Chapter 49

"Koni! Are you here!?"

The next day, I went straight to the Magic Tool Club.

When I entered, Koni was, as usual, working on some suspicious-looking device.

"Ah, Lloyd-kun. What's up? So early in the morning?"

"Actually, there's something I want to make together. It's a magic tool like this..."

I handed Koni the design I had prepared the other day.

"As always, you're sudden... Let me see... Hmm, I think it's possible. But with this structure, wouldn't it be better to change the material?"

"Wow, you're amazing, Koni. I never thought of that. ...Then, maybe we could try weaving this kind of magic circuit into it?"

"...Sure. Since you're a magician, Lloyd-kun, changing this part to this material might have a synergistic effect and produce even better results."

"Then... let's do it."

"While we're at it..."

Before I knew it, our conversation had become more animated than I expected.

Koni and I really do get along well.

Though she can't use magic, her understanding of magic circuits is unparalleled, and sometimes even I am impressed.

With this, I might be able to create the magic tool I envision.

With that, I spent every day immersed in the Magic Tool Club, focusing on the production.

At this pace, it should be no problem to have it ready for the tea party.

"But, Lord Lloyd, I don't know what you're planning, but can't you just use your magic? Most things can be handled with your magic, right?"

"This time, I can't use magic."

After all, the opponents are Noah and Gazel. If I use magic in front of those two, it will definitely be exposed, even if I try to hide it. Especially after the mess I made the other day, they are probably on guard.

But with a magic tool, they shouldn't be as wary.

"I see, that makes sense. ...But, how is that succubus doing?"

By the way, Grimo is with Noah and the others, providing support.

After causing such a commotion, it wouldn't do to just hide away.

"Grimo will handle it well. You know how thorough he is."

"Your evaluation of the succubus based on her affable nature is commendable... No, I can't make strange remarks without being sure and confuse Lord Lloyd."

Jiriel was muttering something.

Perhaps she wanted to do it herself.

"Lloyd-kun, can I ask you something?"

As I was thinking about this, Koni called out to me. She had a backpack and was dressed as if she was going into the mountains.

"I need to go collect some purple bloom grass. Can you keep working on the project?"

"Purple bloom grass? Ah, sure... Shiro!"

"Un!"

I took a bundle of purple and blue grass from Shiro's fur.

"Is that... purple bloom grass!? When did you...?"

"I thought we would need it, so I got it in advance."

During our meeting the other day, I realized we would need various herbs, so I went to collect them with Ren.

"By any chance, do you have the mystic mushroom too?"

"Yeah, I also have the dark moon flower and the summer insect winter flower seeds. Do you think this will be enough?"

"Such a rare purple bloom grass, and in such quantity... The dark moon flower, which starts to wither from the stem, and the bone sky herb, which crumbles if pulled improperly, are both in excellent condition. It's amazing that you not only obtained them but also processed them so well, Lloyd-kun."

"Well, my companion helped me get them."

Since Ren was abandoned in the mountains as a child, she has extensive knowledge of the mountains.

With the addition of the pharmacology she learned from me, she has become even more reliable.

As Koni looked at the materials with a serious expression, she asked:

"By the way, Lloyd-kun, did you happen to pick up any magic storage stones while collecting herbs?"

Magic storage stones are rare stones found in nature that can store magic power.

Since they are not necessary for the current magic tool, I haven't been looking for them.

Even if I did search, they are not easy to find, as they are very valuable.

"No, I didn't pick any up, but do you need them?"

"Okay... No, I just thought you might have. Yeah."

Koni looked obviously disappointed as she started working.

She picked up her tools and began checking the magic tool. As always, her work was impeccable... By the way, most of the magic tools Koni makes have the ability to store magic power.

Does she need a lot of magic storage stones for that?

"But it's strange. It seems Koni is particularly focused on storing magic power."

All the magic tools Koni makes have the ability to store large amounts of magic power.

Even without magic, there are many magic tools that can function. There must be a reason.

After thinking for a moment, Koni answered my question.

"Have you heard of the Cursed Ones?"

"Yeah, people who have strong magic power but can't control it, and are thus shunned, right?"

Ren is one of them, and I have been involved with several people called Cursed Ones.

Most of them have led lives shunned by others and have had to live in the shadows.

"Actually, the village where I grew up is a place where many such people are born."

In this continent, there are places where powerful monsters are sealed, divine relics still exist, or where great magic experiments were conducted, all of which have accumulated large amounts of magic power.

In such places, people with high magic power, Cursed Ones who have difficulty controlling their magic, and people with unique constitutions like Koni are more likely to be born.

"My younger brother was born with too much magic power and was bedridden from a young age. He never got better, even when we took him to the doctor, and he died before he turned five. It wasn't just my brother. Other villagers had similar issues. Even if they survived by luck, the uncontrollable magic power continued to harm them... I wanted to find a way to help everyone, which is why I started making magic tools... Of course, I love magic?"

"I understand."

After all, without a love for magic, it would be impossible to acquire such extensive knowledge and skills.

Moreover, by studying magic as a magician, it is possible to harmonize others' chaotic magic lines.

That's why she joined the Magic Department, which focuses more on magic, rather than the Magic Tool Department, which spends most of its time on production.

"Although my own power has its limits, with magic tools, anyone can perform the treatment. My dream is to eliminate the suffering of people with similar symptoms from this world."

Koni said this while assembling the magic tool.

The sweat on her forehead sparkled.

"Wow... What a noble and admirable girl. Learning magic circuits without magic is like studying without being able to see. It must have been very difficult. Yet, she still works for others... How admirable."

Koni's words moved Jiriel to tears.

In any case, I now understood Koni's actions, which had been puzzling. The magic tools that store magic power were meant to absorb and disperse the excessive magic power from the villagers.

"Got it. Magic storage stones, right? I'll give them to you if I get them. It's a thank you for your help."

"Really? That would be a great help."

"We help each other when we're in trouble."

With that, I shook hands with Koni.

If I get along well with Koni, I might be invited to her village someday.

Then I could learn about the secrets of the land and the impact on the people. A village where Cursed Ones are born... That sounds interesting. It would certainly be useful for my magic research. Yes, yes.