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 39

Episode 39: “Exchanging Information”

“Thor. Can I ask you something?”
“Yes, Luquier-sama.”

　I nodded in response to Luquier’s question.

　This was the headquarters of the Demon King’s army, located at the bottom of the rocky mountain.
　Me, Luquier, and Mabel were inside the biggest tent.
   The purpose was to talk about the subjugation of the 『Demon Beast Gargarossa』 and what had happened with the Imperial soldiers.

　In the middle of the conversation, Luquier suddenly became serious.

“Thor. Have you ever repaired a magic sword when you were in the empire?”
“……I guess.”

　I thought for a bit,

“I remember doing that kind of work in the item storage room at a government office.”

　I think it was a job that was passed on to me by a nobleman’s house.
　I didn’t ask about the client because it wouldn’t contribute to my success anyway.

　What I restored at that time was a fairly old magic sword.
　There was a crack all the way to the centre of the blade.

　At that time, I hadn’t awakened to 『Creative Alchemy』, but I was able to add attributes.
　Therefore, I sealed the cracks with a material that had 『Light』 and 『Earth』 added to it.
　At the same time, I think I increased the strength as well.

　However, since I was called back to the Duke’s house before it could be finished, it had not been completely restored.
　I was still bothered by the fact that the job ended up being half-finished…

　──That was what I explained to Luquier.

“……Really”

　After hearing my story, Luquier was silent for a while and just looked at me from behind the mask.
　Then, as if trying to change the topic, she cleared her throat.

“I am your master.”
“Yes, Luquier-sama.”
“And I wish to be a master you will not be ashamed of.”
“Yes, Luquier-sama. I respect you as a master.”
“Thanks, Thor.”

　With her mask still on, Luquier gripped the arms of her chair tightly.

“Since you are like that, I will tell you without hiding anything. What the Third Princess of the Empire said.”

　──Then Luquier began to speak slowly.

   After the subjugation of the 『Demon Beast Gargarossa』, the third princess of the empire brought up the topic of alchemists.
　The third princess, Liana, was searching for the 『Wandering Alchemist』 who had repaired her magical sword.
　She wanted to thank that person.
　Ideally, she would like the alchemist to stay by her side and continue creating items for the Imperial family.

　──Luquier told me this in a calm tone.

“Could you be the 『Wandering Alchemist』 the princess was talking about?”
“I think so.”

　My achievements at government office were 『Prevented』 by the Duke of Regus.
　That was probably why it was attributed to the 『Wandering Alchemist』.

“I repeat, I want to be a master that you will never be ashamed of.”

　The whole time I was talking, Luquier kept her eyes downcast.
　Mabel, standing next to her, looked so nervous, I could tell she was worried.

“Thor, your power is great. I do not wish to take advantage of it or try to stop you by force. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“And so, I decided to tell you without hiding anything that the Third Princess of the Empire desires you…”

　After saying that, Luquier let out a long sigh.

“P-personally, I wanted to keep this a secret. However, I am the king who rules over the Demon King’s territory. I cannot hide from you what the princess of the Empire said in public. Above all, as your friend, I do not want to lie to you.”
“Yes, Luquier-sama.”
“…Well then…that’s it…um…”
“Next time you see the princess, tell her, 『Don’t mess with me』.”

　I took a deep breath and said,

“『If you’re going to ask someone for something, grab the reins of your own aristocrats and train them not to send unwanted letters to other countries』.”
“……Eh?”
“…Thor-sama…”

　Luquier’s eyes brightened.
　Mabel held her mouth to stop it from bursting out.

　But there was no need to even consider the proposal from the Empire’s third princess.
　The answer was simple: “Don’t be ridiculous. We respectfully decline.”

“I’m glad she used the magic sword I repaired, though…”

　That was the only thing I could empathise with.
　The rest I didn’t understand at all.
  『Continue to create items for the imperial family』 What does that mean?

“Even if I am employed by the Empire, my life will consist of just making items at the Emperor’s command, right? They can’t just say, 『make what you like』, like you, Luquier, right? Sorry, I can’t be the Emperor’s subordinate.”
“…Thor.”
“In the first place, the reason I was able to make the 『Foot Bath』, 『Simple Warehouse』 and 『Laser Pointer』 was because you gave me a workshop. It was there that I found the 『Mail Order Catalogue』. It’s all thanks to you.”

　I turned to the Demon King, Luquier, and announced.

“I came from another country and was given a place to work, allowed to make what I wanted, and was pleased with what I made. Thanks to a master like that, I’m living a happy life now. That’s why I refused the solicitation of the Empire’s princess──”
“…I refused.”

　Luquier muttered quietly.

“I refused on the spot. I had no intention of giving that alchemist to the Empire.”
“Eh? Then why did you ask me?”
“It’s because I became anxious after I refused! I wondered if it had just narrowed down the path of Thor. I was worried that I had done something bad to Thor. As your friend, I am worried…”
“There’s no need to think about that.”

　I looked into Luquier’s eyes, behind the mask, and said,

“Anyway, there’s no way I’d return to the Empire.”
“I know! I know, but… I wanted to hear your feelings as well…”

　Then, Luquier reached for the mask and shifted it slightly.
　She stared at me with slightly watery, red eyes.

“In the name of Luquier Evargard, I have rejected the Third Princess’ proposal. She will not say anything else. Rest assured, Thor.”
“Y-Yes, Luquier-sama.”
“Only myself, Kelve, and Raizenga know what happened there. At the end of the story… I’ve told them to keep it a secret, but… I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t talk about it too much.”

　Luquier said, putting her mask back on.
　I understood. So that was what the third princess of the empire said to Luquier…
　 I didn’t want her to recruit me in some weird way. I had no intention of returning to the Empire.

“In that case, the letter brought by the Regus family soldier may also be related to the princess.”
“The captain of your family’s guards.”
“That person, the Prime Minister and the General, were returned to the Imperial Army, right…?”

　Luquier, Mabel, and I looked at each other and nodded.
　The Prime Minister and General Raizenga had thoroughly interrogated the captain of the Regus family guards.
　The two of them should be leading some soldiers to the rocky mountain near the border right now.
　To make sure that the Imperial troops returned safely to their country.

“That soldier, in the end, insisted that 『We rushed to attack the demon beasts by impatience with merit.』”

　Luquier said while sipping his tea.

“Kelve, Raizenga, and I all believe that the Empire deliberately lured the beasts here, but it seems he didn’t know anything about it… or maybe he’s just keeping his mouth shut.”
“Maybe he just wasn’t informed.”
“Hmm. Why do you think that, Thor?”
“Because the letter from my father, Balga Regus, contained phrases and words that he would never use. The head of the Regus family is entirely devoted to martial arts. He doesn’t use pretentious phrases or anything like that. And yet, that letter contained a lot of those kinds of phrases.”

　I took a breath and continued.

“It’s possible that someone in the Empire ordered Balga Regus to write that letter. If that’s the case, I think the Empire deliberately wanted that soldier to deliver the letter.”

　I was not really confident yet, though.
　Conspiracy and strategy were not my responsibility.

“I see. You wouldn’t give important information to the soldiers you plan to send to the Demon King’s army.”
“That’s right. I think he was always under the impression that, 『Our troops attacked the nests of demons in a rush to achieve success.』”
“I agree. And the purpose of the letter is to use Thor, maybe?”
“Or perhaps it’s to make it difficult for me to live in the Demon King’s territory.”
“…May I express my opinion, Your Majesty?”

　Suddenly, Mabel murmured.

“You don’t have to refuse, Mabel.”

　Luquier smiled with just the corners of her mouth.

“This is where Thor, Mabel, and I exchange information. There’s no need to be reserved.”
“…I don’t understand why that soldier sent him such a letter.”

　Mabel looked serious.
　It seems she was still angry at the captain of the guards for bringing that strange letter.

“There’s no way Thor-sama would accept a request like, 『Give me information about the Demon King’s territory』 or 『Bring Agnis to the Imperial capital』. And yet… he went so far as to pretend to be Thor’s trusted subordinate… and deliver such a letter…”
“Mabel would probably think the same after reading that letter.”

　Luquier nodded, still wearing her mask.

“But what about the others? What if they discovered Thor had hidden the letter? Surely they would react differently?”

　Yeah, I was thinking that too.
　That was why I asked Mabel and Agnis to make the letter public for everyone to see.

“A different reaction, huh?”
“That’s right. If, for example, Raizenga found out about that letter…”
“He will think that they tried to take advantage of Thor-sama! He will be angry and burn the letter.”
“That’s true. But if it’s the Prime Minister, Kelve…”

　Luquier thought for a moment, then.

“…Well, he knows that Thor is always studying alchemy and doesn’t have time for that, so he probably wouldn’t suspect anything strange.”
“I don’t think the Minotaurs would suspect Thor.”
“The Elven troops… I don’t think they would have expected that someone who would leak information to the Empire would send them that 『Laser Pointer』.”
“That’s right.”
“That’s true.”
“Therefore, that letter will not upset anyone in the Demon King’s territory. Of course, Thor-sama will not follow its contents. That letter is completely useless and will only displease Thor-sama.”

　Mabel’s fists were clenched, and she was shaking.

“But the person who wrote that letter doesn’t understand that. In other words, the writer of that letter has absolutely no interest in Thor-sama or the Demon King’s territory. Such a person tried to cause trouble for Thor-sama… I cannot forgive that…”
“……I see”

　I made the letter public on the spot so that no one in the Demon King’s territory would become suspicious, but… there was no need to do that.
　Everyone in the Demon King’s territory didn’t doubt me, and they all understood me very well.
　The letter only served to make Mabel angry.

“Sorry, Mabel.”
“Thor-sama is not to blame… I just can’t forgive those who try to take advantage of Thor-sama without knowing anything about him.”
“Still, I’m sorry.”
“…Ugh.”

　Mabel’s eyes were still watery, but when I stroked her back, she calmed down.
　Just now she wanted to use offensive magic on the captain of the guard… It seemed Mabel got emotional easily. Let’s be careful.

“Next time, when the Regus family sends me a letter, I’ll have Her Majesty or the Prime Minister check it.”
“That’s right. The contents of the letters addressed to 『Thor Regus』will be checked at the Demon King’s Castle. If they sent it under his original name, it means they don’t know anything about Thor.”

　Luquier said, grinning.

“Changing your name to Thor Kanan was a good strategy. It’s clear that you have become a resident of the Demon King’s territory. Everyone was happy about it.”
“Sorry. I apologise for causing you trouble, Luquier.”
“I will take care of your jurisdiction. No problem.”
“By the way, there’s one more thing I need to apologise for.”

　I said.

“I told you before. My dream is to create a sword that surpasses the Empire’s holy sword.”
“Um, well. So you said you would make me a magic sword.”
“Yes. But… when I saw the Imperial Princess’ holy sword… I still thought that I still couldn’t create something that could surpass it.”

　Before coming here, General Raizenga gave me spider materials and thread.
　I did a little bit of 『Appraisal Grasp』 and found that both were incredibly strong.

　The blade of light created by the Imperial Holy Sword was very easily cut through the spider’s body and threads.
　I realised that I still wasn’t strong enough to create a magic sword that could surpass that one.

“So I’d like to have a little more time.”
“No no, even without the magic sword, I think that the 『Laser Pointer』 alone is strong enough.”
“That’s an item from the hero’s world. I would like to give His Majesty a magic sword that I designed and created myself.”

　I bowed my head to Luquier.

“So, please wait a little longer until I present you with the magic sword.”

　First, let’s use the 『Mail Order Catalogue』 as a reference and create items from the Hero’s World to study.
　Then, once I’d gained enough power, I would create the perfect magic sword for Luquier.

　To do that, I needed to research the Empire’s holy sword as well.
　…First, I should think of a way to counter the holy sword’s 『Photon Blade』.
　Maybe I would look through the 『Mail Order Catalogue』 to see if there’s anything I can use…

“…Thor. Are you up to something again?”
“N-no, no. Not really.”
“What do you think, Mabel?”
“I think you’re thinking of making something entertaining.”
“Well then.”

　Looking at me, Luquier was trying to hold back her laughter.
　Then──she changed her tone.

“Anyway, the subjugation of the 『Demonic Beast Gargarossa』 has been completed without incident. There was also the joint operation with the Empire… but it’s over. Thor’s 『Laser Pointer』 was extremely useful in the subjugation. This is no small achievement. We will discuss the reward as soon as we return to the castle.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“I and my troops will return to the Demon Castle tomorrow morning. Thor and Mabel will accompany General Raizenga and head to his mansion. Thor’s mansion and workshop will be built on Raizenga’s domain. This is to check out the land, and the rest is for sightseeing.”
“Sightseeing, huh?”
“Since you came to the Demon King’s territory, you’ve hardly left the castle, have you?”

　Come to think of it.
　This subjugation mission was the first time I had been outside the castle.

“You can explore the Demon King’s territory for a while under the protection of Raizenga and Agnis. Feel free to do as you please.”
“Luquier-sama.”
“What is it?”
“I have one request.”
“Tell me.”
“Could I have something like a permit that allows me to practice alchemy anywhere?”
“Permit certificate?”
“If I travel around the Demon King’s territory and meet all kinds of people, I’m sure I’ll want to create something.”
“”……Ah””

　Luquier and Mabel looked as if they had realised something.
　It seemed like they understood what I was trying to say.

“There are probably people in the Demon King’s territory who have never seen alchemy before. I think they’d be surprised if I suddenly started doing something like that. So I was hoping that Luquier-sama could give me some kind of permit…”
“You really are helpless.”

　Luquier was laughing and covering her mouth.

“I can’t hand Thor over to the princess of the empire after all. If I send you back to that country… I’ll be so worried about what you might do that I won’t be able to sleep. Seriously.”
“……Excuse me”
“Very well. I’ll give you a permit.”

　*pan*, Luquier clapped her hands.

“I will write out a permit stating that 『This person, in the name of Demon King Luquier Evargard, is permitted to practice alchemy anywhere.』 Something like a 『License to Practice Alchemy』.”
“Thank you, Luquier-sama.”

　From then on, I would be doing alchemy outside the Demon King’s castle.
　It would be safer to have permission from Her Majesty the Demon King.

“Then I’ll leave it with Mabel.”
“…Why?”
“If it were me, I’d get so absorbed in alchemy that I’d end up losing it.”
“I honestly think that’s admirable about you, Thor.”
“Okay, I’ll take care of it, Thor.”

　We then continued eating dinner and talked about our plans for the future.
　Apparently, Luquier would return to the Demon Castle and begin dealing with the aftermath of this subjugation. Since she also had to deal with the Empire, it looked like it would be surprisingly difficult.
　The soldiers returned to the Demon King’s castle and dispersed.
　After a few days off, they would return to their usual duties.

     The remains of the 『Demonic Beast Gargarossa』 and the little spider would be studied by the Elven magic unit.
　She said that if they found anything interesting, she would let me know.

　General Raizenga and Agnis led the Flame Giant’s vassals to their home.
　Mabel and I were to accompany them.

“I need to make a magic sword or something Her Majesty the Demon King would want before we return to the Demon Castle.”
“Yes. I’ll help you.”
“Agnis, too… You can always use me as a test subject…”

　As we talked like this, we headed with General Raizenga’s procession to the mansion.