Chapter 21

(The text is long)

The shop was narrower than I had expected.

Near the entrance, there was a small counter, and behind it, a small table with a two-seater sofa. There was nothing else except a door leading to the back.

Shops usually have glass display windows with items neatly arranged, so the absence of any merchandise made me feel uneasy.

"Ah, Miss Chelina, did you forget something?"

An elderly man who was about to retreat through the back door turned around.

He was indeed wearing traditional clothing, but it was simpler and less adorned than the merchants at the guild, giving him an odd butler-like impression.

—Though I've never seen a real butler before.

"No, I came to introduce someone who has some business here."

—What, you came with me for that reason? I didn't ask you to.

"Hmm, Miss, you came in person... What kind of business is it?"

Somehow, the conversation was progressing without my consent. Oh well, it's fine.

"Sorry to disappoint, but I just wanted to take a look at some affordable aetheric tools."

"Affordable, you say. Please, have a seat over there, and I'll bring you some tea."

With that, the shopkeeper—definitely not a butler—disappeared into the back.

I was about to sit in the middle of the two-seater sofa when, for some reason, Chelina tried to sit with me, so I had to scoot over and sit next to her.

How did it come to this?

"Mr. Akira, what kind of aetheric tool are you looking for?"

She seemed completely at ease with the close proximity and spoke naturally.

"Something for cleaning, if the price is right. I'd like to buy other convenient tools if they're available, but my budget is limited."

I hesitated to reveal my hand, but since it wasn't something I absolutely needed, I was more relaxed.

"Have you dealt with aetheric tools before?"

"Today is the first time I've even seen and used one. I was so shocked that I came straight here."

I saw one yesterday, but the details don't matter.

"Is that so..."

Chelina looked down and fell silent for a moment.

"Do you use an item bag?"

"Oh, that's also an aetheric tool, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Sorry, I only got this recently..."

"That's understandable."

"Yes... hehe..."

I tried to laugh it off, but the butler returned at just the right moment.

"Thank you for waiting. I've prepared a different tea for you. It's black tea."

"Thank you. ...This scent is from Lake Rel, isn't it?"

"Indeed, Miss Chelina."

I was quickly sidelined, but it was for the best.

"I've prepared a few items for you. Most of them are within the range of a True Radiant Gold Coin."

Hey, wait a minute! A True Radiant Gold Coin is worth 100,000, way over my budget!

"This is a standard lighting tool, and a cleaning one. We also have a wind and a fire aetheric tool, both of which we just acquired today. Normally, they would cost more than a True Radiant Gold Coin, but I'm making an exception."

Whoa... and there are quite a few types, too.

"And this one is a bit more expensive, but it's a rare light sword. All of these are 'affordable' aetheric tools."

The shopkeeper explained with a gentle smile, fitting for his age. He's probably a seasoned merchant, so I shouldn't trust that smile.

"Oh, but won't you make a loss?"

Chelina looked puzzled.

"If you're a regular customer, you'll come back and buy more soon."

"Oh, do you really trust me that much?"

"You're a client of the Veriello Guild, the best in the country. Even if it means a loss, I want you to remember my face."

"Oh, what if I'm not a business partner but a love interest?"

Chelina leaned closer to me, pressing her ample chest against me as if to show it off.

Come on, give me a break.

"Then all the more so."

They shared a quiet laugh. Hey, include me in the conversation!

Actually, Miss, you can leave now.

"Sorry for the delay. My name is Halogen. It's a pleasure to meet you."

I wanted to point out the obvious joke. I have no intention of marrying a lamp.

"No, I should apologize for not introducing myself. I'm Akira, a humble traveling merchant. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'll be here for a short while, so please take care of me."

The old merchant glanced at Chelina for a moment but then extended his hand without making it obvious. I shook it in return.

"Please, take a look."

In the attache case-shaped wooden box, five aetheric tools were carefully arranged.

However, they all looked identical, so I was at a loss when asked to choose.

"Sorry, I can't tell which is which... Are they all different?"

Maybe these are just samples, and the real items will be brought later.

"From your left, they are lighting, cleaning, wind, fire, and light sword."

I still couldn't tell the difference.

"Could you please explain the effects and... prices of each one?"

"Of course. First, the lighting tool. This is the most commonly produced aetheric tool. It can make the tool itself glow, or it can make objects it touches glow, but only metal objects. It doesn't work on wood or living things. Merchants often use it to make their knives glow. The price is... let's say 10,000."

His explanation was thorough.

I was prepared for a condescending look, so I was very grateful. Maybe it's thanks to Chelina's influence.

"Next is the cleaning tool. It has the effect of cleaning nearby objects. In this region, it's hard to see, but it makes dirt, including oil and mud, float as sand. The sand won't reattach, so it can be brushed off. The price is 30,000."

Hmm, I think the young girl Narnia at the inn said it would cost about five gold coins, so this is quite a bit cheaper, isn't it?

"Next is the wind tool. It can create a gentle breeze or a stronger wind, but the strength varies greatly from person to person. Despite this, there's a high demand, so it's usually quite expensive. Today, it's 80,000."

Creating wind... that could be very useful. It could replace a bellows for stoking a fire, or for ventilating a house. If it can create a small tornado, it might even replace a vacuum cleaner. A true cyclone.

"Next is the fire tool. It can replace a flint, and some people can even launch fireballs. By the way, there are separate aetheric tools specifically for fireballs, which we don't carry. The price is 100,000."

Considering it's like an oil-free lighter, the price isn't too bad, but I can get a lighter for 100 yen, and I don't need one at all.

And what about fireballs? Is the translation correct?

Does it mean launching fireballs?

I don't need something that dangerous. It's scary.

"Finally, the light sword. This is a very popular item, and it's rare for it to be in stock in this region. We just acquired it today, so I thought I'd show it to you. It creates several light swords and launches them at the enemy. The number and power vary, but it can at least create one sword with enough power to kill an ordinary person. The price is 350,000."

That's terrifying!

Enough to kill someone? I don't need that!

I have no intention of becoming a murderer!

"Thank you for the explanation. I'm most interested in the cleaning tool. I'm also interested in the wind tool, but not today..."

I have no interest in the lighting tool. I can probably get a flashlight or an LED lantern easily enough...

But wait, if it doesn't require batteries, it's not bad?

Since he's giving such a discount, maybe I should buy both?

I want the wind tool, but the price is too high.

I picked up the lighting and cleaning tools and examined them closely.

"But it's a problem that they all look the same. I can't tell them apart."

"That's true. If you could tell what kind of aetheric tool it is at a glance, the enemy could prepare a countermeasure."

What's with this talk of enemies... and there are plenty of ways to keep it hidden from the enemy.

"Can't they be made in a different shape?"

"It's not impossible, but... what do you mean?"

"How are they made?"

The shopkeeper suddenly looked uncomfortable.

Of course, in Japan, store clerks often answer such questions, but it seems that's not the case in this world.

"Mr. Halogen, isn't it just a general explanation? It's something you can find out with a little research."

The silent Miss suddenly spoke up. Her support was appreciated, but I didn't intend to pry. I was just curious.

"Yes, the basic structure is that a mana stone is placed at the center, with the appropriate purity and size. For aetheric tools, small and low-purity stones are usually used, unless they are exceptional. Occasionally, large and high-purity mana stones are found, but they are not used for aetheric tools."

I see.

A mana stone is required.

"The processed mana stone is at the center, and a circuit is drawn around it. This circuit channels the correct mana into the stone. The circuit is folded into the spherical part at the end. When you channel mana into it, the spell is activated."

"Hmm... how big is the mana stone?"

Halogen looked at Chelina, who nodded slightly. The shopkeeper sighed and showed me a small, transparent stone from his pocket. It looked like crystal but was much smaller than I expected, about the size of a grain of rice.

"It's quite small."

"The larger and purer it is, the more expensive it becomes."

What I meant was, how can such a small stone produce such powerful magic? But it doesn't matter.

But if it's this small, couldn't it be made in a different shape?

As I examined it on my finger, Chelina spoke up.

"Mr. Akira, is something on your mind?"

"No, I just had a thought..."

"Would you mind sharing it?"

Hmm, is it worth mentioning?

"No, since the mana stone is so small, I was wondering if aetheric tools could be made in a card shape."

"Card shape...?"

"Yes."

I closed my eyes and thought of "playing cards."

【Approved. New items added to the SHOP.】

Checking, I saw that "Playing Cards = 560 yen" had been added, so I bought them. It was a bit of a waste, but after all this talk, I couldn't just say, "Never mind."

Remaining balance: 178,169 yen.

I took out the playing cards and laid a few on the table.

"I don't think they can be as thin as a single card, so I thought of making them thicker like this. I don't know how the circuits are made, but if they can be stacked like this, can't they be made?"

I asked, but both Chelina and Halogen were silent, staring at the cards. I sighed and continued.

"If they are stacked, the thickness can be increased, and the mana stone can be embedded in the middle of the cards, except for the top and bottom ones."

I showed them a stack of about six cards.

"What are the advantages?"

"First, the front can be made with the same design. Then, the back can indicate what spell it is. If you can't read, you could use symbols. Like this."

I held up the Ace of Clubs.

"If you hold them like this, the person facing you can only see the same design, so they won't know what you're using. If you fan them out, you can use multiple cards at once."

"Mr. Akira, aetheric tools can't be used simultaneously. They must be activated by direct contact, and only one at a time. There are safety features to prevent accidental activation, but using multiple at once could cause a malfunction."

I could see her excitement fading.

"Then, can't the activation be limited to the center of the card?"

"What do you mean?"

"If touching the edges is fine, you can hold them like this."

I held up five cards in one hand, as if playing poker.

"From this side, you can only see the same design. I know what cards I'm holding. If I draw one, I can hold it like this."

I drew one card and held it with my right hand, touching the center with my thumb.

"..."

Halogen and Chelina were speechless. It seemed I had surprised them.

"I thought this design would be convenient... but I guess it can't be made right away. For now, I'll just take the cleaning tool..."

"Mr. Akira!"

Chelina suddenly shouted, breaking her frozen state.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Akira... have you heard this idea somewhere before?"

She leaned in so close it was almost suffocating.

"No, this is the first time I've seen aetheric tools properly..."

"Mr. Akira... would you sell me this idea?"

"Huh?"

"Without realizing it, Mr. Akira, your idea is a revolution for aetheric tools."

"Is that so?"

It seems like a simple idea to me.

If you want to improve usability, it's a natural thought.

"Yes. I will give you a generous reward, so please keep this conversation confidential."

"That's fine, but... if possible, I have one request."

"Yes, what is it?"

"I'd like to be the first to buy a card-shaped aetheric tool when it's ready... of course, at a special price."

"Of course. Let's start the 'negotiation.'"

Chelina smiled slowly.