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 44

Episode 44: “Making a Parasol to Block Light-Attribute Attacks”

“An item that can defend against 『Ultimate Vivid Light』 interesting! I will prepare the necessary materials. Please make it, Thor-sama!”

　The following day.
　I was in General Raizenga’s office, explaining about the 『UV-cut Parasol』.
　After I explained the parasol’s capabilities in detail, the General gladly provided me with the materials.

    When I looked it up in 『Creative Alchemy』, I found out that I needed cloth, metal, and an empty magic stone to create a 『UV Cut Parasol』. I also found out that a small amount of silver was necessary.

　I could have used silver coins as material, but I was sure Luquier would get angry about that.
　It would be bad to destroy the currency that had been minted.

　After I told him that story, the General gave me a piece of silver.
　Apparently, it was found during a mine survey.
　Of course, I was willing to pay the price…

“That’s not possible! Do you know what you are talking about, Thor-dono?”

　I got scolded.

“Please think about the recent battle. Thanks to Thor-dono’s 『Laser Pointer』, we were able to safely subjugate the demon-beasts. If it was close combat, some people would have been injured. Medical treatment would have been very expensive, and some would have been unable to work during treatment.”

　The General continued with a serious face.

“Thor-dono prevented that from happening. Your help is invaluable. This piece of silver would not be enough to cover it.”
“But I’ve received a reward from His Majesty.”
“That is a matter between you and His Majesty. It is separate from my feelings of gratitude.”

　General Raizenga said with a grin.

“Besides, this is something like an upfront investment. The 『UV-cut Parasol』 seems to be a great item that can nullify light magic. I, the Flame General, would like to invest in it. So please feel free to accept the materials.”
“I understand.”

　It would be rude to refuse after being told that much.
　It was a gesture of kindness from the General. I would accept it gratefully.

“I’m the alchemist Thor Kanan. In order to meet the General’s expectations, I will complete a 『UV-cut Parasol』 that rivals those in the Hero’s World. It will also be a UV protection measure for the Demon King’s territory.”
“Yes. I look forward to it, Thor-dono.”
“By the way, how is Agnis doing? I haven’t seen her this morning, though…”

　She wasn’t even at the breakfast table.
　I thought I might meet her at the General’s office, but she wasn’t there.
　I wanted to say hello since she had been so kind to me.

“Had she gone out?”
“Yes. She has gone out with her guards to the nearby area to search for users of the 『Light attribute』.”

　…I remembered, I asked her to do it yesterday.
　I asked Agnis to find someone who could use 『Light』 offensive magic or martial arts.
　She was already working on it. Amazing.

“Sorry. It seems I’ve asked her to do something troublesome.”
“Don’t worry about it. Besides, it seems like Agnis is enjoying going out in normal clothes these days.”

　The General laughed gleefully.

“The townsfolk still seem to be puzzled by Agnis wearing clothes instead of armour, but they will eventually get used to it. Thor-dono’s request is just the right excuse for Agnis to go out.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”

　He was a really good person. General Raizenga.
　I was jealous that you have a great father… Agnis.

“Well then, I’ll get to work.”
“Yes. I look forward to seeing the results, Thor.”

　And so, with a bow, I left the General’s office.

“We’ve been waiting for you, Thor-sama.”

　When I got back to my room, Mabel was waiting for me.
　She was wearing a larger apron than usual, so her clothes wouldn’t get soiled.
　Perhaps in anticipation of long hours of work, there was a pot of tea on the table, as well as dried fruit and cookies for when you get hungry.

“As expected of Mabel. That’s very thoughtful.”
“It’s also my role to create an environment where Thor-sama can concentrate on his work.”
“Thank you, Mabel. Now, then, let’s start alchemy.”

　All materials were prepared.
    The 『Mail Order Catalogue』 was open to the 『UV-cut Parasol』 page and was placed on the table.
　The drinks were good. Snacks were good.
　Everything was perfectly prepared.

“This time, it might take a little while. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to stick with me until the end.”
“Yes. Thor-sama. Leave it to me!”

　Mabel said, hitting the chest of her maid outfit.
　The reason I was more nervous than usual was probably because what I was about to make was an item that could block the hero’s strongest magic.
　The light-attribute ultimate magic, 『Ultimate Vivid-Light』──commonly known as 『UV』.
　We were trying to challenge that.

　…Just thinking about it made me nervous.
　Also, I was excited.
　I wondered what kind of parasol could be used to protect against light magic.
　 I had to proceed with caution and focus on the work.

“Activate 『Creative Alchemy』”

　I activated the skill.
　The first was to check the structure of the 『UV Cut-Parasol』 listed in the 『Mail Order Catalogue』.
　The length of the parasol handle was about 90 cm, and the diameter was 140 cm.
　It was probably made large so that it could cover the whole body.

　The front side of the parasol was white, and the back side was black.
　The description read, 『The new sparkly material developed by our company scatters and blocks incoming light』.
　It seemed to be able to defend against light-attribute attacks by scattering light.
　The reason why the underside was black was to catch the light reflected from the ground.
　But… I found it hard to understand how it could be prevented by scattering light.

“Mabel. It’s about magic.”
“Y-Yes, Thor-sama.”
“You can’t reflect light magic attacks with a mirror, right?”
“That’s right. Just like dark magic, light magic has the power of 『Erosion』. I don’t think a mirror can prevent that.”
“……Right”

　Dark magic means 『Nothing』 or 『Empty Space』.
　That’s why it has the power to erase others and reduce them to nothing.

　The magic of light is the opposite; it has the meaning of 『Being』 or 『Existence itself』.
　Its source, the sun, is visible from anywhere in the world.
　The sun is an insanely self assertive being.

　For that reason alone, anyone who is subjected to the offensive magical power of light will find their own existence eroded by the overwhelming 『Power of Presence』.
　Since two things can’t exist in the same place, the weaker one disappears.
　That’s what light magic used in attacks is like.

　Therefore, it could not be prevented by reflecting it in the mirror.
　However, the 『UV-cut Parasol』 in the 『Mail Order Catalogue』 had achieved this.

　This 『New Sparkly Material』 might be the key.
　It would be nice if I could decipher how this works with the magical power of light…

“Well, never mind. Let’s start from where we know.”

　First, an image was displayed in the air.
　It looked just like it did in the photo.
　First, let’s make the frame.

“Mabel, prepare the metal materials and magic stones.”
“Understood!”

　Mabel moved the metal lump and the magic stone to the centre of the table.
　By overlaying the image on top of this, the frame of the parasol took shape.

　The question was what to do about the fabric of the parasol.
    The 『UV-cut Parasol』 likely nullified magic by scattering the magical power of light.
　Before it could be 『Eroded』 by the powerful magical power of light, it dispersed the magical power and spread it.
　The question was how to go about doing it…

“…Huh? Mabel. Could you open that 『Mail Order Catalogue』 and take it with you?”
“Like this?”
“Yes. If you look closely, there’s something like a picture in the corner of the page.”
“Yes. It has a parasol, an arrow, and something sparkly on it.”
“『New sparkly material mechanism』…?”

　That was it.
    It was illustrated how a 『UV-cut Parasol』 deflects the magical power of light.

　In the centre of the figure was a picture of a parasol.
　The light pouring down was represented by an arrow.

　The surface of the parasol had glittering patterns painted on it, like shiny particles.
　And──the light pouring down was bounced off the sparkly things and scattered in all different directions.
　There were letters on the side. That was read, 『UV cut with the power of new sparkly material』.

　I understood.
　The parasol might generate something like light particles to block the magical power of light.

　Magic spells manipulates the magical power through chanting and create fire and ice.
　If these particles disrupted the flow of magical power, the effects of the magic would disappear.

　It disintegrated magical power to diffuse and disperse it.
　In this way, the flow of magical power was disrupted, nullifying the magic itself.
　That seemed to be the power of the 『UV-cut Parasol』 .

“The items in the hero’s world are really scary.”
“The reason why the hero didn’t bring a parasol to this world is probably because the first Demon King handled dark magic. This parasol only counters light-attribute magic…”

　Mabel was trembling slightly.

“If there was a parasol that could nullify dark magic, the Demon King’s territory might not exist today. Perhaps the shape of the world itself would have changed…”
“…Maybe.”
“Thor-sama…”
“If you’re scared, Mabel, I’ll stop here.”

　I said.
　My alchemy was not meant to make people unhappy.
    There was no need to be so hung up on 『UV-cut』 that it scared Mabel.

“No. It’s not scary if it’s an item made by Thor-sama.”

　But Mabel shook her head.

“I know that Thor-sama’s items make people happy.”
“Thank you, Mabel.”
“No. Thank you for your concern.”

　Mabel picked up the skirt of her maid outfit and bowed.

“Sorry for interrupting you. Please continue your work, Thor-sama!”
“Okay, then I’ll try making a material similar to this 『New sparkly material』.”

　I asked Mabel to prepare some clothes.
　As for the processor, it was no different from making magic-woven fabrics.
　All I needed to do was add an attribute to the parasol fabric so that it disrupted the magical power of light.

    The parasol in the 『Mail Order Catalogue』 had a thin piece of fabric that was capable of blocking 『Ultimate Vivid Light』, but I… didn’t have that level of skill.
　It was frustrating, but I was still no match for the hero’s world.

　It looked like I would need to use two pieces of cloth… no, three pieces—to completely block it.

　First, the first one. This was the 『Light Magic Woven Fabric』 to make it transparent.
　Furthermore, I would add the powerful water attribute to this.
　Water has the ability to slow down the passage of things. It should be able to capture the magic of light here.

　In the second piece, embed silver in pellets.
　I set it up so that the light magic captured by the first piece of cloth would be diffused here.
　I would give this side the light, water, and wind attributes.

　The third layer would be the same black colour as the back side. Naturally, it had a dark attribute.
　Let this layer absorbed any remaining magical power of light that could not be diffused.
　That was why the handle of the parasol had magic stones built into it. It should be able to store the magical power it absorbed.

“……Is this all right”

　I didn’t need to worry. If it fails, just make it again.
　I still couldn’t catch up with the world of heroes. I knew that.
　But both Mabel and Luquier believed in me and were helping me.
　The General had prepared the materials, and Agnis was looking for a user of the 『Light』 attribute.
　So there was no fear of failure.
　Remake it as many times as necessary. Keep doing it until I get it right.

　After all, I was Her Majesty the Demon King’s alchemist.
　In order to create Luquier’s magic sword… and at the same time, I needed to come up with a countermeasure against the Empire’s power of light.

　Then I took a deep breath and declared.

“Execution! 『Creative Alchemy』!!”

　Pong!

　A pure white parasol appeared on the desk.
　The length of the main body was about 90 cm. The handle was transparent because there was an empty magic stone embedded inside.
　The diameter of the open parasol was about 160 cm. It was quite large.

　The front of the fabric was white, and the back was black.
　The fabric had a three-layered structure, made up of three pieces of cloth combined together.
　The first layer was a fluid with enhanced water attributes.
　The second layer was a magic reflection system woven with silver.
　And the third layer had the ability to absorb magical power.

　It had a button mechanism that used otherworldly technology and open with one touch.
　This was the『UV (Ultimate Vivid-Light)-cut Parasol』  that protects against light attribute attacks.

────────────────────

『UV-cut Parasol』
(Attributes: Light, Darkness, Water, Water, Wind) (Rarity: ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆)

　Captures the magical power of light in the first layer with light and strong water attributes.
　The second layer, which combines light, water, and wind attributes, diffuses the magical power of the light and shatters it into pieces. Thus disrupting magic.
　Absorbs the surplus magical power of light in the third layer with the added darkness attribute.
　The absorbed magical power is accumulated in the magic stone on the handle.

    The 『UV-cut Parasol』  can block light-element attacks and magical attacks.

　It will defend against any attack that originates from the magical power of light, whether physical or magical.
　If it cannot be defended, the power is attenuated by 90 percent.

　Physical Destruction Resistance: ★★★ (Can only be destroyed by magically enhanced weapons)
　Service life: 3 years.
　One year of user support is included.

────────────────────

“…It’s surprisingly light.”

　I opened the parasol and held it up.
　The weight was not that great.
　But because it was so big, it was hard to handle.
　It seemed impossible to engage in close combat with this.

“The surface is pure white… It’s beautiful.”

　Mabel looked at the parasol with interest.

“How does this block light elemental attacks, Thor-sama?”
“It changes with magical power. Look.”

　I grabbed the handle of the 『UV-cut Parasol』  and poured magical power into it.
　And then──

“Wow! The surface has become a mirror! And what’s more… It’s moving.”
“Silver is embedded in the second layer. Which is why it’s a mirror. The undulating motion is because of the water element. I’ve also added a light element to it. This should allow it to capture the magical power of light, diffuse it, and disintegrate it into pieces, but…”

　But it was moving in a weird way.
　It was like having live slime glued to the surface.
　I wondered what kind of fashion sense people in other worlds had. I didn’t think I’d feel at ease if I walked around carrying something like this…

“Well, never mind. Anyway, let’s see if we can block light magic.”

　There was a magic lamp by the bedside.
　Let’s use that.

“Mabel, get that lamp.”
“Would it be better to turn it on?”
“Yes. please.”

　Magic lamps were a common source of light in this world.
　It was a reproduction of a basic form of 『Light』 magic and was powered by light magic stones.

“Well then, I’ll turn it on.”

　Mabel touched the magic lamp.
　The light magic stone reacted, and the lamp emitted a faint light──

　Finn!

   The 『UV-cut Parasol』 reacted!?
　The surface of the open parasol began to ripple.
　Glowing particles started to appear in the area hit by the light from the magic lamp.

　It moved in an undulating manner, capturing the light and scattering it.
　It was as if the particles were breaking down the light.

“…So this is the power of the 『New sparkly material』.”
“Look, Thor-sama. The magic lamp is… going out.”

　Mabel was right.
　Particles of light floating up from the parasol break down the light produced by the lamp.

　Silver particles were flying around on the surface of the parasol.
　It diffused the light from the magic lamp, disintegrating magic into pieces.
　It was like a powder of light was scattering.
　And then──the light from the magic lamp gradually grew weaker…… and with a ‘pfft’, it went out.

“We succeeded in dispelling the light attribute magic.”

　A faint voice came from the parasol.

“The moment the light hits it, does this parasol cancel the magic of the light source as well?”
“Yes… it seems to dismantle the magic by disintegrating the magic power separately.”

　Mabel said, her eyes widening.
　She stared at the 『UV-cut Parasol』  as if she were looking at something unbelievable.
　The white parasol suited her maid outfit and was very cute, but her expression is very serious.

“The new sparkling material that has been given the light attribute—no, the silver particles are interfering with the magical power of the same light attribute, causing a hindrance. Therefore, the magical power of light deflects diffusely and falls apart into pieces.”
“Rather than blocking it with a shield or a barrier, it is cancelling the magic itself.”
“But it’s strange.”
“What do you mean?”
“This 『UV-cut Parasol』 reduces the power of 『Ultimate Vivid Light』 by 90 percent, right? And yet, it manages to cancel out the light magic.”
“That probably means that 『The hero’s strongest magic will be cut by 90 percent. Anything below that level will be cancelled.』”
“…………”
“…………”
“…Thor-sama.”
“It’s an item that can protect against the strongest magic, so it’s not surprising that it can do that much.”

　I had made a lot of otherworldly items up until now, but this one was really amazing.
　It unravelled the magic of the light that touched it and dispelled it without any questions asked.
　As expected, it is worthy of defending against 『Ultimate Vivid Light』.
　The 『UV Cut』 of another world was truly a thing to be feared.

“But this parasol can only protect against light-element techniques and magic.”

　Therefore, it was not that strong.
　If you got hit by fire or ice magic, you would take normal damage.
   I thought it would be a strong protective item because it said 『UV-Cut』, but it didn’t seem to be that strong. Thank goodness.
　If this were the case, then Luquier and Prime Minister Kerv-san would likely give permission to spread it.

“…Thor-sama.”
“What’s wrong, Mabel? You look troubled.”
“This is just an example… Let’s say the army of another country attacks the Demon King’s territory, and they set up camp there.”
“Yeah. Let’s say they are encamping.”
“Of course, at night, they have to turn on the lights.”
Of course, it’ll be a magic light.”
“And then, what if some of the people from the Demon King’s territory who have good night vision approached there and activated the parasols…?”
“…The moment the magic light touches the parasol, it’ll dispel, and the camp will turn pitch black.”
“…………”
“…………”

　That was strange.
　Although it was supposed to be an item to protect against the ultimate light magic, 『Ultimate Vivid Light』, instead it become an item that brought darkness.
　The parasol itself had light properties.

“But the Demon King’s territory won’t be hostile to other countries, so I don’t think you need to worry about it.”
“T-that’s right.”
“This is merely an item to counter the light attribute and is for the purpose of researching holy swords.”
“It’s for experimental purposes.”
“The only times it’ll be used in actual combat are when the Empire brings along a holy swordsman or a light magician. There aren’t many opportunities like that. Very rarely.”
“We just finished subjugating the demonic beasts.”
“Plus, I don’t know if it can defend against light-element attacks.”
“There are no light attribute users, so it can’t be helped.”
“So, let’s have some tea.”
“Yes, Thor-sama. Do you want any sweets?”
“I’ll take it. Hmm. It’s tasty.”
“It is delicious.”

　For now, we folded up the parasol, and Mabel and I decided to settle down.
　Yeah. The tea was delicious. It was cold, though.

　So far, the parasol’s only effect was to extinguish the light of the lamp.
　I hadn’t done anything particularly impressive.
　I wouldn’t know if it could really erase the『Ultimate Vivid Light』 until I tried.
　All that was left now was to ask a light-attribute magician to actually do an experiment.

　Well, that was probably a while away.
　Since light magic was weak in the Demon King’s territory, there were apparently few light magic users.

　Agnis was looking for a light magician, but there was no rush for it.
　Take your time, and when you find a light mage, try your experiment.
　If I couldn’t find it, I would thank Agnis and seal away the『UV-cut Parasol』 for a while.

　Or so I thought…

“Thor-sama, are you in there?! It’s Agnis!”

　There was a knock and then Agnis’s voice.
　Mabel opened the door, and Agnis came rushing in, breathing heavily.

“A-a light-attribute magician has been found!”
“Really? That’s amazing, Agnis-san!”
“I can’t believe you found it so quickly…”

　That was surprising.

“Thank you, Agnis-san.”
“No, no. I thought that Thor-sama would be preparing to make the item right away. So I wanted to make sure I was ready in time…”

　Agnis looked at the 『UV-cut Parasol』 on the table.

“──I was thinking, but it’s already completed…”
“…I’m sorry. I just did it.”

　I instinctively looked away and muttered.
　Agnis was smiling, clutching the 『Health Promotion Pendant』.

“So, regarding the light-attribute magician… according to the soldiers in town, there is one such person among a race living quietly in the western forest…”
“The Western Forest… I’ve heard of it.”
“Y-Yes. It is a forest inhabited by a minority race tribes that have been granted autonomy by Her Majesty the Demon King.”

　Minority race tribes.
　There were many different races in the Demon King’s territory.
　There were probably some races who lived in the forest.

“Father doesn’t have the authority to give orders to them, but… he can at least ask them for a favour. He will write a letter of introduction for us… So what will you do, Thor-sama?”

　Agnis, wearing a dress, said it with an embarrassed look on her face.