Chapter 64

"Sorry. Could you explain it again?"

Alfred put his hand on his forehead, showing a gesture as if he were pondering.

"Hmm. In other words..."

I lit a small magical light at my fingertips and made it flicker regularly. Short intervals of light and long intervals of light. Two types of signals.

"It doesn't have to be light; it could be sound or magic itself. The idea is to create signals by combining short and long flickers and to correspond these signals to letters. The sender inputs the letters, the device converts them into signals and transmits them. The receiver converts the signals back into letters and displays them."

In other words, it's communication using Morse code. Given the simplicity of the method, I think the scale of the magical circuits can be significantly reduced.

The reason for deliberately including the process of converting signals to letters is to make it accessible to a wide range of people who don't need any prerequisite knowledge or skills.

The magical circuits for signal transmission and reception, as well as for translation and display, can be independent. There's no need to integrate everything, and this could lead to further simplification.

"We also need to figure out a way to specify the recipient."

"That... could be done using contract magic or incantations to create a magical connection between two parties. The completed device itself would be enchanted from the outside."

Alfred folded his arms as if in deep thought, looked down, and answered in this manner. Contract magic is used to form master-servant bonds with familiars or to bind slaves. If it can be used to specify communication partners, the only remaining challenge is to miniaturize the device to a portable size. The hard work will fall on Alfred, and I feel a bit guilty for just throwing out the idea.

However, I must admit that I'm not entirely confident about how useful this will be. I'm prepared to be told that it's too common or outdated. Looking at the existing magical systems, there are aspects that can't be achieved on Earth.

Moreover, while there isn't a dedicated magic for long-distance communication... high-level familiars or summoning magic can be used for two-way information exchange. The former requires a high-level familiar and the master's ability to form a contract. Summoning magic for transmission requires large-scale facilities or special catalysts, making it even more challenging. Skilled summoners are necessary, and there's a risk of accidents, which is why these methods haven't become widely popular.

For general information transmission, methods like letters, beacons, carrier pigeons, and dragon cage transportation are used, which are quite primitive. These methods are more common.

"Huh... I'm surprised."

Alfred, who had been looking down, raised his head with wide eyes. His expression and tone were filled with pure surprise and curiosity.

"Using magic without relying on various spells, just treating it as a signal. And that, the streamlined signal method... this could—"

From Alfred's reaction, it seems the reduction in the scale of the magical circuits will be quite useful. It appears that Morse code doesn't exist in this world.

"Theo... where do you get such ideas from...?"

"Hmm. If you ask me where..."

I couldn't say it was from Earth, so I gave an ambiguous answer.

---

As a result of our discussion, Alfred and I decided to develop a magical communication device. It won't be completed overnight, but the principles and the final form are clear. Alfred is enthusiastic about eventually making it a practical product and a flagship item for the Brightwell Workshop. The impact of easy and fast communication technology on society would be significant, and I can understand Alfred's enthusiasm.

Even if the Brightwell Workshop's policies and strategies are decided, it won't affect my current life. Today, as usual, I will be running through the Dusk Forest for leveling and earning money.

As I was heading to the dungeon, I saw Fernando's exploration team and several adventurers, including Jasper, together. If they were hostile, it would make sense, but they were smiling at each other, which was quite surprising.

"Hmm. So, we can skip the journey and go straight to my destination."

"Yes. Just leave it to me, sir Fernando. I'll handle it like a pro."

...Jasper answered Fernando in a way that was surprisingly humble. Hmm. It seems Jasper's value system is all about money, and everything else is secondary.

The adventurers with Jasper were unfamiliar. Perhaps they had become estranged from their original group after the incident. They might have given up, but if Mercedes found out, she would probably be angry.

"Hey, kid. Got a problem with something?"

Jasper noticed me and glared.

"It's not really my concern."

I shrugged, and Jasper snorted. While it was a bit deflating, it wasn't a criminal act, and it wasn't my business. I didn't feel the need to reprimand them.

"Hey, do you know each other?"

"Not really... we're not acquaintances."

Fernando showed interest, but Jasper turned away, sulking.

"Hmm..."

Fernando shrugged and walked over to me.

"Do you need something? Don't you know about your agreement with Sir Chester?"

"I know, but it's not my problem."

...He said it so easily. If Greg is his backer, he must understand the implications. Even though he knows, he still approached me, ignoring the agreement.

"Just listen. I'm not trying to start a fight with the dragon riders. It's actually a better deal. I'll put it vaguely since I don't know how much you know, but if you give us information about what the knights are looking for, I'll pay you well."

He whispered this to me, and I could feel my eyebrows furrow.

I don't know how he interpreted my expression, but Fernando laughed as if it didn't matter.

"Don't be so high and mighty. The knights have done some research on you. You're cut off from your family and are in financial trouble, which is why you're exploring the dungeon, right? Since you're here, the reward from last time wasn't enough, so I don't think it's a bad deal."

...What kind of thought process does he have? When he needed maps or guides to the deeper parts of the dungeon, he used the authority of the knights to demand them... and now, with the situation changed, he's doing this. Fernando looked smug, but he's not the one paying the money.

"Just think about it. I know my approach is a bit rough, but hiring adventurers with money is the official policy."

After saying what he wanted, Fernando left. He and Jasper headed towards the stone marker and disappeared into the deeper parts of the dungeon. Despite the outward appearance, his inner nature is quite different from Chester's.

...If someone were to repeat his malicious words, he would probably claim they were misinterpreted. I don't want to get involved in such pointless arguments.

"I would never do business with him."

That was Sheela's opinion. Fernando had whispered to me, but Sheela overheard everything. As a member of the Thieves' Guild, she clearly didn't like Fernando's approach or stance.

"Of course, I have no intention of doing business with him."

Sheela smiled and nodded at my response.

"What was that about?"

Ilmhirld asked Sheela, who looked at me to see if it was okay to share. I nodded, thinking it's important to share information with trusted companions.

However, in a way...

While it's important to separate business from personal feelings, it's better to do business with someone you feel comfortable with.

In my case, I could give the information directly to King Melvin or Prince Albert, bypassing the knights. There's no benefit in negotiating with him, and I'd rather not get involved with him or Jasper.

...Sigh. I might as well head into the dungeon. Dealing with monsters is far more constructive than thinking about someone like Fernando.