Chapter 8

"Hey, hey, it's been a while since you've come, young master."

"Hey, Old Moran."

"Ho ho, it seems you've been quite active lately. You've grown into a sturdy young man. It's as if you're a different person from when you were a child."

Indeed, you've seen a lot of people in your years.

"Yeah, well. Isn't this place regaining quite a bit of vitality, just like when you were young, Old Moran?"

"I wasn't here when I was young, but I don't think it was ever this lively. This is truly the most prosperous time for the Helan territory."

"Really? Now is the best time?"

Yeah, yeah, you can't let your guard down, but the trend is definitely good. As long as we don't make any big mistakes, it should be fine, right?

If I can control the future wife I haven't met yet...

Let's think about that next spring, shall we?

"It's been a while, I thought I'd read some magic books in the library. I can concentrate the most here."

"Is that so? I'll make sure to provide the best study environment while I'm here."

"Thanks."

"Magic Book 2 is more difficult, but how is it, young master?"

"It's tough. But the more I read it, the more I understand it."

"That's good. It seems you've grasped the basics of learning."

"Hey, Old Moran, where did you gain your knowledge?"

"I'm just an old man who has read a lot of books and gained knowledge through self-study. I'm a lucky person to have this job as a librarian in my old age." Old Moran was smiling.

"I thought you had considerable knowledge to hand me this series of magic books so easily. I don't believe everything you just said, though."

"Ho ho ho, don't tease an old man too much."

After enjoying a bit of conversation, both Old Moran and I returned to our work.

Old Moran reads books all day. He has read all the books in the library and knows where everything is. His job and pleasure now are to acquire new books with the given budget and read them.

I've heard that a country where the elderly are happy is a good country.

So, the Helan territory must be a good territory.

The content of Magic Book 2 focuses on maintaining magic power after it has been separated from the body.

The flames created by property change and the plants created by material change cannot maintain their form for a long time once the magic power is separated from the body.

At least, not with my current strength.

To maintain the form even after the magic power is separated from the body. Mastering this will complete Magic Book 2.

I understand the content, and I have succeeded in maintaining the plants created by material change as independent substances.

What I wanted to focus on today in the library was the advanced magic item policy.

For example, with material change, it's possible to make flowers bloom from iron, and with property change, it's possible to create iron that is always cold.

Of course, this is just in theory, and I haven't succeeded yet.

So today, I brought an apple as the main object.

The property change to add is water.

Not just water, but changing the magic power to a state as close to honey as possible and retaining it in the apple.

Since it's honey made by magic power, it was naturally absorbed by the apple.

It looks like a regular apple.

When I cut it open, magic power overflows.

It's still not working well.

If this works, I think I can make a super sweet apple.

As Old Moran taught, this is all about repetition.

Old Moran is engrossed in reading.

I continued to infuse the apple with magic power.

"Young master, what are you doing?"

"Ah, Old Moran." It seems his consciousness has returned to the real world.

"I'm in the middle of making a magic item, the advanced version."

"An apple?"

"Yeah. I want to try eating an incredibly sweet apple."

"Ho ho, you're doing something unusual.

Usually, magic items are made for rings, swords, or armor.

Wearing a magic ring in battle or using a sword with property changes are common. Making food into a magic item is the first I've heard of."

"Really!? That's a waste."

"Ho ho, everyone has different ideas.

By the way, you're the irregular one in this case, young master."

"Have you ever tried it, Old Moran?"

"No, I haven't. Taking back the magic power you've released sounds possible, but I haven't tried it.

There aren't many people who can maintain magic externally. You're already quite skilled, young master."

"Wow, how strong would I be in a pure magic battle?"

"Hmm, there are those who only pursue powerful property or material changes without maintaining magic externally.

In terms of combat, you still have a long way to go. Ho ho ho."

I can't hear such talk anywhere else. Old Moran is indeed the best.

"Hmm."

"I made an apple, do you want to try it, Old Moran?"

In the evening, I completed my creation on the first floor while Old Moran was reading on the second floor.

I can almost perfectly retain magic power in the apple now.

"I'll pass. I'm an old man, so I need to take care of my body."

"That's a bit rude, Old Moran."

"Ho ho, then, how about the third volume next?"

Old Moran, you sneak, threw the book and slipped away into the depths of the library.

But when it came to actually eating it, I suddenly became scared.

"Alright, let's eat it."

I declared this many times.

There's no other way. In this case, I need to use that method.

There's a perfect person for taste testing.

"Father."

"What is it, Kurri?"

I found my father relaxing by the fireplace.

"I brought an apple. It's really sweet.

Father, you have a lot on your plate with the lord's work, so I want you to take care of your health and get enough nutrition."

"Ah, Kurri, you're such a filial son.

Thinking back, you changed a bit after falling from a tree while picking apples three years ago.

Since then, every time I see an apple, I think, 'Just eat it already.'

'Alright, I will.'"

I handed the apple to my father, who seemed a bit hesitant to bite into it.

He glanced at me a few times but eventually took a bite.

"Mmm!!! It's delicious!!!

What a strong flavor! The apple is still young, retaining its firmness and acidity, yet it has a sweetness that is almost perfect. Moreover, it has a surprisingly refreshing taste! The sweetness is rich, as if it's a mix of various flavors, and the juice that melts in your mouth is truly a supreme natural soup! Even though I was already full from snacking earlier, this apple goes straight to my stomach! I want another one, another one! The words to describe this deliciousness are too few—!!!"

"..."

What is this guy. Suppressing the urge to eat more, I left the room.

Is it really that delicious?

In the end, my father kept asking for more, and I kept making them until he was done.

At night, after taking a bath and entering my room, I saw the apple I had infused with magic power.

I had eaten dinner, so I wasn't really in the mood, but my father spoke so enthusiastically.

Just one bite.

"It's delicious!! The deep sweetness spreads in my mouth..."

I almost ended up like my father.

Well, time to sleep. I have a lot to do tomorrow.

My father said he felt extremely tired after eating it, but I don't feel that way. Is it because of the difference in the production stage?

I won't think too deeply about it. It might keep me awake.

...

Something's wrong.

My body is hot. It feels like I've just finished running, and my head is excited.

Why!?

There's only one possibility. The apple!

I jumped out of bed, trying to stay calm and observe myself.

Magic power is overflowing.

It feels like a flood of magic power is surging inside my body.

If I eat a true magic item that I infused with my own magic power, this is what happens. That's the only reasonable explanation.

It's not just magic power. I feel like I can lift the bed right now! I really do!

"Whoa," I actually lifted it.

Suppressing the urge to shout, I slowly put the bed down.

I feel invincible! It makes me feel that way.

I won't be able to sleep tonight. Since I'm in this state, let's call it Super Mode and use it for the people of the territory.

The number of tourists has increased, and the people of the territory are becoming prosperous. Recently, there has been a surge in immigration.

The food problem always arises when the population increases.

I have a location in mind for the new residential area, and I know there's groundwater.

So, I'll dig a well tonight.

"Yeeeaahh!!" I'll do it!!

"Brother, why do you think we, the famous thieves 'Black Shadow,' came to this rural Helan territory?"

A suspicious man in a black cloak spoke.

"Who knows?"

Another man, also in a black cloak and with a large build, replied.

"Then, let me explain the job."

"Alright, go on."

They were having a dangerous conversation in a tavern, but no one was paying attention.

"This Helan territory is the only place in history where records have been lost.

The reason is unknown, but the records before the loss all describe this land as barren."

"Is this land of blooming flowers barren?"

"Yes, the current Helan territory looks completely different from historical records."

"Go on."

"Do you know that the first king, Maree Kudan, was very fond of this land?"

"Of course."

"He was so passionate that he wished to die here.

Now, the main point. The target this time is the hidden treasure of the first king."

"The first king's treasure that hasn't been found yet. Is it here?"

"Considering the lost records and the fact that Moran, the king's official historian, moved here, it's suspicious. The key is the movements of the lord's son, Kurri Helan."

"Ah, the lord's son who discovered the hot spring, right?"

"Exactly. He's been hiring people to investigate this Helan territory. There's even a report that he dug deep into the ground himself recently."

"Does he already have a location in mind?"

"I don't think so. His actions are too inconsistent. He probably got information from Moran or is working with Moran's people."

"Do you have a location in mind, brother?"

"Of course. It's not certain, but if it fails, we can try elsewhere."

"Where is it? Tell me quickly."

"Close to the light. The treasure is at the Helan residence!!"

"Brother, that's the Helan residence."

Outside the Helan residence at night, the two men sneaked in.

"No guards. It's just like a rural lord."

"Where do we sneak in?"

"The treasure is surely in the basement. Find the door that leads to the basement."

"Got it."

"It's just as you said."

"The entrance to the basement is outside the residence."

It didn't take them long to find it. They are professionals, after all.

The brother broke the lock, and they descended the stairs to the basement.

They didn't need light, as they could see in the dark.

"It looks like a storage room."

"Exactly, there should be a hidden door."

It didn't take them long to find it.

They are efficient.

"There's something, but the quantity is strange." Behind the hidden door was a small wooden box in a spacious room.

"What's going on, brother!!"

"It's not here. That's all. Don't worry about every failure.

Shall we take this?"

"A book?" The larger man said.

The only thing in the wooden box was a single book.

"Damn, let's go, brother."

"Alright."

They left quickly.

No need to linger. This is one of the reasons they've never failed a job.

"Wait a minute!"

Today is not their lucky day. Not only was there no treasure, but they were caught as soon as they crawled out of the basement.

"Damn, we were found."

"After forging, my senses are heightened. Maybe the simple work is good for the brain, or the sound of the metal clashing is good."

"Who is this...? Isn't this Kurri Helan?"

"Two rats, let's see what Kurri Helan does with them!"

"Brother, isn't this guy a bit off?"

"Yeah!! I ate the magic apple again today, and this is the result! I can't sleep, so I'll play with you!"

"Brother, I'll take care of this. You escape first."

"Not a chance! Water magic! Water swamp!!"

With Kurri's voice, a swamp appeared at the feet of the two men.

"I created a swamp with water magic. You can't escape. It's a bottomless swamp, so it could be fatal!

I'll call the guards, so if you behave, you'll go to prison. If you resist, you'll go to the other world!"

"Damn."

Ah, this is bad. I used a lot of magic power on the two thieves, but it's still overflowing.

The two thieves only stole one book.

They handed it over immediately, so they didn't really want it.

"Magic Book 5"

Wow! This is part of the series Old Moran lent me.

Look, the author is Chris Helan.

I'll keep it in my room for now.

Well, my parents are probably worried since I can't sleep after all this commotion, but I've handed the thieves over to the guards, so I might as well dig another well.

However, I shouldn't eat the magic apple for a while. The fatigue the next day is unbearable.

The next day at the tavern.

"Did you hear? Kurri-sama caught the two 'Black Shadow' thieves yesterday," one man said.

"Yeah, the information broker was spreading it this morning. It seems there will be a reward from the capital," the man to his right replied after finishing his drink.

"Good news lately, the town is bright. It's a good thing," the man to his left added.

"Kurri-sama will be a good lord. This land will be safe as long as he's here."

"Yeah, but I have a bit of a concern."

The two men reacted to the middle man's question.

"What is it?"

"According to the information broker, the two 'Black Shadow' thieves were caught by Kurri-sama when they were about to leave without stealing much."

"The famous thieves didn't steal anything!?"

...

"Maybe the lord's house doesn't have anything valuable?"

"True, I've never heard of any luxury."

"I've seen the lord's pants with a hole in the crotch. He was wearing them as if nothing was wrong."

"Hmm, that's a different story. That's a matter of the lord's character."

"How about this? Kurri-sama used to be chubby, but now he's so thin."

"Come on, they can't be lacking food, can they? They're the lord's family!"

"That's true. But I've worked with Kurri-sama before.

His hands were incredibly rough, and the muscles on his upper body weren't something you get overnight. He looked like a man who does hard labor every day."

"Come on, that's serious. But the people are thriving thanks to the hot spring. Isn't the tax revenue increasing?"

"Actually, the tax hasn't increased at all. And Kurri-sama is investing more and more money in land development. Maybe the lord's family is going through hardships we can't imagine."

"Damn, we've been enjoying the good times. Maybe I should talk to the guild leader."

"Yeah, we should repay Kurri-sama!"

"Right! That's the spirit of the men of Helan!"

"Achoo!!"

"Ugh, I might have caught a cold from working at night."

"Haha, Kurri, you can't manage yourself. Look at me, I'm working hard and still energetic."

"Ah, you're impressive, Father. By the way, Mother was looking for you angrily a while ago."

"What!? I'll go check."

"You!! The territory is thriving with tourists and the people are prosperous, but why isn't the money coming into our home increasing!?"

"Well, it will increase soon."

"You! Are you managing the taxes properly!?"

"Of course, I am. ...Of course, I am!"

"Alright, then."

"...... Well, let's go to the hot spring, shall we?"