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 17

Episode 17: “Listening to the Troubles of the Young Girl Agnis (1)”

“This concludes our Demon King’s Castle Tour. Thank you for your hard work, Thor-sama.”

　A few hours later, we returned to my room.
　Thanks to Mabel, I was able to explore most of the rooms in the castle.

　I enjoyed the view of the Demon King’s territory from the balcony.
　In the kitchen managed by the Dwarven Head Chef, I was given some boiled potatoes and shown various cooking utensils.
　In the library, I was allowed to read a history book about the Demon King’s territory.
　I stopped by the Demon King Luquier’s office to say hello. I also met the Prime Minister, Kelve.
　I was guided to the bathroom that was only available to the Demon King, high-ranking demons, and guests of the Demon King’s castle (the bath had not yet been heated, so I just took a look).

　We came back to the room.

　For now, I’d learnt that there were many different races in the Demon King’s territory.

　As an alchemist under His Majesty the Demon King, it seemed necessary to create items that were suited to the characteristics of each race. I still had a lot to research in this area.

“That was very helpful. Thank you, Mabel.”
“You’re welcome. If there’s anything you don’t understand, please let me know.”

　Mabel said laughingly.

“The place Thor-sama is likely to use most often from now on… is the bathroom.”
“That’s right. I like baths, so I plan on using them occasionally.”
“Yes. You are free to use that place as you wish. However, please be careful when there is a sign saying 『In Use』 at the entrance. As soon as you enter, you may run into other people there because it’s the largest resting area.”
“I’ll be careful. Thank you.”
“Also… about the General and Agnis.”

　General Raizenga and his daughter Agnis.
　I was curious about being stared at by the general, but I was also interested in Agnis’s armour.

“… I think it would be best to tell you something, Thor-sama. The truth is──”

　Just as Mabel was about to speak, there was a knock.

“Excuse me, Lord Thor Regus. Is Mabel Refrain here?”
“Head maid? Excuse me, Thor-sama.”

　When Mabel opened the door, a maid with horns growing from her forehead was standing in the hallway.

“What’s the matter, Head Maid?”
“His Majesty the Demon King has called for Mabel. He says he has something important to discuss, like, ‘Wouldn’t it be better for the three of them to have matching teacups?'”
“Seriously, Your Majesty.”

　Mabel smiled and looked at Thor.
　It must be about a tea party. She wanted to consult with Mabel about whether Thor, Luquier, and Mabel should use matching teacups.

“You can go, Mabel. By the way, I think it’s a good idea.”
“I understand, Thor-sama.”

　Mabel picked up the skirt of her maid outfit and bowed.
　Afterwards, she and the head maid walked off towards Demon King Luquier’s office.

“Then I’ll go tidy up the warehouse──”

　But I was tired from walking around the castle today.
　Maybe because I was in an unfamiliar place, I felt strangely tired and sweaty.
　I’d like to change my clothes and relax, but…

“Can I use the bath?”

　I remembered the last bathroom I was shown to.
　Apparently, I was free to use that place.

　It was a place used by the Demon King and greater demons, but the Demon King Luquier had her own private bathroom, and greater demons—such as General Raizenga—could simply bathe in the river.
　That was why Mabel said that hardly anyone uses it.

　Should I go?
   If I saw the 『In Use』 sign, just come back.
　Besides, I was taught how to walk around the Demon Castle, so I would review it before I forgot.

　I started to prepare my clothes and towels.

　The bathroom was on the first floor of the Demon King’s castle.
　A sign reading 『No users』 was hanging on the double doors. Next to the doors was a notice board listing the bathing hours and the names of the people who usually use the baths.

　The baths were available from 6 p.m. onwards. Before that, you could just take a quick shower.
　There were almost no users between 6:00 and 8:00, and only the Prime Minister, Kelve, uses it after 8:00.

　When I opened the door, there was a rest area, and beyond that was the changing rooms.
　The baths on the left were for men, and the baths on the right were for women. However, when Her Majesty the Demon King used the bath, neither the men’s nor the women’s baths were available for use. This was likely to hide the true identity of the Demon King.

　After that, “Don’t take a bath when you’re drunk,” “Those with scales and hard skin should keep their distance, as not to hurt the skin of the neighbours”, “Mermaids are prohibited from diving for more than 20 minutes because it makes everyone around them worried,” “No mixed bathing with familiars”—Various detailed rules were written.

　It was just after 6 o’clock. The bath was still open. There was no sign saying that the baths were in use.
　After thinking for a moment, I opened the bathroom door.

　When I opened the door, there was a large rest area.
　There were chaise lounges and a water station along the wall for hydration. Beyond those were two doors, which seemed to be the entrances to the men’s and women’s changing rooms.

　There was no sign of anyone in the rest area.
　I couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
　Maybe now I could calmly wash off my sweat—or so I thought—but when I looked around, I saw an armour lying on the floor.

　It was armour with fire resistance.
　It was worn by General Raizenga’s daughter, Agnis.

　If I looked closer, I could see more details.
　This armour had two earth attributes added to it. It seemed that stacking earth attributes gave it strong flame resistance. The material was soft, so it was easy to move around in. It was quite a valuable item.
　But the clasps on this armour were still loose.
　It was probably being bombarded with flames that were too intense for it to bear.

　I want to repair it, but the owner of this armour was General Raizenga’s daughter. If I touched it without permission, I would not get away with it.
　Besides, it was not just armour that was there.
　Next to the armour was a helmet, and behind it were the hand and the leg guard.

　Where was the owner?
　There was definitely a 『no bathers』 sign hanging on the bathroom door. The dressing room was on the other side of the door, and this was a resting area. It was not a place to take off your armour.

　While thinking about this, I looked around and noticed a small door in the corner of the rest area.

　Above the open door were the words 『Salamander’s Hot Spring』. It seemed the bath water was boiling in this room.

　Salamander was a subordinate of the Flame Giant.
　It wouldn’t be surprising if Agnis came to visit.
　Besides… judging by General Raizenga’s behaviour during the day, I had a feeling he would be angry if I passed by without saying hello.
　If I was going to use the bath, I should at least say something.
　Thinking that, I approached the open door…

“Hey, hey. Don’t mess with me. Stop it now.”

　A cheery voice came.

　Three Salamanders were flying around in a dimly lit room.
　The size of the salamander was about 1 metre. It was a lizard with red scales and feathers like bats on its back.
　He was enveloped in crimson flames, and every time he breathes, flames shoot out from his mouth and nostrils.

　At the centre of the salamanders was a girl with red hair.
　Her hair, filled with flames, swayed as she moved her body, as if dancing.

　Every time she reached out her hand, flames erupted from her fingertips.
　The flames were sucked into the stove, and with a bubbling sound, steam erupted from the boiler.
　A metal pipe was extended from the boiler. Judging from the direction, it must be connected to a bathtub. I saw that was how they heated the bath. That was very helpful.
　When the flames got too strong, the salamander that boiled the water patted her cheek.
　”Sorry, I’m not good at controlling things,” the girl said with a laugh as she distanced herself from the stove.
　The Salamander perched on her shoulder made a contented “gurgle” noise.
　The flames floating from the girl’s hair and the flames overflowing from the salamander’s wings intertwined and became one.
　The girl seemed to be happy about this as she hugged the salamander. When I saw Salamander, wrapped in her soft br3asts, I realised that she was naked and tilted my head in embarrassment.

　Of course.
　Both the girl and the salamander were covered in flames. There was no clothing that could withstand the flames of the descendants of the 『Flame Giant』 and the fire spirits.
　The girl surrounded by flames looked so natural that it took me a moment to realise she was naked.

　It was a bad habit to get obsessed with beautiful things, people, items, and functional beauty… Thinking like that, I quickly moved out of the door.

　But it was too late; Salamander had already noticed my presence.
　So when I moved, the Salamanders moved too.
　They all looked at me and bowed their heads.
　The girl saw that and also looked towards the door ── then met my eyes.

　Deep crimson eyes—the same colour as General Raizenga’s.
　The skin of the young girl Agnis turned pink with cherry blossoms. Then vermilion. Then crimson.
　Something like orange scales rose from her shame-stained skin. Her crimson hair lifted up like flames, swaying and making the flames appear.

「────!?」

　Flames erupted from the Agnis’ entire body.

“Gurururu────!!”

　Immediately afterwards, the Salamanders rammed into the door.
　Just before the flames could reach the boiling room, an iron door stopped them.
　Still, the flames continued to overflow a little.

“Activate the 『Ultra-Compact Simple Warehouse』. Store the flames!”

　I took out a palm-sized 『Simple Warehouse』 from my pocket.
　When I opened the warehouse door with my fingernails, there was a whoosh, and flames were sucked in.
　The flames that were sucked in continued to burn for a while inside the 『Simple Warehouse』, but there was nothing in the vast storage space that could catch fire, so they quickly went out.

“Yeah. It’s surprisingly useful.”

   After making the 『Simple Warehouse』, I made a smaller version just in case.
　Of course, its performance was no different from a large 『Simple Warehouse』.
　Although it was small, there was plenty of storage space inside.
　It was sufficient to store the flames.

“──Ah, ahhhhhh! What have I done? Setting fire to His Majesty the Demon King’s guest. Wh, what should I do…”

　A tearful voice came from the other side of the door.

“I, I have to call a healer right away… Ah. But what if Father finds out that Agnis was playing with the Salamanders… I’ll be punished for being a bad kid…”
“It’s okay.”
“……Eh?”
“I was prepared for something like this to happen, so I’m fine.”

　I knocked on the door and then called out.

“Also… I’m sorry. I can’t help but be fascinated. I forgot to call out to you.”
“……I, eh”
“For now, why don’t we talk after you are dressed?”
“Ah, yes. Umm, well, I… Agnis…”

　A confused voice came from the other side of the door.

“My clothes are… just the armour I have over there.”
“Just the armour.”
“Agnis can’t control flames well… Anything that isn’t flame-resistant will burn immediately, even if it’s worn…”
“……I see”

　I thought I understood why General Raizenga got angry when I said during the day that I wanted to repair her armour.
　Agnis had the ability to ignite the flame because she had the bl00d of the Flame Giant. However, it seemed that she couldn’t control the flame well.
　So she couldn’t wear normal clothes. because it burnt out too quickly.
　I guessed  the only armour Agnis could wear was fire-resistant…

　If that was the case, I would have to strip her naked in order to fix her armour.
　…Well, that would make General Raizenga angry. It was like saying, “Let me touch your daughter’s underwear” at our first meeting.

“I’m outside. Call me when you’ve finished putting on your armour.”
“……Yes.”
“”””Gururu-“””

　There was a faint reply from the other side of the door and the growls from the salamanders.
　After confirming this, I went out into the corridor.