Chancellor Kelve nodded to each other again.
　The two of them thought of the reason why “everything had happened”—Thor.

　Chancellor Kelve thought to himself, “We have welcomed an incredible person from the Empire.”

　Demon King Luquier thought to herself, “I’ve met someone I can’t take my eyes off of.”
　The two of them left the throne room and returned to their rooms.

“Now that I think of it, I wonder what Mabel thinks of Thor.”
“Political marriage aside, we need to confirm Mabel’s intentions.”

　Suddenly, they tweeted the same thing.
　It was late at night, and Mabel was probably resting in the servants’ quarters at the castle.
　They would probably hear more from tomorrow onward.

　The Demon King Luquier had a maiden reason for saying such a thing. Chancellor Kelve thought about it from a practical standpoint.

　And so, the night passed in the Demon King’s castle.