Chapter 57

I wanted to depict the scene in the capital, so there is less dialogue this time.

I hope you can enjoy the unique world of the capital and feel a sense of warmth.

On the first day in the capital, I encountered a lost child named Rā-chan and ended up wandering around the market stalls for half the day. I wonder how much I walked that day. I even thought about teleporting in small increments.

Maybe I should make some roller skates. However, the ground in the capital is paved with stones, so there are many grooves. I'm worried the wheels might get stuck. In Koriatt Village, there's mostly grass and dirt, so it wouldn't make much sense, but maybe it would work here. If the wheels were big enough, it might be possible.

In any case, I walked around so much that I thought about such things.

In the end, I ended up performing magic near a market stall, attracting attention, and Rā-chan's older sister came over.

Well, everything turned out fine, and I thought I could go back, but the audience wouldn't let me. Surrounded by a large crowd, I repeatedly teleported, stored, and retrieved items.

To keep the audience from getting bored, I even involved them in the act and pulled a knife out of my mouth.

While it might seem like a silly farce to me, the audience was delighted and threw copper coins one after another. There were even gold coins mixed in, so I wonder which idle noble was among them.

I easily made back the money I spent that day.

It seems I could make a living just by performing magic in the capital from time to time.

Feeling exhausted, I spent the next day resting at the inn.

As expected, since it's a noble-only inn, the food is delicious, and the local specialties of the capital are served.

Most of all, the bath is spacious and luxurious, allowing me to heal my body.

The only thing I don't like is that the water flows from a crude magical device. It would be better if it were hidden in the mouth of a golden lion or something.

After regaining my energy on the third day,

I was lying on the big bed, wondering what to do today.

Ah, this futon is so soft. I wonder what kind of feathers are inside.

Are they from birds that live in this world? Or maybe cotton, sheep's wool, or silkworms? It could even be the fur of a monster.

While playing with the futon, I suddenly came to my senses.

"Right, today I'll take a leisurely look at magical devices!"

My goal is to learn about magical devices.

It would be great if I could make them myself, but first, I need to see them in person.

I got up with a burst of energy, told Mother Elna, and rushed out.

She said something about having to go somewhere tomorrow, but it should be fine as long as it's not a party.

The inn is on the main street near the north side of the capital. I can immediately get to the main street when I go outside.

The main street to the north is already bustling with people, and carriages are making noise as they move around.

Unlike Koriatt Village, the capital is overflowing with various people and things, so there's no uniformity in clothing or ethnicity.

The capital, where day laborers, merchants, travelers, and adventurers from various lands mix, seems lively today.

While the quiet Koriatt Village is the best, this kind of lively bustle isn't bad from time to time.

Bathing in the morning sunlight, I stretch.

Mother Elna told me that the magical device shop is on the northwest main street, so I head there as instructed.

I check that there are no carriages on either side and dash through the crowd.

The northern area, where the royal castle is located, is clean and patrolled by many knights due to the presence of many nobles.

There are many high-end shops, and there are relatively few houses.

If I were familiar with the geography of the capital, I could head straight to the northwest, but unfortunately, I'm a country bumpkin and not familiar with the streets of the capital, so I decided to head to the square first and then to the northwest street.

Well, back alleys and narrow streets seem like something might happen, so they're scary.

Each street extends from the center of the square, so if I go through the square, it's easy to understand and I won't get lost.

Still, Rā-chan got lost on the first day, but that's probably because she was only four.

"Wow, it's amazing, even though I saw it from the carriage on the first day."

I exclaim as soon as I reach the square.

It's so wide, unlike the narrow streets in Japan.

The square, which spreads in a circle around the central fountain, is filled with people relaxing on benches.

There are all kinds of people, from an old man feeding bread to birds to an annoying couple.

I walk towards the center, looking around curiously.

"Huh? Wasn't there a stone statue here?"

As I say this, an old man who was feeding the birds speaks to me.

"That's the statue of the creator god, Misphilit-sama, who is said to be the god of this world."

The old man, who started walking with his cane, causes the birds around him to fly away.

What is this? Is this an old man who likes to meddle in young people's affairs?

"Is this the statue of the god of this world?"

"Yes, that's right."

Eh? Isn't that the old man I met when I was reincarnated? It's completely different, or rather, it's clearly beautified.

It didn't have such a commanding and dignified face. It was more like an ordinary old man.

"…What's wrong?"

"U-Uh, nothing. I just didn't know the creator god was such a great figure."

What is this? Did I say something to make this old man angry? I feel a strong pressure.

"Yes, yes. This great god created this world. We owe our lives to this god and should be grateful every day."

The old man nods calmly.

He seems to really like this god. Is he a believer or something? I want to avoid anything related to religion.

"By the way, if it's okay, could you sign this paper—"

"That's it, I have to go!"

I see the paper and run away towards the northwest.

Dangerous. I almost got naturally drawn into a religion. It must be someone who targets people like me and tries to recruit them.

What a sinister thing to do with a kind face. The capital is scary.

After escaping from the dangerous religious recruitment, I continue down the street.

Gradually, many shops, cafes, and restaurants line the street.

There seem to be clothing stores and bookstores, so there must be a magical device shop too.

But I don't want to walk around and get tired like yesterday, so I ask a waitress who is holding a sign on the street.

"Excuse me."

"Yes, yes? …What's wrong? The store isn't open yet?"

The waitress, who has brown hair tied back for work, bends down and meets my gaze.

She's a cute girl with a bit of childishness left.

Is this what they call a town girl? Maybe she's the shop's signboard girl. She seems safe. At least she won't try to recruit me into a religion.

"Is there a magical device shop around here?"

"If you're looking for a magical device shop, the closest one is at the second corner. If you want something a bit more expensive, go to the north. There are some in the south, but the quality is poor and it's like a maze, so I don't recommend it."

Oh, she not only told me where it is but also gave me a warning.

"Thank you. Do you work here?"

"Yes, I work at a place called 'Fairy's Feather.' We serve lunch and turn into a bar at night."

"Wow, thank you. I'll come if I have time!"

"Thank you."

I wave and smile, then head in the direction she told me.

I think town girls are wonderful.

"Excuse me."

"Sure!"

I enter the magical device shop and call out. A young woman and an old lady come out from the back.

"Is it a customer?"

"Ah, Grandma, go back to the back."

"What, treating me like a nuisance?"

"You can't do anything here anyway."

The young woman, with silver hair and around twenty years old, pushes the old lady back with a matter-of-fact tone.

She has a very slender figure.

She might even be as good as Elina.

"…What is it?"

"U-Uh, it's my first time at a magical device shop."

I might have been seen through.

But I pretend it's my first time visiting a magical device shop.

"Oh, is that so? Can you channel magic power?"

I think she might let me try.

"Yes, there's a magical device in the bath at the mansion."

"Mansion!?"

"Yes?"

What? Why did she suddenly shout?

"Nothing, nothing."

Ah, she must have realized I'm a noble and thinks I'm a good customer. Only rich people have mansions.

"Can I touch the ones here?"

"Yes, of course. Just be careful with the ones that produce fire."

Then I started channeling magic power into the strange-shaped objects in the store.

What is this? A box with a round disk on top.

I pick it up and channel magic power.

The disk on top starts to spin.

The more magic power I channel, the faster it spins.

Wow, that's amazing.

"What is this used for?"

I ask out of curiosity.

"Well… I made it, and it just spins."

The woman answers shyly.

What? It's so interesting?

If it had blades, it could be a magic-powered blender. If it were made to fit a table, it could be a magic-powered Lazy Susan. It would be a waste not to use it.

Maybe I could install it under the floor of my home.

If it could spin slowly, it might move the floor of the room automatically. If that were possible, electric bicycles might not be a dream.

"Um, customer?"

Oops, I thought too much.

"How many of these do you have?"

"Um, I have two of these."

"I'll take them. Do you have any books about magical devices?"

"Really? Thank you! The books on magical devices are quite specialized and difficult, though…"

She bows and answers hesitantly.

"That's fine. I want to make a magical device right away!"

"Well, it might be a bit difficult to do it right away."

"Why is that?"

"Only the beginner level is available for sale. To get the advanced levels, you need to attend a magic academy."

What…!?

While I'm in shock, the woman adds more.

"Making magical devices and creating the circuits that can withstand them is very difficult. But since you're young, if you study hard and attend a magic academy, you can make them!"

"How old do you need to be?"

"Well, it depends on talent and effort, but you need to attend a magic academy, at least."

She says this while opening a beginner-level magical device book.

The book is filled with densely drawn magic arrays and explanations.

Just looking at it makes my head hurt. It's so difficult.

What is this? Magic itself might be easier.

And magic academies are for kids from twelve to sixteen. No way.

"I think I'll give up on making them myself."

"No! Don't give up!"

"It's okay. I'll focus on using magical devices."

I decided to buy them, but I'll read the books to gain knowledge.

If I need something, I can always have someone make it for me.

I continued to browse the items, lightly brushing off the encouraging words of the female shop assistant, who was trying to draw me into the world of making magical devices.

'I can talk to animals and monsters.'

If you're interested, please read.

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