Chapter 46

――The next morning.

Sequoia, the little fox, visited the mansion with the rising sun, and because Rumburg let her into the room, I ended up meeting her early in the morning.

"But I refuse."

I rubbed my sleepy eyes and glanced at the grinning Sequoia, then yawned and rolled back into bed, pulling the blanket over me. As expected, or perhaps inevitably, Sequoia climbed onto me from atop the blanket. I decided to consider it a small mercy that she didn't get under the blanket and went back to sleep. I slept soundly, as it was still too early for breakfast. Yes, it was.

"Coming to your room in the morning with a beautiful girl, what kind of attitude is this?"

"Zzz."

"A sleeping person doesn't say 'Zzz.'"

"Zzz."

"I see, I see. You're treating me like this, huh? There's nothing I can do about it."

Sequoia grabbed the blanket and threw it off in one swift motion.

"Ah!"

"Really... I thought you'd be happy, so I brought this newly made thing."

"Newly made?"

"Yes, this."

Even after the blanket was taken away, I tried to go back to sleep, but Sequoia took out a glass object from her pocket and placed it on her small palm. It was a light bulb!

It was already completed.

"Wow. I'm wide awake now."

"How is it? I made sure to remove the air inside."

"By solving the vacuum problem in an instant. Magic is so unfair."

"When you explained it to me, it was like a veil was lifted from my eyes."

We had asked Garam and the others to build the power generation facility. To check if it was generating electricity, I thought a light bulb would be a clear and moving item. However, I thought making a light bulb would be quite difficult, despite its simple appearance. The glass and filament parts were easy for Garam and the others, who were skilled craftsmen. The problem was inside the glass. When electricity passes through the filament, it generates heat and light. The result of the heat is simple: it causes a fire. In other words, it burns and doesn't just glow. So, the solution is to remove the element that causes burning. Things burn because of oxygen, so if you remove the oxygen from inside the light bulb, it won't burn no matter how much heat is generated. In short, you need to make the inside of the light bulb a vacuum. It's easy to say, but you have to figure out how to remove the air after sealing the light bulb. However, Sequoia solved this problem with a suffocation spell.

"I was more surprised by your use of such a ruthless spell..."

I sighed, looking far away.

"What are you saying? The suffocation spell allows you to hunt without injuring your prey. It's a convenient spell that lets you get undamaged fur."

"That's ruthless... Well, we've lived different lives. Let's leave it at that."

"Indeed. What I'm concerned about is different. Removing the air prevents burning, I understand that. But heat is still generated, right?"

"Yeah. I'll explain the details once it works. If it works."

"Hmm. I'll look forward to it."

Sequoia's concern was about the filament. No matter how much it doesn't burn, if the filament can't withstand the heat, it will melt. In my time, tungsten was used for light bulb filaments in Japan. But there's no tungsten here. I considered using a magic metal with unknown properties. If this doesn't work, I want to try the magic metal. I don't know if this material has the same heat resistance as tungsten, but I hope it works...

Hmm?

Sequoia, sitting on my lap, started shaking my shoulder. It's tough to deal with this wobbling right after waking up...

"What, what's the matter..."

"Hurry up. Let's go."

"To the blacksmith's?"

"Yes. Tore and Garam said they would be out by sunrise."

"No, there's no need to rush..."

"What are you saying? You came up with the plan, didn't you? What will we do without you?"

"Is the power generation facility already complete?"

"Of course. That's why I'm telling you to hurry."

"O-Okay."

I thought it would be almost complete, but I didn't expect it to be already finished... The blacksmiths work too fast! The speed at which they complete their work with such precision and delicacy is scary.

"This isn't the time to be dazed. Here."

"Hey! Don't pick me up!"

"You're light. Are you eating properly?"

"Leave me alone. I don't want to be picked up by a little girl. Put me down. I'll get ready right away."

"I was going to carry you like this."

"Seriously, stop it!"

What are you saying?

Finally, I was thrown onto the bed, and I glared at Sequoia while opening the closet. I need to hurry and change, or I might be picked up again...

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While being pushed from behind, I met Rumburg in the mansion's hallway. Without stopping, I managed to say, "Please take care of the town with the four of us," and left the mansion, getting on the horse.

"Really, you're too rushed. I was thirsty and wanted to have a drink."

"There will be plenty of water when we get there."

"That's river water!"

"Yes, drink as much as you want."

"...In this situation, river water is fine."

"Raw water isn't good for your weak body. Boil it first."

"..."

If you're going to worry that much, at least let me have some water. What will you do if I get dehydrated? I'm not boasting, but I'm weak.

While we were joking around, the blacksmith's shop came into view.

"Wow, everyone is lined up outside."

"They couldn't wait, I guess."

Not only Garam and Tore, but their apprentices were all gathered at the blacksmith's shop. They seem a bit too enthusiastic. What if it's a big failure...? No, even if it fails, they will surely come to me with even more enthusiasm, asking, "Don't fear failure, push forward, what's next?" Their positive attitude has saved me many times during the public state era. I'm really glad I met them. They're a bit too enthusiastic, but...

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