Chapter 92

"What could it be used for?"

Praying that he doesn't say something like 'to destroy a neighboring country,' I ask. However, Intaize's answer was completely unexpected.

"Have you heard of a metal called Orichalcum?"

Orichalcum. In fantasy, it is one of the most famous metals. Generally, it ranks above mithril and is treated as a rare and expensive metal. However, I have never even heard of it in this world, let alone seen it. Why would that name come up here?

"I know the name... but I've never seen it."

"Hardly anyone has seen it. The only existing Orichalcum in the country is used in a national treasure dagger. Not many people even know the name. ...The reason why Orichalcum is so rare is related to that magic tool."

"Like mithril, it requires refining, right?"

I can't think of any other reason why such flames would be required for a metal. I don't know the specifics, but it seems that refining magical metals is quite difficult.

"That's right. Refining Orichalcum requires an extraordinary amount of heat. That magic tool might be capable of it."

"Using that violent heat for refining? It seems incredibly dangerous..."

Isn't he pushing it too far?

"That's where the skill of the engineer comes in. We can't make such a magic tool, but we specialize in creating devices to utilize it. We'll show you what we can do."

The Maple Guild isn't specifically specialized in making machines. We don't have the know-how or experience, but we managed to make one just because we had the materials and ideas. Since the guild deals with combat magic tools, it's not surprising that they have the ability to control dangerous things.

"If that's the case... how did they refine the metal before this kind of magic tool was available?"

I've never seen a magic tool that can produce such heat. Throwing it into lava might reach a certain temperature, but extracting the metal would be difficult.

"The most common method is to expose the ore to a sub-dragon's breath. It can only produce a few grams in a short time, but it's the most efficient way."

...It was a surprisingly brutal method. If sub-dragons could be kept as pets, it might be possible to produce it intentionally, but I've never heard of such a thing. It seems they threw the ore into the range of a sub-dragon's breath during battles. Now I understand why Orichalcum isn't used more often.

"Is there a more peaceful method?"

"There's a method where you place the ore on a platform made of stacked magic stones and cover it completely with hundreds of fire magic tools, heating it all at once. The heat isn't quite enough, and with three hundred magic tools, they could only produce about 0.5 grams, but it's a safe way to produce Orichalcum. ...These are the only practical methods that have been developed."

It was even more insane than I expected. I'm surprised they managed to make a dagger. The platform must be made of magic stones because it's the only way to withstand such heat for a long time. Even the heat that can destroy monsters leaves magic stones intact.

"If that's the case, this heat might not be wasted."

"Yes, exactly. Of course, it can be used for exploration as well, but I think Orichalcum is more important."

Exploration is also a possible use. I can't help but think that untouched grasslands could be used first. But I guess there's probably a reason they're left alone.

"By the way, what kind of metal is Orichalcum?"

"It's the strongest metal. The national treasure dagger has a blade thickness of only about 0.5 millimeters, but it's said that it didn't chip even when cutting a sub-dragon. ...Of course, the dagger itself is too small to deal significant damage."

"If it could be mass-produced, it would be quite interesting."

"Exactly. So, would you consider selling this magic tool? If we can refine it, we can make weapons for you, Kaede."

"Of course, I'll sell it. Unless the government interferes..."

"With a transaction with the Kononsa Guild, it should be fine. The government doesn't seem to want to interfere with the Maple Guild much."

"Is that so?"

"There was a time in the distant past when accomplished adventurers got involved in politics, but it didn't go well. Since then, the government and nobles have avoided direct involvement with adventurers. Do you have any idea why?"

...Now that you mention it, even when I got involved in national-level chaos, I never met anyone who could be called the core of the government. There was always something between the government and me, like the guild or other guilds. I never even questioned it, but maybe they wanted to keep politics separate from me to prevent me from getting involved in politics.

"Some people think it's fine for Kaede, but traditions are hard to change. Still, if there's a situation where it can't be avoided, it's not impossible."

I hope such a situation doesn't arise.

The government and nobles seem quite troublesome. Especially the nobles, I only remember Radmcos, and my impression of them is terrible.

"I don't want to get involved much. Politics seems quite troublesome."

"The people in the government would be relieved to hear that."

"If there's an opportunity, it would be helpful if you could pass that along subtly."

Amateurs getting involved in politics doesn't lead to anything good. It's best for both the country and me to stay out of it.

"Sure. I'll let them know. By the way, should we start discussing the details of the purchase?"

"Of course, that's fine. Mercia will handle the specifics, so I won't be involved, but is there anything else?"

"Hmm... Not really, but if I had to say, it would be nice to have a water magic tool as powerful as this. There are many places where fields can't be made, and often it's due to a lack of water."

Water magic... I might try it out.

After watching the ship return to the port, I head to the island alone to experiment with whether I can imbue magic stones with attributes other than fire. The determination of whether the attribute has been imbued is done through appraisal. I didn't realize it before because I don't usually appraise magic stones, but it seems that appraising can reveal attributes.

First, I prepare a powerful water magic spell. I gradually increase the power of the water jet, which is about 30 centimeters in diameter, to match the size of the magic stone.

"...Is this enough?"

I test the increased power by hitting a nearby tree with the water. With a loud 'thud' and a 'crack,' the part hit by the water disappears. The remaining parts fall like a toppled doll and are blown away by the continuous water jet. The power seems sufficient.

I fix the magic stone with a barrier spell to prevent it from being blown away and hit it with the completed water magic. After about 30 seconds, the water overflows from the barrier and reaches my feet. The poor island, which had been scorched, exploded, and blown away, is now being washed away by the water. Feeling sorry for it, I stop the water jet and fly over the mud to retrieve the magic stone. I should have done this over the sea.

However, despite all this, the magic stone did not have any attributes imbued. I had a hunch it wouldn't work. With the current magic, the amount of water increases along with the magic power. This means the concentration of magic (or magical elements, though I can't distinguish between them) in the water doesn't change. Water is a liquid, and its volume doesn't change much. This is the fundamental difference between fire and water magic.

Since the amount of water increases with the magic power, the density doesn't increase. ...What if I waste the magic power? If I release enough magic power to produce such a water jet while imagining the amount of water to be like a faucet, wouldn't that create water with a high concentration of magic power? I'll try it.

Since it would be too sad to do this on the island, I move to the air above the sea and activate the magic. The amount of water is like a faucet, so I don't need a barrier spell. I waste magic power while drenching the magic stone with water. After about ten seconds...

"...It worked."

The water attribute was imbued in the magic stone. This means I can imbue attributes other than fire. Thinking about what to try next, I look at my skill list. ...The words 'Healing Magic' catch my attention. What would happen if I supercharged this magic?

It sounds interesting, but there's one problem. There are no magic tools for healing magic.

However, rummaging through my item box, I find something that might work. A potion made from Zunana grass extract. A potion with unprecedented immediate effects and power, made from grass that grows in areas rich in magical elements. It's highly likely to have some magical properties. It's worth a try.

Holding the potion bottle with the lid open, I cast healing magic at full power towards the potion. The potion starts to glow. I've never used light magic, so something strange is happening. I stop the magic and appraise the potion, which continues to glow faintly.

The appraisal result says it can 'heal 3.5 million HP.' That's ridiculous. Something seems wrong. For example, the number of digits.

It's enough to fully heal a sub-dragon's HP, and for gargons, it could heal a thousand. It's insane.

Still, it's important to test how effective it is. I left the green wolf I used for the experiment at the guild, so I head to the monster territory. As soon as I land, I spot a galden.

"This one will do."

I approach from above without being noticed, appraise the galden, and swing my magic sword.

With a light 'squeak,' the galden's head falls. Its HP drops to zero instantly. I immediately pour the potion on it.

After a few seconds...

...Indeed, a new head grows on the galden, whose HP should have been zero.