Chapter 89

"Hey! This is an incredible magical tool, Craft-sama!"

"Do you like it?"

I was in high spirits, bringing the newly completed mental resonance ring—a communication magical tool—to meet Kyle. We immediately tried out the communication, and Kyle was unusually excited.

"Of course I like it! But this is..."

Kyle put his hand to his chin, deep in thought. Seeing this, Persia, his guard, placed her hand on her cheek, entranced.

"Kyle-sama, you're so cute."

That's a complete affirmation. Kyle is cute. Alphard is smiling wryly, but you should be more honest too!

I thought Kyle would be more openly delighted, but he had a strangely serious expression. I began to understand that this magical tool was quite something.

To avoid interrupting Kyle's thoughts, Alphard turned to me.

"Will you give us that communication magical tool as well?"

There's no reason not to give it to Alphard, who is Kyle's guard and the overall commander of the military.

"Of course."

I not only gave the rings to Alphard but also to Persia and Myuna, explaining how to use them and having them practice.

During the test, only the connection with Myuna was a bit problematic.

"Hey, Myuna. Please say something."

Through visual sharing, I could see the blurry scenes Myuna was looking at, but I couldn't hear her voice, as she is usually quiet.

"...ru"

What's "ru"? "ru"?

"Hey, can you hear my voice?"

"...mm"

It's okay... right?

Since I'm basically always with Kyle, it's not a big problem even if it doesn't work. ...right?

Seeing Myuna wearing the ring and looking happy, I didn't care anymore. Since it seems to be working, I decided not to bother her, who was happily swinging her legs on my lap.

Alphard's reaction was the complete opposite of Myuna's.

"Really... Craft. You never know when to hold back, do you?"

"It's convenient, right?"

"Yes, it's convenient. Even without the fact that communication can only be initiated by you, it's an undeniable national treasure-level artifact."

"Then you should be a bit happier."

Alphard smiled wryly.

"Idiot. You're mass-producing national treasures, which is why you're probably pulling your hair out."

"It's for Kyle."

"True... Indeed, it's irreplaceable in both exploration and military matters. I'll thank you, at least."

"At least? Be more honest!"

Honestly, this guy is always so serious and stiff.

Is it that knights can't be anything but stiff?

On the other hand, Persia's reaction was this.

"Craft! You! Don't you dare send a communication while I'm changing!?"

That's it.

"That's why I explained that you should take off the ring when it's inconvenient."

"Idiot! As a guard, it's unthinkable to take off such a wonderful communication tool!"

"Oh, that's true..."

"When I first sent a communication, if you had refused, it wouldn't have connected..."

"Really!? Are you sure!? There's absolutely no chance that Craft is secretly peeping at my naked body, right!?"

"Of course not!"

"Swear it! Craft!"

"O-Okay!"

No way. This knight is worrying about the wrong things!

Alphard, smiling wryly, intervened.

"It's fine, Craft. We are guards. There's no gender in guarding. Contact us without hesitation in emergencies."

"Wh-What! ...Guh! Al!"

"Are you embarrassed to the point of causing an accident, Persia?"

"Ah! I know that! I know, but..."

What should I do?

Seeing my confusion, Kyle smiled and held up his ring.

"Don't worry, Persia. I think Craft-sama will contact me first."

"Huh? Oh, that's true..."

"In other words, I think Craft-sama will only contact you directly in emergencies."

That makes sense.

Kyle is really smart.

...But, what if he contacts me when I'm in the bath...? That won't happen, right?

After the comedy routine between me and Persia, Kyle's expression became serious.

"Craft-sama. Who else do you plan to give this communication magical tool to?"

"I'm thinking of..."

As I listed names, Kyle nodded vigorously.

"I understand. Let's gather everyone."

◆

The next day, my trusted companions gathered at Kyle's residence.

I was about to give them the communication magical tool, the ring.

Kyle and Myuna, as well as Alphard and Persia, had already received theirs.

I had already given a ring to Reifan but asked him to join us.

The main recipient was Raidock, with his blue hair.

Well, it's not actually flowing.

He's a top-notch B-rank adventurer and my best friend, so it's a top priority to be able to communicate with him.

I recalled the Cockatrice battle. If we had this magical tool then, it would have been much easier.

There were two more demi-humans besides Reifan.

One was Azure, a fox beast person, who was called by Kyle and seemed uneasy in her seat.

The other was Shururu, who recently became a resident of Golden Dawn.

Azure is the church's leader and my childhood friend, so I really wanted her to have it. If she has it, it will be easier to communicate with the orphans too.

I hesitated about giving it to Shururu, who kept trying to get closer to me but was being blocked by Myuna.

After discussing with Kyle, we decided to give it to her as a representative of the lizardmen.

I considered giving it to Jurala, the new village chief, but for the following reasons, we decided to give it to her.

Assuming the hunt goes well and negotiations with Zaid succeed, the development of the wetlands and the construction of the village will begin.

At that time, Shururu will take on the role of a diplomat, traveling between Golden Dawn and the lizardmen village.

It's appropriate to give the communication magical tool to Shururu, who will be the liaison with the village.

...Don't think I'm afraid of giving the ring to Jurala and not Shururu. I'm not, okay?

Speaking of discussions with Kyle, there were two more.

The hunter Jitaro and the adventurer Eva.

Jitaro... well, if I didn't give it to him, he might feel left out. Kyle also smiled wryly when I said I would give it to him.

Regarding Eva, I had a long discussion with Kyle.

Among the B-rank adventurers, should I give it to the C-rank Casper sisters?

The Casper sisters, if they continue to operate in Golden Dawn, will surely reach B-rank and match Raidock's party in strength.

Most importantly, we've traveled together for a long time.

Alphard was hesitant, but with Reifan's recommendation, they were ultimately included.

There are two more who are not here.

The production guild's ring is usually held by Plum, who participated in the initial experiment.

The last one is my familiar and artificial maid, Ryuuko.

As a familiar, she can share some sensations even without the ring, but it was discovered that with the ring, more advanced communication is possible.

Surprisingly, she can even send communications to me, which was a shock.

Including me, thirteen people will have the communication magical tool.

Kyle suggested that he would buy them and lend them to everyone.

Additionally, it was decided to send one to the Ortros Margrave and to bring one to Mr. Jabeel later.

When we visit Zaid's village during the wetlands expedition, we can give it to him then.

It's a secret to everyone except Reifan and Kyle, but the communication magical tool for Mr. Jabeel is the same as mine.

With Mr. Jabeel's magic power, he should be able to activate it.

Moreover, I want to give him a full-spec magical tool as my teacher.

Since the magical tools given to everyone can't initiate communication, I'll explain that.

"Everyone, basically, only I can initiate communication. Once connected, it remains a two-way mental resonance until disconnected."

Hearing this, Shururu looked disappointed.

"Does that mean I can't talk to Craft-sama?"

"Ah, yeah. It's also a heavy magic power drain, so I don't plan to keep it connected normally."

"Oh. I thought we could talk every night."

As Shururu's shoulders drooped, Myuna started kicking her feet.

Violence is not good, Myuna.

...It doesn't seem to be having any effect, and Shururu doesn't seem to notice.

I picked up Myuna and held her, and she hugged me back obediently.

Her body is so warm.

Despite the slightly awkward pose, I explained the usage of the communication magical tool to everyone.

Raidock was impressed, saying, "This is very convenient," but Eva's face turned pale.

"Wow... This is too much. It's not a joke. If mass-produced, it would bring revolutionary changes in trade, war, and exploration."

It seems Eva noticed the same advantages as Kyle. Impressive.

I don't fully understand how great it is!

Of course, I understand it's a national treasure-level artifact!

After my explanation, Kyle's expression became serious again.

"Everyone, this magical tool is very valuable. However, I believe it is essential for the development of Golden Dawn, so I will lend it to you. Please use it carefully and do not misuse it."

Everyone bowed respectfully in response to Kyle's declaration.

◆

That day, many residents gathered at the south gate of Golden Dawn.

Leading the way was Kyle, followed by the wetlands extermination team.

The team included seasoned adventurers who participated in the dragon battle, led by Raidock, and lizardmen warriors. Newly recognized adventurers were also included, of course, including the Casper sisters.

Additionally, some of Alphard's private soldiers were accompanying as Kyle's direct guards.

Persia was assigned to defend Golden Dawn and would stay behind.

Degaard Bismarck and Tygar Gaider, who distinguished themselves in the Cockatrice battle, also remained.

With the city walls now complete, the city's defense should be fine with Persia and the others.

Of course, we have prepared a large amount of alchemical potions for both defense and the extermination team.

With everything in place, we set out for the wetlands!

"Before that, we need to stop by Zaid's village."

"Reifan, don't bring down the mood..."

Honestly, I didn't think everything would go smoothly.

"Then, wetlands extermination team! Let's go!"

"「「「YEAH!!!」」」

Well, it'll work out, right?

Surely, someone as wise as Zaid will understand and be cooperative!

Volume 2 will be released this month, on June 30th!

Oh, there's a special one-shot only in the e-book version! (10,000 words)