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 56

Episode 56: “Talking about item weaknesses and reinforcements”

　I decided to explain the ability of 『Chain Lock』.

────────────────────

『Chain Lock』
(Attribute: Earth x4, Water x1) (Rarity: ★★★★★★★★★★★☆)

　Due to the strong earth attribute, the strength has been raised to near its limit.
　Its strong earth attribute gives it a high affinity with the earth, enabling it to achieve『Land Lock』 that connects it deep underground.
　The added water attribute enables the 『Auxiliary Chain』 to penetrate the ground with the fluidity of water.

    At both ends of the 『Chain Lock』 are 『lock mechanisms』 activated by magical power.
　By aligning the ends and channelling magical power, the chain can be secured into a closed loop.
　When magical power is reapplied to the locked item, the 『Lock Mechanism』 is released.
　

『Land Lock Mode』

　When magical power is channelled into the chain to activate 『Land Lock』, the auxiliary chain extends deep into the ground.
　It automatically seeks out and connects with subterranean rock and bedrock through magic energy.
　Due to its strong earth attribute, it becomes integrated with hard layers such as rocks and bedrock, making it very difficult to move.
　The only way to detach it would be to dig underground and sever the connection between the rock and the chain.

　A key vulnerability is that if there are no hard materials like rock underground, the fixation power weakens.
　If you let the chain dangle, it will naturally orient itself towards underground rock and bedrock, so take that into consideration when deciding where to place it.

　Physical Destruction Resistance: ★★★★ (Can only be destroyed by weapons enhanced with advanced magic)
　Service life: 2 years.
　One year of user support included.

────────────────────

“””……oh”””

　When I explained, everyone sighed in admiration.

“I see… so it has this kind of ability. No wonder even Raizenga and Kelve couldn’t lift it.”

　Luquier nodded repeatedly.

“With this, you can use it to prevent item theft. It’s splendid, Thor.”
“Thank you. But this has a weakness.”
“A weakness?”
“It doesn’t work on heroes who can blow up the whole ground.”

　Heroes often changed the terrain casually.
　They would create huge craters with massive fireballs or topple boulders to collapse mountain ranges.
　They seemed to have no regard for the environment, causing destruction without hesitation.
　For those kinds of people, this『Chain Lock』 was useless.

　This『Chain Lock』 was a degraded copy of an item from the world of the heroes.
　This item was not capable of performing the『Earth Lock』 that was described in the『Mail Order Catalogue』.

　…I wondered how one would go about connecting the chain to the world itself.
　I didn’t know.
　Every time I created an item, I was reminded of how amazing the world of heroes was.

“There are other weaknesses as well. For example, a high-level magical weapon could cut through the chain itself. If it received a blow from the holy sword used by the Imperial Princess, it would likely send both the chain and the item attached to it flying away.”

　I said that and sighed.

“I realise how weak I am. I’m still nowhere near the level of the Hero’s World.”
“No, I think this 『Chain Lock』 is strong enough.”
“No, it’s still not perfect. You don’t have to be a hero to break the 『Chain Lock』. For example, a group of several dozen could dig through the ground and destroy the connected rocks…”
“Well, I doubt anyone would go that far!?”

　I wondered.
   As long as it was not possible to『Earth Lock,』 it wouldn’t provide perfect security.
　I thought we needed to consider methods to release it and come up with countermeasures.

“So, I have something to discuss with you and your majesty.”
“You want to consult?”
“Yes, I’d like to hear your opinions on the new features to be implemented in 『Chain Lock』.”

　I looked around at everyone’s faces.
　Chancellor Kelve, General Raizenga, Mabel, Agnis, Soleil, and Rune all looked surprised and waited for my words.

　What I was thinking about was improving the security of the 『Chain Lock』.
　Ideas to enhance this imperfect item.
　That was──

“If the lock is forcibly released, which would you prefer: having the item self-destruct, emitting flames, or to tightening the item with a chain and crushing it──and then having the whole chain self-destruct?”
“Will you go that far, Thor?”

　They were surprised.

“Um… Thor-dono. This 『Chain Lock』 is meant to prevent items from being stolen, right? Isn’t it pointless if you destroy the item it’s meant to protect?”
“Kelve-dono is right. That would be such a waste.”

　Chancellor Kelve and General Raizenga said.
　It would be better to explain this properly.

“I would like to ask Your Excellency the Chancellor. What kind of situation would cause an item to be stolen?
“Let’s see… Are we considering a situation where the person holding the item is attacked by thieves or enemy soldiers?”
“So that means the people of the Demon King’s territory are in danger?”
“That’s true, but…”
“……Ah”

　A voice came.
　Mabel’s eyes widened, and she nodded repeatedly.
　It seemed like she understood what I was trying to say.

　After a moment’s delay, Luquier also spoke up, “I see”.
　Both of them realised what I was trying to say.

“Thor. Is your 『Land Lock』 meant to buy time for the people of the Demon King’s territory to escape?”
“That is correct. Your Majesty.”
“In order to forcibly disengage the 『Land Lock』, one would either need to continuously use magic on the ground or dig it up with a group of several dozen people. In other words, it requires that much effort to steal the item…”
“Yes. In the meantime, the people of the Demon King’s territory can escape.”

　If an item is stolen, it means you’re being attacked by someone.
   By using the 『Land Lock』 at that time, you can escape without worrying about the item. If the enemy is distracted by the item, their pursuit will become less intense.
　The people of the Demon King’s Territory should be able to escape safely.

“Wouldn’t you be curious to see an item like this anchored to the ground?”
“Certainly. It attracts the enemy’s attention. If the item is forcibly released, the whole item is destroyed.”
“That’s right.”
“But wouldn’t that mean losing the items you worked so hard to create?”
“The reason I make items is so that people can live comfortably and leisurely. There’s no point in making an item if someone gets injured or killed while trying to protect it. This 『Chain Lock』 is meant to prevent that from happening.”

　I said.

“Items can be replaced, but people cannot. That’s why this is a security system designed to protect people.”
“…You… are thinking about the people of the Demon King’s territory.”
“Of course. I’m His Majesty the Demon King’s alchemist, after all.”
“…I see.”

　Luquier took a slow, deep breath.
　Then, turning her back to the others…
　──With a 『Shh』 gesture, she placed a finger on her lips and removed her mask.

“…In the name of Luquier Evargard, I grant you a personal reward.”

　She said it in a low voice so that only I could hear.

“…Not as a Demon King, but simply as Luquier, I wanted to give you a reward. You were talking about protecting people──seeing your face made me want to do this… Ah, you don’t need to reply. I’m just telling you to think about it.”

　With that said, Luquier put on the 『Recognition Inhibition』 mask once again.
　Then, in a joyous voice,

“The 『Chain Lock』 you created will be used in the Demon King’s territory.”

　Luquier spoke in the Demon King’s tone.

“As for countermeasures, if the 『Land Lock』 is forcefully disengaged… I think explosions and flames would be too dangerous. It would be better if the chain crushed the item and then the chain itself broke. We’ll test this functionality once it’s added. Formal adoption will come after that.”
“Thank you so much. Your Majesty!”
“Is that okay with you too, Kelve?”

　Luquier looked at Chancellor Kelve.

“…I never thought that Thor-dono was thinking so much about the Demon King’s territory. It seems that this Kelve misunderstood Thor-dono. Here I thought it was just some impulsive, surprising alchemist with no real plan──ahem ahem!”

　Chancellor Kelve-san was about to say something when he suddenly coughed.
　Then he raised his head, looked straight at me,

“Anyway, I am impressed by your desire to protect the people, even if it means destroying the items you yourself created. I, too, must prepare myself. I am authorising the use of Thor-dono’s 『Chain Lock』 and other items.”
“Thank you. Your Excellency the Chancellor.”

　I bowed deeply to Chancellor Kelve-san.

“I am truly grateful to Your Excellency, the Chancellor. Without your words, I would never have thought of creating the 『Chain Lock』.”
“…I see. That’s right…”
“Thanks to that, I learnt about 『Earth Lock』. And I realised that my technology wasn’t yet capable of making it happen. To be honest… I may have been a bit arrogant. I thought I could perfectly copy the items from the Hero’s World… but…”

　I raised my head and saw Chancellor Kelve-san’s face.

“But the assignment that Your Excellency the Chancellor gave me made me realise that I still have a long way to go before I reach the level of the heroes. I need to continue my research even more. That’s why I’m so grateful to Your Excellency the Chancellor.”
“…Is that so… Please… do your best…”

　Saying that, Chancellor Kelve-san turned away.
　Oh no. I got a bit carried away.
　My gaze must have become sharp as I stared at the Demon King’s Chancellor.
　That was rude. I should reflect on that.

“Anyway, we have decided to have the soldiers of the Demon King’s territory use the 『UV Cut Parasol』 and 『Chain Lock』. This has been officially decided by His Majesty the Demon King and Chancellor Kelv.”

　With his back turned, Chancellor Kelve declared.　

　I did it.
　Now the people of the Demon King’s territory could use my items.

　The problem is that the simple warehouse is too sturdy. It can only be broken by high-level magic. With the 『Chain Lock』, there’s a chance it might be impossible to break it if it’s an emergency.
　However, ultra-compact simple warehouse should have weaker defences due to its smaller size.
　I’ll need to test later to see if it can be destroyed.

“By the way, Thor. I have a simple question.”

　Suddenly, Demon King Luquier tilted her head.

“What would happen if this 『Chain Lock』 was used on enemy soldiers or heroes?”
“……Eh?”
“No, no. I’m just asking what would happen if someone were to be restrained using this”
“…They won’t be able to move.”
“What if the hero were to forcefully peel off the ground and escape…?”
“He’d be caught in an explosion or constricted by the chains to the limit of his physical strength.”
“That’s what would happen…”

　Luquier and I looked at each other.
　That was strange.
　The item was supposed to be made to prevent the theft of other items, but it had turned into an item for restraint.

“…If the enemy is restrained and they try to force their way out, they will explode. Or the chains will tighten around their limbs. If it wraps around their neck or torso…”

　Luquier muttered with a surprised look on her face.
　This『Chain lock』 was just a chain, that just had a『land lock』 function.
　There were many ways to use it.
　With just a little thought, I could come up with any number of traps for the Empire…

“Thor.”
“Yes. Your Majesty.”
“You will be under my supervision for a while.”
“Why?!”
“I will now travel with Kelve near the border to observe the movements of the Empire. You will join us on the journey. Is that okay with you, Mabel?”
“Y-Yes. Your Majesty.”

　Mabel kneeled on the ground and answered.
　Looking at her, Luquier spoke in a gentle tone.

“It seems that you have been poisoned by Thor recently. I will be with you for a while.”

　That sounded like I was the cause of some great evil or something.

“I’d like to ask the winged fairies to scout the surrounding area while I patrol the border. Can you do that?”
“Y-Yes, I understand!”
“I shall do my utmost to serve the Alchemist-sama and His Majesty the Demon King!”

　Soleil and Rune were happily flying around me.

“Well then, the experiment on the 『UV Cut Parasol』 and the 『Chain Lock』 is now finished. Both items will be implemented by the Generals and the Commanders of the soldiers. The details of the procedure will be discussed when we get back to the Demon King’s Castle. Good, Kelve.”
“Y-Yes. I’ve already made up my mind.”
“Well then, let’s return to the mansion. We’ll rest until dinner. I… have developed a sudden craving for tea…”

　It was a signal that said,『I want to have a tea party』.
　Mabel and I exchanged a glance and headed towards the mansion together.
　Soleil and Rune were on my shoulders. They both looked like they wanted to join the tea party.
　There was also the issue of Luquier’s mask, so maybe we would discuss that later.

　Thus, the 『UV Cut Parasol』 experiment ended without a hitch.
　I decided to go with Luquier to observe the Empire’s military training.